HBO runs ad campaign for fake Silicon Valley event Hoolicon; inspires a registration website
A fake website for a fake tech conference created by fake tech giant Hooli in HBO’s satire comedy Silicon Valley has been taken down, after HBO claimed it was not an official part of the broadcaster's advertising campaign for the show.
Hoolicon
The Silicon Valley official social media accounts have recently been posting about the Hoolicon event (like Apple’s Keynote) that features in the show. Naturally, its portrayal of a leading tech industry conference is skewering.
A registry page was erected on EventGrid that seemed to be an authorized extension of the show. Those who accessed it could sign up for three day passes to the proceedings in San Francisco during October. However, an HBO representative told The Wrap that they had nothing to do with the site - which is now password protected.
It does not appear that users were phished by a fraudster as the site didn't seem to ask for payment from users. The Wrap tried to buy the tickets when the Hoolicon web page was live, they racked up a basket worth $1,500 - although that was packaged with a limited edition Hoolicon golf jacket.
The most transformative technology event in the world. See you all at Hoolicon. pic.twitter.com/vNM5W9IdGl
— Silicon Valley (@SiliconHBO) June 12, 2017
On the show, Hoolicon was actually created splicing footage of real world event Dreamforce which caused the chief executive of the event to tweet accordingly.
.@SiliconHBO I didn't know I was the Hoolicon Conference Chair :) #DF17 #Dreamforce pic.twitter.com/VkIuMWsKIP
— Michael Peachey (@michael_peachey) June 12, 2017
Adding to the noise, Silicon Valley appears to be running billboards for the event too.
@SiliconHBO #hoolicon is going to be rad. How much are tickets? pic.twitter.com/v1YVvlfjOG
— Bill Moore (@thebillmo) June 12, 2017
It has begun #SiliconValley Who's coming to #hoolicon pic.twitter.com/eGFeFy7DMd
— John Rampton (@johnrampton) February 24, 2017