Syfy set the stage for the second season premiere of its original hit drama series BEING HUMAN with an influencer campaign designed to bring the show's tagline "Temptation is a Beast" to life. The campaign involved sending uniquely tailored "temptation packages" to a select group of recipients including actor Neil Patrick Harris, noted entertainment blogger Perez Hilton and Bravo's Andy Cohen.
The mysterious boxes were filled with desirable booty including premium libations and sweet snacks, gift certificates to coveted hot spots - even cat toys (for a particularly fond feline fan) - all specifically curated to entice the lucky recipient to abandon his or her New Year's resolution. The unique challenge posed to them: Open the care package and immediately indulge themselves in its offerings OR resist the temptation through the January 16th premiere of Being Human and to reap the reward AND help to improve the state of humanity in the process.
"This promotion was effective, buzzy and a hell of a lot of fun for a number of reasons," said Michael Engleman, Syfy's Executive Vice President, Marketing and Global Brand Strategy. "First off - we're true believers in the power of recommendations from friends or celebs, especially in today's hyperactive social space. And, secondly, it brought the core proposition of 'Being Human' - Temptation - to life in an innovative and irreverent way. And you can't beat the results - double-digit growth over the Season 1 debut. We're delighted by the experiment, hope do lots more, and so thankful for the people who played along."
In the end, some caved and several simply craved - posting photos to Twitter followers as proof that they stayed strong. Those who did tame the temptation beast reaped their rewards and, this week, a total of $10,000 will be donated to various charities on behalf of those who resisted the temptation.
Charities benefiting from the promotion as designated by the participants include GLSEN on behalf of Perez Hilton, Food on Foot on behalf of Neil Patrick Harris, Friends in Deed on behalf of Andy Cohen, Mercy for Animals on behalf of BuzzFeed's Jack Shepherd, and Sanctuary for Kids on behalf of Syfy executive and official Tweeter Craig Engler.
Being Human stars Sam Witwer, Meaghan Rath and Sam Huntington as vampire Aidan, ghost Sally and werewolf Josh who share the creature comforts of home in a Boston brownstone. Together the three roommates struggle to keep their supernatural secrets and resist individual temptations as they strive to live lives that are as near to normal as possible.
Syfy announced last week that the series has been renewed for a third season (13 episodes).
To learn more about "Being Human," go to www.syfy.com/beinghuman.
About Syfy
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)
