PING! Email arrives this morning from Thomas Cook brand Direct Holidays to support the launch of its "first viral marketing campaign".
Now is it me or can a campaign only be deemed viral based on its success of word-of-mouth media channels - i.e. long after its launch?
Or maybe not...
Anyway, clip one of three videos was launched this morning on YouTube.
And, is it me or is it not exactly side-splittingly funny. (If that was the intention)
True, viral, social media, online marketing... develop quite quickly and get more and more attention. Many big companies have joined and take serious campaigns to get viral.
There are two definitions of successful viral - the one you refer to, and the one where everyone who sees it feels sick.
It's not the worst ad in the world. But I wouldn't pass that on to anyone.
Unless I wanted them to feel sick. And in this weather I can just wear shorts to achieve the same effect.
In modern marketing parlance only two requirements need to be fulfilled for something to be called viral:
1) Two or more people under 30 thought it was funny in the brainstorm session.
2) At least one person in the office can use youtube.
;)
Not quite sure who thought this was a "brilliant" marketing idea, but I hope it doesn't go viral -- the good or the bad kind.
To me "viral" already has a negative connotation, especially in reference to marketing. But, this medial outlet could be the wave of the future. Which means, more crappy video ads plastered through the web, and unfortunately 2 more atleast from Direct Holidays.
Tasty Concepts
Viral is the latest buzzword, but I find that it is an impossibility to plan for.
Can't see this going viral at all. Not very funny, hence I wouldn't bother to pass it on to anyone, hence not viral.
Bit late on the take here, however this can hardly be called Viral - I would have expected to see this land in my inbox at least once or twice before I saw it published in an online writeup.
Just did a quick ask around the office and only 1 other person has seen this (out of 12).
Can't see how a company can claim a viral marketing campaign before somthing has actually gone viral.