Reading Google’s Tea Leaves

teareading.jpgMatt Dickman, author of the most excellent Techno//Marketer blog referred me to one of the coolest links I’ve found in a while. It’s called “Google Hot Trends” and it’s an hourly update of the most Googled terms. Fascinating because you can find out all sorts of things, from who’s being traded before the NBA trade deadline, who’s having Jason Kidd’s baby, and which congressman is being indicted. It’s one of the ways that search, and the analysis thereof, is changing the way we approach advertising and marketing. Because rather than rely on the specious output of Nielson families or million dollar focus groups, we get uncensored, unbiased accounts of what people are doing when they are not conscious of being monitored or watched. The possibilities are endless for this sort of research, but in the meantime, it’s a fun way to keep abreast of the news and to see how many of terms you recognize before you click on them.Well at least for a nerd like me, it is. 

Kia Motors Canada: Security Blanket

Kia Motors Canada: Security Blanket

Feel Secure. The five-star safety-rated Sedona.

Advertising Agency: Publicis, Toronto, Canada
Creative Director: Duncan Bruce
Art Director: Kenneth Fothergill
Copywriter: David Savoie
Photographer: Hasnain Dattu
Published: December 2007

Girly Luxury Lighter – Hello Kitty Swarovski Zippo (GALLERY)

(TrendHunter.com) What better way to light up your ‘cancer on a stick’ than with an adorable looking pink Hello Kitty zippo lighter? Oh, you are extremely wealthy? Well, this one is a limited edition and is blinged with Swarovski stones. So it must be pricey.

The brass zippo has Hello Kitty logo etched and is colore…

Revlon: Roots

Revlon: Roots

No brush. No hassle. No roots in just 10 easy minutes.

Advertising Agency: Martin|Williams, Minneapolis, USA
Creative Director: Tom Moudry
Art Director: Toby Balai
Copywriter: Julie Kucinski
Photographer: Kutlu
Published: October 2007

The Norwegian Snowboard Association / Parklife: Subway

The Norwegian Snowboard Association / Parklife: Subway

The city is your playground.

Advertising Agency: Uncle Grey, Oslo, Norway
Creative Director: Frank Nystuen
Art Directors: Anders Asheim, Terje Jacobsen
Copywriters: Elling Aarflot, Frank Nystuen

Statement Footwear – Jesus Loves You Sandals

(TrendHunter.com) Do you want footwear that leaves an impression? Then you can find no better than the range of shoes from Shoes of the Fishermen.

These are simply brilliant! The Shoes of the Fishermen area series of shoes that leave the words “Jesus” (right foot), “Loves You” (left foot) in sand and other wet groun…

WWF: Project

WWF: Project

Is this our future project?

Advertising Agency: Contrapunto Madrid, Spain
Creative Directors: Jaime Chávarri, Iván de Dios, Antonio Montero
Art Directors: Iván de Dios, Clara Hernández
Copywriters: Jaime Chávarri, Guillermo Santaisabel
Photographer: Gonzalo Puertas
Published: January 2008

Opt-In Mobile Marketing Gets Through

Revol Perks, an opt-in mobile ad service from the regional cell provider, is returning some very nice click through rates.

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According to the program’s technology provider, Mobile Posse, click throughs rank from 16.5% to nearly 22%, depending on category. Airline Travel as a category ranks highest, with 21.91%.

Mobile Posse provides content that is “personal, target-able, measurable, ubiquitous and mobile.” The McLean, Virginia-based company also believes mobile advertising is “the Holy Grail” for mobile carriers.

I can’t say if that’s true or not, but I can say I feel slightly inadequate for not having launched a mobile marketing program at this point in my career.

Orbit: Warhol

Orbit: Warhol

Advertising Agency: Mark BBDO, Czech Republic
Creative Directors: Leon Sverdlin, Martin Charvát
Art Director: Dan Kurz
Copywriter: Pavel Sobek
Producer: Honza Å oupa
Airbrush: Danda Horáčková

Orbit: Arcimboldo

Orbit: Arcimboldo

Advertising Agency: Mark BBDO, Czech Republic
Creative Directors: Leon Sverdlin, Martin Charvát
Art Director: Dan Kurz
Copywriter: Pavel Sobek
Producer: Honza Å oupa
Airbrush: Danda Horáčková

Experimenting With Make-up – Models Do the Odd Just for You (GALLERY)

(TrendHunter.com) Yeah it’s pretty weird, but if you think about it, in moderation, you might want to try some of these combinations. Forget the watch in mouth. Hard to do shooters. First, the eyelashes and eyeliner are sensational. Don’t change a thing. Lurv ’em. Svarowski crystals on lips? Hardly, but how about one…

Robot That Adapts to Human Behavior – Wizkid

(TrendHunter.com) Wizkid is a robot that looks like a computer with a mobile neck but you don’t need to know any computer language or use a keyboard or mouse or touch a screen to communicate with it. The primidi.com technology website describes the Wizkid in this manner:”Once it sees you, Wizkid focuses on you and fo…

Now’s your chance to help fill in the blank

Yoursister Ever wish you were just a bit ahead of the curve on pop culture? Well, today???s the day. The "brains" behind ABC’s Cavemen and Blades of Glory have signed on to direct a coming-of-age comedy called I Want to ____ Your Sister. With such a classy start, you can just see where the marketing is headed. Posters will go up in major cities, blanks will get filled, hilarity will ensue. And mark my words, some bloggers will turn the title into a contest of intellect and irony. So, I say we beat everyone to the punch. Let???s find the best word to fill in the blank. The further it takes the title from its original intent, the more likely you are to win. I???ll throw out a few starting points in the comments. See you there.

???Posted by David Griner

Renault Scénic with PSP Playstation Portable: Guy two

Renault Scénic with PSP Playstation Portable: Guy two

Advertising Agency: Publicis Roma, Italy
Executive Creative Director: Alasdhair Macgregor-Hastie
Creative Director: Patrizio Marini
Copywriter: Federico Russo
Art Director: Alessandro Izzillo
Photographer: Piergiorgio Rozza

Renault Scénic with PSP Playstation Portable: Guy one

Renault Scénic with PSP Playstation Portable: Guy one

Advertising Agency: Publicis Roma, Italy
Executive Creative Director: Alasdhair Macgregor-Hastie
Creative Director: Patrizio Marini
Copywriter: Federico Russo
Art Director: Alessandro Izzillo
Photographer: Piergiorgio Rozza

Renault Scénic with PSP Playstation Portable: Girl

Renault Scénic with PSP Playstation Portable: Girl

Advertising Agency: Publicis Roma, Italy
Executive Creative Director: Alasdhair Macgregor-Hastie
Creative Director: Patrizio Marini
Copywriter: Federico Russo
Art Director: Alessandro Izzillo
Photographer: Piergiorgio Rozza

Renault Scénic with PSP Playstation Portable: Wheel

Renault Scénic with PSP Playstation Portable: Wheel

Advertising Agency: Publicis Roma, Italy
Executive Creative Director: Alasdhair Macgregor-Hastie
Creative Director: Patrizio Marini
Copywriter: Federico Russo
Art Director: Alessandro Izzillo
Photographer: Piergiorgio Rozza

Cleveland Agency Gives Patriotic Treatment to Elevator Rescue

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It seems even the most mundane things such as…oh…an elevator rescue make their way to YouTube.

Catchin Waves On The Thames – Venture Xtreme

(TrendHunter.com) London will soon open the Silvertown Quays Venture Xtreme – a gigantic sports complex that will feature 30 adventure activities. Phase one of this £1.5 billion facility will include an outdoor wave machine. Current plans have the surfing machine next to the aquarium Biota! and will produce London’…

Test Drive a Land Rover. On Your Phone!

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“But how do I do that?” you wonder.