Missouri-based Vat19 started out producing DVDs, but then expanded its offerings to include anything it considers a "curiously awesome" product. Slapstick abounds in the off-beat videos the company makes to highlight items like the FlipTop Cocktail Shaker and Magnetic Student Driver Signs. Vat19 currently hosts 106 such videos, each of which adds an entertaining and compelling depth to otherwise static catalog pages.

The humor can get corny. You might groan when a video for the USB Plasma Ball uses O.J. Simpson as a punch line, but it underscores the fact that they aren't taking the $11.95 novelty item too seriously. And how could anyone ponder a serious presentation of the 5-in-1 Beer Glass, which is so large it can accommodate nearly the entire contents of a six-pack? But when a product has plenty of features to discuss—the Power Dome EX Compact Generator, for instance—Vat19 dials the humor down and thoroughly explains its real-world practicality.

Our only concern: Though the company clearly labels its Videos section, it isn't obvious that clicking on individual links will launch streaming video. Since most visitors are accustomed to hitting a play or watch button, we'd suggest Vat19 incorporate something along those lines.

By playing to its strength of in-house video production, Vat19 brings its online catalog of novelty items to life—a great idea that we call Marketing Inspiration.

More Inspiration:
Lewis Green: Why Do We Love to Hate Facebook?
Elaine Fogel: The Power of Marketing: Is It Outright Trickery?
Matt Dickmam: Facebook Beacon, the Pandora's Box of Marketing

→ end article preview
Read the Full Article