Other Stuff

How the Hashtag Saved Charlie Sheen

G Guest Poster
Posted onMar 8, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Updated onUpdated on Oct 25, 2019 at 7:30 AM

Love him or hate him, no one can deny the tour d’force known at the moment as Charlie Sheen. Though he has brashly “beeped” his way through numerous media interviews and lost his job on Two and a Half Men, he has become an overnight sensation on Twitter. Now, you too can drink #tigersblood, live with #goddesses and #earnyourself as you read Sheen’s thoughtful posts online. But he isn’t just tweeting phrases, he’s adding video through Ustream in a webcast known as Sheen’s Korner (100 million views in two nights time), adding pictures through tweetpics and even advertising for an intern that can down tiger blood with the best of them.

Here’s the truly amazing thing about the entire circus, Sheen has skyrocketed to 2 million followers on Twitter in a week’s time. That’s two million people clamoring for his “wisdom.” While I don’t advocate for living like Charlie Sheen, I do advocate for marketing like him. Some things to note:

  1. He doesn’t just tweet, he uses every tool at his disposal, video, pictures and more.
  2. He’s using controversy to his advantage and redirecting the discussion based on his own ideas, not the media.
  3. Even though he’s lost a prime time show, his popularity is brighter than ever based on his social media prowess.
  4. Sheen has definitely created a brand around himself and is using it with lightening force.
  5. He truly does drink tiger blood.

My guess is Sheen will come out unscathed and more in demand than ever. #U’vebeenwarned.

J
  • J
    Jeff Kershner
  • March 8, 2011
I'm curious - I might need to try some of this tigersblood. Charlie is out of control..or is he?

Thanks for the different post. Who says everything has to be directly automotive related. I'm always looking at other verticals or forms of media to grab ideas from.

"He doesn’t just tweet, he uses every tool at his disposal, video, pictures and more." - we can all learn from this. Anytime I take a photo, video or even when we sign up for a new service - I try and keep an open on where else can I "cross pollinate" this service or content.
J
  • J
    Jeff Kershner
  • March 8, 2011
I'm curious - I might need to try some of this tigersblood. Charlie is out of control..or is he?

Thanks for the different post. Who says everything has to be directly automotive related. I'm always looking at other verticals or forms of media to grab ideas from.

"He doesn’t just tweet, he uses every tool at his disposal, video, pictures and more." - we can all learn from this. Anytime I take a photo, video or even when we sign up for a new service - I try and keep an open on where else can I "cross pollinate" this service or content.
M
I don't know if I'd consider Charlie Sheen "saved" ... :)

This certainly is a great example of gaining natural followers using unique and interesting content; even if it is a front row seat to the crazy show.
R
We now live in a world where you can be thrown off of a top rated network television show, get lambasted by mainstream media, crucified by Dr Phil and invited over by Dr Drew and still manage to gain an audience. "Social Media" is an oxymoron, this is simply Media 2.0. #media2.0 My condolences go out to all those who now own websites and consulting companies based on the term "Social Media" #planbetter
R
Correction, "Social Media" is redundant not an oxymoron.
B
  • B
    Brian
  • March 8, 2011
Laurie

Thank you for reminding everyone to use ALL channels of communication for personal branding or business marketing. I'm excited by the power of our current media and communication channels and the Sheen story is the super-amplification of what can be achieved.

If car dealers should just step outside of the norm and engage in a true, multi-pronged digital marketing and branding strategy, the results would be equally as impressive, just at a smaller scale.

Rob, you are a master of video marketing and you dominate your market, so the question is what other channels should you dominate? Let's brainstorm on that in Orlando!
R
@Brian Sounds like a great idea.
L
  • L
    Laurie
  • March 8, 2011
Matt- Could not agree more. Perhaps headline should have been, "How hashtag kept Charlie Sheen from careening of own cliff of lunacy." :)
L
  • L
    Laurie
  • March 8, 2011
Matt- Could not agree more. Perhaps headline should have been, "How hashtag kept Charlie Sheen from careening of own cliff of lunacy." :)
L
  • L
    Laurie
  • March 8, 2011
Rob, love it! You're right - social IS the media today - no getting around it. It's just another channel to get the message out vs. an actual "practice."
L
  • L
    Laurie
  • March 8, 2011
Rob, love it! You're right - social IS the media today - no getting around it. It's just another channel to get the message out vs. an actual "practice."
L