Vital Viral Videos

Viral videos are all over the internet now a days. Every time I log onto Facebook I watch at least four new ones. These videos are usually based around things that are funny, painful, heartwarming, or skillful. There are a wide variety of viral videos; the one's that I seem to view the most are the videos that involve children.  They have such a real and honest humor that often shines without any effort. One of my favorite viral videos is of a little girl named Ella, she is riding in the car with her dad while humorously singing along to an Elvis song. Her adorable facial expressions and hand motions are what kept my attention while watching this video. It is titled Ella Mae sings "An American Trilogy" by Elvis Presley. Check it out for yourself here.

I think that this video went viral because it is not only comical but it is also adorable. This is a video that a variety of people would enjoy watching. Viral videos are all about bringing entertainment to a large audience. You have to grab a lot of peoples attention not just a group, or a select few. Another thing to look at is that this video didn't have much planning, the more nonchalant and casual the video feels the more people will find it to be truly entertaining.

Viral videos are often looking to evoke an emotional response; which is something that people can use to their advantage while filming. Another thing that helps a video get seen by many is to keep it short and simple. The one that I chose is a little longer than some other videos that have went viral, but I think it still keeps you entertained throughout the entirety of it. The last thing that I think is key to keep in mind while trying to get a video to go viral is to make sure that it is searchable. You want something that is not only easy to find, but also to share!

Super Bowl XLIX

In the past years the Super Bowl has gained excitement through using interactive advertisements. Multiple brands have involved their viewers and fans through asking them for their opinion on their favorite commercials via Twitter. One brand who was involved with this trend in particular was the Doritos brand. Their promotion left it to the public to make and submit commercials, and then a select few finalists' videos appeared on television. They then geared towards the public again to vote for their favorite one. The winner's commercial was then broadcasted during the 2014 Super Bowl. The winner that was chosen was titled "Time Machine" which can be watched here.

I think that similar contests and fan interaction will take place during this years Super Bowl. I am assuming that other major brands will jump on the bandwagon of having viewer involvement incorporated throughout their commercials. These other brands saw how well it worked last year and will more than likely use it to their advantage this year.

Pantene #shinestrong Campaign

Women are still to this day often viewed extremely stereotypical throughout the media. Pantene's Shine Strong campaign has made a positive impact on women and how they feel about themselves not only in the work place but also at home. Pantene has come out with two very controversial commercial's in the last year that have caused a lot of talk.

The first commercial that I came across brought up how women say "sorry" all too much and often for things that don't really require an apology; such as questions in their place of work to asking for help at home. I know that I am definitely at fault for overusing the phrase "I'm sorry" I use it all too often throughout the day. This commercial displays women apologizing for speaking up in the and then turns it over to where the same women don't feel the need to say "sorry" for things that men wouldn't even think to say sorry for. So the question is this, why do women feel this need to apologize? Through this campaign Pantene is encouraging women to stop saying sorry, to be confident, and to believe in one's self. They want women to take a stand and to not feel belittled by their peers;especially in the work place. They have begun to use the hashtag #shinestrong to promote confidence among women, and to build a relationship with their consumers. 

Another Pantene commercial that I came across focused specifically on the stereotypes that exist between women and men. When a man is considered a boss a women is often considered bossy. When a man is considered persuasive and dedicated about what they are doing, a women is considered to be pushy and selfish. These labels have all been put down on women for things that a man would be built up for. But women need to understand that labels do not define them, and it is up to them to break that negative view that has been placed upon them. 

This campaign and these two commercials in particular caught my eye because I feel that this is an unresolved issue that has gone on for generations and needs to change. Watching these commercials makes me sad that women still have to deal with these kinds of things. I also love how this campaign incorporates its consumers asking women to define what strong is to them. Each answer is unique and special in its own way, just like women.