Companies have been trying to create their own social networks ever since Friendster became popular. It was part fad and part marketer’s hope that customers were so devoted that they were dying to discuss shampoo or tires online.

With a campaign beginning this month, Vaseline is testing a more conceptual approach. Rather than creating an online social network, it is aiming to map the social network of a small town in Alaska.

The idea is to show that a new Vaseline lotion, Clinical Therapy, is so effective that the residents of Kodiak, Alaska, passed the word around. It was partly of their own accord, and partly because Vaseline was pushing it: Vaseline representatives set up shop in a storefront in Kodiak and gave away free bottles. The residents had to pinpoint which of their fellow townspeople had recommended it.

Vaseline representatives began mapping who was suggesting the lotion to whom. It was not curiosity that drove them, but commercialism. They were trying to find a plugged-in Kodiak resident who had widely recommended the lotion, to be featured in commercials.

Har. Any other suggestions?




  1. Mister Mustard says:

    To make lotion even more manly, Vaseline is teaming with ESPN to introduce Vaseline Men. Sports adds an air of masculinity, Sripada said, “and it focuses on the performance and the endurance.”“.

    Heh. “performance and endurance”. Heh heh heh!

  2. MoparPower says:

    It gets lonely sometimes in Alaska. Vaseline can come in handy!

  3. Angel H. Wong says:

    “Har. Any other suggestions?”

    Nah, because for that you need Crisco shortening and since JCD works in SF he can give a better explanation as to what I’m talking about.

  4. Ben says:

    Can you join this social network if you live in a hole dug in some crazy cannibal’s basement?

    “It puts the lotion on the skin.”

  5. The Monster's Lawyer says:

    Seigfried told Roy who told Contempt.

  6. mthrnite says:

    mmmmmmm… nekkid people /homer

  7. Buzz says:

    …Vaseline. Fossil fuel for your hydrocarbon-hungry exterior.

  8. Somebody_Else says:

    I didn’t see a single boob in that whole commercial. I want my minute back.


0

Bad Behavior has blocked 5647 access attempts in the last 7 days.