Archive for October, 2009
The Twitter Lists Feature is Live
Two-weeks after a beta launch, Twitter recently rolled out Twitter lists. The new Twitter list feature enables users to create sub-streams, or categories of followers. It is a new way to organize and manage Twitter users.
The bare-bones micro-blogging site strives to create a…
Trend: How Whole Foods and The Fun Theory Are Changing Our Health
The healthy lifestyle trend is about appealing to the customer in a creative way, not only creating new products, but calling them to action and bringing customers together on a whole new level. As a result, we’re seeing positive lifestyle changes and surprisingly, an impact on…
The Scariest Inventions
In the spirit of Halloween, we’d like share some of the scariest inventions — those that make you scratch your head and ask, “What were they thinking?” For all of the successful entrepreneurs out there, there are many more that have failed to launch the next “must-have.” How is a noose-like head-rest safe? Or, who would want to have toilet-paper head? And why would anyone want to wear a bee-keeper…
New Media Stars Dominate Fortune’s 40 Under 40
Recently, Fortune magazine released its annual list of 40 rising business stars under the age of 40. While there was sure to be a few media gurus in the mix, given today’s focus on social and digital media networks, 16 major players from areas of digital media and online technology are featured – making up 40 percent of the list. From Google and Hulu to Facebook and Twitter, some of business’ most…
Trend: How Apple’s iPhone and Wii’s Mii Make Non-Techies Tech Geeks
On June 29th 2007, thousands of people waited impatiently in seemingly endless lines to get their hands on newly minted Apple product. It was not just another iPod or Mac computer, it was an entirely new platform that at the time, no one could have predicted the impact it would have on the tech industry. On June 29th 2007, the iPhone was released. Since that day, Apple’s iPhone has become the #1 selling smart phone on the market and revolutionized…
Trend: What Do Glenn Beck and American Idol Have In Common
With consumer outrage at financial institutions egregious misconduct, there has been a renewed attitude about good vs. evil. This polarization has reflected in pop culture with such films as Monsters VS Aliens and web sensations like Red VS. Blue. However, the top TV shows of 2009 illustrate that it’s more complicated than just black and white, good vs. evil — everyone has their own winner. Increasingly, we want get behind “our guy or girl” and cheer them on. The Cheers and Jeers trend is about being passionate and getting behind people…
The Power of the Human Jumbotron: A Lesson In Crowdsourcing
When has the crowd been more exciting than the game? No, it’s not the wave, nor is it the “war paint” covering bare-chested men. It’s crowdsourcing: when everyone works collectively towards a single objective. Below there is a video of a soccer game where the power of the crowd created more compelling entertainment than the game itself:
Trend: American Idol and Dooce Give Power to the People
You’ve probably heard the news that American Idol garners more votes than the presidential election. While there are some factors to consider in this situation – age, number of times to vote, etc. – there’s something to be said about the power of choice given to audiences.
Just a few decades ago, audience participation may have been considered yelling out to the TV, with no opportunity to give feedback or have any…
Pop Culture Trend: Coca-Cola and Nintendo Re-Invent Brand Image
Imagine sitting down with an ice-cold Coca-Cola, finishing up the volcano level on Mario Kart just in time to watch the Transformers. When you imagine this, what decade are you in?
The re-inventing icons trend is about re-energizing cultural icons in fresh, new and exciting ways–to capture new audiences while re-connecting with the generation that grew up with them. Pop culture icons born in the 1990s, like…
Flaming Newspapers
Going through my old photos, I stumbled across a picture that I took at a Flaming Lips concert. I managed to capture the confetti, dozens of flashlights held by women in alien and Santa Clause outfits, a nun hand puppet, balloons the size of a compact car, billowing smoke and enthusiasm brimming to near chaos in the photo. Any Flaming Lips fan will tell you though the music is fantastic…
Top 5: Networking Tips
Now more than ever, relationships are a top priority. We have covered the rising trend towards building meaningful relationships. Whether you are looking for a job or happily employed, it’s always a good idea to build your network of contacts. We share some tips to fuel your networking efforts:
2009 Pop Culture Trends
When bell-bottom jeans became all the rage for teens in the late 90s, parents everywhere cringed at the thought. The style that had once been popular in the heyday of the boomer generation in the 60s and 70s was once again coming back – ready to be embraced by a whole new crowd.
Bell-bottoms, Ross and Rachel, American Idol, Harry Potter, and the iPod – all iconic remembrances that have made pop culture history because of the masses who embrace them. Topics and trends that spark a conversation, evoke a memory, and make a mark on society – whether for good or for bad – are what makes…
Microsoft Opens Its First Store
In addition to launching its latest operating system, Windows 7, Microsoft recently opened its first bricks-and-mortar retail store in Scottsdale, AZ. In a scene reminiscent of the iPhone launch, legions of Microsoft fans flooded the software giant’s first retail store — impatiently waiting to check out the Zune, Microsoft Surface, Windows 7 and…
Google and Bing Face Off with Real-Time Facebook and Twitter Social Search
As Google continues to topple Microsoft’s Bing in the area of online search, Microsoft showed us that they’re not backing down, and surprised the social media world with a major announcement on Wednesday: Bing will now feature “tweets” – and soon, Facebook status updates – in real-time as part of their search engine…
New Influencer: A Social Media and Blogging Classic
Thinking about writing a blog for your small business or are you a marketer looking to dial-up your clients presence on the web? Paul Gillin’s book, The New Influencer: A Marketer’s Guide to Social Media, offers practical advice for anyone, whether you’re a seasoned marketer or digital novice, to increase brand presence and capture new audiences in the online space. Nearly four years after its publication, it remains relevant and useful to industry professionals and greenhorns…
What Marketers Can Learn From a Skateboarding Whiz
Rodney Mullen is the Einstein among skateboarders. His creative wit and technical ability in concert make him the inventor of the most jaw dropping tricks. The dark slide (a personal favorite) is one of around 32 tricks he’s created and inspired many more.
He combines the past Californian surf style (i.e. flat surface tricks like spinning 360 degrees) with the current urban street style (i.e. jumping staircases, sliding down rails, flipping the skateboard, etc) and forgets about what is…
Ralph Lauren and Blog Firestorm
Recently, Ad Rant published a rave, satirical review of a Ralph Lauren ad. The ad features a model that is impossibly skinny. At first, you might think this is a Dove PSA ad–commenting on the unrealistic expectations fashion brands place on impressionistic female teens–but no, Ralph Lauren is seriously trying to pawn the image as…
Brand Spotlight: Hulu
Beyond a product, a brand is important for establishing a company’s image in the eyes of its customers. On the Internet, it’s even harder for a Web-only brand to establish itself, considering the hundreds, if not thousands, of other sites ready to take its place. In order to get the attention of users, offering a unique product is key, while putting a solid brand and image…
Where’s the Rice and What Happened to my Profits?
The taco meat was almost ready to drain, the dishes were nearly done, and rice was almost ready to add to the soup. The soup is almost boiling over and wait… where’s the rice? Now the tomato soup is splattering all over the stove and my hands covered in soap and the thought of the meat grease catching on fire was wracking my brain, and where’s the…
Debunking Myths About Gen Y
Over the past few years, the media has seemingly defined Gen Y into a single stereotype. While some may fit the stereotype, there are tens of millions more breaking the mold and exceeding expectations. Gen Y is 76 million members strong, full of diversity, creativity and bursting with potential. Gen Y wants to be remembered. They’ve been through the highest highs and lowest lows on both personal and economic levels. Many are establishing themselves as leaders, influencers and role models who will be remembered for generations to come. We’re debunking some of the biggest myths…
