Over the weekend in Times Square, the Kleenex Let It Out campaign in which people let their emotions out while Kleenex films them was infiltrated by Greenpeace which is irked Kleenex manufacturer Kimberly-Clark uses “ancient growth” forests in their tissue products. Greenpeace activists, posing as distraught individuals complained about Kimberly-Clark’s apparent deforestation tactics while Kleenex PR people had nothing much to do except let it happen, even when some activists unfurled a banner for Kleercut, Greenpeace’s tree hugger effort.
It’s classic surprise marketing at its finest. After all, what could Kleenex people do? The entire promotion is all about providing people a platform to air their grievances. If you are concerned about a company’s supposed less-that-nice use of foresting techniques tan what better place to air the grievances that on a couch to an understanding listener. Or at least one that’s supposed to be understanding.
