Aap! - Alternative Advertising Possibilities

These new Japanese billboards use cameras and facial-analysis technology to scan those walking by, and display ads targeted to age and gender.

Toshiba’s new billboard in Tokyo has raised the interactive bar, allowing those passing by to call a number, connect, and play a game. Displayed in real-time on the large sign, the game challenges players to paint squares on a board while searching for Toshiba’s mascot.

Read the full post at Gizmodo.

Softbank Mobile, NTT Data and Hitachi and Dutch smart chip maker Gemalto are testing a new technology that aims to replace printed QR Codes and provide participats digital information by simply swiping their compatible cellphone or laptop near posters or other advertisements.

The first “field test” for the NFC or Near Field Communication, a short range, high frequency wireless communication medium is being conducted in Chiba, Tokyo in WALL-E and Tinker Bell movie posters embedded with the new technology tags.

Test participants will be able to receive and view digital content such as movie stills and trailers simply by holding their NFC-compatible phones (containing NFC-USIM cards) next to the smart posters. Along with the digital content, users also receive an access code that, when transferred to a compatible Hitachi HDTV at home, allows them to view a WALL-E trailer in high definition (via Hitachi�??s content distribution service).

The tests, which are designed to help the companies evaluate the effectiveness and potential of NFC smart posters as a promotional medium, could be a sign of things to come in the field of poster advertising. Should NFC smart posters become cheap and easy to produce, they have the potential to replace the ubiquitous QR (2D) code that commonly appears in Japanese advertising posters. NFC is seen as more convenient than QR code because the user does not have to scan a code and visit a separate website to view the data. Instead, digital content can be accessed directly with a simple swipe of the phone.

NFC aims to provide improved accessibility when compared with traditional QR code because the user does not have to scan a code and visit a separate website to view the data. Instead, digital content can be accessed directly with a simple swipe of the phone.

The technology sounds great, but the added cost of additional tags installation, a non universal platform, and additional required content may limit the potential of this technology.

[Source: Nikkei Net, NTT Data]

More on NFCs

General information on Near Field Communication - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NFC - Industry Forum @ http://www.nfc-forum.org/home

Industry Coverage @ http://www.nearfieldcommunicationsworld.com/

Japan Office as Seen From Google Maps Street View…

Google’s hardworking wizard camera vans have finished traversing the labyrinth that is Tokyo; which means today you can tour some of the world’s most wonderful advertising and general real estate in Tokyo without leaving the comfort of your desk. No flight required….

While most foreigners will be happy to virtually tour the wonders of Meiji Shrine, see the shopping district of Ginza or visit the tourist spots of Tsukiji fish market,… we’ve put together a quick tour of some of our favorite outdoor media spots in Tokyo for the virtual world to enjoy.

Hachiko Square Shibuya Tokyo - one of Tokyo’s busiest railway stations, Shibuya is known as one of the fashion centers of Japan, particularly for young people, and as a major nightlife area. The central meeting points features some of the largest and most expensive media real estate in the world. With full building digital displays to street teams - this is a great place to start on your tour of Japanese outdoor media.

Shibuya 109 - The iconic building owned by the Tokyu group is the original of the 2 and displays some of the finest building wraps in the world.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hysteric Glamour - Tokyo’s glam rock brand du jour has an amazing collection of slef published photography books featuring international photography superstars Terry Richardson, Araki Nobuyoshi, and Wataya Osamu among others. Seriously amazing work and highly recommended for a dose of daily inspiration. From Tokyo to Suburban chaos to loss - the collections are just mind numbing examples of greatness.

Visit Bueno Books by Hysteric Glamour

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]

We’ve written about aroma marketing before and we’re big fans of innovations in mobile marketing - so what better way than to combine the two and cover NTT DoCoMo’s new fragrance cartridge equipped devices that interact with cellphones via IR and emit signature scents.

The company hopes to partner with mobile content providers so that horoscopes the weather report,  web video, and more come paired with signature scents.  The platform is still in pilot stage, and we’re not sure what user reaction will fair or how accurate the scents are - still its exciting to see new innovations that aim to tie the senses.

From an outdoor media company’s perspective - the fragrance systems could be installed in transit shelters to create a fuller sensory experience.  Imagine waiting for the bus and smelling freshly baked cookies triggered by a coupon on your cellphone…

Read the NTT Communications Press Release “NTT Com to Pilot Test Mobile Fragrance Communication Service” for more information.

PingMag - the great bi-lingual Japanese / English online magazine, today features the wonderful world of Japanese tape production with a focus on the branding elements of commercial and professional films.

Since we work with some of Japan’s and the world’s most specialized film extruders and converters we found the article of great interest. PingMag offers a great introduction on the production of different adhesive films along with a focus on the funky designs that are featured in these common and less common special purpose adhesive.

Like the article’s covered products - we also feature custom liners to help share with users our love and dedication to adhesive backed films.

Read more on the “Thrilling World of Tape Design“

Japan lags behind most of the world in its attitudes to those with “different capabilities.” Some fairly positive adverts from the JDSN aim to bring attenion to those living with down syndrome in Japan.

Wonder if this will keep families from “hiding” their challenged relatives in the outskirts of major cities?

See the JDSN adverts in their full glory