Intro to Digital Signage @ Time’s Square NYC
June 6th, 2008
A tour of Times Square from Keyframe on Vimeo.
John Woods visits Times Square and explores digital signage and outdoor media.
Most impressive is that One Times Square building is empty and tenant less. Millions are instead generated off digital signage on its exteriors. Great intro video and fun interview with owner of Landmark
Signs, Tony Calvano, whose company has been maintaining and installing
most ads in Times Square when they were painted!!
Medialoop’s installation of Aap!Rails and Aap!Motion for Sex and the City covered in advertising publication NA24.
[ Read original Article "Rullende sex i Bergen" ]
PSSST? Heard of GTA IV????
April 29th, 2008
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…
Other Related Articles of Interest
GTAIV ads pulled because of San Andreas flap Chicago - Transit Authority gave up a contract potentially worth more than $200,000 in revenue because people complained about another ad campaign more than three years ago.
Graffiti Research Lab Documentary Out Soon…
April 23rd, 2008
We’re big fans of Graffiti Research Lab and some of the work they have done in theorizing and implementing new “open source” tools for communication.
A new documentary is due out soon on the work of these technology-hacker-graffiti urban artists. BoingBoingTV features a preview of the film (embedded above) and will premiere in New York on May 4th. Hot!
[Update]
Anti-Advertising Agency cohorts, the Graffiti Research Lab are premiering their “Complete First Season” as part of PopRally at the Museum of Modern Art on May 4th @ 8PM + PARTY after with Javelin and special guests.
A panel after the film include Evan Roth, James Powderly, Steve Lambert, Bennett4$enate, and surprise guests.
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.)
Mobile Marketing + Aroma Marketing is here.
April 22nd, 2008
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.
More iPhone Subway Maps: Singapore, Osaka, Toulouse!
February 3rd, 2008
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!
Is It Safe To Come Out From Hiding?
January 27th, 2008
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
Graffiti + Politics + Advertising + ECards = Send A Message
January 23rd, 2008
At Send A Message , a collaboration between Dutch advertising professionals and creative Palestinian youth, web goers can purchase “real world tags” on the 620 Kilometer fence separating Palestinians from Israel. For a mere 30 Euros, users can elect to have their personal messages spray painted on the fence. Purchasers are given 3 digital photos of the completed work for personal usage.
The revenue from the tagging goes to build new schools, soccer fields, youth centers and other humanitarian projects in the area.
Be it a proposal for a lost love, a web url, or a humorous message this is a great project that brings the world closer to this complex situation in a peaceful and non threatening way.
More @
Al-Jazeera’s Video Report “Painting peace on Israel’s concrete canvas“
Recommended Reading: Branding in 2007 Re-cap
January 23rd, 2008
“Advertising is a tax you pay for unremarkable thinking.” - Robert Stephens of the Geek Squad and head of one of the growing number of brands that have been built without the help of major advertising agencies or budgets.
Read more in BusinessWeek’s Re-cap on Advertising and Branding 2007
The Urban Jungle
January 23rd, 2008
With 1000’s of members around the world participating, Windowzoo is one of the world’s most popular community art projects.
Using non permanent markings, participants release animals into mostly urban environments with the placement of vinyl adhesive “animals.”
From eagles to giraffes to sharks, the collection of critters is outstanding and brings new meaning to the term “urban jungle.”
Stuck on making your own WindowZoo Critter > Learn how with this WindowZoo 9 step guide
More on WindowZoo Art Project
* Flickr Photo by BAYT from the Windowzoo Flickr Group
