Viral Marketing

Hey Everyone,

Here are some links to something that I find very interesting, namely Viral Marketing in the age of the internet. The principle is mainly this: To create & communicate hype and brand information through a message which is not overtly linked to the brand in question, i.e. it relies on creating a word-of-mouth chain effect (like some pyramid schemes), and doesn't related much information except for the tacit brand "texture". Youtube is literally buzzing with such ads, which are usually denoted by higher production values and/or real actors. Although this is not a new concept, it has achieved a much greater impact and reach through the proliferation of SNSs and video uploading sites.

Here is an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U (Dove: Real Beauty)
Also: http://www.subservientchicken.com/ (Burger King Ad)

Some other links to check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_marketing
http://www.wilsonweb.com/wmt5/viral-principles.htm

Best Regards,

Henri Uys
(1A6068)