Snuggie gets some free airtime

The Snuggie is getting some pretty solid airtime courtesy of Subaru and Weezer. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I guess Christmas sales of the Snuggie will be the determining factor.

Subaru Vs. Snuggie

Weezer Snuggie Infomercial

Moms Against Climate Change – “Demonstration”

YouTube – Moms Against Climate Change – “Demonstration”

Great video portraying child protesters in the fight against climate change.

Client: Environmental Defense Canada and ForestEthics
Agency: Zig (probono)
Director: Shelley Lewis of Suneeva Films

WordPress Integrates Twitter Serving

WordPress.com has finally incorporated automatic twitter posting. Sweet.

Sony’s Soundville

Check out the new Sony spot. Interesting take on sound experiences and how it plays in our lives as humans. I’m not exactly sure if I completely get it. I mean, I get that unique sound experiences are a part of everyday life, but what does imposing certain sounds on others have to do with this experience?
Anyway, it’s a nice spot. The filming is well done. The location is beaut. And the sound… well it’s alright too.

Alberta Credit Union Makes Springwise List

Local credit union, Servus, made the coveted Springwise.com list this month for their Feel Good Ripple campaign. The campaign aims to give everyday Albertans an opportunity to pay-it-forward by giving them $10 cash to to something good with it. Whether it’s to buy the lineup at Starbucks a coffee (ok maybe just the person behind you depending on what they get), buying someone flowers, or donating it to the local food bank, Servus just wants you to feel good about it and pass it on. The credit union plans to give out a total of $200,000.00 plus a chance for someone to win $500 to give to a charity of their choice. One simply needs to visit the http://feelgoodripple.ca/ website and describe their good deed to be entered for the contest.

Although done before (in fact many times both in the US and in Canada), the pay-it-forward theme is just as fresh then as it is now. Charity never seems to go out of style!

Aside: Anyone know what agency Servus is working with?

Getting the word out

Spring Creek, a real estate development company in Canmore Alberta, has released the premier edition of “Your Canmore” – a paper-magazine about living in Canmore, the lifestyle, local food and attractions, and of course about the Spring Creek development.

I found this publication in the local Starbucks as a free magazine. All I can say is… brilliant!

The design is modern and lovely. The content is relevant and fresh. The imagery is sleek and sexy. All in all, it’s a great way to provide the community something that is useful, while also promoting the heck out of the development (three full page ads and a few articles)

I think what’s great about this is that the developers will likely continue to build the magazine and will probably sell some homes while they’re at it. It’s something a lot of companies and organizations should consider when thinking about how to reach their target market without continually bombarding them with advertising.

Danica Patrick on Twitter

Danica Patrick is (apparently) the first ever to have a Twitter feed in conjunction with a full sponsor – Tissot.
http://twitter.com/danicapatrick

How many more celebs are going to go this route? I’m sure the numbers will start to spike. It’s a no brainer for companies who are already affiliated with a celeb to partner with them on the fastest growing social networking site in the world today.

Question is, does this take away from the personalization of the celeb who’s tweeting? As a follower, am I going to get tired of seeing this? Probably. Do I care? Nope.

Is this the start of “Twitter-tising”? I think we started seeing that a long time ago.

(thanks to @mhannahp for the vine)

New, sexier Bucarsrv.com

Check it out… the new, the sexier, bucarsrv.com!

Worked on this beauty with a great team here at Mosaic Studios. Late nights and endless discussions are completely worth it when it produces great results.

Check out the demo video that Mosaic also produced.

David

Stimulant, and Seth on TED

Some interesting tidbits leading into the long weekend…

A (new?) site dedicated to Canadian ad creative. It’s produced by Strategy magazine’s Brunico Communications. Keep it in your favourites for frequent visits.
http://www.stimulantonline.ca/

Also, when you have 17 minutes (lunch perhaps?) check out Seth Godin’s TED talk on why tribes have become the most important change agent out there today. “It’s tribes, not money, not factories, that can change our world,” Seth says. “Not because you’ve forced them… but because they’ve wanted to connect.” It’s also about telling a story about yourself, your product, your offering, and letting it spread and create a movement and being a leader. Think social media marketing…
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead.html

Links to some of Seth’s references (sorry didn’t get them all):
Al Gore: http://www.algore.com/
Amazon’s Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wireless-Reading-Generation/dp/B00154JDAI/ref=amb_link_84306891_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0XPZ77ESDN7TVZPXEN44&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=476812931&pf_rd_i=133141011
Diane Hatz Meatrix: http://www.themeatrix.com/
Toms Shoes: http://cdn2.tomsshoes.com/default28.htm
Red Maxwell: http://www.squidoo.com/redmaxwell

Have a great Friday!
David

Tuscany, Calgary Dog Parks

What’s up with the angry residents in Tuscany, Calgary. I saw a Letter to the Editor in the Tuscany Sun complaining about all the dogs that are off leash in Tuscany. They have even resorted to calling the bylaw officers every time they see a dog off leash. Pathetic!

Well, if there were more readily available off leash dog parks in one of the largest communities in Calgary, perhaps we wouldn’t have a problem. AND, if the owners of the dogs had a better handle on the dog’s actions, picked up after them and basically acted as responsible dogs owners should, we could all get along.

I’m a dog owner. I’ll be the first to say that I let my dog off leash ALL the time in Tuscany. But I also am very responsible – so is my wife – at making sure my dog, Londyn, is behaving, not running up to people, not running away, not defecating everywhere, not being a nuisance.

Actually, I’ve never run into a badly behaving dog off leash in Tuscany. In fact, it’s the dogs that are ON leash that seem to be badly behaved.

Solutions: 1) angry residents need to stop labeling all dog owners as bad dog owners. 2) that the city/community needs more dog parks in Tuscany where dogs can get the exercise they need. 3) People need to just stop complaining about all those nice dogs that are off leash. There’s a reason they’re off leash. It’s because they’re GOOD dogs.

Harry Rosen and Social Media

When we look at corporate blogging, many have approached this amazing beast in an interesting way. Some companies have touted themselves and their products beyond consumer recognition. Some have created a completely unidentifiable messages which blurs their marketing; often to the detriment of the identity of their brand.

Some, however have taken the corporate blogging sphere and created something customers can relate to, learn from and that actually integrates their product offering into the message. One such example is the new Harry Rosen Blog - The New Confidence

(http://thenewconfidence.squarespace.com/)

The New Confidence Blog is, what I think, a nice blend of retailing, branding, storytelling and educating (here, in the form of fashion advice for Men; and dare I say we do need it!). The most recent post is a Q&A from a gentlemen we all know well, Rob Guenette, now CEO of Taxi Canada. David Ogilvy says that “testimonial commercials are almost always successful – if you make them credible.” I think in this case, an endorsement from Mr. Guenette hits this spot on. In his interview, Rob talks about making his mark in the Toronto business scene, his foray’s in creating brand experiences for clients, his comments on the economic state of the world, and of course, how a well tailored suit is really important to be a business leader.

Lower in the Blog is a short 1 min. video (also part of a series) from Harry Rosen CEO, Larry Rosen. He speaks to our own personal brands and how “it’s the wrong moment to let your attention wonder. You need to look like a leader. The impression you create is more important now than it was a year ago when we all had the wind at our backs.” An interesting message in times like these.

My only beef with this so far is that all of these “leaders” are Toronto-based, which represents only a portion of Harry’s total market. Maybe they should be looking out West for a few “leaders” of our own.

David

Another wicked music festival that ISN’T in Alberta

Thought I would share with you what looks like a wicked awesome music festival in Gorge Washington: http://www.sasquatchfestival.com/

Again, not in Alberta. Nooooo. Why would we have a wicked awesome music festival right here in the economic heartland of Canada? Good grief.

The Sliding House

Seriously cool. Brilliant, really.

T-mobile does improveverywhere

Ever seen Improv Everywhere? (Click Here)
T-Mobile new campaign does a nice job at taking a stab:

Advertising on my Coffee? Hmmmm…

Have a look. It’s a brilliant example of innovative advertising, but I could see how one would get pretty annoyed with it too!

Squeak! Squeak!

I laughed out loud! Too risky? I’ll let you decide. I think it’s brilliant.

How cool video and big endorsement are like PB&J

They just go so great together – video and endorsement.
Check these out – Brilliant messages tied to Microsoft products spoken by leaders of some of the strongest companies out there, all in a unique, memorable way using video.

Apparently, there’s going to be a “Canadian” version set to launch on Monday with Westjet CEO Sean Durfy.

Agency doing the work? JWT New York.

Nike Video and Transparency

Think Nike will go undetected for producing this video? Will it boost Nike shoe sales? Increase store visits? Unlikely. Will it make people talk? Perhaps. I think people will see through the faux video work. Notice the quick (but blatant) shots of the Nike swooshes and how clear they are, the (unbelievable, no really, unbelievable) jumping over rails and, yes, even a moving vehicle (complete with parallel bars routine), and best of all, the Parkour-like jumping to the next parkade level as she exits.

Good attempt. But will fail in my opinion through simple transparency. 
 

“Best Job in the World” = Best Advertising in the World

Unbelievable! This is exactly why when one wants good media play and to make an impact, one must go big, or go home. A $1.7 million marketing campaign + $150,000 salary for the bloke taking the job is projected to generate $70 million in media publicity.

I’d say so. 

Fernie Adventure

An amazing time was had at this year’s trip to Fernie. As usual the sky was puking snow; so much so that numerous avalanches were occurring throughout the area. However, once Fernie Resort was secure, the skiing was fabulous and, as always, legendary. 

We stayed at Dave and Elin’s place in Fernie. I definitely consider this place my Fernie home-away-from-home. Thanks to Dave and Elin for a great stay as usual. For those interested in staying in town at a great house will all the amenities of home, check out: http://www.vrbo.com/210183 Their chalet is called Fjellsynhytte, which means Mountain View Chalet in Norwegian. 

Surely the best part was skiing in chest-deep ‘pow’ on Milky Way off the White Pass chair, and hitting the hot tub with a cold beer after a day at the hill. Can’t wait to go back!

Cheers,

DW

Update

I’ve been thinking about what to write about and of late there hasn’t been much happening worthy enough to be scribed. But I thought I’d share with you a few items that have been on my list of things to write about. So here they are:Ismail’s blog: My good friend, Ismail, has moved to London and is doing a way better job of updating his blog than I am mine. And can I just say… brilliant! His stories of his daily meanderings among the London crowds are witty, interesting and a delight to read. Kudos to him.Mattamy Homes: I read while perusing the web that Mattamy Homes is coming to Calgary, building in communities in the N.E. and in Airdrie. The thing that really caught my eye about Mattamy was their deliberate use of wide lots. It’s a rarity these days in the super-sprawling metropolis of Calgary to find lots wider than 30′, except of course if you’re looking at estate homes. But there is a scarce supply of homes built on wide lots… until now. Keep your eye out for these guys when they arrive. Their homes are beautiful and their wide lots will be a hot commodity. (Hey builders! Take notice!)Justice: The latest Telus commercial (with the fishes) is to the tune of Phantom by Justice. If you’re in to dance you already know about these guys, who are out of France. For the rest of us, well, just check them out. Saweet!English lesson: I received a grammar lesson from my wife the other day, which is interesting because I’m the English major in the house. Just goes to show! Anyway kids, remember, after a semi colon (;) begin with lowercase. After a colon (:) begin with a capital.  And a little Christmas shopping tip for everyone out there who works during the day: Head to the mall right after work. It’s deserted. Everyone else is at home feeding their kids, doing homework, walking their dog (Like I should be doing) and the mall is empty. It doesn’t get busy until about 7 when everyone is finished dinner, tired of their homework, or doesn’t have a dog and wants to go shopping.That’s it! CheersD. 

Watch

I came across an interesting “must have” gift for this season’s gift giving pleasure. It’s a watch. Last I heard, watches were going the way of the dinosaur (with cell phones, PDA’s and MP3 players all seen as replacing the need for a common wristwatch). Have you ever heard of Franck Muller? Besides the totally cool way he spells his name, I have been completely awe-stuck by his craft – he designs and constructs the most brilliant watches that are more than just timepieces, they are complete works of art.

Regarded as the creator of the most complicated watches in the world, Franck Muller has numerous watch patents, the record for the smallest working Tourbillion in the world, the “crazy hours” design seemingly straight out of Alice in Wonderland, and many, many other ingenious accomplishments. A Franck Muller watch is now on my Christmas wish list! However, at starting prices hovering the tens’ of thousands of dollars, I may just have to settle for a Timex.  

I am a weatherman

This post from an online penpal in the UK made me thing about, well, thinking. Being in marketing/advertising/branding/experience creation, planners need to constantly be on the lookout for new things, trends, declines in the market, strengthenings in the market, economics, politics, business, sport, etc. We need to be on the lookout for natural and unnatural occurrances in our city, region, world. We are, essentially, the weather men and women of marketing communications. Because though we have things that help us determine what will help a product sell or service be bought or a brand to be realised (surveys, stats, gurus, etc), we still need to make predictions that are based on our best judgment. And that judgment, ladies and gentlemen, comes from being in the know. It comes from having an ear to the ground and many friends in many places (like our own little network of trendspotters). And it comes from thinking about a lot of things all of the time.

Maybe that’s why I daydream so much.

dw

I want to eat this car…

It’s true, I want to take a huge chunk from this car and eat it. It looks quite good actually. What’s even more remarkably good is the fact that the team at Fallon actually pulled this off.

The root of the idea, besides the brilliantly played out example of making a vehicle out of completely edible things, is echo marketing. Echo marketing is not even really a thing so much as a concept, a theory. When an idea is born and creates a wave of, no a tsunami of, response, views, clicks, visits, etc, it has echoed in the marketplace; it has invariably changed culture as we know it and will continue to have an impact on the future of marketing. It echoes through time. It is also viral. So I think it’s safe to say that viral and echo mean pretty much the same thing. hum…

See how they made the commercial here:

Cool hey?
dw

Sometimes, more work just feels better

The week has been so so, so far. Things are still moving fast, business in still coming in; we’ve gotten away from doing an RFP this week… I know! It was until today that I was thinking to myself, “I could really use some more work right about now.” And then it happened. Boom! Like out of a marketing toadstool or something… I get loaded with work. Which is cool. I’m good with that. In fact, lay it on me. I need to see what I can do. Because really, the only way you learn and develop and grow to become a better business person, better worker, better account planner/manager, is by doing the dirty work, and lots of it. So getting handed the proposals, the writing, the admin, for now, is totally fine with me. because we all have to do it sometime. And I’m happy to get it done.

That’s it. That’s all I’ve got. But I suggest giving my buddy’s blog a gander. He’s got some pretty good things to say about his new adventures in the land of the Queen.

dw

30- somethings, half decent looking woman on 4th street and 9th avenue

So today is the third day I’ve seen (and heard) the same woman yelling at the top of her lungs at someone on the other end of her cell phone. And, I’ve past her at the same time all three mornings, at precisely the same location – heading south on 4th street under the 9th avenue bridge.

The first time I passed her, while she was practically ripping the unfortunate recipients ear off with slander, I was mildly appalled at the situation. Sure, here is a 30- somethings, half decent looking professional, obviously angry at something this poor sap did. I believe her exact comments this first time were: “… and why exactly is it my fault you’re a complete fucking idiot.” Interesting.

The second time caught me completely of guard. I actually had to think quite carefully at the situation and whether I had simply dreamt the previous occurrence, or that I was loosing it altogether; I wasn’t quite sure. But here she was, same 30- somethings, half decent looking professional woman, absolutely reeling at someone on the other end of he cell phone…. “You’ve got to be Fucking kidding me,” I believe were her words this time. And in fact, it didn’t make me perturbed at the situation so much as it made me, unapologetically, laugh out loud. Truth be told, I actually began to wonder if there was something mentally wrong with this woman. Either that, or her co-worker, employee, heck husband for that matter, is just a complete idiot and deserves what they’re getting via cell phone reception.

Today, exactly one day after the second encounter guess who I run into? Right, same 30- somethings, half decent looking woman, only this time she has the cell phone held away from her ear and is profusely loud-speakering directly into the mouthpiece. Now, I was only about 20 metres away from her at this point but I could see full well who it was, and I could most certainly hear the F-bombs flowing out of her like fireworks on Canada Day. Again, I laughed at the most undbelievable karma that have brought me and this woman together, three times now, along 4th street and under the 9th avenue bridge. I wonder when I’ll run into her next?

Cheers,
D.

What I learned today…

So I’m the lead on a very important project at work and, being that I’m only on my fourth week at my new job, I have lots of questions. For instance, when a client’s RFP states that they’d like to use a content management system (CMS), does that restrict the creativity of the agency when designing a web site? Apparently, no it doesn’t.

First thing I learned from asking this question is that there are really two reasons why a client would want to use a CSM: To manipulate and have the ability to integrate a back end database with a dynamic web site; or to occasionally change text and images.

Secondly, the creative barriers are those only of the agency itself. That is, whether developing a Flash site or an HTML site, the agency can accomplish the creative goals they want by incorporating both types of platforms and making sure that they are easily integrated, and consequently editable, for full performance. Easier said than done? Perhaps, but I guess that’s why we get paid the big bucks (yeah, right). I’ll let you know how it goes.

Cheers,
D

Cafe Artigiano to come to Calgary

You’ve heard it, Cafe Artigiano will be arriving in the booming metropolis of Calgary early January, 2008. Ugly coffee experiences will no longer plague the Calgary coffee scene. The choice for a decent brew and fabulous latte will not be limited to the very few select vendors out there. Because we all know that there are three types of coffee houses in Calgary right now: The lackluster cyber-cafe; the ma and pa owned corner store/oriental/western food cafe; and of course, Starbucks. What was sorely missing was the uniquely traditional coffee house with Italian flair; one that is know for the quality and care that goes into making a beverage worth drinking.

Cafe Artigiano is a Vancouver based coffee chain that first opened its doors in January 2000. Since then its become a staple to the Vancouver coffee shop scene and a must-see for visitors. I remember the first time I stepped foot into the bustling coffee infused cafe and immediately fell in love with not only the best latte I’ve ever had in my life, but with the warmth, character, and experience it provides coffee lovers like me!

Look for it in the Centrium Building in Calgary: sixth avenue and third street SW. In fact, I’m sure I’ll run into you there one day.

Cheers,
D.

It’s me and I’m back!

Well it’s been a little while since I last wrote about life, me, jobs, and, more importantly, marketing and advertising. But I’m back and (hopefully) at it again. THIS time though, I’m writing not as a client but as an account planner on the agency side of things! That’s right, I’ve made it. I’m in. And I plan on sharing everything with you.

So, here it is, a blog about going from here to there in the world of marketing, advertising, design, and everything else related… which, you will see, can be quite diverting.

And without further adieu, enjoy.

Cheers,
D.

Happiness is…

The new Apple iPhone was launched yesterday of which I receive an immediate acclimation from a good friend that he “must have that phone!” He has been waiting years for a device like this, one that blends the best of both the electronic and computerized worlds into one simple handheld. Will getting his hands on this, the Holy Grail of tech stuffs, bring joy and happiness to his tech savvy lifestyle? Perhaps. Let’s hope so.

My New Years resolution is to lead a more fulfilling life. There, I said it. I’ve been keeping quiet about this years resolution because i didn’t think it was something I should herald to the world. Concurrently, I have recently concluded that one way to a more fulfiled life is to be happier. Simple.
But how?

A recent post by Freakonomics Blogger Stephen J. Dubner give us some insight into Happiness. Bhutan’s national calculation of wealth is based not on GDP but on GNH… Gross National Happiness. Not a bad idea. Here too is a recent BBC look at Happiness in the UK and around the globe. An apt look at the GNH calculation as given by a Wikipedia article is that, “the concept of GNH claims to be based on the premise that true development of human society takes place when material and spiritual development occur side by side to complement and reinforce each other.”

If my good friend here sees the iPhone as reinforcing both his material and spiritual needs, than yes, it might make him happy. What makes you happy is up to you to decide. For me, it’s having a lighter view on life, smiling more, taking full advantage of every opportunity, never having to regret not trying something, and enjoying the moments I have with my friends and loved one’s.

dw

Allegory…

Just a week or so ago I came upon a group of people at work trying to figure out the meaning of rhetorical. Being the English major, I naturally was looked at to know the answer. After a quick English lesson, the definition I recounted was accurate and was even supported by the dictionary when one of my comrades read it aloud. today, my friend Lawrence and I were conversing over what the meaning of allegory was . I tried my hardest to come up with a somewhat logical definition, but soon conceded to the fact that, no, I didn’t know what the meaning was. Alas, my university education has left me short of one definition.

On with the lesson…

According to dictionary.com, allegory is a “symbolic narrative.” it is “a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another.”

I also like this one from the same Dictionary.com look-up:

A story that has a deeper or more general meaning in addition to its surface meaning. Allegories are composed of several symbols or metaphors. For example, in The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan, the character named Christian struggles to escape from a bog or swamp. The story of his difficulty is a symbol of the difficulty of leading a good life in the “bog” of this world. The “bog” is a metaphor or symbol of life’s hardships and distractions. Similarly, when Christian loses a heavy pack that he has been carrying on his back, this symbolizes his freedom from the weight of sin that he has been carrying.

Here’s some advice for all people involved in writing documents that others will see; especially ones that are published to the world: Have a dictionary on hand and ready to go. Spellcheck is not going to catch everything, as I have found out a few times in the past, and we might all learn the real definition of a few words in the process of looking them up. Subscribe to a word of the day, or read up on what an etymologist is and dive head first into learning about words. Or, for a fuller, more archetypal word experience, consult the omnipotent Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary; trust me, it’s worthwhile just taking a gander!

(RED) is in

what makes a novel idea even more great? Is it because it’s viral? Because the product works? Because the advertising is great (rarely this one)? or is it because it combines a worthy cause with outstanding individuals and all-star corporations? I’d have to say the last one. Which is why I give complete kudos to the (RED) campaign and their efforts to thwart HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Firstly, the name and logo. (RED) is simple, vibrant, and speaks a thousand words in light of being only three letters. It makes people ask questions. It turns people’s heads sideways like my dog always does when I talk to her. This logo talks to us each differently and clearly; something many other logos do, and many other logos should think about doing.

Secondly, the players. Bono has been in the HIV/AIDS limelight since I can remember. His power as a cultural icon and public figure supersedes most other attempts at creating a voice for a worldly cause. His stance is strong. His reach is far. And his ability to influence the masses is great. Bono… Kudos to you. I’ll say it aloud. If there was one person I’d want to have a conversation with, dead or alive, it would be him.

And what about the other players; the mighty corporations, with a capital C. My buddy D.P. and I had a brief battle over the REAL reasons companies like these get involved with causes such as (RED). Are they really in it to help? Or is it simply a well-thought-out tactic at boosting sales? My thoughts are that if someone was in the market for a new cell phone or iPod or t-shirt, they might think twice about what brand they buy. Each of these brands: Motorola, GAP, Armani, American Express, and Converse, have offered a buyer the opportunity to support the cause. The mere fact that they are speaking out is tantamount to never speaking at all and the realization that they might increase sales because others want to contribute is thank-you enough for the opportunity to do so.

The word is spreading, and spreading for a reason. Mediums are paramount when thinking about the message. Here, (RED) is capitalizing on a wonderful facet of communications mediums that have formulated viralocity beyond the speed of the Star Trek Enterprise. The (RED) blog, Social networking websites (Flickr, myspace), T.V., Oprah, and even Google (on their homepage of all places!) are all being used to spread the word (and probably more than I know of). Now that is an all-star lineup!

Visit joinRED website and see it all for yourself. And for all those marketers out there, take note of the factors that have created such an amazing campaign. We can all learn something about creating a meaningful message through this initiative, and we can all contribute to the message through our own acts of initiation.

dw

Have You Heard?

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

What is it About This Commercial?

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

For You

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

Sony Trade-in Program a Killer idea

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

Stem Cells

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

Dove Evolution Spot

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.

Line Rider

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

My new favorite T-shirts

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

Thursday Morning Swim

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

Coming Zune to a palm near you… or maybe even mine.

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.

Greenpeace ads

Interesting ads from Greenpeace. Makes you realize the true consequenses and effects of clear cutting one of earth’s most gracious resource.

I love new tires

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!

Some Things I’ve Been Following Lately

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,

Change the Formula

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.

Another Good’er in the World of Marketing

Hola,
I was reading the National Post the other day and came across a book review for one Seth Godin. Why haven’t I seen or heard about this guy yet? Have I actually been sleeping for the last 6 years while hunting down as much information on marketing and advertising as possible? Interesting how you just all of a sudden stumble across that thing or person you’ve been searching for all this time. Hasn’t’ Google figured out how to help people search and find not just what they are looking for, but what they absolutely need and just didn’t know it yet? Come on Google let’s get with it.
Godin’s new book, the latest of many this marketing Buddha has authored, is called Small is the New Big. It’s a compendium of essays, blogs, and other priceless information on marketing advertising and how to make a good company great. I highly recommend Godin’s blog and his website.
His main message: If you do anything in this world, do something new, make something happen, do something different. It’s the only way you wont be like everyone else. Differentiate your company as you would yourself. Get ahead of the game by being an ideathelete. Make something happen.

Later

And I’m Back…

Excuse me for Enjoying my Job!

First off I apologize for not blogging for a while. I got caught up in my job and essentially lost the blogging flame for a brief moment. Well, I’m back and I’m excited about this dozy of a post. This entire week has been a wake up call for me. Now I knew going into this job that there were those in positions seemingly higher than mine who didn’t believe in the whole marketing thing (I know!) and therefore struggled with me taking on this new role in the company. After days upon days of feeling like a bump on a log I have come to terms with the fact that some people just don’t get what marketers do! That’s right, they don’t get that we have chosen this career path not only because we have a knack for easily blending creativity with business and finding unique and strategically efficient ways of promoting a product or service, but that we love what we do. Case in point. Accountants may find that their jobs get a bit tiring after a while. Counting the same numbers day in and day out; dealing with the same issues over and over again like the parts department not balancing the days totals or the finance is late with financing… again!
Well let me just say this. Just because I love my job and supremely enjoy surfing the web and reading articles and magazines doesn’t make me an unproductive employee. That’s the name of the game my friends and believe it or not it’s also work. So excuse me for enjoying my job.

What is this?

Marketing + Advertising= Marketising
A space about marketing, advertising, and random thoughts and ideas. It’s about evolving and developing a marketing savvy. So far so good.
I started pin-pricking my bosses with my intent to make their company better. After ruthless annoyance and eager ambition, I eventually made it to the post of Marketing Coordinator. That was in April. It’s now July 12th, and I am now the Marketing Manager for a multi-million dollar company. I’m 24 years old and 3 months out of University.
So this will be a place, a space, where random thoughts, ideas, experiences of marketing and advertising will land. A space where, hopefully, I can shed some light on what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown. I hope that it becomes that space that I was looking for as a undergrad, trying to claw my way up, soaking in as much information about marketing and advertising as possible. I want this to be the Starbucks of marketing. So welcome… grab a coffee and enjoy.

dw

The world of marketing is changing as we speak

The world of marketing is changing as we speak, and as Globe columnist Matthew Ingram recounts (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060706.TWINGRAM06/TPStory/TPBusiness/ ) crazy things are happening in la la land.
Some of you wont get exactly what Matthew is talking about but I can tell you from mere brushes with Internet sites like these (Second Life, etc.) that they go well beyond the old Sega game system we played as kids. Think video game on the computer that is completely manipulable and can range in sketchiness from Bambi to, well, Bambi (the xxx rated version).
But there real zeal of these programs and virtual communities, for me anyway, is not that you can control what concert your character sees on a Friday night, or that they take the subway rather than the bus to the mall, or that they need to eat to survive, but that the concert is U2, there is advertising on the side of the bus and in the subway stations promoting Crest, and that they can choose to eat at Pizza Hut and drink Coke from a Coke vending machine.
The marketing world is ever evolving and continually finding new avenues to get messages through to (very specific) audiences. It doesn’t get more evident than this. What’s next is not only a question in our minds, but already a project in motion in a marketer’s mind. This is why I love marketing,

David

Welcome to Marketising Randomness

First of all thanks for even considering my post. I truly have never tried anything like this before so bare with me…

I’ll be back