Heineken launches The Office Cleaners campaign, using QR codes to get workers out of the office and into the pub

Heineken and Le Pub – the agency created by Heineken and Publicis Groupe – have launched the latest iteration of their #workresponsibly initiative. In the new campaign, ‘The Office Cleaners’, the brand aims to help restore the work-life balance of workers by setting healthy boundaries at work so they can enjoy time with their friends and family.

According to research by the ADP Research Institute, workers worldwide work an average of 9.2 hours of unpaid overtime per week. The issue is particularly prevalent in Argentina, where 81 per cent of people report working too much, especially compared to before the pandemic. With this in mind, Heineken has selected Argentina as the first market in which to launch ‘The Office Cleaners’ campaign.

To support the Heineken #workresponsibly call to arms, the brand and Le Pub created a dedicated activation that will entice people stuck in the office after hours to meet their friends at the bar. Thanks to a partnership with a number of local corporate cleaning companies, office cleaners will wear vests over their uniforms displaying a QR code. Once scanned, the code gives access to vouchers for a beer for workers and their friends at the nearest bars.

Collaborating with award-winning filmmaker Ali Ali, Heineken and Le Pub have developed a 360-degree campaign, including a hero film, social and digital content. The film showcases an office employee working late at night, amidst mysterious flashing lights, shadows and noises. Our protagonist feels like they are being watched and, drawing similarities to a horror movie style, the film is underscored by a cover of the hit song ‘Somebodys Watching Me’. We soon discover that shes not alone after all, and the office cleaners have arrived, signalling that its time to leave the office to join her friends at the bar.

“As a brand, we have always stood for fostering real moments of connection over a beer with friends,” said Bram Westenbrink, Global Head, Heineken Brand. “We want to spark conversations about the importance of maintaining work-life balance and resisting societal pressures to be in a constant state of work. Campaigns like this help to encourage workers around the world to reprioritise social and leisure time with the people who matter.”