Hasta La Creative!

Here’s an ad that might make you question the nature of the Internet, who you are and what makes you happy. OK, maybe not all that, but it does touch on those themes. And it includes man-on-man suckling action.

The spot, created by London agency AMV BBDO, is for a company called Thunderhead, and to the average consumer it might not be clear what the company actually does. To anyone in the marketing technology space, it’s fairly obvious: Thunderhead helps advertisers understand their customers.

It can help businesses deliver relevant messages to clients using accurate traits. That explains why the salesman in the ad fails at the beginning, thinking he knows all about the consumer, only to find he’s getting everything wrong.

Then things get weird. The salesman regroups, seeking help from a wrestler-looking muscleman whose nipples seem to be the source of perfect consumer insights. After nuzzling close to this warrior’s breast, the salesman can close the deal because now he knows exactly what the woman wants.

Thunderhead is the kind of software service that brands use to manage these customer relations and know who is on the other end of a phone call, online chat or ad. And now it’s known as the company with the weird suckling scene.

Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a particularly “technology-focused” company, it’s important to recognize that technology is an essential part of running any modern business. The chances are that you deal with technology far more frequently than you realize, in the form of your security system, computers and networks, and even your phone […]

The post Success and Keeping Up to Date with Business Technology appeared first on AdPulp.

Microsoft is back with the latest installment in its “Productivity Future Vision” series—and this time, it’s drifting through the story of a marine biologist, Kat, and a corporate executive, Lola, who collaborate on a complex undersea project. Naturally, thanks to Microsoft, they get thoroughly immersed in their work.

The goal of the six-minute film is to whet viewers’ appetites for Microsoft products and services that are roughly five to ten years away. In this regard, the impressive video—with visual storytelling that puts some sci-fi epics to shame—makes a big splash. Sexy tech on display includes scuba gear that generates holograms for oceanographic study and a segmented bracelet that’s also a computer (it forms a larger display when its pieces are joined). There’s also a hyper-flexible magazine-like digital device that works with a stylus. One especially cool demo even shows hologram Lola “beaming” into a meeting, and interacting with data on a wall-size blackboard-screen, just as if she was in the room.

As in Microsoft’s previous productivity plays, as well as its home-of-the-future clip a ways back, the new video assures a shimmering techtopia of endless endeavor, achievement and connectivity. In this particular clip, there’s an emphasis on seamlessly “fluid” communications and information sharing—hence the aquatic theme. In effect, though, all that water reminds me of the blue screen of death… but I’m sure nothing could possibly go wrong.

And frankly, Microsoft’s notion of the future has always seemed kind of fishy, anyways. Everyone’s toiling all the time. Even the future house is overstimulating, with its motion-activated wallpaper and tweets dancing through the halls. Watching this stuff gives me a sinking feeling that we’ll be drowning in technology, with no time to come up for air. Maybe the company should develop an inflatable device that helps us float around the pool as we unplug and decompress.

On the bright side, Internet Explorer’s finally capsized. We’ll see if its successor, code-named Project Spartan, is really such a catch.

Today’s Photoshop sorcerers can do practically anything to an image, but do their powers extend all the way back to the software’s original release?

Clearly not, as you can see in the video below. E-learning site CreativeLive asked several expert editors to try their hand at 1990’s Adobe Photoshop 1.0, which lacked a vast majority of the features designers and photographers rely on today.

The clip is meant to celebrate Photoshop’s 25-year evolution, which is displayed quite clearly through the users’ many failed attempts to find their favorite shortcuts and tools. It also highlights how user experience and convenience have shaped Adobe’s approach to new features. (The ability to undo more than once is clearly appreciated by all.)

Via PetaPixel.

Chipotle has come up with a pretty clever way to get people to express their deep love for burritos. Today, Chipotle is running a social media campaign asking people to post a haiku on Twitter or the brand’s Facebook page for the chance to win prizes. The Top 20 poems with the most Likes and retweets will win a dinner for two.

Usually, this sort of consumer-generated contest fare is pretty bad. But some of Chipotle’s fans are putting some impressive levels of creativity into it. 

On Facebook, someone submitted, “I used to date you/ But now you just serve me food/ One taco, no love.” Another user says, “Electric salsa/ Glides across beans, rice and meat/ dancing palate joy.”

Here are some of our favorite Twitter poems so far:

@ChipotleTweets And you shall find Him, Wrapped in Swaddling Foil, Burrito Jesus. pic.twitter.com/5mevITCQQS

— JakesTea (@JakeWethington) February 5, 2015

@ChipotleTweets There is a secret – love I have, for the heavy – handed employee

— Bob Plow (@bobplow) February 5, 2015

.@ChipotleTweets An original Haiku, by Nick Brewer. Alone without you You make my pants feel funny Please dance with my tongue.

— Nick Brewer (@ngbrew62) February 5, 2015

@ChipotleTweets I hate you haiku, you’re too hard to do. Burrito.

— Kathy (@Rollergirl116) February 5, 2015

@ChipotleTweets #haiku. Foil wrapped burrito Is it wrong to love you so? I don’t need a man. Please retweet!

— Catherine Weller (@cweller7) February 5, 2015

My wife said to write A haiku for this contest What am I, a moose? @ChipotleTweets

— David Learn (@marauder34) February 5, 2015

Dear people in line, Anticipate the questions. I ain’t got all day. @ChipotleTweets #ChipotleHaiku

— Gregory Joseph (@MrMcGregger) February 5, 2015

For ages, when a dire weather prediction came up lacking, there was little the average person could do beyond shaking a fist at the TV. But now we have Twitter, an outlet not just for bitching, but also for atonement.

Late last night, after New York City and nearby areas went into full disaster-prep mode in expectation of several feet of snow, National Weather Service meteorologist Gary Szatkowski took to Twitter to apologize when it became clear the region would receive only a scant few inches.

For most New Yorkers, the rather extreme weather warnings simply resulted in an early (if frustrating) dismissal from work and a bonus snow day. But there was also a tremendous economic and logistical impact on the communities involved. Recognizing this, Szatkowski, lead meteorologist for the NWS office in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, was effusive in his apologies.

Here’s a chronological recap of how Szatkowski’s messaging and tone changed from Sunday night to early this morning:

On Sunday, Szatkowski was sharing National Weather Service predictions that anticipated around 2 feet of snow for the New York area.

Here’s regional view of ‘reasonable worst case scenario’ guidance from @NWSWPC This is for main storm, not clipper. pic.twitter.com/UJfZen2Sxm

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 25, 2015

Looking at latest SREF ensemble, threat of snowfall rates 2 inches per hour (very heavy snow) escalates after 400 PM Monday.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 25, 2015

Here the new QPF forecast for the next 72 hours. This is a precipitation forecast, as though everything fell as rain. pic.twitter.com/8ZNPPbwTmi

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 25, 2015

But we know everything will not fall as rain. Much of that deeper purple area over land will fall as snow.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 25, 2015

A rough rule of thumb is 10 inches of snow for every one inch of liquid. So areas with 2+ inches on that map suggest 20+ inches of snow.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 25, 2015

Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service released a blizzard warning that largely set the tone for the next 24 hours by calling the storm “a crippling and potentially historic blizzard.”
 

Wow. pic.twitter.com/0mK4c8WYgC

— Dennis Mersereau (@wxdam) January 25, 2015

Here’s that updated snow total graphic from @NWS_MountHolly Trended higher (but you’re not surprised) pic.twitter.com/KLpvA2g69L

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 25, 2015

Well, it looks like what needed to be done has been done. I believe we are at the part of the recipe where it says: “Just add snow.”

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 25, 2015

Another snow forecast map, showing totals across the region. Includes tonight’s clipper. We maxed out the scale. pic.twitter.com/1AwByN8zlg

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 25, 2015

By early Monday, though, Szatkowski was beginning to express concerns that earlier predictions might not come to pass, at least not on the level of 30 inches.
 

OK, to cut to the chase. Some of the more extreme solutions for the storm in this region have ebbed. So, snowfall amounts have been lowered.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 26, 2015

Here is the snowfall forecast from @NWS_MountHolly issued earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/Maseg7NsFQ

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 26, 2015

Ever throw a party and then wait for the guests to show up?

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

Let’s see how far west the bands of snow rotate & how well they maintain their intensity. Dice have been rolled. We’ll see see what happens

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

New snowfall forecast map from @NWS_MountHolly. Amounts have trended lower, but lots of double digit snow on the map. pic.twitter.com/vBTjuArd9n

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

Shortly before midnight, Szatkowski’s tone shifted considerably as he and the rest of the National Weather Service realized conditions would not be incredibly severe for New York and New Jersey. By then, government officials had issued road travel bans and suspended mass transit, essentially bringing one of the world’s largest cities to a halt.
 

OK, no sense postponing the inevitable. Snow amounts have been sharply curtailed. New products coming out now from @NWS_MountHolly

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

My deepest apologies to many key decision makers and so many members of the general public.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

You made a lot of tough decisions expecting us to get it right, and we didn’t. Once again, I’m sorry.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

This is a big storm further off to our northeast. New York City will see good amounts of snow, and for portions of New England it will…

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

…be very high impact. But for much of New Jersey, and for the Philadelphia Metropolitan area, this is a big forecast miss.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

As you might expect, he received a few rather pointed criticisms.
 

.@GarySzatkowski @teelehman do us all a favor and resign!

— Juliet Locke (@JulietLocke) January 27, 2015

@JulietLocke No. But thanks for caring.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

But overwhelmingly, Szatkowski’s openness and transparency on Twitter generated vocal support and appreciation from those following his updates.
 

@GarySzatkowski You guys did a great job in a difficult situation–ignore the haters! I’m a big fan of your honest and direct approach.

— John Huntington (@jhuntington) January 27, 2015

@GarySzatkowski People forget that you all predict, not dictate the weather. You all will only continue to improve! Thanks for what you do

— Cory Foy (@cory_foy) January 27, 2015

@AlexSilverman @GarySzatkowski @joshtpm Gary has endeared himself to many new people.

— Greg Dworkin (@DemFromCT) January 27, 2015

@GarySzatkowski This is why I trust you. Thanks for your honesty. It’s refreshing. Better safe than sorry

— Hannah Waters (@hannahjwaters) January 27, 2015

Thank you to the many folks who have been very gracious on social media this morning. Much appreciated.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

UPDATE, Jan. 10: Justin Bieber’s team insists the unretouched Calvin Klein photo below, showing a scrawnier, less well-endowed Bieber, is fake. The photo was posted to BreatheHeavy.com, but after getting a cease-and-desist letter, that site has now removed it and published a retraction. “Bieber denies the photo is real, and I respect that and will believe him,” the writer says.

See our original story below:

Well, it looks like Justin Bieber’s controversial Calvin Klein ads aren’t quite what they seem.

When Bieber’s ad campaign launched earlier this week, the Internet went wild over how chiseled (and fake) his body looked next to model Lara Stone. The pop star has apparently spent years preparing for the campaign, telling Women’s Wear Daily, “It’s always been a dream. Last spring, I posted a picture on Instagram in my underwear, using the #mycalvins tag. Thankfully the brand saw it and liked the reaction it was getting, and a relationship started from there.”

Website BreatheHeavy.com has now gotten its hands on an untouched campaign and uploaded it to Instagram.

As you can see, CK bulked up the pop star’s biceps, torso, chest and ahem—package—pretty significantly. Bieber’s head was also scaled down to fit the new buffed-up body. Yes, in this campaign, Justin Bieber has less of a big head.

BreatheHeavy.com’s photo came from a source who claims Bieber was a pain to shoot the spot with. “He was basically a douche,” the source told the pop music site. “He hit on Lara several times, and she had to stop him, basically calling him out on being just a child.”

While Photoshopping is nothing new to the fashion industry, it’s come under quite a bit of scrutiny lately. In August, Modcoth vowed to do away with the photo-retouching tactic when it signed the “Heroes Pledge for Advertisers” petition. And when American Eagle-owned Aerie decided to ditch Photoshopping last year, sales went up 9 percent.

We came here from the Internet as fast as we could to tell you of a brand-new development in seafood technology: the fried shrimp gun. With flour, egg yolk, tempura flakes and a soupçon of billowing fire, you can blast your shellfish craving into oblivion, apparently. 

The minute-long video appears to be an ad for Japanese cell phone company NTT DoCoMo, the biggest cell provider in the country. It has a few other shorts on its YouTube channel that are difficult for non-Japanese speakers to appreciate, but hooray for the shrimp gun.

This is a mother-daughter team of shrimp-projectile experts, I guess? What’s great about it is that the mom stops the daughter mid-fry to tell the daughter there’s obviously a better way to make shrimp tempura. And so begins the daughter’s nightmare journey into invertebrate firearm cookery, complete with an excellent shot of the younger woman flinching as her mother calmly launches the shrimp toward a target across the room.

Shrimp guns may be specific, but the experience is universal.

If you missed the excitement and tension of Wednesday’s Philae lander completing its 10-year journey to a comet’s surface, here’s a pretty fantastic way to relive it.

Web cartoonist Randall Munroe, creator of the massively popular xkcd, live-cartooned the Philae module’s separation from the Rosetta spacecraft and its gradual, often nerve-wracking descent to the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.

Despite the marketing and media world’s obsession with producing real-time content, Munroe truly created something light years beyond what most big-budget brands or news outlets would attempt (or even imagine in the first place).

Here’s how it all looks put together:

His 142-frame project spanned across 12 hours and charmingly captured both the scientific status of the lander’s descent and the emotional uncertainty of scientists and fans back home. As with any project taking place hundreds of millions of miles away from Earth, the comet mission had its share of perilous moments, and several of the xkcd panels capture these brief (in retrospect, but heart-stopping in the moment) instances of doubt.

The animated GIF above was created by the Explain xkcd wiki, where you can also find a list, link and timestamp for every frame. There’s also a fan-created version you can scroll back and forth through. 

Below are a few our favorite moments:

As anyone who’s posted something ostensibly insightful on Reddit knows, watching your comment get downvoted into a negative abyss can leave you feeling stung and downright pissed off.

That’s exactly the kind of experience Facebook wanted to avoid when it actively decided not to create a “Dislike” button alongside the iconic thumbs-up Like button that debuted in early 2009.

In an interview with the creator of the Like button, former Facebook CTO Bret Taylor (who these days runs mobile app Quip), TechRadar reports that a Dislike button was often discussed but consistently scrapped because “the negativity of that button has a lot of unfortunate consequences.”

While the Like button was born largely to unclutter feeds riddled with positive one-word comments like “wow” and “cool,” Taylor says, Facebook felt that it was actually better to corner the more negative users into leaving a comment explaining their opinions.

“I have the feeling that if there were to be a ‘Dislike’ button is that you would end up with these really negative social aspects to it,” Taylor says. “If you want to dislike something, you should probably write a comment, because there’s probably a word for what you want to say.”