Do you celebrate May Day or do you call the emergency services? And if you celebrate, is that because it's International Labour Day, or simply because it's the ancient event that marks the beginning of summer?

Having a strong brand is a good thing.
But there seems to be a little brand confusion around the term May Day. Labour Day sprang from events in 19th Century Chicago, whereas Maypole dancing and the crowning of the May Queen have their origins in pre-Christian times.

But how can a day of celebration also be used to signal distress? Well, that Mayday comes from the French m'aider, or help me. It was dreamt up in 1923 by an English radio officer controlling flights between Croydon and Paris.

Meanwhile Prince Charles has made a virtue of the multiple meanings. He has chosen 1st May for his May Day movement on climate change, since it's about an emergency situation.

So if you are suffering brand confusion, what better day than May Day to shout Mayday!

Just click here and we’ll rush to your aid:
www.designation.com/mayday

Nigel Penn-Simkins 0118 951 9450
Arthur op den Brouw 0118 951 9460