IBM's Zany Viral Video Chief

Overcoming Corporate Fear of Social Media

Produced by Hoag Levins
Published: September 21, 2009

Tim Washer is a part-time comedian as well as an IBM corporate communications executive.

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- It's certainly not unusual that a stand up comedian like Tim Washer would be producing absurdist viral videos. What is surprising is that the IBM communications executive is doing so for his straight-laced corporate employer. He appeared at a Business Development Institute seminar on corporate social media practices last week. There, he championed the cause of creative absurdity in corporate marketing. And he warned the audience that fear and rigid thinking were the greatest obstacles to their companies' social media success.

5 Comments

By AstuteObserver | SINGAPORE September 21, 2009 10:21:50 am:

Include a link to Youtube please. What's viral about requiring an itunes download? Get with the program already.

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By cfilm | Calgary, AB September 21, 2009 10:56:47 am:

Hi AstuteObserver ,

I don't know if this is the official site, but there are a bunch of these videos here,
http://www.youtube.com/user/360comedy

Mainframe: The Art of the Sale, Lesson One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSqXKp-00hM

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By David | Lexington, MA September 22, 2009 10:44:56 am:

Tim is a little zany, yes. But he is a genius too.

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By NANCY | NEW YORK, NY September 23, 2009 04:08:03 pm:

You may also want to check out the work of Got VMail, a virtual phone company, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Fgra2KhNw Great way to use known talent, that has a high search appeal, to achieve the viral video effect.

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By porton | Hillsborough, NC September 27, 2009 07:25:08 pm:

Tim Washer is a brilliant comic genius. His videos not only send important messages about corporate strategy and values to 400,000+ IBM global employees, but they help keep us smiling and enjoying our work. Our company is blessed to have him!

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