Flagship was commissioned by The English Project (a charity promoting greater understanding of the evolution and diversity of the English language) to promote its 2010 ‘English Language Day’ (ELD).  The theme for the ELD was ‘Location Lingo’ – a celebration of the UK’s place name nicknames.

Success hinged on the enthusiastic participation of the British public: would people respond to the call for them to submit examples of Location Lingo to The English Project’s website? Could Flagship achieve a greater response than that achieved in the inaugural ELD?

Flagship secured 86 separate pieces of coverage in UK-wide print and broadcast media, including features on Radio 4′s ‘Today’ programme website, a rolling 60 minute call for submissions on BBC Radio 5′s ‘Drive’ show and interviews on 26 BBC local radio stations.  The story also went global, with coverage in international print media and host of websites.

And the result?  Just under 3,000 Location Lingo submissions – 25% more than in 2009, a new app in association with Ordnance Survey on the cards and a coffee table book being written.

Mind you, we didn’t endear ourselves to one local authority. Is Swindon really that awful?!