Viral video marketing contests are friggin fantastic idea, and frankly I don’t know why we don’t see more of them. Some recent memorable contests include the Doritos “Viralocity” that asked participants to help them “name the flavor” for $250,000 and Yorkdale Is Me, with the winner staring in a new campaign. Our director Billie Mintz was involved in the Aylmer’s Try the Sauce video contest a little back, commissioned to create a few videos for the contest to get the ball rolling.
These contests are typically judged on the success of the entrants ability to attract views and / or votes – which provides amazing brand seeding for companies. The latest viral video contest to infiltrate my Facebook circle is the Cheetah Power Surge Contest, which invites anyone to make their own viral video to promote the Cheetah Power Surge Energy Drink, with the winner recieving a $50,000 cash prize. Our friend Morad Affifi stars in a really funny spot, which seems to be cleaning up in views.
Mo is a well connected dude in To. – involved in Scotiabank’s CONTACT, LG Innovator’s Ball, Thrush Holmes Empire, and who knows what else – definitely a man about town. I’m not sure how Mo came to star in this rather unexpected turn (LMAO – final frame), but I just wanted to comment on the usefulness of leveraging well connected individuals in viral marketing spots. I don’t mean viral video contests, I mean any branded entertainment video made for web – whether you’re targeting stock brokers, fashionistas, tourists, atheletes or skateboarders – companies can use the power of well connected individuals within that world to seed your video. Celebrity can truly be local in this day and age.
Anyways… enough said. Here’s is Mo’s video for Cheetah Power Surge: