Mish's Playground is 1 year old today!
Check out some of the craziness I wrote a year ago...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Chopped Hand
I can't seem to escape the WSIB's prevent-it campaign. If you ride the subway, you know what I am talking about. Kids with missing hands, sticks in ear...shock imagery. I got it. Workplace safety.
Yesterday, during the 1/2 hour previews before Pirates of the Caribbean III, I saw the commerical. Two kids joking with each other, one with cast on (bloody though). Another kid comes along and delivers the boy's bloddy hand. ergh.
After all that, I was compelled to go to the website. Afterall, I needed to see what interactive component they had to this.
The landing page is simple. You have two choices, the kit or the contest.
The Kit is pretty nice. A flash application that allows the user to test different types of hazards in the workplace, core to what the WSIB deals with. It is simple, easy and straight to the point. It is intuitive with lots to do.
Some weak points are the "share it" application that allows you to tell their story. The problem is, I could only read one story. I couldn't figure out how to read others...they lost a bit of the social media component to the site. One other issue I had was the kit didn't really flow well with the look and feel with the rest of the campaign. I suspect that this has been around for awhile and the contest was an add-on (the contest being the main campaign).
The contest itself was kinda strange. I never saw a contest page that made you enter in your email address and password prior to playing the contest. So, yup, I didn't continue forward. I didn't need another MP3 player or Xbox...I wonder what their usage rate is on this?
Overall, I was pretty impressed. The WSIB did some good stuff. They reached out to their core audience in all the right places...the only barrier is, will their audience care enough or will they assume, like I did...that I know this stuff already...like duh?!
Yesterday, during the 1/2 hour previews before Pirates of the Caribbean III, I saw the commerical. Two kids joking with each other, one with cast on (bloody though). Another kid comes along and delivers the boy's bloddy hand. ergh.
After all that, I was compelled to go to the website. Afterall, I needed to see what interactive component they had to this.
The landing page is simple. You have two choices, the kit or the contest.
The Kit is pretty nice. A flash application that allows the user to test different types of hazards in the workplace, core to what the WSIB deals with. It is simple, easy and straight to the point. It is intuitive with lots to do.
Some weak points are the "share it" application that allows you to tell their story. The problem is, I could only read one story. I couldn't figure out how to read others...they lost a bit of the social media component to the site. One other issue I had was the kit didn't really flow well with the look and feel with the rest of the campaign. I suspect that this has been around for awhile and the contest was an add-on (the contest being the main campaign).
The contest itself was kinda strange. I never saw a contest page that made you enter in your email address and password prior to playing the contest. So, yup, I didn't continue forward. I didn't need another MP3 player or Xbox...I wonder what their usage rate is on this?
Overall, I was pretty impressed. The WSIB did some good stuff. They reached out to their core audience in all the right places...the only barrier is, will their audience care enough or will they assume, like I did...that I know this stuff already...like duh?!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Take me out to the ballgame
I went to see a Jays Game last night and really payed attention to some of the marketing campaigns within the Skydome.
Yup, their was the standard "sign up for this credit card and get a free scarf." And yup, there was the mobile marketing from rogers "text message the correct answer for your chance to win." And yes, they had the Home Hardware cleaning crew.
But some other odd marketing campaigns was the racing chili's in which I have no clue what brand they belong too (however, I would know it if I saw them on a logo). There was the "save energy by changing your lightbulbs" plug streamed across the glaring lights of the width of the skydome (which no douby was not energy efficent bulbs) Even more strange were these yellow stress balls provided after the game to everyone noting "Reduce the Stress of Quitting" from the Canadian Cancer Society (note: everyone was tossing them across the streets to mere strangers - no no stress, but fun!)
Go Jays Go!
Yup, their was the standard "sign up for this credit card and get a free scarf." And yup, there was the mobile marketing from rogers "text message the correct answer for your chance to win." And yes, they had the Home Hardware cleaning crew.
But some other odd marketing campaigns was the racing chili's in which I have no clue what brand they belong too (however, I would know it if I saw them on a logo). There was the "save energy by changing your lightbulbs" plug streamed across the glaring lights of the width of the skydome (which no douby was not energy efficent bulbs) Even more strange were these yellow stress balls provided after the game to everyone noting "Reduce the Stress of Quitting" from the Canadian Cancer Society (note: everyone was tossing them across the streets to mere strangers - no no stress, but fun!)
Go Jays Go!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Reporting Spam
As part of being a digital marketer, I do a lot of email marketing. So, yup - I know a lot about 'reporting spam.'
I used to do it a lot, out of sheer laziness...once upon a time...heck, the "REPORT SPAM" button is easier to reach than the delete.
But, now I almost never do it. I know the consequences it can have on a company...a company I like.
However, here are the top three reasons why I will do it:
1. I tried to opt-out over 3 times of an email.
2. There is no opt-out option.
3. The company made me mad...really really mad. grr!
I used to do it a lot, out of sheer laziness...once upon a time...heck, the "REPORT SPAM" button is easier to reach than the delete.
But, now I almost never do it. I know the consequences it can have on a company...a company I like.
However, here are the top three reasons why I will do it:
1. I tried to opt-out over 3 times of an email.
2. There is no opt-out option.
3. The company made me mad...really really mad. grr!
Upcoming Marketing Events
Check, check these out:
CaseCamp 5
This is going to be hot. With already three stellar presenters on board and the new venue, The Century Room - this is bound to be one rockin' event. This event is taking place on June 12th, 2007 at 6 pm. It is going to be more than any 'ol marketing event...that fo' sho'...PS. It is free too!
AMA Toronto - Social
Taking place at the swanky Drake Hotel, AMA Toronto will be hosting their summer social on June 21, 2007. $20 for non-members and $10 for members.
CaseCamp 5
This is going to be hot. With already three stellar presenters on board and the new venue, The Century Room - this is bound to be one rockin' event. This event is taking place on June 12th, 2007 at 6 pm. It is going to be more than any 'ol marketing event...that fo' sho'...PS. It is free too!
AMA Toronto - Social
Taking place at the swanky Drake Hotel, AMA Toronto will be hosting their summer social on June 21, 2007. $20 for non-members and $10 for members.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Thank you for smoking
I had to laugh at the genius behind the Smoking Jacket.
"When wearing the jacket, the smoker exhales cigarette smoke into a one-way air valve in the collar, trapping it in. The smoke is then channelled through some tubing to a pair of plastic lungs on the front of the jacket. Inside the lungs is air-filter material which darkens to a brownish stain after repeated exposure to smoke.
The lungs aren't completely airtight, so the smoke will eventually seep out, allowing it to be used many times."
For a look at some other interactive designs - go here.
PS. Are there any smoking calculators out there?
"When wearing the jacket, the smoker exhales cigarette smoke into a one-way air valve in the collar, trapping it in. The smoke is then channelled through some tubing to a pair of plastic lungs on the front of the jacket. Inside the lungs is air-filter material which darkens to a brownish stain after repeated exposure to smoke.
The lungs aren't completely airtight, so the smoke will eventually seep out, allowing it to be used many times."
For a look at some other interactive designs - go here.
PS. Are there any smoking calculators out there?
Let's get Digital
Last Thursday, I went to the Zoom Film Festival. A showcase of high school film making talent here in the GTA.
It was amazing to see what kids were doing with their digital equipment. Whether it be a short film, music video or commercial - the stuff was good...great. It became clear that digital engulfed their lives, from internet, iPod to video camera.
This morning I got an email informing me of the digital diversity competition. A competition for radio/podcast or video talking about immigration. Hm. Interesting. For 18-35 year old's, the overall message is to talk about immigration, do you care about the topic or don't you...a neat way to get the conversation going although I am not too sure if the age group is right. Don't underestimate what kids/teens have and know how to use.
It was amazing to see what kids were doing with their digital equipment. Whether it be a short film, music video or commercial - the stuff was good...great. It became clear that digital engulfed their lives, from internet, iPod to video camera.
This morning I got an email informing me of the digital diversity competition. A competition for radio/podcast or video talking about immigration. Hm. Interesting. For 18-35 year old's, the overall message is to talk about immigration, do you care about the topic or don't you...a neat way to get the conversation going although I am not too sure if the age group is right. Don't underestimate what kids/teens have and know how to use.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
How do rumors get started...
...they're started by the dirty people and...
Check out Guy Kawaski's latest...truemors
PS. You may want to see if there are any rumors about your organization or yourself! yaya.
Check out Guy Kawaski's latest...truemors
PS. You may want to see if there are any rumors about your organization or yourself! yaya.
Customer Service Comes to You
Bringo came up in my feed this evening via TechCrunch.
Forget about waiting 'on hold' when you call a company like an airplane service, your cable or mobile provider or even your air conditioning vendor.
"Just find the company you want to talk to in their directory, type in your phone number, and a couple of minutes later Bringo calls you and connects you to an operator at that company."
NOTE: If you have an annoying phone tree, you might want to make sure your company is listed on this service. Customers (even if it is just 1), may not be so frustrated when they actually do land up talking to a real person.
Forget about waiting 'on hold' when you call a company like an airplane service, your cable or mobile provider or even your air conditioning vendor.
"Just find the company you want to talk to in their directory, type in your phone number, and a couple of minutes later Bringo calls you and connects you to an operator at that company."
NOTE: If you have an annoying phone tree, you might want to make sure your company is listed on this service. Customers (even if it is just 1), may not be so frustrated when they actually do land up talking to a real person.
Another Mediocre Restaurant Experience
Mark and I just came back from Miller Tavern (Yonge, north of Lawrence). This is what happened:
Pro's:
1. We were seated quickly and in a nice spot.
2. We were attended too by the waiter very quickly.
3. Food came out pretty quickly.
Con's:
1. Food came out too quickly.
2. Table was cleared of everything while one of us was still eating.
3. Food was okay - bad (my meal was luke warm and Mark's steak was well done instead of medium/rare)
Do the pro's outweigh the con's or do the con's out weigh the pro's?
Cost of meal including tip - $84.00
Pro's:
1. We were seated quickly and in a nice spot.
2. We were attended too by the waiter very quickly.
3. Food came out pretty quickly.
Con's:
1. Food came out too quickly.
2. Table was cleared of everything while one of us was still eating.
3. Food was okay - bad (my meal was luke warm and Mark's steak was well done instead of medium/rare)
Do the pro's outweigh the con's or do the con's out weigh the pro's?
Cost of meal including tip - $84.00
Monday, May 14, 2007
Friends, Connections...people
Scenario #1
Ralph: James, meet Mary. She works at Telus.
Mary: Nice to meet you James.
James: Telus eh? Do you know John, he working in accounting...a VP of some big department.
Mary: Nope, don't know John.
James: Oh really, well we go way back.
Scenario #2
Kelly: Hey John, I saw that you are connected to James who went to St. Peter's HS. I saw him on your facebook.
John: Not sure who you are talking about. I connect anyone who sends me an invite.
Friends vs. Acquaintances vs. People
Ralph: James, meet Mary. She works at Telus.
Mary: Nice to meet you James.
James: Telus eh? Do you know John, he working in accounting...a VP of some big department.
Mary: Nope, don't know John.
James: Oh really, well we go way back.
Scenario #2
Kelly: Hey John, I saw that you are connected to James who went to St. Peter's HS. I saw him on your facebook.
John: Not sure who you are talking about. I connect anyone who sends me an invite.
Friends vs. Acquaintances vs. People
Friday, May 11, 2007
Toys for Kids...and adults too
It is my nephew's birthday tomorrow. He is turning a whopping seven. yaya!
I am attending his 4 hour swimming birthday party. 2 hours of swimming and another 2 hours of pizza and cupcakes. Oh yes, this kid knows what dessies are en vogue.
So what do you get a kid that has absolutely everything? Hell's I know. Really, I know very little about kids toys.
I asked a colleague of mine in the office what to get and he said his 6 1/2 year old boy loves lego. Luuuves lego. And he pointed me to the Lego Factory. Ya I know lego, but in my day, there was no lego factory. Although it has been around since 2005, I had never visited this land filled with consumer-generated content (toys) and personalized sets. I loved it!
I then went to check out B-Daman. Coming from the Pokemon family, B-Daman is a battle type/marble kinda toy...the site is okay. Your typical online games, forum...but still missing that extra umph!
Looking forward to seeing what he gets. Selfishly, looking forward to seeing what the latest and greatest toys are out there...
I am attending his 4 hour swimming birthday party. 2 hours of swimming and another 2 hours of pizza and cupcakes. Oh yes, this kid knows what dessies are en vogue.
So what do you get a kid that has absolutely everything? Hell's I know. Really, I know very little about kids toys.
I asked a colleague of mine in the office what to get and he said his 6 1/2 year old boy loves lego. Luuuves lego. And he pointed me to the Lego Factory. Ya I know lego, but in my day, there was no lego factory. Although it has been around since 2005, I had never visited this land filled with consumer-generated content (toys) and personalized sets. I loved it!
I then went to check out B-Daman. Coming from the Pokemon family, B-Daman is a battle type/marble kinda toy...the site is okay. Your typical online games, forum...but still missing that extra umph!
Looking forward to seeing what he gets. Selfishly, looking forward to seeing what the latest and greatest toys are out there...
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Gluttony Tax
Mark sent me this freakonomics blog post today on a "Gluttony Tax."
In short - you pay a one price all-you-can-consume and then have to pay for whatever you have left over. For example, you go to a buffet for $19.99...if you still have a spring roll left on your plate that you don't eat - you pay an extra $1 for it.
I actually think this is a great idea. Freakonomics thinks it is great in the age of waste. I think it is great because the company doesn't waste money.
In short - you pay a one price all-you-can-consume and then have to pay for whatever you have left over. For example, you go to a buffet for $19.99...if you still have a spring roll left on your plate that you don't eat - you pay an extra $1 for it.
I actually think this is a great idea. Freakonomics thinks it is great in the age of waste. I think it is great because the company doesn't waste money.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Canadian New Media Awards
If you are at all interested in new media, digital, interactive - check out the stellar list of finalists for the 2007 Canadian New Media Awards.
Big props go out to Eli Singer - the brains behind Captain Flamingo rocks too.
Big props go out to Eli Singer - the brains behind Captain Flamingo rocks too.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Your reputation on the web
I think it is safe to say that if you are being considered for a job - you will be googled. Not everyone is googleable - but a vast majority of us are.
If you google me for example - the first 5 results are:
1. my blog
2. my blog
3. my blog profile
4. My facebook public profile
5. My linkedin profile
The point I am trying to make here is that you should be wary of what information, public information, about you is online. I use the job example, because that has its obvious effects. (However, I guess it could apply if you are interesting in dating someone you met at a bar, a long distance relationship and/or are just simply curious.)
I check my google status often - do you?
If you google me for example - the first 5 results are:
1. my blog
2. my blog
3. my blog profile
4. My facebook public profile
5. My linkedin profile
The point I am trying to make here is that you should be wary of what information, public information, about you is online. I use the job example, because that has its obvious effects. (However, I guess it could apply if you are interesting in dating someone you met at a bar, a long distance relationship and/or are just simply curious.)
I check my google status often - do you?
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
If you don't know, now you know
The power of online astonishes me everyday - particularily how non-profits and activists use these free tools.
1. Check out the great interactive/video/activist campaign against Wal-Mart by HRW (note: I volunteer for HRW Toronto Network).
2. ecoFRAUD
3. Oh, and yes...the controversial.
1. Check out the great interactive/video/activist campaign against Wal-Mart by HRW (note: I volunteer for HRW Toronto Network).
2. ecoFRAUD
3. Oh, and yes...the controversial.
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