High praise for Eureka promo

*This article was published 10 years ago

The World Federation of Great Towers has bestowed Southbank’s Eureka Skydeck with the “Innovative Promotional Award” for its incredible stunt celebrating the world premiere of King Kong live on stage earlier this year.

The Skydeck, which staged a stunt welcoming King Kong to Melbourne by suspending a replica gorilla hand outside the tower clutching onto a stuntwoman, received the award at a ceremony in Berlin in September. The Eureka Skydeck competed against 44 other famous international towers including the Empire State Building and Eiffel Tower for the coveted prize.

Located on level 88 of Eureka Tower, the Skydeck is the highest public viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere providing the ideal location to launch the musical. The $200,000 media stunt garnered more than $1.5 million in domestic and international media coverage subsequently increasing Eureka Skydeck sales by $430,000 during the months of July and August this year.

With more than 300 hours and 14 consulting groups involved in bringing the idea to life, Eureka Skydeck general manager John Forman highlighted the incredible risk that surrounded the planning of the stunt.

“The stunt was well planned but there were many risk factors,” he said. “The weather had to be perfect, the rigging safe and the stunt-double brave. If there was one element that didn’t meet the strict criteria, the stunt was off.”

Extending beyond the reach of the initial unveiling, the replica gorilla hand was positioned inside Eureka Skydeck after the stunt, allowing guests to enjoy the King Kong experience for themselves.

“The real win for us is the positive feedback we have been receiving from the general public,” Mr Forman said.

Guests still have the opportunity to enjoy the King Kong Experience at Eureka Skydeck until next February. •