Hulu has just released the latest in its series of star-studded ads, this time featuring Dennis Leary in a spot called ‘The Leary Mission’. He plays an alien trying to turn humans’ brains to mush by watching TV online. In the ad he gives the following instructions: “Now I need you to take your stubby little human fingers and hit this button on Hulu. Then you can share those TV shows on your bliggety blogs and your Facey-spaceys and your Tweety pages for all of your bookwormy anti-Boobtubey friends.” How could we resist putting the ad on our own bliggety blog:
As I’ve noted before, while Hulu doesn’t seem to be taking itself too seriously with these ads (how many other brands portray themselves as alien plots?), they may well play a key role in Hulu’s long term success. The TV shows and movies offered by Hulu are already popping up on competitors like TV.com, and more recently YouTube, though the latter is still quite a ways behind.
Hulu dominates in terms of selection for now, especially with Disney’s recent stake in the site (CBS, which owns TV.com, is now the lone major network holdout). But there’s still a good chance that these sites will converge and feature a near-identical library down the line. Hulu continues to refine its user experience, perfecting its search engine and streamlining its player to be as user friendly as popular. But nice design only goes so far, especially when the others can easily copy it.
So Hulu is trying making itself a household name, becoming the de facto leader both in selection and brand recognition while the other guys barely have their foot in the door. So far, it seems to be working – Hulu is the number three video site in the US, and is well on its way to taking second place, just behind Google’s properties.
Unfortunately I fear the bigger they get the bigger target they become.
Lawsuit in 3…2…1…
or digital rights drama in 4…3…2…1…
Eh, Hulu is run by the suers, they will not be suees.
I could be wrong, but one of the guys with the laptops sure did look like the “Dude you’re getting a Dell” guy.
“Your Tweetie Pages” – that’s Fantastic.
NPR devoted a sizeable chunk of their news broadcast to Hulu last night, calling it a “Mecca for Advertisers” because users cannot skip commercials.
Disney has already sunk its teeth in.
YouTube vs. Hulu – Will rising tides lift all boats or is there going to be a hard and fast winner?
*sigh*
Hulu: “Our ads are not available in your region.”
That’s his old IBM “Internet should be free” format.
http://www.yout...h?v=Aw25FtOgNms
“If you want to surf, move to Maui”
When HULU comes to the non-computer and non-laptop format… then they’ll take over the world.
Apple would have to concede the iTunes and iPhone streaming over WiFi (3g? not likely regarding AT&T’s noted cellular backhaul and capacity planning track record) to Hulu’s app, assuming it was permissible on the App Store.
That’s rumored right?
Contrast Hulu with VCast’s “cutting edge” players
http://products...cat=cuttingedge
Until then, meh?
Too bad hulu only works in the US so i can never see the ad
Consider yourself lucky, these ads a suck it. Hulu needs a new schtick, these ads are not just boring,and they drive you to change the Channel. They have never inspired me to visit hulu. Epic fail!
I think these commercials are very effective. With news yesterday that Disney is taking a 30% stake in the company, I think other video sites out there have to be concerned. Their quick rise to #3 shows that the demand for this sophisticated of a video option is high. And their marketing is right on.
Sued.. really that’s all you got. Who’s not getting sued..That just means you are doing something whether it right or wrong that other people want a part of. This just makes products like PlayOn that much better and sites like thefuzznetwork have more to provide.
Youtube is in trouble, once people get over crotch kicks content will be king – and hulu has it.
I LOVE hulu, but they drop a few notches for using the annoying douche that is Dennis Leary.
Hulu commercials make me rewind my DVR to catch them. Always entertaining…so far.
I’ve been following the internet tv thing since its started, and it seem we are going into two mega sites YouTube and Hulu and all the rest like Joost and Metacafe will go under.
I love the fact that I have to watch a 3 second Hulu promo before watching a Hulu ad on Hulu! Thanks!
I love that I can actually watch something on Hulu from outside US… even if its just an ad.
Spell my name right next time.