SAW a good idea

a portal to inspire ideas that cut through

My Photo

Categories

  • Books/Magazines
  • Current Affairs
  • Design
  • Events
  • Games
  • Industry
  • Interactive
  • Mobile
  • Music
  • Photography
  • Play
  • Quotes
  • Science
  • Social Media
  • Sounds
  • Stunts
  • Travel
  • Trends
  • Video
  • Web/Tech
  • Weblogs

Archives

  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • November 2008
  • October 2008

ALL THE VIEWS

  • expressed on this blog are those of their author alone.

SUBSCRIBE

  • Some ways to subscribe to our blog:
Subscribe to this blog's feed
Add me to your TypePad People list
Enter your Email to receive Daily Summaries


Powered by FeedBlitz

303,824,646 Coke Zeros

Tony_stewart_indianapolis_motor_spe On the weekend celebrating our nation's independence, Coke Zero shows that it bleeds caffeinated (yet non-caloric) red, white and blue. If any one of the Coca-Cola sponsored drivers wins this weekend at Daytona then everyone in America wins a free Coke Zero. You will just need to visit CokeZero.com and print out a coupon...so really its for everyone in America with internet access. But still, America, how can you beat that? Cheer on Tony Stewart, David Ragan and Greg Biffle (they are on my fantasy NASCAR squad).

Posted by shazleton on July 02, 2008 at 06:12 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Prevailing Winds of Advertising

Gallerykitten3Remember those kids in Trigonometry who got excited when the teacher would throw "cosine" into an equation?  Their faces lit up, their eyes widened, and their hearts raced with anticipation as they were about to dive into a challenging problem.  I wasn't one of them.  I was busy turning my pencil into a spaceship and drawing planets and asteroids on my notebook for it to explore. 

In other words, there's a lot of things I don't understand.  At Renegade, I'm surrounded by super-geniuses who spend half their day working on the next great marketing campaign and the other half splitting atoms ... with their minds.  Rob is one of, if not the the ultimate, super genius here at Renegade.  He pointed me toward this article regarding the web replacing newspapers as the largest ad medium.  I started reading it, but by the second paragraph I began wondering who would win in a fight, Smokey the Bear or McGruff the Crime Dog.

In truth, the article is rather insightful about advertising forecasts and where things are headed.  And if it's too much for your feeble little mind to comprehend, just stare at the image of the adorable kitten I've added to this post.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on August 09, 2007 at 03:17 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Build-A-Car

We have all, at one time or another, walked into one of those Build-A-Bear Workshops where you spend an hour waiting on line and stuffing an animal which will thoughtfully be given to your kid or spouse, who will spend all of 15 minutes doting on it before diverting their attention to other matters. But if you want to spoil yourself on something more luxurious, may I suggest Build-A-Nissan? This is the vehicular dream version of Build-A-Bear, complete with color and accessory picking. And if you have completely fallen in love with your creation, you can even get a quote at the end of the building process. My baby is the image that you see up there, but I don't think that it would look attractive if my plush seats were covered with all of that bear stuffing inside.

Posted by Gordon Pepper on August 07, 2007 at 03:06 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Down with the Sickness

Raia02The amount of Purell I put on my hands on a daily basis has destroyed at least five layers of my skin.  Between the subway, the bathrooms, and volunteering at the Ebola research facility, germs are all around me.  I just don't like to be reminded of them. 

And we've all felt the spray.  That sprinkling of water you want to attribute to a light morning mist, but more likely flew out of the mouth of the guy standing next to you on the subway following his seemingly exaggerated sneeze.  A Brazilian company has zeroed in on this phenomena and created ads where water vaporizers mimic "explosive" coughs and sneezes.  The tagline reads "Flu is in the air."

It's worth noting that Sao Paulo has banned all outdoor advertising as it contributes to visual pollution. The creators of the ad worked around that challenge and came up with the effective and fun campaign.

(Via Creative Social Blog) 

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on June 15, 2007 at 01:30 PM in Industry, Play | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Did They Ever Find the Beef?

NbcI have a serious aversion to television commercials. Those damn buckets of KFC Crispy Strips are keeping me from witnessing another self-important television special from Oprah.   How am I supposed to see how she created a learn-to-read center for disenfranchised ragweed allergy sufferers when I have to sit through three minutes of Pontiac Commercials?  I'm only human.

Luckily, my DVR (aka: the item in my apartment to which I've bequeathed all my possessions, including a limited edition autographed Debarge LP and my girlfriend) allows me to skip all those commercials.  You may start viewing Lost at 10, but I opt to head to the "worst island imaginable" at around 10:15 in order to skip over the commercials.  Yet sometimes shows slip through the cracks.  I gave Heros an early cancellation prediction and never watched it.  I've realized the error of my ways and have been slowing catching up on past episodes via NBC Rewind.  They make me sit through 3-4 commercials an episode, a good price to pay for television at my fingertips.

This could be the future of advertising for television ... give people any show they want at whatever time they want, and I'm sure they'll happily watch a few commercials for the convenience. 

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on March 15, 2007 at 06:20 PM in Industry, Interactive, Video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

When Bad Ads Happen to Good People

Piracy2You know that feeling when you're girlfriend is having a night out with friends, your best option on your DVR is a re-run of The Hogan Family, and that Thomas Pynchon novel is acting more like a doorstop than a book?  You're all alone in your apartment and that Failure to Launch DVD is just staring you in the face waiting to be viewed?  You put on some chamomile, light some candles, and prepare to dive into non-stop Matthew McConaughey/Sarah Jessica Parker hilarity.  Suddenly, you're confronted by a five-minute commercial slapping you in the face repeatedly and calling you a pirate.

"But I bought this DVD at Best Buy!" you say, while attempting to dry your never-ending tears.  The MPAA has taken a cue from the Patriot Act and assumed that everyone's a suspect.  Many DVDs, bought through entirely legal channels, have a stern warning at their start explaining the lengthy prison sentence you'll most likely endure as soon as your pinky hits that download button.  What this does is reduce the value of the item you've already paid for and becomes nothing more than an expensive lesson in preaching to the choir.

At left, you'll notice an image created by Broken-TV that illustrates, quite accurately, the frustration that most legal consumers experience when treated like malefactors.  (Sorry for the curse words).

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on March 06, 2007 at 01:34 PM in Industry, Trends | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Red Faced Jet Blue

LogoThe perfect airline makes perfect mistakes.  Jet Blue, long the shining beacon of hope in this time of meal-less, delayed, and over-priced airlines, made its first misstep last week.  Staring into the face of a giant ice storm, Jet Blue chose not to cancel their flights, which is standard practice, but to create incredibly long delays for their customers, which lead to many planes waiting on the tarmac for over 9 hours.  They made a mistake, but they're taking a different approach in how they're dealing with it.  They're admitting that they screwed up, and with their stock dropping 6 percent in early trading Tuesday morning, they're ready to make amends. 

According to CNN.com, Jet Blue has created a Customer's Bill of Rights.  The document outlines compensation to customers who are affected by airline caused delays.  While it doesn't solve the problems that plagued the airline last week, it is a smart move by a company that understands happy customers are the key to a successful business.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on February 20, 2007 at 11:41 AM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Success is Calling

IphoneWant a quick way to increase your stock?  Announce the release of a product that everyone (including me) has been waiting two years for.  It also helps if your company has a reputation for innovative products.  That's just what Apple Computer, Inc. did today when they unleashed their iPhone on the world.  Unfortunately, this doesn't bode well with other phone manufacturers.  Apple's stock rose by almost $6 in afternoon trading spurred on from their announcement.  Palm and RIM, the makers of the Treo and Blackberry respectively saw almost an equal decline in their stock price.  Quotewebaolcom_1

All this for a product which won't be released for another five months and just about no one has seen. 

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on January 09, 2007 at 03:17 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

BuzzMW

Bmw1Sometimes, the best way to generate buzz about a product is to confuse people.  Show them some random images or movies and let them speculate.  The "BMW Product" has started spreading its way across the internet, leaving plenty of gadget geeks bewildered as to its purpose. 

Scheduled to be released later this month, the device has been rumored to be an Mp3 player, a GPS, and a Mr. Fusion*.  Still, the prospect of BMW possibly launching products outside of their luxury sports cars is intriguing.  Stay tuned on this one. 

*OK, I think it's a Mr. Fusion. 

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on January 04, 2007 at 10:38 AM in Industry, Interactive, Stunts, Video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

PS Punk'd

PspIn this age of user generated content, is it any wonder that corporations are trying to stake their claim on this ever-growing market?  While there have been some excellent examples of companies producing spots on YouTube which "lightly" feature their products, HP's FingerSkilz comes to mind, sometimes things go very, very badly as was the case with alliwantforxmasisapsp.com. (The site, thankfully, has since been taken down.  The Consumerist took all of the original files and uploaded the site here for your amusement.) 

Created by Sony to promote their Playstation Portable gaming device, the site was designed to look like it was created by a fan.  However, a rap on the site by "Cousin Pete" led folks in the gaming community to question the site's authenticity.  Adding insult to injury, the "creators" of the site, when asked about their connection to Sony, replied with this comment:

"We don't work for Sony. And for all you dissin' my skillz I'm down for a one on one rap off or settling it street stylez if you feel me playa."

Not only were they trying to pull a fast one over on the public, they assumed their audience had just lost a spelling contest to Ali G and had the cognitive reasoning abilities of an oyster.  If you're looking for a good idea, create content-heavy and fun sites, but don't deny where they come from.  Someone will always find out.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on January 03, 2007 at 09:35 AM in Industry, Interactive | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Got Diesel Fumes?

GotmilkThe City of San Francisco needs to lighten-up their overly-stimulated olfactory senses.  What's better than the smell of freshly baked cookies?  Absolutely nothing.  Not even kittens playing with yarn or smiles on children's faces can compete.  The smell of cookies can prevent war AND fix the Ozone layer.  Which is why I'm amazed that the forward thinking city of San Francisco has removed the innovative "smell billboards" for the Got Milk? campaign from their bus stops.  (This is also the city that banned the environmentally friendly Segways from its sidewalks.)

The ads release what's called MagniScent into the air reminding bus riders that nothing goes better with cookies than a nice tall glass of milk. However, due to the chemical sensitivities of others, the Municipal Transportation Authority requested that they be taken down.  It looks like San Franciscans prefer the smell of diesel fumes and urine to the heart warming and mouth watering smell of cookies. 

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on December 06, 2006 at 10:42 AM in Industry, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

A Run for Your Money

Tryvertising_nike_1 Who else is glad that advertising and branding have merged, and the whole huge machine has taken a turn toward consumer satisfaction? The world is definitely a better place for it. One company at the forefront of those changes is Nike, which is all about tapping into runners' needs and then solving them. First it was the Nike+iPod gear, and now this. Nike is taking a van around to running events, roads, and parks in Europe where passers-by can stop and take a test run with an y of hundreds of pairs of Nike sneakers. The kicker? The Nike rep is not allowed to sell anything, so it's all about the experience.

Posted by Orli Sharaby on December 04, 2006 at 05:51 PM in Events, Industry | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

It's beginning to look a lot like Starbucks ...

Starbucks is going all out for the holiday season. If you have eyes, you've seen the holiday-themed red and white cups, decorations, and even seasonal flavors that this coffee megabrand offers during the winter months.  To extend the reach of their brand from food and POS, Starbucks also has a couple of guerilla marketing tactics to bombard city-dwellers with good caffeinated cheer.

The first?  An effort that spans Denver, Washington, and Portland that consists of this:
Starbucks_2  
If you see this car, stop the driver and alert him/her to the misplaced cup, and receive a free cup of coffee!

The second effort involves something called a Cheer Pass, a pass-it-along, trackable good deed promotion. The coffee company hopes that these internet-trackable cards will not only promote the Starbucks name, but also inspire people to make this season a little merrier. Starbucks2_2

Posted by JadeRiggin on November 29, 2006 at 04:32 PM in Industry, Interactive, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Uniqlo experience

UniqloI'm a bit late to write this, but brands hoping to launch a new product in an already over-saturated market should take a few pages from the Uniqlo book on how to do it right. It started with a pop-up store to test the waters. Then 5 shipping container stores strategically scattered around the city, brilliant in that they could be transported on the back of a truck and simply unloaded. Finally, a couple weeks ago Uniqlo opened the doors of its 36,000 square-foot mega-retail store on Broadway. I went to check it out last weekend and man it's huge!

Take a look at the attention to detail of every single molecule of the Uniqlo brand, from the red-threaded binding and paper-stock of its free 'zine, to the T-shirt design project, to the website, to the store design by Wonderwall's Masamichi Katayama, famous for designing all the Bape stores. Okay. I won't comment on Bape as a label, but admit it, the stores are pretty impressively designed. And it's an incredibly strategic move to align the brand with good design, especially since in the UK and Japan, Uniqlo has the equivalent reputation of Old Navy or Gap. Check out the store and pick up one of the Uniqlo "Papers." It has $15 discount coupons, and some pretty great interviews with Glenn O'brien(TV Party), Kim Gordon(Sonic Youth), Masaharu Morimoto(Iron Chef) and Masamichi, the architect. Good read.

Uniqlo1

Uniqlo2

Uniqlo3

Posted by Adrian Lai on November 28, 2006 at 03:03 PM in Design, Industry, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Viral Marketing done right

Creating an uproar on video gaming blogs and message boards everywhere, Beta-7 is a beta tester for a new Sega games.  His blog chronicles the increasingly disturbing real-life repercussions to one of their newest games, including his black-outs and violence towards complete strangers.

Real or just incredibly savvy marketing from Sega?  Read about the efforts behind this campaign in a fascinating article from Fast Company called "Down the Rabbit Hole."  It spotlights the viral marketing efforts of the agency behind the campaign, called Campfire, also responsible for the explosive "Blair Witch Project" buzz.

Posted by JadeRiggin on November 20, 2006 at 12:10 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

To the Extreme

XtremeI'm not a man who cries easily.  This is mostly due to having a low schmaltz tolerance and non-functioning tear ducts.  Yet every time I watch ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I get choked up.  Each week, the show gives a family recovering from tragedy a new home and a new start at life.  This is good television.  It's both entertaining and heart-warming and it's all brought to you by Sears and Ford and the Olive Garden and Kenmore and Philips and the list goes on. 

I understand the need to defray the cost of not only building a new house, but furnishing it, feeding the enormous crew, and taking care of production costs.  And truthfully, what company wouldn't want to associate itself with a show that has such a fantastic moral center?  But at what point does the product placement become too much?  This past week's episode featured an extended scene at the Olive Garden's Culinary Institute in Tuscany, as well as a performance by the singer Jewel, who just so happens to have a new album out, not to mention the countless plugs for Sears throughout the show.

Perhaps I'm sensitive to the in-show advertising because I work in the industry, but it's become so much that it takes me out of the experience.  Make no mistake about it, television is a business with enormous overhead. And to do the kind of magic taking place on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition requires someone to absorb part of the expense.  But the program is slipping from being a show about family and overcoming odds to an hour-long advertisement for the products featured. 

All that being said, I'll continue watching with a box of tissues nearby ... for my allergies.  Ragweed is a killer this time of year. 

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on October 24, 2006 at 11:29 AM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Creative Plagiarism?

Icecream_1 When recently browsing Ads of the World, I noticed two sets of print ads that were suspiciously similar to one another. One set, for Dentyne Ice, was developed by McCann Ericson, Puerto Rico. The other set, for Voltas AC, was developed by Euro RSCG, Delhi.

I wonder who thought of the concept first...

Posted by LiciaY on July 19, 2006 at 01:41 PM in Design, Industry | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Peephole Advertising with Papa John's

Papajohns1

Papajohns2Papa John’s Pizza has finally realized that mailing millions of pizza coupon leaflets to the American public is not the most effective marketing strategy. With the creative expertise of Quorum/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, Papa John’s has taken an innovative approach to directing marketing with its deceiving faux delivery boy & pizza appearing at your doorstep. The optical illusion actually works by affixing a sticker right below the door’s peephole with the image. Already the winner of the Gold Lion for the best use of alternative media in direct marketing at the Cannes Advertising Festival, this marketing strategy is sure to stick with consumers.

Posted by Allison on July 06, 2006 at 02:48 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (1)

The Coke Side of Life

Coca_cola_1
Coca Cola recently launched an ad campaign “aimed to drive consumers to consider the brand as the only beverage option after years of viewing it as simply another beverage option.” Consequently, Coca Cola recently aired a TV commercial (click the word here to view) that successfully engages the consumer and characterizes a whimsical “coke side of life”. Featured in Adcritic and Adfreak, the commercial illustrates the interior workings of a Coca Cola machine, a.k.a. the “Happiness Factory.” The “Happiness Factory” is portrayed as an imaginative wonderland that creates one special Coca Cola beverage at a time, going through great lengths to ensure its perfection, and ultimately it departs the “factory” with a cheerful send-off parade complete with cannonballs.

Posted by Allison on July 05, 2006 at 06:36 PM in Industry, Video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Samsung Blu-ray player finally on the market

Samsung_bluray

For those of you keeping up with the newest technology (or interested in learning about it), Samsung has just launched its own much-anticipated Blu-ray disc player. Blu-ray discs are new, uber-cool, high-capacity storage devices for audio and video HDTV content. For all the information on this exciting innovation, visit the official Blu-ray disc site.

HD DVD, the competing format to Blu-ray, seems to be a little rattled by this new release and has instituted a price drop in hopes of boosting sales one last time before the popularity of Blu-ray really picks up (the format is supported by the majority of industry experts).

To get a peak at the Samsung Blu-ray packaging, go here.

Posted by LiciaY on June 15, 2006 at 12:44 PM in Design, Industry, Sounds, Video | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Future of Marketing on Flickr

The IF! team have been running a Flickr group asking ad and marketing professionals to submit images that reflect their view on the future of marketing. Today, a total of 77 images have been posted - posted by the likes of the guys over at American Copywriter, Anomaly, IBS Crumpler and Modernista. All done to support the Future Marketing Summit conference next week in NYC (where our Oxyride campaign has been nominated for an award!)

Check 'em out (although, if you're not logged in Flickr only shows you 33 images which is weird) Future Of Marketing On Flickr

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on February 17, 2006 at 09:48 AM in Industry, Interactive, Trends | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Blue faced Cingular Ad man

Blarobban In this post, "Bad Guerrila is twice as annoying as Bad ads," Adland talks about the their encounter with a blue faced US cellular walking ad-man where his blue face and annoying habit to yap loudly on a mobile phone while in transit is paid off with "Talk Until You're Blue in the Face, with U.S. Cellular." written on his backpack.

Gareth Kay, Planner at Modernista, has also written numerous posts about the fallacy of cutting through the clutter by creating more clutter

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on January 23, 2006 at 03:32 PM in Industry, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

New Way to Measure Word of Mouth

VNU, the parent of research company ACNielsen, is taking steps towards measuring the effectiveness of word of mouth campaigns. Nielsen BuzzMetrics is a new firm that will measure online consumer-generated media through the culling of various internet outlets such as blog mentions, and shared audio and video information.  Nielsen Buzzmetrics is the result of a merger of BuzzMetrics and Intelliseek.  Read about it here.

Posted by JadeRiggin on January 20, 2006 at 11:23 AM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Sony: $500 trade-in bonus for Dell notebooks

[Via Gizmodo]

In a bullying move to blatantly rip market share from under Michael Dell’s nose, Sony is offering a $500 trade-in bonus on [working] Dell notebooks as well as paying solution providers additional spin-offs. The offer obviously helps anyone who can’t afford Sony’s pricey Vaio laptops, which start at over $1000. But you better act fast, this is only good for the first quarter of this year!

Sony Offers $500 Trade-In Bonus On Dell Computers [Information Week]

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on January 19, 2006 at 02:01 PM in Industry, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Design Taxi List: Best 2005 Websites

Wotd_mother
Design Taxi has listed their top websites of 2005. Their favorite? Mother London.

See the list here.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on January 10, 2006 at 08:25 AM in Design, Industry, Interactive | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Custom Photo ATM Cards

[Via Josh Rubin]
Customphotocard2Dutch bank Postbank now offers customers new custom photo ATM cards, called "de paskamer." By uploading a photo via the de paskamer website, customers can easily create a background of their choosing and will receive the card in about six working days. It appears the service is only offered in the Netherlands currently.

Similar services for checks are widely available in the U.S, so wouldn't be surprised if this appears here in the near future.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on November 29, 2005 at 02:07 PM in Industry, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (0)

New Spike Jonze commercials

Spike Jonze impresses again with 2 new executions for Gap and Ikea. Here and Here.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on November 29, 2005 at 02:01 PM in Industry, Video | Permalink | Comments (1)

Vans X Portland Skateparks

[Via Coolhunting]
onthewall.jpg

Local 35 is a two-year old Portland multi-use space that sells independent clothing lines and shows art. Their latest show, opening tonight from 7-10pm, fuses art and fashion, commissioning over 15 artists with customizing a pair of Vans to benefit Skaters for Portland Skateparks. Eric Railton, the man behind Akadia clothing, emblazoned his entry with a wolf (pictured) - the image that seems to be the current animal-of-choice among designers and also appears on one of the tees in his Fall/Winter line. Other participants include Eyeformtion and Brown Sound, and the show runs through the end of November.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on November 27, 2005 at 01:34 PM in Industry, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gooooogle Moves into Chelsea

Looks like Google is going to be joining us in Chelsea.
Word on the street is they outgrew their last office space, and as Curbed reports, "leave the extra o's on for "Oh my f-ing God."" Check out their sweet new digs with the AMAZING square footage! (We should bring over pie and welcome them to the 'hood, no?)

2005_11_google8

Posted by Michelle Shildkret on November 15, 2005 at 06:13 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

UK Viral Competition

Courtesy of Gary: Germ and Channel 4's Ideas Factory are hosting a viral competition.  The site has examples, tips, and links to popular virals.  Both individuals and agencies can enter; make sure to check out it out from Dec. 5th - 16th to vote for your favorite one!

Posted by JadeRiggin on November 14, 2005 at 10:16 AM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brand Democratization: SB Wear

SbwearhpHere's another example of brand democratization. A new label called SB-Wear produces and designs apparel inspired by a Nike limited edition release, and color coordinated so that your sneakers match your clothes! And like the shoes, the clothes are limited edition as well.

Check the site here

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on November 11, 2005 at 11:16 AM in Design, Industry, Trends | Permalink | Comments (0)

PSP X Chris Cunningham

Following up on Michelle's presentation, here's a great new spot by tech video and film directors Chris Cunningham (Aphex Twin/Bjork/Squarepus her/etc videos) and Alex Rutterford(Autechre/ Amon Tobin/Radiohead videos)! Features a large red shifting mechanical bunch of PSP related icons that moves thru various scenes.

View here

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on November 09, 2005 at 10:27 PM in Industry, Video | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yahoo! Think Tank

Bigidea_dudePut some of Australia and New Zealand's leading creative minds to work for you with Yahoo's Think Tank.  Between now and Nov. 17th, submit a brief online anytime, 24/7, and within five minutes you'll receive creative output from the Sydney, Australia-based creative team.  Meet the creatives taking turns in the tank, read their blogs, see submissions from around the globe, and even control what type of music they're listening to (at the moment of this posting, Abba's winning the vote).  If you choose to develop one of their ideas into an online campaign, you could even win Yahoo's Big Idea Chair award.

Posted by JadeRiggin on November 09, 2005 at 02:21 PM in Industry, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (0)

How to build a breakaway brand

[Via Adland]

Fortune Magazine has a special feature section on branding in their October 31st issue. The article takes a look at ten companies "who took good brands and made them much, much better". Brands include Google, Sierra Mist, DeWalt, Subway, and Sony Cybershot.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on October 20, 2005 at 07:44 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Onescreen: Tonight

Main_onescreenTonight, the One Club teams up with Stash DVD magazine to present Onescreen — 60 minutes of film, commercials, viral, video, and design from 2005. Keeping with the One Club's commitment to raise the standards of advertising by opening up the medium to extra-commercial work, this program offers new output from the Designers Republic, Lobo, Nakd, MTV, and PostPanic; music videos from Nine Inch Nails, Alias, and SoCal's Valley Arena; illustrations from Derrick Hodgson and Dalek; and a rare chance to see what's pumping out of ad agencies Wieden + Kennedy Tokyo Lab, Modernista!, and TBWA Paris. DJs SMC and DRM keep things lively all night. (LK)

Event info here

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on October 18, 2005 at 10:09 AM in Events, Industry, Video | Permalink | Comments (1)

What are you going to be for Halloween

Burgerkingmask1This Halloween, wake up as the king!

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on October 11, 2005 at 09:28 PM in Industry, Play | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ogilvy publishes blogfeeds

Ogilvy_logoOgilvy has released a new site called Blogfeeds, an index of blogs they are reading split into various categories such as Ideas, Marketing, Branding, Advocacy. Users have the option to subscribe to the RSS feed of each blog.

It's an interesting PR strategy, and a pretty good idea considering they aren't creating new content, but simply aggregating it.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on October 08, 2005 at 12:13 PM in Industry, Interactive | Permalink | Comments (0)

Video gamers say, "Bring on the ads!"

[Adfreak] We know there are lots of people concerned about the appearance of advertisements in video games, but according to this survey from a company that places ads in video games, about 50 percent of gamers actually like them because they make the games appear “more realistic”—21 percent disagreed about that. Meanwhile, 54 percent said that the ads caught their attention, while 17 percent disagreed. As for the percentage of people missing from the statistics above, we don’t know what their status is. However, we’re presuming they were so busy playing games that they didn’t notice the ads at all—or were so busy playing games they didn’t even realize someone was trying to ask them pesky questions.

Posted by Michelle Shildkret on October 06, 2005 at 10:55 AM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mini-Pops X Yahoo

Mini_popsKnew it wouldn't be long before someone created a campaign using the genius of mini-pops. But who knew it would be Yahoo?

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on August 31, 2005 at 08:48 PM in Industry, Interactive | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don't use animals in viral videos

Remember the indignation generated in 2004 by the Ford's SportKa viral which showed a cat being decapitated by a sunroof? This time is the Opel Astra dog thrown out of a car which raised negative reactions. Revolution reports animal rights charities protested by General Motors defended its work saying no animal was hurt in the making of the ad. By the way, the ad agency behind the controversial spot is McCann Erickson. Watch it here.

Posted by Michelle Shildkret on August 22, 2005 at 02:54 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Current TV is Coming

influx interview: karl carter, current tv Current

Current TV is the Al-Gore backed young adult network that launched yesterday.

Back in May, Influx interviewed Karl Carter, Current TV's VP of Marketing.

Karl talks to us about Current's new advertising model and its radical plan to involve the consumer in the development of both programming and advertising.

Is it true Current's ad model is radically different from other networks-if so why?
 

Actually, the Current ad model is able to work with both traditional and non-traditional spots. We will accommodate the traditional :30 and:60 spots, but we'll also try longer-format ads, up to two minutes in length, and reduce clutter and cluster by running some spots by themselves between programming segments. This has the potential to prevent people with DVR from skipping over our ads, making us "Tivo-proof".

In addition, were also exploring new forms of creative, having our viewers produce spots for our advertisers, which has the potential to more effectively reach the audience they're trying to communicate with.

So far, we're getting a lot of interest.

How does Current intend to connect and engage its audience in programming?

Were already running contests to get Viewer-Contributed Content (VC2) submissions, and with relatively little promotion, weve already received a few thousand submissions. Our latest contest will give the winner a development deal, where well work with them to produce a piece that will air on the network.

In addition, we will utilize grassroots, online and mass media vehicles to reach out and ask people to tell us whats on their minds.

Who do you believe will advertise on the network?

We have already started to receive strong commitments and are in the enviable position of working with cool, smart and passionate leaders in the advertising industry. What is more interesting is that due to developments in the media world, more and more advertisers are producing short-form content or long-form advertising, depending on who youre talking to.

So many advertisers are already interested in what were doing.

Its a great time to be Current, the industry seems ready for some major changes.

Please describe your target consumer?

Our target consumer is authentic, a person who really cares about what's going on in their world. They are 18-34 year-old young adults, both male and female who have graduated from MTV and are looking for more depth, reality and lifestyle appeal in their media.

On April 4, Current's Take Back TV event showed us a glimpse of whod be watching.
People and artists came out from all over and supported us, artists like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Fuse Green, Goapele, Michael Franti and Spearhead, along with 5,000 regular people who just wanted to be part of something and have their voices heard.

Should MTV worry?

Definitely not. People watch MTV for different reasons than Current. We may be reaching similar people, but we're providing completely different programming. Current will show informing, entertaining and thought-provoking content for the 18-34 audience.

We are in the unique position to play a more active and personal role in the lives of our viewers, more than any other network before us, by deeply connecting our viewers with what's going on in their world, and thanks to our VC2, in their voice. We're not here to be a better MTV, were here to be ourselves.

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on August 08, 2005 at 11:22 AM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Soon In Japan, It'll Be Raining Ads


Yoko Ishii, a chief researcher of Japan's telecommunication giant NTT's Cyber Solution Laboratory shows round-shaped advertisement on her palms, which come down from the ceiling by projector at the laboratory in Yokosuka, outside Tokyo, 21 July 2005. Ishiii developed a prototype model of 'information rain' system as a CCD camera tracks the entrants' movements and sends the data to connected computers. Then the projector shoots out a round-shaped advertisement -- which can scream words such as 'SALE!' -- right onto their hands. AFP Photo by Yoshikazu Tsuno

by Miwa Suzuki
Yokosuka, Japan (AFP) July 24, 2005
After being bombarded by commercials on the way to work and watching promotions pop up on the Internet, the Japanese consumer could soon be hit by advertisements where they least expect it: on their hands.

Researchers are working on "information rain", taking advertisements to the realm of mock meteorology.

A projector on a tall tripod shows images of raindrops hitting the ground and making ripples, in hopes that people will enter the "rainy" area and hold out their palms.

A camera tracks the entrants' movements and sends the data to connected computers. Then the projector shoots out a round-shaped advertisement -- which can post words such as "SALE" -- right onto their hands.

NTT Cyber Solution Laboratories, run by telecom giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) in the port city of Yokosuka south of Tokyo, believes the "rain" can be a perfect draw for customers.

"It's quite natural that you hold out your palm when it starts raining," said Yoko Ishii, a chief researcher in the human interaction project.

"People jot things down on their palms. The palm is the information tool closest to humans," she said.

Much as the Internet gave way to unique pop-up and interactive advertisements, the new technology can develop in its own fashion to find ways to make the hand ads more attractive, she said.

"Advertisements are usually something that's given to you, but it would be different if they showed up on your palms. You would feel more familiar with the message that appears in your personal area," she said.

An advertisement on the body would help convince people that the message is really meant for them, she said.

The "rain" can also be put to use to guide customers to specific stores. The direction of the projected image can change in tandem with how the person moves, meaning he or she can always get the message in the right angle.

The system can also be equipped to show motion pictures, Ishii said.

"This may also be able to be used during the wait at amusement parks in the future," letting people in long queues enjoy animations or movies on their palms as they move ahead, she said.

Ishii said the team wanted to put the system to practical use in several years.

One of the problems yet to be solved is how to make the message last longer than the rain. Ishii said researchers were looking for ways to let people bring back the information on their palms if they so choose.

It is already common for Japanese mobile telephone users to take snapshots of special tiny images on print advertisements that guide them to Internet sites offering more detailed information.

Dentsu, Japan's largest advertising agency, estimates that the nation's advertising market was worth 5.85 trillion yen (53 billion dollars) last year.

And the industry is continually getting more high-tech.

A recent study by Dentsu Communication Institute, an affiliate of the ad agency, said the Internet would take over from radio in 2007 as a bigger advertising medium, although it would still remain behind television and newspaper ads.

Posted by Michelle Shildkret on August 04, 2005 at 03:28 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Australian Brewer Launches 'Freaking Huge Big Ad'

carlton_draught_big_ad.jpg

[Adrants] Australian brewer Carlton Draught, a division of Foster's, has created and amazingly different, brilliantly funny beer ad, called "It's A Big Ad," that, while poking fun at the beer ad category, and advertising in general, gets its message across quite effectively. If anything, it gets points for just being different.

The ad was produced in New Zealand by Animal Logics, the company that worked on the Matrix movies and was created by George Patterson Partners.

Posted by Michelle Shildkret on July 25, 2005 at 11:13 AM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Former CNET Sales VP to Head Blog Network Sales

Chas Edwards, former VP of sales and marketing for CNET Network's B2B sites will, on July 11, head over to John Batelle's new blog network, FM Publishing, to head sales. The network will launch with between 10 and 20 technology focused weblogs and branch out to, perhaps, culture-focused blogs.

http://chasnote.blogspot.com/

Posted by Michelle Shildkret on June 27, 2005 at 12:58 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

'Viral' Advertising Spreads Through Marketing Plans

Inside1viraladvertisingCheck out this article from USA Today which outlines  the increasing importance and use of viral campaigns in the marketing industry. The article offers, "The key to effective viral: Create and execute an idea that's intriguing enough to get consumers to interact," and ends with a summary of some of the industries latest and greatest viral campaigns. 

Posted by Andrew Pickett on June 23, 2005 at 12:48 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Video is not dead

It's always nice to see music videos and commercials categorized together because it means the ads are good. This collection will keep you up all night.

Enjoy here

Posted by Adam Uhrynowski on June 15, 2005 at 08:43 AM in Industry, Video | Permalink | Comments (0)

EFFIES

"Members of Saatchi 17 Win 2 Effies"
"TBWA/Chiat/Day's 'Ipod Silhouette's Wins Top Award"
Ipod Madness...click here to see what the buzz is all about!

Posted by Carla Ranno on June 09, 2005 at 06:30 PM in Industry | Permalink | Comments (0)

Clients want smaller, more innovative boutiques

Nytimes_1Check out this article from the business section of Monday’s Times. The focus is on how clients are demanding more creative, and innovative ideas from the large ad agencies

This creates a greater demand for smaller, more innovative marketing boutiques.   

Posted by Andrew Pickett on May 25, 2005 at 02:06 PM in Industry, Trends | Permalink | Comments (1)

Audi’s New Viral Campaign

Chapter1_1To launch its new A3 model, Audi of America and McKinney & Silver developed a fictitious multimedia auto-theft drama called the “Art of the Heist”. The campaign kicked-off with a set-up crime scene at the Manhattan Audi Dealership, complete with a broken glass door, police tape, and security guards, where a new A3 was supposedly stolen. After plastering posters seeking information about the stolen car around major US cities, the campaign launched into a complex web-based mystery that follows fictitious characters connected to the heist. As of May 9, the campaign will have acquired over 125,000 followers on the primary website, and various spin-off sites that have since been created.
Check out some of the video feeds here.

Posted by Andrew Pickett on May 25, 2005 at 11:32 AM in Industry, Stunts | Permalink | Comments (0)

Contagious Media Showdown

Eyebeam is a non-profit art and technology organization in New York City. They're hosting the Contagious Media Showdown which pits people against each other to see who can create the most viral piece (as measured by unique visitors and incoming links). Check a bunch out, some are great. Here are a few of my favorites:

Forget-me-not panties
The Guns N' Roses Self-Similar Midi Synth
Ringtone Dancer
Miss Beazley Bush
TheBrainFreeze

Posted by Noah Brier on May 25, 2005 at 10:06 AM in Industry, Interactive | Permalink | Comments (0)

Next »

Marketing Resources

  • Adcritic
  • Adfreak
  • Adland
  • Adverblog
  • Advertising Age
  • Adweek
  • American Association of Advertising Agencies
  • Brand Experience Lab
  • ihaveanidea
  • Reveries -Extra Texture

Planning Resources

  • Brand Noise
  • Cool Hunting
  • Eyebeam Reblog
  • Influx Insights
  • PSFK
  • Random Culture
  • Superfuture
  • Trend Central
  • Trendwatching

Design Resources

  • Design is Kinky
  • Design Snack
  • Heavy-Backpack
  • Netdiver
  • Styleboost

Interactive Resources

  • A List Apart
  • Don't meet your heroes
  • Intelliseek's BlogPulse
  • Search Blog
  • Technorati