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?
Gotham Tonight Spotlight On Bruce Wayne
A new featurette has popped up online for The Dark Knight, this one showing a news program, Gotham Tonight, on the GCN (Gotham City News Network). It highlights the life of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne, and judges whether or not his antics will help propel Wayne Enterprises into the future, or sink Gotham into a deep depression.
Check it out below!
I have never seen viral marketing on this level. Keep it up Warner Bros.! Me likey!
Dark Knight Viral Marketing Strikes Again!
The people behind The Dark Knight have done an amazing job piquing The Internet’s - i.e. everyone on the internet’s - interest in the movie. From widgets and viral videos made specially for online viewers, to making-of featurettes and websites built specifically for characters in the film. I’m not sure if all of this is necessary, considering the massive success of the first film and the added value of the movie being Heath Ledger’s last completed movie (sadly), but it can only help.
Latest in the line of specialty websites is a site for the Gotham City Pizzeria. It looks like a simple pizza place, with a little information about the company and a menu of their food. However, take a closer look!
Put your mouse over the “HA” in “GOTHAM” and see what happens. Click on it for a surprise: a clip with Harvey Two-Face!
I’d guess this is going to be somewhere towards the end of the movie, which would be a nice set-up for movie three!
Sci Fi Channel is “nuts” for Jericho
In a move that should only help the sophomore science fiction series, Sci Fi Channel and CBS announced today that Sci Fi has nabbed up rerun rights for the first two seasons of Jericho. Do you think they paid for the rights in nuts? Ahahaha! … see what I did there? … haha … er, because of the campaign to– … uh … *ahem* Never mind. To begin their exclusive six month broadcast portion of the overall three year deal, Sci Fi will air a four-episode prime time marathon on February 11th, one day before the new season premieres on CBS.
CBS only greenlit a seven-episode second season when they caved to a nutty fan campaign to bring the series back from cancellation. Ironically, it’s turned into a blessing since they wrapped before the strike could impact anything. But why not have Sci Fi air a 22-episode marathon of the entire first season the weekend before the new season airs, rather than just four the night before? That way potential new fans can get completely caught up before jumping back into the post-apocalyptic drama. And you should give the show a try. All those stupider shows you like are on hiatus already, so try something good for a change. Me, I’m gonna drop a couple nuclear bombs to raise awareness. Nothing like viral marketing!