
forbes.com
The Last of Us" Marketing Success: Lessons for Small Businesses
HBO's "The Last of Us" season two premiere drew 5.3 million US viewers, a 13% increase from season one, highlighting successful marketing strategies including brand partnerships, podcasts, and strategic content releases.
- How did HBO's use of brand partnerships and podcasts specifically contribute to the success of "The Last of Us" season two marketing?
- The show's marketing leveraged brand partnerships (e.g., with Four Sigmatic coffee), podcasts (The Last of Us Podcast), and a strategic content release plan to generate anticipation and engagement. These tactics created shareable content and fostered deeper connections with fans.
- What is the key takeaway from HBO's marketing strategy for "The Last of Us" season two, and how can it be applied to smaller businesses?
- HBO's "The Last of Us" season two premiere attracted 5.3 million American viewers, a 13% increase from season one, showcasing the show's marketing success. This demonstrates the effectiveness of their strategies, which are applicable to smaller businesses.
- What are the long-term implications of implementing HBO's marketing strategies (brand partnerships, podcasts, strategic content release) for a small business's brand building and growth?
- By analyzing HBO's approach, smaller businesses can implement similar strategies, such as creating shareable content through collaborations, using podcasts for authentic conversations, and strategically releasing content to build anticipation. This could lead to increased brand awareness and customer engagement, despite smaller budgets.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive, presenting HBO's marketing strategy as a case study for success. The headline and introduction immediately position the show's marketing as a model for smaller businesses, potentially overlooking alternative approaches or factors contributing to its success. The article focuses solely on positive aspects, potentially creating an unrealistic expectation for smaller businesses.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and enthusiastic, employing terms like "powerful," "great," and "success." While not overtly biased, this consistently positive tone might create an overly optimistic view of the marketing strategies' effectiveness. More neutral language could provide a balanced perspective.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on marketing strategies and doesn't discuss potential negative aspects of the show or its impact, omitting counterarguments or criticisms. This omission might limit the reader's understanding of the show's reception and overall significance.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of marketing success, implying that the strategies discussed are guaranteed to work for freelancers. It doesn't acknowledge the complexity of marketing or the potential for varied results.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights marketing strategies employed by HBO for The Last of Us, emphasizing accessibility for smaller businesses and freelancers. By sharing strategies like brand partnerships and podcast engagement, the article promotes equitable access to effective marketing techniques, potentially leveling the playing field for smaller businesses and reducing the marketing advantage of larger corporations.