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Top 10 Innovative Movie Marketing Campaigns


sometimes all it takes to make a movie

sometimes all it takes to make a movie successful is great advertising can’t

successful is great advertising can’t

successful is great advertising can’t believe we’re paying it see something we

believe we’re paying it see something we

believe we’re paying it see something we get on TV for free welcome to

get on TV for free welcome to

get on TV for free welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten

down our picks for the top ten

down our picks for the top ten innovative movie marketing campaigns

innovative movie marketing campaigns

innovative movie marketing campaigns unbelievable no I know why everybody

unbelievable no I know why everybody

unbelievable no I know why everybody wants a piece of here

wants a piece of here

wants a piece of here for this list we’re looking at those

for this list we’re looking at those

for this list we’re looking at those movie ads and ad campaigns that went

movie ads and ad campaigns that went

movie ads and ad campaigns that went above and beyond to create intense buzz

above and beyond to create intense buzz

above and beyond to create intense buzz and media speculation for their

and media speculation for their

and media speculation for their respective movies it goes as staggering

respective movies it goes as staggering

respective movies it goes as staggering is the whole North Korea debacle

is the whole North Korea debacle

is the whole North Korea debacle surrounding the interview was it will

surrounding the interview was it will

surrounding the interview was it will not be on the list we are same same same

not be on the list we are same same same

not be on the list we are same same same same but different as it was never

same but different as it was never

same but different as it was never intended as a marketing strategy the act

intended as a marketing strategy the act

intended as a marketing strategy the act of making and screening such a movie

of making and screening such a movie

of making and screening such a movie that portrays an attack on our top

that portrays an attack on our top

that portrays an attack on our top leadership is the most wanton act of

leadership is the most wanton act of

leadership is the most wanton act of terror and act of war and it’s

terror and act of war and it’s

terror and act of war and it’s absolutely intolerable number 10 Toy

absolutely intolerable number 10 Toy

absolutely intolerable number 10 Toy Story 3 I know to come to this fall

Story 3 I know to come to this fall

Story 3 I know to come to this fall everyone oh as the first film in this

everyone oh as the first film in this

everyone oh as the first film in this beloved franchise had been released 15

beloved franchise had been released 15

beloved franchise had been released 15 years earlier the marketing team for Toy

years earlier the marketing team for Toy

years earlier the marketing team for Toy Story 3 had the genius idea of targeting

Story 3 had the genius idea of targeting

Story 3 had the genius idea of targeting the third installment at college-aged

the third installment at college-aged

the third installment at college-aged men and women who had been fans of the

men and women who had been fans of the

men and women who had been fans of the 1995 hit when they were children

Pixar did this by releasing a fake lot

Pixar did this by releasing a fake lot so hug and bear commercial complete with

so hug and bear commercial complete with

so hug and bear commercial complete with cheesy song distorted sound and crappy

cheesy song distorted sound and crappy

cheesy song distorted sound and crappy video quality to give it the effect of

video quality to give it the effect of

video quality to give it the effect of an old 1980s VHS recording

there if that didn’t get the nostalgia

there if that didn’t get the nostalgia flowing enough Pizza Planet job Flyers

flowing enough Pizza Planet job Flyers

flowing enough Pizza Planet job Flyers were also posted across school campuses

were also posted across school campuses

were also posted across school campuses with the attached URL sending visitors

with the attached URL sending visitors

with the attached URL sending visitors to an info page about the movie

to an info page about the movie

to an info page about the movie screening these little dudes are from a

screening these little dudes are from a

screening these little dudes are from a strange alien world Pizza Planet number

strange alien world Pizza Planet number

strange alien world Pizza Planet number nine the ring too

the ring too wasn’t an enormous success

the ring too wasn’t an enormous success as it only made 161 million dollars on a

as it only made 161 million dollars on a

as it only made 161 million dollars on a 50 million dollar budget in order to

50 million dollar budget in order to

50 million dollar budget in order to boost DVD sales the marketing team took

boost DVD sales the marketing team took

boost DVD sales the marketing team took the ingenious approach of using the

the ingenious approach of using the

the ingenious approach of using the movies own signature scare against its

movies own signature scare against its

movies own signature scare against its fans oh it’s kind of late honey

don’t you think you should sleep I never

don’t you think you should sleep I never sleep seven days left calm was set up

sleep seven days left calm was set up

sleep seven days left calm was set up and pranksters were encouraged to enter

and pranksters were encouraged to enter

and pranksters were encouraged to enter the email and phone number of a friend

the email and phone number of a friend

the email and phone number of a friend that friend would then be sent a link to

that friend would then be sent a link to

that friend would then be sent a link to the trailer and as it’s playing their

the trailer and as it’s playing their

the trailer and as it’s playing their phone would ring as you can imagine when

phone would ring as you can imagine when

phone would ring as you can imagine when they answer it they’re met with the

they answer it they’re met with the

they answer it they’re met with the movies creepy seven days warning however

movies creepy seven days warning however

movies creepy seven days warning however it turns out the marketing was scarier

it turns out the marketing was scarier

it turns out the marketing was scarier than the movie itself

number eight

number eight inception it’s never just a dream is it

inception it’s never just a dream is it

inception it’s never just a dream is it inception was shrouded in secrecy before

inception was shrouded in secrecy before

inception was shrouded in secrecy before its release which is always great to get

its release which is always great to get

its release which is always great to get the ball rolling on speculation your

the ball rolling on speculation your

the ball rolling on speculation your dream I need you to draw security away

dream I need you to draw security away

dream I need you to draw security away from the complex you understand the

from the complex you understand the

from the complex you understand the movies website featured only a spinning

movies website featured only a spinning

movies website featured only a spinning top for four months before visitors were

top for four months before visitors were

top for four months before visitors were granted access to the mindcrime online

granted access to the mindcrime online

granted access to the mindcrime online game which when completed gave them

game which when completed gave them

game which when completed gave them access to the movies poster another

access to the movies poster another

access to the movies poster another piece of impressive advertising was a

piece of impressive advertising was a

piece of impressive advertising was a giveaway where t-shirts featuring a QR

giveaway where t-shirts featuring a QR

giveaway where t-shirts featuring a QR code were handed out and that code would

code were handed out and that code would

code were handed out and that code would send users to an instruction manual for

send users to an instruction manual for

send users to an instruction manual for the briefcase used in the film to build

the briefcase used in the film to build

the briefcase used in the film to build the dream space also a book filled with

the dream space also a book filled with

the dream space also a book filled with strange images and text was sent to

strange images and text was sent to

strange images and text was sent to Wired magazine a video game and weird

Wired magazine a video game and weird

Wired magazine a video game and weird cryptic ramblings sign us up

cryptic ramblings sign us up

cryptic ramblings sign us up listen if you’re going to perform

listen if you’re going to perform

listen if you’re going to perform inception you need imagination number 7

inception you need imagination number 7

inception you need imagination number 7 Chronicle

up here I can’t hear you Chronicle

up here I can’t hear you Chronicle follows The Adventures of an abused

follows The Adventures of an abused

follows The Adventures of an abused teenager who gained superhuman powers

teenager who gained superhuman powers

teenager who gained superhuman powers including the ability to fly hello boys

including the ability to fly hello boys

including the ability to fly hello boys what ha ha no wait alright but for such

what ha ha no wait alright but for such

what ha ha no wait alright but for such a small movie its budget being only

a small movie its budget being only

a small movie its budget being only twelve million dollars it had an

twelve million dollars it had an

twelve million dollars it had an ambitious and daring marketing strategy

ambitious and daring marketing strategy

ambitious and daring marketing strategy human-shaped remote-controlled planes

human-shaped remote-controlled planes

human-shaped remote-controlled planes were flown over New York giving the

were flown over New York giving the

were flown over New York giving the wondrous impression of three individuals

wondrous impression of three individuals

wondrous impression of three individuals flying through the air above the city it

flying through the air above the city it

flying through the air above the city it actually fooled hundreds of New Yorkers

actually fooled hundreds of New Yorkers

actually fooled hundreds of New Yorkers before Fox confessed that they were

before Fox confessed that they were

before Fox confessed that they were behind the stunt

even if it scared some people this

even if it scared some people this campaign helped spread the word for the

campaign helped spread the word for the

campaign helped spread the word for the movie leading it to gross over ten times

movie leading it to gross over ten times

movie leading it to gross over ten times its budget oh yeah

its budget oh yeah

its budget oh yeah I’ve got to get to number six Paranormal

I’ve got to get to number six Paranormal

I’ve got to get to number six Paranormal Activity I just at least fallen

Activity I just at least fallen

Activity I just at least fallen breathing the minds behind the ads for

breathing the minds behind the ads for

breathing the minds behind the ads for Paranormal Activity took an experimental

Paranormal Activity took an experimental

Paranormal Activity took an experimental selling strategy before the film became

selling strategy before the film became

selling strategy before the film became a huge success it was only shown in

a huge success it was only shown in

a huge success it was only shown in select cities while folks in other

select cities while folks in other

select cities while folks in other locations waited with bated breath after

locations waited with bated breath after

locations waited with bated breath after only being shown the trailer are you

only being shown the trailer are you

only being shown the trailer are you talking about feeling really breathing

talking about feeling really breathing

talking about feeling really breathing on me soon an eventful page was set up

on me soon an eventful page was set up

on me soon an eventful page was set up for the film and fans were asked to

for the film and fans were asked to

for the film and fans were asked to demand the movie in their town and sign

demand the movie in their town and sign

demand the movie in their town and sign a form on the site as a result the city

a form on the site as a result the city

a form on the site as a result the city with the most signatures would become

with the most signatures would become

with the most signatures would become the next location for a screening you

the next location for a screening you

the next location for a screening you promised me you were going to look at me

promised me you were going to look at me

promised me you were going to look at me like that you promised me that stuff no

like that you promised me that stuff no

like that you promised me that stuff no I promised you I wasn’t gonna buy a week

I promised you I wasn’t gonna buy a week

I promised you I wasn’t gonna buy a week Oh risky right it worked so well that

Oh risky right it worked so well that

Oh risky right it worked so well that after reaching 1 million signatures the

after reaching 1 million signatures the

after reaching 1 million signatures the film was released nationwide two huge

film was released nationwide two huge

film was released nationwide two huge success making 193 million dollars on a

success making 193 million dollars on a

success making 193 million dollars on a fifteen thousand dollar budget

fifteen thousand dollar budget

fifteen thousand dollar budget pinku pay okay now number five

pinku pay okay now number five

pinku pay okay now number five Cloverfield

this is a terrible thing okay similar to

this is a terrible thing okay similar to Inception Cloverfield was steeped in

Inception Cloverfield was steeped in

Inception Cloverfield was steeped in secrecy before its release the

secrecy before its release the

secrecy before its release the mysterious teaser was attached to

mysterious teaser was attached to

mysterious teaser was attached to transformers but never revealed the

transformers but never revealed the

transformers but never revealed the film’s title and showed only brief

film’s title and showed only brief

film’s title and showed only brief glimpses of action including the

glimpses of action including the

glimpses of action including the captivating sight of the Statue of

captivating sight of the Statue of

captivating sight of the Statue of Liberty’s decapitated head in the titles

Liberty’s decapitated head in the titles

Liberty’s decapitated head in the titles place only the release date of one 1808

place only the release date of one 1808

place only the release date of one 1808 was shown throwing everyone into a

was shown throwing everyone into a

was shown throwing everyone into a speculative frenzy with many taking to

speculative frenzy with many taking to

speculative frenzy with many taking to online forums it’s gonna be the best

online forums it’s gonna be the best

online forums it’s gonna be the best night ever

night ever

night ever MySpace pages were created for every

MySpace pages were created for every

MySpace pages were created for every character in the film ever listens to me

character in the film ever listens to me

character in the film ever listens to me ever and no person listening hey it was

ever and no person listening hey it was

ever and no person listening hey it was 2008 and the slusho beverage from the

2008 and the slusho beverage from the

2008 and the slusho beverage from the movie was even used as a red herring in

movie was even used as a red herring in

movie was even used as a red herring in the marketing campaign this elusive type

the marketing campaign this elusive type

the marketing campaign this elusive type of strategy would again be utilized

of strategy would again be utilized

of strategy would again be utilized three years later for another JJ Abrams

three years later for another JJ Abrams

three years later for another JJ Abrams production super 8 2 equal e thrilling

production super 8 2 equal e thrilling

production super 8 2 equal e thrilling and unexpected results bad things happen

and unexpected results bad things happen

and unexpected results bad things happen but you can still have number 4 I’m

but you can still have number 4 I’m

but you can still have number 4 I’m still here

the mockumentary I’m still here confused

the mockumentary I’m still here confused many a moviegoer by blurring the line

many a moviegoer by blurring the line

many a moviegoer by blurring the line between truth and fiction I gotta really

between truth and fiction I gotta really

between truth and fiction I gotta really know

the film follows a Joaquin Phoenix esque

the film follows a Joaquin Phoenix esque character as he quits acting to begin a

character as he quits acting to begin a

character as he quits acting to begin a hip-hop career obviously a great success

hip-hop career obviously a great success

hip-hop career obviously a great success in music and what I wanted it to be

in music and what I wanted it to be

in music and what I wanted it to be something young money up do young money

something young money up do young money

something young money up do young money took to do this although it’s a great

took to do this although it’s a great

took to do this although it’s a great story it’s tie-in marketing campaign was

story it’s tie-in marketing campaign was

story it’s tie-in marketing campaign was what caught our attention throughout the

what caught our attention throughout the

what caught our attention throughout the press junket Phoenix appeared with Bed

press junket Phoenix appeared with Bed

press junket Phoenix appeared with Bed Head and a bushy beard staying

Head and a bushy beard staying

Head and a bushy beard staying completely in character which even led

completely in character which even led

completely in character which even led to a terribly awkward interview with

to a terribly awkward interview with

to a terribly awkward interview with David Letterman you look different than

David Letterman you look different than

David Letterman you look different than I remember it

I remember it

I remember it you’ve got a nice beard going and oh

you’ve got a nice beard going and oh

you’ve got a nice beard going and oh yeah then how was that the beard in male

yeah then how was that the beard in male

yeah then how was that the beard in male people actually began to suspect that

people actually began to suspect that

people actually began to suspect that Phoenix was actually interested in hip

Phoenix was actually interested in hip

Phoenix was actually interested in hip hop and worried for his future but that

hop and worried for his future but that

hop and worried for his future but that was before it was all revealed to be an

was before it was all revealed to be an

was before it was all revealed to be an elaborate hoax

elaborate hoax

elaborate hoax phew

number three The Simpsons Movie

number three The Simpsons Movie everybody in this theater is a giant

everybody in this theater is a giant

everybody in this theater is a giant sucker

sucker

sucker especially you it’s safe to say that the

especially you it’s safe to say that the

especially you it’s safe to say that the Simpsons movie didn’t need to go all out

Simpsons movie didn’t need to go all out

Simpsons movie didn’t need to go all out in terms of marketing but that didn’t

in terms of marketing but that didn’t

in terms of marketing but that didn’t stop the studio from spending ten

stop the studio from spending ten

stop the studio from spending ten million dollars to briefly immerse fans

million dollars to briefly immerse fans

million dollars to briefly immerse fans in one of their favorite locations next

in one of their favorite locations next

in one of their favorite locations next a quickie mug now here’s the tricky part

a quickie mug now here’s the tricky part

a quickie mug now here’s the tricky part whoa won’t Lord I’m with 711s across the

whoa won’t Lord I’m with 711s across the

whoa won’t Lord I’m with 711s across the country were made over into kwik-e-mart

country were made over into kwik-e-mart

country were made over into kwik-e-mart complete with fictional brands like buzz

complete with fictional brands like buzz

complete with fictional brands like buzz Cola and squishies for Simpsons lovers

Cola and squishies for Simpsons lovers

Cola and squishies for Simpsons lovers who have always wanted a taste of

who have always wanted a taste of

who have always wanted a taste of Springfield now where we are we’re in

Springfield now where we are we’re in

Springfield now where we are we’re in Burbank and where it used to be a

Burbank and where it used to be a

Burbank and where it used to be a 7-eleven now most people that drove past

7-eleven now most people that drove past

7-eleven now most people that drove past here said oh yeah this was a 7-eleven

here said oh yeah this was a 7-eleven

here said oh yeah this was a 7-eleven not anymore

not anymore

not anymore it’s a quicky Mart now they have

it’s a quicky Mart now they have

it’s a quicky Mart now they have transformed 12 7-elevens around the

transformed 12 7-elevens around the

transformed 12 7-elevens around the country into quicky Mart Homer even

country into quicky Mart Homer even

country into quicky Mart Homer even appeared before the Tonight Show with

appeared before the Tonight Show with

appeared before the Tonight Show with Jay Leno to deliver a monologue filled

Jay Leno to deliver a monologue filled

Jay Leno to deliver a monologue filled with pop-culture references

with pop-culture references

with pop-culture references cringe-worthy humor and an animated Leno

cringe-worthy humor and an animated Leno

cringe-worthy humor and an animated Leno as a result the film really brought in

as a result the film really brought in

as a result the film really brought in the dopes please get rid of that pig oh

the dopes please get rid of that pig oh

the dopes please get rid of that pig oh you’re gonna love him nokey does an

you’re gonna love him nokey does an

you’re gonna love him nokey does an impression of you

number 2 ex machina do you have a name

number 2 ex machina do you have a name yes

yes

yes Ava

Ava

Ava I’m pleased to meet you Ava I’m pleased

I’m pleased to meet you Ava I’m pleased

I’m pleased to meet you Ava I’m pleased to meet you too

to meet you too

to meet you too ex machina follows a young man who

ex machina follows a young man who

ex machina follows a young man who begins a personal bond with an

begins a personal bond with an

begins a personal bond with an attractive and highly intelligent

attractive and highly intelligent

attractive and highly intelligent Android he never walked outside I’ve

Android he never walked outside I’ve

Android he never walked outside I’ve never been outside the room I’m in man

never been outside the room I’m in man

never been outside the room I’m in man in keeping with the movies reflections

in keeping with the movies reflections

in keeping with the movies reflections on our relationship with technology a

on our relationship with technology a

on our relationship with technology a tinder profile for Ava the movies

tinder profile for Ava the movies

tinder profile for Ava the movies Android was created hello Brock I’d like

Android was created hello Brock I’d like

Android was created hello Brock I’d like to get to know you may I ask you a few

to get to know you may I ask you a few

to get to know you may I ask you a few questions

questions

questions absolutely have you ever been in love at

absolutely have you ever been in love at

absolutely have you ever been in love at the South by Southwest festival where

the South by Southwest festival where

the South by Southwest festival where the film was screened for younger

the film was screened for younger

the film was screened for younger audiences specific users were matched

audiences specific users were matched

audiences specific users were matched with Ava on the app a piece of text

with Ava on the app a piece of text

with Ava on the app a piece of text accompanied her profile which led

accompanied her profile which led

accompanied her profile which led readers to the movies Instagram handle

readers to the movies Instagram handle

readers to the movies Instagram handle oh my god Scott I can’t wait for the

oh my god Scott I can’t wait for the

oh my god Scott I can’t wait for the honeymoon me either

honeymoon me either

honeymoon me either it was not only a fantastically original

it was not only a fantastically original

it was not only a fantastically original strategy but it also nicely complemented

strategy but it also nicely complemented

strategy but it also nicely complemented the movie and its ambitious ideas are

the movie and its ambitious ideas are

the movie and its ambitious ideas are you attracted to me what are you

you attracted to me what are you

you attracted to me what are you attracted to me it gives me indication

attracted to me it gives me indication

attracted to me it gives me indication it’s long before we unveil our number

it’s long before we unveil our number

it’s long before we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable

one pick here are some honorable

one pick here are some honorable mentions

mentions

mentions greetings munchkins did you like that

greetings munchkins did you like that

greetings munchkins did you like that dose of green band goodness hankering

dose of green band goodness hankering

dose of green band goodness hankering for a little more action some Baker

for a little more action some Baker

for a little more action some Baker curse words maybe check out Deadpool

curse words maybe check out Deadpool

curse words maybe check out Deadpool website com for my red band trailer

was hoping I could grab a piece of

was hoping I could grab a piece of technology just for a few days I’m gonna

technology just for a few days I’m gonna

technology just for a few days I’m gonna return it they needed to save the world

return it they needed to save the world

return it they needed to save the world you know how that is

you know how that is

you know how that is oh because he gave us fire our first

oh because he gave us fire our first

oh because he gave us fire our first true piece of technology fire

true piece of technology fire

true piece of technology fire now with the AMC Lowe’s Lincoln square

now with the AMC Lowe’s Lincoln square

now with the AMC Lowe’s Lincoln square 13 by wearing the oculus rift

13 by wearing the oculus rift

13 by wearing the oculus rift development kit to headset the

development kit to headset the

development kit to headset the experience gives audiences of virtual

experience gives audiences of virtual

experience gives audiences of virtual zero-gravity tour of the endurance

zero-gravity tour of the endurance

zero-gravity tour of the endurance spacecraft featured in the film my

spacecraft featured in the film my

spacecraft featured in the film my believers I need your help we have to

believers I need your help we have to

believers I need your help we have to figure this out it’s got to be what the

figure this out it’s got to be what the

figure this out it’s got to be what the men in black suits want us to do number

men in black suits want us to do number

men in black suits want us to do number one the Blair Witch Project scared to

one the Blair Witch Project scared to

one the Blair Witch Project scared to close my eyes scared to open them while

close my eyes scared to open them while

close my eyes scared to open them while debates continue to rage regarding the

debates continue to rage regarding the

debates continue to rage regarding the film’s quality there is no denying the

film’s quality there is no denying the

film’s quality there is no denying the sheer impact that the Blair Witch

sheer impact that the Blair Witch

sheer impact that the Blair Witch project’s marketing had on the world

project’s marketing had on the world

project’s marketing had on the world there’s no one here to help you that’s

there’s no one here to help you that’s

there’s no one here to help you that’s your motivation that’s your motivation

your motivation that’s your motivation

your motivation that’s your motivation the film follows three teenagers as they

the film follows three teenagers as they

the film follows three teenagers as they get lost in the woods while filming a

get lost in the woods while filming a

get lost in the woods while filming a movie and are terrorized by an unseen

movie and are terrorized by an unseen

movie and are terrorized by an unseen threat so damn deep in the woods and

threat so damn deep in the woods and

threat so damn deep in the woods and people are gonna try and and come out

people are gonna try and and come out

people are gonna try and and come out here and mess with us then they gotta

here and mess with us then they gotta

here and mess with us then they gotta have something wrong with them and I’m

have something wrong with them and I’m

have something wrong with them and I’m not gonna play with that the flicks

not gonna play with that the flicks

not gonna play with that the flicks found-footage concept was a unique idea

found-footage concept was a unique idea

found-footage concept was a unique idea and as such the movie was marketed as

and as such the movie was marketed as

and as such the movie was marketed as real footage that was found in the woods

real footage that was found in the woods

real footage that was found in the woods the website featured fake police reports

the website featured fake police reports

the website featured fake police reports and fliers were distributed asking for

and fliers were distributed asking for

and fliers were distributed asking for information on the missing students the

information on the missing students the

information on the missing students the campaigns authenticity was widely

campaigns authenticity was widely

campaigns authenticity was widely debated online but even so it helped the

debated online but even so it helped the

debated online but even so it helped the movie grossed 248 million dollars on a

movie grossed 248 million dollars on a

movie grossed 248 million dollars on a measly sixty thousand dollar budget

measly sixty thousand dollar budget

measly sixty thousand dollar budget Josh Josh where are you tell me what you

Josh Josh where are you tell me what you

Josh Josh where are you tell me what you are

do you agree with our list and one of

do you agree with our list and one of those things where the more we learned

those things where the more we learned

those things where the more we learned about the crazier and crazier we found

about the crazier and crazier we found

about the crazier and crazier we found it to be what marketing strategy do you

it to be what marketing strategy do you

it to be what marketing strategy do you fondly remember for more ingenious top

fondly remember for more ingenious top

fondly remember for more ingenious top 10s published every day be sure to

10s published every day be sure to

10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com I haven’t

subscribe to watchmojo.com I haven’t

subscribe to watchmojo.com I haven’t seen the movie haven’t seen the film yet

seen the movie haven’t seen the film yet

seen the movie haven’t seen the film yet yeah what a surprise

”

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