Trussonomics, Super League and Qatar World Cup: Why proactive PR matters November 10, 2022 Communications expert Matthew Fletcher-Jones explains why Qatar and Fifa are fighting a losing PR battle over perceptions of this year’s World Cup. Imagine you proposed a revolutionary approach, promising growth and a brighter future. Yet you never got out of the blocks as your first step was revealing that the rich would get richer. Revolutions [...]
Trevor Steven: Leaving Maddison out of England World Cup squad would be mistake November 9, 2022 I’m hoping that James Maddison is among the 26 names when Gareth Southgate announces his England squad for the World Cup on Thursday. Maddison is at the peak of his powers and is, in my view, the country’s most in-form midfielder at the moment. The Leicester man has a rare ability to find pockets of [...]
Qatar World Cup could cost Brits £34 more than 2018 summer comp due to rising energy bills November 8, 2022 The winter World Cup in Qatar will cost Brits £34 more than watching the previous one from Summer 2018 in Russia. Rising energy bills and increased prices of a a pint, means it’s likely England fans will watch the tournament at home, increasing the use of energy and electricity. New figures from Saxo claims that [...]
BrewDog signed beer distribution deal in Qatar despite ‘anti-sponsorship’ campaign November 8, 2022 BrewDog has signed a deal with an alcohol distributor operating in Qatar, despite launching an ‘anti-sponsorship’ campaign this week protesting human rights in the country ahead of the World Cup. The firm’s beers are distributed in the country by the Qatar Distribution Company – a state-owned subdsidiary of Qatar Airways – which is the only [...]
World Cup advert review: Pepsi beats Coke as brands grapple with Qatar controversy November 8, 2022 Steve Howell of creative agency Dark Horses picks the best and worst World Cup adverts ahead of the month’s tournament in Qatar. ‘Tis the season with a World Cup unceremoniously stuffed in the middle like the turkey in a Pret Christmas sandwich. The 12 years since Qatar were awarded the tournament have been full of [...]
Brewdog’s Qatar ad backlash should be a lesson for other brands November 8, 2022 The backlash to Brewdog’s ‘anti-World Cup’ campaign is a lesson for other brands It was inevitable that a football World Cup in Qatar would eventually drag the business world into the sporting world. Sponsors of the four-yearly jamboree are being forced to confront awkward questions – and others are taking the opportunity to make hay. [...]
Qatar World Cup: BrewDog slammed for ‘disingenuous’ gesture giving profits to charity November 7, 2022 BrewDog has been slammed for launching a “disingenuous” ‘anti-sponsorship’ campaign for the Qatar World Cup, donating profits to charities but continuing to show the tournament. The brand said it would show the World Cup at its outlets but “all the profits from our Lost Lager sold during the tournament going to fight human rights abuse.” [...]
Qatar World Cup: 700 Heathrow workers to strike causing chaos for travelling fans November 4, 2022 Qatar World Cup football fans will face disruption following the announcement of three days of strike action at Heathrow Airport. Workers on the ground at the international hub employed by Dnata and Menzies will walk out on Friday 18 November, with the tournament in the Gulf state beginning on 20 November. England’s first game is [...]
Outrage grows as UK urges LGBT football fans to ‘compromise’ their sexuality during World Cup in Qatar October 28, 2022 James Cleverly, this week re-appointed as Foreign Secretary, is increasingly under fire for comments he made about how British LGBT football fans should behave while in Qatar for the World Cup. A range of celebrities and thousands of people have taken to social media to express their dismay about Cleverly’s stance. The Foreign Secretary urged [...]
Final Premier League games could be make or break for World Cup hopes October 28, 2022 The eyes of the footballing world are already beginning to look into their peripherals and see the opening day of the Fifa World Cup looking back at them. Because, in a little over three weeks, the first Middle Eastern World Cup, held in Qatar, will begin. It’s been a tournament shrouded in controversy since the [...]