Thursday, 1 May 2014

LEADING LADIES

I can't help but notice that here has been a lot in the press about Marks and Spencer recently. As well as just being named the UK's Most Ethical Retailer 2014 (beating H&M and Zara), they recently launched their Leading Ladies campaign in March which caused a storm in the press. 


M&S leading ladies campaign advertising poster


For me, Marks and Sparks is a shop I associate with middle aged women and boring businessmen. I think the only thing I've bought there in the last 3 years is a pack of tights and the brand doesn't really scream 'young'. However the new campaign, shot by Annie Leibovitz, features a variety of famous women looking pretty good in M&S clothes I must admit. The executive marketing director wanted this campaign to show "the unique and diverse women of a modern Britain" and show that "Marks & Spencer is a democratic brand which is relevant to women of all ages and strands of life."


M&S leading ladies campaign advertising poster


I think the brand has managed this is some ways, there are certainly trying to appeal to a younger market by using 23 year old singer, Rita Ora in their campaign, but for some reason the whole thing still seems a bit too mature. Some of the 'Leading Ladies' make sense; Annie Lennox, Emma Thompson - good, we know them. But Rachel Khoo, Alek Wek and Lulu Kennedy are a little less recognisable (and who even is Doreen Lawrence?!).


M&S leading ladies campaign advertising poster


Overall I think this campaign has been a good thing for M&S. Even if the overall idea didn't really go a planned (apparently the guy who came up with the idea has been fired... Oopsie), the publicity from it has been huge and this can only be a good thing for Marks. Plus, the clothes aren't actually that bad...


M&S leading ladies campaign photo featuring Lulu Kennedy
Lulu Kennedy
M&S leading ladies campaign featuring Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
M&S leading ladies campaign featuring Rita Ora
Rita Ora
M&S leading ladies campaign featuring Alek Wek
Alek Wek
M&S leading ladies campaign featuring Doreen Lawrence
Doreen Lawrence



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