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I just felt like quick-posting a few "words in a row" today, as I'm creating a new category (mindblobbing), suggested by my friend Kris Hoet (thanks Kris!), who, by the way just published a post (BSP!) linked to my thoughts of the day.
- Age of Conversation
- Communicate
- Authenticity
- Share...
- Shake
- Dare
- LINK
- Boost...
- Change
- Evolution
- Revolution
- One small step.
- One giant wave.
- Next step : ACTION (to be continued).
“Ho no... not that same restaurant again!”
Looking for something "different" ?
Thinking that the sky is the limit?
Well... reach it then...
Introducing “Dinner in the Sky”, a Belgian based concept (...well in the Belgian sky actually). 22 people can have dinner, a corporate meeting, a seminar or else, 50 meters (168 feet) above the ground. Some experienced it over the race circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, others experienced it... in Japanese.
I think the idea is definitely creative, but must admit odd at the same time. I’d love to know what people who are going for that kind of dinner are looking for? - “A top view table?” - “Eat in fear?” - “Wherever they serve it... this food is so exquisite that I’d go for it just anywhere?” - “Out of the ordinary story to tell?” - "A kids dream to come true?"
Would you go for it? Or would you rather not?
What would be your motivation in either case?
Illustration originally uploaded by Camilla E
Dominique Poncin strategic planner at Boondoggle raises interesting thinking on his post "Viral Marketing proclaimed dead (again)". He refers to an article in Advertising Age covering a review of Columbia University sociology professor Duncan Watts. Great food for thoughts there. Here is an extract of his view on that matter :
"The traditional view on viral marketing recommends the use of shocking or absurd humour but there is so much more ; for example by adding a utility factor, by being culturally relevant or by plainly creating a context that stimulates discussion among consumers."
I must say that I couldn't agree more. Still too many consider "viral" as (mass) push communication, when (again!) it is all about conversation.
How do you see the next evolutions of "Viral Marketing"?
Originally uploaded by shamshahrin
Introducing The Good Stuff, "a weblog about good stuff to spend time with from Craig Davis, JWT's Chief Creative Officer Worldwide".
Now, is this just another blog about advertising? No it isn't. I think there is something really interesting about this blog. As a matter of fact, the blog was launched a few months ago with restricted access to the JWT network members only. Today after a touching post from Craig Davis himself, the blog is now going public. I think this is a major POSITIVE move for an international agency like JWT. Here is Craig's announcement on his post "Jump" :
"When this blog began a couple of months ago, I was for some insane reason paranoid about security. What if the outside world could see what we’re up to on the inside? What if they knew our patent pending secrets, could see our work, our day old laundry, our people? What if they could listen in (even chip in) on our conversation?
Yes, exactly, what?
The good stuff is going public. No user-names, no passwords, no security - we’re jumping into the maelstrom of the blogosphere.
Another reason for this being, well - have a poke around - windows and doors, the end of monologue, the age of dialogue. The themes we’re exploring here seem incompatible with a site that has a virtual rottweiler patrolling the fences. This is a place for people to spend a little time everyday, to live JWT up close and personal.
Sounds a little risky to be the first agency to open up an internal blog to Joe Public. It is. But this is a small step taken with optimism, enthusiasm, a desire to explore this wild world further and, more than anything, to offer stimulation and spark conversations in and around the work we create. Feel free to overwhelm the server with your comments. Eavesdroppers are welcome too. That’s the risky part. Whatever’s said I hope it’s without anonymity and shares the positive spirit in which we go into this.
Off we go."
I can't agree more when it comes to "the age of dialogue", and I believe it is less risky than keeping the gates closed. Changing the core strategy of a huge structure is definitely not as easy as one could think. It takes more time to open the tank than it does for a small business. Just like changing the stereotyped ideas we (public opinion) may have on some brands. I'm thinking about Microsoft here... the name itself carries lots of "outdated" false ideas. Does it mean that people within Microsoft are not willing to change that? No! What if the intentions behind are good? What if the intentions of the teams (people actually working there) are good?
How can people contribute to change positively the structure/image/icon they belong to?
What's your take on this?
The "Age of Conversation" the collaborative project of 100 authors, is now available on Lulu.com (ebook, paper and hardback). As a reminder, the editors of this project are Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton. Note that all proceeds will be donated to Variety, the Children's Charity, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world.
Drew McLellan's latest words on the ebook.
Gavin Heaton's latest post.
Arun Rajagopal's description of all the authors.
Matt Dickman's Google Map locating all the authors.
The Age of Conversation site.
Age of Conversation alphabetic list and info.
Some great posts from everywhere started to spread and so is the press coverage. I hope a lot of money will be raised to help children in need. This link between blogging and reality is what touches me the most. So, don't wait... click here and buy the ebook, a paper copy of a hardback one.
This is the dawn of The Age of Conversation.
My chapter is entitled : "The Dawn of Shared Consciousness".
Let this new era begin.
Guerrilla campaign from the Belgian advertising agency LG&F to encourage smokers not to smoke indoor and increase awareness of second-hand smoke. The flyers look like cigarettes when rolled up. Simple and smart idea.
(via "Advertising is Good")
UPDATE : 2 first fresh press releases on AdAge and Social Computing Magazine.
(...thanks for pointing these links out Gavin!)
Look! It's a bird... it's a plane... it's "The Age of Conversation" ! ! ! The O so expected FANTASTIC ebook everybody is already talking about, is almost ready to be launched and to spread the world with its rich, eclectic, collaborative content. The launch day is next monday, July 16th... So, just ONE more unbearable, long weekend to go. Be patient, we're almost there.
To find all the latest details of this incredible adventure initiated by Drew McLellan and Gavin Heaton, just click here. Remember: all the benefits of this project will be donated to Variety, the Children's Charity. Well, it is an honor to be part of this project, really. I created a special AOC page here with an ALPHABETIC list of the authors for your convenience. This list is updated, please let me know if you notice something wrong.
More coming soon !
JUST CAN'T WAIT !
PS : In the meantime and if you need to calm your nerves while waiting during this never ending weekend, I'd suggest you to spend some (more) time reading these great blogs. The list here under being the latest updated by Drew himself :
LATEST list of the authors :
Gavin Heaton
Drew McLellan
CK
Valeria Maltoni
Emily Reed
Katie Chatfield
Greg Verdino
Mack Collier
Lewis Green
Sacrum
Ann Handley
Mike Sansone
Paul McEnany
Roger von Oech
Anna Farmery
David Armano
Bob Glaza
Mark Goren
Matt Dickman
Scott Monty
Richard Huntington
Cam Beck
David Reich
Luc Debaisieux
Sean Howard
Tim Jackson
Patrick Schaber
Roberta Rosenberg
Uwe Hook
Tony D. Clark
Todd Andrlik
Toby Bloomberg
Steve Woodruff
Steve Bannister
Steve Roesler
Stanley Johnson
Spike Jones
Nathan Snell
Simon Payn
Ryan Rasmussen
Ron Shevlin
Roger Anderson
Robert Hruzek
Rishi Desai
Phil Gerbyshak
Peter Corbett
Pete Deutschman
Nick Rice
Nick Wright
Michael Morton
Mark Earls
Mark Blair
Mario Vellandi
Lori Magno
Kristin Gorski
Kris Hoet
G.Kofi Annan
Kimberly Dawn Wells
Karl Long
Julie Fleischer
Jordan Behan
John La Grou
Joe Raasch
Jim Kukral
Jessica Hagy
Janet Green
Jamey Shiels
Dr. Graham Hill
Gia Facchini
Geert Desager
Gaurav Mishra
Gary Schoeniger
Gareth Kay
Faris Yakob
Emily Clasper
Ed Cotton
Dustin Jacobsen
Tom Clifford
David Polinchock
David Koopmans
David Brazeal
David Berkowitz
Carolyn Manning
Craig Wilson
Cord Silverstein
Connie Reece
Colin McKay
Chris Newlan
Chris Corrigan
Cedric Giorgi
Brian Reich
Becky Carroll
Arun Rajagopal
Andy Nulman
Amy Jussel
AJ James
Kim Klaver
Sandy Renshaw
Susan Bird
Ryan Barrett
Troy Worman
S. Neil Vineberg
C.B. Whittemore
Last week, I was tagged twice by the “8 random things about me” meme. Lewis Green was the first to hook me with the love link and David Reich did it too a few days later. Thank you (for your patience) guys... Ok then, here you go :
1. - The agency I work for once organized corporate “Highland games” in Scotland. Most of the challenges were adapted for team spirit/team building. One of them was throwing a Haggis (typical Scottish sausage) on a long distance (about 100 feet) with a bottle of exquisite whisky as target (you hit it, you get it). You get 3 shots to try. Guess what, I did it... and got the bottle : twice in a row! Well... motivation I guess.
2. - Ever seen parachutes pulled by offshore boats? Well while trying that thing, I made a free fall of about 80 feet, when the boat tried to turn into a too strong winds. Hopefully fell into the water. I was OK, but the shock blew my helmet away.
3. - Feel connected to Garfield : I just LOVE Lasagna (fresh home made ones, of course!). “Hi Mom... would you please consider this as a special request from your son?” – Sorry I had to have this personal message here - ; )
4. - After travelling 7 years through space, in 2004, my signature landed on the Moon... Titan. It was on the CD-ROM traveling with ESA's Cassini-Huygens.
5. - When I was student a friend and I were radio animators for a small local radio. The audience was so low that we asked friends to call us for live quiz games. The prices to win were a bottles of strawberry milk (please don’t laugh, this is true!). We got kicked out after broadcasting an advertising experiment: “a one minute of pure white –understand complete silence- sponsored by a fake brand of washing powder”.
6. – I named my company after seing this movie. From a creative point of view, I thought going to the Moon was a fantastic challenge. Loved the idea that one day a man said "...what if we bring a buggy there... and drive it?".
Company name : Moon Buggy.
Motto: "Drive your dreams".7. – I often listen to film soundtracks. I enjoy letting my imagination dive into their moods and surf the images they inspire. Favorites are from Lalo Schifrin, John Barry, John Williams, Henry Mancini, Michel Magne, Umebayashi Shigeru, etc.
8. – In summer time I ride an electric skateboard. 1 HP (horsepower), speed up to 35 km/h (22 mph) on a maximum distance of 16 km (10 miles). A lot of fun when riding uphill and passing bikes by (... ok, ok, I know I wouldn’t make it with you Tim). ; )
Did you ever have the feeling that there were blogs you missed for a reason or another and would like to read on a more regular basis? Well, this is the message of my tagging meme, since many of you have already been tagged. Here is my “8 stars list” : Caroline Maerten, Kris Hoet, Philippe Deltenre, Pieter Ardinois, Arun Rajagopal, Ryan Karpeles, Matt Dickman, Mark Goren.
Did you notice? Today is July 7 2007. I was just wondering if anybody had thought about it as a special day to engage conversations on specific topics.
It is the official declaration of the new seven wonders of the world in Lisbon. At the same time, today is D-day for Live Earth. Some paradoxes are thought-provoking.
Maybe we should make this day special by making the world a better place. Can social media and digital communication be a tool to HELP us ACT in that direction?
Let's just keep an eye... HEART on our planet.
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