NBC is now telling you to “chime in”
The concept of network slogans are coming back. NBC has started a new campaign with little advance fanfare asking viewers to “Chime In” to the network. This follows a similar recent strategic move by ABC when they asked viewers to “Start Here”.
In the age of viral marketing, there has been little evidence of this move by NBC. It is not on NBC website nor are there any major campaigns promoting it.
The entire “network slogan” concept was abandoned by the networks in the 1990s. The last notable slogan used was ABC’s laughable “TV Is Good” which was abandoned in 1997. Other historical slogans include Fox’s “Just One Fox” and CBS’ “The Address Is CBS” and “It’s All Here”.
This is a case of networks trying anything to get back sagging ratings (particularly NBC, which is number four right now). What exactly does “chime in” mean anyway? Is it an attempt by NBC to make the network programming more user-interactive? Will there be telephone hotlines and Internet polls?
Take a sneak peek at The Office webisodes
July is right around the corner, which means just one thing … new webisodes of The Office. Starting July 10th, you’ll be able to tune into the NBC website to view the latest adventures of the characters that normally don’t have top billing during the normal seasons. And yet, they are just as funny (sometimes funnier) than the big stars that grace the show week after week.
As we reported back in May, this set of webisodes will feature Darryl, Oscar and, most prominently, Kevin. The plot of these webisodes are a bit fuzzy from the previews, but it seems that Kevin is in a bit of financial trouble and needs to take a loan out in order to cover some losses. During this time he is taken under the wing of Darryl, who helps Kevin reach his goals. All that, and we get to see Darryl wear a suit.
There are two videos after the jump. The first features scenes from the upcoming webisodes. The second is a behind the scenes look at the episodes by stars Oscar Nunez (Oscar), Craig Robinson (Darryl) and Brian Baumgartner (Kevin). It’s here that we learn that Brian has filmed the webisodes sans pants. Something that us fans probably didn’t want to know about.