WKD maximises Love Island partnership

WKD is amplifying its relationship with Love Island this summer with a series of TV ads, eye-catching on-pack executions, and a high-profile ex-contestant leading the charge to spread the love on social media.

The no.1 RTD brand in impulse [Nielsen Scantrack GB Impulse RTD 17.07.21] is the Official Alcohol Partner of ITV2 and ITV Hub’s Love Island. With this series’ episodes securing 2021’s biggest digital channel audiences, WKD is making significant impact with consumers and driving incremental sales for stockists through its Love Island tie-in.

WKD TV ADS

WKD is back on TV throughout the summer with a sequence of humorous ads showcasing the Love Island association. The executions employ the brand’s trademark wit and feature a group of WKD bottles enjoying life in their very own sun-drenched villa. Mirroring recognisable settings from the show and drawing on well-known Love Island themes, the ads take a tongue-in-cheek look at Island life. The campaign features the strapline "WKD coupled up with Love Island; Love it!" Aside from the core TV channel, the ads are also viewed extensively through non-TV devices, via the hugely popular Love Island app, and across WKD social channels.

Limited Edition Packs

To re-enforce the Love Island association at the point of purchase, two initiatives feature on almost one million WKD packs:

1. Two impactful Love Island co-branded designs appear on limited edition 700ml bottles of WKD Pink. A fully sleeved approach delivers ultimate shelf stand-out, creating a powerful in-store presence; this format is the summer’s "must-have" RTD pack. Additionally, a special Love Island label design complements the approach of the sleeved pack and ensures that promotional stock reaches all channels and is accessible by as many consumers as possible.

Both bottles are available in regular and £2.99 price-marked pack versions – with the PMP configurations available exclusively to independents.

2. With striking graphics featuring inflatable pink flamingos, a co-branded consumer competition offering opportunities to win thousands of items of exclusive Love Island and WKD merchandise or money-off future purchases appears on key WKD multipacks. The activity – which runs across 4x275ml WKD Blue (PMP only, priced at £4.99); 10-packs (10x275ml WKD Blue and 10x275ml WKD variety pack) and 12x275ml WKD Blue – provides a chance to win with every pack purchased.

PR

WKD has enlisted previous contestant and leading social media influencer Chris Taylor as brand ambassador. Through a series of weekly videos created exclusively for WKD, Chris offers comment and insight to his 1.1 million followers.

Further activities on WKD social channels ensure that those hungry for gossip and extra details about participants aren’t left wanting. A comprehensive social media campaign includes:

• Competitions to win merchandise and sought-after prizes, with one winner set to secure a pair of tickets to the Love Island Final Screening party
• Interviews with Islanders’ friends and family
• Behind-the-scenes footage of the sun-kissed location and villa accommodation

“WKD and Love Island are the perfect match: we were made for each other," said Alison Gray, head of brand – WKD, at owner SHS Drinks. "With our witty TV ads and a million packs both spotlighting the Love Island association – plus chances to win tickets to the programme’s Live Final – we know we chose the right partner. Our consumers enjoy Love Island with a passion, and our high-profile coupling up with the programme is driving summer sales for independents.”