The quest for 1,000,000 views is eternal, having spread across the web of internet users and content creators like a virus. Sure, the number is nice and round and comes across clearly when included on a list of accomplishments. But going viral means far more than numbers alone. And the work doesn’t end there. Achieving that level of recognition presents a plethora of opportunities. It’s only just begun.
There’s a competitive gene in everyone. We all remember those times a family game of mini-golf turned ugly or when the best of three tournament in Mario Kart quickly became an all-night, thumb-numbing affair (we’re looking at you, Rainbow Road). The spirit of competition is alive in almost everything. The most popular shows are always put against each other in polls, and then again against the winner of this same poll from a generation earlier. Some of those shows are even based around people competing with each other, completing the circle. It isn’t much of a surprise that this same drive found a home in marketing and advertisement.
The sirens are far off now, no more than a faded memory lost to the streets of Los Angeles. The two men have slowed to a walk. Tonight’s threat has passed. Their hearts are still catching up, beating in rhythm with the music emanating from the house in front of them. Inside, the scene stands in stark contrast to the journey that’s brought them to this point. Nearly two dozen men and women are dancing and laughing and otherwise enjoying themselves in a familiar place. A home. One of the two men addresses a partygoer before returning with a bottle. “You can have any brew you want,” Dom says, handing the beer to Brian. “…as long as it’s a Corona.”