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What brand got massive international free publicity yesterday?

What a change to see the media full of good news yesterday.

Huge publicity for the announcement of Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton.

Except for the rescue of the Chilean miners (which started off as a “bad news” event when they were originally trapped) yesterday was a rare, recent example of massive media attention on a happy event.

Personally, I find it hard to get too excited about a future wedding in a distant country, even though my roots stretch back there. I have nothing against the Royal Family and wish the newly engaged couple a happier life than many of the older members of their family have experienced.

What is interesting is the fascination with the British Royal Family and the attention it generates all over the world, attention from younger generations as well as baby boomers.

It’s amazing that in marketing terms, a brand without a tangible product or service, can achieve such huge exposure. Mostly without paying for it or creating a massive advertising campaign. A public relations dream come true.

Why is that? I guess for many people the activities of the Royal Family take their minds off today’s economic problems and, for a short while, allow them to dream of Princesses and Princes, Castles and Queens and fairy tales from far-off lands.

Is there a secret yearning for the stability of a strong and effective Monarchy? Looking at the current state of some European economies, a return to a Monarchy could be the best thing for them.

Maybe there is a product here after all – it’s called Hope.

Another group that are living in hope are men suffering from prostate cancer. If you haven’t already donated to the Movember movement to raise funds for research into the prevention of this cancer that kills 4400 men in Canada alone each year, please support my team by donating here – even a few dollars helps.

Wishing you success in all your endeavours.