Far and away the most talked about movie release to date has been Ted. The pot smoking, beer drinking, foul mouthed kid’s plush toy that’s been gracing our screens with trailers for the past month.
But, it’s not the movie we’re talking about, it’s the bear, and how Social Media and online influence helped to market a movie which is now the highest grossing R-rated film ever!
Let’s get this straight from the get go, “Social Media hath no boundaries”. Whether you run a nightclub, a restaurant, a pub or your own promotions company your social media can be as vanilla as you want, or in Ted’s case, as outlandish, brash and genuine as you need.
Sure not every business could have a sexually perverse teddy bear as its mascot, but you know what, some actually could, and it’s this authenticity and this willingness to not only think outside the box, but to totally smash it; that will elevate your social media, your brand and your business to a whole new level.
What are you spruiking at the moment? 2 for 1 drinks? Best desserts in Melbourne? Early bird tickets? Boring, boring and boring! When was the last time you let you imagination run wild? For most of us unfortunately, it was when we were in uniform raising our hands to ask questions and asking permission to use the bathrooms.
Your venue is much more than lunch time specials, cheap drinks and entry so maybe for a change why not try and market a different way and maybe look at Ted for some inspiration.
Here we have an ordinary kid’s teddy, with major attitude, TWA if you will. A product of someone’s imagination, a totally fictitious character, but interesting, controversial, engaging, and memorable. You got crazy mad sushi? So does the place up the street. You startin’ an old skool 80’s R&B night? Joint across town’s been doing it for months. But get Ted, more specifically, your Ted pushing the same lines, and the result might be different. Sure they may still come back with the same replies but you’ve now got their attention. And when they see week after week the same lines pushed from the same venues, the only stand out difference could be your Ted.
So, like something totally from left field, why not consider your own mascot or character; your Ted. It doesn’t have to be a bear, or even a toy, it can be an overweight, white, female, ninja in her 90’s that throws her teeth instead of fighting stars. But it has to project your energy and your enthusiasm for your venue and if you’ve taken things to this level, there’s no use skimping out and giving it 200% is the only way to do it.
Need some examples? Just go to YouTube and type in Terry Crews or Terry Tate (two different people and brands despite appearances). And who can forget Yellow Page’s “Not happy Jan!” or lamb ambassador Sam Kekovich? Even Oak milk has a new no-BS, almost serial killer type character for its new range of commercials and don’t forget to check out tedisreal.com to see just how much Social Media Ted is a part of.
The short of it is, the “message” these brands convey hasn’t changed. They’ve simply used a different method of delivery. One that is unique, memorable and at times controversial.
So maybe, when it comes time for you next “special” or “event”, have a think about letting something or someone else, help you with it, if not for other than some fun and a good laugh. Besides, I’m sure that overweight, white, female ninja in her 90’s with fighting teeth is dying to tell your patrons about the new wood fire oven you have.
