marketing techniques that use pre-existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness or to achieve other marketing objectives (such as product sales) through self-replicating viral processes, analogous to the spread of pathological and computer viruses. It can be word-of-mouth delivered or enhanced by the network effects of the Internet.^[1] Viral promotions may take the form of video clips, interactive Flash games, advergames, ebooks, brandable software, images, or even text messages.

has become a very useful tool for advertising over the internet. This instance of viral marketing that I found this morning on Yahoo struck me as particularly interesting and fun. In anticipation of it’s upcoming film Toy Story 3, Disney/Pixar has released a commercial featuring one of the movie’s new characters, Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. The commercial, which appears to be from the early eighties based upon the VHS-recorded quality of the video and the clothing of the children in it, shows a real Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear being loved by children. But do you remember Lots-o’-Huggin Bear? I know I don’t, and you shouldn’t either, because it is not and never was a real toy. Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear was created by Disney/Pixar specifically for the film. So, whats with the fake commerical? It is a great marketing ploy by the company to promote their new film and new character. I think the idea was really clever and well done. See the Yahoo! article here.

1. Cloud Sofa : I love this because it is using an elemental concept, magnetism, to make something really cool. I also love the idea of a floating sofa being a “cloud.” genius.

2. Chanel Perspex Briefcase : Slightly ironic because it exaggerates Chanel’s reliance upon highly superficial consumers, this briefcase is basically plastic clamshell packaging for a woman’s belongings. But, the jokes on the consumer because while Chanel might be selling it, the sad part is that it probably costs 10,000 and there are women out there who will buy it.

3. McFancy : As much as I hate this on so many levels, I think that it is completely genius on McDonald’s part. Appealing to the higher end consumer by plastering a fancy brand name on some french fries, the McFancy concept moves low-end fast food into a higher end market. Similarly, McFancy offers less affluent consumers a chance to purchase something from an exclusive brand for mere dollars. Like I said, it disgusts me but it’s brilliant marketing.

4. Apple Concepts : Although these are just concepts developed by apple users, I think that these are really cool.  Also, it made me realize that Apple’s simple and sleek design aesthetics make it an easy brand to expand to new markets and technologies.

And even for those who choose to opt out of Facebook’s new addition (simply by choosing “no thank you” at the top of all partner websites), their news feeds will still bear a hefty new influx of superfluous information from their “open graph” user friends. Although I respect Facebook’s ability to continue to expand and innovate their product, I have to admit I am feeling very weary of any further ventures into public information sharing. See the NY Times article here.

This idea of old and vintage art being “ressurected” by new technology is something I have been seeing a lot of. These pillows from Heather Linz use old textbooks as a design reference point. A very large trend that has taken off recently, Steampunk, mixes old steampowered machinery elements with new technology to create visually stunning works of art like these computers.

Although YouTube can hardly be called something new anymore, the ways in which public video sites like YouTube are being used is rapidly progressing. Once just a place for goofy home movies and spoofs, YouTube is now utilized by corporations as a form of advertising–sometimes outwardly through the use of ads and sponsored “channels” and sometimes less outwardly through underground videos/campaigns (see THIS article). One trend that has been in my personal realm of observation lately is the phenomena of Musicals. Perhaps riding on the tails of the musical “trend” seen in the last couple of years with productions like High School Musical, the hit TV show Glee, The Sing Off, and countless Musical movies such as Enchanted, Hairpsray, etc, the trend of musicals has seemed to spread to YouTube. There are many videos posted by groups such as improv anywhere that show large groups of people performing spontaneous musicals in crowds of unsuspecting passersby. Similar in concept, I have seen prisoners in Vietnam performing Thriller on a HUGE scale and countless wedding dance videos featuring elaborate choreographed musical numbers. The newest rage in YouTube musicals, however, seems to be one that UD is embracing with open arms: college musicals. With Yale’s admissions video That’s Why I Chose Yale gaining immense popularity, UD is following suit with the soon to be released Delaware: The Musical. Delaware was actually ahead of Yale on the college musical front with the surprisingly popular Reading Season video put out this fall by UD alum turned admissions counselor Avi Amon. Delaware: The Musical is a unique combination of new technology and old school charm. The irresistable draw of musicals has been around for decades, and now with technology like YouTube to spread the video “virally,” Delaware: The Musical can get mailed out to 200,000 prospective students as well as to every accepted Blue Hen. Not to mention that this video would have been virtually impossible to create without the unique opportunities for mass communication that come with social networking sites like Facebook. Delaware: The Musical had multiple Facebook pages like this one to connect participants. I joined this group and soon after agreed to do the graphic design for the musical, a fun and rewarding project. I think that it was a very wise decision on the part of UD admissions to hire young grads. These young employees are up to date with technology and are able to harness its potential in recruiting new students to the university.