What is the most successful PR campaign you can think of?

Question

I am writing a speech, and am trying to think of some of the most successful Public Relations campaigns over the last 10 years. Any suggestions?

One I thought of was how George W. Bush campaigned for the Presidential election with commercials showing him as a cowboy, when he is from Connecticut, to trick people thinking he is the "All-American Hero".

Answer 1

I would have to use MySpace as the best. I mean seriously, ever see a MySpace commercial? The public and media have eaten it all up without one bit of aired or radio commercials.

Answer 2

While George W. Bush was born in Connecticut, he lived in Texas. Remember Texas air national guard hubbub? Remember that he was Texas governor? Your idea will reveal more about your personal bias than anyone's PR.

Perhaps you should pick a campaign not related to politics. A consumer product campaign might allow you to show your knowledge of PR and not your (apparently blinding) biases.

Answer 3

A good example of a PR camapign is quite a sad one,

The PR camapign launched to find Madeline McCann, on the downside it hasn't been sucessfull as sadly she hasn't been found, however the objectives of PR is mainly to raise awareness and probably half of the world are looking for her, and it hasn't cost much to run this campaign.

PR is meant to be free.

Answer 4

Least successful: Firestone Tire Co.
Most successful: Bausch&Lomb contact lens hubbub

Answer 5

1. I think of PR as being different than advertising. Its for a public purpose. Like those crash test dummies that tell you to wear seat belts.

Answer 6

Budweiser's famous beer commercials.