• Ad Age, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 11:15 AM

Domino's found itself in the middle of an instant PR nightmare yesterday when a video was posted on YouTube by two employees who identify themselves as Kristy and Michael, Emily Bryson York reports. The video captures Michael inserting pieces of cheese into his nose and waving pieces of salami behind his backside before placing them on sandwiches that Kristy says will be sent out to customers.

Dominos spokesman Tim McIntyre says the employees will be fired, and he shared with Ad Age a letter of apology from Kristy, who claims the whole incident was a prank. "We would never put something like that on YouTube if it were real!!" she says. "It was fake and I wish that everyone knew that!!!!"

The franchisee has filed a criminal complaint against the two, and McIntyre says Domino's is considering civil action for defamation of the brand. But it has decided not to issue a press release or post a statement online believing that such a response would be akin to "putting out a candle with a fire hose," and draw more attention to the incident. It will be interesting to see if that resolve sticks.

Read the whole story at Ad Age »