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Bombardier Beer Launches £4Million Marketing Communications Campaign

13th May 2011

Bedford brewery Wells & Young’s announced today the launch of a new £4 million marketing campaign for its flagship Bombardier beer brand.

The campaign stars Rik Mayall as The Bombardier, a new character that personifies the ‘English, ever reliable and damn tasty’ beer, alongside a brand new strapline, ‘Bombardier – Bang On!’

Central to the campaign is a new TV advert that sees Rik Mayall playing The Bombardier where he is leading the English in a historical battle. The advert will debut in May and run for six weeks.

The integrated campaign is Wells & Young’s biggest ever investment into the brand and one of the biggest ever for the ale category. It also spans social media, with new YouTube, Facebook and Twitter channels, longer form video content for the web, heavyweight PR investment and in-pub and in-store activation.

“The Bombardier is a dashing hero, revered by his men and loved by everyone who meets him. He’s the epitome of great character and taste and just like our beer, it’s Bang On for our target market.” said Chris Lewis, Marketing Director, Wells & Young’s.

“Marketing in the ale category needs a creative shake up. There are too many woolly jumpers and cosy corners that patronise our drinkers. Creating The Bombardier, and bringing in Rik Mayall to play him, is our way of adding some much needed creative flair and humour to ale advertising,” he said.


The £4 million campaign was created by Karmarama who were appointed by Wells & Young’s earlier this year, supported by partner PR agency Kaper with media planning and buying through Zenith Optimedia.

The Bombardier character, also known as William Charles Bedford, is a Bombardier in the King’s Royal Bedfordshire’s. Historically, Bombardier is a rank used in artillery units in the armies of countries in the Commonwealth.