WALK ON BY

Do you know the feeling, too? You’re waiting at the baggage claim for your luggage to come out and every suitcase looks the same, so you can’t tell if that black one over there that just passed by was actually yours or somebody elses. With suitcase stickers, that problem won’t bother you any more. But it’s possible that the airport staff will, once they’ve seen the motif (or should that be motive) of your sticker.

http://www.lostateminor.com/2011/01/27/funny-suitcase-stickers/

Posted via email from nat ma's posterous

Burberry Prorsum Spring Summer 2011 Mens Show

2010-06-19T06:23:00.001-07:00

via live.burberry.com

Burberry Prorsum Mens SS11 show is streaming live now. This year you can create a lookbook on the fly, live comment on the looks with your friends and purchase straight off the runway - an industry first. http://live.burberry.com/

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Introduction to the Google Ad Auction

2010-06-18T16:21:00.001-07:00

via youtube.com

Simply put.

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Microsoft: Augmented-Reality Maps | Digital Buzz Blog

2010-02-17T11:12:00.001-08:00

via digitalbuzzblog.com

I guess everyone knows TED Conferences, remarkable speakers from around the world talks about new technologies, future of entertainment, design, science and global issues.

Two days ago I watched a video from TED 2010, Blaise Aguera y Arcas from Microsoft Live Labs has an impressive talk about their new technology: Augmented-Reality Maps. This technology creates some kind of 3D space instead of static images and users have a chance to connect a live video stream of any specific location.

Its just a demo and of course they managed it carefully but I’m really excited about the live connection part because these kind of technologies creates new spaces for new ideas.

http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/microsoft-augmented-reality-maps/

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Albert Exergian's modernist TV posters | Television & radio | The Guardian

2010-02-07T15:54:00.001-08:00

via guardian.co.uk

Television imagery and artwork is rarely of a quality worth hanging on your walls. Welcome, then, Austrian designer Albert Exergian, who's created a series of modernist images inspired by TV shows.

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

People of Walmart Gets a Rap Anthem [VIDEO]

2010-01-06T12:15:00.001-08:00

via mashable.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Untitled

2010-01-03T12:31:00.001-08:00

via ffffound.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Google Goggles

2009-12-21T12:29:00.001-08:00

via youtube.com

Google Goggles is a visual search app for Android phones. It does internet searches using pictures you take with your Android phone, instead of you typing in words or using voice recognition. It attempt to recognize the object, and return relevant search results. Goggles also provides information about businesses near you by displaying their names directly in the camera preview.

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

day 287: entering downtown seattle « Goodbye Melbourne, Hello New York. | NYC Daily Photography Blog | New York culture and lifestyle

2009-12-02T21:54:00.001-08:00

via goodbyemelbournehellonewyork.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Guido Mocafico, Paris

2009-11-17T11:01:00.001-08:00

via featureshoot.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Manhattan – A Closer Look (5 Photos) | PDN Photo of the Day

2009-11-16T09:31:00.001-08:00

via pdnphotooftheday.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

day 268: surface magazine party at hotel rivington « Goodbye Melbourne, Hello New York. | NYC Daily Photography Blog | New York culture and lifestyle

2009-11-16T07:36:00.001-08:00

via goodbyemelbournehellonewyork.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Ashley Gilbertson. Photojournalist. Australian. NYC.

2009-11-13T12:15:00.001-08:00

via fantastic-dl.blogspot.com

Not really that into war documentary photography but Ashley's POV shown through his work is Simply Amazing.

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Burberry | Art of the Trench

2009-11-13T08:19:00.001-08:00

Art of the Trench is Burberry's brand experience that has built a community around their most well known product. The integration of social engagement functions and the use of The Satorialist as the photographer is a nice touch to generate buzz.

http://artofthetrench.com/

Posted via email from nat ma's posterous

Anti-Theft Lunch Bags

2009-11-12T11:56:00.001-08:00

via lostateminor.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Bieke Depoorter, Belgium

2009-11-11T14:02:00.001-08:00

via featureshoot.com

Bieke Depoorter was born in Kortrijk and graduated from KASK in 2009 with a series on Russia, which won the Magnum Expression Award and the Photo Academy Award for GUP magazine. Of this series, Oe Menia, Depoorter writes: ‘For three periods of one month, I have let the Trans-Siberian train guide me alongside forgotten villages, from living room to living room. Some Russian words scribbled on a little piece of paper allowed me to be welcomed and absorbed in the warm chaos of a family. Accidental encounters led me to the places where I could sleep. The living room, the epicentre of their life, establishes an intimate contact between the Russian inhabitants. In this room, they sleep, eat and drink, as well as cry. For a brief moment, I was part of this. Their couch became my bed for one night. This way, I experienced transient, but very powerful, shared moments. We communicated without words. We understood each other somehow’.

via featureshoot.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

UNIQLO | UTUNES | Soundtrack to your blog

2009-11-11T09:48:00.001-08:00

via contagiousfeed.com

The Japanese retailer targets bloggers with this new widget-based campaign

It's been almost 6 months since we've reported on an interactive initiative from UNIQLO; the last campaign which caught our eye was UNIQLO CALENDAR by Japanese agency of choice, Projector, Tokyo. This utilised tilt-shift videos to create a customisable calendar which doubled as an interactive clothing catalogue (see link below).

This new initiative, much like the Calendar, is embeddable in blogs but focuses more on a complete audio-visual experience. Called UNIQLO TUNES, it allows users to grab a video widget (in two sizes) from the website which then reacts to whatever music they choose to upload. The song's rhythms are reflected in an assortment of quirky, mashed-up video loops which feel suitably reminiscent of the Cannes Lions Titanium Grand Prix-winning UNIQLOCK - also via Projector.

The campaign is in promotion of UNIQLO's HEATTECH thermal undergarment range which launched last winter and has proved an invaluable addition to the brand's range of basic essentials. In Japan alone, UNIQLO sold over 20 million HEATTECH units in the first year - that's 1 item for every 3 people...

www.uniqlo.com/utunes
www.uniqlo.com/calendar

For those of you not familiar with this brand's trademark fusion of addictive branded utility and entertainment, it's worth noting that such campaigns are not to be underestimated. For example, the aforementioned UNIQLOCK (which one could argue offers less utility than the new widget) has been viewed over 70 million times in more than 209 countries around the world.

via: http://www.contagiousmagazine.com/

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Video: The Google Story

2009-11-11T09:05:00.001-08:00

via digitalbuzzblog.com

The Google story told through an engaging video in just 2 mins.

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Google Maps Streetview GPS Navigation Demo

2009-11-09T09:02:00.001-08:00

via digitalbuzzblog.com

If you’ve been considering the new Droid phone, then this is going to be your new inbuilt GPS app! Google Maps streetview GPS is in beta and should ship with the new Droid phone on the opensource Android 2.0 platform. The video above is a demonstration from the Google product team running the navigation project and includes some of the tech on exactly how it works along with a pretty good visual demo of what to expect!

http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/google-android-streetview-gps-navigation-demo-video/#

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

FFFFOUND! | Let go of what you think you know

2009-11-05T21:02:00.001-08:00

via ffffound.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

That Obscure Object

2009-10-30T17:59:00.001-07:00

via bohemea.tumblr.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Social Business By Design

2009-10-29T13:27:00.001-07:00

David Armano on the benefits of social business, the power of collaboration and how important it is for all brands to start making moves in a social direction.

Social Business By Design

View more documents from David Armano.

PhotoshopDisasters

2009-10-29T09:17:00.001-07:00

via photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com

http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

See Your iPhone Drawings on a Times Square Billboard

2009-10-28T10:33:00.001-07:00

via mashable.com

In August, Toyota released a free Prius Experience [iTunes link] app for the iPhone. The app lets users explore the Prius, look at the print ads, and play little mini games.

This week, the interactive element is jumping from small screen (the iPhone) to the big screen. Digital billboards from Reuters and NASDAQ are putting content that users create within the Prius Experience app on display on a Times Square billboard.

One of the options in the app is to “draw shapes to interact with the Prius.” Users are given instructions to “draw a tree” (but you don’t have to draw a tree), and can use their finger to draw an image on the screen. You’re limited to a single continuous movement (so you can’t get that intricate with your drawings unless you are very skilled). When done, you’ll see your drawing populate the digital plane of the app. Then, you will be presented with an option to submit your creation for broadcast on one of the digital displays in Times Square.

prius-lg

Digital creations will be updated on the live displays in realtime throughout the day, and you can check out the different artwork via the livecams on the Times Square website. The app warns that because of high volume, all artwork might not be displayed and that drawings will go up in the order in which they were received. It’s a pretty cool concept to get people to use an iPhone app and in the process, learn a bit more about a car.

http://mashable.com/2009/10/28/prius-iphone-time-square/

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Henri Cartier-Bresson

2009-10-24T22:06:00.001-07:00

Master of composition, father of street photography.

"To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It's a way of life."

View more of Cartier-Bresson's work.

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Welcome to the future of Polaroid film - Tech | thevine.com.au

2009-10-20T17:27:00.001-07:00

via thevine.com.au

REJOICE! Because what was old is new again.

That's right, our good ol' friend Polaroid - the one we all thought had left us forevermore - is officially back and (quite possibly) better than ever.

The brand that pioneered polarized lenses and instant photography is not only set to return in 2010 but looks set to extend into an array of innovative, digital instant products too.

Here's the deal:

The brand's famous format has been given a second life by the folks at Summit Global, who not only have plans to re-launched the instant film, but have also announced a product line expansion into digital formats in an attempt to introduce the Polaroid brand to younger consumers.

"[It] will span a family of products and return Polaroid to a relevant industry participant” they have declared.

They plan to reconnect consumers to the "very soul of the Polaroid brand through the re-launch of instant photography" which will, conveniently, stimulate growth opportunities and allow them to diversify into exciting "relevant new product categories".

A full range of instant digital products are being planned for the marketplace. In addition to the Polaroid PoGoTM Instant Digital Printer, (which uses inkless printing technology all while fitting in to the palm of your hand) there is also the Polaroid "Two". The Two is the digital version of the traditional camera that will produce instant digital photos along with the Instant Digital Camera, which will produce 4" x 3" instant digital photos. Technology you are a cheeky minx, aren't you?

The future starts from... Now*.

*Actually, it starts in 2010.

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Taryn Simon photographs secret sites

2009-10-20T11:41:00.001-07:00

via ted.com

Pretty amazing documentary photographer. Towards the end of this video Taryn talks about her project of shooting men convicted of crimes that they never committed. They all exonerated in the end but some had served more than 16yrs of their death sent...ence. The interesting thing about these photographs is that she would shoot them at places of significance that led to these men' conviction - place of arrest, place of alibi (which 13 people saw him), place where crime took place (which they had never been before) - all places which changed their lives forever....

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

How stupid do you think I am?

2009-09-26T20:54:00.001-07:00

Dear Account User,

This Email is from Gmail customer care and we are sending it to every Gmail accounts owner for safety. We are having congestion due to the anonymous registration of Gmail accounts so we are shutting down some Gmail accounts and your account was among those to be deleted. We are sending this email to you so that you can verify and let us know if you still want to use this account. If you are still interested please confirm your account by filling the space below.Your User name, password, date of birth and your country information would be needed to verify your account.

Due to the congestion in all Gmail users and removal of all unused Gmail Accounts. Gmail would be shutting down all unused Accounts, you will have to confirm your E-mail by filling out your Login Information below after clicking the reply button or your account will be suspended within 24 hours for security reasons.

* User name: .............................

* Password: ................................

* Date of Birth: ............................

* Country Or Territory: ....................

Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his or her account within Seven days of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently. Thank you for using Gmail ! The Gmail Team G MAI L BETA

This was sent to my Gmail account from 'Goole Email Team'. How stupid do they think I am?? They can't even spell Google right!

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Seedy Old Man

2009-09-24T19:25:00.001-07:00

via facebook.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Hundreds Tens Units . Minimalissimo

2009-09-24T03:16:00.001-07:00

via minimalissimo.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Conflux Festival Turns New York Into a Digital Playground - Bits Blog

2009-09-19T12:32:00.001-07:00

It might be hard to envision the gritty, weathered blocks of Manhattan and New York City’s outer boroughs as a canvas, but this weekend, more than 100 artists, urban explorers, interactive technologists and public space advocates will treat it that way. They are creating a citywide art installation as part of the annual geek-art event known as the Conflux Festival.

Conflux IPhone users will be able to play Gigaputt at Conflux.

Conflux was first held in 2003, when it was more of a festival on “psycho-geography, or the study on the geographic environment of behavior,” said David Darts, an art professor at New York University who is also the curatorial director for this year’s event. “Since then, it’s evolved to more of an art and technology fest, fusing urban public spaces with exploration and experimentation,” he said.

Events, which include workshops, performances, interactive installations and games, will begin Friday and run through Sunday.

Here are some of this weekend’s highlights:

Gigaputt: Avenues become fairways and a series of local bars are transformed into greens as New York turns into a giant 18-hole golf course and iPhones turn into golf clubs. Players swing their iPhone to take a shot and then examine a map on the phone to find their “ball” and continue through the course.

The Urban Disorientation Game: Players are challenged to find their way back to the Conflux headquarters after being blindfolded and driven to remote parts of the city. Players will be asked to create maps and explore their surroundings as they make their way back to the starting point.

Fish ‘n microChips: As part of an effort to spark public interest in New York’s waterways, a New York University professor, Natalie Jeremijenko, installed an array of LEDs and floating buoys at a site on the East River. The buoys have sensors to monitor water quality, temperature and activate the lights when fish swim by.

Waterpod: The photographer and sculptor Mary Mattingly’s 3,000-square-foot self-sustaining, solar-powered, floating living space and art barge will be on display and open for tours to help facilitate a discussion about living in a future where resources are increasingly scarce and eco-friendly habitats are a necessity.

Human Scale Chess Game: While two chess masters play an actual game of chess, each move will be mimicked by human players posing as knights, rooks and bishops. The photojournalist Sharilyn Neidhardt has mapped out an eight-block-by-eight-block section of the city, with each intersection representing a square on the chessboard. As the chess masters complete their moves, 32 volunteers equipped with cellphones and maps will move around to reflect the location of the pieces in the game.

Conflux

IPhone Drum Circle: Mike Koller hopes to create the “First, Possibly Only and Probably Last” iPhone drum circle in Brooklyn this weekend. The artist invites anyone with an iPhone to download a drumkit application and join him in an impromptu musical session. Mr. Koller plans to have amplifiers in place for participants to plug their phones into and play.

Will you attend any of this year’s festivities? Feel free to e-mail photographs and your written impressions to bitsfeedback@nytimes.com, subject to the note below. If we get enough submissions, we’ll post the best ones on Bits on Monday.

NOTE: If you submit anything to us, you are promising that the content is original, doesn’t plagiarize from anyone or infringe a copyright or trademark, doesn’t violate anybody’s rights and isn’t libelous or otherwise unlawful or misleading. You are agreeing that we can use your submission in all manner and media of The New York Times and that we shall have the right to authorize third parties to do so. And you agree to the rules of our Member Agreement, found online at http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/agree.html.

via ffffound.com

Posted via web from nat ma's posterous

Sixteen Candles

2009-08-28T18:53:00.001-07:00

via brightestyoungthings.com

Watching Sixteen Candles

Posted via web from natma's posterous

FFFFOUND! | 504x_INK_CALENDAR_OSCAR_DIAZ01.jpg 504×378 pixels

2009-08-28T10:21:00.001-07:00

via ffffound.com

Posted via web from natma's posterous

What the F**K is Social Media: One Year Later

2009-08-10T14:02:00.000-07:00

What the F**K is Social Media: One Year Later

Follow up from last year's What the F**K is Social Media.

Brand contests involving real world engagement are the bomb

2009-06-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of brand contests that combines the physical world with the cyber world. Not only because the content generated is more interesting but because it requires a deeper user engagement.

The recently launched Creme Egg Twisted candy bar campaign known as Operation Goo is a great example of this. Contestants have to solve clues to locate these candy bars, the clever thing is that they are judged by the amount of social media views or points they rack up - utilising social media to its full potential. The contestants (or brand ambassadors) are required to think creatively about their usage and execution of social media in order to gain the traction that is needed to win the competition.

You can read more about the campaign here.

Visit the competition site here.

The HBO Voyuer Project has a similar premise - people are required to solve a series of real world and digital clues to get the story behind the story. Read more about one of my all time favourite campaigns here.

Ford Mustang 2010 Launch

2009-05-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

Came across the brand experience for Ford 2010 Mustang launch today. The webisodes are based around Drifting in Japan which is kind of risky for Ford, given that it's illegal on the streets. At the same time it really gives the brand street cred and the edgy nature of the content is highly engaging.

I love cars but it's been a while since I've spent this much time on a brand funded microsite like this. The use of Google Maps and Video really brings the journey to life. The product specific features wrapped around the content are well integrated and supurbly executed - I like the 360º exterior very much.

Having extensive automotive advertising experience, i can say its a breath of fresh air to see an auto invest in something like this. It shows that Ford understands their audience and effectiveness of digital done right. Even though there's nothing too innovative here, it goes to show that a great content idea well executed will always capture the audience's attention.

View the brand experience here.

T-Mobile physcially and emotively connects people together

2009-05-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

T-Mobile's new campaign from Saatchi. It communicates the brand proposition of connecting and sharing. It physically brings people together. Generates a feeling of community and belongingness using a universally emotive platform that is music and associate the brand to that feeling. This ad resonates with the social creature in all of us. Even if you weren't there. You could feel the vibe.

My photography featured on FlipGloss magazine.

2009-05-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

FlipGloss has featured my photography from Goodbye Melbourne, Hello New York. in their magazine.

View the feature.

Send google map addresses to your iphone

2009-05-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

Not the latest invention but super useful. I just installed iPhoneSender on my browser. Now I never have to print out, remember, write down or re-type addresses into my iphone again. Simply genius!

Effective localised advertising

2009-04-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

Today I passed this piece of effective comparative advertising. This street poster was displayed within the proximity of many popular fast food joints. If you were considering these fast food options, seeing this ad you will not help but reconsider the healthy alternative which happens to be right round the corner at 'Engergy Kitchen'.

Restaurant blog transparancy

2009-03-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

I find a lot of Restaurants in NYC using blogs as their website. This is a clever way to connect with their customers as well allow feedback to be communicated back to the management.

Having this dialogue really humanizes the interaction. When researching for places to eat one can really gain more insight when engaging in such dialogue then reading a menu and seeing a few photographs.

On the flip side, restaurants need to brave the criticism encountered. Nonetheless, if the owner responds and accept their wrong doing and show they care what their customers think, they will gain respect for their honesty and transparency.

Does this approach work for larger brands? What brands do this well?

Goodbye Melbourne, Hello New York.

2009-03-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

I've created a daily photo blog that documents my experiences and journey in NYC. It's not your typical tourist photo gallery with typical landmark sights. The photos all reflect everyday NYC life and culture seen through the eyes of an Aussie foreigner.

I hope you will subscribe/bookmark/RSS and follow this blog as I have some really interesting content and will continually add to it on a daily basis.

http://GoodbyeMelbourneHelloNewYork.com
You can subscribe to my blog via email here: http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=gmhny&loc=en_US
You can email me at natma78@gmail.com for comments/feedback.

Everything is amazing, nobody is happy.

2009-03-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we need to take a step back and BREATH.

Stephen Sprouse Exhibition

2009-02-20T12:11:00.000-08:00

Rock on Mars is a retrospective exhibition of the work of Stephen Sprouse. The Deitch gallery space has been transform into a realization of Sprouse’s rock and roll futuristic vision.

The exhibition showcases Sprouse’s pop-influenced paintings. His paintings of iconic rock and roll imagery including stacks of loudspeakers, Sid Vicious with his pants down, and an Iggy Pop crucifixion are also shown. You can also see a selection of the video works made to accompany his runway shows, examples of his fabric and furniture design for Knoll, and fifty of his most influential fashion looks.

Go check it out!

January 09, 2009 — February 28, 2009
18 Wooster Street, New York

A lession with Callan

2009-02-05T17:35:00.000-08:00

Callan graciously lent her body to me so I can practice people photography.
Thanking you beautiful girl. X

Photos: Nat Ma 2009

Bondi Beach is where I'll like to be right now......

2009-01-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

Sunset Majestic

Gusto

Jump Rock

Bondi Beach

Bondi Markets

Photos: Nat Ma 2008

What is the Best Job in the World?

2009-01-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

Does getting paid AUD$150K salary for being a caretaker one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World sound good?

Well go to the nicely designed site for a Job Description and while you're there learn about the Island by viewing the many photos and videos. What would be the judging criteria you ask? You don't really need much qualification - mainly just your love for the outdoors and your adventurism. All you have to do is submit a video of yourself telling Tourism Queensland why the job should be yours. And Oh wait, your video will also be posted on the site for the public to see....

Yes you guess it a viral campaign for Tourism Queensland. This is a uniquely crafted campaign that has generated worldwide buzz.

unique idea -> talkability -> spreadability -> connection -> content -> engagement => conversion. SIMPLE!

Apply Now!

The Truth about Smart

2009-01-07T22:23:00.000-08:00

Smart uses engaging video and interactivity to dispel myths about their products.

The idea of being able to control and interact video is like glue that keeps the audiences' attention. The humourous tone and light heartedness also makes it entertaining and adds to the stickiness. All this equates to consumer education which leads to positive attitudes towards the brand and help change brand perceptions.

http://www.truthaboutsmart.co.uk/

Viral utilisng OTP banner creative idea

2009-01-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

Highly effective viral campaign that conveys the 'Stop Speeding' message well. The way Davo's friends and 'The people I love' title shatters really drives the message home. It's interesting to see a viral utilising a creative idea that is mostly seen on banner OTP executions.

http://www.whatdavoloves.com/

Crayon Physics

2009-01-05T16:50:00.000-08:00

Crayon Physics Deluxe is a 2D physics puzzle game, in which you get to experience what it would be like if your drawings would be magically transformed into real physical objects. Solve puzzles with your artistic vision and creative use of physics.

Crayon Physics Deluxe from Petri Purho on Vimeo.

Awesome Black Kids Remix by The Twelves

2008-12-15T19:59:00.000-08:00

The Twelves - Im not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you

Are research results more important or time spent with a brand?

2008-12-03T20:06:00.000-08:00

Burger King travels over 20,000 miles to find people who have never heard of the WHOPPER and perform the world's purest taste test.

This is another example of using content to occupy the consumer's share of mind.

As this ethically needs to be an unbiased research - the results needs to be displayed as they come. What would happen if BK found that these people liked Big Macs more than the Whopper?
Does it really matter what the result is? Does what matter more is the fact that BK were able to use interesting content to attract consumers to spend time with brand? I think so....

Great depiction of the current state of tradition vs digital media

2008-12-02T21:02:00.000-08:00

Jeff Zucker, head of NBC Universal, was famously quoted earlier this year warning that the media industry had to work so "that we do not end up trading analog dollars for digital pennies."

After this comment was made there's been many response activity appearing around the internet.

Of all responses out there, I thought Joel Mitch from Six Pixels of Separation had the most substance.

A must see Photography Exhibition

2008-12-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

If you're in Melbourne make sure you check out the Rennie Ellis photography exhibition who was renowned for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life . Highly inspiration work accurately depicting ocka Aussie culture in an era of expressionism, decadence and indulgence. Thanks Nads for taking me! ;)

An exhibition of Ellis' work opens at the Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia, Federation Square, Melbourne on Friday until February 22, '09.

Admission is free.

http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/rennieellis/

Follow the Nissan Z

2008-11-23T15:21:00.001-08:00

The 'Follow the Z' Norther American Rally is brilliant. The legendary Z will be touring across the US, stopping at Z enthusiast clubs along the way. Each pit stop will allow fans unprecedented access to the newly announced 370Z. Using the Widget (below) and website, users can track the progress in real-time - adding another layer of connectivity.

As a pre-launch activity, it a great way to connect with brand advocates. Not to mention the content created can be used to drive traffic and create engagement within the brand community online. We will be utilising the content for the 370Z pre-launch microsite in Australia - stay tuned ;)

Jeep and Social Media

2008-11-13T18:28:00.000-08:00

Jeep is an auto manufacturer that utilises the online environment to its full potential. Besides the usual online product feature communications - Jeep uses social media such as brand experiences and social networks to connect with consumers, drive engagement and form brand communities. Thus not only supporting their marketing communication activities and sales conversions but increasing their brand equity as well through positive consumer brand attitudes.

You can examples of their great work here:
Jeep and Social Media

Seth Godin Interview on Tribes

2008-11-05T22:05:00.001-08:00

Interview: Seth Godin, Author Tribes - News in 90

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: marketing tribes)

Seth Godin talks Tribes and the future of Brand engagement

US Presendential live results

2008-11-04T19:14:00.001-08:00

A great Widget indeed - Live election results to connect with audiences and drive traffic MSNBC.

Amazing Race style content for Dodge Ram Brand Experience

2008-10-29T21:46:00.000-07:00

This is the brand experience to launch the new Dodge Ram. Needless to say a lot of money was spent on it and it's very Redneck! However I'm sure this kind of thing would really connect with the target audience.

Even though it's obviously scripted to introduce the product features, the content is engaging enough to be tolerable. Also the fact that the KSPs are coming from a 'spokesperson' and not the brand makes it ever more believable.

This brand experience seeds the 'tough' proposition well within the marketspace.

http://www.ramchallenge.com/

CSS

2008-05-09T16:58:00.001-07:00

Photo: Nat Ma 2008

Cansei de Ser Sexy - Music is My Hot Hot Sex (Kill the Noise Remix)

Hype Machine helps consumers discover, catalouge and share music.

2008-05-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

Every day, thousands of people around the world write about music they love. Hype Machine follows music blog discussions and allows you to aggregate your favorite tracks, artists, blogs and users found on the site.

There is so much information and content on the internet that there is a real need for aggregation on a macro level. Blogs do a great job of communicating information/content on a micro level but the millions of blogs that are updated every second need to be catalogued so that it can be easily accessed by the end consumer.

Artists also win as it's another touch point to their fans. If a user likes what they hear they can purchase the track straight away from iTunes. Bands can advertise their tour dates and tickets can be purchase through the site. All this content and fucnctionality means traffic to the site and traffic means ad dollars. Everyone wins - Consumers, Artists and Hype Machine.

Eventually Artists will use platforms like Hype Machine to connect, engage and sell to fans as well increase their fan base.

Go to Hype Machine

Bloodlines. Using sound to tell a brand story.

2008-02-08T17:10:00.000-08:00

Simply effective. Need I say more? Uses sound to tell a brand story. It's my ambition to one day own a Porsche. This experience makes me want it so much more.

Porsche Bloodlines. Go there now.

St Jeromes, Melbourne.

2008-01-11T03:33:00.001-08:00

Photo: Nat Ma 2008

Swingers - Talking to the answering machine

2008-01-11T03:08:00.000-08:00

There is this hilarious scene in Swingers where Mike rings Nikki - the girl he met earlier that night. Not listening to his friends and waiting the token 3 days - he completely screws up any chance of seeing this girl. The scene makes me laugh because we've all been there with the premature or one too many phone calls which make us seem too eager. Its just one of those things in life where going against what feels right will actually work better in the end. I'll let the script do the talking:

Mike collapses into his futon and lights a smoke.

Beat.

He pulls out the COCKTAIL NAPKIN.  He stares at the number.

He looks at the clock.  2:20 AM.

He looks at the napkin.

He thinks better of it, and puts the napkin away.

Beat.

He takes out the napkin and picks up the phone.

   ANSWERING MACHINE
  (synthesized voice)
 Don't do it, Mike.

   MIKE
 Shut up.

He dials.

It rings twice, then...

   NIKKI
  (recorded)
 Hi.  This is Nikki.  Leave a message.
  (beep)

   MIKE
 Hi, Nikki.  This is Mike.  I met you
 tonight at the Dresden.  I, uh, just
 called to say I, uh, I'm really glad we
 met and you should give me a call.  So
 call me tomorrow, or , like, in two days,
 whatever.  My number is 213-555-4679...
  (beep)

Mike hangs up.

Beat.

He dials again.

   NIKKI
  (recorded)
 Hi.  This is Nikki.  Leave a message.
  (beep)

   MIKE
 Hi, Nikki.  This is Mike, again.  I just
 called because it sounded like your
 machine might've cut me off before I gave
 you my number, and also to say sorry for
 calling so late, but you were still there
 when I left the Dresden, so I knew I'd
 get your machine.  Anyway, my number
 is...
  (beep)

Mike calls back right away.

   NIKKI
  (recorded)
 Hi.  This is Nikki.  Leave a message.
  (beep)

   MIKE
 213-555-4679.  That's all.  I just wanted
 to leave my number.  I don't want you to
 think I'm weird, or desperate or
 something...
  (he regrets saying it
  immediately)
 ... I mean, you know, we should just
 hang out.  That's it.  No expectations.
 Just, you know,  hang out.  Bye.
  (beep)

He hangs up.

Beat.

He dials.

   NIKKI
  (recorded)
 Hi.  This is Nikki. Leaves a message.
  (beep)

   MIKE
 I just got out of a six-year
 relationship.  Okay?  That should help to
 explain why I'm acting so weird.  It's
 not you.  It's me.  I just wanted to say
 that.  Sorry.
  (pause)
 This is Mike.
  (beep)

He dials again.  There's no turning back.

   NIKKI
  (recorded)
 Hi.  This is Nikki.  Leave a message.
  (beep)

   MIKE
 Hi, Nikki.  This is Mike again. Could you
 just call me when you get in?  I'll be up
 for awhile, and I'd just rather talk to
 you in person instead of trying to
 squeeze it all...
  (beep)

He dials yet again.

   NIKKI
  (recorded)
 Hi.  This is Nikki.  Leave a message.
  (beep)

   MIKE
 Hi, Nikki.  Mike.  I don't think this is
 working out.  I think you're great, but
 maybe we should just take some time off
 from each other.  It's not you, really.
 It's me.  It's only been six months...

   NIKKI
  (Live, in person.  she picks
  up the line)
 Mike?

   MIKE
 Nikki!  Great!  Did you just walk in, or
 were you listening all along?

   NIKKI
  (calmly)
 Don't call me ever again.

   MIKE
 Wow, I guess you were home...
  (click)

She hung up on him.

He's frozen.

He hangs up.

2009 Land Cruiser launch microsite

2007-12-13T16:59:00.000-08:00

A nicely executed Land Cruiser site from the US for the launch of the 2009 Land Cruiser.

Land Cruiser launch microsite

Compelling Brand Campaign

2007-09-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

A highly engaging Hyundai site for their 'Think About It' Campaign. This campaign symbolises Hyundai's move to improve their brand perception. Ie. Hyundai is not a cheap poor quality auto manufacturer. Use of video to draw you in then snippets of animated information to entice the consumer to change their perceptions on the brand and products.

The interesting thing is that it doesn't once show the product.

http://www.thinkaboutit.com/

Great Planner Blog

2007-07-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Russel Davies Planner Blog - Great resource and read.

Go to Russel Davies Blog

Dr Pepper uses Content for Brand Engagement

2007-06-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

Dr Pepper puts an unknown band in a plastic bubble on NY’s West Side Highway, throw the switch on 24 cameras, and let people watch whatever camera they want at any time of the day or night as the band records an album, snoozes, shaves their bodies. An impressive effort use of content for brabd engagement.

Dr. Pepper Bubble

Automotive and Google

2006-11-14T19:56:00.000-08:00

This campaign originated when Google approached Goodby, Silverstein & Partners to help create compelling new content and creative uses for its new click-to-play video ad medium and technology. The technology and possibilities with Google were a great fit for Saturn to help launch its new car and drive traffic into their retail locations. Creative, new media and interactive came together to form this idea to solve a difficult business issue in a way never done before.

Saturn is a very human kind of car company, and this project allowed us to create a personal experience to express that. Google's geo-targeting and click-to-play video ads allowed us to engage the audience in non-intrusive ways and deliver a highly relevant message-- people are taken from a high level brand experience right into the door of a retailer for a test drive.

By clicking on the initial banner, users trigger the launch of a special Google Earth application that zeroes in on the local dealership nearest them. The ad then transports visitors (virtually) to the dealership itself, launching a video in which the local Saturn manager introduces a brief Aura spot and interactive features like a 360° view of the car, an engine inspection and a printable map with directions.

The process involved capturing and seamlessly combining imagery from Google Earth, 3D renderings and motion graphics with live footage from each of 22 different Saturn locations filmed in six cities. In addition, 22 microsites were built and customized for each location. We leveraged Google Video Ads, Google Video, Google Maps, Google Earth and Google's Content Network of sites in an integrated experience. Creatively, the range of technology was actually liberating. Once we opened ourselves to it, we were able to find creative uses to weave them together purposefully."

http://www.saturn.com/saturn/detour/googleearth/index.jsp