Scary facts about a changing world - there are nearly 7 billion of us on the planet, over 30% of the world’s population are on the internet, and within 4 years it is estimated that worldwide there will be 15 billion internet-connected mobile telephones in use.   So it is no surprise that the new Flower Council of Holland strategy to encourage people to buy more cut flowers and houseplants also focuses on what is optimistically called new or social media. In the UK the FCH are focusing much of their innovative PR initiatives on reaching the estimated 18 million adults who are on the net virtually every day. 

Get the net addicts into flowers and plants and the sales uplift could be massive. But don’t forget the traditional media either as they are increasingly loving flowers, as we have seen with the recent Orchid and Lily campaigns. 

Orchids really are fashionable

Described as a ‘living fashion accessory’, Orchids have made a very hip splash in the last 9 months starting last year with the “baptism” of the Cheryl Cole Orchid that featured on TV and the Style media.

This was swiftly followed up with Orchids taking a leading role at London Fashion Week where they were picked up in Tweets by leading fashion influencers at the Observer, Independent and the Evening Standard.  As well as Elle, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Instyle Wallpaper and a multitude of online media and bloggers. No laurel resting here as Easter saw a link up with hot bridal lingerie outfit Boux Avenue – we’ll never know if Kate was wearing one of their creations – that was promoted  online in Cosmopolitan, Instyle, Look, Youandyourwedding as well as in Celebs on Sunday. 

Lily the Lily

To celebrate Lily Allen’s recent marriage a portrait of her created from 1,800 Asiatics was created and promoted through the online and traditional media.  This really illustrates the power of online media – over 100 million internet viewers of OK, The Telegraph, The Mail and MSN would have seen this.  That’s 3 times as many adults as there in the UK!