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Summary. The Fun Theory, at TheFunTheory.org, is an initiative of Volkswagen that demonstrates how the enjoyability factor is an essential element in designing products that will inspire and motivate people to use them.
Innovation. Volkswagen is to the automobile industry what Apple is to the world of computers and gadgets. Volkswagen vehicles include innovative design elements that are of little or no benefit other than making their cars more fun and enjoyable. For example, the VW Beetle includes a flower vase (pictured below) to bring color and and additional beauty to the inside of the car.
Inspirational Marketing. The Fun Theory campaign itself is an example of innovation, creativity, and fun with marketing. It is similar to the funny eTrade baby commercials, where a business will create a non-traditional advertising campaign that entertains or inspires while also spreading brand awareness and affinity. The Fun Theory campaign has the grass roots social action elements of the music video, If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback. The campaign proves that, with a little creativity, people can be inspired to do good.
Videos. Below are some of the videos demonstrating The Fun Theory principle. The cost of advertising to reach a targeted captive audience of millions would be very expensive. However, like the eTrade funny baby commercials, these videos have had millions of views on YouTube alone.
Summary. Many years ago, the New York Times made an administrative decision that wasn’t necessarily in the best interest of its readers, but did promise to produce more revenue for the corporate executives running the operation. The paper chose to begin running pop-up ads, a practice that most people find offensive, annoying, and an irresponsible waste of bandwidth. Some of the ads were misleading, others were offensive, none were content relevant. I quit visiting the New York Times website years ago back when they proved through their poor advertising practices that they place money before quality journalism and readership respect. Their new motto could have been, “All the news that’s fit to print, and some annoying pop-up ads, too!” Unfortunately, the New York Times has engaged in this practice up to the present day and there seems to be no indication they will ever stop.
Summary. In this inspirational animated Coca-Cola commercial, the refrain of the soundtrack is,
