Some of the most viral videos of the past year have been professionally made. Check out the videos, and see the impact these videos had in sales numbers for the companies.
Last week we highlighted the commonality of video in today’s world. I’d be willing to bet, just about everyone you know (excluding those over the age of 80, no offense) has access to make their own video.
These amateur videos are sometimes awesome and have the ability to go viral (as seen last week with the wedding dance video). And these homemade shorts are the videos people most closely associate with YouTube. However, six of the ten most viral videos on YouTube last year, according to salon.com, were actually professionally made.
The Old Spice video above was launched in February of last year and has over 35 million hits.
Last July, Old Spice launched a YouTube video campaign that was the fastest growing online viral video ever. The video had almost seven million views in the first day, and over 23 million hits within the first day and a half. By the end of July 2010, Old Spice increased its sales by 107 percent.
Old Spice is one example of how powerful viral video marketing can be. Even without factoring in TV ad time, Old Spice commercials have reached tens of millions.
This proves that professionally made videos have just as much potential (if not more) than the amateur videos we usually recognize as "viral." (i.e. Double Rainbow, Charlie Bit My Finger, etc.)
The beer industry has also done exceptionally well in the viral video community. Recently, Heineken has launched several videos on its YouTube channel that are too long to air on TV. "The Date" which is a video about a "legend" impressing his female date at a restaurant is a minute and a half long. This video has received over eight million views since its creation three months ago.
The genius "Most Interesting Man in the World" ad campaign that Dos Equis started four years ago has also thrived in the online viral world. Dos Equis often puts their commercials on YouTube (and sometimes exclusively on Youtube) before sending them to the TV market.These humorous videos have done exceptionally well. Since airing the commercials, Dos Equis has seen increases in US profit each year, and sales tripled in Canada in 2008 alone.
The video below was added five days ago, and is already closing in on a million views.
These companies show us how valuable viral videos can be. Youtube, although commonly seen as a place for people to upload amateur videos, can also be used for companies to reach millions of people using professional videos without advertising costs.
Do you have any good ideas for a viral video? What are some of your favorite professional viral videos?