Great Viral Marketing or Bonehead Move?

Matt turned me on to a story that's still growing from the UK. While most see the story as a bold and careless attempt to disguise nepotism has me wondering if indeed the newspaper knew what it was doing from the first or if they were simply so boneheaded as to think no one would figure it out.

You can read my thoughts on my blog: Great Marketing Ploy or Bonehead Move.

What do all of you think? Was it all part of a bigger strategy or just another case of a big company assuming people are stupid?

Looks like a viral marketing thing to me. Of course I can't say if the newspaper did that on purpose, but I guess anything you do for publicity is good :)

Well, i stumbled over your article and i must say, well written, actually more like excellent.

Your Subject:

Deception of this kind has always been the advertisers strongest weapon.
It's used mostly in politics though but i don't see a reason why it should stay out of Internet marketing.

If you need people to listen; make much noise! And it's contagious too, as more noise you make and as louder you are as more people will fall into the melody. So if there is no event to fill a summer hole, create one, push it as hard as you can and make loads of noise.

In blogging terms you could;

- create 2 blogs with a targeted controversy  subject
- 1 blog pro one blog contra
- Promote the blogs both at the same time at the same places

People will start taking sides and you win in both cases  ;)  As more noise you can produce around your subject the more traffic you will get and the more money you will make. And that's what it is all about making money, as simple as that.

Thank you for the kind words. It's so true that controversy sells but I do think it can sometimes backfire.

In this case i think someone made a lot of money and a kid had a good time ;)
As bigger the waves are, as more money will flow; works in every way, remember where i live....

It seems like it started like a GREAT marketing ploy
but the truth has been revealed

Great write up michelle

I am sorry but one of the best things about viral marketing is it sometimes takes hold when you do not expect it. I doubt the paper could have expected such a huge run of inbound traffic. It seems like nepotism that turned into value.