22 May 2006

Disintermediating American Idol

Who needs American Idle when you’ve got the viral power of the Internet. Those of you reading this post who have not yet seen the Chinese Backstreet Boys, as they have come to be known, may well be in minority at this point.  This lip syncing video has struck a chord with millions of viewers.  And as we’ve seen with things like JibJab’s This Land or The Star Wars Kid, cultural phenomenon spread with lightening speed on the Internet.  I am sure these two Chinese teenagers had no idea how popular their lip syncing video would become.  Yet, like the winners of American Idol, fame has turned into money for these instant celebrities.  Check out this Motorola commercial they have recently recorded and is now playing in the Chinese market.  Just another example of the powerful cultural filter that is the unfettered Internet.

Posted by David Hornik | Permalink | | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)