Aap! - Alternative Advertising Possibilities

In building on our our thesis that Advertising and Graffiti continue to interplay on each other… the above video from back in the day documents the extremely creative and prolific transitional period of subverting bus stop and phone booth ads by KAWS. This work garnered a tremendous amount of press and speculation and resulted in the internationally lauded post-graffiti art star we know today.

See what KAWS has to say his Honeyee Blog in daily adventures in art, subversion and more…

While there are countless  websites providing a creative outlet for review and critique of advertising (Ads Of The World, etc) - Oshiuri (�?��?��?��?�), a recently launched Japanese site  throws something new into the mix.

Besides providing a space for the advertising community to share work - the forum provides a mechanism in which any idea/pitch hosted on the site can be bought and sold.

The site aims to become the creative agency of the internet allowing brands to scope pitches for brands directly from creatives.  Brands can also submit ads for creative pitches and will provide the best with contracts.

Not sure how the site is going to work collectively and avoid “idea” theft but so far there are some creative ideas for brands ranging from Axe to National Geographic that have been purchased through the site.

With pricing starting as low as 100,000 yen to priceless - the venue might be an opportunity for brands to connect directly with creatives.

The site was launched by Design Barcode, Inc - the little design studio that specializes in Barcode Design (Read our coverage on their amazing work for artistic product barcodes)

Visit Oshiuri [Sadly only accessed from Japan...]

We’re big fans of Graffiti Research Lab and some of the work they have done in theorizing and implementing new “open source” tools for communication.

A new documentary is due out soon on the work of these technology-hacker-graffiti urban artists.  BoingBoingTV features a preview of the film (embedded above) and will premiere in New York on May 4th. Hot!

[Update]

Anti-Advertising Agency cohorts, the Graffiti Research Lab are premiering their �??Complete First Season�?� as part of PopRally at the Museum of Modern Art on May 4th @ 8PM + PARTY after with Javelin and special guests.

A panel after the film include Evan Roth, James Powderly, Steve Lambert, Bennett4$enate, and surprise guests.

GET TICKETS NOW

In great open source nature - if you know command line wizardry, how to concat and use parity files, the whole DVD can be downloaded from our server 50mb at a time. Otherwise it�??s on Pirate Bay.)

Aap!Straps are the leading advertising straps for public transportation systems.  Used throughout Japan - we’re pleased to showcase our newest Aap!Strap that have been designed specifically for a metro authority in the Americas.

The new strap features a larger horizontal space  suitable for western writing scripts.  The high quality polycarbonate ring provide riders with comfort and the slotted advertising box offers the opportunity to interact with passenger in a unique and fun medium.

More information on Aap!Straps

Yup - there is indeed a Japanese  design company focused on the exciting niche service of designing creative, functional barcodes for products sold throughout Japan and the world.  The Design Barcode Inc. a Shibuya based graphic design studio has won several awards including a Cannes Titanium award for their work incorporating unique designs and motifs into conventional barcodes. Great example of some level of attention put into some products.

More @ Design Barcode Inc. [Japanese only]

Aap!Global will present and attend the annual Future-M

> Meet us and other seasoned entrepreneurs, top executives and professionals from some of the hottest Silicon Valley companies get together to create a forum for networking and learning.

The 3rd annual event from VSC Consulting and the Haas School of Business Technology Club brings together seasoned entrepreneurs and top executives from some of the hottest companies in Silicon Valley, creating a forum for interaction, networking and learning.

Speakers Include:

Nitin Bhandari, Founder & CEO, Skyfire �?? Skyfire offers the desktop PC experience on your mobile phone.  Whether you are viewing video, Java or any other PC-exclusive Web feature, Skyfire allows the exact same viewing experience on your mobile phone.

Tim Chang, Principal VC, Norwest Venture Partners �?? Norwest Venture Partners manages more than $2.5 billion in venture capital and has funded over 400 companies since inception. Tim focuses on investments in wireless and digital media as well as business development initiatives in Asia-Pacific.

Vijay Chattha, Founder & CEO, VSC Consulting (Moderator) �?? VSC Consulting is an award-winning strategic public relations and digital marketing boutique. VSC is ranked among the top tier of boutique agencies in the United States, according to PRWeek Magazine, and has won 16 awards for its work in consumer technology, mobile, gaming and advertising.

Jameson Hsu, Founder & CEO, Mochi Media �?? Mochi Media builds tools and services that monetize and support the creation and passion of casual game developers.  Their most popular product, MochiAds, is the world�??s first advertising network for casual games.

Matt Marshall, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, VentureBeat - VentureBeat is a daily blog offering news and information concerning venture capital funding.  Intended as a resource for entrepreneurs and other interested professionals, it focuses on private companies in Silicon Valley, but also features news from innovation hubs around the globe.

Robert Patterson - Founder,  Aap!Global - Aap!Global is a global leader in alternative advertising mediums .  Aap! develops and manages high impact advertisings spaces in partnership with established media companies.

Wed 4/9 (6PM) at Faculty Club @ UC Berkeley , Berkeley, CA (Map) 

More info @ Going.com

Up, up and away… According to the recently released PQ Media Study on alternative media ”Spending on alternative media jumped 22.0% to $73.43 billion in 2007 and grew at  a compound annual rate of 21.7% from 2002 to 2007 … The momentum is expected to continue in 2008 despite a slowing economy, as brand  marketers scramble to stay in step with a rapidly changing media landscape. Total  spending on alternative media is forecast to grow 20.2% to $88.24 billion in 2008  and post compound annual growth of 17.0% in the 2007-2012 period, reaching  $160.82 billion. Digital and alternative media are forecast to command 26.6% of  total U.S. advertising and marketing spend in 2012. “   

Be careful - you can easily get lost in here.  Checkout FFFFound.com - masterly easy image sharing and tagging… Currently invite only but you can navigate and explore its treasures…

Today in the mail we got one of the most random packages in our company’s history.  We received a jet black mix-tape from Wieden Kennedy - those superstars up in Portland and around the world doing the ad work for Nike and other global brands.  Thankfully in our workshop we have a more than ghetto stereo with a deck to play the vintage format….  The contents are surprising… but we won’t share them yet…

Just the tape’s opening statement …  - “The Whole World Is An Educational Institute…” Roll music…

Great collection…

Escalator Step Advertising featured in Comunicadores, a great Brasilian online magazine dedicated to advertising.  Learn more about Aap!Steps and advertising on escalator steps and escalator step risers.