a group of people coordinated by email to meet to perform some predetermined action at a particular place and time and then disperse quickly   ‘flashmobbing

An article posted on Mashable.com last week got me thinking…could flash mobs be the new wave of advertising? People have become so obsessed with YouTube videos and this amazing idea of flash mobs in recent years, that I think they might be on to something. The first example that comes to mind: Who remembers the flash mob that occurred on Oprah, during a Black Eyes Peas performance? This could be the most remembered flash mob performance ever and used as an advertisement for Oprah and The Black Eyed Peas.  Even if people do not regularly watch Oprah or listen to The Black Eyed Peas, chances are they have seen, or at least heard of that performance.

Here are Mashable’s picks for 15 Fab Flash Mob Videos. (Which of course includes Oprah/Black Eyes Peas).

Flash Mobs have become increasingly popular the past couple of years, along with the increase in YouTube and social media popularity…why not combined the two and join the fad? T-Mobile used a flash mob in 2009  as part of their advertising strategy. Their video came out the same week as another viral video called, No Pants Subway Ride 2009 from Improv Everywhere. So which of these viral videos had more of an effect?

“T-Mobile’s engaging dance moves won over the viral video audience in the end, reaching almost twice as many online viewers and collecting nearly 5,000 more comments. Flash mob mission accomplished!” said The Visual Measures Blog.

Some other businesses who have used this type of advertising include Rainbow Company Youth Theater, H&M, Sky TV, The Glam Fairy and even some of TheTruth.com commercials have a “flash mob” feel to them!

Flash mobs have become a worldwide interest: French Flash Mob Advertising, Paris – Worlds Biggest Freeze and even the T-Mobile commercial was shot at Liverpool Street Station in London!

Why do people love flash mobs? Perhaps it is the element of the unknown. Once it begins, you look around to watch all the other people and wonder who will join in next! They are enjoyable to watch and you typically want to watch them to the end (unlike most TV commercials).

Are there other fun ways that you advertise in this new social media dominant society?

Please share your favorite flash mob ads with me that I may have missed.