I’m getting married. And my Fiancee, and soon to be wife, has started a blog of her own. It’s about our adventures in Marry-Land and the journey we are taking from becoming engaged to the Big Day. I’m very impressed with her ability to convey even the slightest detail of our excitement. And who knows, I might even ad a post or two in the future. So here she is, without further adieu, my Bride2B.
dw
That commercial is for the new Gears of War video game for Xbox360. Thanks to Corey for reinforcing my realization that yes, this is an awesome commercial. But what makes it so good?
Firstly I pointed him in the direction of the music, a tune called “Mad World.” “Mad World” was originally done by Tears for Fears in the 80’s and has since been redone by Alex Parks, and now the anonymous lyricist featured on the Gears of War commercial.
The melancholy sounds of “Mad World” contrast, strikingly, with the tumultuous chaos displayed on the screen. All is silent except the music. This calm chaos creates an inner feeling of sadness and awe as we, the voyeur, have an immense, almost uncontrollable personal connection with the character while he desperately flees his own demise. Then comes the end of the segment, as the music enters the bridge “Mad World, Mad World” and the forces of evil and hero come face to face. Remember the final sequence in “Face Off ” as “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is played and a bloody shootout ensues? The same sort of effect is used here. We watch in silence as the hero prevails. In a calm chaos. It takes one’s breath away, really.
Might I also comment on the cinematography… I have to remind myself that it’s a video game not a movie or television show, or even a segment for troops in battle on CNN. The camera work and computer generated imaging is outstanding.
“It makes me want to buy the video game man,” Corey says. “What is it about this commercial?”
That’s just it, it makes you want to buy the game. Good commercial? I think so.
dw
See Seth Godin’s Manifesto (not just the picture): http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/003464.html
It will change the way you think.
It did for me.
dw
Thanks to Geoff for tipping me off on the Sony VAIO Trade-in Program currently offering a credit for your old computer when you trade it in for a new Sony VAIO. What a great way to not only get a new laptop, but also for Sony to provide one of the best perks out there right now. It seems to be the trend lately: how to out-do the competitors perk. Scotiabank had a promo that gave away free flights for opening a new chequing account. Crazy. I thought about opening one just so I can get out of town for cheap one weekend. TD Canada Trust gave a way iPod Shuffles, Bucars gave away free XM Radios for every purchase in June of 06, and who knows what’s next.
What’s my computer worth according to Sony… a whopping $95. Not sure if I’m ready to give it up just yet for a new VAIO. But if I was in the market for a new laptop, I would seriously consider it. Amazing what perks like that will do to the buying decision. Perhaps something all marketers should consider when looking to generate sales or increase awareness. And most companies are willing to co-op with you to get the same exposure.
I’m just waiting for the trade in an old coffee for a new one from Starbucks. I’d be up for days with a severe caffeine buzz.
dw
the Globe and Mail has an article that I think is worthy of everyones time. Looks like Stem cell researchers are saying “I told you so” as there is new evidence that these cells may hold the answers for the cures of certain kinds of cancer.
there is a renewed hope. And hopefully there are less restrictions on Stem Cell research now that this has come to the forefront.
I take this to heart, as many of you probably do too.
Find also an entire section specially devoted to Cancer on the Globe and Mail online.
dw
Apparently, not many ads get perfect scores on The Globe and Mail’s Hard Sell, but Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty’s “Evolution” hit the mark dead on. It’s no wonder too. I can’t believe the lengths that advertisers go to to get the model look they want. The ad has been around for a short while and 4 million viewers have seen it. The interesting thing about the ad is that Dove didn’t even buy a single media spot. The ad ran entirely online and became instantly viral.
Viral is one of the those golden tickets for marketers. Everyone hopes that their ad, concept, story, idea, goes viral. It’s the cheapest form of advertising out there and one of the hardest to accomplish. Name some ads that stick out in your head. Most if not all of them were probably viral. Sony Bravia, Coke and Mentos, and now Dove.
Beware of the negative side effects of viral, however. Though free publicity is wicked-awesome, it may back-fire on you. And that will turn a great idea into your worst nightmare.
So be conscious of what you’re trying to accomplish. Though viral requires a lot of the good old luck and charm, be smart about your message and idea and it could just have the opportunity to elicit lightening fast viralocity, that even you didn’t see happening.
I came across this unreal simulator-style game. You draw the course for Mr. Line Rider, push play, and watch him take a flying leap. Check out what some talented individuals drew as you scroll down the list. I could play with this for hours! Apparently, so could a lot of other people out there.
dw
Came across this awesome-wicked T-shirt design company called Hubwear while perusing the Springwise site. This is a very cool idea. For those of us who love airports and travel, it’s a great way of branding your favorite to-from destination points.
This is also another example of a simple venture that has the potential to turn into an international hit. For all you rising entrepreneurs out there, don’t let your weird and wacky ideas prevent fruition. What you may think as a completely stupid but useful idea is just that. But replace stupid with “unique” and useful with “many millions of people will need this.” Add a bit of hard work and it’s a formula for success.
dw
Every Thursday morning, or at lease most Thursday mornings, I go swim a thousand metres with some friends of mine at the local college campus. It’s usually a gruelling slosh at 6am, but I do it anyway because if I don’t, summer triathlons become more risky in the water than they’re supposed to be, and because it allows time to talk business and eat a great breakfast from one of my favorite diners in town.
So the topic of discussion today was blogging. What is it? why do I do it? and what is it’s purpose? Well to answer all of those questions I lead you to the only source I could find in ten minutes. That is, of course Wikipedia; the free, user-generated source of mostly everything. Type in oil sands and you get an explanation. Type in blogging and you get this. So here is a brief rendition of what blogging is and why people do it. Now, to answer why I do it… well, lets just say because I can. And because I like to share thoughts and experiences and cool and interesting things with you, my guests.
dw
There’s been some serious PR over the new Zune by Microsoft lately. Seems like it’s going to be a big hit among the MP3 market. It offers newer, innovative features than the ipod and costs about the same making me seriously reconsider which MP3 device to purchase when the time comes. I always thought it’d be the ipod, but now I might go Zune.
Imagine, being able to exchange music, videos, and other digital content with your buddy while sitting on the bus together. Not only that, but whenever you want to check out the local FM, maybe catch the weather or the BBC segment, all it takes is a push of the button. Finally, a legitimate, big-name device that is innovative and still offers traditional connectivity to the beloved FM.
IQ 2.0 will be stoked about the Zune’s adaptability for social networking. The peer to peer compatibility is very in touch with today’s burgeoning networking culture.
And Zune’s tribute to indy music? What this does is make indy not so indy anymore. That’s like labeling opera pop-culture. Is this a scar on the indy music scene? or will Zune and it’s daddy give indy a nice lift in tune supremacy?
And what about it’s size??? Could Microsoft not have come up with something a bit smaller? I truly believer that this will be it’s biggest downfall. In cases like this, size does matter; regardless of innovative kudos and PR props.
But in all, I’d have to comment on the overall fact that Microsoft is trying something different, which is awesome. Good for them. Keep it up Mikey. Keep treading water. You’ll need the buoyancy. but that’s another topic in itself.
There, my quick half-hour of research rant of the day.
Calgary received on of it’s patented icy-fluffy-chaotic-styles snowfalls yesterday afternoon. Traffic was a complete disaster. Fortunately for me, I had recently picked up my new Nissan Versa and was pleasantly relieved when I was able to navigate my way home unscathed. On my route is a ravine that rivals those found in Middle Earth. One skittish driver thought they would take it slow, not realizing they need the wonderful forces of momentum to help ease the transition up the tereterous incline. They stated to skid and became a permanent fixture on that side of the gorge. I just happened to be one of the lucky one’s to have met up with the another three who then joined the first. In a row we sat, white-nuckled. “you can;t be serious,” I thought. (This is where the fun part starts). I threw my new 6-speed into first gear, eased off the clutch making sure to avoid nasty wheel spinning, and eased passed, ever so naively, the four slipping and sliding cars in front of me. Horray, I made it. If you haven’t already gotten your winter tires, I highly recommend you do it soon. Thank God-Allah-Buddha for my new treads!
Just thought I’d highlight a few fabulous things I’ve been following lately. Consider it David’s version of Oprah’s Favorite things for November.
Seth Godin: You’ve probably seen a few references to this amazing mind in past posts but I cannot reiterate enough how insightful this man really is. His thoughts are of the caliber you find in University textbooks and his opinions are real-world and valid. Anyone interested in marketing, selling, business in general should check Godin’s stuff out.
IQ 2.0: Ismail is a great friend of mine who is truly the agent of many of my accomplishments and successes. His blog is an up and coming source for the latest and greatest in tech info, google news, and anything business. Check it out today!
Snowshoeing: Alright, nothing new and technologically savvy about this but it’s definitely been on my mind lately. Snowshoeing has sat behind skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities for many years and has of late become very popular. I can see the benefits. Many athletes are using showshoeing as an offseason training activity. The workout is tremendous and the senery is breathtaking in most areas snowshoeing happens. So head out to the nearest mountain pass or valley trail, get back into top notch shape, and have a cool relaxing blast doing it. Some links: Snowshoe mag, Where to snowshoe, and many more to be found online.
Cheers,
The tune to the phase “do something different” has been ringing in my ears of late. I first came across a great post from Seth Godin that is simple and to the point; “Make something happen.” It got me thinking about my daily role and what I could do to make something extraordinary happen. A then heard a great phrase last night while watching The Hour on CBC where George was interviewing Josh Groban. Josh was replying to a question when he said that sometimes people need to do something different in their lives, to “change the formula.”
That being said, what have you done today that was different? To take it further, what you you planning on doing this Christmas season that is different. There are a lot of avenues to extend an helping hand and caring spirit.
Take heed in your actions toward helping others this holiday season. We have money and jobs and family and friends and hope. Others don’t. So change the formula, do something different, make something happen. Today, this Christmas, next year, and in every chance you get.
