Now that's effective - ahem - Viral Marketing. TheCW's use of the initialism "VD" (not an acronym as it does not form a word from the initials) in their marketing for the return of The Vampire Diaries is full of win, as it turns out. The ads kicked off a mild case of outrage in the entertainment press, suggesting that TheCW was somehow glamorizing venereal disease. I realize with mid-season coming into full swing that the last couple of weeks have been completely lacking in news items worthy of writing about (</sarcasm>), but seriously - could we all just get a sense of humor about this ... please? Personally, I think for all the tackiness that might percolate from this unfortunate association between The Vampire Diaries title and its' initialism, it is - at the end of the day - merely accurate. VD does indeed equal Vampire Diairies.
Personally, I think the outrage over the advertising has more to do with more worthwhile debates forming around Shameless and Skins. On a personal note, I think those cases are driven more by the discomfort with either show's honesty than whether they violate any non-existent moral code of broadcasting. What is this, the 50's? Are we going to drag Naked Lunch and Howl back into court while we are at it? Regardless of your position on this controversy, there is never a bad time to debate the safety of performers - as for protecting your sense of moral outrage, be the master of your living room and change the channel - would ya?
As for TheCW's alleged indiscretion - shenanigans! TheCW has some huge competition in TV-Land, in case you haven't noticed, and needs to stand out. This whole "VD" faux-controversy has put legs under their Vampire Diaries marketing. Somewhere, in some back room at TheCW's marketing division, someone is cutting and pasting quotes to prove the success of the campaign - if they haven't already. Need more proof? When asked for comment, TheCW continued to play along saying "VD simply stands for 'Vampire Diaries,' and anyone who thinks otherwise should probably get themselves checked out."
