Among all the advertising out there, some ads become prominent due to their unique ideas. Similarly, a commercial for Google Home from 2017 is worth discussing here as it brought Jim and Toby from DreamWorks’ Trollhunters. Most tech ads are short, streamlined, and highlight the products, while this one combined AI with the magic of animated storytelling.
For the fans and tech enthusiasts, the crossover was fascinating. How did all this occur, and why did Google feature Trollhunters in one of their ads? What does this mean for the way media, marketing, and technology are interacting? In this article, we have tried to explore the answers to such questions and more! Let’s explore how these artists teamed up.
A summary of the 2017 Google Home Commercial.
Google Home had not been around for very long in 2017. It focused on bringing Google Assistant into more homes, so it could help people answer questions, operate smart home gadgets, and keep hold of their daily routines.
To demonstrate this, Google designed the 2017 commercial around using its Home assistant. Several families were trying out the device by asking questions, activating lights, scheduling instantaneously, and playing with the service’s offerings. The stage was bright, energetic, and expected to engage people of many ages.
For a brief time, DreamWorks’ Trollhunters can be seen playing on a screen. It came for only a few seconds, but the fans took notice.
Who Are the Trollhunters? A Quick Recap
Based on the original idea of famous filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, Trollhunters is a fantasy animation series from DreamWorks and released worldwide on Netflix in December 2016. Jim Lake Jr. discovers a magical amulet and becomes the first person to battle both the creatures of the world and dangerous trolls when the amulet turns him into a Trollhunter.
Because of the series’ interesting plots, lively animation, and varied cast, people became fans of it. Kids and adults could both enjoy its energetic, funny, and warmhearted nature.
Google Home Commercial 2017 Trollhunters – The Crossover
A scene in the ad shows a boy asking his Google Home:
“Hey Google, play Trollhunters on Netflix.”
The Google Assistant responds accordingly by playing a clip from the series.
This wasn’t just a sponsored placement; it was a genuine representation of one of the main features of Google Home: starting media with your voice. Nonetheless, it was an excellent way of cross-promoting the series.
Despite only appearing briefly, the moment made a difference. Here’s why:
· It highlighted how smart tech is used in family fun.
· It introduced Trollhunters to the users of Google Home.
· It also demonstrated Netflix as a compatible service that helps people find both products and new entertainment.
Why Trollhunters? Strategic Brand Alignment
Why was Trollhunters selected from Netflix’s many other programs? Google did not make a public statement, so we can only guess the reason.
1. Family-Friendly Content
The idea behind Google Home ads was to reach households. Trollhunters was just right for kids, interesting for teenagers, and really caught the eye of parents who enjoy great stories.
2. Rising Popularity
Trollhunters had only been out for a few months in early 2017. Including it in their advertisement quietly introduced a popular movie to a large digital audience.
3. There are no problems with licensing.
Trollhunters and Netflix had distribution agreements, so none of the licensing concerns came up for featuring the Netflix show. Without needing an official recommendation, the company promoted Netflix through the advertisement.
4. Tech with Fantasy
Placing two completely different genres, like futuristic features (Google Home) and fantasy (Trollhunters), together was a smart touch. This showed that starting a fun adventure is only just a voice command away!
How Audiences Are Affected
Trollhunters fans were pleased to see their favorite TV show mentioned during a higher-profile commercial. The ad confirmed the show’s importance in popular culture and allowed it to reach wider mainstream viewers outside Netflix.
Some parents who aren’t as familiar with new shows might have checked out Goggle in order to find something for their kids, which contributed to its success.
The Google ad pointed out how smart devices and entertainment can easily work together, continuing to make the company seem updated, close to customers, and family-centered.
Cross-Promotion in the Streaming Era
This cross-promotion also demonstrates the increasing trend in the world of marketing i.e. combination of content and technology.
There are now many smart devices that can display specific programs, music, and games, typically without paid advertising. These are not always paid promotions but sometimes they are used strategically to affect a wider audience. The reasons could be:
· Targeting the right group of customers
· Show compatibility with major services
· Highlight stories about the product’s practical use around the world
Trollhunters appearing in the Google ad is an example of how well content and technology can work together, with neither side feeling it was forced upon them.
A quick thought: A tiny event can make a major difference
Though it might seem simple, having Trollhunters in the 2017 Google Home commercial shows how media, marketing, and entertainment are changing. The advertisement quickly:
· Demonstrated how voice-activated streaming is convenient
· Showed the value of family-friendly content
· Introduced the viewers to a new fantasy adventure series
· Link Google Home to major streaming services , including Netflix
While smart homes are becoming common, and content is used to engage users, crossovers like these will increase. Intentional or accidental, the momentary image of Trollhunters helped both Google and DreamWorks stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were the makers of Trollhunters paid to take part in the Google Home ad?
There wasn’t any official announcement saying it was a sponsored ad. It makes sense that Netflix included voice-activated streaming in their app.
In the Google Home commercial, which Trollhunters episode was shown?
The exact episode is not mentioned, but a quick scene appears when a boy tells Netflix to play the series.
Can I still use Google Home to stream Trollhunters on Netflix?
Yes, as long as you have a Google device with Assistant and an active Netflix account linked, you can say, “Hey Google, play Trollhunters on Netflix.”
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