Viral marketing/buzz/word of mouth

The buzzwords viral marketing and viral advertising refer to marketing techniques that use
pre-existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness or to achieve other
marketing objectives (such as product sales) through self-replicating viral processes, analogous
to the spread of pathological and computer viruses. It can be word-of-mouth delivered or
enhanced by the network effects of the Internet.[1] Viral promotions may take the form of video
clips, interactive Flash games, advergames, ebooks, brandable software, images, or even text
messages.

definition -

On the Internet, viral marketing is any marketing technique that induces Web sites or users to
pass on a marketing message to other sites or users, creating a potentially exponential growth in
the message's visibility and effect. One example of successful viral marketing is Hotmail, a
company, now owned by Microsoft, that promotes its service and its own advertisers' messages
in every user's e-mail notes. 1. Hotmail- Hotmail is one of the most classic examples of
successful viral marketing. They offered free e-mail to the masses, and simply attached a
signature at the bottom of each e-mail message that promoted their free service. Every single e-
mail sent by a Hotmail user contained this message, thus spreading it like a virus. Recipients
would see the ad, and as a result, they too signed up for Hotmail. 5. Dark Knight- The Dark
Knight viral campaign was one of the most widespread of its kind. It included everything from
websites for Gotham Cab company to a real life campaign for Harvey Dent. The point is this—
the campaign engaged people on a different level. And you can’t argue with the results. The
Dark Knight made ridiculous amounts of money at the box office and on DVD. Of course, there
were other factors involved (Heath Ledger’s death, and just how great the film looked,) but the
viral campaign succeeded in creating unprecedented amounts of hype.