Every year you wait for them; patiently, impatiently, whether you’re a NFL fan or not, and every year it’s the same thing; companies leave you anxious with anticipation to see what clever TV spots they’ve come up with to air during the Super Bowl. Well not this year.<\/p>\n
In case you haven’t noticed, many Super Bowl ads have already been “leaked” onto YouTube and various Internet sites for your viewing pleasure, and it’s not even Superbowl Sunday yet. So why are companies showing you “the goods” ahead of schedule? Well to put it simply, it’s because they’re geniuses. For the extended explanation, please continue reading.<\/p>\n
A 30-second TV spot during the Super Bowl this year will cost $3.5 million. Traditionally, these spots are not seen by the public until their airtime on the big day. This method ultimately limits the reach and effect of the commercials to their consumers. By “leaking” the commercials early however, companies are intending for their videos to go viral. With all the hype that’s created around the commercials, the public is anxious to view and share them, thereby increasing their reach and stretching the ROI of the $3.5 million farther.<\/p>\n
So why does viral marketing work? First of all, everything has moved to the Internet and has an online presence. Second of all, since consumers search for everything online, companies are basically required to give their consumers the content they’re searching for in the manner they want to receive it. Last but not least, this builds brand loyalty and the importance of relationship marketing.<\/p>\n