Orville Redenbacher is popping in his grave
A video showing cell phones popping popcorn has been popping up all over the Internet in the past month. Anyone with a basic understanding of physics knows that’s crap, but Good Morning America decided to run a trial just to double-check, almost causing Diane Sawyer’s head to explode. Of course it turned out to be a viral marketing ploy by Cardo Systems, a company that sells Bluetooth headsets. (See the reveal video here.) Coming on the heels of Office Freakout, and virals for Ray Ban and Levi’s, YouTubers are at the point where they can smell this stuff a mile away. Via Murketing, Adland and others. |
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So will consumers watch these viral ads and think, "Ha, you fooled me clever ad people. I will rush out and buy your product immediately"? Or will they think, "Thanks for tricking me jackass. Your brand just made the list of things I will never buy"?
Posted by: adhack | Jun 24, 2008 12:46:52 PM
AdFreaking awesome. I think with clandestine viral videos, marketers have to walk a tight rope to be both authentic and also mysterious. To me, the discovery that this particular video is a viral effort for a blue tooth device is pleasurable and not annoying. The fact that there was some perhaps unscientific mythbusting on GMA because of this video definitely amuses me. How would I feel if I found out that the Mentos & Diet Coke guys are sponsored by one or the other? Not sure.
Posted by: Post Advertising | Jun 24, 2008 4:18:14 PM
I also wonder if they should be forced to remove this video from Youtube. It is obviously a false advertisement. It is making a claim that is not true about cell phones. I know that their logo is not on it, but imagine if Chevy made a video that said Ford cars make you sterile. It doesn't matter that their logo wasn't on it. It was a dishonest claim aimed at hurting their competitor.
Posted by: thatguy | Jun 24, 2008 10:34:23 PM
Busted!
Posted by: Miss Havisham's Tea Party | Jun 25, 2008 1:02:26 AM
I think with clandestine viral videos, marketers have to walk a tight rope to be both authentic and also mysterious. To me, the discovery that this particular video is a viral effort for a blue tooth device is pleasurable and not annoying. The fact that there was some perhaps unscientific mythbusting on GMA because of this video definitely amuses me.
Posted by: Tony Lowe | Jun 25, 2008 8:43:51 AM
