I'm 30 years old. Anyone plus-or-minus ten years of me has probably been influenced in their childhood by muppets. From Sesame Street to The Muppet Show and beyond, Jim Henson's creations played a heavy role in late 20th century pop culture.
And they're making a comeback, 21st century style.
When a muppet movie was green-lighted, the PR team for this movie went to work. The plot of the movie is "Are muppets relevant anymore?" with the main focus of showing this generation what muppets are all about.
How do you target this younger generation of movie goer?
The INTERNET!
In November 2009, they launched this video:
It was an instant hit, getting millions of views and being passed around Facebook pages galore.
Speaking of Facebook, the muppets are there as well.
Any major social media outlet has been infested with muppet-dom. Even Miss Piggy, The Swedish Chef, and a host of other muppets are on twitter, tweeting regularly (and in character).
I mean, come on. Beaker getting involved in a wrestling match, handing Santino Marella a concoction that helps him win the match. When is the last time you saw Julia Roberts do this for one of HER movies? What about Leo DiCaprio?
Again, the plot of the movie is "Are the muppets relevant anymore?" They're marketing tactics are making sure they are. Gen X'ers are loving every bit of it. Gen Y'ers and the newest generation (Generation Internet? iGeneration?) are getting a taste of what made the muppets hilarious in the 70's and 80's. They are fuckin crazy, and will make you laugh in unconventional ways.
Businesses. Entrepreneurs. Learn from the muppets. If you're going to market yourself, go all out, and get as unconventional (read: CRAZY) as possible.
iGeneration. Nail. Head.
ReplyDeleteI think the Muppets will always be relevant. Much like Disney classics.
GO THE MUPPETS!
ReplyDeleteIt's all very exciting, and they've always been brilliant, so looks like their tactics are still up to par.
Statler and Waldorf were always my favorite characters - I don't know what that says about me though.
I tried to get my 4yo to watch Muppets in Space the other day, and he was SO not into it. I wonder if they will really be able to win over today's high tech youngsters with a bunch of puppets.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited the Muppets are back. I'd rather have wrong sounding Muppets than no Muppets.
ReplyDeleteI want to see this movie opening weekend but I'm afraid of too many kids in the theater.
Animal was a rapist, though, right? Gonzo was sleeping with chickens, that we can all agree on.
I agree chunky mama! I am dying to see the movie but I'm 24 and grew up with the muppets....I think the movie will be successful but I think it will be mostly adults looking for nostalgia going to see it.
ReplyDeleteThis Baby Boomer thinks they're frikkin' hilarious. The Muppet Show was great and not really for kids (a lot like Rocky and Bullwinkle).
ReplyDeleteHaha, I just love Beaker and Animal. Big fan of the muppets and so are my kids. Now my granddaughters love them, especially Elmo, Gonzo and Cookie Monster.
ReplyDeletehaha, go all out is so true. I have to admit I didn't watch the muppets as a kid for some reason. I stuck to Batman, Baywatch and Animaniacs. But I have been seeing a lot of hype about this movie, it will be interesting to see how it does.
ReplyDelete~Dale
http://www.savvyspice.net/
So this is what it's like o live under a rock.. I had seen the Bohemian Rhapsody thing, but movie? Had no idea. Way. This is gonna be awesome!
ReplyDeleteI faintly recall hearing about this movie......
ReplyDeleteI do remember watching a lot of muppet stuff though! I'm for sure going to take my daughter to see the muppets. Damn that Jim Henson. He's got her hooked on Fraggle Rock and it's playing constantly in the play room.
Have the muppets endorse ANYTHING and I will buy. SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!
ReplyDeletelol I didn't know they have facebook too
ReplyDeleteI love the Muppets! I hope this movie doesn't suck. Truly. It will make me soooooo sad.
ReplyDeleteiGen! I like that! Patent it and make a t-shirt! Jim Henson is a Mississippian, by the way. I used to love the Muppet Show. One of my fave shows as a kid and I had no idea that they were still doing well. I stopped everything ended after the Muppet Babies cartoons.
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