When you have slow Friday

Dearest readers, I know this is Friday again and it is the time where you kept on glancing on the clocks and silently urge it to tick faster. It is not in my case today but if you are very bored than I will suggest you to visit ColorFlip.com. Warning though, it only works in an awfully bored condition.

Google's Android

I love technology, I can't live without it but sometimes when they are too complex, I rather leave it to the experts. However, this has to be one of the coolest emerging technology. Look at the 3D Google Map! WOW! It does remind me a bit to Apple's iPhone.

Some Photo's of the Day

When Polaroid announced that they are stopping their instant film production, I felt an uncertain pang of sadness. Sure digital compact will make sharper images, might even be faster with the current wireless photo printer, but Polaroid has a certain nostalgia. I admit though that I rarely use my polaroid camera (courtesy to Da Fonz' granddad) however I always like the smudgy colour pictures that you can only get from polaroid. Today I found a blog where a fellow kept on taking polaroids everyday for 18 years. The pictures range from his daily mundane activities, birthday parties to the effect of cancer towards him. It is just amazing to browse through because each pictures are put chronologically and you can follow his story: Some Photos of That Day.

Facebook Gangsta

This is soooo not connected but when I found this video, I can't help sharing it especially with those who have facebook account. Does it hit a bit too close to home for comfort?

Facebook Gangsta from Facebook Gangsta on Vimeo.

Pushing hoax?

There are news going out that the Biggest Drawing Project from Erik Nordenankar is a fraud. The self-portrait was allegedly created by tracing the GPS route taken by a special suitcase on its 55-day journey around the world. The case was given to DHL with exact co-ordinates detailing the stages of its tour but after bloggers pointed out holes in the project, DHL confirmed that the project was completely fictional. To read the complete news, just drop by to the Telegraph.

Twittering about

This morning, Mr. P, my boss came up with questions about Twitter. It baffles him how it can be so popular, and even more confusing is why somebody wants to know what he is doing 24/7. In the end, we decided that I am going to prepare Twitter 101 for him so here is some info from Twitter FAQ:
What is it?
Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Bloggers can use it as a mini-blogging tool.
How do I use it?
Tell us what you’re doing in 140 characters or less! Send your thoughts, observations, and goings-on in your day. Whether you’re “eating an apple” or “looking foward to the weekend” or “Heading out of town” it’s twitter-worthy. Join us here. All of your personal information including your phone number is, of course, confidential.
But… what is the point?
As it turns out, your best friend is probably interested in knowing if you’re “loving the new Radiohead album.” And yes, your Mom may want to know if you’re “skipping breakfast in favor of a latte.” You might want to know if your significant other “feels like taking a roadtrip.” Find out what your friends are doing; keep each other abreast of your quotidian rituals.
To me personally, Twitter is more like a social-networking + micro-blogging service. I find quite convenient too because users can send tweets to the Twitter website, text message (SMS), instant messaging, or external application like Twitterrific or Facebook. But what is so great about Twitter? Well, some people post a really mundane things like "I have just eaten apple", but we can also use Twitter in a bigger scope. Let say it is like a simple group-SMS service, so instead of emailing or posting a blog, I can simply tweet a new cool link that I have just found and my friends (or followers) would be immediately updated.

On the business side, if you have built a Twitter credential, just like the way of bloggers, you will have a very good tool to advertise and reach your followers. For example you have just written an article, then you tweet the link and inadvertently helps to increase the traffic to your article. You can subtly endorse certain brand without doing the personal mouth-to-mouth tradition. Free online advertising and brand channeling comes in 1 easy form. Many companies started to make use Twitter to reach their audience: the American presidential candidates use it for publicity, CNN is beginning to break news with Twitter, Tennis Channel is hyping French Open with Twitter, and so forth. So what can I say? Twitter is going to open a new way of marketing.

VW golf convinces me

I think that IF I am going to buy a car, I am going to buy VW Golf Variant only because of its Park Distance Control. I am a terrible when it comes to parking (lets don't go to the stereotype of girls are bad driver), but I admit that I have a pretty bad spatial placing ability compared to other people in general so this ads totally convinces me that they can help me.

Tag Galaxy: 3D tags for your FlickR

In Tag Galaxy you can browse through FlickR pictures in 3D form. Just enter a tag, choose the planets with the tags that you want to see and then "view photos". Sit back and lets the website works its magic. Isn't this a glorious visual orgasm?

Productive Monday

It is Monday again readers, we are back to the daily grind so to kick start our week, here are several ads executions which made it through JulS' radars.
I wonder what is this kid listening to? Hip-hop? Rock? Pop?

Geek alert!

Deep down, I have always know that I have a bit of geek inside me. It has not always been there but sometimes geeky-me peeks out to play in special occasion. Today my inner geeks came out when I stumbled upon ToonsTravel, a website that acts as a image portal (like FlickR) but with a twist: every picture that is posted should contain one of your favourite cartoon figurines! They are surprisingly quite good and creative. Sharing your holiday/travel pictures are fun but adding the figurine gives the extra spice.

Rafael Nadal vs Alien Tennis Match by Kia Motors

The post is involving Nadal/tennis again but this is one of the most bizarre viral video I have ever seen. I don't know whether I should be laughing or wincing when I played it over again. Obviously I would hate it if I don't share my bizarre experience with you. Enjoy and tell me what you think kay?

Twennis

Do you remember Twistori that I mentioned a few weeks ago? Well now in the anticipation for French Open, there is Twennis (courtesy to Tennis Channel) which is fed with all tennis related twitters. From "OMG I just saw Nadal in airport" to "Just won Nintendo Wii tennis. Kick ass!", this website is definitely suitable for tennis maniacs who want to follow the matches in different way :-)

Shiatsu Kotsukan: press to relax

I am one of those people that enjoy popping bubble wrap, it is just fun and relaxing when I hear the 'pop' sound. So when I see this poster from Shiatsu Konsukan, I can relate with the message that they are trying to say. I think I will even get one this weekend, I have been sitting for too long in front of the computer ...

The Biggest Drawing in the World

Think big. That is how Erik Nordenankar thinks. As part of his graduation project he created the world's biggest drawing just using gps in a suitcase. With helps from DHL, the suitcase was being sent around the world for 55 days and the path that the suitcase took became the stroke of drawing. I wonder if DHl pays him any money, after all it is a good viral promotion for them.

Chevrolet's jab on Citröen dancing car

Citröen's break dancing transformer car might be cool, but the folks in Chevrolet think that you should get real. Low jab but hey everything goes! Especially when the rise of gas price is hitting everyone quite hard, it would have taken quite a bit of your gas if your car kept on dancing :-P

Sexy Subaru: Japanese SUVS Just Got a Little Sexier

Sex sells. Everyone knows it. However on this climate, companies have to tread carefully in this line so they do not appear to be misogynist and alienated certain segment of their customers. Cars are especially tricky because in their long standing history, they have always been targeted towards male population. Remember Paris' commercial for Carl's Jr. Burger? It was so 'hot' that it was banned from television. Well replace Paris with a group of Sumo wrestlers and this is what you get ....

PS: They are also running a micro site for this campaign. There you can join the competition to snap your sumo wrestler in his sexiest pose. Here is mine ;-)

Nutri Grain: bring back the office tea trolley

Kellog's Nutri-Grain has just launched an online campaign to bring back the office tea trolley in UK. It seems that it is a much missed tradition and the campaign has a dedicated micro site that urges visitors to create a workplace petition, check out the video, in addition to the opportunity of winning a tea trolley for the office and a weekend break for two. So far there has been 235 visitors who signed up and the movement seems to be growing. Obviously Kellogs would suggest that you to take your tea with Nutri-Grain: a clever way of promoting their products while pushing for the revival of a familiar activity to the society.

Super Chill Monkey Does Hollywood

Do you still remember the Levi's (obvious) viral video called "Guys back flip into jeans"? The same agency has also brought another viral video but this time it is starred by Rocky, the Orang Utan! Just like every struggling actors in Hollywood, Rocky goes to audition and has to eat cheap food, however he is also connected with his mobile phone technology. So whats the giveaway to Levi's stealth campaign? It is the emphasis on Rocky's cute red tab jeans.

5 minutes evolution

So what is the difference between a man and a human? Braun knows and can show you :-)

Extinction timeline

Let see what the futurist trend watcher has to say about the general progress of our civilisation...

Local attraction

This morning, my friend sent me a picture of a guy hanging around on a 'skyscraper' in the city of Rotterdam. After a couple minutes of googling (bless this technology), I found out that this giant human nest is made by Benjamin Verdonck. He has done this installation (the Great Swallow) before in Brussel but he is going to be hanging around his gigantic nest until the 22nd of May. I was told that this is part of his protest so people would stop chopping off trees and let birds come back to city, however I am not 100% sure.

Fila Viral

I am busy these days so I will just share with you a brief popular viral video from Fila with a touch of tough gangster.

This could get ugly

I always love ads with a good dose oh humor in it, any thing that makes you smile is a good thing right? The execution from Power Horse Ads tickles my fancy, especially the one with the kindergarten children. Coming from big family (I am the eldest), I know what kind of hell that can break loose if you are surrounded by super energetic children in sugar rush.

Nike: Cool Under Pressure

One word: Crazy! The stun that they do ... Just check Cesc Fabregas Show

Coolspotters

Coolspotters is a good complementary site for those who are quite obsessed with their celebrities. Do you want to know what kind of car Reese Witherspoon is driving? Then you don't have to spend your money on buying all of the gossip rags, you only have to follow your favourite celebrities in Coolspotters to find out which products they used (and you can even contribute to the site). In a way I supposed this is a good way if your products are out there with "accidental" celebrity's endorsement but sometimes certain companies don't want to be associated with certain celebrities. Remember what happened with Burberry and WAGs and chavs?

Brand tags and Celebrities tags: the answer

Hi, as promised last Friday, I will give you answers to our guessing games. The first one is McDonald and the second one is Jessica Simpsons. Did you get it right?

Twistori

Before I have to leave you for my weekend, I would like to share with you Twistori, a social experiment based on Twitter and inspired by Jonathan Harris' We Feel Fine. Just like We Feel Fine, you can read what people love, hate, think, believe, feel, and wish in real time. It is a good way to spend your boring day, it even could be inspiring.

Brand tags and Celebrities tags

Curious to see what people think a brand is? The idea behind Noah Brier's project is to find out just that. The Brandtags project will expose visitors to a logo and they are requested to tag the first word that cross their minds. When you get bored of tagging brands, you can even try guessing a brand from what people tagged it. Noah Brier also has the celebrity version although it is not as popular as the brand tags. Now, I am going to leave you with Friday guessing game: which brand is the first one and which celebrity is the second one. I will reveal the answer next Monday ;-)

Googling for the eggcident

Several months ago, Henk Hoftra was so desperate to be featured in the Goggle Earth that he painted a fake urban river along the street of Drachten in the Netherlands. Apparently it was a big hit, so this time he is doing another gigantic street mural in city of Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. A few massive fried eggs could be seen for another 6 months in the city (a 30 metres of white painted base and a raised yellow bubbles as the yolk), but you can always try to find it in the Google Earth :-) I wonder if this is going to be the new trend; creating something so huge that it can be picked up by Google Earth.

Disturbing social message

There are more and more ads out there which are pretty disturbing on its nature. I suppose by shocking people, they hope that the message comes across stronger leaves bigger impressions. Problem is, there are some which are so disturbing that it is no longer about the message. However there is one anti-smoking campaign that I like. The idea is simple, they installed a lung x-ray on a cigarette bin and you can see all of the discarded buds inside. I am not a smoker but even that leaves a bitter taste on my mouth.

Apple's video: again and again

After Levi's not-so-subtle video, now the online community is being lured by the Bird and the Bee's Again and Again music video that to show case Apple Mac Leopard OS's abilities. The video cleverly edited by a digital filmmaker Dennis Liu and so far there are quite many fascinated viewers!

Competing for attention

I read somewhere that if you live in big city like London, once you wake up, you will be bombarded with 2-3 products every 1 minute of your waking life. People is constantly being bombarded with advertisements that they are desensitized and accustomed into having small attention time span. So what to do if you are one of the companies trying to compete for their attentions? Some of them are going to such length that you (innocent passerby) can no longer ignore them. Pantene is demonstrating that their shampoo can help to make your hair as strong as Rapunzel's. Strong enough to hoist your very own prince charming! Friskies' tryvertising is not aimed to human but it is good enough to gain attentions.

Levi's viral video

This is pretty old but I still don't get Levi's (pretty obvious) viral video. Are they going to sell more jeans with it? I supposed people just enjoy watching another people doing another amazing/silly feats but I can't help but cringe every time they acrobat (jump, backflip, and so forth) into the jeans. It must be painful for your err crotch. Just watch and judge it yourself.

DIY Hermes Kelly Bag

Hermes Kelly Bag is the IT bag, any fashionistas worth their salts know it. You know it and I know it, but unfortunately not all of us are lucky enough to own one. For those who are desperate enough to have one, now you can make one by yourself! Just go Hermes website: download the pattern, print, cut, fold, glue, and then personified your very own paper Hermes bag ;-)

Big Brother is watching you

Dear readers, I wonder if Bluetooth application is the new de rigeur in the advertising world? After the exciting use of that technology in China, today I found another campaign who is doing Bluetooth technology too, but this time, it is to launch the Big Brither 2008 reality tv in Australia. They installed Bluetooth transmitters in over 20 high-traffic bus shelters around the town which then will automatically send 2 anonymous SMS to anyone standing within the range. The first message is tailored following each location and the second message (sent 30-40 seconds later) is to reveal. Funnily, I have always felt that we are turning into a Big Brother society, with all of the CCTV and new speak, but this campaign really hits the heart of my paranoid concern!

Slow Friday

It is Friday again! Yippee I am so looking forward to the long weekend. Picnic or a trip to the beach is high in my to-do list but before that, I want share several ads that caught my *wink*eye*wink*. There is a beautiful Heineken print ads showing how Heineken is made to entertain and the second one comes from Samsung: Express Yourself campaign. I am especially enamored with the Samsung's campaign that brilliantly constructed familiar hand gestures with Samsung mobile phones. Anyway enjoy!

Dove's Beauty Campaign is a fake?

I am so surprised after I read the news that allegedly the women in Dove's earlier campaign for Real Beauty were retouched! Pascal Dangin, a retoucher (supposedly for the campaign), told The New Yorker: “Do you know how much retouching was on that? But it was great to do, a challenge, to keep everyone’s skin and faces showing the mileage but not looking unattractive.” As one of the girls with curves and not-so smooth skin, I can relate with Dove's Real Beauty campaign and I believe that is how most of Dove's customers feel. If it is true then it is a bit ironic and a major PR disaster for Dove, especially after their Dove Evolution viral video. But then Dove has been having problem with their Onslaught campaign, in one hand they are criticizing the distorted images in Beauty Campaign, however Axe (who shared the same mother company: Unilever) has always used buxom women in their sexually charged ads. Plus there is a matter with Greenpeace that claims Unilever's palm oils purchasing practices have killed many Orang Utan in Indonesia because the rain forest is being cleared out for palm oils plantation.

New kind of music

Another busy but beautiful day. I kept on forgetting to share this 'music video' courtesy to one of my colleague Ben. Unknowingly, these music geeks had been busy developing new experience for us, common people. I am aware of a laser harp but this definitely take it to a new level and although it is not my type of music, this is quite impressive dude!

Talking about shoes, I found an interesting campaign from Nike in China following the summer Olympic fever. Regular passer-bys receiving Bluetooth signals from Nike closest billboards, and then they will receive messages to run to the closest Nike store where the second Bluetooth signal will record their time. Everyday during the length of Nike Zoom campaign, the store gave away a different pair of running shoes for the fastest person. Apart from the annoying message (if you don’t feel like running) and the creepy Big Brother-ish feeling, I like the idea of technological approach. I even hope that they will try to run the campaign outside China.

Call for fashionable orthopedic shoes

Dear beloved readers, have I told you that women shoes are currently the bane of my existence? I have stay at bed today because I can’t even walk without feeling a searing pain up on my left heels. Apparently my flat supposed-to-be sensible shoes are not properly fitted, the soles are too thin and they do not provide adequate support (said the expert). This is when I thought that I am being wise by not wearing high heels too often! I will have to resort into wearing orthopaedic shoes or gel pad to soften the pressure. Imagine the horror of wearing those ugly shoes! Why can’t we have fashionable pretty shoes which are friendly towards our general health? The cutest one that I can find (bless the miracle of internet connection) is a ballerina from Crocs, but can’t we have any other options? What if I need dressier shoes? Give me more choice!

Scrabble

The second express post is about Scrabble, one the most popular traditional board game (now also available in digital version). I learned a lot of new English vocabularies by playing it with my sister and I will definitely vote it as one of my favourite game along with Lego ☺. So what is the news? Well, it is about one their latest ads that I love! Especially because they embody the very essence of words playing scrabble.

Express Post on HP Ripped Sidewalk Standee

OMG, I can’t believe that how much I missed out. Holiday is always fun but it is such a pain when you come back and have to catch up! Anyway, I will just be really brief with this post, so much info but so little time. First one is this Hewlett Packard’s latest gimmick to show that the qualities of their printers almost resemble the real thing. I know that this is soooo last week but I can't help it. Don’t you think that it is very clever? It will definitely rouse my curiosity or at least reminds me to a bad case of partying too hard.