29 March 2008

I’ve been driving for nearly half a year now and one of the most fascinating things I’ve found is the unspoken concept of flashing your headlights. Usually this is done to let other drivers know of any dangers ahead, such as animals on the road or a upcoming car accident. However, it also applies to any police cars with their speed cameras out. Particularly over the Easter weekend, I was flashed a number of times and then I myself flashed other oncoming cars.

I’m not sure if this concept exists outside Australian culture but it certainly plays on the strong sense of mateship, even for those you don’t know.

Now just imagine a brand could do something similar. Create an action, embed it into a culture and create a direct link to your brand that will last for years. The closest example I can think of is the “Oh What A Feeling” Toyota Jump.

Posted by Zac Martin

20 March 2008

I’ve always had an interest in subliminal messages, particularly when it relates to advertising. Faris Yakob just posted a really interesting piece about the FedEx logo…
Look closely at the negative space between the E and the X. Something stand out now that it’s been pointed out to you? Logo designer, Lindon Leader, says the arrow was designed to represent “a symbol for speed and precision”.

It’s not quite the same thing but here’s something someone pointed out to me regarding the Virgin logo.

Apparently even virgins know that sex sells.
Posted by Zac Martin

18 March 2008

Being the good citizen I am, I went to donate to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal only to discover they do not accept PayPal.

I am a big fan of PayPal simply because I do not own a credit card (I know all Marketers are evil!). PayPal now has over 150 million accounts world wide, so why don’t all online stores adopt this as an official payment method? I have seen a small movement toward PayPal here and there but many, mainly charities, are lagging behind.

Surely it can’t be too hard to set up. Had they done so, they would have raised at least a guaranteed $25 more.

Posted by Zac Martin

16 March 2008

Mitch Joel just posted as to why blogging is more important than ever which raised some really interesting points. Even a small time blogger like myself can relate to the majority of them if not through my blog then through those that I read and comment on.

One point in particular got me thinking was the talk about the breakdown of cultural and geographical borders and the increased ease of global communication. An excellent concept but what stood out to me was where this increasingly growing new media trend falls on its face. All I ever really read about is the benefits of digital marketing not problems and issues, like this one which appears quite important.

Whilst we breakdown these walls and the world becomes a smaller place aren’t we at the same time building these walls higher and excluding some from the conversation? Two obvious examples to me are the those with lower socioeconomic statuses and those living in rural areas.

According to the ABS only 64% of Australian households have access to the internet and of those only 68% have access to a broadband connection. So how does a new media marketer target a struggling single mother of three or a drought stricken rural farmer?

Posted by Zac Martin

13 March 2008

Crowell Advertising tells us why they don’t give 110%…

 

 

Interesting, but next time someone tells you they gave just 100%, scream “Bullshit!” because it’s rarely the case.
Posted by Zac Martin

12 March 2008

From the FreeRice website…

“FreeRice is a sister site of the world poverty site; Poverty.com

FreeRice has two goals:

1. Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.”

To date 21,957,026,530 gains have been donated. Not bad eh?

Posted by Zac Martin

11 March 2008

Last week I wrote about a fictional product being launched as an actual one. Similarly, Mr G’s Naughty Girl single was launched this week from ABC’s Summer Heights High, a song performed by actor Chris Lilley during the series.

With the success of the show this would certainly have gone straight to number one on the charts… had it been launched six months ago. Cashing in on the show’s success a little too late?

Posted by Zac Martin

10 March 2008

I picked up a bottle of Another Bloody Water yesterday. What an incredibly creative product design. The labels is written extremely well and really plays on the idea that no one cares what brand of water they drink. I know I certainly don’t, until now.

Product design is important, even for those regular purchases and a little innovation can make all the difference. Its the reason I will buy the new slim can line of Coke. And its the same reason I’ve stopped purchasing Lynx because of their twisty top can.

Posted by Zac Martin

08 March 2008

As a massive fan of Futurama, I could not wait to insert Bender’s Big Score into my DVD player. To say the least, it certainly did not disappoint my high expectations.

Upon doing some reading about the movie, I discovered 20th Century Fox has filed to protect the trademark Slurm in relation to what looks like soft drinks. I love when fictional products become real, a little like slurpees becoming squishies for the Simpsons Movie release at 7-Eleven.

When can we expect Slurm on our shelves in Australia?

Posted by Zac Martin

06 March 2008

I’ve now been blogging for over four months and I’ve come to realise blogging comes down to two things. The first is quite obvious; posting regular and interesting content. I forget where I read this but apparently if you can do that for a year then you should have yourself a successful little blog.

So how do you get to this stage faster with a higher hit rate? My second realisation; the need to be active in your community. It is essential to follow other blogs of a similar nature and actively contribute to them. Reading, listening and importantly commenting is essential. Not only will this help you formulate ideas of your own but planting that seed does surprising lots.

So get out there, build a name for yourself, network, contribute and become a successful blogger.

Posted by Zac Martin