Root & Madison: An Online Advertising Agency

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Viral Videos Continue to Multiply

Heath Griffin - Wednesday, September 16, 2009

In the world of online marketing, it isn’t the ad itself that necessarily creates more traffic, it’s the word-of-mouth the ad creates.  Viral videos are so rightly named for this very advantage they provide, as they spread the word quickly like a virus by getting the people talking in a (sometimes) cheap and creative way.  Viral videos provide brief segments of information, perhaps even a story, that draws in the attention of any viewer that comes across it.  They are designed to stand on their own, be entertaining with no knowledge of the company, and create a face and character for people to relate to.
A common usage of viral videos is in movies.  For example, a cheap way to advertise a debuting film is to release short clips that relate to the movie in some way, but are not actually in the movie, the clips simply build up curiosity.  For example, before The Dark Knight came out in theaters, the film released a viral video campaign that was actually a campaign for Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckheart) running for the DA of Gotham.  The videos were short, cheap, nothing special, but it built up even more curiosity and excitement for the film’s eventual release.  On TV, the Sportscenter ads (those short videos involving a player or mascot from every sport) have a viral feel to them, and spread just as fast by word-of-mouth and online.  The “Real Men of Genius” ads by Budweiser are the most effective viral-like campaign on the radio.  People will cross the internet to play those repeatedly for their friends.
In the same vein of online viral videos, Root & Madison has begun releasing its own set of short animations.  These animations are based around the unfortunate story of Barnaby, the marketing director for Big Time Corporation Inc.  Without giving too much away, go check it out for yourself.  www.meetbarnaby.com