The Power of Viral Challenges

In 2014, the ALS* Ice Bucket Challenge became a social media hit. With its amazing viral success, the challenge was able to bring awareness of the disease, create laughter, and raise over $100 million for ALS research.

To keep the conversation going, the ALS research team in Liga, Belgium decided to take on the newest viral trend, the Mannequin challenge, and add a powerful message along with it.

Take a look at the video below:

Looking side by side at both ALS efforts? Well the Ice Bucket Challenge was very successful on viral, and got major awareness for ALS. The ALS Team Liga leveraged the success of that, AND a trending viral effort to send a powerful message ABOUT ALS. So, they used the Mannequin Challenge not as a viral challenge, or fundraiser, but to strikingly remind us that those affected with ALS are living in a frozen world.

So — which do you think was more effective?

*Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease which attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which control voluntary muscles.