Icetruck.tv looks like a normal Youtube knockoff at first glance. It has friendly soft blue icons with rounded edges that just scream, "let's watch dramatic chipmunks all day long." But beneath the unsuspecting veneer lies one of the greatest viral marketing campaigns to hit the internet since Al Gore invented it so long ago.The Icetruck site is actually a webvertisment for Showtime's Dexter, about a serial killer who works as a forensic analyst to help catch murderers. If that doesn't sound cool enough, it stars Michael C. Hall from Six Feet Under. What more do you need?
The website features a customizable video that you can send to your friends. As unknowing victims watch the faux news report, things turn from creepy to dreadful when they see their name splattered in blood against a wall with the message "You are next," followed by a shot of a handwritten note that features information too personal to be coincidental. Eventually, they'll realize its a marketing campaign for Dexter -- to promote the UK premier -- but the few moments of terror before the realization are priceless if not at least slightly comical.
So go to the website and send it to as many friends as possible. See if any of them believe that their life is in danger. Hey, all is fair in the world of premium television promos.
[via Pop Candy]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-10-2007 @ 9:02AM
Jimbo said...
Al Gore never said he invented the Internet, you hack!
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8-10-2007 @ 10:24AM
Tim said...
This is an advertisement for the show airing in the UK. I think this is for season 1 which we have already seen but will soon be airing on FX UK.
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8-10-2007 @ 10:46AM
cs0875 said...
But Al Gore did say he helped "initiate" the Internet, which is just as much of a lie.
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8-10-2007 @ 11:31AM
Borat said...
I have watched the first 2 episodes of season 2, and let me say that this show is AWESOME.
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8-10-2007 @ 12:01PM
Joey Geraci said...
Al Gore was on the senate committee that was initially responsible for setting up many of the rules for the internet that has allowed it to flourish to its current extent. You might want to do a hint of research before making statements.
As far as the site, since the site itself doesn't seem to be functional, I really don't see how this even qualifies as viral marketing. If it was a real site, with real videos on it, where you could really comment, then maybe. But as it is, I wouldn't call it viral.
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8-10-2007 @ 12:14PM
Nathan said...
Do you people really believe he was saying Al Gore invented the internet. It's an internet joke. People refer to it all the time. Calm Down.
Dexter is great, didn't miss an episode the first season and up 2 on the second. Can't wait for it to start.
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8-10-2007 @ 3:59PM
David said...
The Al gore thing is not just an internet joke, back in 200 there is the Snickers commerical that has Bush and Gore agrueing on the guy's shoulder. Bush says "I wear pants" and Gore says "I invented pants" or something like that. :)
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8-12-2007 @ 12:01AM
Cody said...
Al Gore invented global warming.
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