‘The Virginity Hit’ Billboards Cause Controversy Dan Koelsch, September 1, 2010 A few weeks ago, we told you about the toll free number used to promote the Will Ferrell produced comedy The Virginity Hit. Now the number is being advertised through billboards, and it is causing quite a stir. Get the details after the break. The billboards, which have been found in major cities around the country, ask “Still A Virgin? For Help, Call 888-742-4335”. Of course, this is going to get politicians, Christians, and parents upset without even caring what the signs are really for, so many have demanded the billboards’ removal. As we always say, this is one of the downsides of viral marketing. Many people mistake it for being real (Sony’s 2012) or something its not (Adult Swim’s Boston fiasco). According to Deadline, the phone number has been called 70,000 times in five days. What do you think? Is the billboard inappropiate, even as a film advertisement? The Sony Pictures film, about three teenagers who go on an adventure to help their virgin friend pop his cherry, opens in theaters on September 10th. Viral Marketing BillboardSony PicturesThe Virginity Hit
Hitchcock PSA Warns Against Using Cell Phones in Theaters October 15, 2012October 15, 2012Anthony Hopkins plays the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock in the biopic Hitchcock, which has a limited theatrical release on November 23rd. Hopkins takes on the character again in a theater PSA that warns that nothing is scarier than using your cell phone during a movie. Check out the PSA (ironically… Read More
The Office Webisodes Return With “The Podcast” January 24, 2011NBC’s The Office returned after the holiday hiatus last week, and with it, we got another round of webisodes. This time the three episodes of “The Podcast” feature relative newcomer Gabe (Zach Woods) trying to impress corporate by recording a podcast for the Sabre website, but his plans quickly unravel…. Read More
The Lost Underground Art Project December 3, 2009We haven’t talked much about ABC’s LOST here on MovieViral, but they really pioneered the new wave of television viral marketing. Usually this has been done traditionally with interactive ARGs and a narrative, but in August, comedian Paul Scheer joined in on the fun in an unusual way. Scheer’s involvement… Read More