I’ll give you one. Just guess what it is. Okay, okay -- we'll give you a few hints.
This new phenomenon involves dancing, horses, crazy outfits, a carousel, and a kid who dances like Michael Jackson.
That’s right! It’s Korean pop single, “Gangnam Style” by rapper and choreographer PSY. The song is characterized by its strongly addictive beats and lyrics and has recently reached #1 on iTunes. You can view the original video below to learn why it's so unbelievably addictive (and hilarious).
PSY has been featured on The Ellen Show, The Today Show, and Saturday Night Live (SNL) for his catchy hit and easy-to-learn dance moves that resemble riding an invisible horse. He even made an appearance on the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.
And to be honest, it's been a while since we HubSpotters created a crazy new music video, and well, we kind of missed it. So with all the hilarity surrounding this new craze, we took the opportunity to have a little fun and create a parody, called “Inbound Style.” Watch the video below, but don't struggle to find an obvious inbound marketing tie-in. Although, perhaps there's a lesson in viral marketing somewhere ...
HubSpot's Parody, "Inbound Style"
PSY's Original, "Gangnam Style"
And if you haven't caught a glimpse of the music video that started it all, here's PSY's original, which has amassed more than 209 million views to date.
The Making of "Inbound Style"
“Inbound Style” was created over a period of 2 days and features clips from around Boston and the HubSpot office building. To kick off the video, employees in orange track jackets flooded into a HubSpot common room, which was filled with colorful DJ lighting and to recreate the ambiance of a hot Boston club. The group learned the 'Gangnam Style' choreography in record time, and maintained wide smiles with hints of laughter for the duration of the scene being filmed. The majority of HubSpotters were actually sad when the dance scene was over because they wanted to keep dancing, Gangnam Style.
Did you notice HubSpot's PSY character get brutally bombarded with silly string? Pretty wild, right? We had several packs of silly string and only one take to get it right. Luckily, it was a mission well accomplished (minus the massive mess).
The main character was played by Hartley Brody and his love affection was played by Sarah Goliger. You may have also noticed a clip of David Meerman Scott, online marketing strategist and author of popular marketing books such as The New Rules of Marketing and PR, and Mike Volpe, CMO of HubSpot. How about Laura Fitton, co-author of Twitter for Dummies? Yep, they all have 'Inbound Style,' and they aren’t afraid to show it.
Do you have ‘Inbound Style?’ What did you think of the video? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Inbound Marketing Blog Feed
Jen 9:19 AM on September 18, 2012
Too cute! Good job, Hubspot. You always keep it real. Love it. :)
Jon Nugent 9:20 AM on September 18, 2012
Wow, amazing what you guys do. I'm posting in my blog which is syndicated by the Boston Globe and posted in almost 50 Groups on LinkedIn.
Have these guys go on tour, perform at the next HubSpot user group meetings.
Ron Mattocks 9:20 AM on September 18, 2012
Can't. Get. Song. Outta. My head. -- Now I have to bust out my Barry Manilow playlist on Spotify to counteract the effects. (Very funny stuff, ya'll.)
Laurie W 9:21 AM on September 18, 2012
Great job, Hubspot!! Love it! The hand puppets were a nice touch.
Debbie Barden 9:27 AM on September 18, 2012
Great job. Thanks for the entertainment and keeping it fun!!!
Martin B 9:28 AM on September 18, 2012
Great stuff! You're that guys I'd like to work with. ;)
Patsi Krakoff 9:28 AM on September 18, 2012
Hilarious - a great way to start my day, and I guess the mktg nugget is that not everything has to be serious. And I'm sure it'll get passed around. That song is stuck in my mind, but I thought they were saying "condom style" ...!?
Denise 9:28 AM on September 18, 2012
Wow. That looks like so much fun! We're actually trying to brainstorm a fun Christmas video for clients & social media. Still in the works. Thanks for bringing a smile to my day early in the morning.
Eric 9:36 AM on September 18, 2012
Nice job, very well done! Business is about the culture created as much as it is about the work, and it looks like HubSpot has created a wonderful work environment.
Ja 9:53 AM on September 18, 2012
Guys, that's IMPRESSIVE, there's a real love and research from the original one... here in old Europe too you cannot pass immune vs the overwhelming energy of the Gangnam Style. Rrrrr-spect to you all! :))
Yolanda lerner 10:07 AM on September 18, 2012
Fun! So I wonder...how many times do you watch " the real one" to do a parody like this? And how long does it take?
Julie Montgomery 11:09 AM on September 18, 2012
You guys are nuts. I love you. Who is the star of the video?
Emily Rosenthal 11:17 AM on September 18, 2012
Nicely done Hubspot! Looks like you are hard at work and I love it!
Javier López Lorenzo 11:37 AM on September 18, 2012
Enhorabuena a todo el equipo, sois geniales.
Saludos desde España.
Javier López Lorenzo.
@fondillon
Pat Chiappa 12:33 PM on September 18, 2012
freaking hysterical - you guys are crazy!
Jaco Grobbelaar 1:06 PM on September 18, 2012
Great job! Got my dose of funny for the day. Now, back to work...
ryan koral 1:39 PM on September 18, 2012
wow. amazing. nothing short of. you guys are hilarious. nice work.
Kelli 2:22 PM on September 18, 2012
AMAZING. Seriously - I can imagine how much time that took, and let me tell you, it was worth it. :)
Jhazz 2:23 PM on September 18, 2012
Awesome!
Amy Valentine 3:55 PM on September 18, 2012
Ha ha Fantastic Parady, Love this tune and love Hubspot's sense of humor:) Way to Go Hubspot!
D Mirza 4:07 PM on September 18, 2012
Spectacular
Jazz 4:58 PM on September 18, 2012
That guy has no swag! And I must say your elevator guy was so weak! I like the idea of riding the Gang Nam train, but next time you gotta bring it a little harder.
Kristine Rice 6:11 PM on September 18, 2012
Your video is awesome! I love this song....so much that we created one of our own at Health & Safety Institute with BOT (Better Online Tools). http://info.hsi.com/bot
Mel 7:30 PM on September 18, 2012
now this is awesomeness 'Gangnam Style'
Dave Bryan 8:00 PM on September 18, 2012
Love it!
Raissa 10:54 PM on September 18, 2012
Fantastic video! Do you mind sharing if it was much trouble to get song permission or licensing? Thanks!
M3 2:49 AM on September 19, 2012
Hilarious hubspot! Have you seen this new fitness music parody, "Six Packs Back," by 6 Pack?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yds0aBn00K0
Monika Szabadkaiova 5:26 AM on September 19, 2012
Brilliant & hilarious! You guys just made my day! :)
Emily Pykett 5:30 AM on September 19, 2012
I LOVED your video, it absolutely made my day. I have asked our digital executive if Watershed PR can make our own Gangnam video, Dorset-style! (very rural part of the UK - think tractors, farmers, cider, haystacks...)
sean patrick 8:12 AM on September 19, 2012
Hilarious! Get them singing like the Alannis Morissette chick did ;)
Roxie Mooney 10:05 AM on September 19, 2012
I wish more brands/leaders were willing to take these types of risk. It speaks volumes.
Amy Wallace 10:24 AM on September 19, 2012
I'm gonna go w/ "news jacking" as the viral marketing lesson...I was paying attention @ #INBOUND12! :-)
Well-played HubSpot. Well-played.
Claire Slattery 11:21 AM on September 19, 2012
So funny! Thanks for the "extended" laugh! Shared on our social sites. :)
Chad 9:33 PM on September 19, 2012
Nice... you guys went all our with your own production and 2-day shoot. Great work. Did you see Commission Junction's "Call Me Maybe" LipDub?
Niveen Salem 11:47 PM on September 19, 2012
OMG....just amazing work!! Love it...great marketing strategy! Keep up the good work HobSpot,
Maureen Condon 4:25 PM on September 20, 2012
Newsjacking at its best, HubSpot - love it!
Kristina 8:12 PM on September 20, 2012
Your video is funny!! I have my laugh for the day!
Darin "Doc" Berntson 9:34 PM on September 23, 2012
This is awesome guys. Mike Volpe's facial expression is the best. Looks like someone made him do it!
This song is awesome, and you guys made a great parody!
Doc
Kim Tyrone Agapito 8:20 PM on September 24, 2012
Well played HubSpot haha! I don't understand the hate on the YouTube comment section tho.