Biggest iPhone in London Video Game Stunt

Tech & Gadgets has a piece on how the video game Lara Croft and Guardian of Light used London's biggest iPhone to show off the game.

"Commuters in London St Pancras International station this morning were welcomed with a huge billboard in the shape of an iPhone.  The huge iPhone shape was formed of 56 iPads to help promote the new Lara Croft and Guardian of Light game.

Commuters at the station passing by were handed a iPad with Guardian of Light already preloaded to play with. The company who made the world’s largest iPhone is Square Enix, well so far its proven to be a good marketing campaign."

Read more at Tech & Gadgets here...

Vodafone Twitter PR Stunt Turns Smile Upside Down

So a Vodafone Twitter giveaway went terribly wrong. I guess the lesson learned is Twitter giveaways need to have some thought (does your social media expert understand risk or business?). No fault of Vodafone on this one as far as I can see, except for the fact that the hashtag they chose is already pretty popular, which is silly. Here's a story from Epic Mobiles:

"A Vodafone PR stunt on Twitter backfired spectacularly this week, after tax avoidance protesters hijacked the promotion's hashtag and used it to spread their message via the PR stunt. 

Vodafone had intended to give away free handsets to Twitter users sending messages using the hashtag #mademesmile to describe something which brightened their day. However, activists protesting against Vodafone's alleged tax avoidance used the tag to spread their message instead, with their Tweets appearing unedited on Vodafone's website."

Read more at Epic Mobiles here 

Oprah to Australia

If you have not heard already, Oprah is bringing 300 fans to Australia. It is pretty much plastered on every media outlet, not to mention the biggest...Oprah herself. 

What you may not know is that the week-long trip has been funded by government-owned Tourism Australia in the hopes that the exposure will boost the country's struggling tourism industry.

One thing to remember on these types of stunts (partner stunts) is making sure that you receive as much exposure as your partner. Oprah is looking great for giving away free (to her) trips to Australia, and the country is getting coverage on media throughout the world. 

If increasing awareness of their country's landmarks and offerings was the goal, I think Australia Tourism 100% achieved it. 

STUNT GRADE: B+ (so far, so good, this grade will likely move up when everything is said and done, just want to see how it plays out). 

Here's a link to a story on the trip for more info

Samsung Dials in on PR Opportunity; Takes on Apple’s iPhone 4

As my wife and I are browsing on our computers on Saturday morning for the latest news (and, yes, Friday night Facebook updates), I blurt out “did you SEE this?”

She casually takes a sip of her coffee and slowly turns in my direction, “hmm?”

“Samsung offered free mobile phones to upset iPhone 4 users who complained about the phone on Twitter!” I said rapidly, with unusual early-morning pep in my tone.

My wife takes another sip of coffee and utters, “hmm” before looking back down to her news reading.

Okay, I get it. Not everyone gets excited about a complex, global company pulling off a timely news-grabbing move using social media, but I REALLY do.

Read more on Samsungs brilliant move on Allison & Partners' blog "It's About the Work."