Voicebox

As you may, or may not as it goes, know, I've recently become involved in a project for vinspired [the government backed volunteering Charity] called Voicebox. The project is based upon curating the views of young people and giving them a voice that will be heard and listened to, and not only by your peers, us at vinspired, or even the guys at your local corner shop [I find it oddly poignant that they must think I'm going to steal something every time I rock up in at that store - I've only been going there since I was 8 and have, to my memory at least, not even stolen a chocolate button - though did once pocket 20p I once found on the floor in there... I'm not sure if that counts - if so, then my very bad and I'll return it at once with the 7 years or so interest on top. If not, then sod off], but by the people that 'stalk the corridors of power' [such a wanky expression and I winced/cringed profusely when I heard some politician use the phrase today].

The initiative has few grand plans in the pipeline, a robot being strategically placed in the Houses of Parliament being one of them as well as one or two potential partnership with other interesting people to boot. The project will potentially [eventually I should say] be an amazing resource to provide people with true insights into what kids think, feel and do. Apart from asking kids their opinions on subjects such as knife crime, teenage pregnancy and drug use, we are, more importantly in my opinion, getting to the very core of what young people care about. A key part of this project is making sure that kids can be heard – we’re doing this by making all the results we gain from the questions on the site absolutely open source and therefore can be picked up and taken by any Tom, Dick and/or Harry, and can be played with as a child would a Lego set.

I'm also writing the blog on the site so please do stay tuned for my ever so insightful posting on there, whilst check out the results section for an up to date, blow by blow account of how our respondents are reacting. The project will be hugely successful, but I can't do it on my own. I'll need as much support from all the people that know me as is possible, so please do get as involved with Voicebox as is possible. If you're between 13 and 25 then please do proffer your opinions by filling out the questions here, and also please do talk about us - the project needs as much coverage as possible - whilst we are actively pushing people to pick up and play with our open source results.

Check out the site here - cheers.

Image taken from here. I've got to say I do blooming love Lego - not sure what it's got to do with Vociebox, but I saw small man, big headphones... Does anyone other than myself see the train of thought that has lead me here? Gosh it's late.

Entering the 'age of play'

I've recently read this amazing artist from one of my key mentors, the great Mr Ajaz Ahmed. Looking at the evolving practicality of utilising video gaming as a medium for marketing, Ajaz looks in depth at the business that is now bigger and mightier than Hollywood. I've long been a fan of in game marketing, mentioning it in a interview I did with the Guardian over a year ago, lauding the effective subtlety of adverts within games. With such complexity to games such as Grand Theft Auto, marketeers have the ability to not only market effectively whilst an audience [which is largely a hard to reach, younger audience] offers full concentration to the game, but to also confidently speak to its consumers in a way that will much more easily grab, and keep, their attention.

Take a look at the article here, it's genius.

Image taken from here.

Today was a good day...

Just came across this brilliant ad from Nike SB in conjunction with the third release of the Paul Rodriguez Nike SB skate shoe. Combining picturesque scenery, fantastic tricks from P.Rod himself and the 'Today was a Good Day' soundtrack, alongside a cameo from Ice Cube himself, the video is a brilliant minute of ad that I wished I saw more of. Straight out of Nike's Innovation Kitchen, take a look at the video here.

Pretty pic huh?

Vitamin Water x Don't Panic

I’ve been seeing some excellent things from Vitamin Water of late – adverts have been popping up all over the gaff, whilst the constant promotional work around the brand is both acknowledged and appreciated. Positive in its approach, whilst not too over bearing, Vitamin Water is filtering into our everyday consciousness. Six months ago I would have found it strange seeing Vitamin Water in constant, general use – now, it is commonplace.

Vitamin Water have again caught my attention, this time due to a design competition they’re running with Don’t Panic. In a move to test their consumer’s creativity, Vitamin Water are giving entrants the opportunity to see their design projected big and large on to the side of Cordy House, Shoreditch, whilst there is also a cash prize and tickets to a festival too. The theme for the competition is ‘summer of Glaceau Vitamin Water’ so if you’re interested, there is more information here.

Image taken from here. Thanks. Sorry.

PSFK give good job

So it would seem that PSFK have some job opportunities for a lucky few to work with the global trends and ideas agency. Though mainly internships, PSFK would be an excellent place for a budding creative to learn and to progress.

Check out all the relevant information here.

Image taken from the site – thanks fellas.

Trinotron's new site

Trinotron has bagged itself a brand new website with enough games, toys and fun graphics to keep a kid entertained for hours on end. One of the most animated sites I've seen in recent time, Trinity Ellis, the man behind the brand, has continued the perpetual futuristic theme, with the website offering a digital home for the brands ever expanding collection.

Check it out here. Nice, nice.

Wrigley's 5?

Whilst bathing in the sunshine of a glorious Saturday afternoon in 1948's spacious courtyard, and as I perused all the pretty people, clothes and sneakers, I was thrown a small, solid cardboard box by one of the WAH girls. On closer inspection I found the box to contain Wrigley’s gum - not just any old Wrigley’s gum I hasten to add, but Wrigley's 5, possibly the best gum I have ever chewed upon in my life. Not only was the gum flavoursome and attractively aromatic, but also long lasting too - unheard of in all current products to my knowledge. The general branding of Wrigley’s 5 is more reminiscent of Lynx [Axe] than of the company that created Juicy Fruit and Extra, though it displays the positive direction of their brand with what is clearly going to be an extremely successful venture for the corporation in this country.

Sometimes you've just got to pay homage to a truly great product and Wrigley's 5 is most definitely that...

Image taken from here - thanks, sorry.

The success of The Reset weekend...

The Reset weekend was, without doubt, a huge success. All the involved brands benefited from their participation as they earned money, promoted themselves and learnt from the experience of the encounter with other creative individuals and brands alike. Not only do I expect all brands to display radical improvement due to The Reset, but I also see them collaborating, expanding and pushing themselves further - competition fuels innovation and, though all brands involved were impressive, it was Trapstar who really set the place alight. On the Saturday, as people lined up, buzzing with expectancy ahead of the release of the black Yeezy, a separate queue stood waiting, not just for The Reset, or for the shoe launch, but for one brand in particular - Trapstar.

The Trapstar team were barely given time to restock throughout the event, so high was the demand for their wares. This was of no surprise - apart from being one of the longest serving brands, Trapstar also put the work, money and time into the promotion of the event, releasing several one offs, exclusive pieces, and re releases just for the weekend, whilst using the web as a medium to inform people of their endeavors. Second Son were also a shining beacon of professionalism, their stall a medley of relevant bits and bobs, their personal identity beaming through in everything that they did. It would be fair to say that they were the brands that truly set the pace, though all were impressive, as each and every brand clocked up sales and garnished added support during the busy hustle and bustle of the bank holiday weekend.

It was clear throughout that The Reset was not only a huge event for the future of the involved brands but also a huge boost for the street wear scene as a whole. Packaged as a savior of the scene, with Jude, the event organiser, regularly being referred to as ‘streetwear’s Obama’ due to this, The Reset displayed the affections people still hold for the industry, the success of the brands showing that streetwear is, and will long be, a constant in the urban realm. I don't think the event went as far as to say it 'saved streetwear', but it did go far in assuring those doubters that the industry is far from dead and buried. With rumour on the street indicating that the next event is being scheduled for late summer, I, alongside many other streetwear lovers, shall be waiting anxiously for the return of The Reset.

With big thanks to Jude, Acyde, Mubi and the brilliant 1948 team. Image taken from here courtesy of Mr Matt, thanks...

The peoples choice...

The team over at Trapstar are causing stir once again, and, as the Reset approaches, they, alike the other involved brands, are stepping up their game. With a dedicated fan base, Trapstar are already well established amongst the British street wearers’ consciousness and, as a thank you to the constancy of their supporters, Trapstar have decided to give something back. One of their one off, exclusive, 'once it's gone, it's gone' pieces has an opportunity to be resurrected at the Reset on the 3rd of May at 1948; one garment, decided upon by us, the fans. With a choice of 13 of Trapstar’s classic designs, it is well worth proffering your opinion, especially if it will bring back one of their best designs.

Get your vote on here.

Image taken from the Trapstar gallery.

Getting it on...

Durex constantly amaze me with their cheeky, yet extremely creative, advertising and, following on from their brilliant Durex Performa campaign, they have recently released this audacious advert in conjunction with their 'Get It On' campaign. I love the imaginative use of the condoms in the ad - a testimony to Durex's utterly audacious ability to be ostentatiously outrageous, which here allows consumers to relate to both the brand and the message, through intelligent, if raw, humour. Instead of warning against the dangers of unprotected sex, Durex focus on the playful quality and therefore integrate their condoms into this element of fun. It is made all the more effective by taking what is a traditionally mature subject and turning it into a childish, pseudo-slapstick sketch - it is, in short, three bulbous balloon animals (dogs I think) performing x-rated acts upon one another. Durex’s message is camouflaged, yet provocative - enveloped deep within the garish, comical surface. This campaign has generated huge interest - something that I believe is indicative of the fact that if you give people something outrageous, yet interesting, it will get passed around...

Simple, but effective.

Guaranteed to make you last that bit longer...

I do believe these adverts are as close to marketing brilliance as I have long seen. Extremely clever, if slightly mischievous, the team behind Durex has come up with a campaign for it’s new condom, the Durex Performa (engineered to make men last longer), that has created a huge buzz, both online and offline. In concordance with the release of the Performa, Durex have also released these charming limited edition pillowcases that have proved such a hit that Durex sales rose by 28% and the pillowcases had to be re-released in sex stores across New Zealand (where the campaign was launched).

Clever, cheeky and creative, Durex has brought a playful aspect to the bedroom, as it passes along the element of fun into that shrouded enclosed environment that most brands would love to be able to reach. It’s a lesson that a whole heap of obtrusive brands can learn from. If it’s my space, be very careful how you, as big, bold, brazen brands, act in it, whether it be online or off, facebook, or my room. Brands need to understand that when you are in my personal area, you can, and can’t, do, or don’t do, certain things. Respect this, and we should get along absolutely dandy.

Stole the images from here.
With thanks to Patricia for the heads up - I hadn't laughed so much over an ad in time, so it had to be documented!

Obey Obama

As Barack Obama battles vigilantly, vehemently and victoriously towards world domination, the many subsidiaries of brand Obama are kicking off in similar fashion - from social networking sites to clothing to conducive, clever collaborations with cool, creative critters. One of said collaborations is brand Obama’s own t-shirt (as shown above). Powerful and provoking, the renown street artist and designer Obey has created a line of trim and trendy t’s with a clear, concise message, that have taken brand Obama to new heady heights. Check out the designs here and, though it is pretty damn hard, try get your hands on one of these ever so exclusive t-shirts.

Pizza/Pasta Hut!

Anyone got a clue what's going on? Pasta Hut? Pizza Hut? The Hut? The restaurant chain is one of the largest in the world, it's obscene that I don't even know what the flipping things called anymore? Sort it out.

Image robbed from here.

New forms of advertising - Whathehelle has a word with the Guardian

This is an extension of an article I was involved with for the Guardian on new forms of advertising. The published version missed out a bit and I think it's only fair that I blog the original interview in full:

"The ads for all the new Japanese phones are amazing, with their flashing lights, holograms and a whole range of terrific technology. They make the phones look brilliant, if a bit ‘back to the future’, however, the really clever adverts are the ones incorporated into games, particularly, in my case, Pro Evolution Soccer. If you look at the pitch, there are real-life ads on the hoardings for real-life brands. I play these games on my PlayStation or whatever, and they immediately grab my attention, but in a deft, delicately discrete way. I always remember them because, though I don't go looking for them, I end up bumping into them. I love the ads on games because you are forced to go and explore them - something especially apparent in games like Grand Theft Auto and, to an extent, Pro Evo. They are subtle. Net advertising is often ostentatiously over the outrageous top and gruesomely garish. I don't need everything shoved in my face or ads that get in the way of what I am doing. We're kids. We are busy people. We don't need things slowing us down."

Sorry image plundered from here.