Viral Marketing: Also known as Word of Mouth Advertising. Any strategy that encourages individuals to pass on a marketing message to others, thus creating the potential for exponential growth in the message’s exposure and influence. Just like viruses, such strategies take advantage of rapid multiplication to explode the message to thousands, even to millions.

Hopefully you’re taking some time off for the holidays. Time for family, friends, rest and relaxation. But just so you don’t get bored, we’ve got a few fun ways to pass the time this week.

First, our pick for top viral video of 2008:

Where the Hell is Matt is a great reminder for a season that strives for peace on earth and goodwill to men. It’s a beautiful video, and a great viral achievement with over 14 million views. And it makes us here at SCW smile every time we watch it.

Now for the fun stuff! Christmas is a great time to spread some viral cheer, and many companies put a lot of work into their annual greetings. Here are a few that we’ve found or been sent – share any you stumble upon in the comments:

Seasons greetings: Want to spice up your annual Christmas letter? Wish you had a few more things to brag about? Rubbaglove has you covered with their Christmas Round Robin. This one’s probably most relevant to our UK readers.

Play in the snow: Geronimo is having an office snowball fight, and you’re invited. Our best score (so far) is 3340. Can you top it?

Your name in lights: Clearly Torchbox had a lot of fun putting together this personalized holiday greeting.

A very compact Christmas: Blink Digital has put a whole Christmas in a box, for your convenience – make sure to watch this one after you’re home for the holidays, because it has a couple risque frames!

“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”

Ovid

(43 BC – 17 AD)

Christmas can be a terrible time for theft-related crimes. With car theives targetting shoppers who leave packages in their vehicles, and burglars who scope out the best targets from their Christmas refuse, there are many extra safety considerations to make during the holidays.

That’s why the police are out in force at Owlcotes Centre and Bramley Shopping Centre in West Yorkshire, UK. They aren’t there to look out for crooks, though. They’re there to help out shoppers.

The police will be giving away timers and low-energy outdoor lights to help discourage burglars, and handbag alarms to deter purse snatchers. They’ll also offer shoppers valuable safety and prevention advice.

Here’s to a safe, happy holiday season for everyone.

Christmas is far from the only cause for celebration this season.

Reef Mall in Dubai just finished celebrating Eid al-Adha, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world. The shopping center celebrated the festival in style, with Dhabke dancers and Khaleeji dancers. The center also held craft workshops for children, and a raffle for a large cash prize.

With the rapid expansion of the shopping center industry in Dubai, malls are finding that more and more, they need to balance the needs of many different audiences. With Eid falling so close to Christmas this year, some, like the Dubai Mall, are finding themselves decorating for both holidays at once.

Is your mall celebrating more than one major holiday this season?

Upper Canada Mall’s customer service center popped into a neighboring town earlier this month. Read about it in the upcoming edition of Tactics Magazine.

Has ‘No’ become the most common reminder note that shoppers are taking with them to the mall?
Find out in the January edition of Marketing Trendz, as we review three growing consumer trends.