The hit TV show Lost previewed here in the UK last week, and it was destined for me to become addicted. I only like to watch one TV show (I spend most of the rest of my evenings writing) and, as luck would have it, Lost began airing the night after the reruns of Sex and the City ended.
Lost is one of the growing numbers of TV series and movies that are gaining popularity - and momentum - through Internet marketing. As soon as the program aired in the US, Internet sites and forums began springing up to discuss the possible implications - and plot outcomes, of the program.
Channel 4, the UK TV channel that is airing Lost, has long since caught on to using Internet marketing to further their cause. One of their flagship programs - Big Brother, utilizes Internet marketing as part of their overall strategy to ensure virtually 24-hour media coverage of the event. In the case of Lost, the company responsible for the Donnie Darko website has produced a website for Channel 4 -
www.channel4.com/lost. This offers viewers the chance to take part in interactive episodes and enter characters' dreams. Interaction with Lost characters will involve utilizing the Internet, email and even answer phone messages.
Internet marketing no longer has the dry, unpopular image of banners and pop-ups. For TV and filmmakers in particular, it can take fan support - and therefore advertising revenue to the next level.
Having watched the first three episodes of Lost in one night, I have to wait until next week for the next one. I might just go to the Lost website in the meantime, though - oh the joys of Internet marketing!
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