Category: Videos

Be Your Brand’s Blood Transfusion – 30 Second MBA

Social Media, Videos

We are all time poor. We skim RSS feeds rather than reading blogs. We prowl Twitter in search of answers rather than searching on our own (much to Google’s chagrin). And we look for simple answers to complex questions. And while there is much to be lamented in this, there is something deliciously inspiring about Fast Company’s 30 Second MBA site.

One of my favourites is this short segment from CK Prahalad – focus on sustainabilty as a framework for innovation – but there are plenty of other videos on a range of business subjects. Sure, these segments won’t qualify you for an MBA, but they will get you on the path to thinking about your business, organisation or brand in a new way. And there’s not a business around that doesn’t need that – even truly innovative organisations need a blood transfusion from time to time.

But the question remains. Who is the person who brings that blood transfusion to your business?

Internet Facts and Figures that Will Make Your Eyes Pop

Facts & Figures, Social Media, Videos

As an addendum to my presentation on Videos that Explain Social Media, this video from the visualization guru, Jesse Thomas (aka Jess3), contains internet and social media facts and figures that may surprise you. Sure you may have seen this information before – but if that’s the case, pass it on to a colleague. After all, we don’t all read or care about the same things.

JESS3 / The State of The Internet from JESS3 on Vimeo.

Videos that Explain Social Media

Social Media, Videos

Perfect for executives and for clients wanting a quick run down of social media – and why it is turning our lives upside down, this presentation brings together the seven short videos that clearly show the context, the business value and the opportunity. Feel free to share it. Oh, and there is a neat plug for the Age of Conversation – the next edition of which is in production right now!

Videos That Explain Social Media

View more presentations from Gavin Heaton.

Holiday Card – From Idea to Finished Product

Branding, Creativity, Videos

When I worked in an agency I was always amazed at how much time it would take to put together the year end holiday greeting card. We would have illustrators, designers and programmers poring over the details in the last minute rush before holidays. Hundreds of hours would be racked up. But the end result was, perhaps, the best advertisement for our work – internally and externally. Internally it would remind the Board of what we were capable of and externally it would show what COULD be possible if creativity could be unleashed.

Unfortunately, most corporate holiday cards don’t take this approach. Too many appear like a tick in the box – something to be done and sent. It’s a shame, because they really do provide a great vehicle for your own branded story.

Here’s a nice video showing how the folks from MindCastle Studios turned some sketches into a holiday gift card. It steps you through the various key points of creative production – and shows just how good photography can transform your branding. And the video builds a fantastic story that highlights not just capabilities, but personality and approach. We could all learn a little something on that front!

our creative process/. 01 from Casey Warren | MIND CASTLE on Vimeo.

Does Social Media Addiction Make You Smile?

Social Media, Videos

What do you do on the weekend? Do you disconnect? Do you ignore your BlackBerry or iPhone? Or do you surreptitiously read your emails?

What about in the morning – do you check email before breakfast? Do you scan your Facebook feeds? Do you feel like you are addicted to social media? If so, this video may appeal.

Interestingly, this is the latest promotional instalment from the Sony Vaio folks. But is this going to “go viral”? Does this carry enough humour, humility or simple recognition to warrant a link or connection from the social media crowd? As Greg Verdino says, it does have a certain geek appeal, but I have a feeling this could be such an in-joke that it never carries outside of our immediate network of connections.

Sure, I’m sharing it with you, but who will you share it with?

Will you use the small links below to share with your networks? What about your Facebook friends? What about Digg? What about your parents?

What makes you share. Is it the same thing that makes you smile?

Recycle a Blog Post Day: Where the Hell is the Sponsor?

Blogging, Social Media, Storytelling, Videos

Mark Pollard has declared that today is Recycle a Blog Post day. In that spirit, I am recycling this – my most viewed post ever …

If your brand is struggling with social media — wondering how to become involved with a "viral" marketing activation, there is much that can be learned from Stride Gum’s involvement with Matt Harding and his Dancing Matt videos.

The folks at Stride Gum took an interest in the videos that Matt took while travelling. These videos show Matt doing the "only dance" that he knows how to do in a number of places around the world. And while these were initially done for the benefit of his family, they were absorbed into the great viral milieu and spread far and wide. The videos worked because they manifested the P-L-A-Y framework as I discussed yesterday (and in more detail here).

  • P — for power: the videos demonstrate the power of belonging, the desire to connect
  • L — for learning and curiosity: Matt chooses his locations well. He sparks recognition in the locals and curiosity in everyone else.
  • A — for adventure: through this very simple visual storytelling, Matt stimulates our own sense of adventure. Importantly he also demonstrates that despite very different circumstances and locations, that we are connected to others in a primal, joyous way — a connection that has no regard for language or alienation.
  • Y — the yelp of surprise and delight: just watch this and you will know what I mean.

After seeing the videos and their impact, Stride Gum approached Matt, and sponsored him to travel around the world again, this time on their dime. Again, this was a great "viral" achievement. After that success, and after thousands of emails, Matt returned to Stride Gum and suggested he do the trip again — this time inviting the community to participate. Those who had emailed and commented on his blog were invited to perform the dance with Matt … the result is shown below. Fanstastic.

But even better is the approach taken by Stride Gum. While they could have plastered their logo throughout the clips, provided T-shirts to participants etc, they are content with what is effectively a post-roll credit. This allows us, as viewers, to be drawn into the story and into the experience. It allows us the possibility of transference from passive recipient to imaginary participant. It grants some respect to the story, the communities who participated and the viewers. And it really puts a smile on my face.


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo

Special thanks to Ian Lyons for introducing me to Where the Hell is Matt!

Crowd sourcing Talent – Storytelling with Kseniya Simonova

Creativity, Storytelling, Videos

In many ways, TV shows like Australian/American Idol operate in a way that is reminiscent of crowd sourcing. The judges and spotters are there in the beginning to set a benchmark, create some pressure against which the contestants will ply their creativity, and drive home the realisation that creativity is a business. But the most fascinating part of this style of reality TV (for me) is the random/chaotic nature of the contestants – it is never clear at the beginning just who (or what) will arrive on stage.

In this clip from Ukraine’s Got Talent, 24 year old artist, Kseniya Simonova, shows what happens when storytelling, artistry and performance come together. Please watch the clip as I don’t want to spoil it for you. As Jye Smith says, “Regardless of the state of the world, the latest technology and the next big thing: we’re human. Don’t ever forget.”