Catterick forecourt goes viral after Troy Hawke visit

A JET service station in Catterick has become the unlikely location of a viral Greeters Guild video, drawing nearly 500,000 engagements across social platforms including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Greeters Guilds’ Troy Hawke, a fictional character who’s gained notoriety on social media for making himself the unofficial greeter at the entrance of shops, events and businesses wearing his signature satin smoking jacket, pencil moustache and cravat. In the video, the ‘Errol Flynn’ lookalike sets about paying customers affectionately eccentric compliments.

As unsuspecting customers enter the Catterick service station, he delivers tongue in cheek one liners on the fly. A tall man is praised for his “fabulous wingspan”, a woman commended for hair which has an “admirable bounce”, and an unassuming man is branded the “The Godfather of Catterick”.

The Greeters Guild collaboration comes on the back of JET’s wider ‘Keep on Moving 2023’ marketing and ad campaign developed by creative agency isobel. The launch TV ads were described as ‘Wes Anderson’-esque and ‘beautifully surreal’ and have drawn praise for doing things differently to other fuel brands.

Wheel Spins, a social media series featuring an 1980s style gameshow host dressed in a crushed velvet jacket around JET service stations, is a forecourt-first and was a social media hit drawing thousands of views and engagements.

“This year, we’ve had a lot of fun with the JET brand” says Áine Corkery, Manager, Brand, UK Marketing Phillips 66 Limited.

“With the launch of multiple activations and an ad spot as part of the blockbuster Keep on Moving 2023 campaign, we wanted to really capture the essence of the JET brand and show that we’re not afraid to do things differently – all while putting a smile on people’s faces. Next year is our 70th year so watch this space.”