The Simpsons - Real Life ! (see it)

I'll admit it, yours truly is a Simpsons fan. Copy that for http:www.youtube.com, as well. So, when Matt O'Neill shared a link to a recent 'video short' that has been 'doing the rounds', inspiration struck.

Click the above video to have a look at a wonderfully created, real life version of 'The Simpsons' intro.

So, how does this tie into Interactive Sales and Marketing ?

The answer is simple. I believe that you will soon be seeing a new phenomenon where 'indie' and professional video commercial producers alike will be creating 'video shorts' geared for the web-surfing public and that these 'video shorts' will predominantly be made to entertain -- and more importantly to engage (virtually, and then physically).

Obviously, as fun as the above little clip is to watch, there's no real 'advertising' and no 'call to action' in it. But, you do walk away (click away?) feeling good and somewhat impressed by just having spent 59 seconds with The Simpsons, the real Simpsons.

Well, lets explore some value here. 'The Simpsons' is a brand. So, their popularity and internet 'buzz' score is swelling right this moment in our shared virtual universe. So, that's good for the Simpsons, the brand. [My wife just said to me, 'What ? Are they making a real life movie of the Simpsons now ? Hmmm. Maybe there's more to it ?]

Anyway, just like when you are watching The Simpsons on any given day you might see a few commercials, I believe you'll be seeing video shorts, like this one, start by having a little 5-second blurb like "This video short brought to you by DUFF Beer", for example.

Or, what if, in part II of The Simpsons - Real Life [don't know if there will be] you see Homer sitting on his favorite bar stool, but this time slugging back a Molson Canadian beer ... ? (I'm Canadian)

Anyway, there's just a whole bunch of opportunity for product placement ideas and contesting opportunities etc etc

Why would Molson do this ? Well let's look at the numbers.

This clip was added to youtube.com on Mar 3 2006, 4:22pm. It's now the morning of the 13th. To date, not even 10 days later, this 59 second 'video short' has been viewed 2,694,688 times (on youtube). Who knows where else it's showing up 'virally'. MOST IMPORTANTLY, it's being 'recommended' by viewers who like it, to others who ought to. Is it fair to say that human nature is such that it's cool to be the first in your crowd to notice what's cool - and then to recommend it ?

Well, the recommendation factor attached to youtube 'video shorts' should have immense appeal to 'brands'. PLUS it's interactive in as much as it allows the viewer to 'forward' the clip and to 'get his friends' involved in the 'viral' nature of a such a campaign.

As a result, I predict that you will also see an evolution of these types of 'video shorts' so that they actually begin to 'engage' with mob-style 'call to actions'. Not negative. Just things like, do this, take a picture of it, and post here. Or a creative 'video short' demonstrating how a kid downloads a widget, does a few things with it and wins a Vespa Scooter, for example.

You get the idea.

In a world where 30% of America's media-consuming time is spent 'surfing the web', these 'video shorts' will be worth plenty to Madisson Avenue - if Google doesn't beat them to the punch.

So, how many more people will see this video short ? How many will forward it ? Watch the numbers. This one could hit #1 on "Youtube's Top Rated". Stay tuned. Lots to happen on this front.

- chapper

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