Laughter Is Contagious

A study by Sharpe Partners confirms that the best way to have consumers talk up your product is by tickling their funny bones. Per ClickZ, eighty-eight percent of people send humorous content to friends via email.

We have all experienced the persuasive power of the viral video, such as the hilarious stuff from JibJab, the Star Wars send-up from theOrganic Trade Association, and Beer.com (and remember Pets.com?).

You would think that even more companies would regularly tap into the rich comic vein of creative writers and animators producing stuff for sites like iFilminstead of creating one annual Super Bowl shtick.

The cost of distributing viral videos online is very low compared to television advertising, and test marketing concepts is a snap. Building a brand through humor (even if it's not exactly product related) should be serious business, so someone should start a viral video clearinghouse that sells the best ideas to marketers.