Best Viral Marketing Videos of 2008 – or – How to Succeed in Viral Marketing Without Really Trying

Yesterday’s contemplation of “Viral Marketing” led me on an exploration of the best and worst our industry had to offer this year. Here are some thoughts on best practices.

Levis
How do we know this for Levis? Nothing more than the classic patch on the back. One of my favorites.

Be careful of the source of your inspiration though, this video led to some discussion of these tricks being a take on another, older video worth mentioning….

From 2007: Ray-Ban

The Muppets
Everyone’s favorite puppets made a return to the screen earlier this year, prompted by a viral YouTube campaign that reminded us that Statler and Waldorf were the forefathers of today’s social commentary.

If only they’d return full time to properly introduce Kermit to my kids!

Nintendo Wii’s Wario Land: Shake It
I can’t show you this one here as it is the page and experience therein that puts this video on the map. Perhaps not viral but definitely an award winner for innovation! Check it out

Samsung
Another with extra points for innovation. No guessing at the product promoted here but a fun use of a home video of a happy new owner of the Samsung Omnia

Dove
Powerful social commentary

Guitar Hero
Hey, sex sells. Hearkens Risky Business.

Gatorade
This would have been my first choice but the bottle that appears next to the ballgirl is so subtle that almost everyone missed it. Brownie points for being subliminal though, the success of this video is not just driven by the fantastic catch but the fact that is so non-commercial.

Nike
Contrast Gatorade’s success with this fun one from Nike; the contrast of course being that this is clearly Nike.

Lastly Call of Duty 4
A clip not from the manufacturer or respective ad agency but a reviewer who has a fantastic series of reviews under the label, Zero Punctuation.Honorable mention
These final few struck me as deserving of recognition for their unintentional commercial impact.

Best Unintentional Promotion of Expedia

Better viewed in HD with outstanding outtakes on his site (watch for the one with the train!)

Best Unintentional Promotion of Taser

Who doesn’t want a Roomba??

Tell me you don’t want to work with Jones Big Ass Truck Rental & Storage Facility

And lastly, the phenomenon laid to rest by Macy’s.