Calling All Marketers — Inspiraton, Anyone?

InspirationAnyone Following up from the Microsoft teaser, the full-length video is now available.

With the first instalment in this series entitled The Breakup, the intention was to raise debate. Microsoft boldly tackled the issue around the shifting nature of the consumer-advertiser relationship, and invited marketers into the conversation. It certainly was not the type of communication or advertising I expected from Microsoft — and it did capture a lot of attention at the time of launch.

But with this sequel there is a wholly different challenge. Geert Desager and Kris Hoet are clearly taking another step — to facilitate the establishment of a marketing community (moving from conversation to action?). In the process, they are taking a sweep at brands, agencies and all the folks who inhabit them. There are some great lines, including “I tried to look up that Web 2.0 thing you told be about, I just couldn’t find the exact URL”. Let’s face it both agencies and marketers are easy targets (and we provide so much fodder) … so you are bound to raise a chuckle or two.

However, if you do want to move beyond the banter, the site Get Inspired Here is the place you can go. Over the coming weeks (and in the wake of Cannes), there is bound to be plenty of discussion, taunting and maybe even a little creativity. Get your full feed here. Hopefully there are more surprises in store!

Difficult is Worth Doing

Now, I can’t imagine I would ever sky dive myself, but this nice piece of work really captures the adrenaline rush that comes with the real thing. Oh, and of course, it is all in pursuit of brand activation. This time, for Honda. Courtesy of Paul McEnany.

Trade Your Child

Childtrader In the tradition of Marry Our Daughter, the Child Trader website is now open for business. Now you have the opportunity to trade that difficult or problem child for a sleeker, more compliant model. Simply login and begin bartering.

The site has a handy FAQ which answers many of the questions you would never dare to ask — including this one:

My child is pretty run-down. Should I still consider trading him/her?
Yes! One man’s garbage is another man’s gold, so don’t count your kid out of trading eligibility just because of bad skin, awkward arms or thick glasses. Many parents find these traits adorable in trades, especially if they find their child too handsome, too athletic or too intelligent. Do you consider those bad traits? Some trading parents do.

As with the Marry Our Daughter site, this one challenges both taste and morality. The scary thing is, that some people may well think it is legitimate.

Does Your Blog Have a Potty Mouth?

The Blog-O-Cuss Meter - Do you cuss a lot in your blog or website?
Created by OnePlusYou
Free Online Dating

Some blogs are known for their insight. Some for their coverage of issues. Some for their colourful personalities. And some for their funky design and willingness to share. Sometimes the personality of the author is there in your face while for others, it is important to stay tucked away behind the words on the screen.

But no matter where your blog sits in this spectrum, the words that you write truly do say something about you. After all, blogs and your personal brand are intimately linked.

This fun little cuss-o-meter gives you a quick reading of your cussability score (with thanks to Meg Tsiamis). Meg ranked a healthy 2% while I managed a meagre 0.8%.

I am hoping that some of my friends make up for my poor efforts. After all, some have more reasons to cuss than others!

South Park Yourself

Southpark This is a nice little bit of web fun to break up the marketing heaviness of the last couple of days … SP-Studio allows you to create your very own South Park-style avatar. You can choose a whole range of clothing, style and expression options so that your avatar looks just like you. See the resemblance here? OK this is more Servant of Chaos meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer … but at least I got the bags under my eyes right!

Via Shop Dog Diaries.

Go Avatar Yourself

Oddgh Now, you know I love a good gimmick, piece of technology or a chance to poke fun at yourself. And in a world where co-created branding is in the ascendency, there are more and more opportunities for self-deprecation arriving on our desktops. Of course, one of the greatest of these (which includes a fantastic drive from "real world" experience into the virtual, is the upcoming Movember campaign.

But before you start getting all hairy on me, get yourself over to the Taubman Malls Avatar Yourself site (powered by Oddcast of course). I don’t think my avatar looks as cool as BL Ochman’s, but you can’t have everything!