BrewDog: #SorrynotSorry / Open letter to Fake China

This case study explains how BrewDog, the UK craft beer brand, put its brand character into reactive PR statements to make the most of two difficult situations.

BrewDog: #SorrynotSorry / Open letter to Fake China

Manifest London

How did the campaign make a difference?

In December 2013, a fake BrewDog bar opened in China using counterfeit BrewDog branding and beer. Rather than take legal action, BrewDog cofounder James Watt wrote an open letter to the fakers, thanking them for the compliment.

In April 2014, the Portman Group issued a statement that BrewDog's Dead Pony Club beer was in breach of its alcohol marketing guidelines. The same day, a formal apology was issued from BrewDog and its 14,691 shareholders for 'not giving a shit' about its ruling and...

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