Lyn’s Viral Video Picks for 2009
December 29, 2009 by Lyn Mettler
Filed under All, social media
As we close out 2009, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the silliest and most impactful viral videos of the year. Ranging from tragic to ridiculous, here are my picks for the year on my TwitterMoms.com blog post. I’d love to hear your favorites and what you think of mine!
The Easy Way to Increase Your Sales by 23,000%
January 26, 2009 by Simon Ashton
Filed under All, social media
Another ‘Free-conomics’ Success Story
With so many people from author Neil Gaiman to Nine Inch Nails (who released the best selling album of the year on a Creative Commons license ), now giving away free work to generate sales, the idea is no longer the novelty it once was. But for those who continue to doubt the power of the web, Monty Python give us what is surely one of the biggest indicators yet.
Apparently fed up of seeing their clips being pirated all over YouTube, they took an unusal step. They formed the Monty Python channel, collected all their stuff themselves, and simply gave it away. But not solely from the goodness of their hearts,
“We’re letting you see absolutely everything for free. So there! But we want something in return. None of your driveling, mindless comments. Instead, we want you to click on the links, buy our movies & TV shows and soften our pain and disgust at being ripped off all these years.”
The channel has been a huge YouTube hit. with most clips having 100,000+ views in the first couple of months alone. The real success though is in how these free videos have led to real sales. Lots and lots of real sales. In fact a 23,000% increase in sales, and moving them to the number 2 spot on the Amazon tv bestsellers list!
I think that this shows us two things. Despite all the hype about pirating of music and movies, people are still willing to pay for what they like. As I was working yesterday I heard a song I liked on Pandora radio, so immediately hopped over to Amazon and bought it. It just needs to be made easy for people to do it, without tying them down to contracts, DRM-locked files and other hindrances.
It also demonstrates the amazing power of Youtube for getting your product seen. It seems such a regular part of daily life that it’s hard to believe YouTube is less than four years old, but in those 4 years great strides have been made. Widescreen, HD videos, with captions, links to buy and so on make Youtube one of the most valuable places to be seen on the web. Just ask the Monty Python guys, who are leading the way in making money by selling products which are available for free.
If that isn’t a web 2.0 success story, then I’m a dead parrot.
Does Anybody Remember Laughter?
October 11, 2008 by Simon Ashton
Filed under All, social media
Catching up on some RSS feeds (it’s been a busy week!), I came across this Tech Crunch attack on the ‘Team Cyprus Video’ – and I’m so annoyed.
If you haven’t seen it yet, the video (below) was created in Cyprus by some techies on vacation. Those involved work for some of the biggest names in the industry – Google, Facebook, Blip.tv, etc – and that’s the problem that Techcrunch has with it,
“The video was released just as Silicon Valley really began falling apart and the UnParty began in earnest – eBay’s 10% layoffs, Google’s stock nosedive, Yahoo’s self destruction, VC’s bunkering down, etc. And more than a few people thought the ostentatious partying was a little, ahem, tasteless in light of the meltdown back home.”
Ok, so here’s the video:
I’m not quite sure why Michael Arrington thinks it’s so ‘tasteless’ (he may have said, “more than a few people thought it was tasteless”, but let’s be honest, he’s projecting his own feeling here) – All I’m seeing is a bunch of young people having a good time on vacation. In fact I wish I had been there myself. They’re not bathing in champagne or lighting cigars with $100 bills. Just singing, drinking beer and having fun.
Sure the markets are in meltdown, but are we all supposed to be donning the hairshirts and sitting around watching the talking heads on CNBC tell us how the world is going to end any minute? I’ve already posted this week about optimism, but I think this article goes even beyond that. This isn’t simply being pessimistic, it’s an attack on fun, and includes this ridiculous hyperbole:
“fair or not the video video will always be associated with the end of Web 2.0″
What does that even mean?! If Web 2.0 means the social web, how does a funny Youtube video which has spread virally through blogs prove the end of that?
I’m not sticking my head in the sand over the current financial crisis – I got my daughter’s Future Scholar statement this morning, I know how things are – but can’t we allow a little room for having a good time?
I think if you have to say something about this video, it should be to praise the production values – I mean, really, it’s a single cam tracking shot right up there with the club scene in Goodfellas, the pool party in Boogie Nights or this from Soy Cuba:
Who’d have thought that, from a bunch of tech geeks?
Kodak Lets You Supersize Yourself
October 10, 2008 by Lyn Mettler
Filed under All, social media
If you were a superhero, who would you be? Spiderman, Superman, The Flash? Well, Kodak is giving you the chance to be “super” — well sorta, on their terms, I guess. They’ve come up with a very funny, and smart, campaign online to drive traffic — and sales.
Remember ElfYourself from the last two Christmases? Well this is very similar, but a little smarter. Log on to MakeMeSuper.com, put in your sex, your name and upload your photo and they insert you into a grainy, 70′s looking superhero video doing “superhero” things. It’s not quite as funny as ElfYourself (the dancing on that one just killed me), but the song that accompanies it actually includes your name, which add a new funny element.
Now, the smartest part here is, unlike ElfYourself, which had nothing to do with OfficeMax that I could tell, this one relates. I mean Kodak is all about photos. And once you create your “super” self, you can then buy products with your new image on them. So they directly tied it to sales.
And, they’re not even targeting traditional media with this campaign, instead focusing on bloggers and sites that can help this spread virally. But, you’d better bet, traditional media will hear about it and be all over it. Maybe even better they didn’t hear about it directly; makes it more of a “scoop.”
Check out “Super Lyn” and get a good chuckle. Send me yours or post them here so we can all have a good laugh.
Off I go to save the world!
Where Did You See the Palin Skits?
October 5, 2008 by Lyn Mettler
Filed under All, social media
Alright, so most of you have probably seen Saturday Night Live’s skits featuring Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. They’ve been a big hit so far. I mean, how could they not? Tina Fey looks SO much like Palin and she does a great impression to boot. But, the question is, where did you see it?
As much as I hate to admit it, because it makes me feel like I am definitely no longer cool (well, not sure I ever was 
), but I never stay up to watch Saturday Night Live any more. OK, I haven’t stayed up to watch it since my first son was born 4 1/2 years ago. I used to love SNL, but Mommy hours just don’t allow for 1 a.m. nights anymore. I’m guessing I’m not alone in my un-coolness.
Thank goodness for the Web. Now, this mom, who, admission No. 2: does not have a DVR either, can watch the funny skits online at my leisure. The best part, I don’t have to suffer through all the un-funny ones either.
A new survey came out recently that confirmed my suspicions: 51% of people who saw at least one of the Palin skits saw it on the Internet. They watched it either on YouTube, NBC.com or Hulu.com. Those of you who don’t know about Hulu should check it out. It’s one of my favorites. They have shows from NBC, FOX, Comedy Central, Bravo, Sci Fi, E!, FX and more on there, including tons of classic SNL skits (see: d%&* in a box with Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg – caution: not family friendly), in a format that is actually appealing to view. Very high quality, not the grainy YouTube look. It’s lovely.
I think this is a turning point for Web video and a real advantage that online can offer over TV. Sure, you can record your shows and watch them later, but for something short like an SNL skit, it’s so much easier just to pull it up on your computer — and even easier to forward it around, share it on Facebook, “tweet” it on Twitter and more.
Where did you see one of the Palin skits? Answer below:
Pranks as Promos
September 18, 2008 by Lyn Mettler
Filed under All, social media
I was intrigued with an article in the Wall Street Journal over the weekend entitled “The New Pranksters” about young people across the country who are gathering and participating in silly stunts to break out of the daily monotony and enjoy a sense of camaradie. Things like sets of idential twins mirroring each other on each side of a New York City subway car, bursting into song at malls, standing like statues in a public park.
What does this have to do with Web 2.0? Well, it turns out these things make great fodder for YouTube and online video, as well. Which brings me to how it relates to public relations.
It’s always been a standard in public relations to create an event or “stunt” that will get the media’s attention. Well, these are just the kinds of things that do it. It’s almost sad how easy the media is to manipulate if you just know the types of things they are looking for. I mean, shouldn’t they be covering serious news instead of a bunch of people dancing to music no one can hear at a park? But, alas, that makes for good TV, doesn’t it?
So, lesson here, sad though it is, if you can dream up a stunt that’s funny, quirky and ridiculous, yet that underscores your brand or involves it as a key portion — and get it on video — you’re likely to have a media hit and a viral hit online.
Think about something that people would enjoy watching, that fits the old journalistic standard of “man bites dog” instead of “dog bites man”, that’s in a place that’s easy to get to at a time that people and the media are more likely to be available (ie don’t hold it during the first presidential debate).
In the article, they cited as an example Taco Bell, who hired a group to help them perform a stunt to promote their new Fruitista Freeze drink. The group posed as employees and patrons in one location and “froze” in place, much to the surprise of real customers. The video has been viewed more than 500,000 times online. Pretty good exposure for Taco Bell, I’d say. Oh yeah, the twin/subway prank? More than 700,000 views on YouTube.
Who’s Reading Social Media? Journalists
July 7, 2008 by Lyn Mettler
Filed under All, PR, social media
Who is it? Journalists. For those of us in public relations or those of us trying to secure media coverage, there’s no one we want to reach more than journalists. And, wow, can first getting a journalist’s attention, and then communicating with them, be a fine art (that’s why you ALWAYS need a PR pro on your side, but I’m not biased or anything…).
One way to get in front of them besides blasting them with press releases and phone calls is on the Web. A recent study of 180 reporters and editors across multiple industries found that those interviewed said the the blogosphere is having an impact on the speed, tone and editorial direction of their reporting.
That’s right. Journalists are looking to bloggers, YouTube and more for story ideas. Because Internet media can post news almost instantly, they are generally ahead of the game and a place where journalists can check in to see what’s going on, what’s being talked about and more. It’s becoming more and more common to see major bloggers, who are well respected, being quoted in traditional news stories. Twitter has become a major spot for breaking news. For example, the instant Tim Russert died it was all over Twitter.
So, even if you think it’s just “the kids” reading these blogs, watching YouTube and “tweeting,” remember, one of those kids just might be a reporter at the Wall Street Journal researching his next story. And imagine if that blog post he or she is reading is about your company.
We’ve Gone Video Crazy!
May 13, 2008 by Lyn Mettler
Filed under All, social media
What are you doing right now? If you’re like the rest of the world, at least according to new stats from comScore Video Metrix, you’re watching a video online!
The stats for March show an increase of a whopping 64% of total videos viewed online from March 2007. That was also 13% more than February. And that totals, drum roll please … 11.5 BILLION videos watched in March!
Google (who owns YouTube) sites were the most popular for watching videos (38%). YouTube accounted for 98% of all videos viewed on Google sites.
Well, I guess I better get back to watching my online videos…
YouTube Gets Religion
April 29, 2008 by Lyn Mettler
Filed under All, social media
The latest phenomenon to join the ranks of those on YouTube (see previous posts on Oprah and the Queen of England) is … Scientology! Yes, YouTube has got religion.
The Church of Scientology set up their very own channel where you can watch a variety of videos about their practices, beliefs and stances on issues.
An article on MediaPost notes a press release from the religion of Tom Cruise as saying:
“The Church has initiated the expansion of its online video presence on YouTube in response to the global demand for video content and accurate information about its beliefs, practices and its humanitarian programs addressing drug abuse, illiteracy, human rights and disaster relief.”
So I’m sure you’re going to rush right over and check it out.
Oh, and if you want to watch a funny video about Scientology and Tom Cruise check out this video blog post. (This video does not reflect the opinions of Lyn Mettler ).
You Could Win an Emmy!
March 16, 2008 by Lyn Mettler
Filed under All, social media
Yep, for the first time, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has made broadband television eligible to win an Emmy!
So, if you fancy yourself quite the producer, you can register for your chance at fame. To be eligible, the program has to be created for broadband transmission and must fall within the categories traditionally recognized by the Academy: drama, comedy, reality shows, etc.
You must enter your show by April 7.
Start thinking about your acceptance speech now…
