DWP fires the Workie Monster

Celebrities to replace ‘Workie’

Hannah Godfrey
clock • 1 min read

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to restart its TV advertising campaign for auto-enrolment next month without its infamous 'Workie Monster', Professional Adviser understands.

Instead of the multi-coloured fluffy monster, the new campaign is expected to look to build up trust in the auto-enrolment scheme by featuring various celebrities personally endorsing pensions. The ‘Workie' campaign, which was launched in October 2015, swapped high-profile promoters such as Baroness Karren Brady for the large, fluffy monster in an attempt to reach a wider audience. The £8.5m a-year advert saw 'Workie' wander around a park in broad daylight only to be totally ignored by passers-by. The end message of the campaign was "Don't ignore the workplace pension". The campaig...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Retirement

The advice dividend in an age of retirement uncertainty

The advice dividend in an age of retirement uncertainty

The UK pensions landscape has become progressively more complicated in recent decades

Andrew Tully
clock 17 February 2026 • 4 min read
Royal London introduces CRP framework to help advisers

Royal London introduces CRP framework to help advisers

Support when developing retirement income strategies for clients

Jenna Brown
clock 29 January 2026 • 1 min read
Just Group sees fall in retirement income sales as takeover approaches

Just Group sees fall in retirement income sales as takeover approaches

Brookfield Wealth Solutions to takeover during first half of the year

Isabel Baxter
clock 20 January 2026 • 2 min read