In a van, down by the river...Saturday, June 30, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
An artist's look at statistics...
Artist Chris Jordan looks at contemporary American culture through the austere lens of statistics. Each image portrays a specific quantity of something: fifteen million sheets of office paper (five minutes of paper use); 106,000 aluminum cans (thirty seconds of can consumption) and so on. The picture above depicts two million plastic beverage bottles, the number used in the US every five minutes.
More here
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Might be illegal, but it's so cool...
Don't know if I love this and I'm not sure how impactful this will be in getting people to the movie. But I love the idea of putting the Surfer's image on 40,000 quarters. Brilliant, grass-roots awareness. Illegal, but brilliant.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Every marketers nightmare...Bank of America promotional fax mistaken as bomb threat
The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
ASHLAND, Massachusetts: A Bank of America employee misinterpreted a faulty fax about a bank promotion as a bomb threat Wednesday, leading authorities to evacuate more than a dozen neighboring businesses.
The fax from a marketing group about a Bank of America small business promotion contained images of a lighted match and a bomb with a fuse, bank spokesman Ernesto Anguilla said. But words explaining the promotion did not transmit.
"The fax machine malfunctioned, so a partial image came through that looked somewhat suspicious," Anguilla said.
The missing text included the phrases "The countdown begins" and "Small business commitment week June 4-8," according to a copy circulated by police.
"It was an internal communication designed only for our employees," Anguilla said. The fax was sent to the bank's branches in parts of New England as well as New York and New Jersey.
The bank's Ashland branch manager called police Wednesday morning. Fears also arose because the branch received a suspicious package delivered by a customer around the same time, police said. A State Police bomb squad searched the bank branch and checked out the package, which was a delivery of documents.
About 15 small businesses in a shopping plaza were evacuated for about three hours, including a day care center with about 30 children, Police Chief Scott Rohmer said.
Authorities eventually learned from Bank of America security officials that it was a false alarm.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
ASHLAND, Massachusetts: A Bank of America employee misinterpreted a faulty fax about a bank promotion as a bomb threat Wednesday, leading authorities to evacuate more than a dozen neighboring businesses.
The fax from a marketing group about a Bank of America small business promotion contained images of a lighted match and a bomb with a fuse, bank spokesman Ernesto Anguilla said. But words explaining the promotion did not transmit.
"The fax machine malfunctioned, so a partial image came through that looked somewhat suspicious," Anguilla said.
The missing text included the phrases "The countdown begins" and "Small business commitment week June 4-8," according to a copy circulated by police.
"It was an internal communication designed only for our employees," Anguilla said. The fax was sent to the bank's branches in parts of New England as well as New York and New Jersey.
The bank's Ashland branch manager called police Wednesday morning. Fears also arose because the branch received a suspicious package delivered by a customer around the same time, police said. A State Police bomb squad searched the bank branch and checked out the package, which was a delivery of documents.
About 15 small businesses in a shopping plaza were evacuated for about three hours, including a day care center with about 30 children, Police Chief Scott Rohmer said.
Authorities eventually learned from Bank of America security officials that it was a false alarm.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
The future of art - Robots and Monsters
When the art world and web 2.0 connect, great things happen. You get http://www.robotsandmonsters.org, a charitable project that went boing. I participated last week, and that morning Joe emailed me and 700 other peeps and said he was overwhelmed by the response. I like the good cause aspect, but come on. What a great model for other artists.
Reminded me of http://www.onethousandpaintings.com/home/, another idea that is so stratightforward: One thousand numbers = one thousand paintings for sale.
I've been chatting with artist friends about this, and really think there's a new business opportunity that should be realized.
Oh, and check out Project 337, a local art experience here in Salt Lake City.
Reminded me of http://www.onethousandpaintings.com/home/, another idea that is so stratightforward: One thousand numbers = one thousand paintings for sale.
I've been chatting with artist friends about this, and really think there's a new business opportunity that should be realized.
Oh, and check out Project 337, a local art experience here in Salt Lake City.
New opportunities in emerging markets
I just realized there's alot here about emerging markets, technology, and user info. Sorry. I've been working on these issues for 6 months or so for a client. It's very top of mind for me...understanding how these markets work and how you can scale solutions when they are so different and complex. I mean, look at BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China). I mean, really. Can these markets be any less different?
So it's on my mind. I will try to be more diverse, since my real passion is similar, but different - new business ideas. I've never started a business, and don't know if I can do it. But I really want to...it's a combination of drive + fear of letting someone else control my destiny.
So it's on my mind. I will try to be more diverse, since my real passion is similar, but different - new business ideas. I've never started a business, and don't know if I can do it. But I really want to...it's a combination of drive + fear of letting someone else control my destiny.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Rich insights into low income consumers
How should you market to customers in emerging markets? How should you alter the message, product, or brand to make it desirable to these "new" customers? These are complicated questions, so rash generalizations do not hold up - particularily when you begin to slice customers further by socio-economic data, cultural issues, climate, needs, etc. However, a good rule of thumb is to not treat them dramatically different than you would other customers. A research report by Synovate backs up this thought.
Here's a little taste + the link to the report.
Low income consumers in the world's emerging markets want many of the same things out of life and the same quality in their products as middle class consumers and differ mainly in their purchasing behaviour, according to a recent global study by Synovate.
When it comes to attitudes, low income consumers in emerging markets have many of the same life priorities, values and brand perceptions as their middle class cousins. Health, family and physical security are the top three most important things in life for more than 80% of low and middle income consumers, followed by a good home, an education and a good income.
Full article here: http://www.synovate.com/knowledge/infact/issues/200611/
Here's a little taste + the link to the report.
Low income consumers in the world's emerging markets want many of the same things out of life and the same quality in their products as middle class consumers and differ mainly in their purchasing behaviour, according to a recent global study by Synovate.
When it comes to attitudes, low income consumers in emerging markets have many of the same life priorities, values and brand perceptions as their middle class cousins. Health, family and physical security are the top three most important things in life for more than 80% of low and middle income consumers, followed by a good home, an education and a good income.
Full article here: http://www.synovate.com/knowledge/infact/issues/200611/
Living with – or without – technology
Almost half of us think new technology looks cool even if we don't understand it, according to a recent Synovate survey. The global market research company also learned that while a mobile phone is the gadget most people could not live without, almost one-quarter of respondents claim they could live without any of their high-tech toys.
What is the most important feature when deciding which technological gadget to buy? Check out the full article here: http://www.synovate.com/knowledge/infact/issues/200606/
What is the most important feature when deciding which technological gadget to buy? Check out the full article here: http://www.synovate.com/knowledge/infact/issues/200606/
Battle of the brands for emerging market hearts
While almost 60 percent of consumers in emerging market countries would buy a local brand over an international brand if both products were of equal price, consumers in these 'Hotspots' countries have the same brand preferences for cars (Toyota), fast food (McDonalds) and hotels (Hilton) as developed market consumers.
Good data, interesting findings. Learn something about it here: http://www.synovate.com/knowledge/infact/issues/200703/
Good data, interesting findings. Learn something about it here: http://www.synovate.com/knowledge/infact/issues/200703/
Monday, April 9, 2007
Why didn't I think of this...
Would you spend $100 on an umbrella? Me either. How about if it looked like this? Yeah, me too.
Check it out or buy it here.
eMachines sees an opportunity to market low-cost PCs in emerging markets
Read that eMachines is targeting its low-cost thin client PCs to educational institutions and emerging markets. The article is here.
http://crn.com/hardware/198800791?queryText=emachines
We will increasingly see more and more manufacturers trying to make their business models work in emerging markets among developing segments. This makes sense for many reasons, including the shear number (more than 5 billion cannot currently take part in the digital revolution) and the purchasing power of the top countries ($15 trillion by many accounts). We have seen mobile handset manufacturers going here, and will see the PC manufacturers trying to make it work as well.
http://crn.com/hardware/198800791?queryText=emachines
We will increasingly see more and more manufacturers trying to make their business models work in emerging markets among developing segments. This makes sense for many reasons, including the shear number (more than 5 billion cannot currently take part in the digital revolution) and the purchasing power of the top countries ($15 trillion by many accounts). We have seen mobile handset manufacturers going here, and will see the PC manufacturers trying to make it work as well.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
We're not solving a problem, we're making a one.
Interesting article for those thinking that those in developing markets simply want our junk. Not true. In some cases, our "charity" can backfire and hurt those we want to help. Not that I don't think we shouldn't try. But this is a bit ridiculous.
In a broadcast that was shared with me by a colleague, there's an interesting analysis of how e-waste can hurt those who we think we're helping.
I actually am a proponant of using technology to help those in emerging markets. But this shows there are ramifications that we need to consider.
Check it out here: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/jan-june07/ewaste_02-19.html
In a broadcast that was shared with me by a colleague, there's an interesting analysis of how e-waste can hurt those who we think we're helping.
I actually am a proponant of using technology to help those in emerging markets. But this shows there are ramifications that we need to consider.
Check it out here: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/jan-june07/ewaste_02-19.html
Creative solution to a real problem - getting clean water.
Isn't creative problem solving one of the most beautiful things. When you look at the solution and say, "yes, that's a great solution to a real-world problem". From my experience with poor people in developing countries, I've always been amazed at how they improvise and use all that they have to make things better. I really dig the creativity of those who are working on developing market problems.
Here's a great solution to a simple problem - getting clean water.
You'll love it, I'm sure.
http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Look/water_park
Here's a great solution to a simple problem - getting clean water.
You'll love it, I'm sure.
http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Look/water_park
How the poor spend their money
Interesting article on how the poor spend their money. Reminds me of the days when I was poor...there were many of them. The desire to indulge is what makes us, well, human. Animals, for instance, find nothing wrong with eating the same thing each day. They're just thrilled to have a meal.
Me, I've had times of poverty when I've eaten nothing but toasted tomato sandwiches, hot dogs, and corn. They were free, and that's what we ate. I can eat hot dogs, and the sandwiches remind me of simpler times. But corn...nope.
Here's the article. http://www.slate.com/id/2162738/
Me, I've had times of poverty when I've eaten nothing but toasted tomato sandwiches, hot dogs, and corn. They were free, and that's what we ate. I can eat hot dogs, and the sandwiches remind me of simpler times. But corn...nope.
Here's the article. http://www.slate.com/id/2162738/
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