Parks and Recreation: Welcome to Pawnee Alex Gerage, October 13, 2009June 20, 2011 NBC sets the gold standard when it comes to television viral websites. “The Office” has the best viral presence of any show on television, and shows like “Heroes” and “Community” have also received viral exposure. Well, we can officially add “Parks and Recreation” to that list. The official Pawnee, Indiana website has been around since the show premiered last April, but it’s worth revisiting now that the series is amidst its second season. The site itself is really well developed and I suggest browsing for yourself to see it firsthand. The sections to the left of the main page offer background information about the city that contributes to the show’s small town vibe. My favorite part of the website though is the section devoted to the actual Parks and Recreation department. There, one can find some pretty humorous staff bios about the characters on the show, along with more information about “the pit” which was integral to the first season plot. Arguably the most refreshing component of the entire site is that it’s devoid of any awkward network logos that often plague viral pages. With the exception of a banner ad at the top of the site, the webpage could very easily pass for an actual small town website. I give NBC credit for developing such an expansive viral for a relatively new series. I know many who dismiss “Parks and Recreation” as simply NBC’s attempt to cash in on the success of “The Office.” I think the show is better than that. Amy Poehler, who I thought was overrated on Saturday Night Live, is funny as Leslie Knope and quickly establishing herself as her own character (not a female Michael Scott). There are also strong supporting turns from Rashida Jones and Aubrey Plaza. And don’t forget Aziz Ansari. The man is damn hilarious, and could hold his own against any character on “The Office” (yeah, I said it). Let’s hope “Parks and Recreation” can continue to develop in much the same way “The Office” did during its second season, and more viral sites emerge with it. What do you think of the Pawnee city homepage? Viral Marketing Parks and Recreation
Hollywood Reporter District 9 Review – Big Spoilers! July 30, 2009July 30, 2009If you don’t like spoilers, don’t even bother reading this post. The Hollywood Reporter has already posted a review of District 9 (the first one ever to my knowledge). Their review is very positive, and here is how they sum up their response: Bottom Line: A genuinely original science fiction… Read More
Tron Tuesday: Daft Punk’s “Derezzed” Music Video October 26, 2010It’s Tuesday, which means that Disney has released yet another Tron: Legacy promotion. This week we have the music video from Daft Punk for the song “Derezzed”. The video includes clips from the film and an intro by Michael Sheen asking Daft Punk to electrify the audience. Click the jump… Read More
New “Battle: Los Angeles” Viral Video and Facebook Game February 17, 2011The theatrical release of Columbia Pictures’ gritty alien invasion film Battle: Los Angeles is less than a month away, so we should start seeing a lot more content from the studio. Such is the case this week, as we have gotten a new video that fits into the viral campaign,… Read More