West Side Story Ads for the 2009 VMAs

To celebrate the upcoming 2009 VMAs, host Russell Brand, Ne-Yo, Katy Perry, Cobra Starship, and Taylor Swift joined together for ‘VMA Side Story,’ a Broadway-inspired commercial that parodies the classic ‘West Side Story.’

The 2009 VMAs commercial is fun, with Cobra Starship dancing through a subway car, Katy Perry gardening, Russell Brand singing with a homeless person, and Taylor Swift playing the angelic role.

Implications - Modern products that play on iconic and memorable moments from historic pop culture are funny, relatable and therefore entertaining to all viewers. This degree of relevance to potential viewers in every age group will undoubtedly result in a rise in viewership but also in buzz, which in this blogging and Internet world, is just as important as TV audience.