How to build buzz for your business using a conspiracy theme

A video uploaded to YouTube is a supposedly Russian news clip, reporting the assassination attempt on a scientist and the subsequent shooting of the would-be killer. Other uploads have been taken down by the Russian government. "Global community" Mir-12 is attempting to uncover the truth concerning a Russian conspiracy surrounding a top secret Soviet weapon testing program that took place during World War Two.

But in fact this is all part of an alternate reality game, using a fashionable "conspiracy" theme and blurring the edges of fact and fiction... And that's exactly what "viral marketing" is all about...

Alternate Reality Game MIR-12 Truth

It should come as no big surprise that this happens. People have been using fear to make money for years - think gold.

But there really is a niche of people - conspiracy theorists, etc. who aren't duped by traditional forms of marketing. However, by tapping into their deep seated suspicions and fears they can be manipulated into buying anything - endless consumer goods, a BS storyline, a bunker with food for four for one year or gold.

Just think about how much money was made on Y2K. Now think how much more money might be made on 2012 as exponentially more people are plugged into the internet than ever before and are subject to the fear, uncertainty and doubt that spreads like a virus around the web. They don't call it viral for nothing, right?

Couple that with Disaster Capitalism and the next few years may well make Y2K look pale by comparison. It will be exhausting to say the least.

[edit on 13/12/2009 by kosmicjack]