The sight of a gathering crowd inevitably attracts attention

Especially if they happen to be in costume or wearing masks. It’s a perfect way to promote a film or product.

Approached by a PR company wanting a spellbinding stunt to promote the arrive of the movie Frank (starring Domhnall Gleeson and Michael Fassbender), we knew exactly how to approach the task: gather up a crowd.

The aim was simple: create a buzz about the film and bring it to public attention.

We supplied 100 extras for the mass crowd event. All were professionals, highly experienced and skilled. They posed for pictures near Nelson’s Column, Trafalgar Square; getting onto an underground train and most spectacularly of all, recreating the famous Beatles scene crossing the road outside Abbey Road Studios.

Ninety nine of the extras wore paper masks of Frank. The remaining participant was given a very special task. Carefully chosen, possessing the same height and build as Michael Fassbender, he had to step into character and wear the exact mask used in the movie.

Throughout the day, the PR team was busy on social media asking people to tweet if they found the right Frank within the crowd roaming the streets. By posting their finds using a special hashtag #FindFrank, they could potentially win prizes.

The Hire a Crowd Results were overwhelming

It was an event, which started a social media storm. The crowd started work amid the London streets at 8am. Word of the crowd spread fast, and sightings were soon appearing on social media. By 2pm Twitter was alive with comments. It was a total success, reaching a vast audience within a short period and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional televised commercial. Everyone was talking about Frank!

This simple concept with a lively twist captured people’s imagination. Wherever the crowd appeared, people would stop and stare, take photographs and try to spot Frank. It went viral, becoming a promotion that everyone was talking about.

Take a look at your current and upcoming projects – could a crowd help you get the publicity you need? Give us a ring and talk through your ideas, and we will help you turn them into reality.

We have thousands of potential crowd members across the UK, people who are trained actors, singers, dancers and musicians who know how to create a memorable event that will make your brand a talking point.