Saturday

Obama and Photosynth


A about a year and half ago, we blogged about an emergnig Microsoft technology called Photosynth. Photosynth is a system that uses photo's across the web to create 3-D versions of places and spaces (you can check out an amazing demo of the product here).

A recent post to the TED blog reports that CNN has announced that for Tuesday's Presediential Inauguration, the broadcast will use Photosynth to provide viewers around the world with a view that will make them feel like they're actually there:

"We'll take your photos from every angle, combine them with CNN's professional shots, and produce what we hope will be an amazing experience that will be shown live on CNN. And you thought the Jessica Yellin hologram was cool! The synth will also be available for everyone to see on CNN.com."

I'm excited for this technology to hit the mass media and Microsoft must be thrilled about their software headlining the largest event of 2009. Be sure to check out CNN.com's "The Moment" microsite on Tuesday night and get a view that you'll never forget.

Not all impressions are equal

Nice idea. Great execution.

If you live in London, you've heard of this...

W+K's 2009 Agency Goals

If you haven't read W+K's London blog, it's a great example of an agency blog that it fun, insightful and all about people. It's one of the few agency blogs that's written for the people of the agency, rather than a "hard sell" about what Weiden can do for you. Rather than tell you about how great they are, they just let you read about what their up to (and you get the message on your own).

W+K has 8 major goals for 2009. Here's my favorite:

1. Continue to try to do the best work of our lives, across all clients

Still job number one. Partly because great ideas are what businesses need in tough times. Partly because to build our own business we to be seen to do work that is talked about in our industry and in the wider culture. Partly because it what we choose to do.

Most agencies will have revenue in mind. Smart ones will put the work first and let the revenue follow.

Check out the full list here.

Friday

Leisure time spent online increasing

Found on eMarketer.

My guess is mobile usage in is a big reason behind China, Japan & Korea's lead. Increased access will obviously lead to increase use.

What do you think is the % that we will tap-out at? Will human nature allow us to spend more than 60% online, 70%? And how long until we begin to revolt OR until the internet allows us to find the information, entertainment or complete our tasks at a faster rate leading to a decline?

Thursday

Brand Hero's

Fallon has posted a great new presentation to their planning blog about Hero's. Did you know that 5 of the 10 top movies of 2008 were all about Hero's? (Dark Knight, Indiana Jones, Hancock, Iron Man, Casino Royal).

There's a reason for this - people need to be inspired. They need to believe in something and these hero's help us to do that...even for a couple of hours.

Take a moment to check out the presentation - if anything, the comic images are sweet.

We are content crazy

Are you kidding me? 14 hours of video is uploaded every minute .

The volume of content being published has increased 867,000% from 1999 - 2008 and that poses quite the challenge for those of us trying to create content that stands out. Whether it is a post on your blog or a campaign the numbers are against you.

At the same time there are ways to make the numbers work for you like Trip Advisor did? There are plenty of passionate people out there creating content and they are always looking for ways to get recognized for their contributions and new ways to contribute. I think marketers should start there and see where it will take you.

MasterPieces of the Prado Museum on Google Earth



This type of thing gets me really excited. Think of the possibilities.

How can you apply this to your clients or work?

Balloon Animals Get it on



Thanks to Brooksy for the dirty little heads up.

Wednesday

Be A Man



Really enjoy this new UK campaign from Lynx. And the microsite experience is engaging, fun and hilarious. If you got a spare 5 minutes, check it out.

I also love the clay characters and the look. Right on brand and fun. What do you think?

Quote of the Day

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

- Steve Jobs, 2005 in an address at Stanford University

As you might have heard, Jobs has taken a leave from Apple due to health reasons. The Apple share price dropped 10% on the announcement and it is unclear when he could return.

Hopefully he is able to beat cancer (his rumoured disease) and keep the Apple machine moving.

Great quote though, from one of the best innovators in the world.

The times they are a changing

The office of the President-elect released Barack Obama’s official presidential portrait Wednesday morning and the photo makes history as the first presidential portrait shot with a digital camera. Not just any old point-and-shoot digi, photographer Pete Souza used Canon’s fancy new EOS 5D Mark II.


Interestingly, Obama didn’t flash his beaming, trademark smile for the shot and the last prez to opt for a toothless smile was Nixon.

From TrueRumors

Hand-tailored custom mobile phones

I just came across Continental Phones a company that offers "Hand-tailored luxury phones. I have a feeling sales are down on their diamond encrusted phones. That being said there are some pretty nice gold line phones in here.

Fords CEO talks about social media

A little long, but some interesting discussion points. The most interesting is how well the CEO of Ford seems to understand the space and the value it brings.


Ford's CEO on social media and innovation from JD Lasica on Vimeo.

Tuesday

Unique POV

I never thought I'd see a spot like this but it's out there. Quite the "eye-opener". I'd love to see the guy version. Thanks to Max for the link!

Interesting Executions New & Old worth sharing

Delta Air Lines has opened the SKY 360 'pop-up' lounge in Manhattan to convince New York premium customers---"those who fly often and often pay top price for tickets"---to choose Delta.

SKY 360 was located in one of the priciest sections of Manhattan, at Sixth and 57th, around the corner from The Pierre hotel. The upscale lounge, decorated with white leather seating and cloud skylights, serves complimentary beverages and snacks to visitors, and offers samples of their new chef-inspired cuisine. Visitors can try the premium priced "lie-flat" seats to be offered on Delta transoceanic flights. The lounge also provides charging stations for iPods and phones, and computer stations for visitors to check email. In the evening, invited guests enjoy cocktails. Oh, and did we mention that you can also make registrations and purchase tickets?


Adidas breaks through with a great execution featuring Oliver Kahn.

Bronze Lion came for "Barge Resistance," part of it's much-awarded work for Nike Canada's "Ready for your :45?" campaign. The ad featured an image of Vancouver Canucks star Markus Naslund on the side of a barge, seemingly pulling on a tug boat as part of his resistance training.

The internet surpasses Newspaper as means to News


eMarketer has confirmed what we already knew. The average american is now officially a digital immigrant.

Monday

Nike: Take it to the limit

One of the best executions of this "1st person" type of ad.

I was a little disappointed it wasn't the Eagles song when I clicked play.

The history of Apple Products

Because we like apple.

The usual Microsoft Miss

I really hope they know how bad this is.

A Rare Nike Miss?

I don't really know what to think about this online video from Nike. I like the premise and the concept but right when you think it's about to get really funny, it falls flat. Seems like an odd fit for the brand and with less than 4,000 views on YouTube, it doesn't appear like this video is taking off anytime soon. Thoughts?



Thanks to Rebecca for the link!

Current Brand Obsession: Meerkat's

Have you noticed the disturbing amount of Meerkats in ads lately? I don't really know what it is about this little creature but brands have fallen in love with it.

Take Telus, for example. If you watched TV in Canada in the last 3 months (or went to a movie), you definitely saw a series of their new, Wireless Meerkats spots. Here's one:



Nice track but the Meerkat's? A bit strange. That being said, it does make sense for a brand like Telus considering that they are all about using different creatures in their communications and need to find new ones to use in their spots every couple of months.

Now take a look at a new UK campaign for insurance - featuring talking Meerkats:



Some people
think that talking animals are pretty funny (I'm mixed), but what this campaign does nicely is drive users to a customized (and fun) microsite about Meerkats and the product. They use a fun tactic (a weird looking, talking Meerkat) and tell users to check out their site: comparethemeerkat.com.

Animals have been used in advertising forever but the choice of a Meerkat across multiple brands with campaigns in-market at the same time? That's just weird.




Sunday

The Economist Presention: Ads on the Edge

I recommend that you watch this full screen as some type is fairly small. An interesting presentation on why you must continue to advertise in a recession(duh). They conclude that print should be bought, I disagree. You should buy whatever is the right media for your objectives.

Ads on Edge
View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: branding recession)

The links - Pauls edition

Found some great stuff this week:
  1. The US States renamed for countries with a similar GDP. Here.
  2. Twitter saw 752% growth in 2008. Believe it.
  3. iPhone App Shazam wins award for "Best iPhone App". Check it out.
  4. Burger King wants you to Sacrifice friends for a Whopper. Start the slaughter.
  5. This book is now on my must read list. 150 winning campaigns. Look into it.
  6. The 100 best Google Maps mash-ups and tools. Discover their genius here.
  7. Looking for Alternative media. Search it here. Seriously do it.
  8. The worlds tech companies are trying to convince they are greener. Don't believe it.
  9. PC World shares the best products from CES. We have some cool new toys coming our way. Discover the goods.
  10. Wi-Fi on planes is getting very close. Tests underway by Row44.