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
Super 8 Preview #4 and Japanese Poster Revealed May 18, 2011May 19, 2011The fourth and final preview clip from Super 8 aired on Fox Wednesday night, and though it doesn’t reveal as much as the third clip did, it still gives some clues to the plot. We also have a Japanese poster for the film from First Showing that really plays up… Read More
LOST: Dude Video and Massive Prop Auction May 13, 2010May 13, 2010ABC’s LOST is gearing up for its series finale in less than two weeks, so I guess it shouldn’t be surprising to find out they are auctioning off almost 100 different props from the hit show. Find out more, and see a compilation of all the times Hugo says “Dude”… Read More
Uber Offers A Pickup From Transformer Optimus Prime In Marketing Tie-In June 16, 2014June 16, 2014Popular ride service Uber has been seriously disrupting the taxi space for a while. They’ve recently had some real challenges in cities like London (where the cabbies there are striking over the service). While that serious drama unfolds, Uber appears to be having a little fun too. Uber and Transformers: Age… Read More