Late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel takes unsuspecting viewers on all kinds of crazy journeys via his video and social media pranks.
Here are three approaches you can use in your events, a la Jimmy Kimmel.
Promote local
In one episode, Kimmel befriended Phoenix’s legendary chef’s legendary chef Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco. After a couple of tries while visiting his parents in Phoenix, he and his dad met the chef and a friendship ensued. You, too, can surprise and delight attendees by finding and featuring local eateries and even highlighting their chefs during a reception.
Tap Into the holidays
Kimmel’s prank videos—the most well-known of which is telling his kids he ate all the Halloween candy—tap into the holidays. Most recently he found potentially dangerous ways for people to shout “I love you” at their fathers for Father’s Day, which resulted in one dad falling into a pool. What better way to win over meeting attendees than incorporate an upcoming holiday, especially if they are traveling on that date?
Surprise and shock them
When a huge snow storm hit the East Coast, Kimmel cooked up a “I Served a Snowball in Bed” challenge, having viewers videotape themselves bringing a snowball (or more) to their family member while asleep. Elements of surprise, like snow in summer or a beach party at a ski resort, are what attendees will always remember
