Tag Archives: Experiential

Interactive Advertising – Space 150

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As my years in New York add up, the magic of Time Square dwindles away.  Minneapolis interactive agency, Space 150 has lured me back in, if not to shop and eat, but to interact with GIANT models.

Their brand new Forever 21 billboard in Times Square acts like a mirror to the crowd.  The model takes a photo of the crowd, shakes it, and shows it to them.. one model plucks some from the crowd and gives them a kiss… It’s only been live for a little while, but there is much more to come from this billboard and innovative company.

http://www.fastcompany.com/1663846/times-square-billboards-use-spy-tech-to-reach-out-and-grab-you

Company website:  www.space150.com

Ashlye Vaughan

Interesting Things – 8.2

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Mobile Fish Farms

A new generation of fishers and scientists has been developing a new era of sustainable green fish farming with the mobile fish farms.  These massive spherical cages contain the fish in the open ocean but what makes them unique is they’re designed to flow with the ocean currents, keeping them from causing damage by stagnating in one area.  The cages also have computer controlled propellers to help direct the cage if it gets too near reefs, or currents are not enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCz1KNBI60I

Robin Rhode

There is something irresistibly playful and mischievous about Robin Rhode’s artwork due to this youthful interactions with each piece. By becoming part of his art, the South African artist brings it to a whole new level. Based in Berlin, Germany, Robin Rhode pushes the boundaries of stationary art, bringing life to an otherwise static creation.

http://www.perryrubenstein.com/artists/robin-rhode/

Tattoo Crowdsourcing

Caisa Ederyd crowdsourced her first tattoo, and allowed complete strangers to design and vote on a tattoo to cover the left side of her rib cage. The Wellcome Collection provided sponsorship as part of their Skin exhibition. She put a lot of energy into describing what she wanted from the design on Facebook, Twitter and on her own blog. In the end, she got a “reworked” version of a design that she chose herself. The design chosen by the community was totally different, and didn’t feature any pigs.

http://www.newscientist.com

Aston Martin Resort

MVRDV plans to build a luxury holiday resort that seems to have pulled up a lush green hilltop like a blanket and hidden itself under it. To be located in Montenegro and designed for Aston Martin, the grass-clad hotel seems to blend in seamlessly with its surroundings. Dubbed “Galije” and located on a parcel of untouched coastline land, the resort is envisioned as a way to combine exclusivity with a responsible, sustainable embedding of the structure in its surrounding landscape.

http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/20/aston-martin-resort-disguised-as-a-giant-mountain-of-lush-green/

The Secret to Life

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The new generation wants creative independence and infidelity, we are no longer encouraged to pursue just one medium or job.  Instead do what you can/want and define yourself accordingly.

It seems like a few ‘good’ celebrities are breaking away from a life guarded by publicists, and are trying to define or re-define themselves.  Courtney Love and James Franco, are 2 of them, determined to run their own image, and it’s damn right inspiring.

Courtney (with an anonymous team of 3) has started a daily, fashion blog of herself, and refers to it as a “social experiment.” Courtney has always been upfront with her past struggles with drugs and sanity, but claims to have always loved fashion. “I just didn’t always get it right.”  And after seeing hundreds of images of herself, Courtney decided to begin her own fashion revolution. “One can’t wear a tutu and a Birkin.”

http://www.wwd.com/eyescoop/courtney-love-on-birkins-and-sex-3189035?full=true

James Franco, ultimate mover and shaker, actor, model, writer and full-time student calls parts of his life “performace art,” and the rest… well…. Just life.  After dropping out of school and becoming a successful Hollywood actor, Franco went back to school, first at UCLA, graduating with an English degree.  Now James is enrolled in 4 different schools full time (1 in north Carolina), has a reoccurring roll on General Hospital, multiple movies coming out, a campaign for Gucci, and much more to come. In response to his critics, “If the work is good,” Franco says, “what does it matter? I’m doing it because I love it. Why not do as many things I love as I can? As long as the work is good.”

http://nymag.com/movies/profiles/67284/

“Believe what you want. But here’s a clue. The secret to life: Anyone can die at any time.”- Franco, General Hospital

Ashlye Vaughan

Discover The World With Discovery

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Discovery Communications welcomes new brand licensing strategies targeting men with the launch of Discovery Expedition and Discovery Adventures inspired by such Discovery Channel shows as Man vs. Wild with Bear Grylls and Deadliest Catch. Discovery Expedition will involve adventure and exploration affiliated with high-tech outdoor and lifestyle apparel, accessories and electronic equipment with the first licensees announced later this year. Discovery Adventures will give consumers a chance to explore the world through memorable travel experiences. Trips will be headed by expert guides to cultural, historical and wildlife locations.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:

Every network is looking for new ways to ring revenue out of their content.  Discovery is (finally) taking the step to create their own versions of travel and product options branded by their shows.  Ever since BIGGEST LOSER set up their branded weight loss programs – I have been waiting for other shows and networks to take the similar leap.  This is a no brainer for Discovery considering the travel and gear inherent in their programs.

Every network must think 360 degrees as they compensate for a loss in ad revenue.  To me this represents not a desperate attempt for a dying business but rather a reimagining of the way we interact with brands in our life.  No longer to do sit staring at the screen and feel a brand’s power.  Now we interact with it – and no better way than through lifestyle options of apparel and travel.  Its a richer brand experience.

The Creators Project

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If you don’t know about the Creators Project, check it out! Aiming to satisfy our global hunger for innovative art and technology, The Creators Project is a “modern day media channel” that will exhibit content and work from artists all over the world on their site. They are also hosting events in some of the biggest cultural hubs, New York, Sao Paulo, London, Seoul and Beijing, bringing interactive art and installations, panels, screenings, live performances and workshops to you.

One artist to watch out for is Muti Randolph, who designed the Galeria Melissa for Sao Paulo Fashion Week. A space that continually changes and has become quite a tourist attraction. He refuses to put himself in one box, but has become a skilled artist in many different mediums and will be showcased at these events.

See more from him and other creative innovators below…. http://www.thecreatorsproject.com/creators/muti-randolph

Ashlye Vaughan

Five Reasons Why 48 Hour Magazine F#*$ing Rocks

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Five reasons why 48 Hour Magazine f#*$ing rocks

1. It’s about time some savvy journalist step it up and take the journalism game to the next level by doing a “a raucous experiment in using new tools to erase media’s old limits.” The past few years I often find myself flipping through magazines saying to myself “old news, old news, old news.”  Then thinking, “geez, print media is in trouble.”  Maybe this is the model of the future?

2. It’s crowd-sourcing, wisdom of crowds, or whatever you want to call it at it’s best!  In 10 days before the kick off, over 6,000 people signed up to take part in the 48 Hour Magazine experiment and they received 1,502 submissions for articles.  That’s awesome.

3. The team is a bunch of free-wheeling-forward-thinking-street-savvy-hippies from San Francisco.  San Fran cats might tilt “towards the left” but you can never deny that they are revolutionaries up there in northern California, always willing and able to define the new rules of the new school.

4. They leveraged social media platforms such as Twitter, Ustream, and their blog to invite people to participate in the action with them!  Smart, smart, and smart.  Forget the velvet rope that old media loves to put up – 48 hours magazine wants to and struck an immediate bond with their new fan base.

5.  Their first issue is all about something WE ALL can legitimately relate to at the moment.  “Hustle. Whether you’re employed, not employed, a student, parent, child, or even a lazy bum.  Living in America requires you to have some form of hustle to get what you need.  A decent education, decent medical coverage, a modest income, long walks on the beach – whatever it is – it all requires hustle.  Not only did 48 Hours come up with a brilliant idea and a savvy execution – they created a relatable product.  Bravo ladies and gents – bravo!

http://magcloud.com/browse/Issue/81528

@mitchkapler

Wearable Technology

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WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT -

It started with the Nike shoes that linked up with IPODs and online training.  This is the infancy.  Of course, Apple is leading the charge.

We have been focused on increasing the power and capabilities of our technologies but now we will focus on how they integrate into our life and with our physical constitutions.  Glasses will soon have Terminator capabilities and most clothing will come with new ways to dock your technology.

As the cost of basic computing goes down – more and more wearable technologies will surface.

The Idea Vs. The Execution

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WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT –

An idea is virtually worthless.  In an era of crowd sourcing and futuristic collaboration tools – most likely someone else has your idea as well.  What matters is execution – turning midnight ideas into day time realities.  Stop talking – start doing.  Talk is cheap.  Stop worrying about someone ‘stealing’ your idea and get it made/produced/created.  The idea is only one part of the process – important but it’s how you make it and market it and distribute it.

Positive Psychology

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WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT –

For years, psychology has focused on abnormalities and disease and the negative.  Lately there has been much more research into ‘happiness’.  The most popular freshman class at Harvard is ‘Positive Psychology’ and the study of happiness is a cultural trend that can offer key insights into new modes of training, development and management.  People always thought happiness was happenstance – but in fact there are significant agreed upon maxims that are standard for most happiness.

I Heart ACE

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WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT-

The Ace Hotel has done a tremendous job of designing every aspect of their hotels.

There is no space too small or mundane that should not be made into an artistic moment.

Murals in the stairwells? Check.  Macramé installations in the lobby. Sure.

Make your space a living and breathing item.  Give them life not cultural whitewashing like a chain hotel.  Homogenous is out.  Here is to the unique.

Cheers.