How A Security Guard's Leave Request Went Viral And Earned Him A Free Trip To Las Vegas
In our FEEL GOOD FRIDAY story this week, we discovered that a security guard's holiday request ended in a free trip to Las Vegas, with a new wardrobe and travel toiletries all thrown in.
By Sadho Ram — 23 May 2014, 05:01 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Greg Heaslip, a security guard for the Arcadia Group, the UK retail giant behind brands such as Burton, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins felt like some time off. So he put in a leave request to his line manager.
Nothing unusual so far - except that when his line manager discussed Greg's request with others, the email was inadvertently sent to thousands of Arcadia Group employees. And that is when social media whirred into action.
econsultancy.com
While he slept blissfully unaware at home, the emails swiftly became a Twitter trend when a colleague started a campaign with the hashtag #GiveGregTheHoliday
An Arcadia employee, Kimberly Jaina, seems to have been the first to get onto Twitter and use the hashtag #GiveGregTheHoliday. Within minutes, others were using the hashtag. "Mayhem in the office," one person tweeted. "Does anyone know if Greg's holiday has been approved? Edge of my seat here!" said another.
Interest in Greg's holiday inside Arcadia Group was so fevered that #GiveGregTheHoliday became a top trend in the UK, out-trending the EU elections all morning
And that is when the marketing started. Companies tried to put their messages across using the hashtag. Trek America, deciding that this was in line with the brand’s ‘spirit of adventure’, it quickly made the decision to offer Greg a free adventure holiday in the US, flights included: "We're taking action and have decided to #givegregtheholiday. A TrekAmerica mini adventure with flights to Vegas. #GregGotTheHoliday!"
econsultancy.com
In the wake of their offer, other brands were quick to join in. TopMan, Miss Selfridge, BHS, Burton Menswear and more offered free additions to help Greg enjoy his trip:
And the freebies didn't stop there. After Trek America offered him a free holiday, they even got a T-shirt made up to celebrate the occasion
Trek America had a T-shirt made up and will be sending it to Greg in time for his trip
Image via dailymail.co.ukVO5 also got in on the action, offering hair products and promising: 'What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas'
So did Greg get his leave approved after the social media campaign?
His employers, Arcadia Group, have told BBC Trending that despite the mail sent around implying he wouldn't get any holiday, this was sent in error and he would be getting his leave after all. "The holiday request had actually already been approved on the system and Greg will get his holiday!" they said.
Greg could not be reached by media houses and he may not actually know much about what has happened
"Greg works nights," say his employers, "so we are not totally sure as to when today he became aware of the interest in him and his holiday." As the freebies started rolling in, the hashtag changed to #GregGotTheHoliday and even #WakeUpGreg as Twitter users eagerly waited for the security guard to realise what had happened.
dailymail.co.uk