Republic Technologies is launching its biggest-ever programme of consumer PR and marketing activity in support of its match brands, including a partnership with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge (pictured), national press advertising, and a national consumer survey.
The news follows the announcement that Republic is relaunching its matches range to include new packaging, and NPD for the Swan brand in the form of a pocket-size Swan match.
The consumer campaign includes a major push for the range, with emphasis on the Cook’s, Bryant & May and Swan brands including:
- A national consumer survey published in national media (accompanied by video), sponsored by Bryant & May Extra Long Matches, polling 2,000 adults and entitled ‘Relight My Fire’. The survey reveals the top signs that the spark in a relationship has begun to fade and what people can do to rekindle it.
- A partnership with one of the UK’s most popular and successful chefs, Tom Kerridge, who has contributed a selection of 12 recipes for the backs of the new Cook’s Matches packs.
- A social media campaign including a raft of culinary competitions linked to the Tom Kerridge partnership, and a new website for Cook’s Matches.
- Advertising in cookery titles Olive and Delicious.
- Sponsorship of the food and lifestyle sections of S Magazine – a supplement of the Sunday Express – including print and digital activity.
“The relaunch of our matches range will reinvigorate the UK’s £23+ million matches market, and give retailers and cash & carrys/wholesalers an opportunity to boost sales from the tobacco accessories category,” said Gavin Anderson, General Sales Manager at Republic Technologies.
“With this latest investment in the range, we’re demonstrating our commitment to supporting our market-leading matches, re-energising a category where sales have been declining and both innovation and creativity had diminished.”
