Samsung’s past efforts at “let’s tick off iPhone users so they’ll buy our giant-assed phone with a 1990’s stylus” clearly hasn’t been enough to attract the attention of Apple’s customers. So just like the ex-girlfriend who “will not be ignored”, today Samsung sent a paid flashmob to Apple’s retail store in Sydney, Australia to try to “Wake Up” iPhone users.
In what is undoubtedly Samsung’s most ridiculous move yet, it sent a coach load of people dressed in black to protest outside of an Apple retail store. The message, which was plastered on the side of the coach and on signs help by the mob, was clear: Wake Up!
This ridiculous “geurilla” campaign is thought to part of Samsung’s Galaxy S III marketing, which was put together by Australian creative agency Tongue. (Really?)
Marketing blog Mumbrella traced the campaign back to Tongue shortly after the news spread: “The ‘Wake up.’ campaign has also seen the words written on the bottom of Bondi Ice Bergs pool, as well as on a series of billboards placed around town. There was also a site takeover on news.com.au over the Anzac day holiday.”
Coincidentally, Australian blogger Nate “Blunty” Burr was at the store when the flashmob arrived, and captured some of the ridiculous chanting on video.
Update: Blackberry maker RIM Australia has announced that the campaign is theirs. In a statement earlier today they said, “We can confirm that the Australian ‘Wake Up’ campaign, which involves a series of experiential activities taking place across Sydney and Melbourne, was created by RIM Australia. A reveal will take place on May 7th that will aim to provoke conversation on what ‘being in business’ means to Australians.”