# Pub-Promoting Publicity Stunts This No-Effort Ad by Dave Blackhirst Targets Millennial Audiences By Mary Van Puymbroeck | Published 2017-05-09 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noeffort-ad References: [adweek](http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/the-real-story-of-a-pubs-brilliantly-lazy-ad-that-became-a-viral-hit/) For Millennials, anti-marketing can often be just as successful as traditional selling techniques, and this no-effort ad proves it. Created as an intentional play on traditional marketing techniques, this advertisement for the Friars pub in Bridgnorth is the ultimate no-effort ad. Consisting of a [made-up text message conversation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-u-up) between Tom Hughes (the pub owner), and Dave Blackhurt (the creator of the ad), the campaign depicts Hughes requesting that a poster be made for the pub's up-coming live music nights. Blackhurst makes a cheeky move and frames the fictitious conversation outside of the pub. The resulting poster has since gone viral on [Twitter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-waste-campaigns) and has garnered the pub extra attention. In an interview with local newspaper 'the Shropshire Star,' Blackhurst admits he doesn't even own an [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sexual-calendar) and had to Photoshop the no-effort ad. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Anti-marketing:** Opportunity for businesses to leverage unconventional marketing techniques to target Millennials. - **Viral Advertising:** Opportunity for businesses to create attention-grabbing campaigns that spread rapidly on social media. - **Creative Publicity Stunts:** Opportunity for businesses to generate buzz and gain extra attention through unique and unexpected promotional activities. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Food and Beverage:** Opportunity for food and beverage establishments to engage with Millennials through anti-marketing tactics. - **Advertising and Marketing:** Opportunity for advertising and marketing agencies to help businesses create viral advertising campaigns. - **Entertainment and Events:** Opportunity for entertainment and event companies to utilize creative publicity stunts to attract audiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Lazy Cereal Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-cereal.md) - [Nostalgic Long-Form Infomercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mint-mobile-mintfomercial.md) - [Beer Anti-Fakeness Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antifakeness-ad.md) - [No-Nonsense Grooming Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rock-face-makes-scents-campaign.md) - [Anti-AI Beer Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heineken-friend.md) - [Minimalist Co-Branded Mobile Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boring-phone.md) - [High-Concept Brand Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legitimate-you.md) - [Brighton Retail Launch Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-brighton.md) - [Humorous Drink Cart Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/titos-spokescart.md)