Computers and Computing

A Dictionary of Business and Management A Dictionary of the Internet Further reading

viral marketing

A Dictionary of Business and Management | 2006 | Copyright

viral marketing
1. A marketing strategy in which various unconventional techniques are used to generate word-of-mouth excitement about a product. Conventional media outlets may be deliberately avoided in order to create an air of mystery or exclusivity.

2. More specifically, a form of direct marketing in which a company encourages Internet users to forward its material in e-mails, usually by including jokes, games, or other entertaining features. The aim is that publicity for the company will spread in the manner of a computer virus.

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viral marketing

A Dictionary of the Internet | 2001 | | Copyright

viral marketing Used to describe the word-of-mouth marketing of a product or service using the Internet. A good example of this approach was the marketing of the HotMail free email service. Subscribers to this service could only send emails with advertising messages extolling the virtues of HotMail at the bottom of the email text.

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DARREL INCE. "viral marketing." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DARREL INCE. "viral marketing." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-viralmarketing.html

DARREL INCE. "viral marketing." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-viralmarketing.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Viral marketing involves serendipity, not planning.(Brief... Magazine article from: BtoB; 7/17/2000
	It's time to call a halt to viral marketing. Newspaper article from: Sunday Business (London, England); 1/23/2005
	Wales' haka stand-off in viral marketing drive to Twitter generation; Website... Newspaper article from: Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales); 10/6/2009