I was talking to a friend today about the upcoming big screen adaptation of War of the Worlds. I’m hoping it isn’t too horrifically bad…

Regardless, I started pondering the success of War of the Worlds. Most people think it’s a story told by Orson Welles. Of course, it was a book written by H.G. Wells (no relation) – it became notorious for a 1938 radio broadcast that convinced many Americans we were indeed being invaded by Martians.

It may be the single most successful viral marketing gimmick of the 20th century. Which means viral marketing isn’t such a new thing, right?

Then I started thinking back further in history: Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was passed from house to house, town to town by colonists, and was one of the sparks of the Revolution. Ever hear “Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”? How about “Are you ready for some footbaallllll”?

My point: Viral marketing is not some new, miraculous marketing method. Viral marketing is just another word for ‘successful marketing’. Food for thought…