Uniquely the Epitome

Standards Vs. Expectations

2009-07-10T12:37:00.001-07:00

Over the years both Flash gurus and Web Development Gurus have argued over standards, both from a technical standpoint when creating and deploying websites and content as well as user-based standards with UI development and experience, as a take-away. The utility of the website, being a competent component of branding. This is to say, Utility + Messaging ≠ Branding = User Experience.

Through this unsheathing of coded swords and semantic throwing stars, compiled with the Jedi-mind trick known as Jargon, both sides continue to pulverize each other with ever more unique and interesting approaches to each camps respective capabilities. In my experience, it has usually been the messaging and the utility of the messaging that decides what to use and how to use it. But as expected, many developers have decided that there is in-fact a need for both platforms. Hybrid-sites are among the most popular of sites when it comes to campaign initiatives. These sites often apply the social applications, as an extension–not main function, of the site using standards based development while the experiential side of the site is driven almost exclusively by Flash. A big reason being the integration of video as an application, in itself. I've expressed my thoughts on this several times on both my blog and Twitter. Video will need to become an application, as the lines between screens merge and there is truly one-to-rule-all. If I am correct, standards-based development cannot support this. Considering the Browsers have not yet agreed to support Ogg, we're very much in need of video applications that are either supported through Flash or even the fledgling Silverlight and Expressions. Lets also not forget the that there are gaming applications being developed that will incorporate both of these utilities into one stand-alone program.

I have experimented with Flash, developing a few short videos with interactive content built in, but Flash's authoring environment is still somewhat cumbersome. Gia can't support this type of development however, I have not used Flash Builder–so its hard to say what program or application development environment can support a large number of people building and creating for this type of site. I'm sure there are plenty of proprietary methods.

Back to standards and expectations; The user rules the content, the site manages and presents it while we create it. I would like my visitors to explore a site, dive into it, take from it–if possible, contribute to it. There is a general consensus that the web is largely a dichotomy of Searcher and Escapist. This is to say, one wants something quickly and does not care how it is presented as long as it is relevant. While the other will explore, like entering a bookstore, browsing the shelves indiscriminately. Secretly between that core dichotomy lies the experience of both prospects. If its a positive one, you can be sure that your site will be passed on, bookmarked and referred to often by others. Attribution is the heart of the web. That is what we are ultimately designing and creating for. That is what our client's products, services and ideas are looking for. That is what we, as bloggers and contributors ourselves, generally look for. So, to conspicuously add to and possibly dilute the jargon that comprises of a large portion of this debate; I agree to and understand the standard's positioning, but I also think the user's have standards. And in order to remain successful, we are creating for their expectations. Their standards matter the most.

As all websites move closer to a self-contained, self-moderated portal, all three of these standards will need to be present in order to succeed. Search is almost dead, delivery is the new search. Visitors will need to enjoy being on your site. A pleasant experience that is both relevant and entertaining.

Dunkin Donuts | Spike TV | Yoga, Swim, Lacrosse, Chess, Baby

2009-07-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

These spots for Dunkin Donuts are funny. My favorite one is at the end. Watch them all or scrub through at :30.

Client: Dunkin Donuts/Spike
Agency: Spike In-House/Hill Holiday
Writer/Editorial Director: Scott Rosenblit
Executive Producer: Jennifer Savage,
Stephen Orent,
Tom Rossano
Production Company: Station Film
Director: Southpaw
Line Producer: Rich Krekian
Director of Photography: Jonathan Freeman
Post Production: Post Works
Music/Sound Design: Bionic
Sound Designer: Jody Nazzaro

Food Spring Network

2009-07-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

I do not generally post information about work I've done, well–at work, but thought this was worth posting, as it has collectively taken a little under a year to develop and everyone at the agency is quite proud of it.

FOOD SPRING NETWORK
"The Foodspring Network links the websites of the world's best specialty food companies to create a marketing community. Working together, the Network websites help individual specialty food companies of any size reach more consumers, simplify their marketing and save time and money with a professional online presence."

Just to one-sheet the options and offering of being part of the network;
• Cross-marketing with other members.
• Online marketing tools
• Retail and Commerce backend development and checkout
• Customizable store-fronts
• Self-contained ad network

I would go into more detail, but seriously, there is a link in the copy below and the site is very easy to navigate through. A lot of information is provided upfront. Plus, I've attached pictures. wink-wink

So if you know of anyone that is into making, selling or distributing Food Goods, pass along this link. Or if you have a client that is need of a complete package that includes; website, ad-revenue and commerce, Food Spring is worth checking out, too.

Food Spring Network is also supported by NASFT; National Association for the Specialty Food Trade.

I do not know what that means. It sounds impressive and looks even more impressive in title-case.

Handbook for Client Management

2009-06-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is pretty funny. Brian Carlock is a creative director with an undisclosed agency in an undisclosed city. He re-designed and re-purposed this army manual. I've separated the pages for individual viewing.
Visit Brian, here.

ZOMBIECONOMY

2009-06-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

"That's the big problem behind the zombieconomy. We don't reward people for creating, growing, nurturing, or even remixing assets. We just reward them for allocating the same old assets."

Jump here for the rest.
via @michaelSurtees

ARE YOU SKYNET?

2009-06-21T21:55:00.000-07:00

iPhone Vs. Pre, what the people are saying

2009-06-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

CROWDSOURCING OR GUESS WORK

2009-06-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

Here is what is most ridiculous and ironic about these debates; Business people believing that design communications or the commercial arts are a service offering independent from any other Business or service.

Interesting and inane.

The only person(s) at fault here are; The business people themselves, on both client and creator-side.

We've moved from creating value to the value of creativity.
And let's not over exemplify what it is being asked of young creatives–free work. Plain and simple.

Inevitably clients cheat themselves of effective communications that generally should be tailored to their respective ideas, products or services. Yet–some are willing to ask for free work, or even guess work. Neither of which, are quantifiable from a business perspective.

Everyone is fast, everyone can be cheap but everyone cannot be good. Especially when dealing with these two important considerations; 1) A client's unique idiosyncratic perspective or vision 2) What the market can bare or needs in order for the communication to be effective.

Guess work will not provide you with scalable communications or brand equity. And if you believe that design, writing, communications, interactive development ( or any service you're not capable of doing yourself ) is only a means to the end, I question the clarity of one's vision. And furthermore, one's understanding of the difference between art and communication design.

Art requires no explanation. Design communication is an explanation.

iPhone Controlling Ableton & VDMX

2009-05-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

MSA Remote + VDMX + Ableton Live from Memo Akten on Vimeo.

What will DJ's do now?

Remotely control Abelton using your iPhone.
Creator, Memo.tv, is currently waiting Apple's approval.
This app is impressive.

GOOGLE CHROME JAPAN

2009-05-09T15:21:00.000-07:00

In-house creative. I like the execution and the concept, but that last line doesn't pay-off for me.
I'm assuming it's a simple demonstration of the browser being clutter-free and simple or even less is more, but the line doesn't communicate that to me.

Still a nice idea. Nice work.

BEARDYMAN AND NATHAN "FLUTEBOX" LEE @ GOOGLE

2009-05-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

NYSAT

2009-05-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

New York Street Advertising Takeover:

"As the main organizer explained to the artists who choose to get involved, the agency that owns the 'attacked' billboards operates on an illegal basis. "NPA outdoor operates over 500 street level billboards in NYC ranging in size from about 4'x4' to 50'x12'. All of these advertising structures are illegal. I found this out by talking to the NYC Department of Buildings which has no permits for the NPA outdoor structures but has its hands full dealing with the rampant illegal billboard situation. I have also spoken directly with NPA outdoor employees who have told me that the NYPD will jail them from time to time at which point NPA lawyers bail them out and they are compensated 500 dollars for the nuisance of spending the night in jail"."

more on www.cronicasbarbaras.com

WITHOUT ADVERTISING

2009-04-30T20:34:00.000-07:00

@Brie for the find.

ONE CHANCE, SECOND LIFE

2009-04-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

CREATE MORE

2009-04-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

BEATE UHSE CHILD LOCK

2009-04-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

"you'll see it, your kids won't."

DELVOS, EXTREMELY STRONG

2009-04-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

WOMEN'S AID

2009-04-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

"Isn't it time someone called cut?"

From Grey, London.

TWOUBLE WITH TWITTERS

2009-03-18T13:44:00.001-07:00

"Everyone and no one"

PUMA: LIFT

2009-03-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

From Droga5, NYC

DIGITAL VS. NEW MEDIA

2009-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

New Media is not a specific type of service. In my opinion, it only describes the advancements of existing or newly developed services based on current models. It is a function of some form.

Digital Services and New Media have been juxtaposed with Interactive services in the perspectives of many. The real differences here being, one could be considered device-dependent, while the other is not device-dependent. Both, at one time, where a form of New Media.

Utility + Message = Experience ≠ Branding

2009-02-12T23:37:00.000-08:00

Someone proposed the question; Is Consumer Generated Advertising the next big thing? And by someone, I mean someone on a participant network. I was a little confused by this question for a few reasons.

The fact that someone has asked this question in a quasi-public forum while having it answered by industry professionals and lurkers alike, is testimony enough. This survey is community-driven and in-effect, user-generated. It has been contributed to and advanced upon by many without provocation or payment. I think the term; Consumer Generated Advertising,(CGA) is over-defined or not implicit enough. Every brand should expect that all users will participate in brand development. And as technology for synchronized communication with ubiquitous access to information on home/mobile devices grows closer, we'll see more participation. A brand that enables and contributes to its prospects voice(s) will see greater return on their marketing. Public Relations, as a term, has taken center-stage from the industry's perspective as a way to market itself. But it has no more value than any other channel in the branding arena.

Utility + Message = Experience ≠ Branding.

Let's also consider something else; This approach to marketing is not always the best approach for every brand. CGA isn't a push, it's an unexpected result. People creating their own How-To's with products and services are doing it because they can. Not because they we're asked to endorse something. This type of CGA, in itself, is nothing new. Everyday day we help others out. Especially with recommendations and demonstrations of our intimate understanding about a topic of some sort. If a brand provides a product, service or idea that merits discussion, it will happen with or without Public Relations.

Remove those mental barriers.
Mitigate crisis with a conversation.

TRENT REZNOR CASE STUDY

2009-02-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

I've posted a few of NIN's campaigns over the years. I'm not going to debate the fact that; the majority of their music has been entirely digital. However, they have set the standard with online campaigns. They succeed long before Radio Head jumped on bored.

REPUTATION PROTECTORS

2009-02-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

I've noticed the term social media taking a nose dive into the waste basket of marketers and brand strategists. A sharply folded paper airplane created from last year's media budget. It's one of those planes that only goes across the room once. The plane slubs downward each toss there after. Someone givies it one last throw only to watch it go down.

Through dialogue with friends and respected colleagues, we're beginning to see people sifting the pebbles of an otherwise dried up river. No shiny objects to be found. Perhaps there is another side of the river bed to traverse. A hill hidden in the shadow of this mountain.

A thought on this, one I've mentioned in a few other posts;
Unless all data can be resolved to single, unified definition both visually and semantically–there are no finite experts in this realm. And to be honest, social-networks ( ironic how we've added the prefix to a word that means the exact same thing offline ) have existed since the dawn of man, and woman, and creature-thingy.

I still believe the best messages are ones that teach and inform with selling as an extension–if one needs to sell at all. Conversation has always been the life-blood for any strong network. Even more so when the idea, product or service exceeds the expectations of those who implemented the campaign. At that point, all a brand can do is monitor the feedback and continue to innovate. Continue the conversation.

A lot of jargon circulates through the media landscape of today's marketing and communication professionals. I tend to believe, in most uses, it's used to illiterate a point for those who do not understand it. While in others, it's used like a machine gun, hoping to sniper-hit anyone who is willing to listen. It's quickly becoming industry jargon. Hacking the system, any system, is a demonstration of ingenuity. And when I say "hacking," I mean to use it in the context it was originally used. Not in the jargon or colloquialism it has become.

The Semantic web is posed to resolve and de-throne the hucksters within this area of expertise. And Google has a few things brewing that could be really great for all of us, or really bad.  On the other hand, as mobile content and desktop-client software ( or Saas ) continually provide opt-in features where users provide validated and quantifiable data about themselves, we may see extremely concise targeting with messaging and communication. Eventually leading to the end of any/all forms of disruptive or intrusive advertising. Interactive will survive. But I believe the definition of the word needs refinement as well. The technology that supports these mediums is not as ubiquitous as some would have everyone believe. This is not to say that everyone doesn't have access to the hardware that drives it but, rather understanding the software that controls it. We need to brand the interface experience. And yes–that is a juxtaposition of the word. 
In the end, who's to say? Social marketing works because the message has moved from mouth-to-mouth, beyond the communications effort. It's either become a cultural element for some or a sad joke for others. And if this data isn't protected properly, or a for some reason it is breached under the umbrella of a major brand, the medium will die all-together.

 Security might be the new commodity after transparency.

  *Insert Announcer Voice* Reputation Protectors; We'll encrypt your entire life. And sell you back your password, if you forget!

The You; We; Me and I in social media. It will eventually lead to what it's always led to–Us.

CONCEPT ABOUT A CONCEPT

2009-02-02T22:20:00.000-08:00

A bit old, but I never got around to posting it when it I designed this. It's been through a few iterations since I posted the last one, a few years ago.