In Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus,' the Advertising Is Part of the Picture

One of the main strategies that Ridley Scott and his team running the ad campaign for his film Prometheus are trying to accomplish is this idea of transmedia storytelling. One of these strategies was displayed in the TED2023 video posted below.

The TED2023 promo video cooked up by Scott and writer Damon Lindelof ("Lost," "Star Trek") was released on the TED blog and quickly became the subject of online articles and social-media discussions. It is a great example of a technique sweeping the entertainment industry: transmedia storytelling , in which a message or story is conveyed across multiple platforms.

Unlike conventional trailers, which use rapidly cut, repurposed footage and are widely available online along with straight clips, transmedia videos expand the movie's narrative and encourage fans to immerse themselves more deeply into the story. The advertising becomes part of the movie -- with the bonus that it is tailored for mobile devices and sharing across social networks.

The idea is for the platform to reach multiple different groups of people, essentially making the video go viral. While using the TED talks is a creative strategy, it will really remain to be seen if this campaign will interest those who don't really find an interest in the videos.

The article really delves into the whole concept of the campaign, as well as the whole idea of trying to create a successful viral campaign.

#HungerGames24

With only 24 days left until the release of The Hunger Games, Lionsgate launched today the #HungerGames24 campaign.  In coordination with Nook by Barnes and Nobel, Lionsgate will show 24 Advanced Screenings of the film before it hits theaters. 

In the novels, each of the 12 Districts have Sponsors who send the 24 Tributes things like medicine, food, weapons, and more in the area via silver parachutes.  The only way to get Sponsors is to make a spectacular first impression at the opening ceremonies, interviews, the training arena, and a number of other events that take place before the Hunger Games.  Keeping with this theme, the #HungerGames24 campaign has chosen 24 cities (2 for each District) to host Advanced Screenings. 

In order to unlock these screenings, Twitter users (Citizens) tweet their city's unique hashtag along with the promotional hashtag #HungerGames24.  Then, starting March 1, the top four cities (based on volume of tweets) will be announced daily and 24 fans (Tributes) from that city will have the chance to win a pair of Advanced Screening tickets from their city's (District's) "Sponsor."  Sponsors include Fandango, IGN, and Moviefone. 

For Hunger Games fans out there, Phoenix's (District 12) hashtag is #hungergames24PHX.  And if you decide to participate, may the odds be ever in your favor.