AU Blogspot

The insights of cultural/media theorist Douglas Rushkoff are always contemporary and often prescient.  He was deciphering the social codes of the virtual psyche, lifestyle, and marketplace before such concepts were formally identified by the so-called “machine.”    

In this video snippet from Rushkoff’s presentation on “word of mouth” marketing at the CMA’s Word of Mouth Conference, he summarizes why the death of traditional advertising may not be such a bad thing for businesses willing to listen to the voices.

Ryan Rode
Ashworth School Of Business

Here’s a little comic relief for all of you in these worrisome times.  Microsoft terminated their recent advertising campaign starring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates, a campaign which some advertising pundits have called the worst advertising campaign in history!  The campaign only debuted two commercials that were supposed to help make Microsoft Windows sheik and hip, but instead seemed to be about nothing, much like the old Seinfeld Show.  It did nothing to promote the Microsoft brand or help instill confidence in Vista. 

Microsoft quickly initiated a new “I’m a PC” campaign that shows the ubiquitous nature of Microsoft Windows.  Contrary to the stumbling advertising attempts of Microsoft, Apple has had the very popular and effective “I’m a Mac and I’m a PC” campaign.  In order to add some balance, a number of people have created their own commercial parodies of this campaign and poke fun at Macs.  In addition to the video above, here are a few of my favorites.  You can find lots more.

Mac Vs. PC Spoof Video

Video with Linux, PC and Mac that points to the power of Linux

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician-Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University   

In this video from Ashworth’s 2008 Graduation Ceremony, Kristen Phillips shares her experience as a recent graduate of our Accounting program.  I hope you will be able to draw some personal inspiration from Kristen’s story. 

If you’d like to share your success story in video form, all you have to do is contact me at the following email address:

auforumspot@ashworthuniversity.edu

It’s a lot easier than you think to create a video—plus you’ll be able to tell your friends and family that you’re a star on YouTube! 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager

               Thanks to Kit Kowan for permission to use this Photo.

Seth Godin’s ability to reinvent conventional perspectives in an original framework has earned him celebrity status in the marketing world.  Praised for his seemingly prophetic insights into developing digital trends, Seth is the kind of entrepreneur who doesn’t find it necessary to break the rules in order to generate consumer attention; he simply  interprets the rules in ways that the “experts” had said were too undefined, open, and ironically enough: consumer-centric.  The communications channels that Seth proposes to reach customers (get their attention) should be understood by any entrepreneur trying to make it in online marketplace, which is already yesterday’s— a reality that has informed Godin’s strategic principles throughout his career.  The following video is a nice introduction to the sometimes bizarre, but always inspiring perspectives of a truly creative business mind.  Click on the image above to watch this video.  We encourage you to share your thoughts with the community afterwards.  Take care.    

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University

The insights of cultural/media theorist Douglas Rushkoff are always contemporary and often prescient.  He was deciphering the social codes of the virtual psyche, lifestyle, and marketplace before such concepts were formally identified by the so-called “machine.”   

The Merchants Of Cool is a brilliant analysis of the incorporation of youth pop-culture that Ruskhoff created while working as a correspondent for PBS Frontline.  This is a very entertaining documentary.  You’ll learn a lot too.  Let me know what you think in the comments section.

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University

 
               Thanks to Chris Metcalf for permission to use this Photo.

In the hyper-competitive business environment of today, there are millions of dollars invested and mistakenly often wasted by companies looking for the “next big thing,” the elusive innovation that will electrify the marketplace.  When most people think of innovation, they automatically consider it in the technological sense, but innovation means much more than producing a faster computer or a telephone that doubles as a home entertainment system; innovation is ultimately about ideas.  In the following video, innovation expert Charles Leadbeater discusses how innovation isn’t just reserved for the corporate giants with infinite capital, but rather how independent thinking entities, people like you and me with a vision, are now empowered like never before to compete in the marketplace on our own terms.  I found this presentation both informative and inspiring.  I hope you feel the same way after viewing it and approach your next lesson with a sense of enthusiasm.  Click on the image above to watch this video. 

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University

With Apple continuing to dominate the headlines and industry buzz with one acclaimed release after another, it’s easy to forget that the so-called  ”Evil Empire” has been rather quietly refining their Surface computing technology. We’re talking about more than multi-touch features for your mobile phone; Surface is perhaps most intriguing for its’ “surface” adaptability and potential virtual applications.  Check out this video demonstration of Microsoft’s Sphere prototype.  I’m an Apple guy myself, but I must admit that Sphere could be interesting…

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University

                      Image courtesy of jeff magnum-orange twin.

From Brian Grinonneau:

Dare to be different. A look at why advertising professionals should consider standing out from the competition, not copying them. To make your advertising work, follow the principle if your competition is doing it, don’t.  To succeed in today’s crowded marketplace where most of the products and advertising look exactly the same, a small business owner must stand out, shouting above the din with a message so clear and compelling that prospects stop and take notice. It’s a matter of business survival. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs quickly retreat to the supposed security of sameness, soon to be lost in a sea of anonymity and a tidal wave of frustration.

In effect, albeit at a subconscious level, they are saying , “I don’t want to be different”. In back room offices and store fronts everywhere, salespeople are telling business owners they should do this or that kind of ad because it worked so great for their competitor. The owners nod and sign on. It’s already proven to be a winner, right? WRONG! Change the name, background color and a font style and you’ve got sameness. Put those ads in the yellow pages, a coupon magazine or a TV commercial cluster and you’ve got advertising death. Want proof? Get the latest statistics on small business failures.

About the author: Brian Grinonneau is the general manager of McMann and Tate advertising, an agency that works with small business owners helping them stand out from the crowd.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Copyright © 1996 - 2008 Experience, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

To read more of Brian Grinonneau’s  great article, login to the Ashworth University Career Center through the student portal and click here. 

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University

                         Image courtesy of  Panda Bear.

Brand Experience Lab is an advertising agency with a reputation for developing some of the world’s most innovative marketing campaigns.  Their signature concept blends the principles of customer participation and brand messaging; the result has been coined “interaction marketing.”  Notice the subtle distinction made between interactive and interaction.  The emphasis is placed on the actual experience of using the product rather than a simulated trial.  Brand Experience Lab’s so-called “audience games” illustrate their vision quite well and these cinema based experiences are one of 2008’s buzz trends.  Their two most hyped campaigns of 2007 were done for MSNBC and Volvo.  With positive audience reactions now tested and measured; an increasing number of corporations are buying into the promises of interaction marketing.  In these campaigns, instead of idly watching Ads on the screen during the obligatory preview stage, moviegoers were given the opportunity to play video games oriented around the respective MSNBC and Volvo products.  For example, Volvo’s “human joystick” experience required audience members to collectively wave their hands in different directions in connection with the Ad; think of something akin to a Wii interaction as a reference point.  Was Volvo’s message communicated?  These results, although not exactly scientific (tests of this nature never are) tell a positive story:

• 68% want more games in cinemas
• 74% prefer a game to an ad
• 21% better image of Volvo
• 37% more likely to purchase a Volvo

Now that we’ve provided some context to this experience, click on the image above to see interaction marketing brought to life.  If you’ve had a chance to participate in one of these audience games at a theatre in your area, let us know your thoughts in the comments section.  I’m very interested to hear if these action games are as dynamic as they’re being reported to be. 

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University School Of Business