attachment:ubuntu_viral_vid_logo_sml.png

Outline

The idea is to raise the brand awareness of Ubuntu by using the power of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_marketing viral marketing]. Given the success of the [http://www.firefoxflicks.com Firefox Flicks] campaign it may be wise to learn from Mozilla and use Firefox Flicks as a template for our project.

The structure of this idea will follow a similar line to Firefox Flicks. Contributors will be able to submit short films advertising Ubuntu where they will then be voted upon by site visitors.

So, what is a viral video? As it happens, The Times has a pretty good article called 'The top ten viral ad campaigns'. [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article2138718.ece Check it out], and watch some of the videos. As it says in the writeup "The ideal campaign is edgy, surprising, original, erotic and emotional – and taps into popular culture."

Planning/Ideas

How to encourage creator-participation

Would it help if we reward creators with something (money, recognition, 1 free year of official support, etc)? Or have prizes for the top videos?

Re: How to encourage creator-participation

• It might be an idea to have a word with Canonical on that one once we get a prototype in place. Something like a Dell laptop with Ubuntu would be pretty cool ChrisRowson

Liaising with Mozilla

Given that Mozilla have already done this, and replicating work is often daft, it'd be a good idea to get in touch with them to see if any code is available that may be helpful to us. It'd also be great to draw upon Mozilla's experience of this type of project to see how successful it is.

Figure out hosting options

How are we going to host this. Private hosting is available if needed, but could Canonical help?

• Motin: I am the CTO of Videoboom.com and a long time follower of Ubuntu and FLOSS. With some help of fellow Ubuntians I am sure I can offer hosting of around 5000 contributions on an individual channel of Videoboom.com - http://www.videoboom.com. Maybe available under http://ubuntu.videoboom.com, http://video.ubuntu.com or similar. The color scheme can be Ubuntu-brown and the Videoboom logo can be replaced by Ubuntu's. Is this interesting? Please let me know. You can chat with me on Gmail/Jabber: fredrik DOT motin AT gmail DOT com. Since I use FLOSS everyday developing the site it would be the least I can offer. Cheers! We also have an offer from dailymotion.com to do pretty much the same kind of thing.

How to populate website pre-launch?

How are we going to get some videos up on the site before we launch it to the public?

How are we going to promote the website?

There are a few channels, but how are we going to promote the website?

• I'm interested in artwork too, so I've put together a quick 'web 2.0' type logo jobbie for the concept, you can find it at the top of this page. I took the normal ubuntu logo and added a glass effect. ChrisRowson

  One idea would be to address the community of people who are likely to be able to help create a good video. I'm guessing that this means places like youtube, operator11, google vids etc. Getting interest from the video community will probably be easier if we create a video ourselves asking for help. When in Rome.... ChrisRowson

Tasks

Ideas for videos

Although this wiki page is ideally for discussing the creation of a website which allows users to contribute their own videos about Ubuntu, comments on creating videos can go here for now.

Capitalize on the Push for Vista

Show an IT guy at a corporate office noting that 80% of all workstations will need to be upgraded for the Vista deployment. Show the machines getting removed, sent away, ending up somewhere else, getting reloaded, and redeployed to a low income urban family or to a school child in Africa or something and they smile as they get the well known Ubuntu login sound. Their computer works great with Ubuntu and they are happy to have it. - [:Viridari:Magnus Hedemark]

Re: Capitalize on the Push for Vista

• ..Nice idea, but there's a risk here the audience will associate Ubuntu with 'An operating system for Africa / people with low income' while it's (also) meant for themselves! I do like the concept, though - perhaps with a slogan like 'No Need to Upgrade - Ubuntu'. Or 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. Ubuntu.' - [:iGadget:Matthijs ten Kate]

Tie All Ads Together Somehow

I think the Ubuntu login sound ought to figure in to each of these videos, maybe at the end of each one with a nicely rendered Ubuntu name and logo. Some people are going to remember the name, others will remember the logo, but some people are more attuned to sounds and that is the most universally known sound to a Ubuntu user. - [:Viridari:Magnus Hedemark]

An idea seen, too good to miss

A bit in advance, apologies, but I saw this page reporting viral video activity http://johnc4510.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/ubuntu-viral-videos/ and it links to a brilliant example for ubuntu vs MAC. I would love to see this simple idea developed! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V2oF_BNO5U ' they have to solve a problem and ubuntu get help from the comunity and mac is … all alone very cool concept....' aeclist trousers at candt dot waitrose dot com for email please remove trousers