DRAMA. We all hate it - which is exactly why we can't get enough of it. T.V.'s VH1 may have capitalized upon this niche the most effectively in recent days. Not to slight the classic Star and National Examiner tabloids (you guys have also done a great job creating unnecessary drama).
For example: VH1 ratings busters
I Love (to hate) New York .......... two seasons
Rock of Love (most of those girls belong in a brothel) ............. two seasons
Flavor of Love (that clock-wearing grandpa AGAIN?) .............. THREE seasons
It's impossible to count how many people I've heard (myself included) say "I hate drama. I just stay away from it." Bull. We all have it. Most psychologists agree that people tend to deal with pseudo reality much better than The Real World (no tv pun intended). Why are shows like Laguna Beach and The OC so popular, anyway?
The theme here (thank you, VH1) is: Watch & Discuss. Girls can talk about those spoiled children on Laguna all day long... and it will never come back to haunt them. It's the perfect storm of gossip.
So here's the marketing spin. Want more details on Heidi and Spencer's relationship? Visit VH1.com. Can't get enough of Trump and Rosie's verbal battle? Check out Rosie's talk show. Need some behind-the-scenes action of the original Flavor of Love? Get never-before seen video clips on the web site!
My question is this: what if all scandals are just brilliant publicity stunts? We hear accusations of this nature all the time, but how do we prove them either way? Better visit Bret Michael's web page to find out.
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Friday, May 2, 2008
The science of SCANDAL
1 Comment:
How do we quantify what this means in terms of you're average marketing experience (if there is such a thing)? I guess what I mean by that is those marketers outside the TV realm.
Maybe it means "How can we turn a profit using the "drama principal?" Or is this essentially saying any publicity is good publicity? I bet the recent Southwest Airlines vs. FAA drama drew a lot of traffic to Southwest Airline's blog, but did it get attract more customers? hmmmm...