Viral video has been one of the buzzwords online for quite some time. Even so, viral videos (virals) are still considered to be a relatively new marketing tool in 2012. Why are they called viral videos? Well, the concept is relatively straight forward. The word (an adjective) “viral†was initially defined as, “relating to or caused by a virus (i.e. viral infection). However, with the arrival of the internet and consequently, computer viruses, the word “viral†no longer relates to bugs and bacteria - Today the word viral has taken on new meaning: And one of the most meaningful in the world of online marketing just happens to be viral video.
The Dancing Baby Phenomenon
“Virals†literally spread through the web like a virus spreads through the body: Able to replicate and move from one place to another, as well as be “exchanged†from one human to another: Virals can also be compared to an idea or concept that is “passed around†using words (word of mouth). The “Dancing Baby†created by Ron Kussier (LucasArts) in 1996 was among the first “naturally occurring†viral video marketing successes online. The Dancing Baby was not created to be a “viral video productionâ€: It was originally released as a ‘sample’ with 3D animation software. Lussier passed it around the LucasArts office at first as a relatively simple GIF animation - The rest (as they say) is history.
A Viral World of Endless Possibilities
After the Dancing Baby swept the web it did not take the digital marketing boys long to catch on: Today viral video marketing (also referred to as viral advertising and marketing buzz) is being recognised as the online marketing tool of the now and the future. The Dancing Baby has been around for a while and still causes a stir. Staying power is fundamentally what makes a video “go viralâ€. Of late video sharing networks like YouTube and Vimeo are becoming more popular than ever. From London to New York and all around the world people are going viral with their videos.
Viral marketing primarily uses social networks to help businesses increase brand awareness and increase product sales: And video is certainly a popular media. Even so, it is not the only viral marketing media used online: Games, emails, images and eBooks for example are also popular “marketing virals†used to captivate the UK and US markets - Without doubt viral video marketing look set to stay and most digital marketing gurus will agree, the possibilities of this versatile media are quite simply, endless.
The Dancing Baby Phenomenon
“Virals†literally spread through the web like a virus spreads through the body: Able to replicate and move from one place to another, as well as be “exchanged†from one human to another: Virals can also be compared to an idea or concept that is “passed around†using words (word of mouth). The “Dancing Baby†created by Ron Kussier (LucasArts) in 1996 was among the first “naturally occurring†viral video marketing successes online. The Dancing Baby was not created to be a “viral video productionâ€: It was originally released as a ‘sample’ with 3D animation software. Lussier passed it around the LucasArts office at first as a relatively simple GIF animation - The rest (as they say) is history.
A Viral World of Endless Possibilities
After the Dancing Baby swept the web it did not take the digital marketing boys long to catch on: Today viral video marketing (also referred to as viral advertising and marketing buzz) is being recognised as the online marketing tool of the now and the future. The Dancing Baby has been around for a while and still causes a stir. Staying power is fundamentally what makes a video “go viralâ€. Of late video sharing networks like YouTube and Vimeo are becoming more popular than ever. From London to New York and all around the world people are going viral with their videos.
Viral marketing primarily uses social networks to help businesses increase brand awareness and increase product sales: And video is certainly a popular media. Even so, it is not the only viral marketing media used online: Games, emails, images and eBooks for example are also popular “marketing virals†used to captivate the UK and US markets - Without doubt viral video marketing look set to stay and most digital marketing gurus will agree, the possibilities of this versatile media are quite simply, endless.
