Law Firm Gets Weird With Wacky Lederhosen Video

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Courtesy of law firm Hanson Bridgett, here's another contender for the WTF award. In the video, we've got four musicians (lawyers?) dressed in Lederhosen playing a tune as they walk to the Hanson Bridgett offices. That's it. Nothing else happens in this video save the appearance of what looks to be Apprentice bitch Omarosa towards the end.

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by Steve Hall    Mar-19-08    
Topic: Creative Commentary, Opinion, Video, Viral



Lightning Bolt Terrorizes, Body Spray Saves the Day

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Check out this crazy Dove viral based on Japanese puppet theatre. It reminded us of that scene in Funny Face where Audrey dons black garb and does interpretive dance at the existentialist bar. Except imagine the protagonist is Ugly Betty, and body odor -- not materialism -- is the source of the world's problems.

Put together by Ogilvy Brazil for Dove Invisible Dry.

by Angela Natividad    Mar- 4-08    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Online, Strange, Video, Viral



Top Ten Rules For A Successful 'Viral Video'

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With a double edged sword, video guru Kevin Nalts offers up ten tips to marketers interested in doing that cool, viral video thing. From stealing ideas to using MC Hammer to predominant use of boobs to always using rap to making sure management approves the effort to not giving a shit about what people say about your brand, Nalts' tips will assuredly guarantee you success on that awesomely cool viral video idea you are planning.

by Steve Hall    Feb-27-08    
Topic: Spoofs, Viral



Yet Another 'Viral Video' Bores, Wastes Precious Moments

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Well that was a lot of money wasted just to tell us hiring a professional photography studio is better than using speed cameras to get the shot. and doesn't everyone just love a "viral video" that bores you for 1:15 and then causes you to utter "WTF?" during the last few seconds? But don't listen to us. We don't know anything. We're just a lame ass ad critic. We're sure there's at least a handful of people out there that will like this and that's all that matters.

by Steve Hall    Feb-27-08    
Topic: Bad, Video, Viral



Giant Fake Boobs? Hmm, Must be A Viral

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"Please find the attached viral." Seriously? Seriously? Could that be any more 2006? Or was it 2005? Wake up people! For those still asleep, let us offer a bit of help. Repeat 300 times, slap yourself on the forehead, repeat. "A viral is not a viral until it has become a viral. Viral is a result, not an intent. Just because I call something viral does not mean it will become a viral."

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by Steve Hall    Feb-11-08    
Topic: Opinion, Video, Viral, Worst



Ripped Abs, Bikinied Bodies Celebrate Positives of Global Warming

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There's no reason the debate over global warming has to center on films created by former vice presidents when it can include guys with six packs and girls with impossibly hot bodies. That's the direction LAVA Communications' Steve Hirst took with a new Australia-based campiagn he's placed on the social campaign site GoShout.

The campaign's video depicts winter in the year 2079. While one might expect to see bleak, snow covered imagery, we, instead, are presented with what turns out to be a pool party complete with bikinied booty and bare chested six packs. Because, ya know, global warming has eliminated winter.

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by Steve Hall    Feb- 8-08    
Topic: Good, Racy, Social, Video, Viral



AMC' Breaking Bad Does Customized Video Thing

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If you like sending your friends those customized promotional videos, then here's another one. It's not anywhere near as freaky as that Dexter promotion that targeted the recipient with a personalized message from a serial killer but it's not bad. It's for the new AMC show Breaking Bad which is a bout a guy who gets diagnosed with terminal illness and turns to selling meth to insure he can provide his family enough money to live on after his death. Check it out here.

by Steve Hall    Jan-16-08    
Topic: Cable, Video, Viral



OfficeMax Justifies Reuse of Elf Yourself Campaign ... with Quantitative Figures!

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Here's a crazy notion -- demonstrating the success of your online "viral" with real-live numbers. Vague claims of "brand resonance" be damned!

For its uber-creepy Elf Yourself campaign -- enjoying a souped-up second year run -- OfficeMax has listed the following figures that (maybe?) demonstrate its success.

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by Angela Natividad    Dec-13-07    
Topic: Campaigns, Online, Research, Viral



To Find New Flavor, the Dew Launches Dystopian Virtual World

Crowdsourcing meets sci-fi meets a quasi-virtual world in Mountain Dew's exploding head-inducing campaign, DEWmocracy.

Supported by traditional advertising, DEWmocracy paints a dismal future filled with corporate suits that travel in the backs of pick-up trucks, and where high fructose corn syrup is considered a magical elixir capable of overthrowing big brother.

Through the site, the Dew ultimately aims to put consumers on an adventure to come up with its newest flavor and packaging, while grabbing as much marketing data on its brave virtual freedom fighters.

Fresh with ideas from his performance in Battlefield Earth, Forest Whitaker helped entertainment concept firm Protagonist in creating this brave dew world.

by Albert Kugel    Dec- 5-07    




AMEX Urges People to Become Creepy Avatars, Sing Karaoke

Trying to capitalize on the success OfficeMax has had with ElfYourself, American Express' new Holiday Rockstar campaign invites users to turn themselves into one of Oddcast's "virtual characters."

If you're not familiar, Oddcast creates those creepy characters whose eyes follow your cursor and start blabbing away without first asking permission.

Though songs from Mariah Carey's holiday album are strangely missing, the service also allows you to sing one of three holiday songs by calling a number. You can then send your holiday greeting to a loved one, most likely resulting in uncomfortable laughter.

However, when we tried uploading two different headshots, it ended in the window crashing, immediately evoking the disastrous SimpsonizeMe tool. Good thing there are back-up characters.

by Albert Kugel    Dec- 4-07