Make-Your-Own-Commercial Contest – Heinz Involves Clients To “Top This!”
Who doesn’t like ketchup? Everyone uses the stuff – it would be safe to say that it’s a household staple in every country in the western world. Heinz decided to let their huge fan following take the lead in marketing the world’s favourite red condiment.
Through the use of YouTube, Heinz asked the general public to submit their own videos of ketchup, and what they like to use it on. About 8,000 entires came in for the innovative campaign, only about half of which were submitted to YouTube. The amateur commercials have received more than 2.3 million views, and over 80,000 hours were spent watching them. A few examples: squelching a toddler’s tantrum; inducing states of bliss; uniting an irate couple; and comforting a soldier abroad. Contestants are vying for the chance to win $57,000.
This isn’t the first “make-your-own-commercial†contest done by a big brand, but it has drawn in the most contestants. Malibu Caribbean Rum only had 270 entries (only 84 hit YouTube) and the Doritos Super Bowl ad contest received about 1,000. Other similar contests were held by Pepsi, Jeep, Dove, Spring and Converse.