University: UL’s ‘Happy’ video goes viral

The Daily Advertiser, May 10, 2014

UL’s "Happy" video goes viral.(Photo11: University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

A University of Louisiana at Lafayette version of the "Happy" video is going viral. More than 65,000 people saw the post on Facebook within five hours.

"The social media numbers are jumping fast as it is getting shared by media outlets and video clips were aired on the local news this morning," Aimee Bullinger, associate director of web communications.

The song "Happy" was written and produced by Pharrell Williams. In the original music video Williams appeared along with various people dancing around Los Angeles and several celebrity cameos.

"We wanted to make a video that would be fun for everyone and show our Ragin’ Cajun spirit on campus," said Bullinger.

It was released on YouTube and Facebook at 6:50 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2014, to celebrate the last day of finals at the university and as a symbol of the end to the academic year, according to Bullinger.

Within five hours, the video garnered 3,000 post clicks on Facebook, along with hundreds of shares and likes.

The university’s video was shot during the spring 2014 semester on various campus locations and includes footage of Ragin’ Cajuns teams’ victories in New Orleans.