Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Genius Marketing or Marketing Mistake?

The marketing team for the hit Cartoon Network show Aqua Teen Hunger Force has either hit marketing gold or marketing mud. I’ll let you decide that for yourself. Here’s the skinny…

In an effort to some new wave guerilla marketing for the show, the marketers commissioned artist Peter Berdovsky to create flyer-sized, LED-lit promotional props. The props, which display characters known as Mooninites extending their middle finger, were placed in the cities of Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and other major cities. The props were put in high traffic areas such as bridges and bus stops. The props have been on display for the past two to three weeks. Nevertheless, the city of Boston panicked. Why? Because someone mistook the props for terrorist bombs when they saw the wires connecting the battery to the LED lights.

Boston detonated one of the “bombs” and the others removed. The city also arrested the artist, Peter Berdovsky.

Regardless of what you make of the situation, one thing is certain. This whole ordeal is great publicity for the show. It’s getting network news coverage and hundreds of blog posts. Marketing-wise, this is a good thing.

With that said, what’s this country coming to? I invite you to leave your opinions!