Opportunity Or Obstacle?

It’s been a big week for big brands. First Uber Eats got everyone talking with its collaboration (if you can call it that) with Brooklyn Beckham. I suspect most of the people who ordered it were journalists, with their interests more on filing copy than filling bellies (see below for an example). But a lot of people have the food delivery company on their mind even if it’s with raised eyebrows.

Then suddenly Wetherspoons jumped into the headlines with its drinking game – where punters can send drinks and/or food to complete strangers (see below for this one too).

OK, the pub chain didn’t actually create or endorse the game, which started on Facebook, but I bet they’re doing well out of both the financials and the good feelings.

It can be hard when you’re repping a small independent business to see the juggernauts of the food and drink world getting all the headlines. 

But it’s just as possible that these moments are as much an opportunity as an obstacle. If there’s a chef or restaurateur (particularly if they’re award-winning) who is exactly the same age as Beckham, utilise it to show what a real food star would do… Or if there’s a venue which has games as part of its offering, compare that with the Wetherspoons (rather random) style.

I know I’m not the only editor that would rather champion an indie than follow the herd in writing about the obvious choices.