Ideas All Around

Gestural Interface Computers (Minority Report Style) "Five Years" Away

2010-02-16T21:35:00.000-08:00

g-speak overview 1828121108 from john underkoffler on Vimeo.

The New York Times' Bits Blog reports that John Underkoffler, a science consultant for Minority Report, has worked for the last decade with his company, Oblong Industries, to take the gesture-activated interface from the screen to, well, the screen. Underkoffler unveiled the interface, called the g-speak Spatial Operating Environment, at Friday's annual TED conference.

The interface has been tested for a number of applications, from virtual pottery-making at RISD, where you watch a user create a digital wire-frame pot as if using a spinning wheel, to the more intangible Tangible Media Group at MIT, where the g-stalt interface allows the user to "manipulate complex data sets with the hands".

Several computer, PC and console makers are already getting ready to release gesture-based interfaces and consumers should start seeing them sometime within the next year, according to the Times.

Source:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/minority_report_in_your_living_room_gestural_inter.php

Application Development, CHILDS PLAY!!!

2010-02-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Sikuli is a new app that makes automating as simple as taking screenshots, if you watch the video below, you’ll truly know how oldschool macros now are. Instead of programming actions, all you have to do is put screenshots of the particular UI items that you want to automate in a list and then the app will use visual cues to do whatever you want it to do. Not only does it make things much easier when actually writing scripts, but it also gives you countless options in terms of automation.

Sikuli can automate any app that has a graphical user interface, because all it has to do is recognise that GUI on your screen. That includes web apps too, Sikuli is a MIT project which means it is completely freeware and supports Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. Find out more here…

Wow: addLib | Insta-graphic design.

2010-02-04T22:32:00.000-08:00

Japan-based interactive design studio Wow Inc. just released this app that generates instant graphic design layouts—not at random, but, according to the addLib app site, based on rigorous, educated calculations. The app takes your photos and incorporates them into a visually pleasing layout by combining facial recognition tech and applying traditional graphic design theories like the grid system, the golden ratio and fractal theory.

Source:
http://creativity-online.com/news/wow-addlib/141930

Video conferencing gets an AR boost.

2010-02-04T22:21:00.000-08:00

Zugara, the company behind AR-shopping app Fashionista, recently released its latest in Augmented Reality technology, ZugStar. Short for Zugara Streaming Augmented Reality, the technology enables video chatters to share their AR experiences in real time.

The company recently integrated the tech into Fashionista, which originally enabled shoppers to try on clothes virtually using AR and then send images of their outfitted selves to their friends. Now, with ZugStar, friends can try clothes on together, kind of like being in the same virtual dressing room.

But ZugStar doesn't stop there. As seen in this demo video, the tech can also be applied to other areas such as hospitality, medicine, gaming, education and more. "Our plan is to integrate this tech not only into the shopping application but also to look at creating other prototypes," says Zugara CEO Matthew Szymczyk.

Source:
http://creativity-online.com/news/zugara-zugstar/141929

The World's Biggest Signpost

2010-02-03T22:55:00.000-08:00

The World's Biggest Signpost from adghost on Vimeo.

To Promote Nokia's Maps feature and to make a presence in the already cluttered market of Navigation Guiding Products, NOKIA came up with a very simple IDEA. The World's Biggest Signpost digitally guiding you to your destination.
A 50 meter tall interactive structure that points out people’s favourite locations all around the world. You could submit your location either trough your phone or by dropping a pin on the Good Things map, and within moments the 60 ton structure turned and pointed out the direction and distance to your location. Brilliant!

Lynx Effect: Mobile Apps

2010-02-02T22:21:00.000-08:00

BBH London has released a series of funny mobile apps as part of the Lynx “Get In There” Campaign. The first one, shown above is called “Say Cheese” and the mobile app lets you take a photo but automatically show an alternate pic of your choice after the photo is taken.
Below are two other app demos, “Spin The Bottle” where you can actually fix who you’d like it to land on and another mobile app called “Perfect Man Revealed” where ladies can fill out the key attributes they’d like in a man, from which the app then scans a database of relevant people only to find you!

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/lynx-effect-mobile-apps/

Nike (RED): Lace Up Save Lives

2010-02-02T00:13:00.000-08:00

In support of Nike and (RED)™’s partnership they launched a new campaign called: “Lace Up Save Lives” approach to fight HIV/ AIDS in Africa. Crossing the boundary between the different sports, a more representative group of world class athletes teamed up to raise awareness on the AIDS.
Didier Drogba, Andrei Arshavin, Clint Dempsey, Denilson, Marco Materazzi, Javier Mascherano, Fabio Cannavaro, Maria Sharapova and Kobe Bryant using the laces on their feet, hands and as a ball in the movie and want to encourage fans around the globe to join the Lace Up Save Lives.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/nike-red-lace-up-save-lives/

There's no I in Swedish Armed Forces.

2010-02-01T23:29:00.000-08:00

In DDB Stockholm's latest iteration of the Swedish Armed Forces online challenge, would-be soldiers are put to test on their teamwork. The agency worked with ACNE to create a multiplatform challenge in which you are connected to three other players. Success depends not just on your own brains and hand-eye-coordination, but how you put those skills to work as part of a team.

Newspaper 2.0!

2010-01-30T08:43:00.000-08:00

With the arrival of iPad, Kindle and many such Portable tablets/Netbooks in the market, is this the future of the Newspaper. The New York Times brings to you Times Reader 2.0 recreating the newspaper experience. Which means you'll discover great articles that lead to more knowledge, insight and enlightenment.

Whether you're using Windows, a Mac or Linux, in less than a minute, you get everything you'd expect from The Times in print, delivered straight to your computer.

Once you download that day's New York Times, you're good to go. It's all in your computer. No wireless or Internet connection needed.

Is this the future of Newspaper? Check out their site here

The Pepsi Refresh Project

2010-01-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

Pepsi launched the Refresh project, a grants scheme providing millions of dollars to fund good ideas, big and small, that make the world a better place. Pepsi has up to $1.3 million in Refresh grants to give out every month, ranging from $5000 through to $250,000. The social investment campaign, online at www.refresheverything.com, is being presented as Pepsi’s alternative to spending on television advertising at the SuperBowl this year.

Pepsi is collaborating with Hulu and Ford to tie the Refresh Project with an online reality show ‘If I Can Dream‘. The show, launched by 19 Entertainment, the owner and creator of American Idol, will follow five would be stars living in a Hollywood house as they try to make their way into the Los Angeles entertainment industry.

Source:
http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2010/the-pepsi-refresh-project/#more-39145

Goo Mania - Celebrating the start of Creme Egg season

2010-01-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

Cadbury Cadbury Creme Eggs has turned a gala premiere for Vertigoo into goo mayhem to celebrate the start of Creme Egg season. Creme Eggs are the best-selling confectionery item between New Year’s Day and Easter in the UK, with annual sales in excess of 200 million items and a brand value of approximately £45 million.

View the site here

Check out all the videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/CremeEggGooTube

Dodge Baby Made On Board

2010-01-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

Chrysler’s Dodge was released on the Belgian market in 2007 as THE macho car brand. In 2008, the challenge was to sell the first Dodge family wagon while strengthening the macho image of the Dodge brand. Proximity BBDO came up with the concept of “Baby Made On Board”, a play on the “Baby on Board” stickers seen in the back of many family cars. Having a family car should be seen as a sign of virility, not the end of it. The Baby on Board campaign focused on conception, inviting prospects to test the backseat of the Dodge Journey, and make a baby during the test drive. The campaign won two Promo Lions at Cannes International Advertising Festival, a Gold and a Bronze, and a Gold at the Golden Awards of Montreux in the Web/Online/Viral/CD category.

Source:
http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2009/dodge-baby-made-on-board/

World’s first music video in Excel - AC/DC

2010-01-24T13:52:00.000-08:00

The brief was to reach 30 to 40-year-old men with 'a genuine blow-out moment in these serious times'. Sony Music Entertainment UK decided to offer them a moment of rock ‘n’ roll escapism at work. Most office workers are subject to a restrictive internet policy which essentially stops them from having fun. Sony Music Entertainment UK decided to raise two fingers to the IT department by including AC/DC’s music in an Excel spreadsheet, a file type allowed through every corporate firewall. Now we just had to make the spreadsheet compelling enough for people to pass it on. To achieve this Sony Music Entertainment UK created the world’s first music video in Excel with the video playing back real time, frame by frame in ASCII.

The Great Schlep

2010-01-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

Elderly Jewish voters are a crucial voting block in Florida. In 2008, this group was beginning to lean towards John McCain. Droga5 targeted this group in a way they couldn’t refuse: by encouraging their pro-Obama grandchildren to visit and talk to them about Obama. Droga5 spread the word with a viral video featuring comedienne Sarah Silverman and a website that united, educated and inspired a younger generation to do their part. Millions viewed the video, 26,000 members united online and thousands of media outlets covered The Great Schlep. It was the first time in twelve years a democratic nominee won Florida.

LOVE DISTANCE Sagami Original 0.02

2010-01-24T13:39:00.000-08:00

GT Tokyo used a genuine long distance couple for this campaign. They ran a 1,000km marathon, and images of the two were broadcasted live on the internet for a whole month. The couple were allowed to keep in contact only through blog, TV phone and SMS messages. Thus all correspondence between the couple was displayed to the public on the internet. This also provided users with a simulation of a long distance relationship. The men's site and the women's site were created separately; on the day of completion, the two sites come together as one. And that was when the name of the client and the product was revealed.

Source:
http://awards.dandad.org/2009/categories/onln/online-advertising/25046/love-distance

MySpace Fanvideo Campaign

2010-01-21T23:33:00.000-08:00

A great way to promote its Music Section, MySpace uses technology to Get you 15 mins of Fame by integrating your Profile pic in the Music Videos of 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, N-Dubz, Florence & the Machine and Pixie Lott and more. First time ever using a competitors login access, MySpace has shown its interest in using technology to promote itself. Facebook Connect implementations have been shown to dramatically increase page views on sites with potentially viral content, so MySpace's media content, including MySpace Music is a perfect candidate for this.
Check out the Fanvideo site here

Touchless mobile interface

2010-01-05T08:22:00.000-08:00

The clever Japanese geeks (Professor Masatoshi Ishikawa and Dr. Takashi Komuro) over at Tokyo University have come up with a new interface for mobile phones. This isn’t an application which you would be able to install onto your iPhone or Android phone though. Its a completely new thing. The so far named “vision-based Input Interface” new technology enables users of the mobile phone to control the device without actually touching it, kind of like an “in air” mechanism.

This means, the device utilies the interface’s ability to recognise in 3D the motion of finger movements, thus allowing direct control of the mobile.

Sounds complicated and it probably is, but to use it looks like a piece of cake, check out the video below.

While it is very fancy and all, a major drawback is that this new interface requires your device to have a camera that video capture at 154 fps. Also it may not be very convenient and practical, afterall who would want to control your mobile in such a way when you could just touch the screen instead?

Source:
http://www.gadgetlite.com/2010/01/05/latest-technology-touchless-mobile/

iSpy Levi’s Twitter Campaign Case Study

2010-01-04T22:26:00.000-08:00

It’s the iSpy Levi’s Twitter Campaign Case Study from their innovative social play earlier this year. Levi’s sent out hand selected people in their signature jeans across Australia and New Zealand while clues were released through twitter as to their whereabouts, after following clues through out the day, all you had to do was ask the person if they were wearing Levi’s… if you were right, they dropped their pants and gave you the jeans on the spot! Very cool.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/ispy-levis-twitter-campaign-case-study/

Google Chrome Features (engineered)

2009-12-14T11:51:00.000-08:00

Possibly the weirdest promo video yet by Google, but it just might also be the coolest and most innovative! They’ve engineered real world scenes to demonstrate the key features of the Google Chrome browser. With over 250,000 views on YouTube in two days, it’s on track to top the viral video charts this week. The video reminds me of the famous Honda engineering tv ad where they created the whole ad with car parts being automated. Visit their YouTube page for more.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/google-chrome-features-video-engineered/

W+K Xmas Interactive Window Card

2009-12-10T23:23:00.000-08:00

W+K Xmas Interactive Window from ezblaine on Vimeo.

This is the Wieden + Kennedy London interactive Christmas card from last year where they setup an interactive installation on their front doors that allowed anyone to walk up and automatically have their photo taken and superimposed onto various characters in the window. You could then go online, find yourself, create a personalised christmas card and send it on to friends! Very Cool.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/wk-xmas-interactive-window-card/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DigitalBuzzBlog+%28Digital+Buzz+Blog%29

Coke Zero: Social Facial Profiler

2009-12-07T01:02:00.000-08:00

Crispin Porter + Bogusky have just launched the new Coke Zero Social Facial Profiler in an engaging campaign to promote Coke Zero’s likeness to the classic version’s taste! It’s a pretty ingenious app and allows you to sync with Facebook Connect to trawl facebook for similar faces to you using a version of a law enforcement type facial recognition software. Then to help the app’s AI, users can vote on the accuracy to build the intelligence of the app ongoing. A great way to serve up a branded digital experience. Click here to check out the website.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/coke-zero-social-facial-profiler/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DigitalBuzzBlog+%28Digital+Buzz+Blog%29

iPhone App & Viral For Insurance Campaign

2009-11-18T11:18:00.000-08:00

Dutch agency Novocortex recently launched a pretty cool viral and iPhone app game bundle called “Enless Racing” for an insurance company called Vrijverzekerd to promote their point of difference in the market of repaying the purchase price of the car in an accident. The app lets you build an endless race track with multiple iPhones, connected by blue-tooth from which you can drive the cars from phone to phone! I think this is a great little campaign bundle, you’re giving away a cool, free, branded iPhone app to anyone that wants it and combining it with a pretty catchy viral video to kick it off was a great ploy. It’s has almost 200,000 views on youtube in it’s first month.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/iphone-app-game-viral-for-insurance-campaign-for-vrijverzekerd/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DigitalBuzzBlog+%28Digital+Buzz+Blog%29

Toyota Better Together

2009-11-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

Toyota Australia is promoting their hybrid synergy drive engine with “Better Together”, a television commercial featuring two men who handle an office job with four hands, demonstrating the benefits of combining petrol and electric combustion technologies.

Better Together, shot in one take, is the end result of ten days of choreography training with two dancers. They were able to rehearse long enough to get the sequence correct and timed perfectly to fit into 55 seconds, just right for a 60 second commercial.

Source:
http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2009/toyota-better-together/

New 'Resident Evil' Trailer Offers More Than Sneak Peek

2009-11-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

Promo on Gamer Site Lets Fans Zap Zombies While Getting First Look at Latest Capcom Hit Franchise

Killing zombies from the comfort of your home has never been so easy. An online video-game trailer debuting today for Capcom's "Resident Evil" franchise brings zombie-blasting right onto the web page.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/experience-the-darkside/57808

Designer's Aid - 70 Of The Best Photoshop Actions For Enhancing Photos

2009-11-11T02:54:00.000-08:00

With Designers always working at the last minute or even smart ones who like to let the Comp do the work here's a collection of 70 Best Photoshop Actions . Hope it helps.

The compilation consist of 70 of the best Photoshop actions collected from all around the web from photo effects to actions for even creating photo borders, An essential design resource for all designers weather your an expert or an beginner.
Photoshop actions consist of a series of menu commands such as i.e. filters, image adjustments etc which can be recorded and played back this process is called a Photoshop action. Photoshop actions are perfect for novices to Photoshop simply because it allows you to apply multiple different photo effects to an image within a few seconds without having knowledge about the ins and outs of Photoshop.

Source:
http://creativenerds.co.uk/freebies/70-of-the-best-photoshop-actions-for-enhancing-photos/

Designer Bar codes

2009-11-11T02:50:00.000-08:00

Barcodes grace almost every product for sale. Given how much package real estate they command, why shouldn't they look cool?
Since 2005, D-Barcode has been creating custom barcodes for a mostly Japanese clientele. They've even begun selling their wares to anyone who wants to license them, starting at $1,500 for the design, and $200 a year for licensing. A custom or exclusive use code will run upwards of $4,000--but given that companies spend millions on designing a single package, why don't we see more detailed thinking like this? Middle managers spend weeks arguing about kerning--it'd be better if they spent more time rethinking every inch of such highly prized real estate.

Source:
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/cliff-kuang/design-innovation/japan-even-barcodes-are-well-designed

Prius iPhone App Controls Times Square!

2009-10-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

This video shows off the new Prius iPhone Campaign where users can download an app, create drawings on the fly and add content live to the massive screens in Times Square. There have been similar campaigns created with bluetooth, but nothing of this scale, location or prominence.
The iPhone App has 4 different modes, with the most interesting being this one! It’s been live in Times Square over the last few days! (via Ogilvy Blog) Created by Saatchi & Saatch LA.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/prius-iphone-app-controls-times-square/

AR going public! Burger King: BK Dollar Menu Banner

2009-10-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

No printing is necessary to activate Burger King's new augmented reality banner created out of Crispin Porter + Bogusky and showcasing the fast food giant's Value menu. Viewers can hold up any old dollar bill to their web ams and get a taste of what the greenback can buy. They can also use their faces to make like The King.

Source:
http://creativity-online.com/news/burger-king-bk-dollar-menu-banner/140052

I killed a friend

2009-10-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

13eme rue is a French Tv channel specialized in thriller, action and supense. They just launched a provocative site which, for information and warning, is rated 16+.
You start by hiring a professional killer (I suggest Monika or Oliver...) to kill one of your friend ...

You give details and a picture of your target, and one of yourself. You will then be able to watch the violent execution, as the site allows a movie personalization, via a 3D integration of the picture.
Your victim receive a mail with a link to the site, and after he has watched the video, he is invited to investigate who is behind this crime, and can possibly release a new sequence.

The send-to a-friend as well as the picture upload mechanisms are far from new, but it proves that when it is well executed it can still work. The atmosphere and the topic are sinister and immoral, and I understand it can hurt some people's feelings. Nevertheless it is consistent with the positionning of 13eme rue, and it makes no doubt it will spread among its potential target.
BETC EURO RSCG is responsible for this mass murder.

Source: http://www.adverblog.com/archives/004104.htm

Droid Does: iPhone Killer Pre-Launch Viral

2009-10-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting way to launch what Google, Motorola & Verizon are hoping to be the iPhone Killer. A home made animation (with an ‘ok’ sound track) that clearly ticks off all the things that an iPhone Doesn’t do, before ending with a weird digital static transition & web address.

It’s a massive stab at the current iPhone. But it’s all true. All things you wish the iPhone did.
It then takes you to a registration page with no more information. This video has cranked up more than 600,000 views on YouTube since it’s launch 3 days ago. The Verizon seeders are doing an amazing job! And it’s even got me interested to see what’s coming. It’s been rumored for a while, but this is the first material to come out for the phone.

This is what my alert confirmation email says: “You don’t need a smartphone, you need a supergenius in your pocket. A phone that listens better than the person on the other end of the call. Apps of every shape and size. Emails that let you know what they are before you read them. The greatest web experience on a phone. All working together to get things done. You know there’s no phone like that. And it ticks you off. But there will be. Droid is coming.”

I guess we’ll hear something more in the coming weeks on the new Droid Phone. But the campaign is pretty bold to start, so it will be interesting to see what they do with the real launch and ongoing advertising… Attack the iPhone or establish superiority? I’m now betting on both!

Hope it lives upto its expectations

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/droid-does-iphone-killer-pre-launch-viral/

To all the Twitter Fans

2009-10-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

What would you get if mixed twitter with google maps and added a lot of Trend to It!!!
http://trendsmap.com/

Check it out just to see the simplicity with which you can know what the world is tweeting about in REAL TIME! Also check the search feature which is just awesome and i guess helps you get to your destination faster!

Leave behind comments if you like it

Yahoo invites people to create and personalise Yahoo yodels

2009-10-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

This might be one of the coolest campaigns by a portal ever. Especially when its promoting itself. Yahoo has invited people to create and personalise Yahoo yodel. According to Yahoo, people can create and submit their own yodel till November 8, 2009 at YodelStudio.Yahoo.com. In addition, Yahoo is also hosting a live recording event on October 14, 2009 in Mumbai, with celebrities and musical artists to coach yodellers. The company has already organised similar events in New York City and London.

The classic Yahoo yodel was created by Wylie Gustafson and aired at the end of Yahoo’s first television commercial in May 1996. The initiative is part of Yahoo’s global ‘It's You’ brand campaign launched in September 2009.

“Based on the number of times an entry is viewed, top yodels will 'go gold,' and one submission in US, UK and India will each ‘go platinum’,” Yahoo has said, adding, “Winners will be announced during the week of November 16, 2009 and will have a chance to be featured on the Yahoo homepage and incorporated into Yahoo’s new global advertising campaign.”

Yahoo has further said that it will make donations up to $100,000 in US, £15000 in UK and $6,300 in India. For instance, for every participant recording a yodel at the Mumbai event, Yahoo will donate Rs 100 to India's Child Relief and You (CRY) organization.

Source:
http://www.alootechie.com/content/yahoo-invites-people-create-and-personalise-yahoo-yodels

Priority Mail Virtual Box Simulator

2009-10-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

With great technology comes great Responsibility to put it to proper use. When Augmented Reality hit the Media, everyone wanted to do something new on it. Many have successfully accomplished it too but many have failed to leave a mark behind. The most important thing is to make it a utility that helps us in ways no one has ever thought about.

This is where Priority Mail Virtual Box Simulator leads in a simple and effective way. Using the technology they created an app that help us to decide the size of the mail package by virtually comparing it to a 3D Model. Have a look at the video to understand it better.

DEUS: Digital Campaign Case-Study Israel

2009-09-19T00:59:00.000-07:00

McCann Erickson Israel created an interesting campaign earlier this year that I’d not heard of to date, but this case-study is pretty neat. To launch a new kids TV show about a super computer that knew all, McCann created a digital campaign that used cookies to generate personalised banners in real time (a real life DEUS) as part of a massive media buy that caused wide spread panic from parents and kids across the country!
It’s an interesting way to generate buzz about a new show. Probably borderline illegal is most countries, but enjoyable none the less! I’ve seen cookies used to sync with banner campaigns before, but I can’t remember to what extent?

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/deus-digital-campaign-case-study-israel/

PNG Optimizer

2009-09-16T11:00:00.001-07:00

Being in the Webdesign field especially in a country like India where broadband penetration is almost next to nill, its extremely useful to Optimize all graphics used in a website or animation. Hence comes the requirement of a Optimizer. Well after a lot of research i found that PNG optimization can be done to a very remarkable level using an online tool aptly named "punypng"!

Check the tool here

Playing for a change

2009-09-12T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hardly once in a while do we come across campaigns that are actually meant to bring a change in society. After the hugely successful "Free HUGS" campaign. This one shows a promising future, check the video out and visit the site for more details and to participate.

http://playingforchange.com/

Monopoly City Streets: the biggest board ever

2009-09-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

Hasbro and Google have teamed up to create the biggest game of Monopoly ever, with the board being the entire world in Google Maps. They are calling it “Monopoly City Streets“.
The basic premise is that you start out with $US3 million. Then you can roam Google Maps and buy any street in the world to build property on and collect rent. The end goal being to “beat your friends and the world to become the richest property magnate in existence”.
The game hasn’t gone live just yet – but it will soon. The first roll of the dice is on 09/09/09 so keep an eye on the Monopoly City Streets website and the updates on their Monopoly City Streets blog.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/monopoly-city-streets/

Google's 'Doodle 4 Google' Contest

2009-08-22T00:06:00.000-07:00

You know the Google Doodle right? We are talking about the artistic, funny graffiti you see on the Google Logo on its homepage on special occasions, dates or even birthdays of famous personalities. Ever wondered what goes behind the scenes and who designs those in the first place? Well, that's not what we're here for to discuss right now. Nevertheless, if we just pressed your curiosity button, you can read more on that here.
What we were here was to report a recent Google announcement regarding its Google Doodle contest for Indian school children. So, if you are currently a student in any school in India (between standards 1st and 10th), you are eligible to have your work of art displayed on the Google Homepage on Children's Day. (You know when that occurs, we believe!). All you need to do is to win this contest!

The theme of this competition is 'My India' and for your work to feature on the Google Homepage, all you need to do is to create a Google Doodle, with an India-specific theme in mind and impress the judges. As the theme says, you should create a doodle that represents India. You have many ideas to work on, ranging from India's culture to its advances in terms of science and technology.

Your friends over at Google are interested in seeing these representations of what India means to you and how you represent it using images. Since this happens to be a contest, there will be one winner whose work, apart from being featured on the Google Homepage, will also receive a brand new laptop and a help your school avail a technology grant of Rs. 1 lakh!

To apply, students can register online at www.google.co.in/doodle4google

Source:
http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Google_Announces_Doodle_4_Google_Contest/551-105721-643.html

Cannonballz: Augmented Reality Game

2009-08-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

Zugara have just launched a new Augmented Reality Game called CannonBallz which is one of the first of it’s kind where players can directly interact in a gaming environment with Augmented Reality that is also integrated with Facebook Connect to harness a load of pretty cool things.
It’s been developed as a prototype, but there is potential for this type of technology being used for “advergames” in the future. Click here to launch the game!

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/cannonballz-augmented-reality-game/

Evian’s “Live Young” Campaign Is A Viral Smash

2009-07-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

Evian has really grappled with advertising and it’s image over the past several years longing for mass appeal. It appears that Evian’s time to shine has come with the viral smash oft the “Evian Babies” rollerskating and dancing along with one of the original classic hip-hop tunes that shaped music. There was plenty of footage collected during the making of the spot as well as multiple creative iterations which can be viewed at the Evian Babies YouTube page here. A microsite was created in both English and French which can be explored here. The microsite highlights the commercial as well as Evian’s commitment to health, making a difference globally, line of products, and a chance to meet and greet with the roller babies on a personal basis.

It is really refreshing to see a new creative angle on bottled water, after all bottled water is under fire for health and environmental reasons. Although one may never see or find the Evian Live Young microsite, they are much more likely to stumble across the videos online. A true testament that great creativity can still cause viral sensations and heighten brand awareness. Not to mention rejuvionate and rehydrate a brand deprived of good marketing after all these years. Cheers Evian!

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/evians-live-young-campaign-is-a-viral-smash/

A chainsaw will save the world

2009-07-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

The tiny little green line at the end of many emails "Do you really need to print this email?" is no longer enough to prevent us from printing tons of stuffs. It was time for a new viral message to be spread, and BBH Asia Pac came up with a smart idea to drive attention back: the USB chainsaw.

It was actually an amusing hoax. The idea is that everytime we hit the "CTRL + P" button on our keyboard we are actually activating the digital chainsaw to destroy trees. We print too much, and save too little. Make sure to download the chainsaw app on your computer which will play the horrible chainsaw sound effects whenever you press "CTRL + P" on our keyboard. Just a little gentle reminder the next time we print out those one-liner emails.

Source:
http://www.adverblog.com/archives/003949.htm

New York Subway: Augmented Reality iPhone App

2009-07-18T00:33:00.000-07:00

Acrossair are launching what might be the first Augmented Reality iPhone App. Called Nearest Tube, the iPhone app for 3GS uses the inbuilt GPS + Compass to bring an augmented reality experience to your iPhone to help you find the closest subway station entrance! It works when held flat by showing you lines and directions to the nearest station or hold up at chest height and watch it put live markers in-front of you to follow! Very cool.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/new-york-subway-augmented-reality-iphone-app/

Doritos: iD3 Campaign

2009-07-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

Doritos launched a new promotional campaign where the consumer must guess what the new flavor of the brand. The campaign was created by iD3 called initials, and shall be officially launched on 21 July. Consumers will have to try the new product, entering the campaign’s site and try to guess what the flavor and the chance to compete to win 20,000 pounds. The site also contains an interactive game that will give a series of awards for consumer electronics.
You can watch the campaign trailer or click here to check out the website.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/doritos-id3-campaign/

Fanta plays with great mobile applications

2009-07-09T03:04:00.000-07:00

Fanta (Coca-Cola Company) is about to launch a very innovative campaign on mobile across Europe at the end of January. Alongside the classic goodies (wallpapers, ringtones ...), and a game, the wap site will offer original applications too.

The most amazing one must be its virtual tennis. It is the world's first 3D augmented reality tennis game, in which two phones connect via bluetooth before playing a game of tennis, using a "court" printed from http://www.fanta.eu/. Players can then use their mobile devices as tennis racquets to hit a virtual ball whose movement is determined by the angle and position of the phone.

Source:
http://www.adverblog.com/archives/003689.htm

Screensavers Race

2009-07-09T02:53:00.000-07:00

Intel Brazil created probably one of the the most original screensavers ever, take this video as an example of what is it about:

Source:
http://www.adverblog.com/archives/003702.htm

Philips vs Twitter

2009-07-05T02:38:00.000-07:00

Philips is convinced of the quality and power of it's own products, so it decide to take on any challenge for any of it's product in a new campaign called Philips Versus. Interesting twist is that the campaign is running almost fully on Twitter (@philips_vs).

Basic idea is that you tweet your (most crazy) idea about what a Philips product should take on, and the chosen idea wins the 21:9 Cinema TV and will be produced. To give some inspiration, a couple of ideas are already produced by responsible agency Tribal DDB, as you can see on the supporting campaign website.

Source:
http://www.adverblog.com/archives/003927.htm

Coke Lights sings a song

2009-07-05T02:09:00.000-07:00

Here in Italy Coca-Cola Light has launched a karaoke website which invites women to sing a Duffy song in front of a webcam in order to share it with the world.

Even if my very first reaction was pretty negative, I think the project is based on a good idea which simply doesn't fit Coke. What I mean is that while I was watching the videos my mind went to more epical tracks like for example We Are The World or Bohemian Rapsody. So the website makes you want to sing (or at least try to) in front of a webcam and has a good viral potential, but Duffy's song doesn't fit. Imagine the same karaoke idea applied to the promotion of a new album by Madonna, Robbie Williams or, even better, to drive some energy back to a record label.

The agency is Scholz & Volkmer.

Source:
http://www.adverblog.com/archives/003934.htm

Volvo S60 Concept Car - the race simulator

2009-07-05T01:56:00.000-07:00

This is the oddest thing Volvo has ever made - a free flash game of its new upcoming S60 concept car. No, this isn't just a race car game but a very good simulation of how the car will drive; very GTRish!

Don't be surprised if you suck at the game, as any simulation type game requires a lot of practice, but the fact that it's in a flash form doesn't give the feel of a serious simulation even though it is at first.

Not only is the car real, so are the tracks with the "Eco Drive Arena" in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the Chayka race track in Kiew, Ukraine. Typical game modes include competing against computer AI and best lap-times against yourself or better, against players from around the world through internet multiplayer.

There seems to be a shift in trend with a surge of simulators from fancy car makers such as Mercedes and BMW. These car manufacturers are aiming at attracting fat around the middle and definitely fat in the wallet kind of men, by offering these games free and install free in the form of flash games. A nice way to market their product and give a free trial!

other similar games by companies

http://www.volvocars.com/intl/All-Cars-MY09/conceptcars/Pages/S60concept.aspx
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/mseries/m3coupe/2007/experience/game/content.html
http://flashgamesite.com/play1205game.html

Source:
http://www.techtree.com/India/Guides/Freeware_Five/551-103949-584-5.html

The Dark Knight Viral: Why So Serious? Case Study

2009-06-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

This is The Dark Knight Viral “Why So Serious?” Case Study. The “Why So Serious?” campaign won the Cannes 2009 Cyber Grand Prix in the viral category. It was a huge global success, with over 10 million unique players participating! It was created by 42 Entertainment.

Source:
http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/the-dark-knight-viral-why-so-serious-case-study/