Bulldog Reporter‘s Daily Dog has an exceptionally thoughtful and well-informed article on the viral video craze that lambastes marketers for trying to add in viral buzz after a campaign has already been created. Author Andrew Foote’s point is that anything that doesn’t look genuine will be savaged by the community – and rightly so. He cites some excellent examples. If you’re a marketer trying to get a handle on the viral phenomenon, read it.
Paul – Great point. I also posted on the misuse and abuse of viral.
In my opinion, if you start out with the goal of creating a viral you will fail. Viral is the outcome of good content.