Pitch Point: How a Creative PR Stunt Helped a $3M Crypto Startup Raise

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Welcome back to Pitch Point — your cheat code for PR that doesn’t suck. Every edition, we break down one real-life case of how smart comms + bold ideas = attention that actually sticks.

Today, we’re throwing it back to one of our wildest wins: We burned a Banksy. Yes, really. And it worked.

Here’s how one slightly unhinged idea helped launch an NFT protocol, spark global headlines, and drive a $3M raise — all in one very chaotic wave.

🎙️ On the go? We’ve got you. Hit play to listen to this case instead of reading it. Perfect for your walk, commute, or coffee break.

Case: From Zero Buzz to $3M

Burnt Finance was a new NFT auction protocol, prepping for its first launch. But before they could drop the product or raise serious money — they needed buzz.

They had a working product. What they didn’t have yet? Credibility, attention, or headlines.

Together, we decided to do something wild: Let’s burn a real Banksy. On camera. Then turn it into an NFT.

The plan was simple: get attention first, talk about the product right after, and ride the hype to bring in investors. And yeah — it totally worked.

Step 1: Do Something No One’s Done Before

We got our hands on a real, authenticated Banksy print — “Morons.”

Then we streamed it. Set it on fire. And minted the whole thing as an NFT.

✔️ Symbolic — destroy the physical, embrace the digital
✔️ Perfect timing — peak NFT mania
✔️ Controversial — just enough to spark debate
✔️ Unhinged — but in a good way

The stunt had built-in polarity — some people called it a brilliant commentary on digital art. Others called it destruction. That tension? Exactly what made it shareable.

Virality needs friction. You need just enough division to fuel debate — not total support, not total hate.

It was a performance, not just a PR stunt. And it asked a real question: What makes something “real” in the age of NFTs?

Step 2: Let the Media Do the Work

Turns out “we burned a Banksy” is a headline in itself.

We came prepped:
✔️ A tight narrative that made the stunt make sense
✔️ Angles for culture, tech, and business press
✔️ Livestream footage and strong visuals
✔️ A little chaos for people to argue about online

CBS News, BBC News, The Guardian, and others — they all bit. And the story kept spreading on its own.

No paid promo, no ads. Just raw newsworthiness. That’s the key part — the campaign was built for social first. Spectacle + soundbite. Visuals that made people stop scrolling. The kind of thing YouTubers do — but with a comms strategy baked in.

And here’s the 2025 twist: moments like this now have a second life in AI. Headlines, reviews, and strong narratives don’t just convince reporters and readers — they feed directly into how tools like ChatGPT surface your brand. A creative stunt lands you press today, but also makes you discoverable tomorrow when someone asks an AI “what’s the most interesting NFT launch?”

Step 3: Ride the Wave — and Raise the Funds

With the world watching, Burnt dropped the announcement. And then used the attention to raise.

✔️ The NFT exchange was announced while the stunt was still trending
✔️ Investors were already hearing the name and seeing the headlines
✔️ A few weeks later, Burnt closed a $3M seed round

Our moment became their momentum. With this campaign, what would've been a one-day crypto story turned into a full-on moment.

The Impact

Without the Banksy burn? A couple of niche crypto outlets. Most likely no investor attention.
With it? Global press, instant credibility, and a $3M raise off the back of it.

✅ Burnt went from unknown to unforgettable
✅ The protocol got real attention and interest from users from day one
✅ Even months later, people still referenced “the Banksy guys”

Takeaway for Founders

You don’t need to light artwork on fire. (Seriously. Please don’t.)

But you do need a moment.

But if your launch isn’t headline-worthy on its own — build a moment that is.

The right idea can spark debate, land headlines, and create a viral loop across social and press. Then once you’ve got the mic? That’s when you bring the product in.

And today, it also shapes how AI sees your brand. AI PR means you’re not just chasing clicks — you’re building a long-tail presence in AI search and recommendations.

Want Results Like This? Let’s Talk!

This month, we’re offering three free 30-minute PR sessions for founders who want to:

✅ Make a splash with a bold, unexpected launch
✅ Turn a “meh” product into the next big thing
✅ Build massive media buzz without the usual fluff

Email [email protected] or [email protected] to grab a spot! 🚀

Thanks for Reading!

That’s it for this edition of Pitch Point! Hope it sparked a few ideas (and maybe a tiny bit of chaos).

Got questions or want to see a certain topic covered? Hit us up anytime at [email protected] — we love hearing from you.

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