Posted by Andrew Davies
(Image from sxc.hu.com)
The game has changed for marketers. I know, I know, that’s become a cliche statement by now, but it bears repeating since the rate at which the game is changing (or has changed depending on how you look at it) hasn’t really allowed some of us the time to stop and take a look at how drastically things’ve… well… changed.
For the early-adopters out there the new media landscape is exciting. But for some of us more cautious-adopters (I prefer that to” late bloomers”) and those stuck in the traditional, out-bound, 1 directional, disruptive marketing frame of mind, it can be a bit daunting and sometimes downright scary. But Why? Well this post is my way, as a designer who’s hearing these concerns , of commiserating with any marketers, and brand custodians who’ve been apprehensive about this new social media whoosy-whatsit.
At the end of the day, I think it boils down to a couple of reasons:
1. You’re not in complete control - your users are.
2. The Rules of Engagement are evolving, quickly and constantly.
3. It takes a lot of Commitment.
4. The priorities are different.
5. It feels invasive.
Let me explain…
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Posted by Andrew Davies
This isn’t a trick question. This is either an example of a company’s superb confidence in the public’s awareness of their brand, or a lil’ slip up due to arrogance. When I asked a few friends to guess the site, some guessed right away which lead me to think this company had a really good grasp of how to identify themselves, even without using their logo, tagline or colors. But others were confused by the lack of a clear mark. (Don’t get me started on some of the eCommerce usability problems I see here).
This screenshot hasn’t been retouched by the way. So see if you can guess.
(Click the image to see it up close)
Posted by Angel Ratcliffe
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
As a huge fan of the groups that will be performing in the Savannah Urban Arts Festival, I thought I’d give you a run-down of the festivities that I’m most looking forward to. A “pre-cap,” if you will.
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Categories: Advertising, Branding, Events, Greatness!, Innovation, Inspiration, Just for fun, Marketing, Pop culture, Savannah, Sustainability
Posted by Susan Isaacs
A few weeks ago, Drew blogged about thru-you.com (Music Production 2.0), an incredible sampling of remixes done using YouTube videos. I found it so inspiring that I started digging around for collaborative YouTube projects and discovered the YouTube Symphony project. I guess I’ve been living under a rock because that was the first I’d heard of it.
In case you missed it as well, YouTube held an open call for musicians anywhere in the world, to audition for a chance to perform as part of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Entrants were to upload a video of themselves performing a piece of music written by Chinese composer Tan Dun especially for the occasion. A panel of orchestras chose the finalists, and then the YouTube community got to pick the winning musicians.
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Posted by Angel Ratcliffe
Now here is a marketers dream:
You’re spending millions in advertising dollars to run the traditional :30 sec spots during a major network’s prime-time TV show. But you want more bang for your buck, so you get the network to help you pull off the product placement opportunity of a lifetime where the writers write your product into the script! One of the main characters of the show literally walks your product onto the screen, logo-side out, for all 6 million+ viewers to see. Oh, and it doesn’t stop there. The character drives home your message by uttering those famous four words you and your marketing team came up with. It can’t get any better than that. But it does…
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Posted by Susan Isaacs
The Creative Coast Alliance (TCCa) works tirelessly to help attract and grow the creative and technology companies in Savannah. As one of the many folks who’ve reaped the benefits of their efforts, we’re fans for sure.
Recently, they’ve taken it to a whole…’nother…level….
“The offer” is a collaborative effort between TCCa and Brenda Brathwaite, SCAD professor and game designer guru. What they’ve done is create an incubator for qualified game development companies, offering them free office space and a juicy tax incentive to sweeten the pot.
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Posted by Angel Ratcliffe
When a stack of direct mail pieces are in my mailbox, I cringe! How and why do I receive a stack of high gloss-coated pieces of card stock of various shapes and sizes from companies like Ruby Tuesday’s and Dan Vaden Chevrolet?! The ones from the car dealership even have a car key attached because it fits in the ignition of the new car I’m supposed to retrieve from the lot. One day I plan to attempt to claim my new car, but I digress. There is at least one direct mail in my mailbox, either at work or at home… Every. Single. Day.
Saturday Night Live aired a piece on Direct Mail Marketers this past weekend to offer frustrated consumers like myself a little more insight to the madness that is direct mail. It proved to me that I’m not the only one with this distaste for direct mail. And throwing the pieces in the recycling bin without really reading them still doesn’t sooth the irritation.
Today, I had a different reaction……
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Posted by Andrew Davies
One of the advantages of working upstairs to an Architecture practice is that you get exposed to their world. Their materials, publications, way of doing things, etc. So last week on the way to the lunch room I spotted this great piece of marketing for a tiling manufacturing company.
The striking thing about it is the message on the box.
Why I like this piece is that I’ve felt that part of our responsibility as designers in the cause of sustainability is to come up with ideas that adjusts the end-user’s expectations and behaviors. In this case, they’ve gone 1 step beyond the usual expectations of using recyclable materials and made it easy for you to send it back to them so they could recycle it for you.
This piece says to me, “we care so much about how our products affect the environment that we’re willing to pay to take them back.”
You can go here to read more about Tarkett Commercial
Posted by Angel Ratcliffe
Coming into a New Year is exciting. New challenges, new opportunities, and new perspectives… all very invigorating. From my standpoint, it gives me the opportunity to assess the marketing efforts we’ve pushed in the past year, and look to new ideas for more effective methods in the year to come. One effort we initiated last year was a portfolio book, and is one we will definitely continue in 2009 (revising and adding new projects as we see fit). Read More of this post
Posted by Susan Isaacs
Since kicking off 2009 in a very busy way, we’ve struggled to find time to post….so we might be a bit late in saying it, but Happy New Year!
Today is also Martin Luther King Jr. day, which this year is especially fitting as tomorrow is the Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.
By all estimation this year will be a challenging year for the world. We’ve got many problems that need our attention…and many people in our communities who sure could use our personal attention. Hopefully we’ve all set intentions to do right by our fellow man, our communities and our planet.
On my way in to the office this morning I came upon an awesome vintage RV with a name that seemed fitting for today in particular and 2009 in general; Peacemaker. I couldn’t help but look at it as a metaphor for a concept that’s obviously been around for a while, and still looks like its in pretty good shape.
Here’s to a new year….literally and figuratively!!!
