Sunday, June 15, 2008

The Wii Fit Underwear Girl, Viral Marketing scheme or harmless video?



With over 3 million views on YouTube, this video of 25-year-old Lauren Bernat hula hooping in her underwear on the Wii Fit, shot by her boyfriend Giovanny Gutierrez, 30, has the internet a buzz about the video above. Both Bernat and Gutierrez both work for the same advertising agency. Gutierrez works as director of interactive media and Bernat, an account executive for Tinsley Advertising in Miami, Florida.

But was this a Viral Marketing Ploy? Or just a harmless video of girl on the Wii Fit? Nintendo has flat out denied that the footage is part of a viral advertising campaign. A spokesman said."This has and is absolutely 100 per cent nothing to do with Nintendo." "Nintendo did not create it and were not aware of it until it was brought it to our attention." Gutierrez has also denied that it was a viral ad for the Wii Fit

Here's what I think, Gutierrez shot the video with the intent to:
a) Do a test of a viral ad campaign on YouTube and too see what kind of reaction it would get.
b) Get the name of his ad agency out there and known to all.
c) Make a name for himself and his girlfriend.
d) Possibly gain Nintendo as a client for future viral ad projects.

He obviously succeeded on all aspects and will probably benefit from this. I bet that his company is getting tons of new business requests, with himself and his GF as the ones who will head the new ad campains.

What do you think?

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