The Wake-Up: free family Cards Against Humanity, BK's Quarantine Whopper + ￡45k isolation pods

You may have noticed that the Wake-Up has had a brief holiday... You'll forgive us given current events right? Anway, our Monday morning creative/tech/brands round-up didn't just disappear, we just kept it all to ourselves. But no more! Here's three things that we've been sharing:

1. Cards Against Humanity release free, family-friendly beta version - fart jokes at the ready.

Those foul mouthed fuckers, Cards Against Humanity, have launched a free to download and print family edition of everyone's favourite game.

Apparently they’d been planning it for a year, co-designing it with kids and grown-ups alike, and they were due to be releasing in the autumn (presumably just in time to cash in at Christmas) but given current circumstances have decided to release it way early, and without making money on it for now.

As for what to expect, I’ve had a quick look and can confirm you can expect a LOT of fart jokes. They do advise getting the grown-ups to look through the cards in advance and remove anything offensive or triggering, but otherwise reckon they’re pretty safe for 8+ years.

It's a small thing but a great example of brands doing what they can with what they have to make the world a bit better right now, in the knowledge that that is just what we need, and trusting that things will come right in the end. Or on the other hand perhaps it’s a perfect case in point of brands shamelessly hopping on board the corona train to get some airtime… You decide. I love it though. Download the family Cards Against Humanity now.

Spotted by yours truly via Instagram.

2. Burger King, the Quarantine Edition, courtesy of Burger King France

Paris-based ad agency Buzzman have delivered a DIY 'le Whopper de la Quarantine' as part of its campaign for BK France, and it has some serious fans already. 

The country has been under lockdown for several weeks now so there aren’t many Whoppers being scoffed - nor le Steakhouse or le Big Fish – but it hasn’t stopped the brand from getting some airtime. The ad was pushed through the brand’s social channels late last week and today has a whopping (sorry) 17.5k likes and 3.5k retweets as of yesterday. Not bad (especially considering it’s actually fairly unhelpful, not including a recipe and all that...).

Great job Buzzman for making sure Burger King remains front of mind in its customers, even while they're making do with homemade Whoppers. I'm also LOVING the attitude that BK seems to have developed recently - they're not afraid to make a point in their ads, they're not afraid to be ugly (e.g. the minging mouldy burger), and I'm fully here for that.

Spotted last week by the ever wonderful Nick Hynes via The Drum.

3. Are these ￡45k isolation pods for key workers brilliant or outrageous profiteering?

NaviHo is a UK-based manufacturer of what can only be described as well swanky static caravans. They're perfect for anyone who wants a compact housing solution but also now for anyone who wants to hide from the outside world due to Covid-19. In fact the firm has halted all other production to focus solely on producing sole occupancy pods for key workers and at-risk individuals. They say:

“The Covid-19 crisis has created a critical need for many to live in isolation. These innovative isolation pods provide an ideal solution, protecting both those affected and those around them. These units provide an ideal solution for companies looking to house key workers or private individuals requiring rapidly available extra living space. They are fully transportable, self-contained and designed with modern comfort in mind. Subject to specification, they can be delivered ready to connect into the mains system or for off grid living. These isolation pods have been designed and are ready to manufacture.”

The pods look pretty lovely, but then so they should be at ￡45,000. There has always been a market for this kind of niche living, but as for marketing anything at a time like this, it’s a difficult balance to strike. Personally if I had ￡45k to spend, I'd probably just chip in for a bit of PPE....

Spotted by the wonderful Sue on Rightmove.

--

Feel free comment, share, all that stuff.