Media mix: United Utilities’ war on wipes; JMW’s drama role
WATER group United Utilities has launched a high profile public education campaign to raise awareness of the growing problem of so-called flushable wipes causing sewer blockages.
The Warrington company, which serves three million households and a total population of seven million people in the North West, deals with 53,000 blockage call-outs a year, at a cost of £20m.
Toilet wipes are the most common cause. Research commissioned by the company shows that 82% of residents thought that products labelled flushable were safe to flush – but these wipes don’t break down in the same way as standard toilet paper and often cause blockages.
To tackle the problem, United Utilities has produced ‘You Can’t Flush This’ – a pop video spoofing the 1990s’ MC Hammer hit.
The video has been launched on YouTube and is supported by a region-wide media relations campaign targeting press, radio and TV.
Mike Wood, network business manager wastewater at UU said: “The misleading marketing of so-called ‘flushable’ wipes is an industry-wide problem and we felt it was time to take action.
“Rather than lecture people, we thought a light-hearted approach would be more effective. The song is incredibly catchy and we’re hoping for a viral effect.”
::
MANCHESTER law firm JMW Solicitors’ city centre location is turning out to be a media star in its own right.
The latest TV show to use the office on Byrom Street, Spinningfields is ITV cop drama Scott and Bailey.
Manchester-based Red Production Company, which makes Scott and Bailey, approached the firm about using the office, and it was used as the location for the Police Complaints Commission in the show.
This is not the first time JMW’s offices have featured on the television. In series two of Sky 1’s comedy Mount Pleasant, the entrance of the office is transformed into an entrance to a psychiatrists’ practice, while an advert promoting Injury Lawyers 4 U was also filmed there last April.
Managing partner Bill Jones said:”It is pleasing to be associated with a good Manchester based television series. We hope to have the opportunity to showcase our offices in this way in the future.”
