One of our PBB subscribers alerted us today to a rather strange marketing and PR “tie-in.”

It seems that the Boeing Company has partnered with Stocker Farms in Snohomish County Washington to create a Boeing 787 corn maze.

Yes, that’s right.

According to the press release,

“This year’s corn maze will use a series of trails throughout the 10-acre field to create the design of a 787 Dreamliner airplane. The theme of this year’s maze, “Outstanding in Our Field,” represents The Boeing Company’s commitment to excellence and innovation in aerospace and Stocker Farms’ excellence and innovation in agritainment (agricultural entertainment) to help maintain a high quality of life in the region.”

Our reader wondered,

“It’s too bad they’re not building the 787 in Kansas. Then Dorothy and her little dog could wander through.

You have to wonder about how these discussions went.

‘I’ve got this great idea to promote the 787. Instead of running consumer ads to promote the plane, let’s partner with a local farm and build a maze out of corn.’

‘BRILLIANT!’

I could understand this idea if it were Embraer or Canadair, whose RJs serve smaller, more rural markets (like White Plains and Tulsa). But Boeing? For the long-haul 787?

I shudder to think what Boeing will do if there’s a Washington State Fair – build a full-size replica out of apples?”