While many have been whining about how PM Modi's spate of foreign jaunts are elaborate PR exercises (may the Force be with him), it's worth keeping in mind that our pradhan mantri isn't the only to indulge in them. 2014 has been the year of PR stunts, some would say starting with Arvind Kejriwal's dramatic renunciation of the CM's seat. Here's our list of this year's most notable PR stunts, pulled by individuals and organisations. If we've missed the one that annoyed you the most, please do add it in the comments section.
The old lady of Boribunder versus Deepika Padukone
The Bombay Times found itself in a social media war with Deepika Padukone when Padukone picked on an old tweet put out by the paper's
Twitter account. Next thing we knew, Bombay Times was publishing explanations for its conduct and accusing Padukone of hypocrisy on page one of the supplement. Twitter started frothing at its mouth and soon 'TOI' was trending almost like 'NaMo' had before the polls, Padukone was on different news channels and as some pointed out maybe it didn't hurt Padukone's next release Finding Fanny which otherwise would have been more indie-fare.
The Times of India (yes, again), Tejpal and some 'extraneous noise'
Given that a literature festival hardly does a Filmfare for the group, pundits say, the group had another trick up their sleeves. This time, it had to do with Tarun Tejpal, who is out on bail fighting a rape allegation.
The moment word leaked out that Tejpal will attend the Times Litfest, Twitter lost its cool and TOI was back in the news. Tejpal was eventually dropped from the panel. However, what really put the Litfest on the 'to visit' calendar was a tweet by festival director and senior Times Group editor Bachi Karkaria.
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