2013 was a hectic year at Hatch HQ, so we thought rather than ramble on for hours, we’d share some of our favourite moments from 2013.
First up, we gave haunted Halloween a hopeful makeover. Hundreds of heart-carved pumpkins and spicy heart-shaped cookies, all created by the fair-handed Hatchlings – it was definitely a highlight for 2013.
International children’s charity, World Vision, tasked Hatch with turning Halloween, a night associated with fear, into one of hope. With a little recipe help from celebrity chef, Lesley Waters, Hatch sent journalists across the country spicy heart-shaped cookies before descending on the small Derbyshire village of Hope, lighting it up with hundreds of glimmering heart-carved pumpkins to act as a beacon of hope for the world’s children.
Then it was time to announce Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese had achieved Protected Geographical Indication status, after just eight short years since the application was first made.
The long-awaited news broke earlier than expected, propelling the Hatch team into action worthy of a Bruce Willis film. With phones clamped to both ears, while running through fields with giant cheeses, we were shooing sheep, chatting to the Daily Mail and managing a celebratory photocall with a sprinkling of snow!
But, if we really want to talk snow, it’s time for Crabbie’s guaranteed white Christmas competition…
To round off a great 2013, we searched the length and breadth of the country with our client Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer, to find one person who truly deserved a ‘Guaranteed White Christmas’ and would wake up on Christmas day to a winter wonderland!
We urged readers to nominate a friend or family member who needed a pick me up or a reward for their good nature. Donna Wilson from Doncaster was named that such person and the winner of our Guaranteed White Christmas!
Donna’s sister put her forward for the seasonal surprise: “Her family have had a really tough 2013, and I wanted to do something to put a smile on their faces. Donna’s husband was diagnosed with cancer in March, losing his fight only seven months later.”
Battling gale force winds and rain the Hatch team and a specialist snow company blanketed Donnas house in snow, surrounded by Christmas trees, lights, snow machines and a couple of snowmen.
Commenting on the surprise, Donna said: “I cannot believe how amazing this is! It’s been a really hard year for our family, and this will certainly help get us into the festive spirit a little more and enjoy our White Christmas thanks to Crabbie’s and my sister Julie.”
It was certainly a heart-warming way to end the year and welcome in the Christmas festivities. Now, in the midst of starting activity for 2014, we’re looking forward to even more wild and wonderful campaigns.
