Now you could say that we are cynical, what with it being the end of the tax year and all, but if you want to increase demand and consequently end of year billings (and a nice bit of tax revenue) what could be better than a classic viral marketing campaign?

A whisper of ‘don’t panic’ from Downing Street had motorists rushing to the pumps.
There is little doubt that motorists are worried and they are stocking up – on Wednesday petrol sales were up by 81% and diesel by 43%, by Thursday demand for petrol rose 172%, and diesel by 77%, according to the  independent retailers’ body RMI Petrol.

The AA has estimated that increased sales on Wednesday will bring in more than £32million in extra fuel excise duty so whether or not some clever play is at hand one can’t deny the success of this fortuitous viral campaign – a marketer’s dream.

A storm in a gerry can or an ultra successful push to the pumps – you decide…