Cheltenham, UK: Bookmaker Paddy Power appear to have won the PR battle of the bookies of Cheltenham Festival with a mega billboard.

The colossal Paddy Power sign is claimed to be 270ft long eclipsing the previous world record holder which stood at 160ft long and also dwarfs the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.

It also, controversially stands smack bang in the middle of one of Cheltenham’s most iconic beauty spots – Cleeve Hill.

The world’s largest free standing ad board in the world – is causing quite a stir during the race meeting. The planning department at Tewkesbury Borough Council is investigating whether it contravenes advertising rules.

A spokesperson for Paddy Power said: “Cheltenham is the biggest and the best race meeting in the world so we wanted to build a monument to reflect and celebrate that.”

Source: This Is Gloucestershire

Italy: Heineken enrolled university professors, girlfriends and several bosses to convince hundreds of football loving students, boyfriends and employees to go to a classical music and poetry recital and miss one of the biggest games in months – Real Madrid vs AC Milan.

All of them couldn’t say no and were roped into the concert.

Here’s what happened.

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LONDON, UK: Controversy is raging around a London clinic’s “raffle” of a human egg to promote a new service that will get around British fertility laws. Doctors offering a human egg as first prize were last night accused of commercialising the miracle of life.

One woman will win the chance to select their ideal donor egg based on its mother’s profession, ethnic background, hair colour, qualifications and upbringing.

As part of the free IVF cycle and egg prize – worth an estimated £13,000 – the winner will also be able to view childhood pictures of potential donors before choosing one.

Critics have condemned the contest, intended to promote an international IVF scheme, as a ‘deplorable’ commercial venture.

Source: Daily Mirror, Daily Mail,

L.A, USA: South by Southwest (SXSW), the multimedia festival, have challenged 12 entrepreneurs on a 48hour coach ride from Vegas to the SXSW venue in Austin and want them to come up as many start-up ideas as they can.

SxSW Interactive is March 12-16 see website here

UK: Bottled fresh air from some of Britain’s favourite beauty spots is being offered to stressed city workers by the National Trust.

The air comes in several scents including the lakeside aroma of Windermere in Cumbria and the woodlands of Box Hill in Surrey.

According to a ’study’ conducted by the National Trust, 59 per cent of people said a breath of fresh air was enough to reduce their stress levels.

If you want a jar of air, they say you can get one by emailing press.office@nationaltrust.org.uk

The Guardian asks; Fresh Air or Hot Air?

Source; Metro

[Keeping tabs on the art of  promotion with this ’stunt of the day’ blog ….]

Channel 4 is looking for a fun, playful design for the front of their London HQ  to ‘inspire and entertain passers-by, visitors and C4 staff’.

The design must work with the pre-existing 50-foot high metal structure in front of the Channel 4 building on Horseferry Road, be weatherproof and hardwearing, and be able to be lit (from the outside or the inside) to make a statement after dark. The winning design will be conceived as a 3D experience rather than a 2D design.

Here’s how to apply

The Big 4 is a 50-foot-high metal ‘4′ outside Channel 4’s Horseferry Road headquarters in London. A variety of artists – some internationally renowned, some emerging – have provided ‘skins’ for the structure. It was originally constructed in 2007 to celebrate both the Channel’s 25th anniversary year and the launch of the Big Art Project. The installation mirrors the Channel’s on-air identity, with metal bars forming the logo only when viewed from a particular angle. Each artist has put their own unique stamp on the huge ‘4’.

[Keeping tabs on the art of  promotion with this ’stunt of the day’ blog ….]

London, UK: On the eve of the annual Mothers Day mailing frenzy the Royal Mail  team up with Battersea Dogs Home to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the famous pet home. 10 former residents, all happily living with new owners, star in a set of first-class stamps.

Source: Daily Mail

[Keeping tabs on the art of  promotion with this ’stunt of the day’ blog ….]

LONDON, UK: Mayor of London Boris Johnson visits London Bridge Station  to launch a competition to find the capital’s most talented buskers. The photo-op launched a campaign to increase musical education and opportunities for young Londoners.

To enter the competition musicians have to upload a video clip of themselves performing on the ‘Rhythm of London’ YouTube group www.youtube.com/group/SOTUauditions2010 and complete an online registration form at www.london.gov.uk by 6 April 2010.

Judges will then select 100 people to be filmed performing at busking slots across the capital on April 24th and ask the public to vote for their favourite busker. The top ten will then perform live later this year at a ‘busk off’ for the final prize.

(Source: London SE1)

[Keeping tabs on the art of  promotion with this ’stunt of the day’ blog ….]

Glasgow, Scotland: A £40,000 car which once belonged to criminals in Glasgow is now being used by the police in the fight against serious crime.

The black Q7 was seized by officers from Strathclyde police during an operation against a criminal gang in the north of the city.

The 4×4 car has now been emblazoned with the force’s livery and will be used by the Gangs Task Force.

Assistant Chief Constable John Neilson said: “The hard working, law abiding citizens need to know that we are hurting those involved in serious and organised crime where it matters – their pockets.

Source: BBC

[Keeping tabs on the art of  promotion with this ’stunt of the day’ blog ….]