The Mystery of the Duolingo Owl's Death, New Campaigns from Make My Money Matter, and Sky News' Expanding Media Footprint
Make My Money Matter , a UK-based non-profit promoting sustainable investments and pensions, has launched “Beep,” a striking new campaign featuring Ambika Mod. The creative uses powerful imagery of burning plants to highlight the connection between banks and the climate crisis.
It urges individuals to take action by switching to ethical banking options, such as Nationwide and Starling, which prioritise socially and environmentally responsible practices.
Through this initiative, Make My Money Matter aims to inspire consumers to view financial decisions not just as a means of personal benefit, but as a critical opportunity to support environmental sustainability, social justice, and ethical business practices.
In other banking news, NatWest has launched a multi-channel campaign aimed at equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills to manage their money effectively, guiding them on a journey towards financial independence - from pocket money to payday.
The bank is prioritising accessible tools, resources, and expert guidance to break down the barriers that often discourage young people from engaging with their finances.
By addressing the unique challenges faced by this demographic, such as student loans and the rising cost of living, the campaign seeks to enhance financial awareness and prepare young people for long-term financial success.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for cigarette-style cancer warnings to be displayed on alcohol packaging. However, The Portman Group, which represents alcohol producers in the UK, has pushed back, arguing that the risks associated with alcohol are not proportionate to such warnings.
While many in the alcohol industry claim that these warnings could stigmatise alcohol, others see them as a vital step in tackling the global rise in alcohol-related health issues - a move that has been welcomed by cancer charities.
Ireland is set to become the first EU country to introduce health warnings on alcohol labels, with the regulations coming into effect in May 2026. It remains to be seen whether other countries will follow suit.
Duolingo announced the shocking "death" of its green owl mascot, Duo, in a viral social media campaign. A TikTok showed Duo in a coffin, with fans urged to honour him by subscribing to Duolingo Max. Tributes included nods to his Dua Lipa obsession, while other brands joined in mourning or celebrating.
When we feel down about the state of the world, we think of the arrivals gate at Schiphol Airport, where travellers were given a surprise on Valentine’s Day—free Miffy toys. Dropped onto the baggage carousel, Schiphol brought a moment of joy to one of Europe’s busiest airports. Miffy, the much-loved rabbit created by Dutch artist Dick Bruna, has featured in 30 books and inspired four television spin-offs.
A video surfaced this week of Drake throwing a shoe at a drone, sparking widespread conversation about the rapper. Fans initially thought it was a reaction to the drone "spying" on him while he gambled. However, after some speculation, Drake confirmed it was a marketing stunt in partnership with Stake .
Last week, Bauer Media Group created a one-of-a-kind pop-up radio station in collaboration with Magic Radio, Hits Radio Network, and Universal Pictures to promote Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. The station captured Bridget’s essence, blending chaos, nostalgia, and uniqueness with music (naturally, including some Chaka Khan) and unfiltered conversations.
The Out-of-Home (OOH) sector reported its best year ever in 2024, generating ￡1.4 billion in revenue. This highlights growth in the industry, driven by increased digital advertising, brand investments, and consumer engagement with outdoor media.
So, what does this look like in numbers? Outsmart, the trade body for OOH, reported that revenue for 2024 grew by +7.7%. PwC further supported this, revealing that DOOH grew by +10.2%, while Classic OOH was up by +3.0%.
Although Q4 saw a slight decline due to economic uncertainty surrounding the October budget, which may extend into early 2025, industry leaders remain optimistic. This reflects OOH’s importance for brand reach, creative impact, and real-time targeting, alongside strong infrastructure investments expected to drive future growth.
Starting in January 2025, Meta will impose restrictions on pixel tracking—a tool that tracks user interactions and measures ad effectiveness—and the Conversions API, which tracks events directly from servers rather than relying on browser-based tracking. These changes will limit the ability to optimise mid-to-lower funnel metrics like Leads, Purchases, and Complete Registration.
Brands in sectors such as Health and Wellness, Financial Services, and Politics, as well as those addressing sensitive topics like Race, Religion, Sexuality, Gender Identity, Nationality, Trade Unions, and Personal Hardship, will be most affected. Meta aims to prevent the use of its Business Tools for sharing sensitive information. While these changes may disrupt performance-driven campaigns, Goodstuff is working with impacted clients to help them overcome these challenges.
Sky News ’ Africa correspondent, Yousra Elbagir , has racked up millions of views on TikTok and hundreds of thousands on YouTube with her hard-hitting reporting from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This morning, David Rhodes , Executive Chairman at Sky News Group, revealed a bold new strategy to secure Sky News’ future as younger audiences flock to platforms like YouTube and TikTok for news. He called Elbagir the face of the future for traditional TV channels facing an existential threat. Rhodes emphasised the need for journalism that works on digital platforms, which could eventually generate revenue - especially since Sky News has never turned a profit in its 36-year history.
Thanks for reading. Catch ya next week!
Head of Social @ Goodstuff
2 周"hooooo done it?" is inspired