Actually, I'm taller than Tom Cruise

It happens a lot.  First I hear the whispering.  Then, I notice the people trying not to stare.  Then, one of them rummages through her purse, looking for something for me to sign.

Finally one of them musters up the courage to ask, "are you Tom Cruise?"  I smile politely.  I don't want to make them feel bad. 

I just shake my head and say, "actually, I'm a little taller.  But thank you."

Saw this on Gavin's blog and couldn't resist.  He looks like Capt. Kirk, btw.

Now...before you dismiss this as online silliness, think about this. 

I had never heard of MyHeritage.com before.  I would have probably never gone looking for an online genealogy source or a place to create a family website.  But, I have a couple uncles who are very into  tracing our family's past.  So, I passed the link onto them.  (Besides, I want to see who they look like!)

Recently we talked about whether or not the Ray-Ban YouTube video was effective from a sales point of view.   I think MyHeritage.com's effort is a much better effort in aligning the viral marketing with the actual product.

Think about your product or service.  Could you create a viral "something" to draw people to your website and encourage sampling/sales?

Comments

[mindblob]

Tom,
Come on... stop playing, I recognized your voice!
; )

[Copywriting Maven]

Hmm, I get close matches for Augusto Pinochet and Reese Witherspoon. I'll go with Legally Blonde, given a choice.

James Spader? Wow, he's a guilty pleasure :=)

[Katie Konrath]

I got Petra Nemcove and Sarah Jessica Parker, although in real life, I get Jennifer Love Hewitt most frequently.

[Doug Mitchell]

Starring in the hit ABC show, "Des Moines Legal"...

[Drew McLellan]

Luc,

Shhh, I am trying to stay on the down low.

Drew (aka you know who)

[Drew McLellan]

Roberta,

So, are you going to start getting decked out in all pink??

Drew

[Drew McLellan]

Katie,

All good choices, if you have to be compared to someone!

Drew

[Drew McLellan]

Doug,

Since you are such a big "24" guy...maybe we could create a DSM version of that. Like CSI does with the different cities.

You want to direct?

Drew

[Eric Kintz]

Drew- I think the Ray Ban campaign is creating great viral WOM for ... Feed! That's at least how I discovered them
Eric

[Lewis Green]

Drew,

My celebrity look-alike is Lassie. Kidding aside, I have got to check out this site. Is this what is called word of mouth marketing? Me thinks it is.

[Drew McLellan]

Eric,

Me too. It's how I discovered them as well. I wonder how their client, Ray-Ban feels about that. Is it okay to them because they get the mention too or are they a little bent out of shape because they are playing 2nd fiddle?

I get the strategy from Feed's point of view. And I am sure they have Ray-Ban's permission. But I wonder if it has played out the way Ray-Ban expected.

Drew

[Drew McLellan]

Lewis,

You had me laughing out loud at Lassie. I hate to break it to you my friend, by Lassie has a lot more hair!

Although the pix you ended up using was hairier than I'm used to seeing you!

Drew