What do Google, the Olympics and Harry Potter have in common? Not much you think. Wrong, they are symbols for the world we live in today. They are actually an essential part of contemporary culture.
Maybe thats why the UK-born artist Ryan Gander combined them in “Why French people look out of windows” (2008) as shown at this years edition of Art Basel Miami Beach.
We are all allowed to discuss the title, but after checking any given statistics you might find out that countries like France maybe show an interest in “global cultural phenomena” which is below the average. That could be one of the explanations for the title of the piece.
Nevertheless, brands like Google, the Olympics and Harry Potter are given factors in todays culture, because they behave in ways that make them part of our lives. Some may appreciate them, others not. But you cannot ignore them.
Before John Hunt presented his book “The Art of the Idea” during a presidents lecture at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership last night, he shared a couple of his observations at the Berlin office of TBWA. As an award-winning playwright, author, and Worldwide Creative Director of TBWA, John Hunt has witnessed again and again the power of original thinking to transform both companies and individuals. In The Art of the Idea, Hunt addresses everyone from the global boardroom to the man on the street, bridging the gap with ease. Few can argue with Hunt’s claim that it is ideas that move the world forward, and he refreshingly articulates that anyone can play: there is no hierarchy to original thinking.
Mad-Blog had a camera running so you can be part of the conversation between John Hunt and Stefan Schmidt (CCO TBWA\Germany) to get John’s opinion on how ideas relate to diversity, Google, apartheid, life or logic. Enjoy.
The minute bokode (3mm wide) developed by MIT is capable of being read at distances of up to 5 metres. A camera can read multiple bokodes at once, and can record up to 1,000 times more information from a bokode than from the traditional striped barcode. On top of this, the bokode can give out different information depending on which angle the (standard mobile phone) camera is pointing. As Dr Ankit Mohan from MIT points out, this means that a product which is off at an angle from the one being observed by the consumer can say “Hey, look at me, I’m a dollar cheaper”. The potential at retail for cheap and effective marketing is enormous, while the removal of the traditional barcode would create a blank canvas for packaging designers.
In terms of its wider use, the technology could radically enhance services like Google Street View: Placing a bokode on a restaurant front for example (invisible to passers-by) would mean that a Google truck could record what type of food the restaurant offers, its menu and its opening times. In practical terms this means that Google Street View becomes a much more content-rich consumer experience and another media platform for clever marketers.
Although the bokodes currently use light powered by a built in LED, and therefore cost $5 dollars each, a passive (power-free) bokode has been developed which should be available for around 5 cents. Will we soon see the end of the barcode?
Watch Dr Mokan present the technology himself. Click here.
If you have any comments or suggestions please email Daniel Scott.
Some of the most interest and creative work being done digitally right now is work which starts in digital but breaks out into the real world to create a seamless experience. This is shown by the winners of this years Cannes Cyber Lions: The Best Job in the World, Fiat Eco-Drive and “Why So Serious”.
Nike are doing something at the moment Lance Armstrong for the Tour De France. It is based on the current livestrong campaign “Its about …”, as well as inspirational 30” and 60” spots and web films, people also get the chance to send a message of support beginning with the words “Its about…” and a robot will write the message in chalk somewhere along the course of the Tour de France. If your message is chosen, you are sent the google maps reference showing where on the course your message is.
A great way for consumers to engage with the brand in the real world and digital world.
Thanks.
Indy
If you have any comments or suggestions please email Indy Saha from TBWA\London.
Is digital drawing the next big thing in arts? Could be. Is it a PR stunt? Could be. Or is it an expression of brand behavior? Yes, it is.
Jorge Colombo drew this week’s cover of THE NEW YORKER using an iPhone application. And guess what? He did it while queuing to get into Madam Tussaud’s Way Museum in Times Square.
Some people send text messages with their iPhone, others play games or simply talk to friends. Jorge Colombo created a cover artwork. nyt.com reported that Colombo bought his iPhone in February, and the $4.99 Brushes application soon after, and said the portability and accessibility of the medium appealed to him.
In our extremely well-connected world this lucky combination of an artist, The New Yorker and technology delivered through the iPhone, great things become even greater and the PR value for all involved brands is tremendous. Check out the film and read the story in the website of THE NEW YORKER.
And, do one experiment: Google “New Yorker” +iPhone. Amazing.
If you have any comments or suggestions please email Ulrich Proeschel
Especially in changing economic times, disruptive thinking creates sustainable and effective solutions for brands to navigate towards a better future. Jean-Marie Dru first described the phenomenon of disruption for a wider business audience, and has published three books on the topic. Tom Peters, the author of several bestselling books including “In Search for Excellence” and “Thriving on Chaos”, commented on Jean-Marie’s latest book: “Disrupt or be disrupted. Disrupt or die. This is the captivating story of implementing the most powerful idea in business today.”
Venture capitalist and popular blogger Fred Wilson gave a speech at Google a couple of days ago. The topic: Disruption. Google has just posted the video of the talk on YouTube, find it below.
Jenny Naish explores the tricky process of preventing a love story with a brand from reaching a premature conclusion.
“Love is man unfinished”- Samuel Beckett
Whatever the situation, it is society’s nature to make heroes, villains and victims out of the players involved. They are the stock characters in any love story, whether their names are Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella and Prince Charming, or David and Victoria Beckham.
Love stories however, are not the same as love, in that by their very nature they must have an ending, be it happy or sad. The characters always face a series of peaks and troughs before the situation is resolved. Often, it is the revelation of love itself that signals the end. A classic love story tells us that the troubles are over and it is all plain sailing from here.
But love can only truly have an ending through its loss. Romeo and Juliet could illustrate this perfectly. Read more…
What do Google, the Olympics and Harry Potter have in common? Not much you think. Wrong, they are symbols for the world we live in today. They are actually an essential part of contemporary culture.
