Taxi Cafe

Vancouver--For a long time now there has been a shift in the marketing tactics of companies who are moving away from simply advertising their product or service in favor of aligning their brands with particular lifestyle choices (think Mac vs. PC). A couple of weeks ago we covered the opening of BK Studios here in Chicago in which Burger King has desperately attempted to buy themselves into a subculture with their burger-free art loft. Now comes word that advertising agency, Taxi is getting in on the act by opening Taxi Cafe. I know what you're thinking, "But I work at an Ad agency and we have a coffee bar..." except your coffee bar is most likely hidden away on the 16th floor and exists only to impress clients and serve slacking employees where as Taxi Cafe is situated at street level and serves not only to impresses clients (the cafe itself is decorated with successful Taxi ad campaigns) and serve the occasional employee (no word on the discounts yet) but Taxi Cafe is 100% open to the public (you know, that bizarre outside population of consumers, agencies are supposed to uh, be able to interact with?).

via Ad Pulp

Japanese Ad Council Banner

Every once and awhile a web banner will come along that renews my faith in the creative future of banner advertising. This morning it came in the form of this totally out-of-left-field web banner created by Dentsu Japan on behalf of the Japanese Ad Council. It's simple, it's fun and it's affective. Check it out here.

via Banner Blog.

Immersion

Ever catch yourself in the reflection of your computer screen or TV set and feel like you're staring at a stranger? A couple months ago a friend made a video of me working and though hilarious to watch a nine hour work day compressed into a two minute time lapse, it was also slightly disturbing to see how immersed I had become staring into a computer monitor. Now comes Immersion Blog, a fascinating look at user interaction with the various media that have come to dominate our daily lives. Most shocking perhaps is photographer, Robbie Cooper's Immersion study (above) and Godfrey Reggio's Evidence videos which record the facial reactions of children while interacting with a video game and television set respectfully. It should be noted that advertising agency, Fallon London attempted a similar execution in their CBBC spots a couple months ago that shows the joyous expressions of toddlers immersed in children's programing on the BBC. One idea, three very different results--all of them illuminating in their own way.

via Coups de Pub

Gong Unofficial Video

A great SFX project for the Sigur Ros song "Gong" from Eric Lerner.

via Fubiz.

Spacey On: The Economy

Sure, the economy is in the tank, job markets are dry but somehow hearing it from Kevin Spacey makes it a little more palatable. An amusing typographic take on the film American Beauty from Jessica London. Frankly, I wouldn't mind watching the entire movie this way.

via Scene 360.

The Dynamics

The Dynamics - 7 Nation Army

Censorship

A couple of of days ago I was having a conversation with a friend about SEO and I started to wonder about the challenges facing companies and agencies while marketing their products online overseas. How does a company or agency reach an international online community when governments are filtering your message and is it irresponsible for agencies to find a way to subvert these filters in order to reach their target? The Advertising industry has a long history of pushing the envelop when it comes to public decency but what about political censorship? It's all well and good to run a human rights campaigns targeted at China here in the states in an English speaking magazine, everyone will applaud you, but what about actually using that "web-savvy" agencies are always patting themselves on the back for to actually reach your real target overseas.