Bing or Bust?
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.
This month, Microsoft launched Bing, their new search service. Bing replaces Live Search, and attempts to compete directly with search juggernaut Google.
To mark the launch, Microsoft has started a $100 million advertising campaign. The ad that’s gained the most attention online is below:
Microsoft has taken an interesting angle with this. Looking past the rather unsubtle implications of pairing current search engines with economic chaos and collapse (Google caused the economic meltdown? Really?), Bing is being positioned as a “decision engine” that provides the results people need to make good choices, instead of the usual “information overload.” Looking at blog responses and site comments, the tactic doesn’t seem to be resonating with a lot of their audience, but it’s sure getting people talking about Bing.
Pingback: Microsoft Wants to Take You Back to Basics | Shopping Center Weekly()