By: Stephan Blais

Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqgvnavhNS4/T1BPFHE45DI/AAAAAAAAAVE/XM4aQspDuug/s1600/meme%2Bcollage.jpg

MEMES

crystallize

Source: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/dr-evil-air-quotes

Source: http://designthinkingworkshop2011.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/hires.jpg

Reddit

4Chan

9Gag

Internet memes are created and spread on various social media sites, such as:

Tumblr

Facebook

Twitter

Source: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/first-day-on-the-internet-kid

Early memes have had a seminal impact

on digital culture.

Source: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/headshot.jpg

Memes can start trends and fads that people all over the world participate in,

proving the power of connectivity memes possess.

Source: http://socialmediaweek.org/files/2013/08/Connected-world-e1377123060145.jpg

owling Tebowing

Source: http://www.planking.me/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/sf-planking-e1323088115873.jpg

But what makes a meme successful or unsuccessful? Viral or not?

“In an environment where speed is everything and attention is fleeting, good timing coupled with a strong cultural awareness can make the

difference between something that goes viral and something that ends up in the gutters of the Web”

– Matt Morain

Source: http://vpncreative.net/wp-content/uploads/webhostingreviewbase/2013/09/18.jpg

Can the heavy influence and popularity of memes have more useful or practical applications?

Source: http://www.solutiontable.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/better-handshake.jpg

Source: http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/design/power-internet-memes/

Source: http://themeshaper.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/toolbox1.jpg

“A good viral marketing strategy is one that uses buzz to replicate shared cultural meaning across a community of consumers.”

- From “Kellogg on Integrated Marketing”

Source: http://3mx24s1dzkew1x7chz4af8it19rs.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/advocates-content.png

Memes can be a great tool for companies to use because there is very little to no cost using them.

They can also be used as a basis for an entire integrated marketing promotional campaign.

YOUR AD HERE

Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/samsung-LCD.jpg

Snakes on a Plane

Source: http://www.richardcrouse.ca//wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Snakes_on_a_Plane.jpg

Source: http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1103368!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_970/oreo28n-1-web.jpgPhoto by: Oreo

Chuck Norris is a popular Internet

figure for his manly and tough

image. Blizzard

Entertainment Inc. featured him in

advertisements for their game, World

of Warcraft.

Some companies take advantage

of existing memes

Source: http://eagnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/chuck-norris-07.jpg

Source: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jgyugzLdbng/TTx6hWp-EjI/AAAAAAAACP4/8n1d_VJH8zo/s1600/Dos-Equis-Man.jpg

Source: http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

“The greatest aspect of meme marketing is that it allows most any company, no matter how staid its typical image, to create something

memorable in a spirit of fun.” – Cheryl Conner, Forbes

Source: http://media.dmnews.com/images/2013/06/11/1_memes_393404.png

Source: http://www.visionnoblesville.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/GREEN-GROWTH.jpg

Sources

• http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/2.10/godwin.if.html?topic=&topic_set=

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13414527

• http://news.discovery.com/tech/where-do-internet-memes-come-from.htm

• http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/design/power-internet-memes/

• Iacobucci, D., & Calder, B. (2003). Kellogg on Integrated Marketing. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 94. Print.

• http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2013/07/02/three-tips-for-marketing-better-with-memes/