Keys to Media Promotion

1. Employ a Buzz Worthy Stunt

Word of mouth can serve as a powerful tool in marketing. In order to gain word of mouth, you must do something worth talking about. For example, Game of Thrones placed a 40-foot long dragon skull on Dorset Beach in the UK as promotion for the start of the season.

2. Pre-Roll Video Advertising

These ads can be catered to appear to audiences who would be interested in your show or movie based on previous interests. Yes, people can skip the video after the first five seconds, but if a company can make it interesting, people will choose to watch the entire trailer prompting interest in the show.

3. Utilize the Press

Sites like Buzzfeed or Refinery 29 can be a valuable source of promotion in that it offers advertising for an “unbiased” source. Journalists can post interviews with cast members allowing for extra features for viewers. For example, Buzzfeed always attends San Diego Comic Con and interviews different cast members at the event. This allows for more people to gain knowledge about your show. These press junkets may have different subscribers with similar interests to television series’ audiences allowing for these companies to expand their audiences.

4. Involve Audience

This can come from having the audience tweet while watching, playing games, creating apps, etc. The CW created an app on their website that allowed for viewers to play Bingo while watching one of their shows. Hunger Games also employed an interactive experience by creating “Virtual Hunger Games” that allows users to compete in districts like in the film. The Dark Knight also illustrates this with its “Why so Serious?” campaign that brought Gotham to life. The more involved viewers feel the more likely they are to tune in. 

5. Make Facebook Page Interactive

Facebook needs to be more than just posts reminding when the show or movie premieres. It should include videos, photos, games, contests, and apps. The more elements present, the more compelling the page is.

6. Utilize Character Personas

Audience members become attached to characters so why not use that character as a promotion tool. For example, Ted created a Twitter page for Ted. The Muppets also used character personas for the promotion of their movie by creating a Google Hangout in which fans could communicate with their favorite characters like Kermit or Miss Piggy. 

Works Cited: 
https://www.ventureharbour.com/ultimate-guide-marketing-films-tv-shows-online/