Wii-controller turned spraycan

The WiiSpray is a prototype, currently under development in Germany at Bauhaus-University. It is a digital spraycan allowing anyone to experiment with graffiti without walls, color or toxic smells. Everything is virtual. 

Just pick up the WiiSpray, start spraying as if it were a real spray can, and upload your creation to Martin Lihs' Interface.

Talking paper: the next evolution in print?

It sounds crazy, but the latest innovation in paper actually talks. Interactive paper emits recorded sound in response to a person's touch. The prototype display uses conductive inks (which are sensitive to pressure) and printed speakers. The technology has not yet been used in marketing but it's been discussed for brochures.

Megaphone takes gaming out-of-home

Megaphone is a new technology for digital signage that allows anyone passing by a particular billboard to dial a number and join a simple game using their cell phone as a controller. The experience can be followed up with an SMS, MMS or digital content download.

This is just another way advertisers are trying to bring the online experience offline, and make OOH interactive. What is most interesting to me is the use of the mobile phone. Wouldn't it be interesting to push even further how we use our mobile phones. Now we can listen to music, watch movies and tv shows. All of our digital devices are converging. It makes sense to add a remote control functionality to that device as well.

QR Codes slowly make their way to the states

QR codes are two dimensional bar codes that carry hidden messages (URL, images, video downloads, etc). These messages are unlocked when people with special software downloaded on their mobile phone take a picture of the QR code. It is a great way to deliver content quickly, integrate offline and online communications, and is extremely intuitive and easy for people to use.

This technology is extremely popular in advanced mobile markets such as Japan, Spain, Germany and the UK. However, it hasn't quite made it's way into the states. In the US, the technology is not as accessible as it is abroad.  But it looks like that might be changing in the next couple years. Several mobile carriers have already set their sites on the technology and are exploring selling phones pre-loaded with QR scanners. 

Check out the Nextwall and Wellington Zoo for some cool applications.

Getting creative with a Bic pen

Read about the history of the Bic pen here.

12 best household uses for vodka (not including martinis)

1. Keep Aphids off houseplants. Wash off houseplants with tap water then dab the leaves with a cotton ball dipped in vodka. Do not use alcohol on delicate plants like African Violets.
2. Shine chrome, glass and porcelain bathroom fixtures. Soak a soft, clean cloth with vodka and shine.
3. Remove hairspray from mirrors. Soak a soft, clean cloth with vodka and wipe mirrors clean.
4. Clean crystal and porcelain ornaments.
5. Clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers by filling a spray bottle with vodka, then spraying the caulking. Wait 5 minutes, then wash clean. Bonus: the alcohol in the vodka actually kills mold and mildew.
6. Clean a chandelier right where it hangs! Spray the chandelier with a solution of four teaspoons of vodka to one pint of water. Put down a cloth or plastic sheet to catch the drips.
7. Remove stains by rubbing with a clean cloth soaked in vodka. Rinse thoroughly.
8. Clean jewelry and cutlery. Soak it in vodka for five minutes, rinse and dry.
9. Remove the glue left behind by stickers and labels. Rub the glue with a soft, clean cloth soaked in vodka.
10. Use it to kill bees and wasps.
11. To get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke, mix one part vodka to three parts water, spray and let dry.
12. Clean tiles in the bathroom by spraying with vodka. Leave it on for 5 minutes and rinse. Great for getting rid of soap scum.

New Banksy pieces surface in LA

Banksy left a few works of art while he was here in LA recently. The caveman carrying what looks like In-N-Out can be seen on Melrose.

What font says 'change'?

Type-face geeks and designers at the Boston Globe decided to analyze the typography of some of the presidential hopeful's bumper stickers. See some of their thoughts here.

Clinton- 80's newspaper meets recycled establishment

Edwards- Sans serif typeface says open and friendly yet Wal-Mart middle class.

Obama- Contemporary, fresh, polished, professional, young, and cool. 

Hukabee- The overall effect is clutter. The type has no real voice.

Giuliani- His message is all about Rudy, name recognition. 

McCain- Everything about this logo says you can buy a car from this man. Not quite sans, not quite serif, sort of in between, moderate, not too far in either direction. 

Bento madness strikes on Bento TV and MrBentoPorn

4 or 5 times a week, the amazingly chipper Sarah shows you how to pack a fun lunch in your bento box. She's been at it since 2006. Can't get enough just making your own bento lunches? Check out the Flickr group for Mr. Bento Porn.

BentoTV.com
Flickr > MrBento

Surf industry now following fashion, not leading?

“Surf and skate – it's kind of slipped. I think they're following contemporary fashions. They are taking their cue from the contemporary market instead of the other way around.” - Janine Blain, Donenger Group's West Coast Director.

The industry has matured enough that big companies now need to start looking for inspiration rather than being the inspiration. That's a different system for product design, marketing, even cultural tracking. And if the economy really is tightening, only the best will survive.
SignOnSanDiego | 1.25.08

UK-based street art media provider creates "green" graffiti

UK vendor, Street Advertising Services, sends out street teams to do eco-friendly guerilla marketing campaigns for their clients. These street teams use high pressure sprayers to wash the client's stenciled logo or message right into the sidewalk or street. The process involves just water and steam and is 100% environmentally safe. I never thought I would see the day when sustainability and street art converge. "Green" is becoming a standard in our world. 

Corporate responsibility: good or just fahionable?

The Economist published an article this week about the state of Corporate Social Responsibility, suggesting that it's not worth a company's time unless it's an integral part of their business.

95% of CEOs surveyed last year by McKinsey said society now has higher expectations of businesses. Business schools are quickly adding courses and specialized departments about CSR. The boom can be attributed to a few drivers:

1. Reputation: companies have to work hard to protect a good reputation because they are more transparent than ever. Nike comes in near the bottom in the Ethical Consumer Index right next to Shell and McDonalds.

2. Climate change: this is the most pressing environmental issue. An Inconvenient Truth grossed $48 million last year.

3. Investors: companies like Goldman Sachs have started to integrate environmental issues into their equity research.

4. Employees: employees are more inclined to work at companies that share similar values and ethos about the environment.

Many people are skeptical about CSR, asking if there is a competitive advantage to green strategy and believing that despite the huge surge of interest, it's still just rhetoric. According to Michael Porter's paper in the 2006 Harvard Review, "CSR, in most cases, is too unfocused, too shotgun, too many supporting someone's pet project with no real connection to business."

Sounds like there's a very large opportunity for a company to do it right and to do it well.

Article

Special Report

Cities turn out the lights for Earth Hour 2008

After experiencing its 10th hottest year and worst drought in living memory, Australia took action against global warming. On March 31 2007, Sydney turned off its lights for one hour. 2.2 million people participated and the city cut energy consumption by 10.2% (expected 5%), equal to taking 48,000 cars off the road for an hour.

The story was covered in over 40 countries, creating enough buzz and global participation for Earth Hour 2008. So this March 29 at 8pm (in each time zone) Melbourne, Toronto, Copenhagen, Manila, Brisbane, and Tel Aviv will join the effort to become a part of this environmental movement.

Earth Hour

The Periodic Table of Visualization

This periodic table categorizes differing methods of visualization including data visualization, strategy visualization, information visualization, metaphor visualization, compound visualization, and concept visualization. The formats range from the traditional pie chart, venn diagram and histogram to unique methods like the bridge of negotiation and knowledge maps.

Table

Car Company Uses ASCII Art in Adwords

Sixt, one of the major car rental companies in Germany, needed a way to stand out from competitors. They discovered that entering "meitwagon" into Google leads to about 30 million hits, all of them pretty much alike. How would people find them in search engines? How would their brand stand apart among all of the different search results?

Sixt had the clever idea of using ASCII drawings in their text ads to make them stand apart. When people searched for certain keywords, Sixt's little drawings appeared in the side bar as a sponsored result. This led to a 47% increase in clicks.  So, yes, you can get creative with search marketing...

Pull up US Census data by zip code

"The site provides an interesting 'first glance' at a ZIP Code area, but it should only be seen as that -- a first glance." Above, some of the info on 90245. Data comes from the US Census. Quick and easy, and pretty good graphs.
ZIPskinny

Crank That Kosha Boy: brilliant parody

"Kosha boy in (TEMPLE!)
Try to set an (EXAMPLE!)
Distracted by that girl I wanna schtup in the third (ROW!)
And she's a (JEW!) Crank that Kosha Boy
Now all my (JEWS!) Crank that Kosha Boy
Now all my (JEWS!) Crank that Kosha Boy
Now all my (JEWS!) Crank that Kosha Boy"

What to do with the biggest hit of 2007: a killer parody.
YouTube | 12.05.07

Cultural mashup kiddie TV for modern parents

Yo Gabba Gabba! is a kids' show on Nick, but what a pedigree: the show's producer, Wildbrain, owns a majority stake of Kid Robot, one of the creators founded ska-rock band Aquabats, and the name references the Ramones. So of course they have a Bootsy Collins-inspired host, products sold in Kid Robot and Barneys, and guest stars including Mark Mothersbaugh, Elijah Wood, Biz Markie, and the Shins.

They're not the first mashup kid show. Sesame Street always had the biggest names guest star, including Stevie Wonder. But they're the modern version for the modern parent.
YoGabbaGabba.com
NY Times | 1.20.08

Nontraditional media opportunities in Health Clubs

I had an interesting call this morning with one of the largest health club media and marketing networks. Here's a recap of the limitless ways to connect with an audience at the gym. Keep in mind, if you have an idea that is not on the list, you can probably do it anyway. If you can imagine it, you can advertise on it.

1. Panel advertising. Think of these as indoor billboards.

2. Digital advertising. Clubs can accommodate full-motion or static digital images. These screens can run TV feeds, real-time data, etc.

3. Branded club equipment: yoga mats, shower mats, shower stalls, trampolines, dumbbells, soap dispensers etc.

4. Mirror swipes/decals

5.  Column wraps

6. Branding on apparel for club personel (instructors, personal trainers, etc)

7. Sponsorships of key club areas (lounges, spinning room, yoga studio, etc)

8. Sampling

9. Sweepstakes

10. Event marketing 

Book Review: The New Rules of Marketing & PR

The Internet has profoundly changed the way our culture interacts; media is more fragmented than ever; the people have all the control; traditional advertising vehicles won't cut it; yada, yada, yada. In an industry grappling with seismic change, we seek simple answers to extremely complex questions. "The New Rules of Marketing & PR," is yet another book offering solutions to these changes. 

I do not believe this book provides all of the answers to the questions we seek; nor is there a set of "one-size-fits-all" rules that can apply across the spectrum of challenges faced by marketing and communication specialists today. However, "The New Rules of Marketing & PR," provide a starting point. Though there are a lot of generalities and missing pieces, the theory driving the book is important for everyone in advertising to consider.

The old rules of marketing:

1. Marketing simply meant advertising (and branding).

2. Advertising needed to appeal to the masses

3. Advertising relied on interrupting people to get them to pay attention to a message.

4. Advertising was one way: company-to-consumer.

5. Advertising was exclusively about selling products.

6. Advertising was based on campaigns that had a limited life.

7. Creativity was deemed the most important component to advertising.

8. It was more important for the advertising agency to win awards than for the client to win new customers.

9. Advertising and PR were separate disciplines run by different people against separate goals, strategies, and measurement criteria.

The new rules of marketing and PR:

1. Marketing is more than just advertising.

2. PR is for more than just a mainstream media audience.

3. You are what you publish.

4. People want authenticity not spin.

5. People want participation, not propaganda.

6. Instead of one-way interruption, marketing is about delivering content at just the precise moment your audience needs it.

7. Marketers must shift their thinking from mainstream marketing to the masses to a strategy of reaching vast numbers of underserved audiences via the Web.

8. PR is not about your boss seeing your company on TV. It's about your buyers seeing your company on the Web.