Viral Marketing in forums (aka studio cronies posing as users to create hype)...

[Derkesthai]

Until recently I use to do this for WB. I was involved in The Dark Knight's massive barrage of forum hype. I have many different user names across the web, all there to do nothing but hype TDK. I use to do this and felt really guilty about it. Back before anything for TDK was released we were hired to hype up Ledger as the Joker (God rest his soul). WB knew fans would hate the idea, so it was our job to make them love it before any picture of Ledger's Joker was leaked. It was interesting how our constant barrage of hype infected the web as a whole, but I felt really bad about constantly attacking anyone who would question Ledger's Joker in the slightest. It is one thing to get paid to say "hey I think this movie will rock", but it's another thing to get paid to basically bully others into submission. That's why I left, because I already did this crap for TDK and I really didn't want to have to go through this again with T4.

I'm just curious what everyone in JoBlo-land thinks about this. Was I right to quit, or was I just acting childish over something trivial? Also, what are your thoughts on this type of viral marketing? Is it too deceptive or is it harmless?

[slumber party69]

Writes the guy with a batman avatar.Subliminal messaging i think he`s using here.

[Brendan M.]

Sounds stupid. No internet guy forcing his opinion on me is going to change my mind. I had doubts about Heath Ledger when he was first announced as the joker too, but it wasn't people on the forums who convinced me to think otherwise, it was when I remembered that I'm a huge fan of Christopher Nolan and that he had to know what he was doing. It's his performace that's been convincing people, not some other fan's opinions.

I remember some people on superherohype forums who kept chanting that Topher Grace was a good choice for Venom but I never believed them, and he turned out to be a horrible Venom like I had originally expected.

[Derkesthai]

It is kind of stupid, but the thought behind it is that people are basically sheep. Enough people say that the sky is green and others will start to second guess what they see. I remember on Superhero hype certain users were ranting about how the Joker shouldn't look like a guy wearing makeup, that his skin should look like it is really that chalky white. After we were done those very same users now defend the Joker as a guy wearing makeup.

[JJFlamingo]

If you were cashing a paycheck for doing this then more power to ya...

[Monotreme]

Getting paid to write about movies on internet forums? Where do I sign up?!

[Cronos]

Getting paid to write about movies on internet forums? Where do I sign up?!
That's what I was wondering :D

[CyclicNightmare]

All the internet hype in the world can't save T4.

[Brendan M.]

How much did you get paid to do this?

[Gordon]

I think everyone here is jealous to hell of you. I admire your integrity, I even more admire the genius of said marketing tactics.

[dennisv]

Getting paid to write about movies on internet forums? Where do I sign up?!

I second that.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Uh oh , a ringer , much like those guys who go into investing forums and pump up worthless penny stocks :) .


Although i would say what you do is disingenuous , it's not exactly illegal . I couldn't do it myself , because i like to discuss films for the enjoyment , i wouldn't want to be dishonest about what i think about films for monetary gain , it just wouldn't be right .

And , even after all this time , i still don't think Ledger was the best choice for the Joker , yes , his performance looks inspired , but i can't help but think he's channeling Jim Carrey's fey Riddler , Carrey's Mask character , Lee Jones Two Face , and Nicholson's Joker , a venerable cornucopia of past Batman villains .

[Badbird]

Surprised no one has brought up Addicted2Bayhem yet...

I don't know. It does seem a bit underhanded to pose as just a fan on a movie community website. It just sounds like it'd be really boring to me.

But I guess it's worked to a degree, because I can't find a Dark Knight message board anywhere that doesn't worship Heath Ledger's cock like he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Or even the greatest thing that was the greatest thing before sliced bread.

[dellamorte dellamore]

What you say , i thought Ledger invented acting And the Joker character .

[KcMsterpce]

What you say , i thought Ledger invented acting And the Joker character .

He did. What the hell are you talking about? It feels like you're being sarcastic or something. :)

[electriclite]

Surprised no one has brought up Addicted2Bayhem yet...

I don't know. It does seem a bit underhanded to pose as just a fan on a movie community website. It just sounds like it'd be really boring to me.

But I guess it's worked to a degree, because I can't find a Dark Knight message board anywhere that doesn't worship Heath Ledger's cock like he's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Or even the greatest thing that was the greatest thing before sliced bread.

Well before the footage was released, everyone was on Nicholson's cock, and to a lesser extent, Mark Hamill's.

[jdparker]

Of course you should feel bad about yourself. Since I'm assuming you yourself are a movie fan I can safely say - you sold out to the man. Shit, there is way worse things you can do, and I can even see the appeal of your 'job' but c'mon man, you knew what you were doing was wrong and you did it anyways... Sorry but your a sell out. And kind of a liar. At least you quit, which makes you better than the assholes out there still doing it.

If your not a movie fan and just some suit than it's even worse. If that's the case I just hope you disappear forever. Stop fucking around with the only shit I love.

Looking for some alleviation of guilt? Look somewhere else. I don't got a problem with advertising - but I got a big problem with lying. We got enough problems reading through the bullshit of studios and critics without supposed 'fans' adding to the stinking pile.

PS: You should post your fake usernames so that they can be banned. What are they? Lemme guess... CorporateWhore69? SellOut3? LedgerIsCoool? FuckMyAssWithA20$Bill?

[dellamorte dellamore]

He did. What the hell are you talking about? It feels like you're being sarcastic or something. :)


Who me ...... neverrr . ;)

[Derkesthai]

Well, I'm officially off of T4's forum hype. I missed the opening and I'm kind of glad. Most of TDK veterans are now on T4, plus even more have been brought on board. Everyone should now brace themselves for a massive amount of love for T4 to start swarming the internet, as well as a huge defensive for McG.