How do you celebrate a four day Bank Holiday weekend at a time when most of us staying in to stop the spread of COVID-19? Here are three ways that brands can still engage audiences and spread some much-needed seasonal cheer.
1. Eggcellent (couldn’t resist!) egg hunts
Fun online content is in high demand at the moment, with seasonal themes proving popular. Virtual Easter Egg Hunts, which encourage users to browse web pages to find hidden treasure can keep adults and kids alike interested. Deliveroo has gone one further and is selling invisible Easter Eggs, flavoured with chocolate or Cointreau, to keep the hunt going for longer. Once you’ve found them, the eggs can be decorated with edible accoutrements for twice the fun.
2. Virtual entertainment
At a challenging time for brewers and pubs and with Easter a key revenue event, there is a real opportunity to engage with regulars. While some pubs and restaurants are offering takeaway and delivery options, many brewers are looking to boost community spirits further with activities including virtual pub quizzes. Big Drop Brewing is running a virtual pub quiz every Tuesday at 7.30pm.
3. Recipes
Most celebrations centre around food and this one is certainly no different and brands can certainly support with recipe inspiration. While some of the shops may still be short on key ingredients, there are plenty of chefs offering recipes where missing ingredients can be switched for store cupboard staples. Jamie Oliver’s Keep Calm and Carry on Cooking series offers ideas to prevent mealtime boredom and Kent-based cookbook author Rachel Phipps, has some delightful ‘Isolation Baking’ recipes on her Instagram page.
For seasonal fun, writer and chef Livvy Potts is running an Instagram Live on Good Friday so viewers can attempt to make Easter favourites, Hot Cross Buns, alongside a professional. Usually I cheat and buy mine as I don’t have time for the necessary steps and proving but this year I might just give it a go.
For further ideas on how your organization can engage with audiences during the lockdown, please contact Caroline Walker.