Thursday, February 14, 2008

It is a new tomorrow

So, kiddies.....let's start this blog with a quick definition of viral marketing.

Viral Marketing is a "marketing phenomenon that facilitates and encourages people to pass along a marketing messages voluntarily."

Knowing this we realize that most entertaining segements of the internet happen to be a form of viral marketing. I think this started back in the day when people would email jokes to one another and then forward them on to many others (remember the catepillar and the french fry from that episode of the Office?). Notice that this was a period of time when sexual harassment policies became more prodominate. That was my fault....sorry.
But this brings up a good point, viral marketing kind of snuck up on us. And in fact it keeps sneaking up on us...that is what makes it so powrful.

The year was 1997...or 1998...possibly later (I don't remember...at Prince's request I partied like it was 1999 for quite a few years), anyway I was sitting in my office staring out the window when I received this video (all your base are belong to us): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItugh-fFgg
Wow...this was funny and weird and I sent it to all my friends...we had a good laugh. A few months later I saw the words "All you base are belong to us" written on the windows of a building in Harvard Square. I was amazed. It had developed a cult following. But I didn't think any deeper than maybe a few nerds (like myself) had a good laugh themselves. But looking back...it made me feel good. I thought I was part of some inside joke. And isn't that the purpose of marketing? I connected with this catch phrase on a level that I didn't even realize. I was hooked...

Thursday, February 7, 2008

I think it is just a head cold

This blog is about the affects of viral marketing.
More rantings and ravings to come...