We recently did a post on a video that – at that point – had only about 4ooo views. We openly questioned the authenticity of the vid and suspected that it was a blatant attempt at viral marketing (for those romantics who can be easily impressed?). Well, it turns out we were right.
Apparently our star from an earlier post – none other than Michael Krivicka – also did this “romantic” video (how ironic, that we had done a previous video on a prank iPhone app and this one turns out to be by him as well). As this video currently has over 400,000 views, the guy obviously has a talent for these kinds of viral vids.
But not everyone is impressed by his penchant for trickery. Mr Krivicka is treading a slippery slope, because while he is getting results he is also generating angst among other online users:
In viral efforts the same thing is happening, but you believe the message is genuine due to your trust in the messenger. This technique has become a very a profitable form of promotion – and deceit.
The video is charming, too bad it’s not genuine. Trust and honesty are tried and true techniques that withstand the test of time, and all marketing fads (Adam Rosen, Cult of Mac)
Funnily enough, recent research reveals that honesty is less important to people than cleverness. Perhaps Mr Krivicka knows this? What do you think folks?