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In an attempt to give a sneak-peak into the future, the OK Computer marketing strategy harps on the ensemble cast, meme-game, and a core message questioning the relevance of AI and technology in the modern world. We take a look.
As the sci-fi comedy thriller, set in the futuristic 2031, OK Computer releases on Disney+Hotstar, we take a look at its marketing strategy. Helmed by a stellar star cast that includes Radhika Apte, Vijay Varma, Jackie Shroff, and Rasika Duggal, the 6-episode series is directed by Pooja Shetty and Neil Pagedar and is produced by Anand Gandhi.
Attempting to reconcile the stone-age emotions, space-age technology, and industrial-age institutions, OK Computer's marketing strategy follows a similar route that is focused on memes and futuristic posts. The prime hashtags used for OK Computer marketing strategy across social media platforms include #HotstarSpecialsOKComputer #TheFutureIsAjeeb #BotAccheBotBure, and #StreamingFromMarch26.
Hashtag Marketing with #TheFutureIsAjeeb
The platform kickstarted a social media conversation on Twitter with the #FutureIsAjeeb hashtag while asking the viewers if they have any questions about the future to create buzz and curiosity around the series' theme.
Sorry guys, we’re having transmission issues from 2031, while we’re here, do you have any questions about 2031 for us? #TheFutureIsAjeeb @radhika_apte @MrVijayVarma @bindasbhidu @kani_kusruti @Memewala @sarangsathaye @_PoojaShetty @RasikaDugal @NeilPage pic.twitter.com/t7JHwNCKMP
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 8, 2021
Mandatory for everyone, optional for you. #TheFutureIsAjeeb pic.twitter.com/kskP8Ve2mE
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 8, 2021
The OTT platform tagged various brands to rope them in the conversation for relevance and reach through Tweets. This was done while envisaging a world in 2031 that would be without, say, for example, 30 minutes or free pizza to establish the core message of the series around Homo-sapiens vs Robo-sapiens.
No more 30 mins or free pizza @Dominos_India #TheFutureIsAjeeb
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 8, 2021
This was followed by the Ajeeb and abrupt announcements, especially for the uninitiated to spread awareness and leverage the generated curiosity around the subject while engaging the audiences. A lot of celebrities and influencers seemed to organically react to such tweets with an element of surprise, probing further into the new sci-fi comedy-thriller series.
Word of advice, keep an eye out for the computers near you because 2031 is very Ajeeb 👀#HotstarSpecialsOKComputer #TheFutureIsAjeeb #BotAccheBotBure https://t.co/E8tn04Uw9x
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 10, 2021
Something that's quite possible in the future, imagine an AI being hacked 😳, so cool to see @bindasbhidu sir always 🙂 best wishes everyone for #OKComputer @radhika_apte@DisneyplusHSVIP @MrVijayVarma @kani_kusruti @Memewala @sarangsathaye @NeilPage @_PoojaShetty @RasikaDugal https://t.co/02dVPO16Sd
— Akshara Haasan (@Iaksharahaasan) March 9, 2021
A Queer Recording
Keeping the futuristic theme intact, the marketers released another social media post with a digitized recording as a part of the announcement of the series.
Received an ajeeb o gareeb voice recording from @DisneyplusHSVIP
— Vijay Varma (@MrVijayVarma) March 8, 2021
Is everything ok? #TheFutureIsAjeeb pic.twitter.com/rKHI6CFA0L
This was shared by the cast and crew for further amplification.
Announcement Poster
In-line with the many layers of the series comprising humor, thrill, and a futuristic murder mystery to solve amidst the world of robots and humans, Disney+Hotstar released a static announcement poster across social media platforms.
The poster summarized and showcased the elements such as multiple robots and the prime characters.
Hotstar announces it's new original series #OKComputer starring @radhika_apte @MrVijayVarma @RasikaDugal @bindasbhidu.
— LetsCinema (@letscinema) March 8, 2021
Coming to Disney+ Hotstar, March 26th. pic.twitter.com/6nycbpRHjp
Trailer Release
After the pre-buzz tactics and CTAs to redirect users to watch the series, the official trailer was launched.
Introducing Characters through Futuristic Posts
Disney+Hotstar introduced each of the characters with interesting promo post-formats on social media channels, with an element of mystery and design aesthetics revolving around a computerized world. Interweaving the eccentricities of the characters and the theme of the show, the posts intended to continue to generate curiosity and buzz.
Meet Saajan Kundu
Vijay Varma even changed his Instagram name to Saajan Kundu for authenticity and realism.
Meet Saajan Kundu - a hard-nosed, no-nonsense, pineapple-loving cyber cell cop. Suspicious of all technology and haunted by his past, Saajan is happy to slap a robot or two around if his police work calls for it.#OkComputer @DisneyplusHSVIP pic.twitter.com/fuqVAIgQ4f
— Vijay Varma (@MrVijayVarma) March 13, 2021
Not your quintessential cyber cell cop, lover of all foods, hater of all things robotic, firm believer of the 5 second rule. He's on a mission to solve the case of the murder of Pav bhaji. Can he really do it?
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 15, 2021
Watch OK Computer on March 26th. pic.twitter.com/PPVyuqPCEd
Laxmi Suri: Replacing Humans with Robots
Her job is to protect the robots and her passion is also to protect the robots, she’s replaced all the humans in her life with robots, so much so that she can’t talk to a lot of humans. She’s on a mission to prove that the biggest crime of 2031 is not committed by a robot pic.twitter.com/jjNs6g6Myi
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 16, 2021
Who is Pushpak Shakur?
An eco-terrorist, anti-robot cult leader, carries a toxic sapling around his neck and the only clothing brand he endorses is ‘being Nanga’. What’s his beef with the robots? Watch Hotstar Specials OK Computer streaming from 26th March. pic.twitter.com/nvr8Cp0qLf
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 17, 2021
Also read: Inside: Roohi marketing strategy attempts to drive theatre footfalls
Tête-à-tête with the Stars
Leveraging more tactics around content marketing, various conversation pieces were released to provide glimpses of what to expect from the series with BTS and interaction with the characters in their avatar.
Conversation with Laxmi
Meeting Saajan
#WeAreHiring with Laxmi Suri
This video post introduced PETER (People for the Ethical Treatment of Every Robot) with Radhika Apte in the voice of Laxmi where she is showcased as empathizing with gadgets and robots and how humans discard them when they are of no use, in a seeming slice-of-life comedy, set in 2031.
Keeping up with the Meme-Game
OK Computer movie marketing attempted to tick all the check-boxes of pop-culture while mingling the present and future, leading to a meme-dominated approach. The meme posts leveraged the theme of relatable comedy, modernism with AR filters, and slapstick dialogues from the series.
🚨 Extroverts should never leave their introvert friends alone at a party!
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 21, 2021
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.#HotstarSpecialsOKComputer #TheFutureIsAjeeb #BotAccheBotBure #StreamingFromMarch26 pic.twitter.com/Cwzuv9BLud
Hahahahaha https://t.co/VFJHQre4Mz
— Vijay Varma (@MrVijayVarma) March 13, 2021
Random yet Relatable
As a part of the marketing tactic, Disney+Hotstar shared relatable posts while keeping it humorous and casual, without deviating from the topic of the series to target audiences across demographics.
Waiting for Indian parents to use OK Computer as proof to tell their kids ‘software engineer ban ja, usi mein future hai.’ #OKComputer #TheFutureIsAjeeb #BotAccheBotBure
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 11, 2021
The Jackie-Maushie connect was another celebrated set of posts shared by the marketers, leveraging the nostalgia and popularity of the veteran actor to promote the series.
Since the world cannot get over Jackie and Maushi in the present, we brought them together in the future. #OKComputer #TheFutureIsAjeeb #BotAccheBotBure @bindasbhidu
— Disney+ Hotstar VIP (@DisneyplusHSVIP) March 11, 2021
Binary codes and bots were other themes that were followed for social media posts to grab the audience's attention.
01101001 00100000 01101100 01101111 01110110 01100101 00100000 01110010 01101111 01100010 01101111 01110100 01110011
— Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) March 11, 2021
This is the binary code for ‘I Love Robots’. You may need it in 2031. You’re welcome.#OKComputer #TheFutureIsAjeeb #BotAccheBotBure
Countdown Posts
Another common tactic leveraged by the marketers for the series was countdown posts. To keep it interesting, the makers released the comic and thrill-based dialogue snippets from OK Computer.
Just 1 day to go before you step into a future of robots vs. anti-tech cults. 🤖#HotstarSpecials #OKComputer Premiering March 26#TheFutureIsAjeeb @radhika_apte @MrVijayVarma @bindasbhidu @kani_kusruti @Memewala @sarangsathaye @_PoojaShetty @RasikaDugal @NeilPage pic.twitter.com/JVWv7H7pJy
— Hotstar Canada (@hotstarcanada) March 25, 2021
Funny meme posts continued to be at the epicenter even for the countdown or reminder posts
Find out on March 26th, only on Hotstar.#Hotstar #HotstarSingapore #OKComputer pic.twitter.com/sadvWSkw5W
— Hotstar Singapore (@HotstarSG) March 24, 2021
Reactions
Several influential people reacted to the promo posts in the socioverse for OK Computer with appreciation for the actors and the series' concept.
Just saw the #OkComputer trailer and @MrVijayVarma is the man of the hour! Seeing him play a cyber agent that too in a comedy role is definitely a breath of fresh air! Cannot wait for more from the star of the hour! pic.twitter.com/p6F31jmSZx
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) March 9, 2021
To Sum It Up
Amidst the news of the second wave, the future might be Ajeeb for many, but it continues to be full of surprises. Similarly, with social commentary between the layers of comedy, mockumentary, and visually striking imagery, the OK Computer marketing strategy leverages curiosity and apprehension among the people for the future that might be dominated by AI and technology.