The Week's Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons - Star Wars Guitar Edition

The week's best viral videos contained a mix of the old standbys and new trailblazers. We've got branded social video successes, both the kind created by the brand itself and the kind that tends to come from consumers who are super-fans. We've also got some clever instances of films being respliced and reconstituted for new entertainment purposes, a gaggle of geeky gadgets, and a series of pranks and home video outtakes.

Hope you've got your coffee ready...

SEE ALSO: The Week's Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons - Guitar Gimmick Edition

Remixing Movies

One of my favorite things is when new art is created by repurposing something else--especially when it's done well. Like this alphabet-in-film video called ABCinema:

In a similar vein, The Eclectic Method brings you Jay Z's 99 Problems recreated by film clips:

I love a good movie supercut, and this week saw a new one featuring the phrase "I'll call you back":

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-YxlySHtE8" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-YxlySHtE8']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

For the fans of spy movies out there... here are 22 James Bond openings all at the same time:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QOxo4g2rw" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QOxo4g2rw']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

Geeky Gadgets

Geek-culture and gagdets are wonderful topics proven to attract viral audiences, and this week I saw some of the most impressive gadgets and geeky creations ever.

Everyone loves a good Rube Goldberg machine. And while building one isn't the easiest path to a romantic evening, it certainly seems to help set the mood for this couple:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPWs3cvBwnk" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPWs3cvBwnk']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

I have never wanted to go on a cruise until I saw this video of a self-leveling gyroscopic pool table--I'm not sure what that says about me:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aE5oszXyQ" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aE5oszXyQ']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

If there's one thing I learned in college, it's that chicks love guys with guitars. But I honestly don't know how adding Star Wars into the mix changes things:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83bEEKeoYaI" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83bEEKeoYaI']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

Starry Night is one of the more famous paintings in history. But no matter how familiar you are with it and how well you think you know it... nothing can prepare you for the mesmerizing coolness of seeing it animated:

Pranks & Outtakes

I would think it would be terribly embarrassing to trip and fall in public because you were texting-while-walking. I'd think it'd be even more embarrassing if you did it on camera during a live news broadcast:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3jOlQqDPzQ" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3jOlQqDPzQ']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

Here's a fellow in Australia that is so confident in himself he dons a speedo and performs for the public. It's disturbing, hilarious, and going viral:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXYjgHC_Ycw" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXYjgHC_Ycw']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

Sometimes you pull a prank on someone and something goes wrong... someone ends up getting hurt. Or really, really mad. Like the unhappy victim of this spider prank, who overreacts about 100X beyond what he should have:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJlyiEfg4PQ" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJlyiEfg4PQ']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

Who's at fault here... the idiot pedestrians in the road or the guy who doesn't seem to know how to drive in snow?

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh0V1IB33uY" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh0V1IB33uY']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

Some "home movie" moments aren't outtakes or pranks... but just incredible slice-of-life moments preserved on film, like the competitive swimmer who makes a grand statement after a win:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LWvLNgh2-c" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LWvLNgh2-c']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="The Weeks Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons Star Wars Guitar Edition" title="0"/></a>

Grizzly bear cup playing with wolf cub:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL8x7LcA-Y4" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL8x7LcA-Y4']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

Brands Gaining Better Buzz

Most brands create video on their own and upload it in the hope that it'll get some attention. But other brands--a much smaller number--have so many fans that they benefit from viral video whether they lift a finger or not. This week we have a couple of each kind.

Frankie Muniz is Pizza Man, which actually does appear to be a real movie... I think:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WMJ1cC2sgI" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WMJ1cC2sgI']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

Tom Hanks is a great actor. He also has a great memory:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9z2hJwJuqg" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9z2hJwJuqg']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

The history of Thomas Edison, from one of the best channels for "explainer videos" JeremiahJW:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlxVDdBtFQQ" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlxVDdBtFQQ']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

Travel Alberta Canada is probably my new favorite branded YouTube channel--never underestimate the power of HD:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThFCg0tBDck" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThFCg0tBDck']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

The Start-Up Of You is an upcoming book from the founder of LinkedIn:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF3zSo9jFuk" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF3zSo9jFuk']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

The show American Ninja Warrior is flat-out dumb if they don't let this guy appear as a contestant--they're also reaping tons of free publicity from this contestant's entry video:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iclvPOq5ftg" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iclvPOq5ftg']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

Grab Bag

A handful of videos that got viral action this week didn't fit into my little categories, but were still totally worth sharing and learning from, so they end up here in the Grab Bag.

Is this kid the next Tiger Woods or the next Dennis The Menace?

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb0hle5C_c4" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb0hle5C_c4']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

Probably the most-buzzed-about video of the week involves an angry dad shooting his entitled kid's laptop:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl1ujzRidmU" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl1ujzRidmU']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

Slow motion makes everything better... I'm pretty sure that's in the Constitution. And Slow Motion Ice Skating in Amsterdam only helps to prove how true it is:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KZtgWoARsw" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KZtgWoARsw']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

World's largest rope swing? I'm willing to believe him, and definitely not interested in challenging him.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B36Lr0Unp4" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B36Lr0Unp4']);" rel="nofollow, external" target="_blank"><img class="nopin" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi//0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image"/></a>

• Star Wars, Musical Rarities & Steve Jobs - The Week's Best Viral Videos & Marketing Lessons

• The Week's Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons - Borderlands 2 Edition

• The Week's Best Viral Videos & Video Marketing Lessons - Guacamole Edition