All hijinks... ever
These are projects carried out over the years by the Yes Men and their student and organizational partners.
For a timeline of when and why they occurred, see our timeline (coming soon). For why we did certain actions, and how well we think they succeeded, see our press pages. For the full, gory stories behind actions, take a peek behind the curtain.
Apple Goes "Conflict Free"
On behalf of Apple, students from the New School in New York, adovocacy group Friends of the Congo, and the Yes Lab, launched a fake Apple website announcing an exciting new ethical product from the hip computer giant: the iPhone4-CF.
"CF" stands…
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Chevron's $80 million ad campaign gets flushed
A simple leak blossomed into a frenzy and then another — all of it hilariously fun, albeit stressful — that ended up destroying Chevron's profoundly misguided ad campaign. Browse the videos, releases, and press to the right, or read our full account…
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Goes Green
The head of PR for the US Chamber of Commerce, Eric Wohlschlegel, made our fake press conference on the Chamber's behalf our second most popular project ever—by barging in and disrupting it! This project, the centerpiece of our third movie, might…
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New York Post Tells The Truth
New York's favorite tabloid got a face-lift of sorts one day before the city hosted a major UN summit on climate change. Distributed by over 2000 volunteers throughout New York City, an eco-conscious but otherwise pitch-perfect replica of the New…
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New York Times Special Edition
A week after the historic presidential election that brought Barack Obama to the White House, the Yes Men were joined by hundreds of independent writers, artists, and activists in an elaborate project, six months in the making, to release a "special…
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The New University in Exile
Invited to participate in an art show about democracy at the New School, where Andy was teaching, we agreed to do so on one condition: no one would know our piece was part of the art show. The wonderful curator agreed. The Yes Men were listed as…
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Exxon's climate-victim candles
"Exxon" and "National Petroleum Council" reps (Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno) told 300 oilmen at Canada's largest oil conference that the real solution to climate change was simply to turn everyone who dies into fuel so that the all-important free…
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Stinging some desperate French politicians
In 2007, we set up a fake TV studio to convince French politicians they were on a right-wing American talk show. Freed from the constraints of civilized discourse, they really let loose. One asserted that there are no poor people whatsoever in…
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Fake websites
Videos
These are videos that reveal actions, are used within actions, or come out of actions.
For standalone shorts, see our movies page.
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Behind the curtain
Photos
Fake press releases
These are fake press releases used in our actions.
Note: we always reveal our fakes in short order — and that's what distinguishes these from the bad kind of fakes. For why we did certain actions, and how well we think they succeeded, see our press pages.
[Emailed to journalists from an address at StarbucksComms.com around 10am PST.]
Email subject: Hoax: False Information Circulated on Starbucks Dairy Policy
Hi,
“News” circulated about our policies on dairy and non-dairy milk may have reached you today, and we’re writing to tell you that this announcement was not made by Starbucks corporate communications. It is a hoax aimed at confusing the…
Associated Hijinks: Starbucks "apologizes" for dietary racism - then actually does what we simulated
This was a fake attack by Apple against the perpetrators of the iPhoneCF hoax, in which Apple—while condemning the hoaxsters' silliness—called for various real and effective measures to stop conflict mining and the atrocities in the Congo.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 16, 2010
Contact: Caroline Hemmerskjold, Apple
Tel. (408) 676-7923
Email: caroline@apple-cf.com
CONFLICT-FREE IPHONE HOAX TOUTS…
Associated Hijinks: Apple Goes "Conflict Free"
Chevron has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.
Title: Chevron Deplores Subterfuge, Investigates Options
Date(s): 18 October. 2010
For a complete listing of our news releases, please click here
Chevron Deplores Subterfuge, Investigates Options
SAN RAMON, Calif., Oct. 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Earlier today, a group of environmentalists cyber-posing as Chevron officials…
Associated Hijinks: Chevron Ad Campaign Derailed
Chevron has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.
Title: Radical Chevron Ad Campaign Highlights Victims
Date(s): 18 October. 2010
To view this release on the web, please click here
Radical Chevron Ad Campaign Highlights Victims
By honestly featuring oil industry misdeeds, Chevron "We Agree" campaign scores ad industry first
SAN RAMON, Calif., Oct. 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE…
Associated Hijinks: Chevron Ad Campaign Derailed
These two releases were sent from a different domain (eg-gc.ca) from the first two (enviro-canada.ca), and they looked somewhat more official.
Canadian Government Deplores Spoof Releases, False Hopes
OTTAWA, Ont. -- December 14, 2009 -- One hour ago, a spoof press release targeted Canada in order to generate hurtful rumors and mislead the Conference of Parties on Canada's positions on climate…
Associated Hijinks: Canada Does the Right Thing
This press release was also sent out from enviro-canada.ca. Video at bottom.
December 14, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UGANDA CELEBRATES CANADIAN ANNOUNCEMENT
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- The Ugandan delegation to the COP-15 climate talks has been the first to react to Canada's announcement of ambitious new emissions-reduction targets and vigorous climate-debt reparations to African nations. (For…
Associated Hijinks: Canada Does the Right Thing
Note: This press release was sent out from enviro-canada.ca, and looked pretty good—but not great. (Video at the bottom.)
*/
December 14, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW AGENDA FOR CLIMATE AND WORLD DEVELOPMENT
Plan includes stricter emissions reductions and immediate "climate debt" bailouts for most affected countries
COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- In a major development coming…
Associated Hijinks: Canada Does the Right Thing
CONTACTS: Erica Avidus
(202) 596-2357
October 19, 2009
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Announces Free Enterprise Survival Strategy
Internal Conflict Resolves in Commitment To Long-Term Prosperity
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind strong climate legislation, a spokesman for Chamber President Tom J. Donohue announced today at the National Press Club.
"We…
Associated Hijinks: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Goes Green
WTO Announces Formalized Slavery Model for Africa
US Trade Representative to Africa, Governor of Nigeria Central Bank weigh in at Wharton
Important Note: Many visitors from all over the political spectrum have read this release and believed it to mean that the WTO is officially in favor of slavery.
In actual fact, we at the WTO would never, ever wish to suggest that the modern version of the…
Associated Hijinks: The WTO's "stewardry" solution for Africa
10:30 AM CDT
MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2006
HUD SECRETARY ANNOUNCES ALL
PUBLIC HOUSING TO REOPEN IN NEW ORLEANS
In a bold reversal of policy, the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) announced today that they will reopen public
housing in New Orleans and embark on a bold new plan to help former
residents get back…
Associated Hijinks: New Orleans rebuilds with a heart
June 5, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: info@mcdonaldsinteractive.com
Photos and downloads: www.mcdonaldsinteractive.com
International Serious Games Event: www.seriousgames.org.uk
McDonald's Games Division To Leave Parent Company
Company policies "lead the planet to ruin"; division aims for mass mobilization
McDonald's Interactive announced today that it is striking…
Associated Hijinks: McDonald's turns revolutionary
May 9, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HALLIBURTON SOLVES GLOBAL WARMING
SurvivaBalls save managers from abrupt climate change
An advanced new technology will keep corporate managers safe even when climate change makes life as we know it impossible.
"The SurvivaBall is designed to protect the corporate manager no matter what Mother Nature throws his or her way," said Fred Wolf, a Halliburton…
Associated Hijinks: Halliburton's corporate solution to climate change