Explaining “There is no such thing as bad publicity”

What does it mean?

The phrase "There is no such thing as bad publicity" means that any attention or publicity, even if it's negative, can be beneficial because it increases public awareness about a person, product, or event. The underlying idea is that being talked about keeps one in the public eye, which can be advantageous in terms of recognition and potential opportunities.

Tone

Origin

The origin of the phrase is often attributed to Phineas T. Barnum, a 19th-century American showman known for his publicity stunts, though there's no concrete evidence he actually said it. It is also linked to Oscar Wilde, who wrote, "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." The phrase encapsulates a long-standing notion in marketing and public relations.