[plusbryan]

the red paper clip guy actually hired a pr firm to help him gain publicity and achieve his goal (I knew a guy at the pr firm he hired)

[eru]

Seems like a legitimate tactic to me.

[ianferrel]

Only if he obtained their services by trading something to them that started from the paperclip.

[eru]

Yes, you could hold him to such standards. On the other hand, he has to do some PR for getting his goals -- does it matter, if he does his own PR or hires an agency?