Brit Awards 2014: Twitter outrage after Brit Awards journalists requested by House PR to tweet for Mastercard in return for tickets

The Telegraph’s diary editor Tim Walker was one of a number of journalists said to have been emailed by House PR and asked to agree to a number of conditions in return for their ticket.  The supposed email, published in full on the Press Gazette’s website, included draft tweets to send before and after the event, which journalists were expected to publish both on their personal and publishers’ accounts.

The email reportedly from House PR reads:  “Firstly as part of our Priceless Surprise we are putting on cars to take guests directly to the awards – we will be booking your car to take both yourself and Katy from the office at 4:30pm. Are you happy with these details?

“In addition – in return for this ticket we would like to ask that you agree to the following…” It then lists a number of conditions.

Dawbell, who handle the official PR for the Brit Awards told The Independent: “We’ve made no such asks of our invited media, which are the majority of journalists attending. This request has come from Mastercard’s PR company.”

The directions from House PR point journalists towards heavy use of the hashtag #PricelessSurprises, which is currently being promoted on Twitter by Mastercard, who are sponsoring the Brits next year.

Anyone familiar with Twitter could have anticipated the hijacking of the hashtag ‘#PricelessSurprises as tweeters weighed in on the PR disaster. House PR have not responded to The Independent's request for comment.

Absolutely disgusting PR stunt from @MasterCardUK. How can you think 'telling' journos what to write will end well...? #PricelessSurprises

; Nicola Harper (@HarperInTheCity) February 19, 2014

This took me at least four minutes. #PricelessSurprises pic.twitter.com/H5BLN1pWbc

; Bobble Bardsley (@bobblebardsley) February 19, 2014

PRs asking for coverage in return for hospitality... when did that become a scandal? #PricelessSurprises

; Paul Vale (@PaulVale) February 19, 2014

Bit ironic that Mastercard spent cash on #pricelesssurprises as a "promoted" UK Twitter trend when, in fact, it would be trending anyway

; Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) February 19, 2014

As a former hack now in PR, 3 golden rules. 1. Give them good content. 2. Don't overbrand 3. Don't make conditions! #PricelessSurprises

; David Prescott (@DavidPrescott) February 19, 2014

#PricelessSurprises sounds like something sarcastic you'd say when your cat leaves a freshly-killed mouse on your pillow

; Chris Applegate (@qwghlm) February 19, 2014