[SPOILERS] TDKR Viral Marketing

[Batman-News.com]

I'm not sure how many of you were around for TDK's viral marketing campaign...but it was AWESOME! For almost a full year before TDK's release fans were encouraged to work together to complete scavenger hunts, puzzles and more. Our reward was usually a trailer or exclusive photo. People were even sent free collectible items like "Gotham Times" newspapers, Harvey Dent posters, stickers, and buttons.

Someone submitted this to Batman-News.com summing up TDK's viral marketing experience:
http://batman-news.com/2010/11/03/op-ed-take-us-back-to-gotham/

Reading that got me really pumped...but also a little worried. When The Riddler was a rumored villain, I thought there would definitely be a viral marketing campaign for TDKR. I already pictured all the puzzles and riddles we'd have to solve. But now that The Riddler won't be in the movie, is it possible we'll still get another viral marketing campaign?

The virals worked great last time around with The Joker as the villain. The way he "Joker-ized" Gotham and taunted us with his crude humor really fit his character and the story. If we end up with someone like Catwoman as the villain would it make sense for her to do something similar?

What do you guys think? Were you around for TDK's awesome viral marketing? 42 Entertainment is the company that Warner Bros. hired to handle it and I really hope they've got something cool planned for TDKR. I'm just trying to think how it could work if it's not centered around the main villain...

[postal]

It's pretty much a sure thing there will be another viral campaign. Yeah we don't have the joker or Riddler anymore, but no way they'll pass up the chance to help get the word out for this movie, they'll think of something. Hopefully they'll do like that one part of the Inception campaign did, with viral commercials that required you to quickly send a text message in to get a link to a viral website. That one was great, even if that website never went anywhere after the first few articles.


A riddler campaign would've been awesome though, ashame that won't be happening.

[Batman-News.com]

Yeah I'm a little bummed about The Riddler.

Can you tell me a bit more about Inception's viral marketing? I actually didn't follow the movies production, I only watched the trailers (I couldn't resist).

[chee]

The viral marketing was one of the best things about TDK. I hope they do it again so I can actually follow it instead of coming into it late.

Can you tell me a bit more about Inception's viral marketing? I actually didn't follow the movies production, I only watched the trailers (I couldn't resist).

The first poster was released through the online video game. Other stuff in the second and third levels. Nothing in the fourth. The game was the only interesting aspect to the viral marketing. Everything else kind of fell flat.

[simonjones]

I think there will be something of that sort this time as well...But dont you think that leaving us guessing on who might be the villain is a great way to market...All people/fans are talking/guessing/banging their heads to find out who might be the villain.This itself is a huge hype for the movie...If there is a viral campaign...then it should be made sure to match this hype...Do you guys agree with me!!

[chee]

I think there will be something of that sort this time as well...But dont you think that leaving us guessing on who might be the villain is a great way to market...All people/fans are talking/guessing/banging their heads to find out who might be the villain.This itself is a huge hype for the movie...If there is a viral campaign...then it should be made sure to match this hype...Do you guys agree with me!!

Oh god no. I NEED to know who the villain is, man.

[Batman-News.com]

I think there will be something of that sort this time as well...But dont you think that leaving us guessing on who might be the villain is a great way to market...All people/fans are talking/guessing/banging their heads to find out who might be the villain.This itself is a huge hype for the movie...If there is a viral campaign...then it should be made sure to match this hype...Do you guys agree with me!!

It's definitely possible. I could see the viral campaign being used to reveal the villain this time...maybe the 1st teaser will give us a clue as to who the villain is? Then again...with filming starting in April, the villain will likely leak, so WB will probably want to make a formal announcement before then (they're scheduled to announce something before the end of 2010).

Thanks for the Inception explanation Chee!

[chee]

The teaser should be out in June/July of next year, correct?

Villain should be out before then.

[sallygucha]

The teaser should be out in June/July of next year, correct?

Villain should be out before then.

Correct. We should know the villain within the next few weeks.

[Batman-News.com]

The teaser should be out in June/July of next year, correct?

Villain should be out before then.

Yeah we got TDK's teaser as a "prize" for the first viral marketing challenge. It was released online during Comic Con weekend in July 2007.

We got the 1st full trailer in December of 2007.

Hopefully TDKR follows the same time-line.