SHAKESPEARE BIRTHPLACE TRUST: MUCH ADO ABOUT SOMETHING
When Sony announced that it would be releasing a film claiming that Shakespeare never wrote a single word of his famous works, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT) had to step in to defend his name. It needed big results without a Hollywood budget - and PR was the perfect solution.
Step forward WPR. Mixing award-winning consumer PR ideas with extensive media know-how, we launched a cost-effective campaign which helped the charity to protect the legacy of everyone's favourite playwright. Our idea, which showed what life would be like without Shakespeare, quite simply gripped audiences across the world.
By covering road signs, pub names and even the world famous Gower Memorial statue in Stratford, our objective was to start a debate. But within hours we were leading the global conversation, attracting journalists from BBC, ITN, PA and Reuters to Shakespeare's county.
Coverage started with a live broadcast on BBC Breakfast, took in virtually all national newspapers and ended with extensive digital and overseas coverage, including USA, Russia, India, France and even the Vatican Magazine. Our global circulation reached 127.6 million, with an AVE close to £10 million. More importantly, we helped SBT to raise the profile of its attractions and protect Shakespeare's legacy for future generations. You could say it was 'Much Ado About Something'!