Whatever next. The Next Web reports on a new form of crowdsourcing called Youme. The service is simple: YOU’s (clients with money) agree to pay ME’s (people with less money and more time) to do things for them and deliver proof through the power of mobile video. The Next Web asks whether this could be the future of disposable workforces, at the very least I can see brands using the technology (if it reaches critical mass) to launch flashmob style events.
Interested to know what people really think of you? Use Failings to find out. Useful for anyone, but in particular bosses. Could brands be using this technology for focus groups & product feedback?
How’s this for thinking big? Redbull are putting together a project with Microsoft and Silverlight to help Felix Baumgartner (great name) try to from 120,000 feet (almost from space) and in doing so, the sound barrier. He’s expected exceed Mach 1 speeds. There’s a trend at the moment for brands doing ‘firsts’ at the edge of space, witness the space chair project
a nice little PR stunt gets a … travel search engine Kayak hid an ‘easter egg’ on their website tying into the film Lost: if tyou search “for flights from Sydney’s SYD airport to Los Angeles’s LAX and you’ll see that Oceanic Flight 815 — the very one that crashed on the mysterious island in the first episode of Lost — is one of your options.”.
Fun win-win idea, works for Kayak, works for Lost.
As I escaped the crush of yet another 8.15am Victoria Line tube journey this morning at Oxford Circus, my frown was immediately replaced with a grin when the ‘tannoy man’ on the platform injected some personality into the usually banal announcements with a bit of humour and self-deprecation on behalf of his organisation.
It’s a rare treat but one I’ve experienced a few times on the tube, sometimes on the train stuck in the tunnel, sometimes on the crowded platform, and on each occasion it has changed my start to the day.
It also got me thinking…how many companies out there are as advanced as London Underground when it comes to social media? Because lets face it, you don’t get much more social media than arming an employee at the coal face with a loud speaker. And this isn’t just any coal face… this is a coal face deluged with stressed, cramped, hot, rushed, late and potentially explosive customers on their rush hour journeys to jobs they probably hate. But it’s at moments like these that we respond best to humans and ‘real people’ rather than machines and ‘corporate speak’.
The powers that be must be aware that staff occasionally go ‘off message’, and yet they’re brave enough to allow (encourage?) it. And, with all due respect due to the drivers and platform staff of London underground, these aren’t highly trained communications professionals we’re talking about.
In a world dominated by damage limitation, risk assessment and message control, all corporations could learn a lesson from London Underground.
The grammys are launching an Iphone app to promote the forthcoming awards. The app is a ‘guess the winner’ game, not sure of the long term value.
GDGT is a social network for lovers of gadgets… could be a good place to get involved if you’re working with tech brands / launches. There’s a write up here and you can visit the site here.
is body safe… been used in Calvin Harris video already, but there’s huge creative potential.
Humanthesizer from Green Hornet on Vimeo.
great viral video for a cheddar brand.
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