Hasta La Creative!

Eighty percent of the world’s population has access to a mobile communications network, but only half the people have a mobile phone. That kind of opportunity–literally billions of potential customers–has big business on the move. Everyone from product designers to marketers to academics are working to advance the cause of global connectivity.

The fact of which explains why Sara Corbett, writing for The New York Times Magazine, brings a cool eye to her piece on Jan Chipchase and his quest to help people living in poverty emerge from those conditions. His tool of change? Naturally, the cellphone.

Chipchase works for the Finnish cellphone company Nokia as a “human-behavior researcher.” He’s also sometimes referred to as a “user anthropologist.” He gathers the sort of on-the-ground intelligence that is central to human-centered design.

One morning last fall, I arranged to meet Chipchase in a neighborhood in Accra where he and a few other Nokia people were doing research. At his suggestion, I took a taxi to the general area and then called him on his cellphone. Chipchase used his phone to pilot me through the unfamiliar chaos, allowing us to have what he calls a “just in time” moment.

There are a growing number of economists who maintain that cellphones can restructure developing countries in a similar way. Cellphones, after all, have an economizing effect. My “just in time” meeting with Chipchase required little in the way of advance planning and was more efficient than the oft-imperfect practice of designating a specific time and a place to rendezvous. He didn’t have to leave his work until he knew I was in the vicinity. Knowing that he wasn’t waiting for me, I didn’t fret about the extra 15 minutes my taxi driver sat blaring his horn in Accra’s unpredictable traffic. And now, on foot, if I moved in the wrong direction, it could be quickly corrected. Using mobile phones, we were able to coordinate incrementally.

To someone who has spent years using a mobile phone, these moments are common enough to feel banal, but for people living in a shantytown like Nima — and by extension in similar places across Africa and beyond — the possibilities afforded by a proliferation of cellphones are potentially revolutionary.

Speaking to the potential for meaningful change, cellphones as transaction devices is an area that’s getting tons of attention from users and carriers alike. Here’s an interesting scenario that shows how a cell connects people and can facilitate a monetary transaction between them at the same time.

Bill Green wants to hit something.

This is why:

So another brand–Century 21 this time–is jumping on the consumer generated content promotion bandwagon. Is that really reason enough to hit something? Before you answer, consider that the contest is void in several states, one’s home has to be listed with Century 21 (duh!) and one’s listing agent must appear in the video. Are you ready to hit something now?

The reality is there are few leaders in business or any enterprise. Leading brands are already waist deep in social media. For all the rest, they’re just now waking up to the idea of a blog, a YouTube page or heaven forbid, a Twitter account. It’s going to be hard for those of us in the Communications 2.0 game to take these Johnny come lately brands and their various “ideas” seriously. Yet, it’s our job to do so.

According to Adweek, Ford management has asked its 750,000-person network of employees, retirees and dealers to talk to friends and family about the quality and features of Ford vehicles.

The new marketing initiatve created by JWT/Wunderman, known as Drive One is also supported online, in print and on TV.

“The whole idea behind this campaign is not fancy ads. It’s talking to the customer, who talks to a friend,” said Jim Farley group vp, marketing and communications. “It’s the only chance we have to break the apathy.”

When Farley was recruited from Toyota and hired by Ford last October, he was determined to “get people to care about [Ford].” He said, “They just aren’t engaged.”

Well, that’s certainly some straight talk form the executive suite. A good start, perhaps.

I like that the people asked to spread WOM are qualified to do so. We tend to think WOM as a customer-to-customer conversation, but it’s bigger than that.

I can also see where this campaign has the potential to become annoying. Imagine an already over zealous Ford dealer talking car facts over an otherwise pleasant golf outing. That would be bothersome. But handled correctly this idea could go far. That is, it can go far if the 750,000 employees, retirees and dealers honestly feel good about the recommendations they make. They have to be true believers. And true believers aren’t conjured up in a brainstorm, they’re born from the product itself. Are Ford cars and trucks worth believing in? If the answer is yes, then maximizing WOM is a good plan.

PriHere’s some print & TV for WatchThePope.com, a new ad campaign from a new ad agency, Cesario Migliozzi, llc. which is based in LA, CA. This campaign was created for The Prayer Channel who will have extensive live coverage of the Pope’s visit to the US (Washington DC and NYC). Who knew that catholics were such big fans of puns? 🙂 (print inside)

WatchThePope.com – The Popes official title – (2008) :15 (USA)

WatchThePope.com – The Popes People – (2008) :15 (USA)

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(TrendHunter.com) Malt Liquor is rarely perceived as a luxury drink. In fact, the drink is often consumed on the streets in a paper bag. But now, Malt Liquor Cozies from 40 Cozy bring a little extra to your malt liquor consumption.

The company’s tag-line is, “Bringing a little class to the front porch.”

True to t…

(TrendHunter.com) Nike has introduced its line of athletic footwear for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The magnificent black Equestrian boot was the first fashionable footwear to catch my eye… I want a pair for myself…and I don’t have a horse!

All sports are covered including; sailing, boxing, fencin…

My week-end is rich.

Advertising Agency: DDB Nantes, France
Creative Director: Philippe Robin
Art Director / Illustrator: Tristan Omnes
Copywriter: François Dupuy

My week-end is rich.

Advertising Agency: DDB Nantes, France
Creative Director: Philippe Robin
Art Director / Illustrator: Tristan Omnes
Copywriter: François Dupuy

(TrendHunter.com) Designers and futurists alike have promised a simpler way of interacting with the communities we live in. They have predicted the use of cellphones to take the place of movie tickets and credit cards; I’ve even heard mention of devices that will be implanted under our skin that act as our identifica…

My week-end is rich.

Advertising Agency: DDB Nantes, France
Creative Director: Philippe Robin
Art Director / Illustrator: Tristan Omnes
Copywriter: François Dupuy