Friday 16 January 2026: PR & Marketing News Round‑Up | From Tube Advert Mix-Ups, Toy Drops & Viewing Wars
Visible PR is back with this week’s Friday PR & Marketing News Round-Up. As brands continue to navigate cultural relevance, unexpected media moments and highly shareable retail drops, the stories that stood out this week blend accidental blunders, creativity, innovation and competitive positioning, proving that even early in the year, marketers are pushing boundaries to earn attention.
Read on for our favourite stories from the week…
Heineken 0.0 Tube ad accidentally spreads London travel misinformation
To celebrate Dry January, Heineken 0.0 temporarily rebranded the Bakerloo line to ‘Bakerl0.0’, handing out free cans and branded Oyster card holders, while other stations became ‘Oxf0.0rd Circus’ and ‘Waterl0.0.’ It all looked great, until a big mistake was spotted. Two of the stations, Kilburn Park and Maida Vale, were listed in the wrong order, and the hoardings were removed immediately as TfL staff ensured correct signage was back in place.
Why it matters for PR & Marketing: Unintended media moments are still brilliant media moments and when there’s something for passers by to take away, it makes it even more memorable. Following in the footsteps of Samsung’s ‘Fold Street’ and Burberry Street takeovers, the activation leverages culturally loaded spaces to spark debate, social sharing, and media coverage. While brands aim to earn attention intentionally, surprise misinterpretations can generate significant awareness, as long as they don’t damage trust.
Heinz redesigns its fry box for on-the-go dipping
We’re loving the latest creation from Heinz, who have reimagined the infamous fries box to make its signature sauces more accessible for consumers on the move. This design blends convenience with snack culture, highlighting practical innovation in FMCG. It’ll be interesting to see which well known fast-food brands begin either serving up their fries in these, or follow suit designing their own version!
Why it matters for PR & Marketing: Small product innovations that focus on practical ease have big PR potential when they intersect with cultural habits, like on-the-go snacking. This iteration from Heinz shows how utility can become newsworthy, especially when accompanied by strong visual storytelling that taps into culturally relevant brands.
Anya Hindmarch collaborates with Boots on a new concept store
British accessories favourite Anya Hindmarch has teamed up with Boots for a playful new concept store that brings fashion and beauty together in one stylish spot. Famed for her regular collab’s with known brands like Sainsbury’s and Uniqlo, teaming up with Boots is a reimagining of the classic high-street chemist shopping experience, with clever merchandising, curated collections, and lifestyle treats that make browsing feel like an experience, not just an errand.
Why it matters for PR & Marketing: This is an unexpected but clever collaboration. A cross-industry partnership like this taps into curiosity, a sense of intrigue and novelty, particularly when two iconic brands from different sectors combine their strengths, helping to attract a new audience. This type of partnership generates layered media coverage, activates new audiences and showcases how retail brands can reframe category boundaries.
Lego Pokémon set pre-orders kick off worldwide buzz
Last week we talked about Lego’s most innovative launch yet, and now they’ve gone and done it again! Lego have announced pre-orders for its highly anticipated Pokémon sets, sparking instant global excitement from collectors, gaming fans and brand communities alike. The crossover brings together two cultural giants and has created a major talking point on social channels.
Why it matters for PR & Marketing: When two beloved properties align, the result is a built-in audience and buzz engine. The Lego Pokémon launch highlights the continued power of strategic partnerships and franchise storytelling as drivers of earned media and social enthusiasm, especially in collectibles and fandom culture.
YouTube beats BBC in BARB viewing ratings
For the first time, YouTube outpaced the BBC in viewing ratings according to BARB data, reflecting changing consumption patterns and signalling the growing influence of online platforms in mainstream media metrics. The news has sparked debate about audience habits, legacy media evolution and where advertisers allocate attention.
Why it matters for PR & Marketing: Shifts in viewership metrics matter to both brand and media strategies. Platforms like YouTube commanding substantial reach, sometimes surpassing traditional broadcasters, signals a recalibration of where audiences live and how advertisers should plan budgets, creative formats and measurement frameworks.
Final Thoughts
This week’s stories show that even early in the year, brands are navigating a wide spectrum of attention drivers, from accidental Tube map buzz and clever packaging tweaks to iconic toy collaborations and seismic shifts in viewing behaviour. What ties these moments together is unexpected relevance: missteps that become talking points, innovations that make everyday habits more delightful, and platforms that redefine audience reach.
For marketers in both B2C and B2B, listen up! Staying culturally tuned, designing with context and leveraging cross-sector moments will remain key to building campaigns that resonate in 2026. Whether this is achieved through clever partnerships, thoughtful product redesigns or strategic content placement where audiences already are, 2026 is shaping up to reward creativity that understands, and anticipates, how people consume media and conversation.
Visible can help you elevate your PR & marketing to new heights! Speak to the team today! hello@visiblepr.co.uk