Since beginning, Facebook has been making records such as having over 100 million users in its first 9 months. Facebook was launched in February 4, 2004. Yes, that means Facebook is now 6 years old. It was reported today on Mashable.com that “Facebook Passes the 400 Million User Mark.” That’s pretty incredible considering it just passed the 300 million user mark only five months ago. Think about what this might mean for your business. Are you using social media as a way to reach customers?
Keilchi Matsuda’s film, Augmented (hyper) Reality: Domestic Robocop, shows a glimpse of a brand frenzy future that could be in store for us. Through the use of augmented reality Matsuda shows a universe that is consumed with logos where every visual space is taken over by advertising, and global commerce is woven into all aspects of our existence.
Matsuda is currently studying at London’s Bartlett School of Architecture as part of the Unit 15 group, where students use animation and motion graphics to investigate new architectural possibilities. This film was produced for his final year in Architecture, and is part of a larger project. Mastuda wanted to show the world the social and architectural consequences of new media and augmented reality. What do you think about this video, is it an accurate portrayal of how advertising affects our lives? Is it a realistic portrayal of the advertsing/media future?
Searching on the streets for road kill definitely doesn’t inspire me or is my idea of a good time, but designer Reid Peppard may beg to differ. Peppard’s London based fashion line RP/encore mixes fashion design with taxidermy, turning dead creatures (mainly rodents and vermin) into wearable accessories. Many people may be offended by Peppard’s use of dead animals, but Peppard thinks of her work as “walking the line between fashion and fine art.” You may find some comfort in knowing that none of the animals featured in her designs were harmed, Peppard (a vegetarian) only uses animals that are victims of road kill, pest control, or natural death. It may be no surprise then that the queen of creativity and just plain weird “Lady gaga” wore one of Peppard’s rat head pieces in her “Bad Romance” music video.
What do you think about this fashion line would you wear it? Or does it take self expression and creativity a little too far?
This PSA which was featured on AdFreak.com from the UK is not like any I have ever seen before. images of a father pretending to drive in his living room as his famiy watches takes a turn as he begins to ”crash.” Thankfully, his wife and daughter take hold of him where a seat belt would. This powerful spot ends with the father putting his hard around his family and the tag ling “Embrace Life.” Check it out, and tell us what you think.
The third annual Beaux-Art’s Ball at the Portland Art Museum is approaching on February 6th from 8:00-2:00 am. The Ball will be electrified by unbridled creativity, incorporating interactive art and performance and culminating in appearances by Seattle burlesque star Lily Verlaine, Gang of Four’s Dave Allen, and New York rock band Morningwood. The event will be hosted by the Young Patrons of the Portland Art Museum to help fund Museum education programs. The theme of the evening is Icon: Come as You Art, and guests are encouraged to let their own art icons inspire their attire. Guests may mingle with performers whose bodies are painted to resemble iconic works of art, and will enjoy hosted cocktails, beer and wine, and hors d’oeuvres.
Tickets are available at the Portland Art Museum or online
What could be more convenient than buying everyday necessities online?
According to AdAge.com 2010 is going to be a big year for e-commerce, particularly for the consumer packaged goods industry. Proctor and Gamble Co. and General Mills both announced last week that they will be expanding their online retail efforts this year, what’s even more significant is that websites such as Alice.com (launched last summer) are pooling together the efforts of CPG marketers into a single site with a single shopping cart, and free shipping. Alice.com is creating e-stores for 29 marketers and will link them to their brand websites, participants include: Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, Novartis, Bausch & Lomb, General Electric, Sara Lee, and General Mills.
Less obvious reasons for CPG companies to include e-commerce is to develop one on one relationships with consumers, and to enhance company branding. “The point is that we want to be everywhere our consumers want to shop or gain knowledge, and in that sense we have to be ubiquitous … and that requires a big presence in e-commerce,” said P&G Chairman-CEO Bob McDonald in an interview. According to Alice.com CEO Brian Wiegland there is a downfall to CPG companies selling online, Walmart.com for example, added more CPG products to what it sells in the past year. Manufacturers have the power to set prices at Alice, and “no one is coming in lower than Walmart,” said Wiegland. “If you want the absolute lowest prices, you’re still going to find them at Wal-Mart. Target is generally 5% higher than Walmart, and that’s generally where we fall in.” What do you think about this new trend in the CPG industry? Would you purchase shampoo, razors, or toilet paper online? What if you could still buy it for less at Wal-Mart?
The White House has just released its own app for the iPhone and iPod touch! Users will be able to download live streaming of White House events, press conferences, and web chats with government officials. The app also hosts on-demand video, updates from the Briefing Room, posts from the White House blog, and behind-the-scene photos. The US administration will also soon launch a new mobile website, mobile.whitehouse.gov, to let users of other phones stay in touch with what Obama and his government are up to.Did I mention the app is available for free on iTunes?
TED posted this video featuring Jonathan Harris, co-creator of We Feel Fine. Harris first talks about the art of storytelling, and how story telling has changed in the past few years due to Blogging online. Then he talks about the website We Feel Fine. This fascinating website scans blogs for the term “I feel” or “I am feeling” and records the entire sentence. The talk explores how people all over the world have similar feeling and life changing experiences, such as a first kiss, first child, getting married, first pet, or first car.
Harris definitely saves the best for last when he speaks about the new website, called ”Universe.” This website takes the information from We Feel Fine and creates constellations. This video and these websites are mind blowing. After watching this video, I looked for the Interactive Site, from We Feel Fine, and ”Universe.” On the interactive website, from We Feel Fine, you can search by feelings, gender, age, weather location and date. I suggest you check it out.
Word on cyber space is that the 67th annual golden globe awards (which airs live on NBC Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 8:00) will be adding a 3D twist. The TV Guide Network will be bringing red carpet coverage to fans both on TV and online, and will be debuting “the hologram glam cam.” The idea is that the cam will generate virtual 3D images of the stars in previous red carpet looks, so fans can compare and contrast fashion hits and misses. The use of 3D won’t be as technically advanced as Avatar, but using 3D elements in such a large award show furthers the notion that 3D is becoming the new trend in television, film, and advertising. How do you feel is it too invasive, or simply creative?
Since beginning, Facebook has been making records such as having over 100 million users in its first 9 months. Facebook was launched in February 4, 2004. Yes, that means Facebook is now 6 years old. It was reported today on Mashable.com that “Facebook Passes the 400 Million User Mark.” That’s pretty incredible considering it just passed the 300 million user mark only five months ago. Think about what this might mean for your business. Are you using social media as a way to reach customers?
