On the subject of PR Stunts

Stunt Of The Day: Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson makes a splash, after his latest publicity stunt in the States.

The 59-year-old entrepreneur was drumming up coverage for the 10-year anniversary of Virgin flying direct from London to Las Vegas by riding a jet ski in the Bellagio Hotel fountains, with an air hostess.

Stunt Of The Day: 15,000 Hooters waitresses have donated their used but laundered tights to official efforts to create ‘containment booms’ for the Gulf oil spill. A company statement reads “The containment booms which are stuffed with hair, fur and fleece to absorb the oil. Hooters expects to collect over 100,000 pairs of pantyhose through this effort, which could ultimately absorb 1 million gallons of oil in the Gulf” reports The Washington Times.

Stunt Of The Day: Coca-Cola has finished installing its “cratefan” in Johannesburg. The sculpture is made of 2,500 bottle crates, weighs 25 tons, and is 54 feet tall. The company have stated that it is a very visible statement of their commitment to recycling in the African nation.

Stunt Of The Day: HBO apologises  for the “swimming pool of blood” publicity stunt.  True Blood returns to screens this Sunday, June 13.

Stunt Of The Day: An ultrasound picture of Jesus in the womb – complete with halo – is to be used for a Christmas advertising campaign. The image, with the words ”He’s on his way” is the latest in a series of Christian advertising campaigns, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Stunt Of The Day: Bon Jovi kicked off their 12-date show at London’s O2 Arena by performing live on the rooftop. The gig was beamed down to HD screens below for fans to enjoy.  It’s reported that ‘the musicians were helped by trained mountaineers to reach the top of the roof’ … we’re not sure why they didn’t use the internal ladder – I guess that’s rock and roll for you.. (source: Daily Mail)

Stunt Of The Day: Mobile phone brand (and Glastonbury sponsor) Orange  are touting a new PRototype that can charge your mobile  from the heat generated at the bottom of your festival wellies.

According to the press release from Orange: “The power collected in the ‘power generating sole’ is collected via a process known as the ‘Seebeck’ effect.”

Andrew Pearcey, Head of Sponsorship at Orange UK said: “The Orange Power Wellies use clean and renewable energy to create valuable electricity ensuring festival goers can text and phone their mates for the duration of the weekend”.

Stunt Of The Day: B&Q has launched a range of World Cup-themed merchandise to cash in on the tournament. An England garden gnome goes on sale on Friday, and a World Cup Petunia Mix – red and white flowers is already 90% sold out, reports The Daily Telegraph

Stunt Of The Day: UK girl group The Saturdays  pose on a giant sofa to launch T-Mobile’s Big Sofa Night In campaign in London. Credit Daily Mail.