Play Truth or Dare with Lip Gallagher from Showtime's Shameless

I'm not going to lie, I have a little bit of a crush on the eldest Gallagher son Lip (Jeremy Allen White). Although it's not so much a crush, as it is an all-encompassing mission to be his partner in petty crime, while trying with all my heart to save his little bad boy soul. Anyway, I digress. Shameless won't be back on TV for a few months (January 8th, to be exact), but while we impatiently wait for everyone's favourite dysfunctional brood to return, take comfort in their latest social media promotional campaign.

Showtime will be putting out a web series featuring Lip, where fans can submit to play Truth or Dare with him through Shameless' Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter pages (Twitter tweeps can submit their truths and dares with the hashtags #liptruth and #lipdare). According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network will then pick 10 finalists and have Lip answer the chosen questions or do the submitted dares for the web series. How very Old Spice of them.



I'm smitten by this social media campaign - it's socially interactive, we get to see more of Lip (who, if you ask me, doesn't get nearly enough screen time), and it gives fans extra and new content between seasons so we don't have to keep watching reruns of season 1 for the third or fourth time... yeah, I've done that.

HBO Recreates Vintage Subway for Boardwalk Empire Season 2

gothamist.com

Well, HBO has done it again! Their marketing efforts know no bounds, that's for sure. This time, to promote Boardwalk Empire's season 2 premiere this fall (September 25th), they are completely transforming the New York City subway system! Taking it old school - like really, really old school, HBO is bringing in vintage trains completely decked out Boardwalk Empire-style, so New Yorkers can travel like Nucky Thompson. Buzz marketing at its best.

gothamist.com

More details from gothamist: 

Starting on Saturday, September 3rd an authentic vintage 1920’s train will run on the express 2/3 track in Manhattan throughout September (specifically, from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Originally operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) system, the train began service back in 1917 and will once again be operational. Customers who have the opportunity to ride the vintage train will be transported back in time to the Prohibition era with authentic details such as rattan seats, ceiling fans and drop sash windows, as well as a custom branded interior featuring Boardwalk Empire-inspired period artwork.

This is SO cool and in the words of Liz Lemon, I want to go to there.

Dexter-Themed Ben & Jerry's Ice-Cream Flavour

From Jon Defreest, the graphic designer who brought us the True Blood-themed sunscreen for vamps, comes this dangerously-delectable Dexter-Themed Ben & Jerry’s Flavour. Someone needs to manufacture and market this right now! I would buy it in a heartbeat and it could sit in my fridge, right next to the bottles of Tru-Blood. Just kidding, we all know this ice cream is much better suited to the dark passengers of the world. Oh, and for the record, I also don't actually have bottles of Tru-Blood in my fridge.

Vulture.com

The only thing missing is a disclaimer: Body parts ARE included.
Season Premiere of Dexter is at 9pm ET on Sunday, October 2nd.

Fake Ad for True Blood-Themed Vampire Sunscreen

You know how Sookie's faerie blood acts as a temporary sun-repellent for the vamps on True Blood? Somehow, after feeding on Sookie, they're temporarily able walk in the daylight without burning and spontaneously-combusting into a pile of goo. Well, graphic artist John Defreest, has created an ad for a Vampire Grade Sunblock, made with 'real' fairy blood! It's genius, I tell you - genius!

Vulture.com

Paul Rudd Pitches Marketing Ideas for 'Our Idiot Brother'

Paul Rudd's newest Funny or Die video made an Entertainment Marketing enthusiast like me, swoon just a little bit. Not because it's Paul Rudd (which is in itself a good enough reason to swoon, 'cause he will always be Cher's dreamy ex-step-brother, Josh). But, because he spends 3 or so minutes pitching Marketing ideas to Harvey-freaking-Weinstein, Hollywood producer-extraordinaire, for his newest comedy, Our Idiot Brother. Yup - Paul Rudd pitching Marketing strategy, and off of toilet paper, no less.

If you get one thing out of watching this video (aside from how ridiculously funny Paul Rudd is), it's that, as a Marketing, PR or Advertising professional, you shouldn't be afraid to get creative and think outside the box, even if it means brainstorming through the silliest, out-of-this-world, ideas, to find the one that maximizes exposure and also fits perfectly with your product. Also, never let the 'talent' get involved with the Marketing side of things because obviously their egos can't handle the rejection. (note: see what happened to Oscar?)

Customize your Facebook Profile for Season 4 of True Blood

Trubies, there are only 4 sleeps till the season 4 premiere of True Blood on HBO. And to commemorate the occasion (and garner a little bit of extra buzz and publicity), HBO has found a way to make use of the photostrip on your Facebook profile. I've just customized my Facebook page for this weekend's premiere, and you can too. Haven't seen any other Entertainment brands find a way to utilize the photostrip up until now. And to top if off, it's free advertising for the show, directly from loyal brand ambassadors like me. So if you're my Facebook friend and you didn't know about this weekend's premiere (cuz you're hiding under a rock or a total loser, or something...), well now you do.

Interactive True Blood Teaser on Facebook

Taking a page from the Old Spice marketing handbook, True Blood has once again made me remember why I love the show, not just for putting out the sexiest, most addictive hour of television, but because it's a brand that really knows who their customers are, and what we want from them.

True Blood fans want more, (and more and more and more), between seasons and especially in the few weeks leading up to a new season. Teasing us beyond belief, every clip, every poster, every video, is aimed at reminding fans why they fell in love with True Blood in the first place, whetting our appetites and making us hungry for more.

This time they've created an interactive teaser on their Facebook page. After (and only after) you 'like' the page, you can create a personalized video featuring you, Facebook friends you choose, and the supporting characters you know and love from Bons Temps. And I'm not going to lie, my heart skipped a beat when Eric sent me a pretend-instant-message in the vid. I know it's not real life but they were able to create a very personal and innovative experience for fans to be part of their supernatural world, even if just virtually.


If anything, it's something for Trubies (for non-fans, Trubies are to True Blood, what Gleeks are to Glee) to do while we impatiently wait for Season 4 to start - June 26th! Plus they got you to 'like' their Facebook page, and maybe even share your personalized video through your profile. I did, here's mine.

Social Media Marketing for Entertainment

We want what we want, when we want it. Remember the time you used to have to go to the library to get information you needed? Now, when we want to know something, we don’t dust off the old encyclopaedia, we grab our iPhone and Google it. We check Twitter to see the latest status updates and we get the information ourselves, instead of waiting for some news outlet to release it to us.

The same changes apply to the Entertainment industry. In this day and age, if you want to release a movie successfully, you can’t just put out a trailer and newspaper ad, and expect people to show up. Social Media has transformed the public’s access to pretty much everything and everyone. You can even follow and send Twitter messages to your favourite actors. Talk about a modern form of fan mail, right?

So what can you do to stand out?

1. Offer access to exclusive content.
   
   As a reward for loyalty, you need to give your fans a backstage pass to star interviews, sneak peeks, Livestream interviews, and even behind-the-scenes access to exclusive events with live-tweeting. HBO (a social media role model of mine) has perfected the art of social media branding and marketing, putting their energy into fan outreach. With character and program blogs for some of their most popular shows (Margene's Blog, Lloyd's Diary, Babyvamp Jessica, Inside True Blood), fans get extra content to stay engaged between episodes. Each week, HBO programs hold Twitter contests that get thousands of entries from all over the world. The promotions don’t stop between seasons either, it’s an ongoing process. In promotion for season 3 of True Blood, HBO released a video poking fun at traditional PR, while putting out one new poster ad each week, for the twelve weeks prior to the premiere. Those posters went viral as fans scrambled to collect them all, and created some serious buzz in the process. Most recently, as fans impatiently await season 4 of True Blood, HBO had the entire cast participate in a panel at Paleyfest, to divulge some highly anticipated teasers.
   
   
2. Build your relationship with fans through constant interaction.
   
   To become more than a faceless brand to fans, there needs to be a genuine connection that will lead to a lasting relationship. This means, you need to answer every question, RT and reply to every Twitter mention, and really establish a dialogue with fans. Rewarding fans with contests and giveaways are also great to boost followers, but the key to keeping those new followers around once the giveaway is over, is a continued flow of exclusive content.
   
   
3. Evolve-Evolve-Evolve.
   
   Just when you think you have it all figured out, something new comes along. If you start getting too comfortable your marketing routine, you're probably out-dated. Stay on top of new technology and get involved with new social media platforms as they come out.
   
   GetGlue – it’s about what you like, not what you are like. It's the perfect match for Entertainment brands because fans get recognition for ‘checking in’ to TV shows, movies, etc., similar to foursquare check-ins. Some entertainment brands like HBO and Showtime even offer discounts on online purchases, for a certain number of check-ins. Plus, GetGlue checkins can be connected to users’ Facebook and Twitter status updates so imagine the kind of publicity you can get from that.
    
   Groupon - the leader in this whole social buying phenomenon right now, with 60 million online subscribers looking for the latest deal. The way it works is, if a certain number of people sign up for the offer, then the deal becomes available. People spread the word using social media, to help make the deal available. Just recently, Lionsgate partnered with Groupon, offering a half-price ticket promotions for The Lincoln Lawyer. Nothing makes you want to buy something more than a deadline for purchase, and a 50% discount. 

We're all fighting to get through the cluttered marketing environment and be noticed. By going directly where fans are spending their time - on social media platforms, it conveys the message that your brand, regardless of size, understands who your customers are and can relate to them on a personal level. Nurturing loyal followers will convert them from passing fans into so much more - life-long ambassadors for your brand.

HBOhmygod, I love you just as you are.

In the world of TV, it’s not enough anymore to have a great story.  To survive in today’s environment, networks that are managing to come out on top are keeping up with what people want. 

HBO understands this, that interaction between viewers and the brand only helps to enhance the experience.  They manage to stand out from the crowd and connect with us right where we’re already spending our time, online.

Aside from the usual Facebook pages, they have character blogs and twitter accounts, that completely take on the behaviours of the characters we already love.  If you’re a fan, make sure you take a look at Vampire Jessica's (True Blood) and Lloyd's (Entourage) blogs. We all love to get a little something extra.

Also, fans of foursquare need  to check out my new favourite iPhone app, GetGlue.  HBO’s even gotten involved, giving out badges for ‘checking in’ to certain movies, music, tv shows, etc.  Not going to lie, but as an entertainment geek, I’m already obsessed with checking-in and offering my two cents.  GetGlue, it’s genius.

New movies and shows coming out should take notice, because people are watching!  Even Snoop Dogg, who recently wrote a song and made a music video dedicated to Sookie Stackhouse and the True Blood Gang!



Given that it’s a cable television channel, the buzz they’ve managed to create around True Blood is crazy.  Their poster teasers prior to this season got fans so interested that we were eagerly counting down till the first episode (or maybe it was just me).  And it doesn’t hurt that the product is genuinely good, although I may be biased.

Oh, and just to add to my love of cable tv, I totally got retweeted by the official Weeds Twitter account!  That's pretty cool when you're a fan.

Mad about Mad Men!

What a great age for TV.  With such compelling choices of shows to watch, it's a wonder I even join the real world every once in a while.  What makes good TV, anyway? Well, to me, its all about dynamic characters, the originality of a story, and that X factor that keeps viewers tuning, not only each week but each season.  And no where in there is anything to do with reality TV - It's just NOT quality.

On Sunday, we were once again taken back to the 1960s, to the magical world that is Mad Men.  Back to the fabulous fashions, mid-day cocktails, and Don's debauchery.  It's weird that I even find myself attracted to this show, which takes place in a decade I have absolutely no actual attachment to.  It's not nostalgia that's got me hooked, but I guess it's a fascination with what I don't know and never got to live through.  It's a glimpse at the glamorousness that was the early 1960s, when life was just starting to get complicated (ahem, Betty and Don's divorce) but when people still put in that extra effort to look and act a certain way - refined I guess.  Although as Mad Men viewers, we know that to be untrue for the characters we love, who are mostly so morally bankrupt (especially when it comes to relationships), and we see that even at that time, things were not as they seemed.  There was something impure lurking behind the facade of white picket fences.  Yet, here I was feeling so completely sorry for Don Draper (the beautiful John Hamm).  How is it possible to feel sorry for such a flawed character, who has a hidden past, and cheated on his wife repeatedly and without a shred of remorse?!  What is it about the elusive Don that still has women swooning and yes, secretly hoping for a Betty and Don reunion.  Anyways, it was a great start to what will be an interesting season.

On a side note, I thought it was hilarious that we got an early look at an ad agency trying out buzz marketing.  And of course, in typical tongue-in-cheek Mad Men fashion, Don makes sure to tell Peggy to "Try and stay away from these kind of shenanigans".  Of course he's referring to the PR stunt that Peggy thought up, to get some buzz around their client.  It's funny how PR stunts and event marketing tactics are now the norm.  By the way, how cool is it that Mad Men had a premiere event last Sunday, where people dressed in their best 60s attire, and gathered in Times Square.

Sundays are a TV addict's worst nightmare right now.  True Blood, Mad Men and the now-dwindling Entourage (although I am still tuning in out of loyalty.)

If you haven't checked out Mad Men, here's what you missed on Sunday: