Oscar Hype

With the 79th Annual Academy Award show right around the corner (airing Sunday night on ABC), it is interesting to watch the pre-game action that takes place prior to the actual show. Sure it makes sense to chart who and what have been nominated for various awards, but how is it that this show has managed, for nearly 80 years, to gain so much publicity? Is it the Red Carpet Show, when we are introduced to the classiest, stunning, yet sometimes outrageous gowns and frocks of the year? Or could it be the interactions these celebrities have with each other and the 'who showed up with whom' scenario's that keep viewers mesmerized?


This week alone, I witnessed several different daytime TV programs (all ABC sponsored) which highlighted assorted reasons for staying tuned to the Oscars this week. On Regis and Kelly, predictions were made regarding who they each thought was going to win for each category. Their private predictions were then sealed in a silver suitcase and will be revisited post Oscar night. The lovely ladies of The View also gave audience members Oscars posters as a give-away last Wednesday, February 21. Today's Mercury News also featured a reminder about Sunday night's television event and even a short memo about a Sunday night 'After the Oscars' Fashion Blog.

I found these types of publicity incredibly effective because it helped me remember that the Oscars were coming. Follow-up and frequent reminders to the public are what make people think that they don't want to miss out. I was inspired and reminded my these publicity moves that proper advertising and promotions, really do pay off.