12-16-08
Bush shoe throwing hijacks
UPDATE: the meme has gone really big, as kind of expected. Sock and Awe has had over 46 million shoes thrown too . . .
After watching the news report of a journalist throwing his shoes at George Bush this morning, I waited for the inevitable response from the web. Usually it’s from individuals able to move quicker and smarter than your average brand which most likely wouldn’t be up for doing anything Bush related and therefore politcal/risky in the first place or would just take days if not weeks to sign something off. However, today I’ve seen three Bush/Shoe related things pop up in my Twitter stream from PopJam, Lewis PR and Zappos.
First up we have my favourite and by far the best – Sock and Awe from PopJam founder Alew Tew (he of milliondollarhomepage fame).
This feels completely right, has an awesome name/domain and does a nice job of subtly bringing in a link back to Popjam and a fairly discreet email entry box.
Nicely done. I certainly had a few goes and signed up for more info on PopJam. Job done.
Secondly, we have the Bash a Bush ‘viral’ from Lewis PR.
To be honest, the fact it was referred to as a viral in the URL string automatically put me off it. It’s digital content that is hoped to go viral, blah blah blah . . . Anyway, having got over the ‘viral’ thing the gameplay is itself pretty straightforward and pretty slickly done, as much as can be for a tried and tested (and therefore more tired ) basic ‘bash the rat’ type of format. But, again – at least they did it and moved petty quickly.
Finally, we have a video from the guys at Zappos. Very quickly turned around, but all in all not that funny or posted on their blog. Still, top marks for trying and having the balls to just put it out. Oh and for tagging it with Bush, Irag etc !
So, yet again another reminder that brands (and agencies) need to move at lightning speed these days in order to ride on the waves of excitement that follow an event like a journalist throwing a shoe at George Bush, a BNP list going astray or something else that’s just around the corner. And – that competition really is fierce for people’s attention. You’re quite literally up against the world.
10-22-08
“My Goodness. This is insane!”
Said Ste on Twitter just now. So I had to take a look. And there is was, a creative agency called lisapmaxwell using its website as a ‘live case study in viral marketing’. Insane it may well be right now, but in the very near future I think it will be the norm to be able to video chat with anyone anywhere. It will be expected.
PS – I didn’t notice the request for a name first on starting a chat window, hence I’m called ‘yo dude’!
09-02-08
Cringey Microsoft marketing moment
This is unbelievable. So, so cringey – I keep thinking it’s an ironic viral thing. There is so much wrong with this video. “Ease, accessibility and fashion” ? Sorry guys but there’s talking about it and then there’s actually doing it. Trying way too hard.
[via Ars Technica which quite rightly asks if Microsoft should be doing stuff like this. Answer? Just focus on making great products and software that talk for themselves.]
02-01-08
Nothing to do with Mahoo!, Microhoo! or Yahsoft
200 people freeze and unfreeze in Grand Central Station thanks to Improveverywhere.
12-23-07
Whopper Freakout
UPDATE: think it isn’t as good as it seems as Graham pointed out.
OK, quick one for Christmas. A gift from me to you.
Latest from Burger King – a great idea executed well that uses its own customers to deliver the desired message. A lot better than “I’m Lovin. it”. You simply cannot simulate brand passion like that.
12-17-07
Top 10 virals of ’07 – let the lists commence
Here’s a list of the top 10 virals of 2007 according to boreme.com. Note – not a brand in sight . . .
11-14-07
RIP Flash Mobs
Just as Charley was accused as being the nail in the coffin for rave, surely this means flash mobs as we know it are over. It makes me cringe watching it. More journos than flash mobbers/lone guitarist begs for people to come forwards/all way too planned. Please make it stop.
[Via]
11-09-07
Wonderbra: two cups full of joy
Not been in the mood for blogging lately (again!). Been getting a lot more into Twitter and I’m still a complete del.icio.us addict – plus like everyone else, Facebook really is taking up a lot of my time. So, that hasn’t left me with a lot of time for blogging. One thing I will quickly share is this – a Wonderbra spoof follow up on that gorilla ad that no one had heard of. I’d have given them top marks had they turned this round in a week or two of the ad first breaking online but because I know it’s taken this long for them to come up with the idea, sign it off, cast it, film it, sign it off again and seed it . . . just seems a little bit late to the party. Also – find it strange the original (found here) has the ability to embed code taken away from it. Wonder if that was the agency behind it wanting to track total views and trying to make it easier for themselves?Also, if I’m being really picky, which I admit I am – the model is too skiny and doesn’t use the cymbals properly. Enjoy . . .
11-05-07
Skateboarding + Parkour = Rad
Via the almighty PSFK, best bit is right at the end . . . like in all good vids.
10-19-07
Nice one Jamie
A bit of a rugby theme today. . . blesstheboot.com – Great idea, slightly ropey looking but executed pretty quickly. Will certainly be doing the rounds today and has already got some good hits. It should have been 02, or a sports brand, or in fact any brand that wanted to hijack the buzz ahead of the match tomorrow. No obvious brand behind it but a quick WhoIs search reveals it to be a Jamie Vickery in London. Anyone know him?
UPDATE: if it’s Adidas then I didn’t even notice first time round – only when looking closely.
middledigit_
If technology doesn't seem like magic, it's probably obsolete . . .
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I'm a digital creative/strategist/doer that blogs about all kinds of stuff that usually involves brands, digital marketing, technology or cats.