Our Best From Vat19
In the time before creator was a term (let alone a desirable and viable career path), an e-commerce company called Vat19 was producing entertaining demonstration videos for its "curiously awesome products”. Since 2007, the website’s unique shopping experience has featured wacky gifts and humorous videos to help sell them.
In 2008, our own Jon Stamm had just graduated and began working at Vat19. His job description? Write, direct, act, and edit short videos for items like giant gummy bears and magnetic silly putty. The goal was to close the sale, but along the way, Jon helped Vat19 develop a brand voice that created trust with shoppers.
Vat19 – purveyors of curiously awesome products – are known on the Internet for their over-the-top YouTube commercials promoting everything from wild soda flavors to addictive puzzle games.
A Changing Landscape
While Jon and the growing team were busy creating hundreds (and eventually thousands) of commercials, an audience began to gather on Vat19’s YouTube channel. All the while, the video platform itself was skyrocketing in popularity, paving the way for full-time creators and influencers. Jon recalls of the experience:
“I was more and more excited to build a new kind of company. We were accidentally among the first professional YouTubers. This was uncharted water, but it was exciting because the creative possibilities felt limitless.”
Watch the origin story of Jon's career as a commercial director, against the backdrop of a new and evolving world on YouTube.
The Team Assembles
In 2016, Maddie joined Vat19 as an editor.
In 2017, Drew joined Vat19 as a director.
Over the next few years, Jon, Maddie, and Drew melded as friends and colleagues. Our shared experience from the time with Vat19 runs deep. Now looking back, the members of Likely confidently give credit to Vat19 for laying the foundation of who we are as a team. That background plays into our instincts in creative, production, and marketing. In that spirit, enjoy a few of our favorite projects from the Vat19 years!
Our Vat19 Picks
Yawning Looks Like Yelling by Vat19 (4M views)
Jon’s Choice: Yawning Looks Like Yelling
Ever notice how it looks like people are yelling when they're yawning? We did. The idea came during rush hour traffic, with people yawning in their cars next to us. We laughed as we imagined them screaming at the top of their lungs, but we just couldn’t hear them with the windows up. This viral-style 60-second commercial was born out of that silly observation. We had a winner once we paired it with the punchline, “Yawning is your body’s way of shouting, ‘you need a nap!’”
The World’s Largest Bath Bomb by Vat19 (32M views)
Maddie’s Choice: The World’s Largest Bath Bomb
Too bad the Guinness Book of World Records wasn’t on-site to witness this epic feat. Our team spent a week on the construction and chemistry involved in creating the largest, fizziest bath bomb ever. In fact, this monstrosity ended up causing fatal damage to the pool! But once you watch the video, you’ll see why this outrageous commercial was absolutely worth it.
World's Worst Wedgie? by Vat19 (12M views)
Drew’s Choice: The world’s Worst Wedgie
We always say “there are no bad ideas during a brainstorm.” Well, this video truly tests that theory. As a way to advertise a handy carabiner tool (with a hefty weight capacity), we created a game in which the loser would pay the ultimate price: a massive wedgie.