Playgroup | Creativity through play

I was musing through records in Rough Trade East about a month ago when I spotted the much anticipated WAR magazine peering at me from a distant shelf - so obligingly I picked it up and leafed through its freshly printed pages...stylish, sharp editorials, a breadth of design talent...and FREE! 

I think it is a winner on every level and well worth a read, even if you are only slightly interested in fashion and popular culture. Check it out at http://www.warmagazine.com/

Well done WAR! 

Happy reading.

Vx

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Whenever I think about booking a taxi the first firm that pops into my head is Addison Lee. Now this confused me as to why I always thought of these guys first, until this morning when I 'caught' myself  checking out one of the many little 'adbins' sponsored by Addison Lee. This little bin pretty much - at eye level - leaps off the wall at you and shouts read me (not actually as that would just be scary and could hurt someone)!

In short these little chaps house a percentage of cigarette butts that would otherwise litter the streets of London. Almost guerilla-esque advertising in a way as these are very effective I am sure in doing their job - not least because Addison Lee are a taxi firm that undoubtedly ferries around tipsy smokers. Appearing outside of bars, offices, restaurants means they have associated themselves with the business types and the London party circuit. Whilst also pushing the message of keeping London/Britain tidy.

In short good job Addison Lee - as I recon this advertising ploy alone has kept you in the minds eye of many! 

Simple tactics and the correct positioning/recognition of a brand can go a long long way!

Vx

Note: These adbins clearly would not work for all brands considering what they are there to hold. 'Sponsored by tic-tacs - for minty fresh breath' watch this space!  

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In doing some research over the weekend I came across this delightful animation! Produced by the artisit collective known as 'blublu' in Buenos Aires and Baden...I love the way it flows and the interaction between the wall painted graphic and objects around it!

The piece must have taken some serious time to produce - just watch the shadows that show days beginning and passing...

Nice!

Vx

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Yesterday was apparently the most depressing day of the year, but worry not as a smile is all but a click away . Compare the meerkat  is the brain child of Compare the Market, to drive you to there site through the means of a Russian Meerkat called Aleksandr Orlov.

The site itself is peppered with links to redirect you to comparethemarket.com - whether or not people will actively use the site because of this new campaign remains to be seen. 

In a time when things are all too serious this is a refreshing campaign with a lasting meerkat memory! 

Good work!

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This has been around a while now though I still thought I post it up as it's a very effective campaign - for those that haven't seen it! 

I will not say much more other than its an awareness test that hits home the message 'Look Out for Cyclists'

The last time I watched the advert was before 'Burn after reading' (worth a watch) I again loved its simplicity and different approach to getting this message across! 

A serious message contained within a light hearted approach = Winner

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Halloween has gone, the nights are drawing in and Christmas is on the horizon - have a spare couple hours in the evening? If so log onto http://hotel626.com/ 

The 'hotel' (site) is open from 6pm - 6am and you register in the day to then allow you access in the evening. Hotel 626 features a morgue, a dark room and other claustrophobic confines, giving visitors 3D views in darkness, brooding sound design and mobile phone directions that lets you react in real-time to the action on the screen. A microphone and a webcam are highly recommended to experience the whole site.

Oh and incase you do not realise the point behind the site - its to promote Doritos re-launch of the Taco and Four Cheese flavours - obviously! Not completely sure of the entire relevance other than it was released around Halloween - so I guess there lies the answer!

Nonetheless a great concept - the way you can check-in during the day and then enter at a set time in the evening...just like a holiday inn!

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Walkers today announced that they are to go retro and bring back Monster Munch as they were in the 70's - the original flavours/size snack and the classic character packets. I understand the marketing ploy behind this but will it contribute to sales in the long-term? Will it mean anything to those who were not around when this classic playground snack was first launched, surely these packs will only appeal to people born in the 70's and 80's? Are you going to want to sit on your lunch break munching like a monster?

http://www.talkingretail.com/products/10590/Walkers-brings-back-original-M.ehtml

This really got me thinking about the evolution of a brand and how sometimes things can develop so much that the core values are forgotten. Everyone likes a brand that they can really feel a part of. Nostalgia is a great way of bringing that brand back to the minds eye of the consumer, making the consumer believe that they are buying away the years (bringing back the old memories). Mars recently bought back 'Opal Fruits' (for a limited time only!!) which is better known these days as 'Starburst' I wonder whether this had its desired affect? Maynards fruit gums rolled out there classic ad - with the instilling 

'JUICE LOOSE ABOOT THIS HOOSE' tune 

http://www.talkingretail.com/blogs/9357/Maynards-juice-loose-advert-wa.ehtml

I am personally awaiting the day that Kellogg's start to give away spokey dokies in the packets again - now that I am sure would further increase sales - to all ages!

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Something that not enough people consider! 

Have a think and see what you can come up with?!

Have a look at 

http://www.beforeyoudie.co.uk/50-Things-To-Do-Before-You-Die.htm 

for some inspiration!!

Take a look at this magazine as well if you have a savvy eye for style/design 

http://www.ifyoucould.co.uk/

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This concept skyscraper is the future for Dubai's ever changing skyline, with every floor having the capability to revolve 360 degrees around a central concrete core pillar. This means the building will never look the same due to its occupants deciding to rotate or stay still and take in a certain view of the city!

When completed, the rotating tower skyscraper will have 68 floors and will be 313 meters (1,027 feet) high. There will be a 6-star hotel, offices and apartments of various sizes besides five villas on the top floor. Each of the villas will have designated parking on the same floor with vehicles brought up and down in special elevators. The roof of the “Penthouse” villa will also have a swimming pool, a garden and an Arabian majlis. The tower also have a retractable heliport, a platform that will extend from the shell of the building at the 64th floor at the moment of landing, thus maintaining the dynamic aesthetic architecture of the tower.

http://www.flixxy.com/dubai-dynamic-architecture.htm

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