Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 477,692 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,285 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,285 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,232 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 477,692 cutting edge ideas.

Is Nissan Forcing Viral?

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

The "Black Mask" Project

— October 11, 2007 — Autos
Nissan is being accused of trying to force "viral" with their advertisements for the GT-R. The car company's marketers are working hard to make it appear as though the new Black Mask campaign has the entire blogosphere abuzz. The campaign is set to be unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

When an ad becomes viral, it refers to "A marketing phenomenon that facilitates and encourages people to pass along a marketing message voluntarily," according to Wikipedia. "It is claimed that a satisfied customer tells an average of three people about a product or service he/she likes, and eleven people about a product or service which he/she did not like. Viral marketing is based on this natural human behaviour."

Ironically, Nissan has managed to achieved this, not through their ability to put together a stellar campaign, but for getting people talking about how ineffective their attempt at a viral commercial was.

"The campaign, called The Black Mask Project, is an obvious riff on the black covering that has masked the GT-R's nose in so many spy shots as of late," AutoBlog reported. "Of course, there's a website that is equal parts over-produced and confusing. It basically hosts video snippets of 'masked' GT-Rs being hauled down busy streets behind large trucks and accompanied by an army of Black Mask agents on foot wearing dark suits and, well, black masks."

I think the point is, it worked, people are talking, and Nissan is once again a word at the tips of the fingers of the most influential bloggers.


Trend Themes
1. Viral Marketing - Nissan's attempt at a viral commercial sparks conversation and highlights the power of viral marketing strategies.
2. Influencer Marketing - Nissan's campaign gets people talking and brings attention to the influence of influential bloggers.
3. Creative Advertising - Nissan's Black Mask Project showcases the importance of unique and compelling advertising campaigns.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - Automotive companies can leverage viral marketing strategies to generate buzz and increase brand awareness.
2. Marketing and Advertising - The Nissan campaign highlights the impact of influencer marketing in the marketing and advertising industry.
3. Creative Services - The Black Mask Project demonstrates the potential for creative advertising agencies to create engaging and memorable campaigns.
4.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness