Monday, September 29, 2008

Search by Color?

That's right. You can now go to the online photo sharing site, Flickr, and can search by an assortment of primary colors.

You can currently search any online sharing site for photos in a multitude of ways including by users, keywords or tags, by region or city, and even by most recent updates. But now, it's seems the tougher task to search by color has been added to the services provided by Flickr. The Multicolr Search Lab is a fantastic tool that does an excellent job of finding great images based on the colors you select. You can select up to 10 colors to search and it quickly grabs those images in real-time.

This was totally worth it. A screen cap of my personal color selections.

Making Use of the Censor

Axe Deodorant and agency VegaOlmosPonce, VOP, Argentina get provocative so-to-speak. When you couldn't think censoring could be so suggestive.



The ability to take simple pixels and turn them into a tastefully made advertising spot gets the creative mind to think outside of the box. Take that FCC! After you find out what the little squares symbolize, watch this video again and see how much this guy really gets censored – the pool, the front walkway, even his car!... And that brings up the question, can we censor our own lives?

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Power Restored!

This has got to go down as the longest blog ever. Grant it this is probably a total of about 10 days of a blog journal, but I need someone to look this up on the WWW and get back to me on that. I have been keeping a daily journal of the power outage that I have cleverly termed – Blackout '08. In case you didn't know Hurricane Ike, hit Ohio as a Tropical depression, and Dayton Power & Light, our utility provider, did not do such an upkeep job at getting everyone in the Dayton area their power back in a timely fashion. It lasted for 12 days for my cohorts and I. Some of the language gets a little vulgar near Day 9, the struggle had me at the breaking point then. Enjoy.


TROUBLE IN DAYTON '08 – Day 03
We get it, we are out of power. It's not the end of the world, but can I get a little light. I have been playing jokes on my roommates. Since I have the only flashlight, I tend to move things around the house. Occassionally, I dress up in all black and I stalk them in the shadows, by shadows I mean the pitch black house that I live in. I'm a ninja, I move in silence. I'm also recruiting for partner in crime, the last one failed me.




POWER OUTAGE OF '08 - Day 04
Being able to live humane has come increasingly difficult, I had to lower my standards. Although we have gotten to know more people in my neighborhood, things are probably going to get worse as the days linger.

We managed to cook all the food in our freezer in one afternoon of debauchery for about five guys and still waste 3 gallons of milk. Why did we have 3 gallons of milk you asked? Because it does a body good damnit.



The original Got Milk?

BLACKOUT '08 UPDATE – Day 05
I have increasing lost the will to maintenance my hygiene. I wake up so early for work I can't see what I'm doing in the bathroom, so I stay away from holding anything sharp to my face. I don't want to come home in the dark so I stay late somewhere where I can cypher energy and have light! Thanks Jon for the days of putting up with me in your office. But when I do come home, I stumble to the bathroom only to sit in a dusky lit room listening to the sounds of nature while I try to shower and use the facilities, and unsuccessfully reading the newspaper because it's still pitch black. It feels like I'm camping in a giant bungalow with Gilligan.

A flashback to an old McDonald's ad from 1988.



NOT HAVING POWER OF '08 - Day 06
Well, another night of darkness. And I'm not being precocious about it either. I have one flash light, one, for like four dudes. I was sick of going out and spending money on nourishment that I decided to cook some soup on the stove....I think I fell ill from the hot/cold soup that I thought would be good. So now I starve, or go to Jimmy's to charge my phone and have a liquid diet. I feel compelled to turn off lights at places where I go too because it just doesn't seem right to be in a room well lit by an energy source that I am not fond of at the moment. Roommates are breaking down and staying where they can find a power source to have the faint whispers of a television to ease them to bed. I don't blame them, with the sounds of nature and raccoons pillaging around at night, it's difficult as shit to get a decent rest. These are the ways that I have been able to cope with sleep:
1. Get extremely drunk and pass out (Very costly)
2. Take some drowsy medication on top of getting drunk and passing out (Not as costly)
3. I leave my DS on all night so I can listen to the sounds of Electroplankton (Cheap.)

Nintendo DS commercial:


NO ENERGY '08 - Day 07
So there are conflicting stories that DP&L has said that 95% of people will have power back by Sunday, but those remote power outages, i.e. the Speakeasy, may be without power for 3-4 weeks. 3-4 weeks? What do you think this is, why do I have to rely on one company for my energy resources.

Last night I was tired of going to Jimmy's Cornerstone and spending 20 bucks a night, so I decided that I would only spend 5 bucks...a pint of Old Crow Bourbon Whiskey. I sat on my front porch, drank that warm, had my ipod playing the best of T. Monk and Miles Davis. I finally got smart and picked up an assortment of lanterns and maglites. It makes me feel like I have some light source. Picture a flashlight that has the power of 1,000,000 candles.

Because I'm in the mood for some Jazzy music, here is the Nike commercial featuring Marvin Gaye that aired during the China Olympics you might have seen.



On a side note, check out BINGenuity, for my associate's blog on her adventures volunteering at the Olympics.

NO POWER CRISIS '08 – Day 08
Last night's main event involved Greg and I creating a drinking game that involves making ridiculous text messages to random people in our cell phones, we were able to incorporate a deck of cards and it turned out to be quite amusing. I happen to believe Greg was fortunate enough to pick your number, but we managed not to make complete fools of ourselves. DP&L got the number down to 49,000 from 300,000 without power. I can see that number dwindle down to about 1500 and we would still be in that number without any source of energy.

I think I'm getting sick because of not having electricity. I would suspect that there was a study taken about how having a light source keeps your morale up. What keeps my morale up is having the ability to take a hot shower. I could cry because it feels so good, but I don't because I have to be strong for those who do not have power.

We also got carried away with some shadow puppets with the lanterns before the batteries died...



Old Commerical for the Volkswagen Phaeton.

Hilarious quote by Dave Chappelle: "When white people lose power they PANIC. When black people lose power they PLANNED IT."

DP&L FAILURE '08 - Day N9NE
** expletive deleted **

ENERGY DISASTER '08 – Day 10
Day 9 was rough, but last night I was able to cope very well. I ran my ipod all night on some little speakers with a snake light wrapped around the foot of my bed to give an illuminating glow to my room. Although nothing beats a warm fire to build morale as well. Last night sitting on my couch I realized how I totally take for granted the sounds of nature without a TV blaring or the sounds of instruments in the band room. However, that still doesn't stop a few gunshots and sirens constantly astirring in my neighborhood. Here are a few new acronyms for DP&L:

Deceiving Public Life
Dayton Power we Lack
Dayton Pathetic & Lame
Dayton Plunder on Lights
Defective Potential Lights
Dayton Candle and Lantern

Apparently in the "Grunge of the Nati" over 1.2 million were without power, but the utility company down there were able to get to the majority without power. The lack of talent prevails here in the "Dirt of the Gem".

You be the judge:



CAMP OUT '08 – Day 11
Yeah, that's 11, not 1+1. Can you sense my ability to calculate the magnitude. There is hope though Jake. I saw three road crew trucks head down my street this morning on my way to the Springs. They turned down Squirrel so all my eggs are in the basket for tonight. If they fail me, you know what I'm going to do? OH man!, these corporate wigs are going to get..... a letter.

That's right, I'm going to type it professionally in bold helvetica font, using the power of words to convey my emotions and print it on some stock paper. Sign it, stuff it, and seal it. Addressed to the corporate fat cats. It will sound something like this...



Yes, similar to the answers I received from DP&L.

NO SIGN OF POWER '08 – Day 12
The definition of sulk – To be sullenly aloof or withdrawn, as in silent resentment or protest. Under the low grumbles of my undertone I am inevitably going to be without power until next week. Camping has been nice, but a little light can really brighten the day. I think my skin tone is quite pale now. I see why hermits usually have that ill look to them because they live in the dark.

My hopes were dashed when I got home last night to see those trucks still working on the same street. That's over 12 hours on what couldn't be more than 4-6 houses. So tonight we are going to hold a sayance with our Ouija board and get some answers!

All other large utility companies have restored power in the other counties, but welcome to Montgomery County, least amount of people in a large county to lose electricity, but still the most without. I'm just going to have to pour some gasoline on the utility pole and burn that SOB down.

I can literally see us being the last 4 to get power. If this was a reverse lottery, we'd be banking...but then would have to pay DP&L for the rate hikes.

Here's part of my personal advertising sulk.



Although this sign has more of a political statement behind it than mine...Five Oaks knows how to advertise!



In case the statement above is too small. It states, "This Community is Dead Already. We Need Leadership to Rebuild This Community. Too Many Run Down Houses Need to be Torn Down."

Really catches your eye. Only after viewing this picture on my blog, I saw the abandon house behind the sign. Classy.

****WE INTERRUPT THIS NEWS CAST WITH A NEWS UPDATE****

With a flick of the switch. We have the power! No more sitting in the dark.

Some of the positives that have came out of my trail and tribulations:
1. My mom has definately cooked me some good hot meals along the way
2. Flexibility – I've been able to see how I can cope without electricity, like they didn't have owe some 100 years ago.
3. Was nice to see the neighborhood come together in this time of desperation
4. I can grow a mean beard and on top of that I have been told my beard brings out my eyes.
5. I finally got to go camping this year.
6. Got cable credits since I couldn't use their services

Some negatives:
1. I DID NOT HAVE POWER.
2. Spent too much on eating out.
3. The sulking.
That is all.

Thanks for following along with me. I'd have looked back at this entry and found that I should be more prepared. I could definately chart my optimism by each day, probably peaking around day 8 or 9. Thankfully I get to watch The Office tonight too!

"That's what she said!"

Here is a video my friend found that made him think of me. Charlie Brown never fails, Thanks Jake.

Friday, September 19, 2008

So Relaxed

Due to the power outage, it occurred to me that I might have to move into a hotel to survive without power. But with the availability of hotels in the area, how would one like to lure me in, perhaps promoting the comfortability? Extended Stay Hotels and ad agency Toy, New York, do just that.



I guess to appeal to the those who think that fart jokes are still hilarious this would suit them, but this is quite for the flatulent humor. I would not want to stay in a bed or in fact a room that was being farted on, but I guess there could be worse...alot worse! Revert back to my previous post on cleanliness, if comfortability doesn't suit your Hotel needs.

For those suffering from the devastation of Ike, there is always hope. Thanks Laura for little amusement.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

More Bang for Your Buck

I attended a Greater Dayton Ad Association Lunch and Learn session this afternoon.



The presenter, Clay Campbell, presented on the topic, "Get Big Results for Your Small Ad Dollars." Clay is currently a partner with Wizard of Ads and a consultant for small business owners.

He came to speak today on how to get more bang for your marketing buck. In short, the discussion surrounded word-of-mouth marketing. He wrote a book covering over 100 ideas and strategies to help get the results from your advertising investment. Many of the techniques he covers was provided by his own trial and error.

One quote that he used, from Johnny Cash, was that "Bad news travels like wildfire, Good news travels slow." The same could be said about WOM. The consumer will exponentially hit at something they dislike compared to that of something good a company may have done.

The 5 main points of his strategy for WOM:
1. Establish a Budget
2. Architectural
3. Generosity
4. Movement
5. Good Ad Copy

To indulge (in brief):
Establish an Ad Budget – 5% of your sales should be saved for marketing. While saving this money it should be decided upfront where to spend that budget.

Architectural, in regards to the design of your building, can help build viral marketing.
Example: Longaberger Basket Company and Harley Davidson Riverboat.

Generosity – Just how Wal-Mart has it's greeters, hiring an friendly, caring person to greet your customers can help build revenue. Clay owns the Kentucky Opry where he hired a sweet, kind woman who would make every person feel warm and at home and because of this, visitors would buy more merchandise. Clay would later state that he considered her pay part of the advertising budget.

Movement – Kinetic Energy to be exact. Japanese Hibachi grills are the prime example. When the chef prepares the food showcasing how handy with a blade and fire, while throwing food into his hat, you know, the whole nine yards of entertainment.

Finally, Copywriting, is a must when creating your ads. This will be discussed in thorough in a latter post.

Remember that how your marketing efforts will be in direct correlations with your ability to increase the reach of your campaigns and the salience of the ad.

Additional cheap ways to add to your Ad budget include:
Press Releases
eNewsletters - Not just to push your advertising on them, but to entice your consumer to pull your consumer to have others subscribe (i.e. entice with a gift certificate for a referral.)
Public Speaking - Toastmasters, Ad associations, etc. are always looking for speakers
Cross Promoting with other businesses - Use clients to help promote both brands
Bartering - trade services, but don't forget to report that with the IRS.

If you are able to read his book or check into his list of websites it would be beneficial for your small business to try and gain more marketing bang.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

The World's Biggest Ad

Ran across this website, in creation of the World's Biggest Ad. The company Photolibrary provide creatives with access to over 3 million images and over 2,000 hours of footage.

Using an online product, Ad Builder 1.0, similar to Photoshop, anyone can become part of the construction. In a group advertising effort, to help cross promote interactive TBWA and give designers the ability to use their talents and even select certain images to see who created them.



Using a cool piece of technology, you are taken to what looks like a basic image editor. You can then build your contribution through your web browser with an interactive desktop allowing the user to select from Photolibrary's stock images to compose an ad.

The campaign began July 23rd, the objective is to spread the word to the ad community that royalty-free images offer plenty of scope for creativity. The campaign has raised Photolibrary’s profile in the stock photo/creative industry. (I never heard of them until now.)

This new viral campaign is the next phase. It builds on the pull marketing concept on the web, by directly involving the audience, whether it being mainly designers or creatives, it helps get the consumer involved. Everyone can submit a small section of the ad, and ultimately create the world’s biggest ad.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

I'm Craving It.

Yesterday I was craving some McDonald's French Fries. It was exactly how I remembered them when I was a young boy going to McDonald's and having a Happy Meal with my Grandma. I stumbled upon this recent ad for McDonald's by the agency DDB, Stockholm.

Just so you know how good these tasty golden french fries are, watch the ad below.




Yeah....that good.

And to further clarify why McDonald's Fries are so good. To read the excerpt from Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation, click here.