Urban Bowling

Another parody of the Sony Bravia bouncing balls ad from TBWA Paris. It’s been ages since the last one so it actually made me laugh.

Louis C.K. reminds us

So you may have already seen this, but one of my favourite comedians, Louis C.K. reminds us just how far technology has come.

It might also make some of us think twice before having a whinge when our wi-fi device doesn’t pick up a signal for a few seconds.

Louis C.K.’s slightly autobiographical show Louie is currently on FX and it’s hilarious. (but it’s also NSFW, depending on where you W)

Drum Roll! The SOCIAL ELECTION is launched

Launched last night at the Social Election and on Twitter @socialelection, the new Election-analysis blog features commentary on how – and how well – Australia’s political parties are using social media, plus how the major leaders, Gillard, Abbott and Brown, are resonating with people during the election.

Amnesia Razorfish is the only digital agency publishing its full insights into the election and the political parties’ use of all social media and online platforms, including monitoring and analysis.

The 2010 Federal Election, widely touted to be the ‘digital election’, comes after recentexamples of the US and UK elections which used social media to engage and stimulate supportand demonstrated social media’s ability to impact an election. It’s clear that Australian political parties, however, are struggling to understand how to use social media.

Amnesia Razorfish Social Strategy Manager Karalee Evans writes in the Social Election’s opening analysis

When the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced the election for Saturday 21st August 2010, I, for one, believed both the Liberal and Labor parties would hit the ‘activate’ button on pre-planned social campaigns.

Just like the war chest of above-the-line campaigns of attack TV commercials, print ads and pamphlets, I was expecting a social barrage – but I’m still waiting.

The social media efforts of Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and to a certain extent Bob Brown and the Greens, have been embarrassingly poor, even arrogant.

More and more, people are seeking information, participation and validation from our three party leaders via Twitter and Facebook. And in return people are getting a lot of talking at – not to.

The social movement is happening, with or without Gillard and Abbott.

The Social Election will look at how social media provides a finger on the pulse into how people are responding to each party. Results will be reflected in weekly articles and polls, the socialpulse of a feed of online conversation, a real-time share of voice worm-board and aggregated content.

Topics and issues of most importance, and who they matter most to will be analysed, along with how each politician is resonating with the public, and who is really being heard.

Amnesia Razorfish will consider share of voice between who is being talked about most and will analyse social media sentiment, trending topics, key influencers and reach of each party and leader.

These insights are critical to understanding which way the election will go and how the voting community engages with social media during the election. We hope it will also assist in solidifying social media’s place as a credible channel for people and brands to achieve their own business objectives ~ Karalee Evans.

More content and elements will continue to be added to the blog, such as YouTube, Facebook and other online and social platforms, demonstrating that Amnesia Razorfish is the only one publishing election insights across social media and online platforms.

Crust Free Pizza Fail

When talking about Twitter accounts which do it well – which engage users, spark conversation and create evangelists, I’m usually not one to go past @Crust_pizza, who do it right.

Their Twitter account has risen to huge popularity using the Weekly #crustfreepizzafriday competition which – every Friday – is practically viral.

Their day-to-day content is targeted at the younger audience, with videos drawn from the vein of Funniest Home videos, music tracks which they’re into, movie trailers, in addition to a sprinkling of corporate news like store openings. And, perfectly, they respond to customers in realtime.

However, today they tweeted this:

What, did they put the Work Experience kid on Twitter for the day?! More on this, after the jump.

Sometimes it’s the human things that matter in social

A nice little story for a Friday. When it comes to effective community management in social, sometimes it’s the human things that matter and get results.

Case in point, P&O Cruises

The P&O Australia Facebook page has an established community of over 13,000 fans, who are there 24/7 helping out absolutely anyone who has a question about upcoming cruises, locations, services – really anything and everything to do with the brand.

In the process, they’ve developed a very strong and active community.

So when one of the high-profile community members fell ill and went into hospital, the community swung into action – and so did P&O.

It’s the human touch

P&O sent this dedicated fan a get-well card and flowers. Small thing to do, right? But importantly it is what you would do for any friend or family member if they fell ill. So why wouldn’t you let one of your biggest social brand advocates know you are thinking of them?

Check out the response on their Facebook page which gleaned 28 comments and discussions:

Brands can and should be human particularly in social media. Because it’s humans who speak and interact and small things like sending some flowers to a valued fan can make a big difference. So, how can you make your brand ‘human’?

Disclaimer: P&O Cruises are an Amnesia Razorfish client.

~ Karalee Evans, Social Strategy Manager, Amnesia Razorfish

Amazing motion-tracked Super Mario Bros. speed-run

It’s hard to say what’s more impressive in this video – Super Mario Bros. being beaten in 7 minutes or the way it was motion-tracked onto a roadside barrier.

Via Gizmodo

Why don’t you slurp it?

this has to be one of the coolest things I have seen all year. I wouldn’t have a clue how this works, but it is awesome – just point and slurp

 

The camera of the future concepted to you by Canon

I am a keen photographer and over the years I have bought multiple lenses that I always carry around with me on big trips to make sure that I have the right lens for the job.

Now Canon came up with a new concept – the Wonder camera

Canon is pretty confident that by then it’ll have figured out how to do a single lens capable of going from macro shots all the way out to a 5000mm focal length. This non-interchangeable lens is backed by an all-touch interface, an extremely high-resolution sensor, and image stabilization so advanced as to make shooting at high zoom range a viable option.

The only thing i don’t agree with is the video-only capture. Canon argues you won’t need to shoot stills when its video is capable of keeping everything in focus all the time — you’ll just pick out your favorite scene from the movie reel.

no matter what – I want one!

Here is Canons revelation

found here

@maniac13

Play any game on a multi touch display with Magic

iBuyPower created a new system that will enable any game to played via multitouch, regardless of whether the game’s creators gave it so much as a thought.

Magic, which is short for Multitouch Advanced Gaming Interface and Control, is a proprietary piece of code designed specifically for the company’s own touch-enabled laptops, and it works by linking a multitouch gesture to a command the game already understands, emulating multitouch commands by mapping keystrokes or mouse clicks. Best of all, it’s available now as a gratis download

Right now it is only for their own hardware, but no doubt hackers will have this working on Dells, Alienwares, Lenovos and HPs etc.

simply awesome

found on engadget

@maniac13

Sony NEX-5 … “Want that one”

 

Nex-3 and the Nex-5 both look amazing, sound amazing and hopefully they take amazing shots. Here’s the lowdown:

DSLR-style quality and shooting responses: compact and easy to use with interchangeable lenses.14.2 megapixels Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, HD 1080i movie, 7.5cm LCD, Sweep Panorama. 16mm lens.

Does anyone own one? Anyone from Sony want to send me one to test?

@handypearce

The Human LCD

Great idea executed brilliantly. Love it

@handypearce

The Speed Camera Lottery

The Cannes award winning VW Fun Theory set a competition to come-up with cool ways to make boring things more fun. Here’s the winner

@handypearce

Why I’m an Amnesiac (oh, and check out BRW!)

As an ex-PR professional, I’m used to the workings of the media and profiling clients and CEOs in mainstream media outlets such as newspapers, radio and magazines.

But, and I’m embarrassed to admit, it’s a different kettle-of-fish when you’re the one being profiled!

Interviewing for a piece about my role here, I was nervous and felt the pressure. I had to stay on message, had to sound ‘intelligent’ and above all, call the agency Amnesia Razorfish.

Today the latest issue of BRW Magazine came out. And my mug is in it. On a full-page no less thanks to the lovely Jessica Gardner at BRW. My little ego has grown just a bit today, but the reason why I’m posting here (well, blame Jennie Bewes my gorgeous boss, who made me do it) is because the article highlights why I’m so passionate about my role here at Amnesia Razorfish.

You can read the profile here as it’s not pay-walled, but some highlights include:

“Late 20-something” Evans had handed in her notice as communications and partnerships Manager at headspace, the youth mental health foundation, to see work at an advertising agency…. to publicise her campaign, in true generation Y, social media savvy style, Evans began blogging anonymously and set up a Twitter account under the moniker ‘skirt for hire’….

“I was impressed that the agencies that I had on my wish list were the ones that did indeed contact me.” Digital marketing agency Amnesia Razorfish hired Evans as a social strategy manager. Her role will be to push for social media integration into marketing campaigns for clients.

So there you go. I’m passionate about communications, community, innovation and people who have the balls to push the boundaries and the team here at Amnesia Razorfish do just that. That’s why I chose this wonderful agency. And you know, one month in, I’m loving this agency even more!

Amnesiacs: the cool kids

Ok, done. Now enough about me, no more PR and back to work

~ Karalee Evans, Social Strategy Manager (and the Skirt).

Custom Built Tron Light Cycles

Tired of playing Armagetron and wishing you had your very own Light Cycle to blaze a solid trail through cyberspace on? Wish no more! At least, wish a little less.

You won’t be cruising the innards of any computers on this baby, but you can definitely cruise the streets. As long as you’ve got a spare $35,000 USD, you can pick one up on eBay right now.

If you feel like buying me one for Christmas, I’m completely okay with that.

@tali3sin

[HT @bluerandom via Technabob via Geekologie]