Titled "Why every guy should buy their girlfriend a Wii Fit," the YouTube clip shows 25-year-old Lauren Bernat hula hooping in time with the fitness video game in her T-shirt and underwear. The video has been viewed more than 2.4 million times and was suspected to be a viral marketing ploy for Nintendo's Wii Fit.
The speculation emerged after learning that both Lauren Bernat and Giovanny Gutierrez, who filmed the footage, work in advertising. Gutierrez works as the director of Interactive Media for Tinsley Advertising in Miami, Florida. Bernat works as an account executive at the same company, where her duties include evaluating the responses to the company's Internet advertising.
Nintendo has denied that the footage is part of an advertising campaign. "This has, and is, absolutely 100 percent, nothing to do with Nintendo," a spokesman said. "Nintendo did not create it and was not aware of it until it was brought to our attention."
Gutierrez has also denied that it was a viral advertisement for the Wii Fit. Gutierrez says he filmed Bernat to show the world how attractive his girlfriend is. "My girlfriend loves Wii Fit and looks hot doing it."
Bernat says she was unaware she was being filmed by her boyfriend on his mobile phone and was extremely upset with him at first, but is now reveling in her 15 minutes of fame as the "Wii Fit Girl," adding she would have made herself more attractive if she had known about the camera.
The game--which incorporates yoga, balance, strength training, and aerobics--hardly needs the free publicity. Even Amazon has a purchase limit policy in place for the Wii Fit because of the shortages across the U.S. Now does that sound like Nintendo is hurting for some sales?
The YouTube video has done much to boost the profile of Gutierrez, Bernat, and the ad agency where they work, so it looks as if everybody wins regardless.
When Snakes on a Plane came out, actor Samuel L. Jackson called people to promote the film.
Mr. Potato Head Spider Spud hitting shelves this Saturday
(Credit: Hasbro)Peter Parker, better known as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, will be doing something similar this weekend. If you visit this Hasbro site you (and your friends) can get a call from Spider-Man. Don't expect a long chat with Spidey--the call will unfortunately be automated (I guess I won't be able to discuss the whole Venom conspiracy with him).
Enter your birthday and 10-digit phone number, and you'll get a Spider-reminder to go out and get exclusive Spider-Man 3 merchandise and limited-edition products at your local retailer on March 24. In addition to the call, the site offers product checklists, movie trailers, games and advertisements associated to the upcoming merchandise and movie release.
The line will include a Spider-Man and friends Spider Spud, a Spi-dog and a number of action figures and Web-slinging toys. Expect to see at least one Craver and Spidey aficionado in line at the local Toys "R" Us. Hands off the Spider Spud--he's mine!
This is simply sad. Alliwantforxmasisapsp.com is one of the most transparent and pathetic examples of viral marketing the Internet has seen, and that's being nice about it. This thinly veiled commercial in the form of a blog chronicles two target-demographic hipster tweens named "Charlie" and "Jeremy" in their quest to get a PSP for Christmas. In reality, the site is a blatant and cringe-worthy ploy developed by Zipatoni, a marketing company that seems to be experiencing a dearth of actual talent.
With all the style of a sitcom dad trying to seem cool to his kids, this site has it all, complete with text messaging misspellings and overuse of words like "nxt" and "beatz." The just-slightly-too-slick "please buy me a PSP, mom!" fliers are bad enough, but what really brings this festival of terror together is the rap by "Cousin Pete". Cousin Pete is a 30-something teenager who rhymes like Kevin Federline and dances around in a hip basement living room that just happens to look like a rented warehouse turned into a soundstage. Watch at your own peril.
For more information on this masterpiece of marketing malfeasance, check out Joystiq's and Kotaku's stories on it. Meanwhile, I'll be taking a very long shower to get the pathetic off of me.
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