When stunts go bad

I am often sent PR disaster tales this one from New Zealand, underlines the danger of staging a stunt without realising the risks. I am sure that it was a great success on the day, alas there is usually a huge hangover after the best party.

The Warehouse, New Zealand’s largest general merchandise retailer, says it deeply regrets a 25th birthday publicity stunt which has turned into an environmental nightmare.

It celebrated its birthday earlier this month by releasing 13,000 red balloons.

But two weeks later, hundreds of the shrivelled remnants washed up on Great Barrier Island, causing fears for the island’s marine life.

General manager Phil Jamieson says The Warehouse is working with the Department of Conservation to reduce the environmental damage.

http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/tabid/184/ArticleID/26781/Default.aspx