Nike’s New Tiger Woods Commercial – Premiering Same Time As Masters

April 8, 2010

Tiger Woods made his competitive return to golf today at the Masters.  Coincidentally Nike launched a new commercial that features Tiger’s Dad, Earl Woods, talking to his son.  The only catch is Earl passed away years ago and most people that follow golf know that.  They also know about the very close relationship Tiger had with his father.  Nike uses a tool to digitally recreate Earl’s voice as if he if he is having a father-son moment with Tiger.  Tiger doesn’t say a word in the 30 second spot – only stands there with a vulnerable look on his face.

I first saw this commercial last night from a link on MSN.  At that time, it had just over 300 views.  The YouTube video now has over 1,290,000 views.  Needless to say plenty of people are talking about this commercial and it’s creating some controversy for using Earl’s voice as many rumors indicate he was unfaithful to Tiger’s mom.  Say what you want about this commercial, but it definitely does 3 things:

  • Grabs Your Attention – It’s very quite and all you hear is Earl Woods talking and only see a close up of Tiger (of course wearing Nike).  It’s also black and white which makes it stand out even more.
  • Promotes Discussion – As I mentioned above people are talking about Nike’s choice to use Tiger’s father and if Earl would approve.
  • Shows Nike Will Stand By It’s Superstar – Nike is one of the few sponsors that hasn’t abandoned Tiger.  And this commercial reiterates they do not plan to do so anytime soon.

Enough writing about the commercial – check out the video below for yourself.  What is your opinion on this decision from Nike and Tiger?

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Posted by derekmcclain

Eventbrite Makes Promoting Your Event Online Easy

November 15, 2009

There are many factors involved in planning a successful event.  Not only do you have to make all of the arrangements for accomodations, but you also have to get people to show up.  Getting the word out and allowing those interested to easily RSVP can be a challenge.  This is where Eventbrite comes into play.  Eventbrite makes setting up a free or paid event online easy.  Here are just a few reasons why I would recommend Eventbrite to anyone planning an event through which they plan to promote online:

  1. All of the Basics – Eventbrite allows you to set up all of the basic information needed for somone interested in attending your event within just a few minutes.  Time, location, cost, map with directions and contact information are all set up in a nice template.  Eventbrite also allows you to set up the event page to seem as an extension of your website by including the sames colors, layout and logo.  Best of all, anyone visiting your event page can share the link to your even on all of the social networks with just one click – talk about an easy way to spread the word!
  2. Keeping Things Organized – Eventbrite takes care of organizing all information that your attendees provide.  All information can easily be exported to an excel spreadsheet to keep track of whom is attending, the company they represent and all contact information.  Attendees also receive a ticket via email automatically to use when coming to the event – a great way to make sure you get all money if your event is paid.
  3. Eventbrite Follow Up is Incredible – Eventbrite will automatically send you emails as the big day approaches making sure you are staying on top of all the little things that will make your day a success.  Printing name badges for your attendees is just a few clicks away.  You can even set up automatic email reminders through Eventbrite that will keep all of the basic information fresh in your attendees’ mailbox.

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Posted by derekmcclain

Using Social Media to Promote and Sell Your Book Online – Twitter Marketing for Dummies Case Study

September 9, 2009

Following up with my blog post topic from yesterday about online reviews and the impact these have on consumer purchasing decisions, today I would like to share a case study on how to promote and sell your book online.  Kyle Lacy, CEO of Brandswag, recently finished his book, Twitter Marketing for Dummies.  With a tight timeline this was not a task he could complete alone so he called in fellow social media practitioner Erik Deckers, who has been published in nine weekly newspapers through Indiana.

After a lot of hard work, last week Kyle announced that the book was available for order on Amazon.com.  This is a huge accomplishment for Kyle and Erik.  I know many people involved in the Indianapolis social media scene are very happy to see this success.  Both Kyle and Erik are always looking to reach out to help others and this book is right up there with sites like SmallerIndiana.com as far as efforts that are really putting Indiana and more specifically Indianapolis on the map when it comes to big ideas/social media marketing.  Ironically enough, social media marketing tools like Twitter have played and will play a big role in the success of this book.  Kyle has done a great job of promoting this book and today I would like to take a closer look on how he is doing it:

  • First off, the lead with Wiley Publishing to be considered as an author of the book came from a participant in a social media class about using tools like Facebook and Twitter.  A class which was promoted using social media among other things.Twitter-Marketing-For-Dummies
  • Kyle frequently posted Twitter, Blog and Facebook updates about his progress asking for feedback and suggestions in some cases.
  • He even posted a blog entitled Help with Twitter Marketing for Dummies Book where he gave everyone that read his post and tweets an opportunity to get published in the book by submitting Twitter marketing thoughts in 140 characters or less.  Simply put, this was a chance to have your Twitter thought and username go out to everyone that will be reading this book.
  • Now that the book is available for purchase he is doing something that I think is huge – offering 100 free copies of the new book in exchange for a commitment to publish a review.   The 100 copies will be split between people with a good network, or large following on social media, the Internet or their community and reviewers in magazines/newspapers.  This is the perfect way to potentially have 100 different people (assuming everyone follows through) telling all of their friends, followers, business partners, etc. about your book.  This has viral marketing written all over it.

Kyle has consistently reached out to help me in getting me personal blog started.  He has also contributed in helping to promote Fusework Studios on Twitter and other social media tools.  His reputation and eagerness to help make me sure that this book will be a success.  I know I am looking forward to receiving my copy!  Please join me in congratulating Kyle and Erik on this great accomplishment!

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Posted by derekmcclain

When A Video Goes Viral: JK Wedding Entrance Dance YouTube Video

July 23, 2009

Here is a day in the life of the Wedding Dance video on YouTube becoming viral sensation:

The JK Wedding Entrance Dance video is posted on YouTube…people begin talking and sharing the link

A popular blog, Outspoken Media, posts a blog titled The Power of the Unexpected

That post gets Tweeted and Retweeted

It also gets Dugg until it’s on the first page of Digg

A co-worker sees the link, it brightens the day and he must share with his staff

Several staff members Tweet about it…it gets Retweeted

Others share it on Facebook as well, friends on Facebook see it and it gets reposted – It even has it’s own Facebook group now!  Just search Wedding Dance Entrance in Facebook

And while this is only a microscopic look at how this video went viral, it is a small part of why the video started this morning with 75,000 views on YouTube and now has over 192,000 views less than 10 hours later.

Updated: The couple, Jill and Kevin Heinz, have already been contacted by Good Morning Amercia about this YouTube sensation.

So why is it generating so much buzz among the social media community?  It’s unexpected.  It’s memorable.  Most importantly it leaves you smiling and wanting more.  Wanting to watch again.  Wanting to share.  Check out the JK Wedding Entrance Dance video below.  I promise this is the most unique wedding entrance you have ever seen.

2 Comments | internet marketing, social media, Viral marketing | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by derekmcclain

7 Reasons Video is Important In Blogs & Social Media

April 7, 2009

Today is Day 2 of ProBlogger’s 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge.  Still being a little unsure what to expect each day of the challenge, I was relieved when the homework assignment to write a list in a blog post appeared in my inbox today.  Not that I don’t like a good challenge, but this one happened to come with perfect timing. 

A few of us at Fusework Studios were recently invited to be guests on one of our favorite weekly blog shows – Brandswag TV.  The topic for this week’s webisode was The beauty of video blogging.  Ironically enough, our conversations within this video turned into a list on why video is important in social media and on the web.  Check out a few of our points below!

1. Video is very well received on the web – just look at the popularity of YouTube and Vimeo.

2. Video delivers content in a way that adds interactivity – hearing, seeing, connecting.  Very powerful.

3. Video encourages sharing – people are very likely to share a great video online…this can make your video go viral fast.

4. Video in social media the perfect way to show personality.  Don’t just be a profile or screen name.  Be a real person.  Use video from time to time.

5. Video is an entertaining way to deliver a message.  It is very easy to include graphics, sound effects, etc. that make the message effective and engaging at the same time.

6. Video is quick and to the point.  A ton of content can be overwhelming.  Especially when you can convey the same point in a 1 minute video.

7. Video is fun.  It’s always nice to take a break from writing blog post after blog post t0 record a video.  A great way to combat writer’s block. 

Check Episode 10 of Brandswag TV for more information on “The beauty of video blogging.”

Special thanks to Colin Clark and Kyle Lacy for having us on the show.

1 Comment | Blogging, social media, Viral marketing | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by derekmcclain

Viral Marketing Video – Is Your Business Going Green?

March 31, 2009

I am not a huge fan of really pushing sales with my blog posts.  Sure my Fusework Studios tab is there if you choose to click it to find more information about our company.  And you can always contact me or contact Fusework Studios at any time. 

You see, to me a blog is more about building relationships and connecting with others.  The leads and sales opportunities will come with time after those relationships are developed.  That being said, we do some pretty cool things at Fusework Studios.  Cool things that I do enjoy sharing (not selling) with you on my blog.  I believe sharing things you or your company is working on in a permission based setting is a critical apart of online relationship building.  So without further ado, let me share our latest news: 

Fusework Studios has partnered with the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce to help increase awareness of and promote green business practices.  Part of this initiative was developing an Indy Green Business web site.  We have also taken it a step further by developing a video on how Fusework Studios is taking an initiative internally to “go green.”  Believe it or not, the last shot in this video was not staged.  Chip McComb really just wanted to work outdoors to enjoy the nice day - we made sure we got it on camera:)   

Check out the Indy Green Business video below to see what I mean and join me in making it viral: 

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Posted by derekmcclain

Viral Marketing Case Study: Happy Friday Guy

March 27, 2009

Today I would like to share with you a viral marketing case study from my days at Ball State University (man I sound really old).

Let’s go back to 2005 on a warm spring day walking down McKinley Avenue (the main road that runs through Ball State) in route to your next class.  The time is 12:00 pm.  In the distance you can hear a “Happy Friday!” happyfridayguyalong with a faint motor running.  The shout grows louder as a man dressed in bright colors with a cape moves closer at a very fast rate.  Soon you can tell this guy is wearing a red karate helmet, goggles, a yellow shirt with a blue cape and of course knee pads!  To top it all off he is on a motorized scooter weaving in and out between students on their way to class yelling ”Happy Friday!”  You turn to the person next to you with a startled look on your face and without saying a word that person instinctively replies, “That’s Happy Friday Guy.  He does this every Friday at noon.”  And this very story is how a BSU legend was born. 

Question: So how did something so obscure grow to the point to where Happy Friday Guy was awarded the “Campus Icon” award in 2007 beating out the likes of a Jim Davis or David Letterman?  derekhappyfridayguy

Answer: Happy Friday Guy became viral.  And the virus spread.

You see every single Friday at the same time and same place you could count on Happy Friday Guy.  He was consistent.  And he never missed a Friday.

His message was very simple – Happy Friday!  Who wouldn’t appreciate someone going out of his or her way to wish everyone a Happy Friday (and occasionally pass out candy)?

He created a contagious feeling.  People felt good when Happy Friday Guy was around.  He brought a sense of cheer, joy and hope to your Friday no matter what had taken place earlier in the day.  And you better believe it spread throughough Ball State.  His Facebook group grew to over 5,000 members (back then this was alot for a Facebook group, but due to inactivity this number has slowly dropped).  His YouTube video has over 18,000 views.  Happy Friday Guy even had a blog and was selling t-shirts.

What if we all take a few minutes each Friday to reach out to a group of people within our network simply be sending them a message online or calling them just to wish them a Happy Friday?  I think we can learn something from Happy Friday Guy.

Check out the video below to see Happy Friday Guy in action:

4 Comments | Viral marketing | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by derekmcclain

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