Botanical Banksy x London
The Flower Council of Holland
Issue 60 | September 2021
Agency
Fever PR UNLIMITED
Creative Team
Creative Director Jo Chappel
Production Team
Producer Olivia Britton Production company Fever In-House Studio Director, Videographer, Editor Rob Thorogood Photographer Dan Wong
Other Credits
Account Team Caroline Farley, Olivia Britton, Cat Bates, Claudia Hockey, Annabel Cartwright Client Country Manager Chanel de Kock Campaign Manager Daan Langstraat
Date
June 2021
Background
Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk were running a campaign based on the theme ‘We need more flowers’, which sought to remind people how flowers are central to so many of life’s important moments, especially since lockdown when online sales of flowers rocketed by 277%.
Idea
To demonstrate how flowers are a potent symbol of hope and connection, US floral genius Lewis Miller collaborated with Royal floral designer Simon Lycett on behalf of Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk to surprise Londoners with a series of secret ‘flower flashes’ to spark joy as London opened up after lockdown.
Three extravagant floral installations appeared overnight, around Eros in Piccadilly Circus, on Great Windmill Street and brightening up a rubbish bin on Brick Lane.
Passers-by were invited to take a photo and take a flower or two.
This was the first time Miller had brought his work to life outside his native New York.
Results
All 12,000 blooms were removed by beaming passers-by thus demonstrating the very great pleasure that flowers give.
Media coverage was extensive with both BBC and ITV covering the story as well as other mainstream media including The Mail, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph and the Evening Standard.
Our Thoughts
Richard Reynolds was the first guerilla gardener I encountered. When he wasn’t working as an agency strategist he was planting lavender in Lambeth and poppies in various carparks. Arguably he has had a more positive effect on Londoners’ happiness than any other human being. Thanks to the research of Professor Jeannette Haviland-Jones, there is scientific support for what most of us suspect anyway, that flowers give people a real lift.
I defy you to look at the pictures here and not smile. The presenter of BBC London News finished the video report saying, “I love that. It’s cheered me up.” Her and a million others.