At least no inky fingers

Flash back to Los Angeles, 1947: Ahh, the days of innocence. War is over. Men all wear hats without embroidered logos. A young "Hollywoodland" sign sits brazenly atop the hill, unaware of the harsh cosmetic makeover awaiting it in the future. Things are... good. Unless that is, your name is Elizabeth Short, or the Black Dahlia to some. Then, well, 1947 was good for about 15 days. Then you were murdered.

Her death caused quite the media circus back in those days. Strangely, it has also created a perfect storm of media convergence in 2006. Let's start from the beginning:

• In the days following BD's murder, the Los Angeles Times newspaper covers the story.
  
• Exactly 40 years later, James Ellroy writes a novel about BD.
• About a decade after that, Brian De Palma directs a movie based on the novel.
• At the same time, a website is created to promote the movie.
  
• The Los Angeles Times contributes authentic archival content for the site/movie, thus bringing us back to the beginning.

There's something about this campaign that makes me happy. The resurrection of archival newspapers to create web engagement. The success of the site in bringing me into 1940's LA. Scarlett Johansson. Scarlett Johansson. Scarlett Johansson.

Yeah, I'm not sure what it is. Excellent campaign though. Worth checking out even if you don't see the movie.

Via MarketingVox