Cracked’s List Shows How A Viral Can Backfire Kris, June 18, 2010 When it comes to alternate reality games, the more believable and interactive, the better. It’s wonderful experience we love, except for when it backfires.I’m not talking about when its structured sloppy, I mean when it is far too real for its own good. Cracked made a list that covers such a topic. The article, “The 6 Most Insanely Misguided Attempts at Viral Marketing“, includes the Splinter Cell bar scene. To sum it up, what was supposed to be a played out as a bar room hold up and rescue got only half way through the 1st act because it was disastrously to convincing. Cops came in, took down the fake criminal, with a fake gun, in a fake hold up. The guy must have been a great actor. Movies have fallen victim to the same problem. Cracked’s list includes the Boston Bomb Scare from the cheap Aqua Teen Hunger Force campaign. Going back to our roots though, The Blair Witch Project viral, the father of all movie ARG advertising campaigns, did pretty gutsy moves. All it took was a website to make the movie convincing enough to be considered as an actual documentary. As a more recent example, Sony Pictures’ 2012 had a very wide and complex campaign. From the Jackson Curtis Facebook Page to Soren Ulfert’s blog and complex messages, it was hard for newcomers to tell if it was true or not. In fact, the marketing company had to explicitly brand their campaign to keep people from thinking the 2012 doomsday myth had been proven real (which some still did). It all comes down to planning, but sometimes even that’s not enough. But keep in mind: do you really want an obvious ARG? Is it better to confirm an ARG? Of course not, it dulls the experience, as we mentioned last year. For all intensive purposes, I say keep it realistic as possible. Not only is it more fun, but you gotta be brave enough to do it. Viral Marketing Viral News 2012Aqua Teen Hunger ForceCartoon NetworkSplinter CellThe Blair Witch Project
Meet the Greeks of “Monsters University” April 17, 2013Yahoo! has released some new photos for Pixar’s upcoming prequel Monsters University. The images are framed photos of the various fraternities and sororities on campus, as well as the Greek Council leaders. We get to see our favorites Mike, Sulley, and even Randy, as well as a load more characters…. Read More
Lionsgate – BROTHERS Trailer July 13, 2009July 14, 2009We at MovieViral are pretty specific when it comes to movies with a viral approach, but if it picks up in quality where it’s minimal in viral, we’ll gladly post it. In this case, it’s a Lionsgate film: BROTHERS BROTHERS tells the powerful story of two siblings, thirty-something Captain Sam… Read More
NBC Comic-Con Sweepstakes for The Event and The Cape July 15, 2010NBC’s FanIt initiative takes audience participation to a whole new level. By helping to promote shows by using social networks and other fun activities, you win points. What do those points get you? Well, for one, a chance to get VIP status at Comic-Con panels for new shows The Event… Read More