Guerilla Marketing Brainstorming Thread!

POSTED BY: 11thHour
UPDATED: Thursday, March 15, 2007 17:38
VIEWED: 29134
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11THHOUR

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 12:43 AM

Here it is folks... our very own message board dedicated to fan powered promotion of Firefly and Serenity!

Let's hear a....

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

and a big ol'...

Haaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwww!!!

This is our corner of the 'Verse to come up with guerilla marketing ideas, network, get resources, share our recruiting stories, and generally keep fighting the good fight.

There will be more features added to this shiny site, but here's our first serious step into taking all the enthusiasm for continuin' the 'Verse, and actually getting a bit more organized about it.

When we join together... we are MIGHTY.

11th Hour
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Repost from another thread ~ regarding the subject of the future of Firefly/Serenity

If there's money to be made, a studio will make a production. It's true that the box office returns for Serenity were lower than hoped for. (There are several legitimate arguments regarding the promotion, or perhaps insufficiency thereof, which can be made in that regard... but that's another thread topic.) The thing is that there are far more Firefly/Serenity fans now than there were last year when Serenity was released. Serenity itself created those new fans... plus the word of mouth of existing fans and very real Firefly and Serenity DVD sales that continue quite well on Amazon.

The reason why fans have a legitimate hope for sequels is that the cast all signed 3 picture contracts with Universal for Serenity. Their contracts all have a built-in clause for a trilogy.

Joss wants to tell more stories of the 'Verse, he has stated that he has hundreds of yet untold stories. The cast love playing their roles, and they genuinely enjoy working together. The fans of course will respond immediately to more incarnations of the 'Verse. Though Serenity did not make huge profits when it was released (and low numbers were the story for all movies released during that same time) Serenity did receive overwhelmingly great reviews and many awards.

So here's where it's at:

• Joss wants to do more.
• The cast want to do more.
• The fans are aching to have more.
• The production itself was widely acclaimed.

The ONLY thing missing from the above formula for green lighting a sequel is "Great box office returns". That's it. Just comes down to getting bigger audience numbers... connecting more with main stream audiences. A studio wants to make money. They are not going to say "no" to a profitable franchise. The thing is, Serenity's profits weren't that bad, and the movie has climbed into profit with the DVD sales. But the returns weren't in the blockbuster range, and Universal has to think how best to utilize their wonderful new acquisition: Joss Whedon.

Universal is most likely biding its time and seeing how things develop after the release of Serenity. If the fan base keeps growing, if the DVD sales stay strong, if the merchandise keeps selling, then there will be good reason for them to mount another production in the future. Again, they are a busines and they want to make money.

Once they see that the audience numbers justify another investment, Universal will be glad to press that green light.

11th Hour

P.S.
I personally would prefer some type of return to a series on TV, even if the seasons were shorter like the shows on HBO. Firefly/Serenity really bloom when they have the space and time to expand the stories and explore the characters. Remember, Universal owns the Sci-Fi Network so they do have a built-in way to distribute their television productions.

>>>}———————————————)))======<[]>======(((———————————————{<<<

"Because teenage pranks are fun when you're about to die!" - Hoban Washburne

Firefly/Serenity Guerilla Marketing Posters ~ http://the11thhour.home.att.net
Serenity Inspired Cafe Press Shop ~ http://www.cafepress.com/11thhourart

http://home.att.net/~the11thhour

FOLLOWMAL

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 2:38 AM

WOOT! Our very own place! Our very own wonderful place!

This will be 'Verse Central.

Everyone will be able to immediately gather what they need or post a question. Perfect for what we need to do as we continue to spread the 'verse thru the rest of the summer to the 'Versary.

Thank you Haken!

"You hold. Hold 'til I get back." Mal

http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=19&t=22697

11THHOUR

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 2:51 AM

A few guerilla marketing ideas to get started. These ideas are tried and true, and a lot of fans have been using these methods. But there are a lot of new people discovering FFF.net, new to the 'Verse and maybe new to guerilla marketing too, so we'll start with the solid basics and move on from there.

It's usually best to start new people with Firefly, saving Serenity for after they have seen the series. But a lot of fans saw Serenity first and then discovered Firefly, so it doesn't have to be a rule set in stone.

Word of mouth is great, but seeing is believing!

If new people are hesitant to purchase their own Firefly/Serenity DVDs, loan them yours. Let them get introduced to the 'Verse and the chances are good they'll want to purchase their own sets!

You can also introduce the series to new people with a gift of a Firefly episode through iTunes! These episodes can be played on either an iPod, or watched on computer with the iTunes program (Mac or PC, and FREE) and QuickTime. The ability to send the Firefly pilot "Serenity" as a gift, via email, for only $1.99 is an incredibly great guerilla marketing opportunity.

Wear Your 'Verse Proudly!

Wearing Firefly/Serenity inspired clothing, or a pin, gets the 'Verse out there in the world. You never know who you'll strike up a conversation with about what your wearing. A great way to start talking about Firefly/Serenity and get their curiosity going for this phenomenon.

Host Your Own Screening Party!

Hey, have some real fun with guerilla marketing. Host a Firefly screening party, invite folks who you think would really enjoy the 'Verse. Feature Firefly inspired goodies and decorations. Screening parties can be held at your home, or if you live in an apartment complex or dorm that has a community room... then make use of it! A great way to introduce Firefly to a lot of people at once, and have a fun time doing it!

Posters, Flyers, Handy "Mini" Flyers!

Make use of classic guerilla marketing... whether you call it "wild positng" or "street marketing"... spread the word with bold, eye-catching Firefly/Serenity posters! Post 'em the way the cool bands and clubs do.... really goes with the "rebel" browncoat spirit. Plus there's the "mini" posters which are great to leave in all kinds of places for folks to pick up... also always take a bunch with you. When you talk about Firefly/Serenity to someone, you can give 'em a mini poster as a great reminder to check out the DVD.

Firefly/Serenity Guerilla Marketing Posters can be found at: http://the11thhour.home.att.net

Also check out all the other ideas on the site!

Banners!

Use Firefly and Serenity banners wherever you can! There's lots of fan made banners available... pick one you think really gives a good feeling of Firefly/Serenity AND creates curiosity... a design that catches the eye. You can also design your own.

For anyone who would like a ready-to-go banner, here's one to help get you started:

There are many, many, MANY, more ways to guerilla market Firefly. More ideas from the FFF.net Event Team are coming, and creative ideas are always welcome. Remember, a big part of what we want to accomplish is to reach out to folks who might not usually know about a show like Firefly, or Serenity. We really can reach even further than established Sci-Fi fans. The writing and performances are so brilliant and intriguing that Firefly/Serenity crosses genre borders.

There's lots and lots of folks out there who don't know they're browncoats. Let's help them find out!

11th Hour

>>>}———————————————)))======<[]>======(((———————————————{<<<

"Because teenage pranks are fun when you're about to die!" - Hoban Washburne

Firefly/Serenity Guerilla Marketing Posters ~ http://the11thhour.home.att.net
Serenity Inspired Cafe Press Shop ~ http://www.cafepress.com/11thhourart

DINALT

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 3:24 PM

Heck, you only mentioned this a few days ago - I'm impressed 11th Hour.

Can't think of anything intelligent to put in here yet (just got home from work), but I agree 100% with everything you've written so far - especially: 'There's lots and lots of folks out there who don't know they're browncoats. Let's help them find out! '

MAVOURNEEN

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 3:39 PM

As I saw on 11th Hour's guerilla marketing site, I printed up small labels to go inside the Serenity DVD cases:

From fireflymovie.com:
• Rental DVDs. Any time you rent a sci-fi, western or action movie, put a small flyer or sticker on the case underneath the DVD. Where the renters will see them, but employees inspecting the cases won't. 11th hour's mini-posters would work great for this! Add a personal handwritten message that says something like "If you like this movie you'll love Serenity, in theaters September 30. Visit serenitymovie.net (or or favorite site)" (Thanks Toby). [PDF template with 11th's posters coming soon...]

Mine read: "If you liked Serenity, check out the series this movie was based on: Firefly. Log on to fireflyfans.net for more information!"

EDIT: For those new to Firefly guerilla marketing ideas, I HIGHLY recommend 11th Hour's site: http://the11thhour.home.att.net

Also good: http://www.fireflymovie.com/guerilla_ideas.html

"Have you ever been with a Warrior Woman?"

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 3:45 PM

My son went to WallyWorld to buy Serenity for a birthday present. He and 5 friends. When they found not an iota of FireFly/Serenity merchandise they started yelling out - WHAT NO SERENITY! NO BEST-SCI-FI-MOVIE EVER MADE? WHAT NO FIREFLY WHATS TO DO! WHATS TO DO!

OK so they got thrown out. But if that isn't guerilla marketing, I don't know what is!

LOL!

edit - I have a grunch of shiny car stickers I got on ebay. I have been putting one in every letter and package I mail. People call and ask me what it is from - so I tell'em!

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

one of the Forsaken TM

ELDUSTO

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 8:39 PM

I put a banner from this site on my Myspace page and found the "Ballad of Serenity" and put it on my site as well, so people can hear the song and then come to this site. I get a lot of hits per day, like in the 20-30 range.
I'm also buying my friend the Firefly Complete Series DVD boxset and Serenity movie when he gets back from bootcamp or if he can't get back, I'll have his parents give it to him at his graduation at the end of this month. That way he can get into it, cause he was meaning to see the show when it was new, but like me, forgot. I'm pretty sure he'll spead the Browncoat enthusiasm within the army ranks.

http://www.myspace.com/eldusto

11THHOUR

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 9:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dinalt:
Heck, you only mentioned this a few days ago - I'm impressed 11th Hour.

Very nice of you to say... thanks.

There will be even more features added to this site very soon. The FFF.net Event Team has actually been doing a lot of work behind the scenes for a while now. We're getting a lot of ideas and materials organized so we can set-up a comprehensive, dedicated area just for promoting Firefly and Serenity.

These things end up taking a bit longer than anticipated, "real life" keeps getting in the way! But the team is a shiny one and very committed to the fans and the 'Verse. We also have to work within Haken's available time because he is a very busy guy. But new features are comin' very soon. Until then, we can certainly come up with ideas, network and make things happen!

Quote:
Can't think of anything intelligent to put in here yet (just got home from work), but I agree 100% with everything you've written so far - especially: 'There's lots and lots of folks out there who don't know they're browncoats. Let's help them find out! '

Word.

11th Hour

>>>}———————————————)))======<[]>======(((———————————————{<<<

"Because teenage pranks are fun when you're about to die!" - Hoban Washburne

Firefly/Serenity Guerilla Marketing Posters ~ http://the11thhour.home.att.net
Serenity Inspired Cafe Press Shop ~ http://www.cafepress.com/11thhourart

PENGUIN

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 9:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by FutureMrsFIllion:
I have a grunch of shiny car stickers...

How many are in a grunch?

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 11:18 PM

More than a bunch but less than a Fillion

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

one of the Forsaken TM

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