Bloomberg Businessweek offers Euro crisis relief

Bloomberg Businessweek magazine has offered some light relief from the Euro crisis. We feel a brick wall may also be appropriate!

Earned, owned and paid for

The Think Tank PR team has been discussing ‘Earned’, ‘Owned’ and ‘Paid for’ media.  This came about as we saw a quote in PR Week from Freud Communications’ chairman, Matthew Freud, saying that: “The basic model for media and marketing is broken”.  

While media fragmentation has long been talked about we thought it was interesting that it is the interactive marketing space which is helping use define new universes.  

Although full definitions may vary, the basic premise is that ‘Owned’ media is the channel you control such as your website, or partially-owned, your company Facebook page or Twitter account.  

‘Earned’ media covers press coverage, however the term has evolved to cover the word-of-mouth that is being created through social media channels.  

‘Paid for’ media does what is says on the tin, and covers advertising in its many formats online and in print, and extends into paid search for example.  

Categorising your media in this way helps to identify the roles they can play in delivering your communications; understanding their benefits and challenges can be a critical next step, and of course that they work best working together.  

But of course the real test is what you say, not just how you are delivering your message, and increasingly how you are then listening, engaging and responding is key in this new ‘networked’ age.

A blind date to remember

Scary ad for IRN-BRU - puts you off blind dates for life!

Prada short film premieres at Cannes Film Festival

As part of the Cannes Film Festival Prada has launched a short film called 'A Therapy', directed by Roman Polanski and starring Helena Bonham Carter and Ben Kingsley in a beautiful 70s setting.

The film was premiered right before the official screening of Polanski’s film Tess.

A great twist at the end.

The ghost in the kitchen

This great little kitchen gadget was created by Taiwanese designer Chih-Ching Yang. 'Gasper Pad' is a dish pad shaped as a ghost.

Creating a decorative piece, that could be displayed on the worktop, whilst providing a heat protective mat it stands as a ghost when not in use and when a hot pan is placed on it the 'Gasper Pad' stretches down and outward into a protective mat.

Great practical design with a fun twist.

See more here.

How to QR code a whole town

A town in South Wales has taken the step to promote its local landmarks through QR codes in a project called 'Monmouthpedia'.

The town is Monmouth and in a six-month initiative they have affixed QR codes to their notable landmarks, organizations and even people which link to Wikipedia entries on each.

The original idea came from TEDx talk in Bristol, where they suggested that Wikipedia should "do a whole town" using QR codes. With more than 1,000 QR codes residents and businesses have taken up the challenge and launched Monmouthpedia last weekend.

The Wikipedia entry for the project says "Lest you think this is a passing interest, the town of Monmouth is in it for the long haul. Many of the QRpedia codes are printed on ceramic plaques that should last for decades. The information in articles is backed by the Wikipedia community and will be continually improved and expanded. Physical guides and maps will become outdated, but the Wikipedia articles will always be able to be updated. This potential for on-site access to up-to-date information in any language is what makes the Monmouthpedia model so exciting."

Speaking as someone who never has a guide book to and in a new town this is a great idea and very engaging.

Find out more on Wikipedia here.

What babies actually mean

This is a very funny ad that suggests what babies might actually be saying if we could understand them.

Made us chuckle:

Guinness beer glass that reveals a QR code

QR codes have been a popular addition to marketing campaigns in recent years. Now BBDO New York has created a QR code on a beer glass for Guinness.

The QR code is only visible when the glass is full and when scanned it "tweets about your pint, updates your Facebook status, checks you in via Foursquare, downloads coupons and promotions, invites your friends to join you, and even launches exclusive Guinness content.'

A great promotional gimick and use of QR codes.

Get your boots on with Nike Football

Get your football boots ready for Euro 2012 with this interactive video by Nike Football.

Featuring some of Europe's biggest football stars, look out for the hidden videos to interact with from the Nike Barber Shop to training with Ronaldo.

Get you kit on for a high energy ride!

Enjoy

Click here to view

The perfect cup of tea

If you're looking forward to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee then what better way to celebration than with the perfect cup of tea in these gorgeous mugs featuring a London Skyline design.

These stunning homewares were created by Tobyboo and are decorated with unique designs from free hand embroidered illustrations enhanced digitally for printing.

They feature on tea cups, tea pots and a range of tea towels and soft furnishings to complete the perfect tea party.     But it doesn't stop there you can then use the patterned sticky tape with city skylines ranging from London, Glasgow and Manchester to wrap as a gift.   

Find out more here.