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...]

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.)

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.

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…

When we’re taking breaks in our company lounge - strangely many of our staff seem to be addicted to RailFan - the rather unusual, but hyper realistic simulation game for the PlayStation 3 that lets you act out on your all time fantasy of being a train conductor. Well maybe this is a common fantasy for those living in or have lived in Japan.

The game emphasizes realism and allows you to drive trains in three different locations, including Chicago’s brown line, part of Tokyo’s JR system and Osaka. Your task in the game is simply, you need to run the train properly and make sure to stop on time at each station. Controls are pretty simple as well, you only need to control the train’s throttle.

Railfan differs from other train simulation games mainly by its graphics. The game’s graphics are displayed by a streaming video of the actual train lines. The camera shakes to give you the feeling of a moving train and cut-scenes will display additional overhead views of the train.

The game is extremely challenging and teaches among many things just how little margin for error there is in train operations. You think that being only 10 seconds behind schedule is minor but multiplied across say the Chuo line of Tokyo and you’ll be over 10 minutes late before you even get to Mitaka with angry salaryman late to work.

The game is addictive in strange way and perfect for the office lounge has you can take sips of coffee and dream up new ideas with co-workers.

Highly recommended. Only wish we could drive subway cars and see virtual tunnel advertising displays like our MetroVISTA platform.  Maybe the next version will feature these elements!

More on RailFan @ Wikipedia

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“

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

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!