Jibes at the iPhone and its users clearly aren’t enough to attract the attention of Apple’s customers, so Samsung is taking a more direct approach. Today the Korean company sent a screaming flashmob equipped with big “Wake Up” signs to protest outside of an Apple retail store in Sydney, Australia.

In what is undoubtedly Samsung’s most ridiculous move yet, it sent a coach load of people dressed in black to protest outside of an Apple retail store. The message, which was plastered on the side of the coach and on signs help by the mob, was clear: Wake Up!

The rather embarrassing campaign is thought to be part of Samsung’s Galaxy S III marketing, organized by an Australian creative agency called Tongue. Marketing blog Mumbrella traced the campaign back to Tongue shortly after the news spread:

The ‘Wake up.’ campaign has also seen the words written on the bottom of Bondi Ice Bergs pool, as well as on a series of billboards placed around town. There was also a site takeover on news.com.au over the Anzac day holiday.

By coincidence, an Australian blogger was in the store when the flashmob arrived and managed to capture some of the cringeworthy chanting on video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldq2tNLRDwA

I must say, Samsung’s latest marketing stunt makes it’s “you’ve been Samsunged” campaign look genius.

UPDATE: Samsung has since denied any involvement in the Wake Up campaign, and it was in face BlackBerry maker Research in Motion that organized it. That’s right: A company that is quickly drowning at the hands of devices like the iPhone is urging Apple — the world’s richest company — to “Wake Up!”

RIM confessed to organizing the stunt on Tuesday, May 1:

“We can confirm that the Australian ‘Wake Up’ campaign, which involves a series of experiential activities taking place across Sydney and Melbourne, was created by RIM Australia. A reveal will take place on May 7th that will aim to provoke conversation on what ‘being in business’ means to Australians.”

[via The Next Web]