Content Based Marekting and the Coen Brothers

So you want to create an online video that will go viral. OK, so does everybody, or at least so should everybody who is looking to increase the visibility of their brand online. Many people are under the impression that the right social media campaign can make any video go viral. The reality is that the right campaign can make any good video go viral. All of the tricks in the social media hat wont pull out one white rabbit for you unless you have truly interesting, amusing, meaningful or relevant content. This is what is meant by content based marketing.

The Coen Brothers know how to create a good online video. First they make a movie with a serious A-list cast. Then they make a short piece with some of the funniest moments and confirmation that the movie truly has an A-list of A-list casts. It pretty much has everything. They come in with a reputation for producing great video. It's funny, it has attractive men, attractive women, interesting characters and is relevant because the movie it is selling is at the theaters now and won't be later. I know, I know, not everybody is the Coen Brothers, or actually nobody is the Coen Brothers, but with over a million views on their YouTube trailers alone, this video is officially viral. And it really is just an ad for the movie. They didn't even post it to YouTube, about two dozen people pirated it from the movie site and posted it for them. It just goes to show that excellent content will be seen. Content. Content. Content.

Maybe this whole post is a stretch, but I just saw this movie last week and it is so fun that I wanted to squeeze it in here somewhere. Pitt is hilarious as a hyperactive personal trainer at a suburban gym named Hardbodies. Clooney is a sex addict who builds sex toys for his online dates. Malkovich is a maligned ex-CIA employee who may or may not have a drinking problem, loses his memoir, and finds himself trapped in a blackmail /love triangle perfect for the era. Eventually the film cultivates an amusing commentary on what the CIA "really" does. Classic. Not quite Lebowski, but definitely lighter and more palatable then No Country. Some people are gonna hate it, probably because they don't understand it and per the norm with the Coen Brothers, multiple viewings will be necessary to pick up on the beautiful subtleties. Watch the trailer below and meditate on how the content drives you to the theater and to share it with your pals.