07.09.2008 by Zoltan

If we cannot play, we cannot begin to be fully human

In March I wrote about the launch of Analog Folk, and the seemingly unbelievable situation of a new agency - with digital at its core - not having their (excellent) content embed-able.

At the time it seemed to me a gross oversight, so I’m happy to report that Ed Ling, from Analog Folk, has just written to say that they’ve updated the functionality. Sorry Ed, but you could’ve done a bit more with the graphic design.

Anyway here it is. Sit back and enjoy Matt Dyke’s insights on gaming and the rediscovery of analog play. He charts the evolution of game-play from the button mashing of the 80’s and 90’s through Xbox Live and the connection of real humans, past the Wii and into the future of biofeedback and the thought-interface.

07.09.2008 by Zoltan

Out intellectual-ise your mates with bkkeeper

I’m not really a big twitterer yet (but I think my new iPhone will change that), but I just came across this ingenious bolt-on idea called bkkeeper, which turns your twitter into a broadcast of your book reading habits.

But apart from sharing the titles you’re currently reading, they’ve also built a system which allows you to digitally dog-ear / bookmark pages. Its a great way of sharing with people in real-time what was previously only a solo experience.

Apart from the fact that I haven’t figured out how to get an account there yet (am I just completely stupid/blind?), the only thing that could improve this would be some webcam integration to read the ISBN number for you - you know, like Delicious Library.

07.09.2008 by Zoltan

The One

Watch this through and you’ll think the Wachowski’s were perhaps more than just a little prescient. Kevin Kelly from Wired looks at the fact that the current web is only 5000 days old, and posits what the coming 5000 days will bring.

If you don’t have the time, then it pretty much goes like this -

“There is only One machine.
The web is its OS.
All screens look into the One.
No bits will live outside the web.
To share is to gain.
Let the One read it.
The One is us.”

Word.

via in my atmosphere

07.09.2008 by Zoltan

Lateral thinking

In Australia, Stella Artois is the king of premium beers. But like any brand, they wanted to sell more (of course). They needed to up their game, and created a new sales team to focus on it. And of course, they needed some marketing materials to help them do the selling. So far, so traditional.

But the sales team didn’t really know about the legacy of the brand and the long association with film, especially in the UK. Instead of a series of sleep-worthy PowerPoints, they were each given a customised PSP loaded with film content. Not only could they educate themselves, but they could educate the bar owners as well. And importantly, have some fun doing it.

And it worked (from after the jump) - “analysis has shown that every sales representative who was given a PSP met all their sales targets for the relevant quarter. Anecdotal feedback also confirmed that without exception, the PSP was regarded as the best sales presenter ever received. As a result, Foster’s is now reviewing further rollout of the tool.”

This is a great example of an agency, in this case Lowe Rivet, stepping back from the brief and thinking about what needs to be achieved and by whom. Again, in digital we’re often too proud to offer clients ready-made solutions. But custom is not always king. Often - and increasingly more so as every single facet of digital possibility has a web 2.0 offering - it just makes sense to take something pre-engineered, and tweak it as required.

via i believe in advertising

07.09.2008 by Zoltan

A (digital) tendency to overwork ideas…

In digital, I often feel that there is a tendency to overwork ideas. Longer non-linear time frames, coupled with clients who were sound alseep during the single-minded proposition part of their marketing degrees, don’t help the situation. Many many times I’ve sat in meetings that were overcomplicating an idea for on other reason than habit.

But not all ideas need to be ground breaking. Some just need to be simple, timely and well executed. And this new press campaign for Sony Walkman is a perfect case in point. Its not a new idea by any stretch, but its executed with a sense of calm elegance that elevates it above the clutter.

via i believe in advertising

02.09.2008 by Zoltan

Everything Matters wins the FWA

Warning! More shameless self-promotion… 2 days after it launched and Everything Matters has already won the FWA! That’s gotta be a record turnaround!

UPDATE! Everything Matters makes the front page of Creativity Online as the Interactive Pick of the Day 05.09.2008