Network Solutions' Go Granny Campaign Wins Big with Social Media by Increasing Sales 500 Percent

HERNDON, Va., Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Network Solutions® Go Granny parody video featuring Cloris Leachman (http://networksolutions.com/video), which was launched to coincide with Super Bowl weekend, has won the public vote in the social mediasphere. Online sentiment about the Go Granny video campaign has been a whopping 97.5 percent HIGH POSITIVE, attracting attention from social media big wigs like Guy Kawasaki, Scott Monty, Liz Strauss and Jason Falls.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110209/NE45363)

"Customers, bloggers and the social media community have given Go Granny the thumbs up," says Sanjay Gupta, Head of Marketing for Network Solutions. "We are thrilled to see a 500 percent increase in .CO domain sales and attribute much of that success to the huge splash Go Granny made in the social media channels, which was complemented by promotional pricing."

On the Friday of Super Bowl weekend, Network Solutions launched the Go Granny video on its website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, blog properties, Twitter streams, online banner ads – all this was followed by a three day social media blitz. On game day Go Granny/Cloris Leachman was celebrated as a social media sweetheart.

During this three-day span, the Go Granny video campaign received more than 18 million impressions on Twitter and a whopping 14 million impressions on leading blogs that praised Go Granny versus Go Daddy. AdAge said, "Network Solutions' Go Daddy Parody Surprisingly Close to Real Thing."

On Twitter, Network Solutions engaged their audiences by using the @Go_Granny Twitter handle to launch a three-day dialog about Go Granny's preparations for her big game party.  "Go Granny" became a trending topic as a result of engaging with social media heavy weights and with Lisa Stone, Co-founder and CEO of BlogHer, and her massive online community of women bloggers. The BlogHer community caused a "twitter-flurry" of goodwill for @Go_Granny throughout the weekend.

Network Solutions' Facebook page featured a custom "Go Granny" tab where fans and friends engaged in lively commentary about Granny and her escapades, in addition to timely posts on Network Solutions blog properties that supported the effort.

The huge success of the Go Granny video once again proved that Network Solutions understands the power of the Internet and leveraged it like it does for small business customers every day.

Online reactions to Go Granny included:

@darrenrovell (CNBC) Network Solutions fires back at GoDaddy ads w/amazing "Go Granny" viral http://is.gd/AzlkmA (via @NetSolSocial

@JasonFalls: By the way, I would take @Go_Granny over Joan-Rivers-O-Plastic every time!

@WriterChanelle: Hmm still prefer Network Solutions ad with Cloris Leachman @Go_Granny over Go Daddy ad.

@AltosGroup: @Go_Granny stealing @GoDaddy's thunder? #sbads #altos

About Network Solutions®, LLC

Network Solutions fosters small business success in the highly competitive online space by providing the tools and resources to start, grow and manage businesses online. Leveraging more than 30 years of pioneering experience, Network Solutions helps companies thrive in an increasingly digital world. To ensure our customers' success, we support them with outstanding customer service and solutions that are simple, innovative and reliable. Network Solutions received the Society for New Communications award (SNCR award) in 2010 and 2008 for its success in using social media for online brand reputation management.  Additional information can be found at www.about.networksolutions.com.

SOURCE Network Solutions