The Beermat Blog

When Hambleton District Council launched a campaign urging victims of domestic violence to seek advice and support, they included printed beermats as part of their high impact, media campaign. Beermats were printed with a picture of a fist and an uncompromising message “hit me, kick me, punch me, love me” together with helpline numbers. These beermats were subsequently distributed to Northallerton, Thirsk and Easingwold areas.

Local authorities, government agencies and police forces are increasingly including beermats as an integral part of local media campaigns, demonstrating the versatility and the power of this particular advertising medium.

Beermats are available in the UK through advertising agencies, promotional houses, print brokers and direct through the beermat manufacturers.

When the Warwickshire Police wanted to track down a person of interest, they used beermats to support their poster campaign. Pictures of the person wanted for questioning was printed on the beermats which were subsequently distributed to pubs and clubs in the local area.

This is not the first time the Police have used beermats to communicate with the public in relation to the apprehension of suspects or when seeking information in relation to an alleged offence. For example, West Midlands Police also used beermats to highlight their campaign for more information in relation to a murder investigation, these beermats were distributed to biker pubs and cafes.

The Metropolitan Police have used beermats to communicate public safety messages, domestic violence, anti-drugs campaigns and other targeted messages.

These campaigns demonstrate in tangible way the versatility, flexibility and value beermats can offer delivering campaign messages. Beermats are available in the UK through advertising agencies, promotional houses, print brokers and direct through the beermat manufacturers.

When UK based chauffeur car and limousine hire company Cars for Stars wanted to promote their service, they decided to use a different medium, electing to advertise on beermats. Cars for Stars used on side of the beermat to list their services and the other as a ‘call to action’ inviting holders to show their beermat and receive a free bottle of Champagne on any subsequent booking.

1000 beermats were ordered and these were handed out at a street carnival and the results were impressive. All 1000 beermats were distributed and as a consequence, Cars for Stars recorded some 29 responses, of which they subsequently received 10 bookings, totalling nearly £3,500. A Cars for Stars spokesman commented, “For an investment of just over £100 and 3 enjoyable hours at the street festival, we received nearly £3,500 of bookings, in terms of a return on investment, we would be hard pressed to recall anything that got close. We would thoroughly recommend beermats for any targeted campaign message”.

The beermats were designed and printed for this company by UK based beermat manufacturer, Thirstys.co.uk Limited.