Not Like Mike: The Jordan-Utah Flash Fiasco Alex Gerage, December 11, 2009 In what may be the first major viral marketing event in the history of sports (at least to my knowledge), the NBA Developmental League’s Utah Flash is reaping the success (and failure) of an elaborate campaign. Ryan Corazza has the scoop at ESPN. Apparently, Flash flans were under the assumption they were going to see Michael Jordan and Bryan Russell play a one-on-one basketball game at halftime of Monday’s game to benefit charity. It would be a rematch of the final seconds of the 1998 NBA Finals. The problem was that Jordan never said he would do it. The other problem was that he never said he wouldn’t do it. So this past Monday, after the local paper reported seeing Jordan around town, the buzz began. A video of him surfaced on YouTube eating at a local establishment. A record crowd showed up to the Flash’s home opener to see the halftime festivities. There, they learn the truth. The man being reported as Jordan was not like Mike. The event had been staged. The faux MJ. The YouTube video. The planned pickup game (to be fair, an invitation was extended to Jordan, but he never replied). It was all the plan of Flash owner Brandt Andersen to sell tickets and drum up interest in his team. Did it work? Yes, but not without angering the already pocket sized fan base. He’s since apologized on his blog and offered refunds. For those that measure the success of a viral by the amount of publicity that is generated, good or bad, then the Flash’s undertaking is a massive success. The story made the front page of ESPN.com earlier in the week, and the YouTube video of the phony Michael Jordan now has over 300,000 views. Word has undoubtedly spread, and if you ask one to name just one NBA D-League team, I would bet they would say the Flash. For those that believe a viral is only as successful as its end result, then the embarrassment and disdain many feel towards owner Brandt Andersen is fitting. Here’s a video of the crowd finding it out it’s a hoax. I want to know what you think though. Would you consider this viral successful? Or do campaigns need to have a worthy payoff? Let us know below. Viral Marketing
Viral Videos: Reading Rainbow Banned Book Reviews February 28, 2010February 28, 2010Although I was never a big fan of PBS’s Reading Rainbow as a kid, I always wondered what would happen if the kids on the show reviewed more … mature literature. Now we know, thanks to a series of videos from the comedy writing/directing duo Warm Apple Cherries. Check out… Read More
Check This Out: The Lost Supper January 5, 2010November 1, 2010Whether you are a marketing firm or just someone who likes to dabble online, almost everyone likes the idea of creating something that goes viral. It’s hard to predict when something will become popular online, but there a few sure-fire ways to get noticed. One of the more interesting ways… Read More
NBC Viral: Sites for Parks and Recreation and The Office May 7, 2010May 7, 2010NBC has been go-to channel for viral for a while now, and it has been mostly focused on its Thursday night comedy line up. Our latest update is no different, as Parks and Recreation sees a new viral link, and The Office has a brand new viral webpage. Check it… Read More