Come on, you didn’t think they’d really do that, did you?
Paddy Power are kind of the experts when it comes to publicity stunts.
No matter what stunt they pull, it always seems to work out well for them in the end.
They did it again this week, when they released a video of them seemingly tranquilising a polar bear, and spraying the St. George’s Cross on its side.
The intention of the stunt was to show support for the England team ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Naturally, people weren’t happy. After all, it did appear as if they violated every animal right in the world.
What a bunch of idiots @paddypower are. Cannot believe the irresponsibility of their polar bear ad. 😡 #Disgusting #PaddyPower #StopCrueltyToAnimals #AnimalCruelty #BoycottPaddyPower
— 🎮~Matt~🎮 (@matthibbs4) June 5, 2018
What the fuck is that awful Paddy Power advert with a spray painted Polar Bear? Pathetic attempt to advertise through controversy.
Won't ever use them again.— Ashles (@Ashles3000) June 5, 2018
Paddy power….. with that disgraceful act with the polar bear, if nothing's done to them for that stupid shocking footage and cruelty, having tranquilized the bear to do it….😡. Everyone should boycott them.
— vivien shakesby (@VShakesby) June 6, 2018
But alas, they didn’t really spray paint a polar bear. In fact, the entire campaign was designed to ultimately do some good.
They released a video on Twitter explaining their decision to do such a controversial thing, maintaining that it will spark a much-needed discussion about polar bears in Russia.
Everyone is talking about the World Cup, but nobody is talking about endangered polar bears in the Russian Arctic. With the blessing of @PolarBears we pretended to spray-paint one to help raise awareness… #PaddyPolar pic.twitter.com/Xt35L8BcWb
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 7, 2018
They address the controversy in their PR stunt in the video, saying: “All this to show our support for Gareth’s boys, raise awareness, and fund new research on polar bears in the Russian arctic… And cause a little mischief along the way.”
According to a spokesperson for the betting company: “Were we trying to get your attention? Yes, of course – but it wasn’t just for you to know what price England are to lose on penalties this summer.
“We wanted to raise awareness of a Russian issue which often gets brushed under the fur rug when compared with all the others wrongs of that nation: the plight of polar bears, who are about as welcome in the Russian Arctic as an English fan in Moscow this summer.”
You can find more information following this incident, here.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
