MyVoucherCodes Bad Press - Leopard Attacks Mark Pearson - We Wish?

I remember that many were marvelling at the press coverage MyVoucherCodes was getting in the run-up to Christmas. But you should remember that you're only ever on slip away from falling from greatness.

Now I'm not saying that the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald is a national opinion former, but it's comment made me laugh.

MVC have been expending a fair amount of PR effort promoting their "brand" and they must have thought they were on role. I know about PR because I consult for a PR company and know how difficult it can be to predict how the press would react to a story. But I doubt Mark Pearson thought they could have got bad press from their cheap and tacky sponsorship of two endangered snow leopards at Valentines Day!

The Herald had pretty much the same thoughts as me:

As well-intentioned as this tale of animal loving is, we were a bit concerned that the managing director of MyVoucherCodes, Mark Pearson, chose the following words in support of the project: "Having experienced the beauty of these luxurious leopards first hand, it is mortifying to think that these magnificent cats are within a whisker of extinction".

Now it's the use of word "luxurious" in this context that concerns us the most. We simply don't feel that it's a word one would normally associate with a wild animal unless of course it's wrapped around one's neck as a scarf or is stretched out in front of the fire, looking flat.

We can't help wondering that if the leopard in question gets wind of the fact that the MD has been referring to him as luxurious he may well wrap himself around the unfortunate orator's neck, and not with the intention of keeping out the chill either. For that, one requires a wind cheetah.

So hands up if you'd like to see an "affiliate death match"? Mark Pearson V. Snowy Leopard?