reality marketing

So yes, I will admit publicly that every now and then when I need to kill some brain cells I pay a little visit to Perez Hilton. There, I said it.

So now that we have that out of the way - I was reading Perez Hilton's website the other day when I saw, for the tenth time, a banner ad that says "I hate Sarah Marshall." So I take the bait, click on the ad and at first it seems to lead me to a spiteful blog written by a very bitter, heartbroken man wealthy enough to buy banner ads on Perez Hilton. As I'm reading this very convincing, blogger designed blog complete with ameture youtube videos and bad photography, I'm thinking things like:

- well no wonder she dumped him, he seems like a total jerk
- I hope he learns to manage his finances better in the future than buying expensive ads out of bitterness
- how humiliating for Sarah Marshall
- this guy needs some serious mental help
- and probably some grammar and spelling help as well

Fast forward a few weeks and this morning I was watching TV with an advertisement for a movie called "Forgetting Sarah Marshall."

So. Brilliant.

As we enter into a time where Reality TV ratings soar higher than most other television options, I wonder if this movie advertisement will begin an idea of reality marketing. Some characteristics of 'reality marketing' would be:

- it's cheap: no reason for a copyrighter or expensive website
- it's engaging: there is a reason why people love reality TV - it's very interesting!
- word of mouth: doing something different gives people something to talk about
- it's targeted to a group of people who already love reality TV

So a big kudos to the advertising agency behind "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" for creativity and thinking outside the box into reality marketing.

Comments

[jenniferL]

huh, i missed the "fake" blog but kept seeing the ad on cabs & such in SF. i finally caved the other day and googled it. great marketing.

[Ryan Christensen]

Hahaha... Laura... I read this post about an hour ago and it just so happens that 5 minutes ago I saw for the first time ever the trailer for the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"... I have never even heard of this movie until I read you post.

Another first for me tonight was arriving on your blog... which I have found extremely nourishing... I have added it to my rss reader and forwarded it to many of my friends.

Thanks for the great meals you are providing for all those hungry minds like mine!!!! Please don't forget the dessert... I love me some ice cream!

Anyway... hope to meet you some day... I'm thinking about attending the Image X 08 workshop so maybe I'll get to meet you there.

Ryan