how to watch the debates tonight
If you've watched any major televised event while also watching your Twitter stream, you understand that it brings the viewing experience to a whole new level. Imagine a tv viewing party with about 600 of your favorite friends.
CurrentTV realizes the value, and will be broadcasting a tweet stream simultaneous with their broadcast of the debate. Holy sweetalicious social media TV!! (I swear this was my idea, btw.)
You only need to add "#current" to the end of your tweet, to have it broadcast. I'll definitely be trying this out (although I'm not really sure if we get CurrentTV at home).
If that zombie dude shows up, this is going to be a blast.
Labels: politics, social media, tv, twitter
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:50 AM
0 comments
what obama should be doing
The other night, while tweeting to a friend that "Obama should should turn solar energy into his version of putting a man on the moon." , I discovered that someone's collecting every tweet in the world that includes the words "Obama should".
You can see them all together on the Obama Should Twitter page. Tweet your own Obama should tweet, and you'll show up in the stream, too. Or follow and find out what everyone else believes Obama should be doing. This is a great idea for a brand promotion...
Labels: politics, pop culture, social media, twitter
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:56 AM
0 comments
polar bears protest in d.c.
To raise attention to the plight of the polar bears, GreenPeace erected a series of homeless bear statues. Communicating their message in their own way.
The police (and bomb squad) removed them, fearful that they were...packed with explosives. Couldn't they have just sent Ms. Palin with a butcher knife, for a field dressing? AnimalNewYork has more funny pics and a video.
Labels: art, green, nonprofit, politics, streetart, stunts
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:45 AM
0 comments
how to make an info graphic delicious
Check out this graph - not just for the politics, but for the beautious presentation of information graphics. Awesome.
Labels: design, illustration, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:09 AM
0 comments
because you can't get enough of the political ads
Would you watch political ads 24/7 if you could? Then you're going to swim in political deliciousness with Adfreak's new launch.
Campaign Freak is an all political version of AdFreak. What an awesome idea. There should be plenty of moose hunting, pig lipsticking fun for the whole family.
Labels: adindustry, ads, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
0 comments
copywriters: check out this antimetabole thing
The Slate has a wonderful piece on how the speech writers on both sides of the fence are utilizing antimetaboles. I got all excited when I saw the word, naturally thinking it was a time travel device. But no. It's an age old copy trick of reversing things around in an elegant and powerful way.
Read the Slate piece for all of the details, and then go produce a killer antimetabole headline for your next brand campaign. From BenKunz, via Twitter
Labels: copywriting, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:16 AM
1 comments
street art of the dnc
The Denver Egotist is collecting pics of the street art that's popping up all over Denver during the Democratic National Convention.
Because those delegates in silly hats are secretly street artists at night. Don't let the old ladies fool you. There's spray paint cans hidden in those silly red, white and blue cowboy hats.
Labels: art, politics, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
0 comments
adweek lets agencies do the political ads they'd like to do.
AdWeek asked a handful of big agency shops to realize political ads just for fun. Because that's what ad people like to do with their down time.
Some are funny. Some are stupid. Some are pretty cool. I like the Kaplan Thaler Group's take, and thought the R/GA work was creative.
Labels: adindustry, ads, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:18 AM
1 comments
behind the scenes with obama video
Here's a really cool post featuring some behind the scenes juice from the director of video field production on the Obama campaign.
There are a bunch of interesting links and details - like the fact that the average viewer of videos on BarackObama.com and YouTube.BarackObama.com is 45-55 years old, and those viewers want long-form content - proving people have more attention span than we usually give them credit for.
Good information here that could be applied to a variety of brands and campaigns.
Labels: politics, trends, video, youtube
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:24 AM
0 comments
power to the people
If you really dig old school stencil art, the Russian revolution or propaganda art, then check out this new book Power to the People.
The book features stenciled Russian Telegraph Agency window posters that hung in storefronts from 1919 to 1921, just after the Russian Revolution. (T-shirts, just waiting to happen.) From Print.
Labels: art, politics, publishing, streetart
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:55 AM
0 comments
vote john smith for president
The Chesapeake Bay is apparently getting all dirty and stinky. How do you raise awareness, and get people rallied around Chesapeake Bay pride? By finding a presidential candidate that supports the bay. Captain John Smith is that man.
And there's a campaign site, too. Really hoping that he chooses the Cap'n Crunch for his running mate. From Make the logo bigger.
Labels: nonprofit, parody, politics, travel
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:33 AM
1 comments
a better candidate for creatives
No matter how many ways you wrap it, these custom videos "to fool your friends" never get tired. This one promotes PalTalk. And the new position I'm seeking. Found at ToddAnd.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:43 AM
0 comments
stop the smears: awesome promo tactic
This is a seriously great promotional tactic - regardless of what side of the fence you're on.
Obama has launched Fight the Smears, a site devoted to answering any of the accusations that are being thrown around by McCain supporters. Worried that Obama eats live babies in satanic rituals? Now you can get the facts.
This is fantastic on multiple levels:
1. Presents the Obama brand as being a part of the conversation, and willing to answer any challenge brought to the table.
2. Creates one place for his supporters to point their friends who have heard "smears".
3. Works as yet another tool in the arsenal for the campaign. When questioned on any item, Obama supporters can claim "We've answered this in detail on our site Stop the Smears.com." In one sentence, you've just labeled the opposition's claim a smear, and driven traffic to a your promotional site.
Genius. Big brands could learn something here. Found on MaketheLogoBigger.
Labels: blogging, branding, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:30 AM
6 comments
what to do with the hillary clinton yard signs
Is your yard filled with Hillary Clinton promotional signs, and now you don't know what to do? Not to worry.
The dudes over at Build a Sign will send you a FREE Obama sign, if you send them your old Hillary sign. I'm guessing they make the Hillary signs into Obama signs. Or send them to countries where people can't afford political yard signs. Whatever.
If you're a former Hillary now Obama supporter, this sounds like a pretty good deal. And a great promotion for Build a Sign. If only they had a program for garden gnomes.
From BradJWard, via Twitter.
Labels: green, outdoor, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:41 AM
1 comments
obama: things are already changing
Regardless of where you stand politically, last night was an historic event. In many ways.
What I found interesting: Over 4500 viewers (at peak, on Ustream) were watching history being made. Streaming. Live. On the internet. While chatting, Tweeting, and sharing with friends across the world.
Things have certainly changed.
Labels: politics, social media, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:07 AM
0 comments
obama lovers just gave you the best social media idea
If you haven't already checked out Oh Boy Obama, do it now. Put aside your politics, and just look - because this is the most awesomely delicious example of how to crowd source, and use social media for the promotion of a brand.
The site is an open think tank, where Obama fans can chime in with ideas for Obama related to his scheduling, tactical plans, publicity, advertising, demographics, and more. Visitors can vote on their favorite ideas, and the most popular rise to the top.
This is an uber relevant example of how to use social media, that can be applied to nearly any brand. B2C, B2B, whatever. Need ideas on how this could be applied to your industry? You know who to call.
Labels: marketing, politics, social media, strategy
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:42 AM
1 comments
campaign brands by swag style
Animal New York has an interesting view of the democratic candidates - judging them by their campaign swag style. Obama has cool stuff, Hillary has stuff that only older white women would wear.
I wonder if the campaigns are designing to the audiences that they already have, or are they missing opportunities? Is their swag a reflection of the audience they're targeting, or a reflection of the design teams that are creating them?
If Hillary had cool t-shirts, would hipster white guys identify with her? If Obama had gold embroidered sweatshirts in bad fonts, would the old women taking the bus to the casino like him? Just wondering.
Labels: branding, fashion, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:17 AM
1 comments
be just like obama
With the new Logobama automated Obama logo maker, anyone can have a winning presidential-candidate-style identity. Just upload your photo, and click your mouse. Presto. You've been Logobama'd! Stylish suits and bowling skills may cost extra. Found first on ToddAnd.
Labels: design, identity, politics, viral
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:22 AM
0 comments
what kids read before the internet
The NY Times has a gallery of all of the Mad Magazine fold ins. Fold ins were interactive entertainment before the internets.
Readers see a folded out version, that would include a question, and some imagery related to the topic. When folded in, the page would reveal another illustration entirely - revealing the "answer" to the question.
Great, creative stuff from the time before computers and Flash animation. Found by Mave Gibson, via Facebook. (Damn Mave, you find the best stuff!)
Labels: creativeinspiration, illustration, politics, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:41 AM
1 comments
Hillary Clinton Endorses Obama �
This is a fantastic ad. And it's being passed around the interweb like mad. Because it's relevant. And communicates the brand message. Wonderful concept.
Labels: ads, politics, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:12 AM
0 comments
shepard fairey endorses obama
Wow. I won't take political sides on BrandFlakes - but take a look at the brand power here. Legendary artist Shepard Fairey has created a series of prints of Obama. And completely endorsed him. This is interesting.
+ It's rare for a brand like Obey to take specific political sides. Certainly commonplace to take a stand against the status quo, against the war, etc. But for a brand or artist of Shepard's notoriety to endorse a particular candidate, this early in the game is unique. Creating a line of 'products' centered around the candidate is unheard of, I believe.
+ Posters of Obama. Can you remember a candidate that has carried the brand/star power worthy of posters that people would want to hang in their homes? Not since Kennedy, in my opinion.
Say what you want about candidates - but Obama has unbelievable brand power. Brand Managers, watch and learn. Found on Notcot.
Labels: art, politics, streetart, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:45 AM
3 comments
support your candidate by beating them for points
Is all the media coverage on the presidential primaries making you want to take a stick to Mitt Romney? Well now you can! Tribbit is a startup that just launched a new Facebook application called Pinata which features a bi-partisan Presidential Primary Pinata that lets people show their support for their favorite candidate by encouraging their Facebook friends to earn points for “whacking” the crap out of their respective avatars until they break. Wholly useless but oddly satisfying for those that want to REALLY give Hillary something to cry about.
posted by Wilson Cleveland @ 2:54 PM
0 comments
obama's mighty marketing
Check out this post detailing some Obama marketing techniques. From fundraising tactics, innovative list building, and the world's largest phone bank, this is a marketing team that's spot on. There's not a brand that couldn't learn something here.
Sooo many impressive tactics - but my fave is getting people while they're at an event to call four friends. Think about that...you're at an event - so you're already pre-disposed to the brand. Because all of the people around you are doing it, you're more likely to participate in something you wouldn't normally do. Because you're at an exciting event, you have a speaking point to begin discussions with your friends. Brilliant.
The same technique could work for most non-profit live events, and even some consumer brands. Why are we learning marketing from a politician?
Thanks Eliza!
Labels: marketing, mobile, politics, streetteams, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:40 AM
1 comments
behind political poster design
Think political poster design is boring? That no creative thought goes into them? Check out this funny NY Times slide show on what those political posters are really saying. From Boing Boing.
Labels: design, outdoor, politics
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:01 PM
0 comments
weapons of mass communication
What's going on in London?? Here's another show that you can only go to if you live in the place that Johnny Rotten lived, before he got fat and appeared on the Tonight Show.
The show is titled Weapons of Mass Communication, and features a collection of war posters that explore how designers and advertisers have attempted to affect public opinion. From Coudal Partners
Labels: art, branding, creativeinspiration, politics, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:55 AM
0 comments
"don't tase me, bro." bigger than chris crocker?
BoingBoing reports on how the phrase "Don't Tase Me, Bro" has become the latest meme on the internets. T-shirts, video mashups (above), and so much more. I still prefer Chris Crocker cying.
Labels: politics, pop culture, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:29 AM
5 comments
little plastic men to spread a message
Make the Logo Bigger has found a fun and unique war protest. (Can protesting be fun? Yes, right?)
The Army Men Project asks that you place little plastic army men everywhere. In the hardware store, the grocery store, on the escalator. As little reminders that we're at war. Because people forget, when they're shopping. Cool idea.
Reminds me of an even more awesome idea that Make the Logo Bill had while we were on tour this summer...giant plastic army yard ornaments. Why don't these exist?? I'd love a battle scene for my front yard. And I'm sure that my neighbors would love it, too.
Labels: creativeinspiration, outdoor, politics, pop culture
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:51 AM
0 comments
obama dude gets branding and design
Or has a crack crew who gets it. Two recent points of interest about the Obama campaign, both pointing to smart marketing.
First, NOTCOT points to Obama's sweet button designs. Putting all politics aside, these buttons are hot. Love how they put the 008 on his shoulder. And even the way they've positioned 008, making it unique. 08 is soooo 07. Everyone's doing 008.
And next, we discover that Obama has ringtones. No opinion on politics - but this campaign certainly gets branding. And design. Nice job.
Labels: branding, design, mobile, politics, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:37 AM
0 comments
presidential ad is...art?
Already dreading the onslaught of political ads for the next year and a half? Check out Presidential candidate Mike Gravel's new spot.
Ummm....ok. Is it weird just to be weird? Is there a deeper message? Are there subliminal messages prompting me to buy Pepsi? Regardless, I guess I'd prefer this type of ad over what's sure to come from the rest of the candidates. From AdFreak.
Labels: ads, politics, video, youtube
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:31 AM
0 comments
if 40 is the new 30, then is anheuser busch really marketing to teens?
As a society, we're' hanging on to our youth like never before. I know a few 40 year-olds who feel like they're 30. And 30 year-olds who still feel 20. And so on. So where are the new marketing and branding lines to be drawn?
There's a lot of hoopla from lawmakers across the nation about Anheuser Busch and other marketers producing youthful products.
With the vibrancy of youth comes new tastes and opinions about what's pleasurable. Just because older generations declared that wine is the only suitable drink for adults, doesn't mean that some of us can't enjoy RedBull and Vodka. Times have changed, and tastes have followed.
I believe that AB understands the market much more than they're given credit for. Yes, their new beverages look youthful. Look fun. Look tasty and sweet. But does that really mean they're marketing to teens?
I would like to believe in my heart that alcohol companies aren't sitting in dark rooms trying to be evil. Or intentionally marketing alcohol to minors. I believe they're reacting to what their audiences are telling them. We don't want to get old. We like new products. We use the internet. We enjoy the energy of our youth.
I enjoy drinking occasionally. Responsibly. And I don't like fine wine. I like beer less than I used to. I like that brands are looking for new things for me to consume. I crave new things. And I'm not a teenager.
If lawmakers were genuinely concerned about under-age drinking, they'd properly staff their liquor control commissions. Most states have a only a couple of employees to monitor all of the bars or liquor stores that potentially serve minors. And bureaucracy makes any action nearly impossible. Wouldn't it be more effective to actually solve that problem? But I guess that doesn't look as sensational, on the local news. So let's go after the marketers. I'm gonna go have another Raw Tea.
Labels: adindustry, beverage, politics, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 10:30 PM
1 comments
boston city council: we want in on the party
The Boston City Council is holding a hearing today to discuss guerilla marketing. They're suggesting that there be a notification process regarding campaigns, so that they don't get caught off guard.
Says City Council President Maureen Feeney:
“Our agenda is not to ban these types of marketing activities. We don’t want to violate First Amendment rights. We understand that this is an innovative new technique, but what we do want is to understand how we can engage and involve these marketing agencies to apprise the city of what’s going on.”
They also have said that they can keep a secret - and that marketers won't have to worry about campaigns leaking from their department.
On paper, this sounds like a good idea. Why not keep them informed? But in reality, this would never work.
Marketer: "We'd like to paste oversized posters onto the sides of buildings"
City Council: "Uh, no."
Real guerilla campaigns come in two flavors: legal, and illegal. The legal campaigns are pretty easy. Negotiating for some otherwise unused outdoor space, for a unique installation. MINI has done this often. Because property owners are typically involved, there's no hoopla, and no need for a City Council meeting.
Illegal campaigns on the other hand, are graffiti style - and involve installing art or installations onto public places without permission. There's no scenario where the Boston City Council will (or could) give blessing to these campaigns.
And meanwhile, the police are still blowing things up like crazy.
Labels: adindustry, outdoor, politics, streetart, streetteams
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:29 AM
3 comments
barack's website: the bomb.
Politics aside, Obama's website is the bomb.
You can create your own profile, blog, network, and more. Links to his YouTube page, his Facebook page, and his Flickr photo stream. Even web2.0 style icons. Here's someone who gets the internet. Or has people that get the internet. The election that's almost two years from now is going to be mighty interesting. From Adrants.
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:28 AM
3 comments
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