So long 2016, we’ll snooze until 2017
By James Crawford on Saturday, December 31, 2016
The quiet news period in between Christmas and New Year is perfect for sowing the final story of the year – there is reduced competition as PRs head off on their festive holidays and news room journalists are to a minimum meaning they need support and a lighthearted story or two.
Here is a great example of taking advantage of the quiet news agenda and piggybacking on a topic all news outlets will no doubt be covering. This seasonal research by 888 Casino achieved notable coverage in the Mirror and BT.com in the days leading up to the 31st December.
Research by the online casino firm as part of their New Year Traditions Report revealed 77% of Brits intend to stay in this New Year’s Eve in favour of more subdued celebrations, while 42% won’t even bother to stay awake to see the clock strike midnight.
Why the bad feeling you ask? Perhaps Brexit, Trump and the plethora of celebrities that have passed during the annus horribilis of 2016 have contributed to the muted finale plans.
The last 12 months were so bad a third of Britons felt that 2016 was the worst year in recent memory and wasn’t even worth celebrating.
While the research found 6% of the nation, approximately 3 million of us, will be too drunk to see the clock strike midnight (sounds about right). Hic.
What ever you are doing this 31 December, whether it’s saving your favourite celebrity from the grim reaper or joining the 3 million Brits with a glass of champagne, we hope you have a good final night.
Here’s to a happier and prosperous 2017. See you on the other side.
