Can online video really have a positive effect on sales?
What started out as an experiment from boredom lead to a modern day viral marketing phenomenon and a source of corporate financial success.
The Experiment: Two friends in Maine tested their theory: dropping Mentos candy into Diet Coke would cause an explosion. They filmed their experiment and posted the video on their Web site, www.eepybird.com.
The Results: The video was viewed by more than 1,000 people in one hour’s time. Mentos got wind of the video – and its online popularity – and further encouraged the video’s spread by supplying EepyBird with a thousand free Mentos for continued experiments. Mentos marketers also invited consumers to get creative, connect and talk about their brand through an online Mentos geyser competition. The results proved to be positive - Mentos experienced a 20% increase in sales that quarter – the highest increase in the company’s history.