Reputation - 'lost in the blink of an eye'

While preparing a communications workshop to be delivered to a client, the Think Tank PR team got into a discussion about reputation management.  “Reputation, like trust, takes time to build but can be lost in the blink of an eye,” says Neville Bain, Chairman of the Institute of Directors in his foreword to the recently published Chartered Institute of Public Relations’ Reputation and the Board - Guidance for PR Consultants and Board Directors.

Paying attention to the long term value of a brand is often overlooked, particularly in tough times, when the attention is on the short-term sales cycle.  But it’s also worth considering that creating perceptions of a product or the service that supports it, or a service itself, is not just about communications.  It needs to be locked into the whole business process.

Today, and tomorrow, with increasing access to information, everyone it seems is an ‘expert’ and takes what you say at face value.  Trust has to be built in every aspect of how you do business.

There are some interesting recommendations about managing reputation in this guidance document and the CIPR is asking Directors and Board Directors for feedback.

You can download the PDF at here

Always Coca Cola. Or rather, Diet Coke.

A new intriguing packaging for the Cola family and guess who is behind it? Turner Duckworth of course.

After recently repackaging Coca-Cola, and winning multiple awards for doing so, Duckwoth has created a new look for its younger sister, Diet Coke.
The graphics are substantially a crop of the logo, which is then wrapped around the can. Two cans together form the word "OK".

This limited edition will soon need to populate our fridge, as there are some Diet Coke fans amongst us. No offence for Pepsi lovers of course.

However, talking about graphics is only half of the job. We advise you to take a look at the other images on Creative Review.

British Council launches ADF Papers

The British Council has launched the ADF Papers, a series of documents that explore new directions in British architecture, design and fashion.

They commissioned experts in the various sectors to write on particular issues that were key to current UK practice. They say that, 'Each paper includes an introduction, case studies, examples of recent projects and links for further information. The aim is to share our understanding of our sectors with our Arts Managers all over the world as well as design professionals abroad and in the UK.'

The papers were designed by objectif, and printed on Colorplan paper by GF Smith. Axel Feldman at objectif had to develop a unique typography for each of the papers.

Read more on the British Council website

A Design with a Moral - Busan Opera House

In Korean design, a design without a moral is meaningless. Relating with the concept of "Chun" (heaven), the deep benevolence of Korean life and with a very human knowledge of oneself, Task Architects proposed this work of art for the Busan Opera House Competition.

While the aim was to produce an "Iconic" structure, the project includes 3 main halls - from an impressive 2,000 seat great hall to a small 300 seat theatre. All the components are housed under one large universal space, which maintains a sleek and simple look far from more traditional views of highly decorated opera houses.
Simplicity also provides memorable moments to its visitors, from the entrance space with its paths under the huge cantilever to the sky terrace at the very end of the cantilever itself. This is design we admire.

Renders courtesy of Task Architects.
Via +Mood.

Forum/11 - Design Brought to Chelsea Harbour

As we are always on the look-out for opportunities to explore the world of design, the next appointment appears to be Forum/11 at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.

Over four days, 25th-28th September, it will just be a matter of chosing between design lectures (featuring also Barbara Hulanicki!), book signings and the 90 exhibitors who will be present.

Check all the details here.

A New Museum of Art for Taipei City

This remarkable project is architects' OODA proposal for the New Taipei City Museum of Art. The brief was to create pioneering and innovative design, which will "stand as a new-age landmark".

The structure is a hypercube - an applied mathematical form that relates to a big volumetric cube with a smaller inner structure cube.
Better than any description, the incredible images will tell you how this entry won the Merit Award in the competition to give voice to Taipei City new spirit.

Read more on ArchDaily.
Image courtesy of OODA.

An Eco Skyscraper for India

Combine aesthetics with attention to the environment. This is the concept by Indian architect Vikas Pawar. Eco Skyscraper, to be built in Noida, India, is not only original, but is bound to be totally self-sufficient. Harnessing energy from the sun and wind is half of the job, with enormous wind turbines to be erected on the walkways of the upper level.

The second marvel is that the spiral shape turns this skyscraper into a vertical farm, with each rooftop used to grow food. The topping of the cake is that the building will use hydrophonics system to convert humid air into water, fit for human consumption.
Read more.

The Think Tank shortlisted for Best Brand Campaign at B2B Marketing Awards

The Think Tank has been shortlisted for Best Brand Campaign in the B2B Marketing Awards 2011 for our brand creation and development work for Biome Technologies Plc, a leader in the provision of bioplastics.

Following a brief from Stanelco Plc, Biome's previous name, we developed a new brand to promote the bioplastics bias of the business, developing a new brand identity, collateral and web site and then promoted the brand and business to a diverse customer base through PR and electronic direct marketing.

Biome has seen great results since its re-launch and this recognition of the strength of the new brand is great for both The Think Tank and Biome.

Fingers crossed for the Awards in November.

For more information about The Think Tank's work on the Biome brand please click here

Asite sign 5 year agrement with TfL

Asite, a leading UK provider of collaborative software, has signed a five-year enterprise agreement with Transport for London (TfL) for the use of its award winning collaborative software as a Service technology (cSaaS).  The deal sees TfL and the Greater London Authority (GLA) (including the Metropolitan Police, the London Development Agency and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority) implementing Asite’s Software.

Asite’s technology will provide TfL and the GLA with a single integrated data management solution for all aspects of the contract administration process across their significant on-going portfolio of construction and facilities management works. TfL staff as well as their entire construction supply chain will use Asite’s Contract Administration applications to manage contract change and to provide real-time visibility of their actual schedule and cost position against budget.  This will assist each of the participants in the supply chain delivering the TfL public works programme by providing further transparency across the complexities of the gamut of forms of contract in use in the field.

Find out more here

Any Window Will Be My Touch Screen

Admittedly, when we think of tomorrow's computers, we often think back to a scene of Minority Report in which Tom Cruise interacts with a huge screen-hologram using his fingers. He just points to view, analyse and edit images and reports.

Well, designer Jakub Záhoř brings us in that direction. This computer can use any glass surface to project the interactive hologram of a screen. Be it a window or a coffee table, the user merely has to touch the surface to operate - this is far beyond touch screen.

Extremely portable, amazingly effective and uber cool. We want it.
Check out the other images.

Demonstrating how a worktop can make a difference in a kitchen

Offering a range of options for today’s kitchens, The Think Tank's work with Axiom by Formica has also been about showing how the worktop can make all the difference to a new kitchen, makeover or refurbishment project.
Working closely with the home, lifestyle and kitchen trade press, and TV programmes, we have achieved a huge amount of coverage and continue to position the brand as thought leader in the industry.
Tactics have included product placements and makeovers, regular press releases, advice and how to tips, installation guides, themes, trends and comment pieces.
Click here to find out more.

PR for Dinosaurs at The O2

Creating an impact from the word go, The Think Tank supported Dinosaurs Unleashed with a range of PR tactics including press releases, press visits and tours, interviews and competitions for the print media, and B Roll footage for the broadcast media.

We worked with a very diverse range of media from mumsnet to the Evening Standard and Time Out to ITV, Mayfair Life and Dinomite magazine to ensure as many bases were covered as possible to get the message out and to encourage visitors to this new attraction in London.

To see more click here

Raisng the profile of IronmongeryDirect

Along with regular coverage in DIY Week and Builders Merchant News, we have been putting forward IronmongeryDirect to the broader business press as ‘one to watch’ with the exciting growth it has achieved, and how it is making this happen.  This has included arranging interviews and compiling Q&As which has resulted in coverage in Real Business magazine, Catalogue E-business and Marketing Week as well as issuing business results and updates, and newsjacking.

Taranta, An Office To Create

When you think of an office, you don't normally realise how different it would look from floor level.

The fascination in the Red Town Office (Shanghai, China) of architecture firm Taranta Creations lies exactly in this difference of perspective.

The building originally hosted a metal factory, and the distance between the structure and ceiling was far too small to accommodate a modern office layout of floor and tables.
Hence the beautiful design, including four working stations placed in the space between the steel profiles. This transforms the floor into a continuous desk, inviting the designers to use the open space for sketching, brainstorming, planning, drawing, modelling and generally creating their new projects. Productive and beautifully informal.

Read more on ArchDaily.
Images © Shen Qiang / Shen Photo

Porcelains & Energy Plants

This building definitely has a strong Dutch taste, in a beautiful blend of old and new.

It is a new Combined Cycle Energy plant (CHP) in Roombeek, Holland. Its core function to provide light and heat to the city - hence its name, Stadshaard (Dutch for "city hearth").
To celebrate this building's identity, architecture design firm Cie collaborated with artist Hugo Kaagman to tile it in an iconic Delftware style.

It is a touch of tradition, which makes Stadshaard the largest delftware artwork in the Netherlands.
Following their original use, the tiles depict scenes (and you can see a sample in the images) that communicate the function of the building.

The result is charming. Read more.

Murcia: Lifetime Tickets and Car Strip Tease

After investing on its new tram system, the city of Murcia, Spain is going very far in committing to public transportation.

Attempting to reduce congestions, Murcia is offering a lifetime pass to its tram transportation in exchange for its citizens' cars. Any working car can qualify, old or new, it is sufficient to register and trade in the vehicle.
Far beyond many other cities' attempts to promote bikes or car shares, this initiative has an interactive side too - and it is ready to go viral.

The exchanged cars are used as art installations, creating a sort of car strip tease by disassembling them slowly.
For every comment on the project's Facebook or Twitter accounts, a part of each car is removed and broadcasted on webcam. The installations themselves represent the hassle of, say, finding parking and are placed even on top of each other. Until they "disappear" that is.

A great initiative, read more on InHabitat.

A (Floating) Cocoon For Your Break

Amniotik somehow bears the allure of deep and complete intimacy and somehow reminds us of the Matrix movies.

In fact, this electromagnetic floating capsule is designed as a cosy and maternal recovery for moments of stress. You will experience weightlessness while choosing the treatment to be pampered with on an interactive touch screen.
Now, the fact that the cocoon should be filled with liquid (floating experience) and that an oxygen mask is involved does arouse every little bit of claustrophobia in the best of us.

But, we would give it a try. Would you?

Concept by Noela Leis, this is definitely a piece of design we will all have an opinion on.
Read more on DesignBuzz.

Origami Tower, the Heights Of Taiwan

Building and hosting the world's tallest building is an interesting competition, and Taiwan is bound to have a place in it. Or rather, two.

Little after Taipei 101 was outrun by Burj Khalifa, here is the next exciting project. This 300m tall tower is yet to be build but will incorporate designs from the diamond industry and vaguely remind of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Another source of inspiration was origami, the ancient art of folding paper. A further mention to the star/sun reference in the Taiwanese flag and we get the picture: a sharp and slender tower, which was effectively rendered in a thunderstorm.

Design is by OODA and OOIIO.
Read more on DesignBuzz.

An iPhone With Professional Lenses

We have heard this a thousand times. What is the use of having a 5 megapixel sensor on your camera, if the lenses are those of an old disposable camera?

Photojojo could have possibly overdone it with their latest iPhone SLR Mount. But the support is compatible with any Nikon or Canon EOS lenses, turning your smartphone into a professional camera. After all, it is true that smartphones have photographic ambitions, with all the photo retouching and special effects applications.

You might be stared at while you are using this mount, but it is a very cool concept.

Read more on Cool Hunting.

H&M for Wateraid

Now this is a cool initiative by H&M.  A two day sale in a temporary container on the beaches of The Hague's popular Scheveningen resort. The profits will help raise this year's contribution to WaterAid, an international NGO that provides access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation.

The Swedish brand has marked the ninth annual collaboration with WaterAid featuring the "Beachwear in Shades of Blue" right on the shore.
 Each year H&M donates 10% of the proceeds connected to a particular bikini line, this time they have exceeded all expectations.

Read more on InHabitat.