On today’s episode, we explore the intersection of storytelling, entrepreneurship, and modern marketing with David Feinman, founder of Viral Idea Marketing and co-creator of the wildly successful Zombie Run. David’s journey is a powerful reminder that creativity doesn’t live in a vacuum—it thrives when paired with strategy, execution, and a deep understanding of human behavior. From launching viral experiential events to helping companies cut through digital noise, his career shows how filmmakers and creatives can build real businesses by mastering narrative in the online world.
David’s entrepreneurial instincts surfaced early. While still a teenager, he started his first business, eventually leading to Zombie Run—an immersive, zombie-themed obstacle race that toured over a dozen cities and attracted more than 35,000 participants in a single year. Rather than treating the event like a simple race, David approached it like a film production. The course was designed as a living movie set, complete with fog machines, helicopters, suspenseful pacing, and carefully timed reveals. Zombies didn’t appear immediately—just like in great cinema, tension was built before the chaos began.
That cinematic mindset became the foundation of his marketing philosophy. David understood that people don’t share advertisements—they share experiences. Zombie Run succeeded not because of traditional advertising, but because it gave participants something worth talking about. Each event produced shareable video content that spread organically across social platforms, long before Facebook video advertising became mainstream. Looking back, David admits that if he were launching today, he’d double down even harder on short-form social video, because attention is the true currency of the internet.
After Zombie Run, David founded Viral Idea Marketing, a company focused on helping brands tell stories that are designed to be shared. He challenges the outdated idea of the “commercial,” arguing that modern audiences want narratives, not pitches. Instead of 30-second ads, his team creates short films for the internet—content that follows the same emotional structure as movies and television. Whether working with Fortune 1000 companies or local businesses, the goal remains the same: create something people want to pass along.
One of David’s most important insights is his definition of “viral.” To him, viral doesn’t mean millions of views—it starts with one share. If a video is designed so that even 20 or 30 people feel compelled to share it, that’s a win. That mindset removes the pressure of chasing massive numbers and refocuses creators on quality, relatability, and emotional resonance. It’s a lesson filmmakers can apply directly to trailers, short films, and branded content alike.
David also speaks candidly about professionalism and attention to detail. In hiring creatives, he prioritizes cultural fit and preparedness as much as talent. Sending a reel when asked, doing basic research before meetings, and respecting the creative process are non-negotiables. The same principles apply to clients—those who understand that storytelling takes time and intention ultimately see better results.
At its core, David Feinman’s journey is about reframing how creatives think about opportunity. Filmmakers don’t have to choose between art and business. By applying cinematic storytelling to marketing, they can build sustainable careers while still doing creative work that matters. In a world overflowing with content, the stories that win are the ones crafted with purpose, empathy, and shareability in mind.
