Network Solutions has posted a “mockumentary”parody video of Godaddy.com, starting Cloris Leachman, as “Go Granny,the original poster girl who’s past her prime, but still believes she’s one smokin’ hot babe that can sell websites and domains.”
“Go Granny thinks she’s just one phone call away from taking the “sisters” back to the Super Bowl.”
The nearly 4 minute video is really funny and just in time for the big game.
This is from NetSol’s press release:
“Instead of investing millions of dollars in Super Bowl ads, we leveraged the power of the Internet to promote our brand, as we do for our small business customers every day,” said Sanjay Gupta, head of marketing for Network Solutions. “With a little bit of creativity and the support of an online community, we’re letting the masses know that as a company we like to have some fun, but when it comes to our customers, we take their business seriously.”
Who knew?
Logan says
I’m still going to steer clear of both registrars. I prefer DomainMonster.com.
Mark says
LOL!
Completely funny. Love Netsol 100%. Been with them for over ten years and they have always delivered quality.
Happy to see them show some edge.
Mark
Landon White says
Netsol:
NETWORK SOLUTIONS HAS ALWAYS BEEN HAVING FUN
…………………………………………………………… Goofing ON DOMAINERS:
*Network Solutions Registering Domains “After a simple Availability Lookup”
When they got caught STEALING (registering) your WHOIS LOOKUP
inquires a while back in 2008 ( google it, or paste link below)
THAT IS, registering the domain inquiry as soon as you hesitated,
then offering it FOR SALE to you at inflated prices!
://www.billhartzer.com/pages/network-solutions-registering-domains-after-availability-lookup/
NICE FUNNY FOLK!
://www.billhartzer.com/pages/network-solutions-registering-domains-after-availability-lookup/
Landon White says
Here is what ElliotsBlog …
had to say “at the time” about (Netsol) NETWORK SOLUTIONS,
Stealing Domains Away!
://www.elliotsblog.com/network-solutions-defensive-measure-for-whois-searches
I BET THEY WERE HAVING …
“SERIOUS FUN”
Landon White says
Get’s funnier by the minute:
Jays Blog,
I am confirming that Network Solutions steals domain ideas when people check domain availability on the Network Solutions website. They seem to have started the practice of stealing domain ideas on December 16th 2007 according to our Domain History database but I was just made aware of this practice today. I am appalled at the concept of taking people’s domain ideas and registering it before the consumer has the ability to manually register the domain.
It is a deplorable action that Network Solution would announce potential domain names to the entire world. If a customer chooses not to register the domain name with Network Solution they are forced to wait 4 days for Network Solutions to delete the domain name in the Free Add Grace period. After the four day hostage period the consumer is free from the hostage situation and can register the domain somewhere else. However Network Solutions has now exposed those domains to Domain Tasters that will snipe those domain up milliseconds after Network Solutions deletes them. By registering the domain Network Solutions is exposing the domain in the DNS and every computer in the world now knows about the domain. These domains are now easy fodder for scammers and it is mind blowing that Network Solutions would expose their customers queries to the world in this manner.
Netsol, Always good for a laugh, on you!
sin says
Network solution, dont have money, for god sake, network Solution, come up with serious advertising stunt, dont copy the idea or try to benefit from them by making a parody.
I think its time for NETWORK SOLUTION TO GET SERIOUS!!!!! First!!!
Landon White says
It was called Front Running …
In the Stock Market Front Running is a FEDERAL CRIME.
—-
P.S.
Stealing Ideas AGAIN:
Exact Same M O (modus operandi)
stealing again…
only this time …
a Godaddy IDEA
Can they be trusted with Domains, NO.
(
em says
Spooky and unfortunately, reactionary. Nothing innovative or fresh there. GoDaddy is the only beneficiary.
FaceAnswers.com [Answers.com Q&A site sold for $127 millions!] says
very funny: Banned Super Bowl Commercials … 🙂
slatev.com/video/banned-super-bowl-commercials/
Rick Schwartz says
Respectfully….
It is not about GoDaddy or Network Solutions. It is that they are becoming the center off attention. High visibility advertising for US.
Awareness is the key to valuation and in that regard, hats off to both of them!!
Rob Sequin says
Sad for Network Solutions but great for domains I guess.
Not sure an old lady is really the positive image for the future of the Internet or the NSI brand.
Anyway, to get Cloris and have this high production value commercial put together must have cost a lot of money. Maybe they think it will go viral but this is NSI we are talking about… the company that has sucked and continues to suck at everything.
A real sad attempt at humor even though I like Cloris.
Do they not know that imitation is the sincerest form flattery?
Jeff Schneider says
Hello Mike,
I have got to admit that is the funniest promo I have ever seen. Huge exposure for the DOMAINING COMMUNITY. Effective Marketing by Marketing Centric firms such as Apple and now others will win the largest User Base. Its not the IT its the marketing Stupid!
Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)
LS Morgan says
Funny, well-positioned ad.
Thought the whole 4 minute thing was a bit much, but I’ve always intuitively believed that registrars other than Godaddy had a bit of marketing manna by taking the ‘less tacky’ approach. Pretty effective to see them do it with parody.
Bob Parsons ‘everyman’ method has made Bob Parsons rich and congrats to him for mining that market so well, but there are customers out there who want something other than superbowl ads, hard upselling, T&A, etc. If Godaddy is a bright yellow Lamborghini on gold rims, good to see another registrar go after the Bentley market.
LS Morgan says
Do they not know that imitation is the sincerest form flattery?
—
That wasn’t imitation. It was mockery.
Mr. Deleted .com says
The screwed up the whole Sex.com deal. They let a thief steal their customer’s domain name, and I would not trust them with any domain name.
em says
@LS Morgan
Mockery…yes. Creative….no. Will help NS? Unlikely. Big Winner? GoDaddy and .CO.
Dave Zan says
At the end of the day, who cares what people think as long as the ads do what Network Solutions expects: gain customers and make money? Of course, keeping them is a different story…