Spoilers! or Does the Mousetrap still work in the age of Social Networks?

Agatha Christie’s famous play continues to enjoy its record breaking run of 62 years (and counting) in London’s West End partially because of the now mythical request the cast puts to the audience after every performance: "Please keep the Whodunnit a secret". Of course you can find out who done it by reading the story or listening to the audioplay but most will be able to enjoy the play without knowing that the murderer of course is… (Ha! Had you there J )

Now, how does something like this work in social media – you can’t control it, right? If we’re looking at TV series or movies, with different air dates around the world but one internet it is easy to spoil the fun for others. This is particularly true for pre-screenings where TV networks and film distributors have to walk the fine line of promoting their product but also guarding against secrets being disseminated and stopping people from watching. I still hold a grudge against Spiegel Online for spoiling John Harrison's true identity (Trekkies know what I'm on about).

The linked article describes the ingenious way in which the BBC approached this task before Doctor Who’s 7^th season. I hope that you may find it interesting, it describes what I (and the author) think is a pretty smart way of using social networks for marketing without spoilers. It also has Doctor Who in it. What is not to love about that?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2012/08/25/trusting-social-media-and-the-asylum-of-doctor-who-fans/

HHL’s resident Whovian

Helen (M14)