Correction: This post originally stated that this program was a Discovery Channel effort.  I have since been corrected, and properly attributed this campaign to National Geographic.  My sincerest apologies to all parties involved.

Battle at Kruger is a You Tube phenomenon. 

And now, the National Geographic is here to pick this entire video to pieces.

Is this desperation?  Have the folks at the National Geographic given up on original ideation, resorting to expert commentary on user generated content?

Or is National Geographic brilliantly tapping into a relevant social phenom? 

If you were National Geographic, what would you do?

My Analysis

• The Battle at Kruger was a hit in social media, generating over 31 million views.
• The National Geographic audience enjoys this content genre.
• Much of The National Geographic audience may have already seen this video.
• However, never before have any of the above mentioned audiences (YouTube and National Geographic audiences) viewed this video through the lens of an expert commentary.
• National Geographic is therefor delivering their unique branded message to two audiences:
  • National Geographic enthusiasts
  • Viral video viewers who were enthralled by this remarkable video.

Yes, this is a smart move by the National Geographic. 

Let's hope they can capitalize on their value proposition (expert analysis) with this fresh content. 

Let's hope they are smart enough to tease segments of their expert commentary on YouTube (linked back to the original video), driving back to a National Geographic experience while providing value to the You Tube audience.

But that's just what I think.  How about you?

National Geographic Teaser Video