Saturday, September 19, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Pimp up that Bible !
Just came across a rather curious brief on Mypitch.com from a client called Bible Illuminated. Basically it looks like a desperate attempt to make the old book more relevant to the modern culture - consumerism!
Strategy: To redesign it and pimp up with modern images.
Here's the winner of the pitch, who came up with an idea for a new Bible Illuminated audio book - iPod Cross:
It looks kind of interesting and weird but I don't think that design in itself is going to solve the problem or make any substantial difference. In fact, I believe it is a counter productive move to tie up the old spiritual teachings to something as flimsy and whimsical as modern pop culture. Strategically it is rather naive. It won't solve the problem and it won't make new "recruits" and it won't do any justice to Jesus teachings either!
I understand that the people behind this campaign want to make the Bible more relevant to modern life, but this approach is not the solution and seriously misses the zeitgeist (rapidly increasing disappointment with mainstream materialistic culture). So why on earth would you want to jump on this bandwagon that is heading towards the blind alley anyway?
What would be the solution? In my opinion, if you want to make Christianity more relevant to modern society, action would speak louder than words (or design gimmicks!) For example, focusing on solving world poverty, environmental problems, speaking loudly against politics of war, supporting those who fight against injustice (even if they belong to a different faith, like Palestinians!), etc.
This commands respect and attention and should be brought forth, not the tacky gimmicks.
Strategy: To redesign it and pimp up with modern images.
Here's the winner of the pitch, who came up with an idea for a new Bible Illuminated audio book - iPod Cross:
It looks kind of interesting and weird but I don't think that design in itself is going to solve the problem or make any substantial difference. In fact, I believe it is a counter productive move to tie up the old spiritual teachings to something as flimsy and whimsical as modern pop culture. Strategically it is rather naive. It won't solve the problem and it won't make new "recruits" and it won't do any justice to Jesus teachings either!
I understand that the people behind this campaign want to make the Bible more relevant to modern life, but this approach is not the solution and seriously misses the zeitgeist (rapidly increasing disappointment with mainstream materialistic culture). So why on earth would you want to jump on this bandwagon that is heading towards the blind alley anyway?
What would be the solution? In my opinion, if you want to make Christianity more relevant to modern society, action would speak louder than words (or design gimmicks!) For example, focusing on solving world poverty, environmental problems, speaking loudly against politics of war, supporting those who fight against injustice (even if they belong to a different faith, like Palestinians!), etc.
This commands respect and attention and should be brought forth, not the tacky gimmicks.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hot sauce made & marketed by prisoners
A couple of years back I had an idea that involved jailbirds marketing products for Esprit clothing brand. I remember that quite a few ad folks liked the idea (the claim) but weren't so sure about involving the prisoners in it. To them it seemed a cultural taboo not to be crossed! Fast forward to the present... and we see a different picture - the taboo is no longer a taboo! Check out this website www.jailhousefire.org where prisoners from Florida's Hillsborough County Jail are making and marketing their own hot sauce online:
There you can also see some print ads and a couple of tv ads for the product.
I am not sure if the ads were concepted by the prisoners as well - they have professional look, but are too conventional and bland in comparison to this brilliantly original product idea!
There you can also see some print ads and a couple of tv ads for the product.
I am not sure if the ads were concepted by the prisoners as well - they have professional look, but are too conventional and bland in comparison to this brilliantly original product idea!
Monday, September 07, 2009
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT JOB
Welcome to my vision of the future advertising agency. This is my video application for the perfect job.
Idea: Green grave stones anyone?
following one of my previous ideas on graveyard technology (tombstone slideshow), here's another proposal:
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Idea: New 2012 scenario, perhaps?
Check out this trailer for a new 2012 movie. The only interesting thing about it, in my opinion, are special effects. As for the plot - it's a yawn. Hollywood execs use the same old strategy of scaretactics, physical destruction, lots of noise, explosions, etc. This might appeal to an average Joe, of course, but definitely is a misleading interpretation of the global event (21 dec. 2012)
Personally, I would be more interested to see a different interpretation of the event. For example:
Why not to explore a different scenario with the base idea that on December 21, 2012 all people of the earth suddenly become telepathic? What would be the consequences of this global phenomena? And would it change the world for better or worse? And how many of us would survive the sudden change?
I have spent a fair amount of time researching the subject of 2012 and to me it's more about the paradigm change in our human consciousness, and less about earthquakes, tsunamis or falling fireballs. Booo hisss!
Personally, I would be more interested to see a different interpretation of the event. For example:
Why not to explore a different scenario with the base idea that on December 21, 2012 all people of the earth suddenly become telepathic? What would be the consequences of this global phenomena? And would it change the world for better or worse? And how many of us would survive the sudden change?
I have spent a fair amount of time researching the subject of 2012 and to me it's more about the paradigm change in our human consciousness, and less about earthquakes, tsunamis or falling fireballs. Booo hisss!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Engagement vs Compliance
Below is a very interesting TED talk by Daniel Pink. In December Dan has a new book coming out called Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. This talk will make you (re-)think about work, management, and what motivates you — and those you work with — to excel.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
iSnort mobile app
... a controversial iPhone app from PeterMagicJohnson:
1,720,962 views, 1,926 positive ratings (plus one from me ;)
1,720,962 views, 1,926 positive ratings (plus one from me ;)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Idea: Personal Data Art app
Here's another mobile app idea inspired by data artworks from http://www.visualcomplexity.com
Wouldn't it be cool to have mob application that turns all the statistical data in our cell phones into individual interactive art visualizations?
click to enlarge:
Wouldn't it be cool to have mob application that turns all the statistical data in our cell phones into individual interactive art visualizations?
click to enlarge:
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Idea: Personal Mobile Oracle app
This is a concept for a mobile phone app that helps undecided to make a decision.
It works as a psycho-digital oracle and provides four possible answers to any given question.
It works as a psycho-digital oracle and provides four possible answers to any given question.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Idea: Inventing New Free
This idea was inspired by the latest book from Chris Anderson "FREE " where he writes about the future of a radical price:
Wouldn't it be cool if a brand offered us a free product from its rival?
i.e. Special promotion with underlying message:
We are so confident in superiority of our product X that we are willing to give you a free sample from our closest competitor for you to judge for your self.
idea can be applied to all sorts of snacks and sodas, tea and coffee brands and other premium products.
Wouldn't it be cool if a brand offered us a free product from its rival?
i.e. Special promotion with underlying message:
We are so confident in superiority of our product X that we are willing to give you a free sample from our closest competitor for you to judge for your self.
idea can be applied to all sorts of snacks and sodas, tea and coffee brands and other premium products.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Idea: Inspired ears
a quick project for Eyeka Philips contest. Using the existing slogan "Let your ears decide" was mandatory. (Music comes from my mate)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Idea: AD-EXORCIST widget
an idea for a browser plugin to get rid of those annoying banners and popups while you surf the web
Friday, July 24, 2009
Great product, silly slogan (2)
awhile ago I made a post (Great product, silly slogan) where I criticized a slogan on a website and offered a more honest version ... and today I accidentally found out that the company responded and changed that slogan on their website. Grrreat!
(They didn't notify me about the change directly, but I guess they were worried that I would be asking money for that. Which is kinda silly too :)))
(They didn't notify me about the change directly, but I guess they were worried that I would be asking money for that. Which is kinda silly too :)))
No magick in interruptive advertising
Here's my personal take on why classical interruption ads don't work any more as they used to.
Think of advertising as a dominant and controlling type of person in a social group. He exudes power, authority and influence upon this group... but only to a certain point! As soon as the group starts perceiving him on a conscious level, for example becoming aware of his manipulation tricks (body posture, eye contact, voice, etc.) - his credibility and influence on this group starts to wane rapidly.
The same is happening to the classical format of advertising. It's been around for too long for consumers to learn almost every trick of the trade. Look at the growing trend of online advertising contests where "amateurs" are imitating "professionals" and produce their own ads.
(AdHack, Poptent, Eyeka to name a few)
In other words, consumers became well conscious of the method and therefore immune to it.
Of course, there are still some ad-literate laggards left in the world, but they are no longer a dominant majority and their numbers are constantly dwindling.
To summarize: it is not enough to communicate a selling proposition and put a logo with a slogan in the end. It's too obvious for increasingly critical consumers. I believe that the future credibility of advertising will depend on two main factors:
1. more subtle formats (seeking innovative methods of product placement, for example)
2. integrity of the message ( lovertising / ethics)
here's a classic interruption ad for laggards:
and this one experience engaging for more enlightened ones : )
Think of advertising as a dominant and controlling type of person in a social group. He exudes power, authority and influence upon this group... but only to a certain point! As soon as the group starts perceiving him on a conscious level, for example becoming aware of his manipulation tricks (body posture, eye contact, voice, etc.) - his credibility and influence on this group starts to wane rapidly.
The same is happening to the classical format of advertising. It's been around for too long for consumers to learn almost every trick of the trade. Look at the growing trend of online advertising contests where "amateurs" are imitating "professionals" and produce their own ads.
(AdHack, Poptent, Eyeka to name a few)
In other words, consumers became well conscious of the method and therefore immune to it.
Of course, there are still some ad-literate laggards left in the world, but they are no longer a dominant majority and their numbers are constantly dwindling.
To summarize: it is not enough to communicate a selling proposition and put a logo with a slogan in the end. It's too obvious for increasingly critical consumers. I believe that the future credibility of advertising will depend on two main factors:
1. more subtle formats (seeking innovative methods of product placement, for example)
2. integrity of the message ( lovertising / ethics)
here's a classic interruption ad for laggards:
and this one experience engaging for more enlightened ones : )
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Benjamin Fulford's vision of the future
Armed also with a contagiously optimistic vision of the future, Benjamin is fully prepared to be the next Finance Minister for Japan. His plans for how he would spend Japan's $5 trillion of foreign reserves to eliminate global poverty are plausible and inspiring as practical steps, way beyond rhetoric, to repair the generations of damage done by a ruthless ruling elite. This is a man with a deep understanding of both East and West, a global economic historian who thinks way outside of the box, a lover of peace who is unafraid to speak warrior words.
In this comprehensive three part video, the first two parts focus on global financial history and Benjamin's most interesting personal story leading up to his approach by the Ninja. The third part contains the details of The Ultimatum itself.
And his interview with David Rockefeller:
In this comprehensive three part video, the first two parts focus on global financial history and Benjamin's most interesting personal story leading up to his approach by the Ninja. The third part contains the details of The Ultimatum itself.
And his interview with David Rockefeller:
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