August 19, 2009
Well, doggonit, ain’t it a story bout listenin’ & engagin’
By: David Alston
Well, I’m sure all y’all would agree that we’ve seen some great cases out there for some good ol’ social media listenin’ and engagin’. And, by golly, we’re bound to see lots more. We thought it might be fun to inject a bit of playful humor into the subject with a few tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek videos. We released our first one this morning.
The story follows the adventure of a young songwriter as he tries to make a name for himself on the Youtubes and the Interwebs. The show is called ‘Classic Virals’ and the song is called ‘Convenience Store Chain’.
And, yes indeedy folks, that’s my alter ego, Johnny C. doin’ the interviewin’. Heck, ya gotta have some fun at whatever you’re doin’ or well, life will just done pass ya by. Hope you enjoy the video as much as we did making it.
And hey, afterward, please let us know what you think of this video approach.
- Would you use it with your C-Suite as a “let’s not take ourselves to seriously” part of making your case for building out your company’s listening and engagement capabilities?
- If you are an agency, would you show your clients this video as a light-hearted way to break the ice and make the point of why they need to be listening and, indeed, what benefits they could derive from it?
Excellent job! This was a fun way to start the morning off! I’m looking forward to seeing more of Johnny C.
The video was well polished, well written and performed, loved the Saint John backdrops! I don’t know the numbers regarding viral clip lengths (and how long someone is willing to watch) but it did seem a little long. Many small and medium sized businesses (over 90% of NB) don’t have the marketing ability to produce such a great quality video. On a sequel be great to see an example of a 30 sec home video type of presentation that could be easily reproduced in-house by most organizations. Very funny material, enjoyed it very much, mmmm could go for some haggus on a stick myself.
Hi David -
First of all, this is very well done. Just the right level of campiness and humor.
On the ‘would I share it with executives’ I would say it depends. It’s great for consumer brands (obviously) but I’m not sure it would work with most of the B2B crowd…but I will be interested in seeing if it does resonate with them.
Regardless, I liked it and I certainly think the best way to be educated is to be amused
Rachel
Hey there guys, thanks for all of the feedback. It was definitely a hoot to make so glad it was enjoyable.
@justin – I’ll let you know when Johnny C. is playin’ with his band in the Boston area
@mary – thanks for that feedback. Yes it’s definitely something to shoot for next in terms of length.
@Jason – actually the gang at Hemmings House Pictures provides extremely affordable services – and you can see the amazing quality that we got. They are top notch. I’ll see if Greg can comment further on that for you.
@Rachel – good point. We’ll have to see if we can incorporate a b2b story in the future.
Hey there guys, thanks for all of the feedback. It was definitely a hoot to make so glad it was enjoyable.
@justin – I’ll let you know when Johnny C. is playin’ with his band in the Boston area
@mary – thanks for that feedback. Yes it’s definitely something to shoot for next in terms of length.
@Jason – actually the gang at Hemmings House Pictures provides extremely affordable services – and you can see the amazing quality that we got. They are top notch. I’ll see if Greg can comment further on that for you.
@Rachel – good point. We’ll have to see if we can incorporate a b2b story in the future.
Hey there guys, thanks for all of the feedback. It was definitely a hoot to make so glad it was enjoyable.
@justin – I'll let you know when Johnny C. is playin' with his band in the Boston area
@mary – thanks for that feedback. Yes it's definitely something to shoot for next in terms of length.
@Jason – actually the gang at Hemmings House Pictures provides extremely affordable services – and you can see the amazing quality that we got. They are top notch. I'll see if Greg can comment further on that for you.
@Rachel – good point. We'll have to see if we can incorporate a b2b story in the future.
Hey @Jason !!!
Great point my friend, this stuff looks expensive and too large for most small businesses, however we are trying to evangelize the corporate world that it really doesn’t break the bank to get quality web video products. I personally think it is amazing that Youtube has given the opportunity to the “people” to create great content. A result of this however (as a television producer’s perspective) is that we often forget that there is still a large market for higher quality video content…of course at affordable costs.
At the end of the day we only work on videos that we have fun making, and we love Radian 6′s openness to experimenting with ya
YEEEEHAW!
Thanks for all the comments guys and gals…next one will be shorter, and lets see where “Shwolly Polly” ends up!
Hey @Jason !!!
Great point my friend, this stuff looks expensive and too large for most small businesses, however we are trying to evangelize the corporate world that it really doesn’t break the bank to get quality web video products. I personally think it is amazing that Youtube has given the opportunity to the “people” to create great content. A result of this however (as a television producer’s perspective) is that we often forget that there is still a large market for higher quality video content…of course at affordable costs.
At the end of the day we only work on videos that we have fun making, and we love Radian 6′s openness to experimenting with ya
YEEEEHAW!
Thanks for all the comments guys and gals…next one will be shorter, and lets see where “Shwolly Polly” ends up!
Hey @Jason !!!
Great point my friend, this stuff looks expensive and too large for most small businesses, however we are trying to evangelize the corporate world that it really doesn't break the bank to get quality web video products. I personally think it is amazing that Youtube has given the opportunity to the "people" to create great content. A result of this however (as a television producer's perspective) is that we often forget that there is still a large market for higher quality video content…of course at affordable costs.
At the end of the day we only work on videos that we have fun making, and we love Radian 6's openness to experimenting with ya
YEEEEHAW!
Thanks for all the comments guys and gals…next one will be shorter, and lets see where "Shwolly Polly" ends up!
Hi@Greg – I love the term “evangelizing the corporate world” I’m going to use that! I am in the corporate culture shifting line of work myself. Anything I can do to help support NB businesses just let me know!
Hi@Greg – I love the term “evangelizing the corporate world” I’m going to use that! I am in the corporate culture shifting line of work myself. Anything I can do to help support NB businesses just let me know!
Love. Love love love.
Big ol’ box of meat. Haggis on a stick. Listen & Engage… it’s got everything!!!
(p.s. best #allhat hat evah!)
Love. Love love love.
Big ol’ box of meat. Haggis on a stick. Listen & Engage… it’s got everything!!!
(p.s. best #allhat hat evah!)
Love. Love love love.
Big ol' box of meat. Haggis on a stick. Listen & Engage… it's got everything!!!
(p.s. best #allhat hat evah!)
Well done, Johnny C! I agree with Rachel on the best way to educate is through humor and y’all have got that down with Jay Maclean’s little reggae, Scottish cheer ditty! Yep, you made me listen again so I could take in the one liners.
Maybe you can weave in how the business found out about the issue so quickly next time. I find execs are overwhelmed with the possibility of "all that online chatter" until they see a dashboard view and walkthrough how easy it is to respond via R6′s workflow tool.
Looking forward to seeing what’s next from Classic Virals! Thanks for helping out on the education front…we need it. We should film one of these classic virals at the next #allhat gathering.
Well done, Johnny C! I agree with Rachel on the best way to educate is through humor and y\’all have got that down with Jay Maclean\’s little reggae, Scottish cheer ditty! Yep, you made me listen again so I could take in the one liners.
Maybe you can weave in how the business found out about the issue so quickly next time. I find execs are overwhelmed with the possibility of \"all that online chatter\" until they see a dashboard view and walkthrough how easy it is to respond via R6\’s workflow tool.
Looking forward to seeing what\’s next from Classic Virals! Thanks for helping out on the education front…we need it. We should film one of these classic virals at the next #allhat gathering.
Very clever, and a nice blend of polished effects and setting along with a casual, relaxed feel. Well done!
Yes, I agree this type of piece would be a great way to set the tone for a meeting about 360 degree feedback involving both solicited an non (those ‘tubes and ‘webs at work), and how the insight can be put to work to further customer relations, customer experience, and brand perception.
Can’t wait for the next installment!
Very clever, and a nice blend of polished effects and setting along with a casual, relaxed feel. Well done!
Yes, I agree this type of piece would be a great way to set the tone for a meeting about 360 degree feedback involving both solicited an non (those \’tubes and \’webs at work), and how the insight can be put to work to further customer relations, customer experience, and brand perception.
Can\’t wait for the next installment!
Nice play and well done! Jay we miss ya but man I am sorry we wont be hav'n haggis anytime soon! But if its Red Whale Coffee, tea or cheesecake your kilt wear'n soul craves, were here for ya!
Love,
The Red Whaler
Nice play and well done! Jay we miss ya but man I am sorry we wont be hav’n haggis anytime soon! But if its Red Whale Coffee, tea or cheesecake your kilt wear’n soul craves, were here for ya!
Love,
The Red Whaler
Nice play and well done! Jay we miss ya but man I am sorry we wont be hav’n haggis anytime soon! But if its Red Whale Coffee, tea or cheesecake your kilt wear’n soul craves, were here for ya!
Love,
The Red Whaler
@zena – Thanks for that feedback. I love your ideas. And you've got me thinking on the #allhat angle as well. Cool.
@heather – thanks and also great idea. Going deeper on that would definitely be something to try to weave in.
@sean – thanks for the feedback Sean. A little coffee and cheesecake would go well after a wee bit of haggis
@zena – Thanks for that feedback. I love your ideas. And you’ve got me thinking on the #allhat angle as well. Cool.
@heather – thanks and also great idea. Going deeper on that would definitely be something to try to weave in.
@sean – thanks for the feedback Sean. A little coffee and cheesecake would go well after a wee bit of haggis
@zena – Thanks for that feedback. I love your ideas. And you’ve got me thinking on the #allhat angle as well. Cool.
@heather – thanks and also great idea. Going deeper on that would definitely be something to try to weave in.
@sean – thanks for the feedback Sean. A little coffee and cheesecake would go well after a wee bit of haggis
Nicely done video. Just the right mix of humor and info. As I watched it I was thinking that it describes some of what your company does without being annoying in a sales-y way, but after reading the comments, I guess some people might wonder what the point was. I think you could be a little more upfront about R6 being the solution to the problem…just a little.
I agree that this could be done inexpensively, especially in the current economy. BTW, being from LA (Lower Alabama) I can teach Johnny C how to talk more like a hick if you think it’s needed. 
Hey thanks Janie. Yeah, it's always the line between being to salesy with any content focused video. I wanted it to address the need and then potentially the discussion following watching it might be around what to now do and what tools to use to do the same as the Convenience Store Chain.
And thanks for the offer to teach me a better country twang. I did notice I flowed in and out of it
Will have to get together with a good ol' jug a moonshine sometime and fine tune the accent 
Hey thanks Janie. Yeah, it’s always the line between being to salesy with any content focused video. I wanted it to address the need and then potentially the discussion following watching it might be around what to now do and what tools to use to do the same as the Convenience Store Chain.
And thanks for the offer to teach me a better country twang. I did notice I flowed in and out of it
Will have to get together with a good ol’ jug a moonshine sometime and fine tune the accent 
Hey thanks Janie. Yeah, it’s always the line between being to salesy with any content focused video. I wanted it to address the need and then potentially the discussion following watching it might be around what to now do and what tools to use to do the same as the Convenience Store Chain.
And thanks for the offer to teach me a better country twang. I did notice I flowed in and out of it
Will have to get together with a good ol’ jug a moonshine sometime and fine tune the accent 
David! I have experienced the true Tennessee Moonshine in my early dayzem, its what led me on a journey that ended up collaborating on slightly off kiltered projects with you! haha.
@Jason … Id love to chat sometime, my email is greg@hemmingshousepictures.com, collaboration is in my blood!
Janie! Thanks for the input, I have a very important question…when attempting to make online video content that carries a message (or a brand), are the viewers forgiving to obvious branding, or do we need to mask it with entertainment value? I have always wondered how web viewers react to blatant branding, or
if they are forgiving if there is an exchange of quality content / entertainment? I am a television producer and with a transforming industry on the screen, we are always pushing the limits of what is acceptable to viewers with regards to pushing brands. Its the future (and the present) of content financing, just like to hear your thoughts!
Cheers!
Greg
David! I have experienced the true Tennessee Moonshine in my early dayzem, its what led me on a journey that ended up collaborating on slightly off kiltered projects with you! haha.
@Jason … Id love to chat sometime, my email is greg@hemmingshousepictures.com, collaboration is in my blood!
Janie! Thanks for the input, I have a very important question…when attempting to make online video content that carries a message (or a brand), are the viewers forgiving to obvious branding, or do we need to mask it with entertainment value? I have always wondered how web viewers react to blatant branding, or
if they are forgiving if there is an exchange of quality content / entertainment? I am a television producer and with a transforming industry on the screen, we are always pushing the limits of what is acceptable to viewers with regards to pushing brands. Its the future (and the present) of content financing, just like to hear your thoughts!
Cheers!
Greg
Hi Greg. That's a really good question. I think it depends on your audience and the context in which they are viewing. For this video on this site I think viewers would be a little more forgiving. For TV or other venues where the purpose might be purely entertainment, they may be a little less forgiving. A focus group might provide you some good feedback on a brief video or series of videos with varying degrees of branding.
Anyone else have other ideas or thoughts on this?
All the best,
Janie
Hi Greg. That’s a really good question. I think it depends on your audience and the context in which they are viewing. For this video on this site I think viewers would be a little more forgiving. For TV or other venues where the purpose might be purely entertainment, they may be a little less forgiving. A focus group might provide you some good feedback on a brief video or series of videos with varying degrees of branding.
Anyone else have other ideas or thoughts on this?
All the best,
Janie
Hi Greg. That’s a really good question. I think it depends on your audience and the context in which they are viewing. For this video on this site I think viewers would be a little more forgiving. For TV or other venues where the purpose might be purely entertainment, they may be a little less forgiving. A focus group might provide you some good feedback on a brief video or series of videos with varying degrees of branding.
Anyone else have other ideas or thoughts on this?
All the best,
Janie
Hey – very funny & effective in getting the point across about monitoring & responding to social media. First thing you notice is the great video quality (& great actors !!). With context/set-up & slightly shorter length, it would certainly work as part of presentation – even in C-suite. The only question is whether a ‘created’ story would be as powerful as a ‘real’ one that has proven results/impact.
Hey – very funny & effective in getting the point across about monitoring & responding to social media. First thing you notice is the great video quality (& great actors !!). With context/set-up & slightly shorter length, it would certainly work as part of presentation – even in C-suite. The only question is whether a ‘created’ story would be as powerful as a ‘real’ one that has proven results/impact.
Hey thanks Eleanor. We’ll certainly have lots of good real examples to point to as well with our case studies.
Hey thanks Eleanor. We’ll certainly have lots of good real examples to point to as well with our case studies.