Words Dept.: entry

You’ve a video game called Mercenaries 2: World in Flames. You’ve got themes of Venezuelan economic collapse and petrol-as-currency. Mix it all together and you have the classic ingredients for a Sick Marketing Stunt.

[Game publisher] EA decked out the Last Stop garage, which lies between Stroud Green and Finsbury Park, in military camouflage material and parked an army jeep on the forecourt. Assistants dressed as soldiers carried mock machine guns as they doled out [free] petrol to the customers.

Hmm. That’s all very well but I guess it wouldn’t have gone down too well among local residents and I’d be amazed if it hasn’t angered politicians.

But the stunt caused fury amongst local residents and has angered politicians.

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone, said: “Trying to recreate Venezuelan-style fuel riots on the streets of London is completely irresponsible and downright dangerous.

“Whilst a lucky few might have got some free petrol, hundreds of local residents have faced misery on their daily journeys this morning. They deserve an apology for being the victims of such an ill-thought out media stunt.”

And perhaps an apology from their MP for blindly contributing to the free PR the stunt has generated.