Today we lost a hero, a visionary, an incredible mind.

Steve Jobs has always been an enigma. He changed the way we work (otherwise our entire lives could have been  as disappointing as Lotus Notes). He’s changed the way we connect. He gave us what we needed before we knew we needed it. While he was never known to “crack” what we generally refer to as ’social media,’ he gaves us the means to do it. He was the most incredible strategic and creative mind our generation has ever known.

I’m looking at my social feeds this evening and am completely awestruck at the impact he has had on the creative community. Yes, I used to work at Chiat/Day, the home of Apple advertising and it has an enormous impact on many of my friends lives (and my own)–regardless if we worked on it or not. But it’s bigger than just Chiat. Our advertising world has been shaped by the innovation of Jobs and Apple. We could not do what we do without his technology. We would not be building apps, creating our digital experiences and amazing broadcast spots, playing with Instagram, sharing our lives the way we do without his vision.

He changed the game of advertising — with a little help from his agency of course. He had the guts to take the risk. Buy work that wasn’t conventional (hello, 1984?) The Think Different ad got me into advertising. On my toughest days early in my career, it KEPT me in advertising. It gave me hope that one day, maybe I could help make something that would make me feel the way that did. That’s what good advertising does: grabs you in a way you’d never expect, hugs your heart and makes you want a piece of whatever they “got” at any cost. So here’s to the crazy ones.

Beyond just what he helped create, was the attitude and the swagger that he brought to the world of technology. Before Apple, one could argue that technology was looked down upon many as just another “nerdy pursuit.” Technology was for “them” not “us.” Apple made technology desirable. Who wanted to be a suit PC when you could be the smart-assed Mac?

While the physical manifestation of the “Mac” persona may be true-yes, many of us wear our funky sneakers and tote our iPhones as if they were actually attached to our bodies–what’s beneath the surface is probably even more fundamentally true. We all live to be the pirates. We want to have strong opinions, bold ideas, a don’t f*ck with me attitude and perseverance to survive even the worst moments. We want to be curious and live in a world of wonderment. One where anything and everything is possible…

My favorite part of his Stanford address is this. I’ve read it several times this evening and to be honest, it’s inspiring me in this moment to follow my heart.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

Rest in Peace Mr. Jobs. And thank you.

– Steve Jobs narrating the timelessly incredible Think Different ad:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Lame title. Deal. Sorry.

It’s funny, I spend a lot of time talking about how behaviors are what drive the development of new tools/technologies and are core to functionality and usefulness. Behaviors evolve over time and changing interactions, but I’ve always been of the mindset of that direction relative to causal influence. While I don’t believe it is wrong, I started thinking (selfishly) about how these “tools” have changed me and how I interact with the world around me. There are more and more examples of how the tool is shaping behaviors.

Instagram is quite an interesting example of this. Not only do I constantly need to check it (I love peeking into my friends’ lives and seeing what’s beautiful, funny, in their lives) but I realized something today: the days that I don’t have “something’ to instagram lately are typically a little underwhelming and maybe even a little depressing. Lead me to a question (terrifying self discovery): is a day that you don’t have anything to share, one that was worth living? That sounds way more dramatic than I mean it to, but broadly speaking, it reframes the way you can look at your day. Shouldn’t you strive to have a moment in your day (fleeting or not) that fills you with enough joy that you want to share it?

I think that’s a big part of the power and lure of an instagram or even Facebook. Making you think just a little more critically about the life you’re living. When you look back on the collective memories that you’ve shared (or not shared), is there a point in which you can actually see the unhappy breaks? Eras of joy/optimism hope? Maybe this could be a tool for therapy–tracking your visual history to see where things went “wrong” or “right”. I truly believe there’s an incredible intrinsic value to tracking memories and creating tangible “memory buckets”.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, these personal logs create incredibly rich places and spaces as “marketing” folks to be able to mine for insights into the way people really live. Would be amazing to be able to look through someone’s FB or Instagram feed and juxtapose to the way that they answer questions in a focus group (on their will of course)…there are some things you just can’t “make up”…

I heard an interesting opinion last week that stuck with me. “I just don’t get twitter. It’s just people using @ signs and re-tweeting other people. It doesn’t mean anything…you can “fake” being cool or smart or whatever you want. So what, you tweet about banksy and that makes you cool?” A bit harsh in my opinion and  needless to say I violently disagree with this, but it did get me thinking.

Lots of posts have sprouted up about why people tweet. Motivations are different for everyone–but I liken it to the different reasons why people talk on the phone or send an SMS. Communication. Connection. Sharing.

Why do I tweet? (I’m only really an authority on me…so figure why not) I really love making things. For as long as I can remember, making things (painting, baking, writing plays, making music, whatever) has been intrinsic to who I am. I love crafting stuff (even just 140 characters). Yes, through exploring your curiosities on twitter, you do start to craft your “self-brand”–but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s inauthentic. Just as you chose that ironic t-shirt this morning to express yourself and your curiosity I tweeted about something I found fascinating. And I gave the person who helped me discover it with a nod and a “RT”.

The twitter world isn’t necessarily about self promotion. It’s about learning and sharing. Generosity is something that gets overlooked a lot in our society as a WHOLE, but I believe there are pockets of twitter land that understand it incredibly well. This article was great in exploring that idea of generosity and “claiming” starting an idea.

And then there are the people I’ve met. It’s been the most rewarding bit of it all. Had a lot of help from friends in building my voice there (a particular inspiration has been @edwardboches – one of the grand poobahs of social media and advertising) and from those friendships have helped grow my knowledge base (as a planner and person), fuel my curiosity, and introduced me to some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met (and a few of my now dearest friends). From across the pond, to across the country, to within the walls of my own agency, it’s an extraordinary tool.

If you’re still a skeptic, I challenge you to try it for a month. Maybe it’s for you, maybe it’s not-but you’ll never know til you try…

Click here to view the embedded video.

We’ve all seen the digital ninja video that’s been circulating the interwebs. Hilarity. It’s funny, cute and contains grain of truth to it (whether we want to admit it or not). The reality is that “digital” as a once mystical entity is slowly becoming democratized–of course, THROUGH technology and social networks. It’s no longer just about throwing out a million buzz words (I recently heard: “developing a micro community of hyper advocates to spread the world throughout social properties”) and guess what– someone’s already taken care of that.

It’s putting some meaning behind those words. And I hate to say it but it rarely comes from a single “strategic idea”–or series of elegantly strewn together words to make a pithy page in a deck. It comes from trial/error, sketching out your dreams of what could be, finding the right people to help (from a technology and creative perspective), making big fat mistakes, scrapping everything and starting again. I’ve been lucky enough to see how great it can be when you work together to get there, but takes a consorted effort by a team of people. And pulling those people together is sometimes a feat. Especially when not everyone is coming from quite the same place, attitudinally.

I’m not a digital ninja or superhero, you’re probably not one either (unless you’re concealing some nun chucks in your iPad case).

I said I wouldn’t succumb to the hoards of early-adopters to snatch the first round of iPads. So much for resisting temptation.

Let me preface this with the wise words of one Clay Shirky to keep all this “buzz” in perspective: “…a revolution doesn’t happen when society adapts new tools. It happens when society adapts new behaviours.”

That said, this is a pretty fun whiz-bang tool. And I think the behaviors associated with how we use this tool could really start changing communications. (see my old post on this for more)

There are a lot of things to talk about, but in hopes that I don’t sound like an over-enthused child on Christmas morning with her new awesome toy, just wanted to give my quick observations. And my terrible photos which are purely illustrative…

Physical Design: Is ridiculous. It’s about the same thickness of the iPhone, so is remarkably light and portable. It’s so “Apple” to design something so inexplicably personal. Viewing images is a joy, as the whole iPad experience is so intensely visual.

As an iPhone user, it’s second nature to use the touch screen (fingerprints are going to be an issue, that I already know), just bigger and less likely for those little slips. Picture quality is a dream. Only thing that I’m having some trouble with is the keypad. A little annoying and sticky (like the iPhone), but I’ll get over it.

The Apps: Now I’ve only been playing for a few hours total, so my reviews are limited. Some of the ones that are of particular note: Tweetdeck,  ABC Player, NPR, Coolhunting, Epicurious and NY Times Editors Choice apps. And yes these are websites or iPhone apps that I currently use (with exception of ABC), but the interface on iPad surpasses both by a LOT.

The ABC Player: now that was brilliant thinking on someone’s part–as the only video broadcast “free” streaming content app from the launch, I’m sure there are more people than just myself who are (for the first time in a long time) watching ABC content again. And realizing that some of it actually isn’t terrible.

Tweetdeck is great–being able to link out and not leave the tweetdeck interface is quite lovely. I’ve heard the other twitter APIs are even better, but I’m a tweetdeck loyalist, so it works for me.

Interfaces: Not all apps are created equal (we know this by now), nuances are everything. NPR did a really fantastic job of creating a fun and functional navigation system. This one was a great example of using the features of the iPad in designing the experience itself. Lots of play with the navigation which is essential. Like iPhone apps, it’ll be important for designers to design FOR the device and UX rather than just make it a “website with touch interface”.

NY Times (lite) is good, and feels like picking up that oh-so-iconic newpaper (thank you grid system), which is lovely on this size screen, I think it’ll take them a bit of time to get everything where it needs to be for all their content.

The other lovely surprise was the Coolhunting app. Kudos to the folks at BBH for the partnership of Cadillac and Coolhunting, lots of thought was put into the design and has some nice product integrations, without feeling overly “marketing-y”.

This app was unique from the others I’ve downloaded thus far, it has two discrete nav panels which allows for “thumb navigating”, which makes it easy and just a visual fiesta. Good quality video throughout, and the experience getting to them is quite seamless. I love the new Cool Hunting site-great content, slick interface- so this one is really a joy.

Next to test will be the more utilitarian things like pages and keynote, but until then, I’d say if you like gadgets, Apple and perhaps travel a bit– snag one of these bad boys. It’s everything you love about your iPhone and much more.

And as I write this, I’m becoming more and more aware of how funny this post will probably be in a few months, let alone a few years…so all I’ll say is there’s a first “exciting” day for everything. Just like this newsfeature from 1993:

Click here to view the embedded video.

So Apple does it again ‘eh?  With orders for the iPad topping 50,000 in the first two hours of pre-order, earning a reported $75M in the first day, the iPad may just be the “next” iPod. Just what the world needs another gizmo right? Well, the cynic in me would love to say that (and who knows, five years from now, may look at this and laugh) but this could truly re-define publishing.

Many have questioned what makes this truly unique. Isn’t it just a flat, less versatile version of a netbook? Well, it could be unless publishers and advertisers don’t make use of the unique gestural capabilities. Faris Yakob’s December 2009 predictions alluded to gestures being a huge part of 2010, and lo and behold, here it is.

It’s not just going to be translating what was “paper” into an iPad interface, nor is it a banner ad of the 2000’s meagerly disrupting a user’s experience: this is about creating a new kind of user experience. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to push our boundaries of creativity and push into a new “medium”–play and have fun again.

What is unique about this interface? A popular theme of mine, humanizing technology. The touch screen does just that. Makes it tactile. There isn’t that physical separation of space anymore–the direct interaction with information is electric and “bonds” the user to the machine (I know how strange that sounds). And of course being Apple, the design is exquisite. Beautiful and light, I saw one in person a few days ago, a young developer playing with it (in San Francisco of course). And it is quite magnificent.

Penguin books have consistently stayed fresh (reviving classic covers with fresh illustrations), but their iPad capabilities could take them into a space of recapturing those “lost readers”. They’ve “imagined” some of their future with the iPad. While the mainstream “grown-up” market will probably take the lions share of the attention once launched, I think the opportunities for children could be amazing. Making those wonderful children’s books come to life in this space could be amazing.  Imagine Harold and his purple crayon dancing, playing and drawing in the hands of a 2-year old–what an amazing outlet for creativity.

Click here to view the embedded video.

And the magazines are seeing their futures perhaps a bit brighter with this innovation. Everyone from Wired, to Conde Nast to Sports Illustrated are giddy for where their pubs may go (and the money they may just revive).

And flighty and superficial as this sounds, as a consumer, I see this as a huge opportunity for a lighter travel bag. I cannot bear to carry around another September issue of Vogue or 500 page hardcover. This is gonna be good…

It has been years of “being the year of mobile”, but finally 2010 seems to be shaping up to be THE year it lives up to the hype. As all the stars begin to align-devices and carriers as well as the exponential growth of mobile web browsing-more nifty applications are popping up that are changing the retail landscape.

It is so much more than mobile coupons or SMS campaigns (they are definitely a part of it, but not the end all) it’s about utility. From finding the store you’re looking for using an app like Fastmall which will speed you around your mall experience (thank god, because I can never find a directory when I need it) or utilizing technology as Norma Kamali is, where you can read tags on their displays that tell you all the details of the piece that you’re interested in. And you needn’t ask a fussy sales person or worry about not making it into the store on time.

Another part of the shopping puzzle is the social element of it all. We’ve talked about social shopping before on the blog, but none have really taken off the way that something like foursquare has. However, integrating location based technologies/gaming (like foursquare) with the sharing element of a facebook and great things could happen. Shopping to many is a innately social activity (OK, ladies, you’re with me here), and many of us find ourselves texting friends at sales, sending pictures from a store of a pair of shoes you’re just not sure of yet and need that second opinion…brands just need to find the right way into the story.

Another prediction: Concierge type services will proliferate, and shopping will be made even more dummy proof. We won’t know what it was like to be without (mark…my…words…) Will we buy more as a result? Retailers certainly hope so, but moreover the bar will be raised for consumer satisfaction. And oh it will be glorious.

Image via NY Times

Technology began as an austere, cold concept. Technology as we understand it going into 2010 has evolved so far from those fearful notions of Y2K in 1999. In 1999 computers and technology were helpful parts of life, yet still feared. Uncertainty, uncontrolled-lest we forget the sheer terror of the clock striking midnight December 31, 1999? What is this machine capable of when the numbers changed?  But times are a changing as we shift into a new decade. Technology is yet again re-born with a more human face. And no, I’m not talking about Max Headroom.

But how and why did this happen? Well, it started when innovation found a soul and beating heart. And then the magic began. The machine became less…machine-y. Thanks to brands like Apple, technology became approachable and easy.  Designed FOR humans and the way they interact and behave rather than just pure utility. Techno-phobes, who were plagued with deep-set fears of being unable to program a VCR began to dissipate. Technology became our friend and trusted partner.

Then this little thing called social media emerged. And suddenly (actually not so suddenly) technology wasn’t so scary any more. It became what connects us to other people, places and things in our lives that truly matter. “Googling” became the way to answer life’s great questions. And soon enough, life without technology was a distant memory.

I don’t often write about a single campaign persay, but this is going to be an exception. The Google Chrome work is just too good to not talk about here. BBH Labs London/NYC and Glue have put together a fabulous series of video vignettes in support of Google Chrome-bringing to life the heart and functionality of the Chrome browser.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is a case study epitomizes so many things that illustrate the “best in show” of campaigns: storytelling, a “big idea” (and to some degree, a series of smaller ideas that build into a big idea) and extraordinary creative execution.  Watching “the making of” is quite an experience. The meticulous (and potentially dangerous!) use of mercury, harpists delicately interpreting the finest motions (wearing a mask) and the absolute passion of the crocheting director is awe-inspiring. And it made cold technology something warm and inviting. It was a human experience. In that beautiful notion of life and art meeting technology. In a very Google sort of way.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What is a “google experience” –to anyone who attended the recent planning conference reading this, let’s go back to that session building apps for Chrome. We learned that everything about google is about solving user problems without ever disturbing the user experience. Seamless integration. But it always comes back to being about appealing to the most human needs in technology. This campaign is an artful, fun and approachable manifestation of that idea.

You MUST read this article from BBH Labs to get a true appreciation:

http://bbh-labs.com/google-chrome-behind-the-scenes

The energy in the advertising community has been dulled the past year or so.  Quiet.  A little afraid to make any sudden movements.

At the risk of sounding overly optimistic, there is something in the past few weeks/months that has started to shift. Something in the air that faintly hints at something new. That something new is a revival of the creative spirit and yes, change (hate to use that word because it is now SO incredibly cliche).

My first, very real hint of this came at the planningness conference where change was abuzz everywhere– but there are many, many more indications of a shift, as highlighted in the article from the NY Times yesterday (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/business/media/29adco.html?_r=3)   From Maurice Lévy, at the Publicis Groupe, who predicted on Tuesday that “the advertising market is starting its recovery” as Publicis begins to see organic revenue growth in the second half of 2010 to the amazing new innovative agency Victors and Spoils starting up.

The beauty of all this is that it’s not just about agencies making money again (which from the perspective of a person in the industry IS a good thing!) but in a bigger sense, these “bad times” have come at possibly the BEST time possible. The power of the “digital” world has really started to come into fruition. People are finally using the principles of connectivity to COLLABORATE and CREATE–with or without the aid of us marketing types. This coupled with strained budgets taught us all to push our thinking in new ways. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. There were a lot of mistakes to be had. But now it feels like we’re coming together COLLECTIVELY and saying “OK, times are changing. We need to change with them. Let’s do it”

An agency like Victors and Spoils is absolutely the definition of what this means in our world. It’s groundbreaking and will take us to the next level. Other similar agencies have existed (like Genius Rocket), but perhaps it’s the buzz John Winsor and team have (John just coming off the successful release of his book Baked In-HIGHLY recommend BTW) And yes, it is absolutely a controversial method. Some people will love it and see it as the most liberating model the agency world has ever seen, others will feel like it is utter blasphemy. A great place to see the debate is at Edward Boches exquisite blog, Creativity Unbound:  http://edwardboches.com/a-crowdsourcing-ad-agency-can-it-work

After reading some of the comments it’s easy to see that this is definitely a step in the right direction for the industry. It’s gotten us all thinking again. And as we all wake up from the Rip Van Winkle year or so past, let’s stretch out and surge forward towards something new and fabulous.

On the mind of so many, why oh WHY has it taken so long for QR codes to catch on in North America? In case you’re unaware, QR codes are 2-D bar codes that originated in Japan, and can be read by most Japanese mobile phones cameras. These codes can store a plethora of information-from addresses to URLs to even business card-type information. The whole idea of being able to link the physical and digital worlds can open up limitless innovation.

So FINALLY, QR codes are starting to amass stateside.  Whether it is part of viral marketing campaign for District 9 in New York subway stations or their use in art/fashion with Louis Vuitton and Takeshi Murakami, QR codes are starting to make their way to the surface of culture. Polo Ralph Lauren utilized the technology back in 2008, but few others have taken the same charge (mostly because so many mobile phones weren’t able to read them).

In a slightly less fashionable/trendy place, airlines (gasp!) are starting to read QR codes to board planes. A world where there is no printed boarding pass? This dream may soon become a reality.

(Image via: adverlab.blogspot.com)