The Man Your Man Could Smell Like and Viral Marketing

I just read another article quoting the viral marketing geniuses of Proctor & Gamble and their widely successful Old Spice deodorant campaign. Seems that others are following in their footsteps by attempting some of the types of communication style that created this well known ad campaign.

I don't think it was just using Isaiah Mustafa, although one of the recommendations from the article, How to Make a Marketing Campaign Go Viral in China on Read Write Web a popular technology blog, states that the spokesperson is a major part of the success of a particular campaign. Additional thoughts in the article are, choosing a message your customers can relate to and then making it easy to replicate.

With the example of Old Spice not only did they have a great spokesperson but they were targeting women in particular to get them interested in purchasing old spice for their man, in a funny inviting way. On the web there are additional YouTube Video's that take the ad one step further. Another ad that has done this very well are the family ads for the Toyota Sienna. The additional videos on the web create a whole story around the family that you don't see in the commercials, and they are hilarious.

In chapter 6 of Adam L. Peneberg's Viral Loop, Peneberg speaks about viral video's as well as many other useful tips for taking your company to the viral stage.

So far, in my current role, we've attempted one of these viral videos but didn't do the serious follow-up necessary to make it go viral. A small business that is doing an excellent job of this is Zumasys. I think this company not only has a great culture but they are very funny. They have created a completely viral way of promoting what they do. Zumasys - YOU INSPIRE ME!

What companies are inspiring you to step up your marketing?