Aap! - Alternative Advertising Possibilities

GTA IV, “the new open-world, action-driving video game released today around the world will easily “top last year’s record-breaking $300 million first-week sales of Microsoft and Bungee Studios’ first-person shooter “Halo 3″ �?? and all without a similar marketing bonanza or budget. 

According to the AP report - ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Promo Campaign Kept Quiet’  Rockstar has been trying to keep their marketing message on the “downlow.”

We’ve been truly impressed in Rockstar’s ability to communicate and build hype directly with gamers through viral internet teasers and low cost non traditional out of home media including amazing phony wanted billboards, graffiti, and viral websites. (Even Bagel Bags, Coffee Cups…)

Some of the ficitional wanted adverts have included in them an e-mail address where residents of “liberty city” (the game’s fictional universe) can send in “tips” to LibertyCityPolice.com, a website which undoubtedly will be accessible inside the game’s internet function.

From a marketing perspective all this has been absolutely brilliant. From a CFO’s perspective the campaigns have demonstrated the value of low cost non traditional media and most importantly from a gamer’s perspective they have even been critical in building trust, interest and a direct relationship with players.   Seen in certain European and US cities, while we love the work we are just a little curious to see if these posters raised any objections.

Of course knowing Rockstar this was probably the intent…

GTA IV out today. Instead of enjoying the marketing - go play the game…

Review of GTA IV @ IGN 

Other Related Articles of Interest 

GTAIV ads pulled because of San Andreas flap Chicago - Transit Authority gave up a contract potentially worth more than $200,000 in revenue because people complained about another ad campaign more than three years ago.

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...]

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]

Starting today (April 21) and running until May 6, Laforet in Harajuku is hosting the �??KIKS TYO x YONE x AKI HOSHINO Sneaker Lover Pop-up Shop.�?�

“The LaForet Pop-up Shop will stock exclusive KIKS TYO collaboration items released in conjunction with Champion, New Balance and G-SHOCK. In addition, the Pop-up Shop will feature a special, LaForet limited KIKS TYO x YONE x AKI HOSHINO Sneaker Lover tee, only available at LaForet.”

Semi-clad girls + kicks (sneakers for those newbies) + pop up shops + limited editions = Absolute Marketing Genius

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…

We’re big fans of Banksy, his art/graffiti/social brand master, and while we’re not sure we agree with the above statement - advertisers, artists and more are drawing riles of debate on the statement through the internet.

Is “Advertising the greatest art form of the 20th century.�?� ??? as Marshall McLuhan prophesed?

We think John Jay over at Honeyee sums up how most “creatives” in advertising feel about the dynamic between art and advertising….

“While what I do may not be art, it is just as rewarding and challenging. It too is about creativity for a changing world” - John Jay - Creative Director @ WK.

The Pecha Kucha Night(PKN): A Celebration book is finally available online for international order.   Pecha Kucha Night for those new to the series is where presenters take the stage to present 20 slides, about which they will speak for 20 seconds each.

Pecha Kucha is now running in over 100 cities around the world in which over 3,000 people have presented their views of design in 20 slides x 20 seconds.

Featuring some amazing presentations by Toyo Ito, Marcus Fairs, PKN founders Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, Strange KInoko, Namaiki, Mark Dytham, Mark’s mum and Sebastian Conran + even Aap!Global, the bi-lingual montage covers the history of the event, and shares with the world this is amazing design “show and tell”.

Aap!Global’s PechaKucha Presentation in San Francisco is available for those curious to see the interaction between Graffiti and Outdoor Media > Watch Now.

We highly recommend the book for fans of the series at 2800 Yen with global shipping.

Even better - we recommend those creative individuals share with the world at their next local Pecha Kucha

Our parent company - the Aedeas Group recently launched into beta WeAre.Us - a set of very cool, online “social support networks“  that bring together thousands of individuals in a social networking community geared specifically to their needs.

The platform and network sites provide a venue for  those with similar interests, conditions, and visions communicate, collaborate, share information and experiences. On WeAre.Us sites, users can share the wealth of their experience and plan for the future with those like them.

The most popular networks under the platform include sites geared specifically to medical communities: WeAreHD.org for Huntington’s Disease, CancerCancer.org for the Cancer community, WeAreCrohns.org for the Crohn’s Community among others.

The sites are growing very rapidly, and are a great way to find people who share similar problems, aspirations, interests and more.

More info @ http://www.WeAre.Us

With over 5000 downloads of our original iPhone Subway maps for Tokyo, Madrid, Paris, London, and others - user requests have been pouring in for cities around the world.  Our designer Phillip is trying to keep up with the demand and has just released three new subway maps for the popular Apple iPhone.

Enjoy

Download Singapore Subway Map for iPhone

Download Osaka City Subway Map for iPhone 

Download Toulouse Velib Map for iPhone

Other Cities (Tokyo, London, etc)

Enjoy and travel safe!

Make way for the King of the Road. From the �??Decotora�?� photo book. © Masaru Tatsuki

We’re big fans of Decotora - the fun and wacky line of Japanese pimped out buses and trucks. From estranged Godzillaesque monsters to stylish low riding styles with Samuri themes - from Kansai to Hokkaido - count yourself lucky to see one of the pimped out rides in Japan! . They are one of the wonderful elements that make Japan great.

Masaru Tatsuki has just finished a whole photoseries on the topic and is holding a gallery opening and exhibition Until February 3rd. Highly recommended.

Masaru Tatsuki�??s �??Decotora�?� Photo Exhibition
Venue: Little More Chika gallery, Tokyo.
Until Sunday, February 3rd.
Open: From 12 to 7pm.
Entry: ¥200.

Via PingMag