Digital 101: 8 bits about digital

1.1 Constantly Evolving The interface I thought the best way to introduce digital is to take a look at where digital has come from and how it has evolved quickly since the first personal computers started appearing in the late 1960s.  I know computers had been around a lot longer than 60s but this is the point where they started to become “Personal”. Even though now anyone could own a [...]

 

Digital 101: Introduction

Digital 101 was conceived was conceived by Will and myself as a way of sharing and increasing the digital knowledge of our account management. Originally it was only going to be a series of internal workshops here at Meerkats but in a true digital manner we thought lets practice what we will be preaching. So we will be posting Digital 101 as a series here the Meerkats website fortnightly as well as sharing the slides on slide share.

 

 
 

Steve Jobs: Billion Dollar Hippy

A great insight into the man and the Apple brand. My Favourite part is around 37:25 where they talk about how design and experience changed the way we think about function. Stephen Fry sums it up best, “The function is not the point… The better is looks the more you want to use it. The more function you get out of it.” I don’t often condone posting content from TV on youtube but [...]

 

 
 

Forget Social

“Forget Social! Social is now a feature not a platform.” Bold words from my new favourite web thinker Roger McNamee.  I was lucky enough to see some of his slides from Mashable connect 2012 posted on facebook this morning.  They slides were so inspiring I started to do some digging and this this TEDx talk from last year.  I would still love to find a video of his Mashable connect talk.  So if [...]

 

 
 

There Will Be Stories

Great spot for Star City – Sydney from The Monkeys.  The ad features Bill Baker performing a lounge rendition of “welcome to the jungle” on a piano wheeled through the casino while outrageous stories are unfolding in the background.  Think Star City meets the Hangover.  I sense we will see more about these background stories in the future.  So stay tuned.

 

Can you solve this?

Do you do flash? Are you sick of hearing about the death of Flash? Are you the James Cameron of the 300×250 screen? Are you kept up at night wondering how much more can you actually fit in a 40kb file? We we would like to speak to you. Probably the best way for you to get to know us is to read our handbook. We would like to speak to [...]

 

 
 

Don't try this at home

Looks like Jackass meets The Curiosity Show.  Super slow motion highlights captured at 2,500 frames per second from Danish TV show “Dumt & Farligt“. Don’t try this at home or the office.

 

 
 

I'm Feeling Richer Effect

A great use of the prospect theory in advertising.  It’s also a very funny take on the effect.  If you are feeling brave and have a brain like Ronnie’s you can find out more about the prospect theory here.

 

 
 

Why user experience matters

This is a great little video demonstrating what happens when user experience is not thought through. This example highlights the issues for blind people in society today but I think we can all learn something from this.  This video demonstrates the need to walk through an experience as an end user.  Makes you wonder if the people designing the ATM actually tested the process or tried to access the machine [...]

 

 
 

Nike+ Fuel Band

Following up on the success of Nike+ Running apps R/GA have done it again with Nike+ FuelBand.  It is amazing how R/GA continue to wag the dog.  Creating ideas and strategy that turn into product development for Nike.  Could this be the new iPad? Get amped. Watch Intro Video

 

 
 

VW - Fanwagen

I love this campaign.  I am glad they did a case study video.  I can’t remember how I found out about this but I remember was guttered when I found out I could not win it out side of the Netherlands. A beautiful looking and crafted campaign with the ability to win an awesome prize.  

 

 
 

Kony 2012

You have probably already seen this, considering it has had over 11 million views in 3 days and taken over the internet and main stream media. This powerfully emotive video must be one of the best examples of social media to raise awareness for an unknown cause. The youtube video description is as follows. KONY 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but [...]

 

 
 

Nike - TheFilmRoom

I love the way Nike continue to position themselves as more than just a sports apparel company but rather a big brother to all amateur sports enthusiasts. Once again with the amazing work and technology developed by R/GA they have developed a tool to help amateurs, in this case basketball players, learn from and match their performance with professionals players and their idols. Similar to previous work like Nike+ for running and Head 2 Head for American [...]

 

 
 

Flash Fans: 2012 Budweiser Official Big Game Commercial

This takes the vote as our favourite Superbowl ad this year.  Budweiser use their extreme Superbowl budget to give some everyday people an experience they will never forget.  By turning a minor league/ social game of hockey in to a world cup experience by flash mobbing the game with everything from capacity house of spectators to commentators, cameras, lights, tickertape, body-painted fans, and mascots. A nice heartwarming clip along the [...]

 

 
 

GymPact

Here is a great idea that looks like it came straight from the pages of the book Nudge, by Richard H. Thaler and Prof. Cass R. Sunstein Gym-pact is a new iPhone app designed to help users stay motivated to go to the gym.   After downloading the app and registering, you nominate your gym and select a target goal and then an amount you are willing to lose if you fail. [...]

 

 
 

McDonald's Coinoffers - Denmark

I spotted great digital campaign for McDonald’s from DDB Denmark today on TheFWA.  The campaign revolves around a smartphone app for Iphone and Android that scans custom QR codes to receive virtual coins and link to the users facebook account.  McDonald’s have apparently hidden 1 million of the QR codes around the country.  Codes can be found online, tv, print, outdoor, in-store and elsewhere.  Each QR code can be scanned once a day [...]

 

Take This Lollipop

Wow, can’t believe I have only just seen this.  I just spotted this little facebook app on Mashable. It boasts the fastest growing amount of Facebook likes in history with 12,214,317 likes as I write this. Take This Lollipop is an interactive horror movie from the creative genius behind elf yourself.   Originally created as a side project for Halloween, it has well surpassed expectations. Try it out yourself: www.takethislollipop.com Or watch some of [...]

 

 
 

JB Hi-Fi NOW

I predict this will be a good digital idea to watch.  Visual Jazz has teamed up with JB Hi-Fi to create a subscription based music service giving subscribers access to millions of songs online for $6.67/month. While this type of service is not a revolutionary idea, it is one of the first in Australia thanks to many of the big players like Spotify which is not available here.   With the backing [...]

 

 
 

Condom08 - The Sex Profile

Another great find from Aden over at Digital Buzz Blog. This integrated campaign seems to incorporate every single buzz technique around at the moment. It’s got: QR codes Smartphone app Social sharing Infographics Gamification Great case study video What haven’t they done in this campaign? What I like most about this campaign is the complete integration through all media channels.  I love the way they use the data collected from the apps for [...]

 

 
 

Vinnie's Plays Hide and Seek

Great little campaign found on www.bandt.com.au this morning. Moby,Gotye, Boy & Bear and other Australian musicians have autographed and donated pre-loved personal items to Vinnies as part of a campaign created by George Patterson Y&R Sydney. The donated items will be hidden throughout Vinnies’ NSW stores with the bands’ fans receiving hints via the campaign Facebook page. Love this for the simplicity of the idea. It seems the perfect option [...]