Brian Solis Debunks Viral Marketing

September 17, 2008 · Filed Under Misc · Comment 

From a panel at the Web 2.0 Expo this morning, noted new-media publicist and blogger, Brian Solis provided a thorough criticism of supposed ‘viral marketing’. Solis discussed how web marketers now need to acknowledge that viral ad campaigns only succeed due to the rapid word-of-mouth provided by the internet and how the popular terminology needs to change.

To facilitate success, Solis suggested that online marketers forget about viral marketing and instead hone their approach toward social networking as the basis of web relations. He advocated pure advertisement instead of attempts at getting ads to go viral, seeing the necessity of using instantaneous marketing as part of a social whole.

It’s an interesting notion to be sure and one that makes a great deal of sense for those willing to think about it. Solis’ succinct criticism could very well lead to a new manner by which the internet is perceived if enough of his listeners follow through with the ideas.

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