10 Movie Promotional Publicity Stunts You Won't Believe

3. Mooninite Mistake - Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theatres (2007)

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters1 A rather ridiculous action epic sprouted from the Cartoon Network adult swim TV series 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force', the film features the main TV show characters who become pitted in a battle over an immortal piece of exercise equipment. Apparently you can make this stuff up (depending on what recreational activities you embark upon). This certainly isn't an animated adventure for the kiddies as it was rated 'R' for sexual humour, violence and language. The film had an extensive promotional campaign, but nobody could've predicted the outcome. In January 2007, Cartoon Network launched a guerrilla marketing campaign and installed dozens of electrical devices with flashing lights in various major cities.When lit, the signs displayed a Mooninite with its middle finger raised. In a unpredicted and unintended twist on January 31st, Boston police received reports of suspicious devices in the city. This prompted bomb squads and emergency personnel to be deployed to the locations, causing a major security scare in Boston. The two men who installed the devices around Boston were arrested and charged with felony counts of placing a hoax device to incite panic. Turner Broadcasting, Cartoon Network's parent company and Interference, Inc., the marketing company that created the campaign, reached a settlement with city and state officials to resolve any civil or criminal claims. The companies agreed to pay $1 million dollars to the Boston police department, and $1 million to fund homeland security. Jim Samples, the head of Cartoon Network, resigned his position as a result. The two men who planted the devices were sentenced to community service. Okay, so I kind of want to see it a little bit now.
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Contributor

I am a freelance writer, currently residing in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. I was raised by wolves in the woodlands of Northumberland, but am still posher than Colin Firth having dinner with The Queen. I write all of my pieces by swallowing a cocktail of scrabble tiles and vodka, then regurgitating them over my jotter. Hope this explains the typos.