Blendtec is a great example of the viral video ad phenomenon. Reportedly starting with around 50 dollars, these blender manufacturers created buzz and hype all throughout the web, establishing their product as a synonym of high-quality blending in a fun and appealing way.

The concept of the Will It Blend? videos was quite simple: Blendtec’s CEO wears a lab coat and proceeds to blend anything to test the company’s machine. Marbles, golf balls, even the iPhone was blended.

The videos were a big success and began spreading around the Internet carried by one of the top advertisers in the world: the people. People were even keen to suggest items to blend. Blendtec’s videos and product were then pushed to the mainstream, with appearances on Jay Leno and the Today Show. All they needed was some basic video equipment and a great idea. Of course, some smart online PR strategy doesn’t hurt either.

There are other examples of course, one of my favourites is Draftfcb/paris’ funny spoof on second life, now counting more than half a million views on YouTube.

Neverthless, in these kind of campaigns some problems are bound to occur, and Blendtec found this out the hard way when they tried to blend Chuck Norris: