Archive for Cool videos
Top ten consumer trends for 2011
I am an avid follower of consumer trends, and I advise my clients to be as well.
Here is a terrific video I found on YouTube from JWT. It has several interesting elements I found particularly comforting, like the fact that human downtime and relationships still matter even as we become more and more attached to technology. (There’s even a mini-trend to de-tech!)
Comments are always welcomed! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Consumers, trendwatchers roast tweeting refrigerator
This begs the question: Just because you can, does it mean you should?
Samsung’s new over-the-top refrigerator can play Pandora radio music, send tweets, check your Google calendar and more, but attendees at the Consumer Electronics Show 2011 think it may be overkill.
Check out this video from Mashable.com on the Wi-Fi-enabled appliance:
The International CES ended yesterday and is the world’s largest consumer technology trade show featuring 2,700 vendors. The Samsung booth grabbed a lot of attention for its new fridge, but I wouldn’t say all of the publicity was negative.
I wouldn’t mind pulling up a recipe or grocery list from my favorite websites, but tweets? Most of us can do that from our mobile phones! What do you think?
Tummy Time keeps this brand in the pink
How can you increase your online buzz by 200 percent? Crank up your social media AND your color!
It worked for Pepto Bismol. The digestive relief medicine’s TV and print budget was drastically slashed this year, so that a new social media effort could attempt to do what the Old Spice brand did with its “Smell Like A Man” campaign.
Up until last summer Procter& Gamble spent up to 90 percent of its ad spending on traditional media, but in July the company dropped that to 10 percent to spend the bulk on digital media. You’ve probably seen the innovative ads on Facebook and web videos. The star of these ads is the actor from last year’s hit film The Hangover, and features the actor sitting inside a large stomach bringing the Pepto relief via a vibrant pink spray.
In addition to the familiar pink tonic, the ads touch on something most of us are familiar with this time of year:
Overindulgence!
The results have been comforting for P & G with increased sales and volume that the company hasn’t seen in years.
The indulgence theme doesn’t end after the holidays. The company says it will continue its social media campaign until well into 2011. Stay tuned!
What Nanotechnology could do for mobile communications
Nokia Research Center and Cambridge Nanoscience Center are now nearly two years into their unique partnership to develop new ideas around nanotechnology–including this Morph Wrist Mode concept. Check out this two-piece bracelet that can change its shape to adapt to your needs–yet can be rigid when you need it to be.
Here is a scriptless Morph demonstration of how scientists and technology developers might use nanotechnology to deliver more flexible materials and transparent electronics in the future:
Here’s more information on Morph and nanotechnology from Nokia.
Photo credit: Nokia press photos
Friday Fun: Would you wear this shirt?
I came across a fun-looking t-shirt the other day that got me thinking. If a shirt can contain a hidden camera, what could someone do with that potentially-invasive technology? A company called Think Geek created the Electronic Spy Camera Shirt which allows you to take pictures of people–and they won’t even know you’re doing it. The shirt retails for $40.
The upbeat company has a huge product line that is definitely geared toward the younger crowd. With that in mind, here’s how Think Geek is marketing its invention. Enjoy:
Google TV and the network big three
This week we’re hearing more on the strife between Google and television’s major networks, ABC, CBS and NBC and Google.
The Big 3 are blocking some of their most-watched and beloved shows from being watched on Google’s new Web-TV service, Google TV.
Google TV was launched in May, and allows us to search for and watch television programs through the Internet.
Here’s a great explanation of what Google TV is, and how it works.
Check out this video from Google released at it’s launch this past May:
Worries of pirating or just getting lost in the vast Internet universe isn’t stopping HBO, MTV or TBS from maximizing Google TV. But you won’t be able to watch episodes of NBC’s “The Office,” CBS’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” or ABC’s “Modern Family.”
The station executives have said that the service will change forever the existing broadcasting business. I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing, or that the Big 3 will be able to stop the inevitable.
Shopping in the future
In two more days Cisco is unveiling its vision for Borderless Networks, along with a cool new video that shows end-users what the future of shopping might look like very soon. Here’s a sneak peek Cisco is showing the world today:
London Gets a Boost in Innovation: The New Masters Program at City University London
London may be getting a boost in innovation with an exciting new innovation training program, the “MICL” (pronounced like “Michael”), short for Masters in Innovation, Creativity, and Leadership, a masters degree program offered at City University London. See http://creativity.city.ac.uk/ for details. The program involves the arts, business, law, social science, and informatics. Looks like a good cross-disciplinary blend.
As the University began building this program, they got a quick taste of some of the realities of innovation as the economy shuddered and forced new approaches in light of economic reality. This was viewed as an opportunity for creativity–very healthy–and the result is the subject of this entertaining Youtube video they created.
Hats off to City University London and best of luck with the MICL!
Friday Fun: What Motivates You?
If you haven’t seen this yet, take a look. This is a great example of how to inspire your people to be more innovative by helping them work in their “sweet spot.”
Enjoy!