It doesn’t have to be boring! 8 examples of fun marketing
Here’s 8 of my favorites:
Print:
Video:
The Pantless Knights spoof Jay-Z & Alicia Keys for Grasshopper
Grasshopper: New Dorks Music Parody
Grasshopper are an American company that specialise in outsourced telephone services for entrepreneurs. Their market are tech-savvy, younger business owners, and they have hit the nail on the head with this parody pop video of Jay-Z & Alicia Key’s ‘New York’ by the Pantless Knights.
Hubspot provide tools to measure “inbound marketing” campaigns such as blogging, social media, podcasting, viral video etc., so of course they use the techniques that they espouse in their own marketing.
Hubspot have a set of music parodies including this Alanis Morissette number about the plight of the traditional ‘outbound’ marketer.
Heartwarming images, beautifully filmed
Pedigree Chum: Slow-mo Dogs Catching Treats
This video is not amusing but it does raise a smile. Beautifully shot in slow motion, any animal lover will enjoy the images of happy dogs, and their power and grace as they leap to catch a treat out of the air.
Characters:
Characters give brands something that customers can relate to
The Virtual Farmers Market: The Virtual Farmer
The Virtual Farmers Market offers online shoppers a farmers market experience, with independent producers selling their goods, and a 3D environment to stroll around too. I invented the Virtual Farmer to provide a ‘face’ for the Virtual Farmers Market, and a personality that could be used to convey messages, and promote the products on sale. The Virtual Farmer is featured on the company website, has his own stall in the 3D market, and a Twitter profile.
Aleksandr has a whole life (and fans) of his own
Compare the Market: Aleksandr Orlov (& Sergei)
Aleksandr is a brand mascot that has taken on a life of it’s own – he even has his own sidekick, Sergei. The founder of Compare The Meerkat (and brainchild of Compare The Market) has Facebook and Twitter accounts where he interacts with his fans; has produced a podcast in which he interviewed David Hasslehoff; and even spawned a cuddly toy of himself which was sold for charity.
Campaigns:
Setting out to prove Blendtec blenders can blend anything
Bendtec make blenders – not very amusing, you’d think. However, they started blending random objects (inc. ipods, silly putty, glow sticks, etc.) and it became cult viewing on YouTube. People make suggestions, and Tom (a Blendtec scientist) blends the item and they post the video. That’s how it started, now Will it Blend not only has it’s own website, but they have created a 1950′s-style TV-show set, theme music, the works.
Platforms:
These guys wear your company's shirts for a day
This is one of those ideas that is so simple but so clever, you wish you’d thought of it first. These are 2 guys (Jason & Evan) who wear their sponsor’s t-shirts for a day. During that day, they take pictures, video, and chat on social media about their sponsors for an hour each. They have a great following, and only have 41 days for sale still in 2010 so are doing pretty well in terms of sponsors too.
