Budweiser's "Swear Jar" ads were so inappropriate, they never made the cut for TV. On the web, however, the ads flourished. Even thought Anheuser Busch brand was barely mentioned, neither visually nor verbally, the video spot created such commotion everyone remember who was behind it.
At time of posting, the video, which is full of beeped out swears, had 2,878,303 views since it was uploaded on May 31, 2007. It was favorited 16,441 times and received 1,802 comments.
What's interested is that it's already been a year since it officially launched, yet the Swear Jar ads are firing up buzz in news yet again, resurfacing as ad agencies examine the keys to a successful viral marketing campaign.
As soon as those secrets are unlocked, the internet is a marketer's oyster. Airing a video on YouTube costs nothing compared to the multi-millions companies like Budweiser spend on TV commercials, and if the ad sparks the right type of curiosity, it can draw in a much larger audience. Not only that, the ads continue to circulate months, even years after, as demonstrated by the Swear Jar ads, compared to TV spots that only run for a short time.
Swear Jars
Budweiser Viral Banned from TV, Flourishing on Web
Trend Themes
1. Viral Marketing Campaigns - The success of Budweiser's 'Swear Jar' advertisement on the web demonstrates the power of viral marketing campaigns and highlights the need for companies to shift their focus to online advertising.
2. Long-term Advertising - The resurfacing of the 'Swear Jar' ads a year after their launch reveals the potential for long-term advertising through online platforms, creating an opportunity for companies to invest in long-term online campaigns.
3. Inappropriate Advertising - The popularity of the banned 'Swear Jar' ads shows a trend towards shock-value and inappropriate advertising, indicating a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to push boundaries and challenge conventional advertising norms.
Industry Implications
1. Marketing and Advertising - The success of the 'Swear Jar' campaign demonstrates the need for marketing and advertising firms to focus on developing innovative and strategic online campaigns for their clients.
2. Beverage Industry - The use of viral marketing campaigns by Budweiser highlights a potential opportunity for the beverage industry to shift their advertising efforts to online platforms and reach a wider audience.
3. Broadcast and Television Industry - The popularity of the 'Swear Jar' ads on the web compared to their banning from television suggests a possible disruption in the traditional broadcast and television industry, creating an opportunity for companies to explore alternative online platforms for their advertising efforts.