The 4400: Web Sites

[ShannonA]

So the 4400 folks have apparently set up 6 fake web sites with videos.

Here's the first I've looked at:
http://promicinterror.com/

The site is an anti-promicin site preceded over by a Bush-like absolutest who says that if you've ever used Promicin, you're the enemy.

One of the more interesting bits is a press conference from an Indian politician, which talks about how they've suspended travel to and from the US. Now, I've seen the us-versus-them-as-superheroes-come-of-age story in any number of mediums, but much of the focus being centered on one country is interesting, and something I hope they'll bridge into the show.

There's also some interesting talk about legislation which I'm sure will be a notable issue during the season.

Unfortunately overall the blogs are a bit boring, with repetition of the same points, but the stuff on the first couple of pages is amusing to watch.

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I have to laugh a bit at the designers' ideas about what an amateur website looks like, with its video blogs and its fancy side-scrolling pages.

There's really a hard push to turn this into viral marketing. Every video has tags that show you how to embed it on other sites, and the sites also encourage you to submit your own videos, thus roleplaying a part in the 4400's world. Kind of a neat idea; we'll see if it pays off.

[ShannonA]

Here's another of the sites:
http://www.promicinpower.com/

It's generally a better site than promicinterror because an increased amount of textual description and discussion makes it look real, as opposed to the more fake promicinterror.

Nonetheless, there are some nice videos too, generally highlighting the anti-promicin legislation hinted at by promicinterror. There's a nice piece from Jordan Collier--still in hiding--and a couple of well done commercials, one pro- and one anti-, all of which have a feel of authenticity about them.

There's also some real user contribution on the site (or else fake user contribution, meant to encourage the same, it's hard to tell), including some people talkinga bout their powers, doing the exact sort of roleplaying that these sites seem to encourage, and which is kinda neat.