Publicity stunts aim to create widespread buzz, and many brands and celebrities utilize them to promote themselves or their ventures. They always capture audiences’ attention, for better or worse. However, it becomes problematic when these stunts are used to spread fake information or spark controversies that hurt the larger audience. Here are 13 such stunts.

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LifeLock Security Fail

These are instances where a person risks everything on the line to prove a point. The CEO of LifeLock, Todd Davis, publicly advertised his social security number on billboards, social media, and commercials to prove that LifeLock service would protect it. Promoting the service was a publicity stunt, which cost only $10 to $15, but things took a very wrong turn when people stole his identity over 13 times, with 87 failed attempts. Such stunts would now be criticized for misleading people alongside fake promises that services provide to boost their sales.

Pregnant Action Man

Our childhood was punctuated with several toys and their collections, ranging from Legos to Hot Wheels and, most importantly, Action Man avatars. Hasbro started launching pregnant Action Man dolls to promote their brand and create buzz. Some say this was done to support the LGBTQ+ community, while others accuse them of fishing for attention. Nonetheless, this would not be acceptable to conservatives or anyone who understands biology today.

Charlie Sheen’s Breakdown

Charlie Sheen, known widely for his role in “Two and a Half Men,” went on a public meltdown in 2011. This incident sheds light on the relationship between celebrity behavior and media coverage, highlighting these stunts and bringing them under the spotlight. The actor indulged in erratic interviews and controversial statements while glamorizing his additions. With increasing mental health awareness in modern times, such fragile attempts to seek attention would be debunked.

Justin Bieber’s Pet Monkey

In 2013, Justin Bieber randomly adopted a monkey named Mally and started taking it along for his tours. This weird move shocked the whole internet as the fans were confused. This gained much attention, leading to many controversies as Mally did not have vaccination documents or travel permits. The monkey was confiscated in Germany, which caused global headlines and equal outrage from fans. Such acts would not be acceptable today due to the unnecessary tagging of pets, especially on tours, without proper documentation, causing harm to the animal itself.

Kim Kardashian’s Photoshoot

Money is certainly not an issue for Kim Kardashian, which made people wonder why the actress would agree to a undressed photoshoot. In 2014, the November issue of The Paper magazine featured Kim Kardashian‘s provocative pictures under the title “Break The Internet.” This was heavily criticized for inappropriateness and for generating attention using bold images.

Madonna’s Controversial Video

Trying to trigger a particular religious group is never a good idea, especially if you are doing it unprovoked. When Madonna released her music video “Like a Prayer” in 1989, she unjustifiably used Christian religious imagery such as burning crosses. This move was clearly for fame and was not accepted by the public, leading to the cancellation of her endorsement with Pepsi.

Vidya Balan’s Beggar Stunt

Just before the release of her film Bobby Jasoos, meaning “Detective Bobby,” Indian celebrity Vidya Balan dressed up as a beggar and started sitting outside Indian railways. This was a publicity stunt to promote her new film, in which she disguised herself as part of the marketing strategy. People slammed this act for her insensitivity and interpreted it as a lack of empathy towards people experiencing poverty.

Pepsi Points Scandal

Fake promises always come back to bite you, whether for an individual or a multi-billion-dollar corporation. In 1996, Pepsi launched a marketing campaign centered around their “Pepsi Points,” which could increase when people purchase more cans. For each point milestone, Pepsi gave away gifts until a person named Leonard collected the points in exchange for the Harrier Jet that Pepsi promised. Obviously, the jet was not given to him, and a legal case broke out between the two. These publicity stunts faced immense backlash and changed advertising laws forever for the better.

Balloon Boy

The Heene family, consisting of Richard and Mayumi Heene and their son, decided to pull off one of the worst publicity stunts of the decade. In 2009, they launched a homemade helium-filled gas balloon into the sky, claiming their six-year-old son was trapped in it. This attention soon gained the attention of media houses alongside the military, who deployed National Guards helicopters to search for it. Eventually, the event was a hoax and a publicity stunt. Richard and Mayumi were fined, and legal action was imposed against them.

Kmart’s Pregnant Barbie

Brands go to absurd heights to promote their promotions, and this one did not spare poor Barbie. In 1989, Kmart decided to boost its sales and placed a pregnant Barbie on the shelves. These soon gained widespread popularity among children, which raised further questions. The fascination with the pregnant Barbie soon caused a stir, eventually removing all these units.

Barnum’s “Feejee Mermaid”

In the quest to create a new kind of species for credit or decorate his museum, Phineas Taylor Barnum changed the whole perception of mermaids. His exhibit in the mid-19th century showcased a mermaid with the head of a monkey and the body of a fish. This fascinated people. However, this example goes down in history to show how people can be easily exploited for their gullibility. Publicity stunts like these would be condemned for spreading fake information and invalid recreations of mythical creatures.

Tesla Launches Car into Space

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

When we speak about Tesla, it’s really about Elon Musk. In one of history’s most popular publicity stunts, Tesla in 2018 decided to send a car into space. This car was equipped with cameras alongside a mannequin wearing a spacesuit called “Starman.” Although this groundbreaking success showcased Tesla’s capabilities, environmentalists did not receive it well. Such acts would cause useless emissions and the need to use space debris, raising questions about resource allocation.

Poonam Pandey’s death stunt

This is a stunt from 2024. Indian C-grade celebrity Poonam Pandey’s manager announced that she had passed away. This took the internet by storm as everyone was surprised at the sudden death. Within 24 hours, she revealed that she faked her death to create awareness around cervical cancer. She was heavily criticized by celebrities and fans alike for this stunt, which aimed at fame.