JitterJam® Social CRM

Thanks to this video taken by a Doral Chenoweth III, a videographer for the Columbus Dispatch, Ted Williams has gone from the streets of Columbus to a new job (and home) with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The video, which went viral after being posted to YouTube (and generated more than 13 million hits), garnered the attention of the social public and then the national press. As a result, Ted is working on his deal with the Cavaliers and has already recorded a voice-over for a Kraft Macaroni & Cheese commercial. He also was reunited with his mother on CBS’ “The Early Show.”

In an interview with CBS, Chenoweth used the footage and story because it was “a slow news day.” He had no idea that the video would have such a viral lift.

Viral content becomes so because it touches consumers in some way; in this case, it was because of a spectacular voice and the story behind the man. In the case of the viral marketing campaign for Old Spice, it was because of the uniqueness of the campaign’s concept and execution. What’s exciting is that the social ‘swarm’ can have an immediate and real impact.

I, for one, am glad that social media had an impact on one man’s life and future.

Happy Friday, everyone!

This totally fluffy and fun video is just my way of wishing you joy this holiday season. Sometimes Fun Stuff Friday is just about simple fun, so I decided to share my favorite YouTube video with you.

Happy Holidays to you. May you share the joy of the season with the people (including the four-legged kind) that you love.

Sometimes, you just have to have fun.

As a marketer, “fun” to me can be…um…a little different than most people. I read blogs like others read People magazine. I love spinny graphs and charts. KPI’s make me dizzy with excitement. Well, maybe not dizzy. ‘A little lightheaded’ might be a better description.

So, to me, trying out something like Xtranormal‘s Text-to-Movie is fun. And here’s the result entitled “JitterJam is Like a Chocolate Sandwich Cookie with a Creamy Vanilla Filling.”

I guess Xtranormal is a wholly appropriate name. It’s silly and fun. With the right context, it can enable anyone to create a “viral” video.

Have a happy Fun Stuff Friday.

Video is perhaps the most powerful tool available in our multimedia toolbox. And, if you’re not already putting video up on your Website, blog, or Facebook Fan Page, here are a few ideas on what you might do with the medium.

Product Demos

This is a pretty obvious one, and lots of companies are doing this, but what about pushing yourself go in a different direction here? Back in the summer of 2008, Squarespace garnered a fair bit of attention for a series of time-lapsed product demos that showed how they were able to replicate well-known blogs with their platform in twenty minutes or less. There were no voiceovers, only an instrumental soundtrack powering along beneath the frantic on-screen action. And these things worked. Internet television network Revision 3 soon picked up Squarespace as a sponsor, and they are now sponsoring several of the Web’s most influential tech podcasts.

Personality Pieces

It doesn’t always have to be about the company or the product either. Sometimes it’s quite alright to put together a video that’s all about the personalities behind your business. Last month, EllisLab CEO Rick Ellis posted a video of himself playing “All Along the Watchtower” in what he described as his “most ridiculous hat.” This was filmed for “Do Something Silly Tuesday” on Twitter and highlighted his guitar playing chops, an aspect of the executive’s personality that isn’t particularly well known. Fan site EE Insider then picked it up and ran with it.

A Little of Both

Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV excels at using video to market his brand, and he manages to make his videos do a little of both of the things I’ve already mentioned. An episode of Wine Library TV is always chock-full of personality, but every episode is also a product demo. Gary’s store may not sell every wine he tastes, but his knowledge and expertise in his subject area are a strong selling point for the store in general.

Got any tips on how to best use video online? Leave a comment below! And make sure to get out and so some fun stuff on this Fun Stuff Friday.