Talk about brand awareness!
HBO got a load of free publicity for its brand when an admitted purse snatcher was seen in newspaper photos and TV newscasts sporting a crisp, clean HBO t-shirt.
Mark McIntosh, 25, was nabbed at an East Village homeless center Wednesday for a string of at least six subway-station purse-snatchings.
When police walked him for reporters and photographers, McIntosh admitted to the crimes, but said nothing about whether he watches HBO or enjoys the pay-cable channel’s critically acclaimed series such as “The Sopranos” and “Big Love.”
Yesterday, HBO officials had no reaction other than surprise when they learned how McIntosh had served as a living, breathing billboard for their corporate logo.
When asked if the t-shirt-wearing purse-snatching perp was a participant in some sort of “viral” marketing campaign mounted by HBO, a spokesman said no.
He did note, however, that HBO t-shirts are available for sale on hbo.com. One shirt similar to the one worn by the purse-snatcher retails on the site for $7.97.
– By ADAM BUCKMAN