Have You Met TED?

The TED conference was born in 1984 as a way to bring people together from three distinct worlds: Technology, Entertainment, and Design -- hence the name.

Since then, TED has become one of the most respected creative organizations in the world, showcasing remarkable people and exceptional ideas.

The Other Daily Show

Rupert Murdoch recently launched the first daily newspaper that's exclusive to the iPad. It's called The Daily, and it features great interactivity and graphics.

You can download the app and get two weeks for free, but their business model is definitely based on paying subscribers.

Should be interesting to see if they hit a home run out of the gate. Convincing folks to pay for online content is not an easy sell.

Either way, you're certainly looking at the future of media -- and it's safe to say that video is going to play a key role.

Das Great Long Form

Here's a collection of long-form VW videos, featuring SNL's Bill Hader. They're great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNM7bphMtTc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWFUD0RVsvE

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAA2IKVy8ZQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxmn9u2fy4Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G4JbdOnios

Small World

In this video, Toy Thailand, the filmmakers use tilt shift effects to make their footage look like they're shooting miniatures. This has been done a lot lately, but they execute it really well.

Music + Video

I saw this video and thought it was really cool how they shot and edited it. They transition really well from shot to shot. Good stuff. It's Regina Spektor and the song is titled "Samson."

No, Not Adverb Log... Adver Blog

http://www.adverblog.com/

Here's a cool website that should be on your radar. It's got lots of fun, interactive ads.

In Constant Motion

Here's a great source for motion templates:

http://www.applemotion.net/

Got any others?

Saving A Latte Bucks

Starbucks just revamped their logo. Most folks will probably think it was purely an artistic decision, but dropping a color will significantly reduce printing costs, and by removing the text, the cups can now be used in all parts of the world -- yet another cost savings.

National Geographic's 7 Billion People

National Geographic has done it again with this thought-provoking video about the world's population being at 7 billion and growing. But the problem isn't that we're going to run out of space--every human on earth standing shoulder-to-shoulder would only fill an area the size of Los Angeles.

Cutting The Paper

Rather than adding a popular "Please consider the environment before printing" tag to their e-mail signatures, the World Wildlife Fund took things a step further. They created an unprintable .pdf format.

Whether you subscribe to this ideology or not (perhaps you're opposed to saving trees), you have to applaud the ingenuity and spot-on brand awareness. It's quite brilliant. You can download the free app from this link.

Projecting The Future of Magazines

When Virgin's Richard Branson decided to start up a new magazine, he wasn't kidding around. Not only is "Project" exclusive to the iPad, but it's cool as heck.

Each monthly issue is $2.99 at the App Store. Learn more about this revolutionary publication here.

Welcome To The Danger Zone

Great, fake spot. How'd they do the accident?

Thanks to Owen for sharing.

stash DVD magazine

Check this site for inspiration. I'm big on Motion Design so this is fascinating for me.
-Steve




http://www.stashmedia.tv/?p=5732

The Making of A Filmmaker

The beautiful video Serena shared at the Creative Summit.

Not Quite Naked

The TSA's search methods have been causing a lot of controversy lately. The X-Ray scanners make you practically naked in front of them.

There isn't much we can do to get around that, but you can make your statement at 4th Amendment wear.

Slip into the shirts or underwear, which have the 4th amendment on them in metallic ink. Upon looking at your x-ray, the TSA will see your body, your lack of dangerous weapons, and some cleverly-placed words regarding our rights to unreasonable search and seizure.

One Smart Cookie

Cookie Monster takes a page out of Betty White's playbook, rallying Facebook fans to help him land a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cookie-Monster-should-host-Saturday-Night-Live/130316933655526

He's even posted a SNL audition reel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-PkQRh3QXA

As of this moment, the man in blue already has attracted more than 65.000 Facebook fans, and he's a lock to appear on every major newscast. You gotta love a puppet playing the media like a puppet.

iGigging On NY Subways

iPhone marketing or band promotion? You be the judge, but either way, it's cool and it works.

(Courtesy of our friend, Mark B.)

Light It Up

Old dogs... learn new tricks, justify the source.

Understand the science behind the eye and the specular highlight.

http://www.poweroflighting.com/

(Courtesy of our friend, Danny T.)

The World Gets Greative at the Guggenheim

http://www.youtube.com/play#p/c/A9C90FECA0F7EEDA/4/18usd0iV3eI

TV: Man's Best Friend

Don't think TV advertising is effective? Check out Harvey...

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

Good. Fast. Cheap.

Here's a car spot that didn't cost a zillion dollars to produce and it doesn't have any complicated effects. It's a user-generated ad for Toyota and it's something we could all easily do.

http://current.com/groups/on-current-tv/88882603_toyota-relationship.htm

Amazing Commercial, with no CGI

Chances are, many of you have seen this commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ve4M4UsJQo

But if you're like me and you haven't, it's for the Honda Accord, and it's called "Cog". Oh, and apparently the most expensive commercial ever made. 6 million pounds (UK), 606 takes. Why that many takes? Because there was NO CGI. This was all agonizingly done by hand. It took FIVE MONTHS of setup before they were ready to shoot. I believe the only post work they did was lightening the car as it rolled off the platform.

Here's a website with some background:

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/2110.asp

Prepare to be wowed.

Simpsons intro, Banksified

http://creativity-online.com/work/the-simpsons-banksy-intro/21549

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/11/the-simpsons-explains-its-button-pushing-banksy-opening/

New Coke, Gap Style?

After 20 years, Gap changed their logo and the feedback was not what they expected. After being blasted on the web for days, they decided to drop it.

Music Video: Shot without cameras

This is a really cool video for a Radiohead song called "House of Cards". What makes it so unique is that there weren't any cameras- just laser "scanners" that measure depth and terrain like radar.

http://vimeo.com/2037463

If you're interested, here's the "making of" video.

http://vimeo.com/1552605

The video is immensely popular. Just goes to show you what can happen if you think in a completely different way- who would have thought you could create video without a camera?

Owen

Re-inventing The Wheel

What's the best way to increase NBA jersey sales? Re-do all of them -- that's Adidas' plan.
http://www.nba.com/2010/news/09/21/adidas-uniforms/index.html

The Onion Hits The Nail On The Head

We've all met this bowling alley owner.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/bowlingalley-owner-wants-tv-ad-to-look-more-matrix,530/

Purity is Good

This is a pretty funny message from Smart Water- just thought it was worth a share. I laugh every day at this billboard- on my way in to work.

http://www.jotpix.com/video.aspx?y=17SFCKezd5w

What's Next For The iPad?

This isn't breaking news, but it looks like down the road, the iPad may have a built-in, touchable keyboard.

The idea is that keys would be embedded in the screen, and then rise and retract to give you an actual touchable surface.

http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/will-apple-islate-tablet-have-a-tactile-keyboard--660209

Gobbledygook

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If you don't know what this is, CLICK HERE.

Success By Design

If you're into Art Direction and Design, Communication Arts is a must-have magazine subscription. At the very least, keep an eye on their web site -- lots of good ideas.

The Writing On The Wall

I'm not a big fan of graffiti, but Banksy takes the art form to a whole other level. http://www.banksy.co.uk/

He's amazingly talented, thought-provoking, gutsy, and probably most importantly, elusive.

Where Do You Find Creative Inspiration?

How many hours of TV do you have to watch in order to see all the latest ads? Subscribe to the CREATIVITY email and know what everyone's talking about.

Ad Critic's CREATIVITY

Amazing Commercial

While this has been around for a long time, it's still one of the coolest commercials ever.

It's a spot for a Sony Bravia LCD tv. These people launched thousands of little bouncy balls down a San Francisco street. It's just a really well-made piece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zOrV-5vh1A&feature=related

Plum Flower

by Serena Moy

Click below to check out my short film. It took place in China, but all shot in Illinois. No telling what you can do with some magic dust. Enjoy!

http://imaginingourselves.imow.org/pb/Story.aspx?G=1&C=0&id=1059&lang=1

The Final Word

Is "website" one word or two? Can you hyphenate a long web address? Answers to these questions and many more can be found in the 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. It's one of the most respected writer guides and it's all-new for 2010.  http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Manual-Style-16th/dp/0226104206

Serious Monkey Business

Quite simply, the world's greatest local car commericals. http://www.trunkmonkeyad.com/

Need Some Space?

Next time you could use some really cool photos and videos from outer space, you've got two choices: build your own space capsule or visit www.nasa.gov/multimedia

As a U.S. taxpayer, you're actually allowed to use the footage -- even for commercial purposes, as long as you give the proper credit.

Points On The Board

Here's a super-smart ad for Tivo. Doesn't get much simpler, or better.

Photoshop Tennis Anyone?

A great idea started years ago by Chicago agency, Coudal Partners: http://www.layertennis.com/. Two talented Photoshop artists take turns one-upping each other, and the results (and process) are usually pretty fantastic.