10 Yetis Insight Blog - Five Great Examples of PR Stunts

PR comes in many different shapes and sizes. Some would argue that it's at its absolute best and most successful when it involves a stunt of some kind; and I'd have to agree. PR is, ultimately, all about image and getting noticed and stunts are a great way to do that. They need to be big, they need to be clever and, most importantly, you need to be able to pull them off.

If you're in the industry already, chances are you can think of some great PR stunts from the past already, but here are 5 of my favourites...

1. Confused.com and 'Accident Avenue'

Last year, insurance comparison website Confused.com released information about the most accident-prone streets in the UK, based on those with the most car insurance claims in the last five years. Somerville Road in Worcester claimed the title and, overnight, Confused.com transformed the road by bubble-wrapping everything from the cars and trees to pavements and garden gnomes, using 1,500 sq metres of the stuff. The street was also rebranded as 'Accident Avenue' and the whole thing made an absolutely brilliant photo opportunity. The media loved it and the stunt resulted in widespread coverage.

Accident Avenu

2. EA, Mercenaries 2 -Free fuel for everyone

Back in 2008, Electronic Arts commandeered a petrol station in Finsbury Park, North London as part of a PR stunt to promote a new war game, Mercenaries 2. The whole station was kitted out with military camouflage netting, complete with a fake army Landrover and staff dressed in army gear. The stunt began at 6:30am and the idea was to give away £20,000 of free fuel, £40 to each vehicle. People travelled from wide and far, resulting in mayhem on the surrounding roads. At 11am and £11,000 later, the police shut the stunt down due to the resulting gridlock. An MP demanded an apology and some feathers were certainly ruffled, but most of the public thought it was pure genius and people will be talking about this stunt for years to come.

3. FHM - Nude Gale Porter

Back in 1999, lad's mag FHM staged a fantastic PR stunt in London. A naked image of TV presenter Gale Porter was projected in all its 60ft high glory on the side of the Houses of Parliament. The stunt was done to promote a poll that the magazine was carrying out to find the world's 100 sexiest women.

4. KFC - Out of this world

A few years back, fast food chain KFC became the first brand visible from outer space, as part of a stunt to promote the fact that it would be undergoing a global image shake-up that would see 14,000 restaurants in 80 countries modernised. 65,000 1ft sq tiles were assembled to create an 87,500 sq ft Colonel Sanders logo in the Nevada desert, just near Area 51, which could be seen from outer space. Fantastic PR and a great way to ensure all alien life forms will be craving mini-fillet and zinger burgers on arrival to planet earth.

KFC from Outer Space

5. Hammertime - flashmob

Flash mobs have become a huge PR phenomenon over the last few years, but one I really liked happened back in 2009 to promote 'Hammertime' - a reality show that would follow and document the lives of MC Hammer, his wife and their kids. The stunt involved a flash mob storming a boutique in LA, all of whom wore the famous gold trousers and danced to MC Hammer's 'Can't Touch This.' Scores of shoppers watched on, bemused and laughing, resulting in a great PR stunt.

So, there you have it, five of my favourite PR stunts and great examples of how it is done. Usually, the bigger the better and if a bit of controversy is caused along the way, job done.

Let me know of any PR stunts you love in the comments section below...

	Shannon posted on 08/03/2011. Follow Shannon on Google+.