iTunes U

I'm probably way behind on this one but I just stumbled across a great feature on itunes called itunes U. At no cost, users can download podcasts of courses from a variety of universities and colleges around the country.

Learn more here: http://www.apple.com/education/itunesu/

Your Average Teenager

Interesting blog post from threebillion on marketers' perception of teenagers and their obsession with connecting with the cool kids. We spend a lot of time talking about how to reach the influencers within this segment when in reality, the majority of kids are just plain average.

"When you look at the facts, your average teenager goes to school, does their homework, spends more time with their parents than their friends, saves money, listens to pop music, doesn’t drink (that much), doesn’t take drugs and wears a limited supply of high street fashion…"

I think this post is interesting and yes, thought-provoking, but while most teenagers may be average, they've always aspired to be a cool kid. Is 20% dedication to the cool crowd enough to connect with teenage majority's deepest desires?

SEO in a Nutshell

Noah Brier posted this on his site yesterday and I think it's a pretty good overview on the world of SEO. Check it out if you have time (and want to learn something new today).

Through the Looking Glass

Image: HBO's Voyeur

I might be a little late on this one but there was a great article in the NY Times last week. It discusses how people are increasingly making their lives more transparent, not only through voyeuristic architecture but also through the use of sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. Researchers interviewed for the article have indicated concern for a society that never experiences time behind closed doors and suggest.

"There is a behavioral connection between the unconsciously 'for show' lives of those living in glass condos and the consciously “for show” lives of those spending more and more of their time online, where domestic activities are recorded in achingly specific detail. The result is a cultural confusion about private and public."

Check it out here.

Widget Wonderland

Check out Target's new Widget Wonderland. Not only does this widget count down the days ‘till Christmas, it’s also customizable and helps you search for gifts on target.com. While we hear widgets are “so hot right now”, it appears brands have had a tough time finding ways to pull it off.

Who knows – maybe Target’s combination of personal + useful will = success...

Branding With Powerlines

Spending a week in the land of Disney (Orlando, FL) has its ups and downs. The brand is EVERYWHERE. However, this simple yet creative form of Disney branding did catch my eye while cruising down the interstate.

P.S. I can't take credit for snapping this photo. My new camera phone just isn't that good. Thankfully Google images had the perfect shot that I could share.

More Fun With Flickr

I can't remember who posted about this - perhaps BoingBoing? Anyway, I thought it was yet another cool way to showcase the interesting on Flickr. I'm continually impressed with users and the content they're uploading to this community...

The Oldest of Traditions Come To Life Online

So confused as to how this isn't illegal - especially since the girls don't even have to be of age.

"Marry Our Daughter is an introduction service assisting those following the Biblical tradition of arranging marriages for their Daughters."

I guess the web really does function as the marketplace for anything and everything. No matter how polarizing.

I love Music

FYI:
Austin City Limits is being streamed online by AT&T. Thanks Cingular. Err. I mean AT&T

Shameless Plug

Check out the new Dairy Queen site. Kudos to the many talented space cadets who made this happen!

Mobile Progress

"Google Mobile applications have seen a spike this summer, with a 35% increase from May to June. The increase has lasted throughout the summer, completely reversing typical trends for web activity, including Google searches.

These trends indicate that users have become more comfortable with using Google’s mobile applications, and also that phone technology and browsing capabilities are improving. There’s also a noted correlation between the increased use of Google mobile applications and the launching of the iPhone, for which Google maps has a featured spot on the hand held device."

Thoughts: If Google can break into mobile apps, when is the mobile device coming?



Source

hk

Mindmeister

Check out this new mind mapping technology called mindmeister. I've only been using it a short time but so far it's pretty neato and it's FREE. Not only can you collaborate on mind maps with other users, you can also include web content from Google, Wikipedia and tags from del.icio.us. Could be a great tool for brainstorms or trend tracking...

Invasion of the Robo-Bus

Radical thinking applied to everyday problems...

The idea:
"Buses that practically drive themselves. Over the next three years, workers will carve a narrow lane down the shoulder of the increasingly congested Interstate 805, exclusively for buses and commercial trucks modded with lane-keeping sensors and adaptive cruise control. Neither technology is new, but most automakers tune adaptive cruise control to keep cars farther apart than normal, making traffic worse. In the robot lane, vehicles will be packed like train cars. They'll still have drivers — everyone has to leave the freeway sometime — but they'll be out of the main flow."

From Wired.

Rethink Your Skill-Set

A few of the speakers at last week's AAAA Planning conference spoke about rethinking our skill-sets as planners in order to fuel creativity and innovation.

This video offers a nice demonstration of this point...

Are you a good brand boyfriend?

Went to a session led by Hall & Partners at the planning conference. They talked a lot about reciprocity between the brand and the consumer. Is the relationship equal parts talking and equal parts listening? Just because you have a website with a comments section...it doesn't count.

The Break Up
Uploaded by geertdesager

Micro-blogging + Geotechnology = This World

I recently discovered ThisNext, a community of "real recommendations by real people." In the midst of my exploration they have launched a new feature, ThisWorld, that combines location, location, location with their hip and helpful services.

An early verdict: Tre' cool.

Planning Conference Themes

Insightful Insights:

1. Micro: Bite-sized entertainment, information, conversations. Consumer power to select length of engagement based on lifestyle. Think Wii microgames vs. Final Fantasy.

2. Consistent, continual change: Instead of viewing advertising and planning as being in transition period (moving from one static point to the next), we are really in a constant state of flux and will continue to move faster and change more quickly as time progresses.

3. Return to Gestalt: Embrace iterative, fluid, collaborative processes. Silos are irrelevant when the essence/elasticity of the idea is the end goal.

Semi/Non-Insightful Insights

1. Google=2007, Yahoo=2004: In case you didn't know yet, the 30 sec spot doesn't work online...

2. Contacts are out. 2007 is the year of glasses (a MC insight)

3. Sustainability and social consciousness are being talked about... but we are not yet acting on what we are all talking about (this conference is producing massive amounts of garbage, plastic bottles to recycle, printing out information that should be emailed out...)

More to come when we return to Mpls! -hk

See you there!

Mel and I are OFF! See you there! Exciting posts to come when we return next Thursday.

Our Bridge

An emotional day.

What do your pockets say about you?

Interesting form of self-expression...

"Things that are living in the pockets of your bag, jeans or jacket: travel and pay checks, old cigarette pack that just looks interesting, sugar lumps and all the stuff that has found home in your pockets. They are all the treasures our project is looking for! Our goal is not only bring all this objects into light but show the owner of them."

Face Your Pockets

Life Caching Taken Up a Notch

Upscale life caching services are popping up all over the place...More story-like and less time line based, these pricey sites cater to an upper tier of society. Luxury consumers have always had grander doors opened to them... but does that actually make their story more interesting?

Myspecialbook
Storyofmylife

Design 2.0

Web 2.0 brings new content and capabilities, but how does it affect design?

Trends cited by Paul Boag include:

1. Goodbye to the fold
2. Functional footer
3. Resolution dependent layout
4. Right column navigation
5. Focus on content
6. Emphasis on typography

Growing older, more users shaping the internet, and better understanding of what consumer's want from this medium is helping... but there's still a long way to go!

Tech Convergence

Yahoo Digital Home = super smart application for the dedicated fan.

"With Yahoo Sports for TV you can see what’s going on with your fantasy team on the television screen while you watch the game. It’s a new way to enjoy sports and your fantasy teams, and it’s also a new way to play with your friends ... More social features will be added in the future, for additional interaction tools so you can really enjoy sports and fantasy with friends. One of these features will be called SmackTalk, so you can send messages to friends as the game is going on."

Smotri! Golyi Putin!

Translated: "Look! There is a naked president!"

Check out WowRussia - this very cool site was created by Elena Marus, a graduate student at British School of Art and Design in Moscow. Quite a clever way to communicate the many interesting wonders of Russia.

For instance, did you know that Russian Brides are one of the country's leading exports??? True story.

Where's Snoopy?

Charlie Brown + Anime

Source

Campaign Trails 2.0

The web continues to play an important role in the '08 election -- giving candidates a way to reconnect with "the people" in ways that they haven't since the arrival of television. Mashable wrote about a new campaign tactic Obama is using that leverages the power of MySpace.

"Barack Obama is ramping up his MySpace presence to include state-specific profiles for communicating more directly with local supporters. What’s more, Obama is reaching out to the community even further by selecting a MySpace user to have dinner with him, and grant them the opportunity to discuss political issues."

You can check out more of Obama's MySpace presence here.

Where does inspiration come from?

Are we still driven by physical connections? Or does the idea of virtual stimulation satisfy us nowadays? We pull inspiration from what surrounds us... but what if that is the Internet for an avg of 10 hours a day? Is it our only pop culture hub?

Internet: Inspiration + demise

I Almost Signed up.

Recently the New York Times wrote an article on a pretty cool outdoors retailer called Moosejaw (think REI meets American Eagle) and their approach to mobile. Anyways, I'm usually not a huge fan of mobile marketing - I feel like my phone is the last place where advertisers can't interrupt me and I've been sort of militant about keeping it that way. Not to mention, many of those experimenting are annoying about it. However, Moosejaw seems to have figured out a way to make it a lot less painful. Instead of pushing ads at users, they can opt to receive funny questions that invite them to respond (or vote). In return Moosejaw gives them rewards points to be used on their site. I almost signed up. Almost.


Here are some other clever mobile executions for those interested (or those of you who are like me and still need some more convincing).

The Future of Flash Mobs

NextGreatThing had a nice post on Flash Mobs this week. One question - how do I get invited?

Check out this awesome classic.

Algorithms and Lipstick Shades

Seems like an unlikely combination but not to Hewlett Packard.

Scientific American wrote about HP's recent announcement of a new service that aims to use images, algorithms and wireless technology to help women determine the best colorings for their skin tone.

"The biggest issue with cosmetics is selecting the color," says Nina Bhatti, principal scientist at HP labs. "This is a common pain point—women can't find colors that look good on them."

Simply snap a photo of yourself holding color swatches and HP will run "them through sophisticated image-processing algorithms, and returning scientifically based recommendations for the shade of foundation, lipstick, blush and eye shadow that best suits a person's skin tone."

This comes along around the same time that IconNicholson announced their new "Talking Mirror" - both very interesting ways to use technology to solve classic problems for consumers.

Exercise Solutions for the Busy Gal

Japanese girls are turning to Cobini fitness for the convenience of a corner store with the benefits of a workout facility.

Just stop in, jump on one of their machines and maintain your balance as the "foot pads churn up and down and back and forth at up to 1,560 times per minute."

"I love that I don't even have to change clothes," says 17-year-old Midori Nishioka as she bounces on a Conbini machine in Osaka.

While I appreciate efficiency as much as anyone else -- I hope I never get this lazy, busy or broke.

Thanks Wired.

Live Earth... really?

Article Found in the Arizona Wildcat newspaper...

"So how is a mega-concert like Live Earth supposed to stop climate crisis? Well, I can tell you how it's not: by coaxing hundreds of thousands of fans to drive or fly to arenas across the globe to see their favorite band in concert; by booking performers and spokespeople, who usually travel with an entourage by private jet or tour bus; and by encouraging viewers to stay inside on a hot summer day, flip on the AC and watch a 22-hour television broadcast while simulcasting the Internet feed from their computer."

The Point: Chill out a little, Andrew, we are trying... We just need to find new ways to connect for a cause.

Bugaboo Daytrips

Bugaboo, the creators of the ultimate (in price and performance) stroller, is already known for breaking the mold by positioning itself as an exciting brand in a rather boring category – so why wouldn’t their online experience be any different?

Recently they have tapped local artists to help create 'Bugaboo Daytrips' in select cities around the world. Discovering that today's parents desire a lifestyle that is filled with curiosity, adventure and activity, the site gives Moms and Dads ideas for kid-friendly yet hip happenings in their area.

Check out this beautiful yet very functional site – http://www.bugaboodaytrips.com/?lang=us

For Every 100 Girls...

Check out this list of statistics comparing the sexes. It's fascinating how drastic the differences can be in some areas, particularly how boys are taught to deal with their emotions and what kind of aftershocks can be assumed because of it.

http://boysproject.net/statistics.html

Wiki Power

Wikipedia most revised articles...

Top 20 Most Hotly Revised Articles
Jesus
Adolf Hitler
October 2003
Nintendo revolution
Hurricane Katrina
India
RuneScape
Anarchism
Britney Spears
PlayStation 3
Saddam Hussein
Japan
Albert Einstein
2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake
New York City
Germany
Muhammad
Pope Benedict XVI
Ronald Regan
Hinduism

Election '08

Compared to Hilary and her Celine Dion theme song... Obama looks like a winner.


Back story here

Toothpastery

A very creative Flickr user has been snapping photos of his toothpaste application before brushing each morning and evening. As far as I can tell, this whole thing started on the evening of April 22nd and has been going since.

"You can decide if this is a display of some weaknesses of tagging, or it could be conformist performance art. For the most part, I'm probably just objectifying toothpaste in an unhealthy way."

With all of the highly sophisticated ways of using web 2.0, I still love folks like this who find even the smallest things to be something they need to share with the world.

Cheers to user generated content!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toothpastery/

Mass to Niche

Avatar experiences are moving niche: Virtual Lower East Side (VLES).

"The main focus of VLES is very much geared towards the indie music scene. Artists are encouraged to register band profiles and leverage their avatars and virtual existence to connect with fans and promote their events (concerts, etc) using the VLES replica of the city."

"What you are witnessing is a ridiculously-realistic virtual version of New York City’s Lower East Side, a.k.a. the place where every angst-ridden, music-loving teenager (that means you, or maybe you a few years ago) dreams of running away to. This teensy neighborhood is so brimming over with cool bands, fun hangouts and bars, and pretty people."

OMG!

Yahoo gives us a new way to satisfy our celeb-news fix...OMG.

Love it!

Corporate Boutique - Oxymoron? Or No?

The WSJ recently covered the plans of Neiman Marcus to launch a boutique retail chain, called Cusp, in hopes of connecting with young women (20s and 30s). In a recent discussion with an office neighbor, we came to the conclusion that (at least for us) the mall has become a great spot to find basics. Ultimately however, when it comes to self-expression, we turn to more boutique operations for those items that stand out in a crowd. Fortunately such boutiques are popping up on every corner. I guess it was only a matter of time before bigger companies caught up with the small store, one-of-a-kind sales racks.

Anthropologie has been able to pull this off for quite sometime and although I hate their prices, I must say I love their clothes. Heck, I'm still in love with their kid-sister brand, Urban Outfitters (even if I am outside the target market by a few years).

People love boutique stores because their unique (not to mention you're helping out local biz). So will this trend diminish the uniqueness of boutique shopping? Who knows. Maybe it will even bring prices down a little. No? Please?

It only makes sense...

High Divorce rates=A sea of shared emotions (and commiseration)=A money making opportunity

Example: Wedding Ring Coffins

50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce, according to Jennifer Baker of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri.”

Kids these days...

While this video (created by New York Times Magazine) was a bit disturbing, it does a great job of demonstrating how kids today view money and class. I forgot what a significant role money can play in the life of a teenager -- especially when they don't have any.

CityWall

Multi-touch display in Helsinki (located in a central location for all to use)

Goals for the wall:
1.Community: Create awareness for city events and activities
2.Economy: Providing useful, dynamic content for visitors/tourists
3.Equality: Rich media for the masses

Experience

Tactile. Usable.

Cool Find of the Day

Knit-Graffiti...

I'll take my fruit with a story on the side

Dole has found an interesting way to add some personality to your produce purchases. Through their new organic program you can use a three digit code on the label to learn all about its origin.

We continue to see more and more brands offering unique experiences with their products and services - something consumers appreciate and will soon come to expect.

p.s.
I'm starting to think Pineapple is totally underrated as a fruit. It's good stuff. It's the berries who get all of the attention. Lame.

What I learned (and loved) today

1. How to make Asian peanut sauce (in 2 mins)
2. How to breathe the "Breath of Fire" (in 3 mins)
3. Really, I learned that video can be used online in a way that is neither boring nor time consuming. You can zoom it, frame it, storyboard it... or even slow mo it. At 5min. Video to fit your needs vs. video for the sake of video.
"5min is a place to find short video solutions for every practical question and is also a place for people who want to share their knowledge."

Workouts For Your Brain

No better way to describe this site than through their own words:

"Did you know that the human brain starts slowing down as early as age 30? The good news is that you can speed it up, and improve even your most basic cognitive abilities at any age. Keep your brain performing at its best with Lumosity, the brain fitness program developed by some of the leading neuroscientists in the world."

As you can see, my brain is starting to decline. Sad.

It's amazing how I suddenly feel like I need to take better care of my brain -- aka subscribe to this product. Yet before today I had no idea these types of services even existed.

Wiimbledon!

And a cult following was born...

http://wiimbledon.net/

The Future of Mobile

Another great post from our buddies over at PSFK. This video is very exciting. We've heard a lot of rumors as to how mobile will change our lives but this makes it ever so real by demonstrating just how.

One thing missing though -- all of the lovely advertisers interrupting these helpful experiences with their messaging.

I guess we can dream, eh?

Long Live the Queen

In a trend-tracking tangent I found myself flipping through Time's list of 100 People Who Shape Our World. It turns out Queen Elizabeth II has never given an interview and has "resisted the temptation to seek acceptance through reinvention."

Communication today has evolved and people have come to expect opportunities for dialogue with brands. What happens to those who still hang on to the previous model of one way communication? After all, opening up the conversation could lead to loss of control and potential criticism.

Where is the fine line between evolving with the people you serve and protecting your brand integrity?

What are we fighting for?

Blocking online ads with art-

"The AAA’s CEO is artist Steve Lambert (visitsteve.com), who was most recently in the news for a project he’s developing at Eyebeam called AddArt, “an extension for the Firefox browser which removes advertising and replaces it with art.”

Art Unexptected

"There is no point in putting Art in museums and galleries, people completely expect that now-adays".
-Andrew Andrew

The down side of efficiency

The quest for efficiency: when is it economically smart and when is it killing your workers and creative thought?

Even Toyota is suffering in spite of itself. Will Toyota's efficiency kill Toyota?

Above chart: The X axis is years, Y axis is recalls in units of 10,000. Toyota has 1,880,000 recalls in 2005. The chart compares Toyota with the recalls from the other two major Japanese automobile manufacturers.

Could this also be said about ad agencies? Selling creativity: does this inherently kill the purity of the idea? Does the efficiency factor drive us to produce under par work?

Who Said GPS Couldn't Be Fun?

Those crazy smart kids over at PSFK posted about this today and my curiosity and love for Orange mobile drove me to check it out.

This is only the newest of GPS/ Mobile/ Entertainment projects we've seen launch this year. Pioneers like Dodgeball and loopt are already experienced in this trend of geo-playing around.

Too bad my old-skool, not-so-smart phone is so behind the coolness.

Prez Debates To Be Held Online

Proof that the web has officially made its way into the lives of middle Americans.

I have to admit that although clever, I am slightly annoyed with candidates' use of MySpace to rally troops around their campaigns. However, I love this idea. It will be interesting to see which types of web 2.0 features they use to bring this event to life online. Live chats anyone?

Find out more here...