My submission to SXSW 2011 is the side of UGC the marketing world doesn't much like to talk about. When passionate people use their talents to trash a brand reputation, rather than polish it for free. I got a great reaction at the SCAMP conference showing some of the wittier work, probably because advanced brand parody and brand protest stuff has gotten super creative. That's why I think it will be a welcome addition to the SXSW lineup and hope you do too.
My own career has been centered on using my creative skill on behalf of brands. But from my progressive personal side, I have also used my skills to make a statement.
This video from back in spring 2006 is a classic example of UGC gone rogue. Chevy claimed they expected anti-SUV videos, but I am sure the guardians of the brand reputation on the PR side were none too happy. For me, it is a reminder that it takes real passion to be creative. People who create content for a brand will be lovers. Or haters. So I say, Let the Brands Beware. The user is not your monkey.
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