1

I know this is one of those times where I'm showing my age and having one of those "You kids get offa my yard moments" but these viral marketing things don't mean bupkus to me. None of the games, the puzzles, the websites, they do nothing to build up any excitement or anticipation for the film.
I've never visited any of the sites and I never will.

I want PREVIEWS. I want trailers.

Seeing the actual product on the screen, even if it's for 30 seconds, a minute, two minutes, THAT is what gets me excited and builds my buzz.

The leaked Iron Man trailer from ComicCon got me more excited than any subway map or fake newspaper website ever will.

Now you really need to get off my yard. I just mowed it

- Bill

William Mize on Nov 26, 2007

2

i think is cool and brilliant what they are doing

Davor on Nov 26, 2007

3

I love these things. The interactive/viral aspect of these things makes the fan feel more a part of the story or world being created. Having hidden links to find, or puzzles to solve, is more involving and entertaining to me than just sitting and being a passive viewer.

By the way, where the hell did the word "bupkus" come from? I'm not being sarcastic, I really want to know.

jason_md2020 on Nov 26, 2007

4

Bill, I'm gunna stand on your yard and heckle you since you're too old and slow to get your walk and come shoe me off!! Hahah, just kidding… you actually make a very good point, however I think you're missing why they're actually doing this. Jason is a prime example of exactly why they have it!

You'll get your previews and trailers eventually, so it's not like they're doing this instead of them. However, this is building buzz and hype in an entirely seperate demographic that isn't designed for you. They're covering ALL their bases and are doing a great job of it. The younger generations and fanboys are all getting wrapped up in this viral biz and are already all for the movie without even seeing a trailer, so they've got that demo nailed. Then when the trailer comes along, they're grabbing your demo as well.

I think they're doing such a great, great job catering to the fans (and fanboys) because they're the ones who drive the movie to success. Without the fans enthusiasm and buzz and hype, a movie could never be this book. Just look at it - you already know all about this movie and are already thinking about it just because of these viral things, even if you don't like them. That's how great marketing works, it spreads from one demo to another because they give each one what they want.

Alex Billington on Nov 26, 2007

5

By the way just to shed some light on "the younger generations" & "you kids" comments, I'm gonna be 37 in a few months. Does this disqualify me for fanboy status?

jason_md2020 on Nov 27, 2007