Friday 8 August 2025: PR & Marketing News Round-Up | GPT-5 Launch, TikTok Shop Trends, Greggs x KFC & Viral Moments
At Visible PR, we’re all about turning smart ideas into measurable impact. Our team tracks the news daily, staying ahead of the stories shaping the world of PR and marketing.
Welcome to our Friday PR and Marketing News Round-Up - your weekly snapshot of what caught our eye this week across headline news, creative campaigns, viral trends, and the moments that are moving the needle in the industry.
So take a look at our review and musings on what it means for PR and marketing:
Launch of GPT-5: OpenAI Introduces ‘Vibe Coding’ AI Revolution
OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5, with CEO Sam Altman calling it a ‘major upgrade.’ This new AI model is particularly adept at vibe coding - no not a new Gen-Z dance craze, but translating everyday language into working software.
Why it matters to PR & marketing: Brands can now produce interactive tools, apps, or campaign experiences faster and more intuitively, streamlining digital innovation and speed-to-market.
TikTok Shop Trends: Have We Passed Peak Popularity for SME Sellers?
With over 200,000 small and medium-sized businesses on TikTok Shop, saturation might finally be setting in. According to The Times, some sellers are taking a step back from selling on the ever popular app due to tighter margins, shifting algorithms, and unpredictable performance.
Why it matters for PR & marketing: As competition heats up, creative storytelling, community engagement, and live offerings may be critical to sustaining growth and visibility on the platform.
Greggs x KFC Collaboration - A Brand Partnership Built for Buzz
In one of the most surprising pairings this year, Greggs and KFC have joined forces in a creative collaboration that’s generating a tasty buzz online. Greggs has already had a busy summer with various festival partnerships, and continues to prove it is one of the quickest brands around for these viral campaign moments. This collaboration, offering both in-person and online sales of their combo sausage roll and gravy kits, is certainly going to satisfy fans, and keep Greggs’ streak of clever brand moments sizzling.
Why it matters for PR & marketing: Partnerships like this create cultural buzz, drive media attention, and rejuvenate brand identity, often without any conventional marketing spend. By offering both in-person and online options, Greggs and KFC are broadening their reach and making the collaboration accessible to a wider audience, maximising impact across multiple channels.
‘Mind the Grab’ Campaign - Visual Tactics to Combat Phone Theft on Oxford Street
Currys, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police, Westminster Council, and Crimestoppers, launched the ‘Mind the Grab’ initiative, featuring purple pavement markings that recall the iconic Mind the Gap London Underground message. The campaign aims to raise awareness of phone-snatching risks and promote safer pedestrian habits, with reports showing a 20% drop in robberies in the West End since April.
Why it matters for PR & marketing: This clever and powerful campaign demonstrates just how creative, cross-sector collaborations can help drive awareness and even improve public safety, while simultaneously boosting brand visibility and social impact on one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets.
Full story on the Evening Standard → (The Standard)
Viral Marketing Insight: Brands React to ‘Ibiza Final Boss’ Trend
If you’ve been on any social platform this week, you will have seen the Ibiza Final Boss meme that has gone viral this week. With a buzz too ‘king’ to miss out on, this has prompted many brands to quickly create humorous content and witty reactions, demonstrating the power of adaptable marketing.
Why it matters for PR & marketing: Fast, on-trend content can humanise brands and elevate your brand’s cultural relevance, but timing is crucial to capitalise on the viral moment.
Final Thoughts
This week’s top picks highlight the importance of agility, bold storytelling, creative collaboration, and cultural awareness in PR and marketing. Whether you're integrating generative AI, reevaluating e-commerce channels, collaborating on the high street, or responding to viral trends, the brands that act fast and think smart are clearly setting the pace.
Looking for expert PR and marketing support that delivers real results? Let’s talk. Drop us a line at lara.leventhal@visiblepr.co.uk