Companies struggle to gain exposure for products and services, and engage public relations firms to help craft and communicate effective marketing messages. Sometimes, organizations turn to PR stunts to attract attention, but PR stunts backfire almost as often as they succeed, so proceed with caution.
I don’t have any proof that the Westboro Baptist Church drafted its own hoax threat from Anonymous as a public relations stunt. But, let’s assume for a minute that it did. Anonymous has been in the headlines already–from thehacktivism in defense of Wikileaks to the takedown of information security firm HBGary. Why not try to ride the notoriety of Anonymous for increased exposure?