Skinny dipping in NZ

Is organising a station led event based around Skinny Dipping going too far or the perfect way to engage listeners? The Edge in New Zealand gets listeners to bare all this December.

The Kiwi station has taken an unusual approach to an advertising campaign for their client, BW Summer Festival by hosting a Skinny Dip World Record attempt.

It seems the station tried this last year but didn’t quite make the cut. Hopefully the 2013 attempt will yield more success using the festival as a base to engage more listeners. They’re also taking no chances this year by offering prize incentives including cash for taking part.

It’s not just about getting naked, you know

Skinny Dipping isn’t your usual entry mechanic for a campaign, so there’s also a handy guide and preparation video of how to ‘Skinny Dip’ on the station website – should you need some further guidance – because according to the video below, it isn’t just “getting naked and going for a swim!”

Is this going too far? Is there too much on show? Or is it just a bit of a fun and perfectly pitched  for the audience of the station? Would you encourage your listeners to run around naked or does it seem distasteful?  Maybe it’s a cultural thing.

To me it sounds far too outrageous for anything you’d hear on UK radio. Do we play it too safe (or is it just because it’s too cold!)?

Please do share your opinions in the comments box below.

Jonathan Jacob is a Solutions Manager at Global Radio with varied experience across commercial radio S&P, events, marketing and PR. He was listed in the inaugural Radio Academy 30 under 30, is a Student Radio Awards judge and sits on the Events Committee for The Radio Academy. Views are personal.