Free Association

Lost Commercial Clue - Week 2

Well they're still at it - good for them. The folks at ABC's Lost ran another Hanso Commercial last night on the show, I blogged about the first one here. It happens around the 56 min. mark of the show - both last week and this week. This week the URL is www.letyourcompassguideyou.com and the phone number is 1-877-HANSORG. I suspect that the discussion early in the show between Michael and his son, where he told his Dad to go North, is somehow a clue. If you'll recall, during one of the flashbacks Michael pulled out a compass. I included a screenshot from my TiVo (via my Slingbox) cool eh? Enjoy. This is certainly an inventive and entertaining add on to this addictive show. I applaud the marketers at ABC. Way to go. I don't have time to chase all the clues, but I do enjoy the game.

Lost commercial clues

So did you see the "hint" in a commercial during lost? I did, although I caught it while I was fast-forwarding on my TiVo. Oops, not what was supposed to happen right ABC? I was supposed to actually watch commercials to look for clues. Well I did for a while, but I got bored and started fast-forwarding again.

I saw a "Hanso Foundation" logo flash by, so I stopped and rewound the TiVo. Sure enough, a commercial for the Hanso Foundation - the group that Eko and John (characters on Lost) were just watching a yet another videotape.

The Hanso ad told you to go to www.sublymonal.com - where you can find some cryptic clues, the get taken to the Hanso foundation website - where you have to figure out how to login. Whatever - too cryptic and boring for me. Like some bizarre version of Myst - where you have to figure out clues with almost no idea how. I'm sure it's fun for some but not for me. There was also an 877 number to call - I forget. It was an ad placement opportunity for Monster.com and Verizon Voicemail System. Lots more cryptic voicemail clues - again, whatever. I'll just watch the show...and skip the commercials with my nifty TiVo - thank you very much.

Nice try though ABC - keep at it, something's bound to work. The almost complete silence in the blogosphere on this topic, makes me think that I am not the only one yawning.

TV networks get a clue

Well it finally happened - TV networks have finally gotten a clue. Welcome to the 21st Century guys. Last week ABC took the plunge and started webcasting it's most popular shows online. Anyone with a broadband connection can watch an episode they missed online. The shows have only one, rotating, sponsor with limited commercial breaks - but the breaks cannot be fast-forward through. Good. I'll gladly watch a few short commercials to keep up with a show I missed, and somehow also missed recording on my TiVo.

This week, ABC goes further by embedding clues to the addictive show "Lost" in the commercials that run during the broadcast. Here's a quote on that "duh" move from ABC.

"To find the new adventure, you must watch the show's entire Wednesday episode. TiVo and DVR users be warned: There are clues in the commercials as well. "It's TiVo-proof," Benson said. "We will surprise the audience with where and how things are placed as far as clues and content and information. The whole experience is designed to dig deep and find lots of interesting stuff."

Well it's about time. And not to be too snotty...so "bravo ABC". It's brave to finally move away from what has worked so well for so long. Commercial TV has worked for decades, and it's easy for large companies to keep their heads in the sand.

Being a TiVo owner I don't mind this at all. I'll watch commercials if they're interesting. And especially if they help me figure out what the hell is going on with Michael upon his return to the hatch!! Poor Hurley - so close to some good lovin'.  There's more to do here guys, so keep plugging, innovating, and we'll keep watching.