A mashup/remix:

Don’t miss the remixes of the David After the Dentist video and Christian Bale going apeshit on the set of Terminator 4 remix

I now present you with the Ultimate Showdown: Christian Bale vs. Bill O’Reilly

Click the image to enlarge.

This is the teaser trailer for Oliver Stone’s upcoming film ‘W.’ George ‘Dubya’ Bush should be proud such a critically acclaimed director such as Oliver Stone chose to chronicle his life and career.

Here is an interesting opinion. Someone suggests that we should not spend a dollar on a movie about G.W. What do you think? Does Oliver Stone and Lionsgate Fims deserve to profit from George Bush’s life story? Would NOT going to the theater make a bigger statement about G.W. than seeing the movie in mass numbers? Do you plan on seeing it in the theaters? I’m curious to see how he is portrayed but from the looks of the trailer it is pretty obvious.

Tonight I am proud to say that there is a new player in the world of Mixed Martial Arts.  For years now UFC has been the leading pioneer in the MMA world. Tonight, Affliction Clothing has put on a stellar debut PPV event with Affliction: Banned and stepped up the competiton  putting together an organization that truly rivals what UFC has built. Granted there were a few minor production issues but for a debut card,  Affliction has assembled an event that is as top notch as it gets for any MMA PPV. Matt Linland, Andrei Arlovski, Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Vitor Belfort, Aleksander Emelianenko, Fedor Emelianenko and Tim Sylvia to name a few with legendary thrash metal band Megadeth providing a backdrop to round out the entertainment. Announcing the fights were UFC/Pride veteran Frank Trigg, UFC referee Big John McCarthy and Jay Glazer with the legendary Herb Dean in the ring as referee.

When I heard about the matchup between Fedor and Sylvia I immediately knew that Sylvia would get rocked and although I have all the respect in the world for Fedor’s ferocity and tact I did not imagine that the fight would last only 36 seconds. Sylvia is a good fighter but I knew he was going to be no match for Tim ‘Maine-Iac’ Sylvia. Fedor who admittedly aims to end a fight as quickly as possible came out swinging fast and hard. It doesn’t seem to matter where Fedor lands a punch. Wherever he hits, it is obvious that it stings to the bone. Immediately Sylvia was simply overwhelmed by the power that was being unleashed on him and he simply could not defend himself. In seconds Sylvia was down and in less time than that Fedor had Sylvia in a rear naked choke that ended the match with a tap out. I am usually not a fan of short matches and hoped Fedor would have given Sylcia a real chance but have nothing but respect for the talent that Fedor possesses.

As I watched the post fight interview between Big John McCarthy and Fedor, I was asking myself the same question on everyone else’s minds. What MMA fighter in the history of Mixed Martial Arts could contend with the skill, smarts and determination that Fedor Emelianenko has? The only person I could think of is Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture. So When Big John asked that question the entire arena was on their feet. Fedor spoke his native language of mother russia but the translator did not have to answer that Fedor respectfully challenged Randy. Within moments Randy Couture stepped into the ring and greeted Fedor and accepted, saying there were a few things that he would need to work out with the UFC (like leaving them!) but hopefully we would see this match in 2008!

As I said, I have all the respect in the world for Fedor Emelianenko and am seriously worried that the great Randy Couture might end his legacy with a devastating loss, that would still leave him the most respected MMA figure of all time but I always root for the underdog. I think Randy can beat Fedor. I said it. If anyone can beat Fedor it is Randy Cotoure. If he can’t then I don’t think there is a fighter out there that could.

With that said, Affliction Clothing is backed by some major players including Donald Trump. What does this say for UFC? In my opinion I think UFC is a great organization and will always have a massive audience. Time will tell but it is good to see another league that can put together legendary matches as good as any UFC event in recent history.

Did anyone else see the event tonight? What are your thoughts?

This video may not last too long so watch it while you can. Regardless, you should order it on PPV or buy it when it comes out on DVD to support Affliction.

• Donald Trump’s Affliction Challenges UFC’s Dana White for MMA Viewers
• Fedor Emelianenko Can Cement Top Spot With Win Over Sylvia
• UFC Is Not Synonymous With MMA

The short story:  The racy video titled ‘Speed Dressing’ features a pair of teens timing themselves to see how fast they can get dressed before the doorbell rings seemingly simulating an all too familiar scenario most teens (and even adults!) have faced.  At the end of the video the teens then tell the girl’s mother that they are going in the basement to watch a movie while text appears saying “Today’s the day to get away with it.” Critics say the ad is condoning teen sex. Proponents are saying JcPenney obviously does not get viral marketing and that this video has gained more chatter amongst the coveted teen target market than ever before for the brand. Apparently the ad is being said to have been produced by a vendor hired by JcPenney, Saatchi & Saatchi but they seem to be denying this claim. I am interested to see who claims responsibility for authoring this video.

Brand hijacking? Elaborate PR stunt geared at going viral? Thoughts?

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Visa has launched a Facebook application to join the growing ranks of major brands looking to leverage their growth and bridge the gap between traditional main stream media and new marketing. This can be potentially groundbreaking. Just for signing up your small business, Visa is giving away $100 in free advertising credits on Facebook adding up to a $2 million dollar advertising spend on Facebook. Visa is hoping to build a network and an application that will empower business’ to grow, manage and connect with other business owners, vendors and customers by giving them tools, resources and ideas to mesh thier business’ traditional needs with the new wave of consumption we are seeing in the social space.  I don’t know aout you but this excites me. Any web technology that enables B2B, eCommerce and community excites me but this especially because Visa is such a large brand and powerful utility for any business.

What Visa is doing is one of many examples of brands that are executing carefully planned marketing promotions in the social media space. While a lot of business’ and brands are still asking, “Is Social Media going to make me money?” my advice is to benchmark, trend and study what other brands are doing.  SMO  is not like a Meatball Sundae. You can’t just add topping to your ‘marketing sundae’ and expect it to taste good. Like anything else, you get back what you put in. If you simply create social profiles, widgets, applications and advertisements for your brand or business and just walk away from it expecting it to grow, that will send a signal to your audience that you don’t actually care what their needs are. Additionally, if your product doesn’t display your company’s commitment to excellence then it won’t matter what kind of vehicle you add to the mix. Consumers and opinion leaders will see right through it and they will write about it in their blogs. Brands should carefully and cautiously plan their PR 2.0 campaigns and make sure they have a team who truly understands this space because social media and new media marketing most certainly is not a fad that will go away but will continue to prove to be a bridge between traditional and new.

Here is a very short list of brands that I see really executing well with online promotion.

Starbucks

Starbucks launched a social network site called My Starbucks Idea which personifies the good old suggestion box into a living breathing thing. They also launched Headmix shift exchange. I worked at Starbucks as a Barista when I was in college and it was one of the best jobs I have ever had. Changing shifts was a really frustrating process for associates and managers.  This is a great idea.

Comcast

No one can satisfy all of the people all of the time but Comcast is definitely trying to take advatage of social computing and brand measurement that can be gained from actually listening to what people are saying about them online.  Comcast cares.  Chances are if you are microblogging on www.twitter.com and complaining about your cable service with them, or even your cable provider in general you might just get an @reply or a follow from www.twitter.com/comcastcares trying to assist.

If you know of any other brands who are doing it right in social media please share your examples and stories.

Related articles

• Visa taps into Facebook following
• Facebook and Visa Team Up to Target Small Businesses
• Capital One Takes Aim With Slingshot
• Ongoing list of Social Media in the Financial Industry
• Visa Flashes Its Credit Card On Facebook: $2M Ad Spend, Plus Promotional App

Watching Weezer’s new video “Pork and Beans”. It’s like viral video’s greatest hits. This blog on Technipedia lists a who’s who of the viral video world in the video.

“Included in this video is Tay Zonday of Chocolate Rain fame, the Blendtec’s famous “Will it Blend” blender (can you spot it?), Miss Teen South Carolina, the kid behind the famous Romanian Numa Numa video, All Your Base are Belong to Us, Peanut Butter Jelly Time, the “stupid” ninja guy, and a guy who made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for wearing the most t-shirts at any time, among many other internet celebrities.”

I even spotted the OMG SHOE’S guy and it was laced with some Chris Crocker.

Weezer’s new Self-Titled “Red Album” out June 3rd, 2008 which happens to be my birthday. What are your thoughts on the video?  Some say awesome, some say they are not original.

Related articles

• Weezer Gets it All Right
• Weezer understands how to work YouTube: allude to these 24 viral videos [Clips]
• Weezer’s Music Video Full Of Web Stars [Things We Actually Like]

UPDATE: Check out the College Humor mashup!!!!

This has also sparked a dance remix, meltdown compilation, and parody by Steven Colbert (NSFW).