 August 8, 2008
 Let the (digital) games begin!Tagged as: O.P.E.N., creative, digital millenials, engaging, iCitizen, mobile, networked, new consumer journey, on-demand, personal, retail, social web, technology, trendsPosted by: Dan Shust
Here are my podium picks: Bronze Medal: McDonalds “The Lost Ring” In March 50 bloggers received a mysterious package in the mail. It contained an Olympic poster and a ball of string that, when unraveled, revealed a web address. Thus began “The Lost Ring” an Alternate Reality Game (or ARG) that is currently being played in 7 languages across 100 countries. The players work together to hunt for clues to solve an ancient Olympic mystery. Immersive gameplay leads them to websites, blog posts, wikis, podcasts and even Twitter. 4 million people and counting have visited the launch site. Silver Medal: Lenovo “Voices of the Olympic Games” In an attempt to bring attention to a variety of less mainstream Olympic sports, Lenovo has given laptops and Flip video cameras to 100 athletes. (No other compensation is being provided.) Their only direction was to tell the rest of the world about their Olympic experience. Their blog posts are revealing, touching and sometimes humorous. Mainstream media will blast us with Phelps, LeBron, Kobe and Torres, but Lenovo’s athlete bloggers allow us to partake in the “common” Olympian’s experience. Gold Medal: NBC - Digital Coverage In 2006 NBC streamed one hockey game live form the Turin Winter Olympics. This year the network will stream over 2200 hours of live coverage and 3600 hours of on demand video will ultimately be available. Their custom video player is ground breaking, allowing the user to enjoy such features as closed captioning, expert commentary even for less popular events, integrated trivia, picture-in-picture and a “control room” view in which you can enjoy up to 4 live events simultaneously. NBC’s coverage also includes a robust mobile web site, text messaging, e-mail alerts and mobile video. So, there are my “Digital Olympics” medal winners. Each effort is game changing in its own way, but just imagine if they were all on the same team. When you do, you can almost see the future… July 20, 2008
Radiohead Opens Up a House of CardsTagged as: O.P.E.N., creative, digital millenials, engaging, iCitizen, technology, trendsPosted by: Dan Shust
They created the video by acquiring real-time data via a 3D scanning system from Geometric Informatics, and a Velodyne LIDAR. High tech stuff indeed, but what happened next is what makes this video experience truly cool and O.P.E.N. The band released the entire data set of the video for free to anyone who wants it. The data can be explored interactively or, by using freely available software, you can create your own version of the video. Of course, a YouTube group has been started for people to display, discuss and share their work. Performing artists like NIN, and RadioHead understand the power of The OPEN Brand. Who’s next? July 8, 2008
Location, Location, LocationTagged as: digital millenials, engaging, iCitizen, mobile, new consumer journey, retail, technology, trendsPosted by: Dan Shust Well, it is a very big week for a lot Apple fanboys (and girls) out there. The new 3G iPhone hits the stores on Friday. The faithful will start queuing up anytime now (if they haven’t already). Sure, the new iPhone is a bit sleeker and a lot faster, but that isn’t what makes it an important new device. What makes the new iPhone significant is that it STILL delivers the absolute best mobile phone user experience available—and the addition of a built-in GPS makes the iPhone truly location aware. The next generation of location-based applications currently being developed for the iPhone (and yes, other mobile devices) is going to blow minds and change the way we interact with each other. Friendspotting/meetups, citizen reporting, fitness tracking, impromptu group buys and location based ratings/reviews/tagging…it’s only the beginning. Mark your calendar. July 11th ushers in the “Location Aware Era.” Where are you? July 8, 2008
 Twittering Your Way to PopularityTagged as: engaging, iCitizen, mobile, technologyPosted by: Molly Metzger My first date with Twitter was intoxicating – I could get lost for days in an online party with the brightest minds in the industry — Kawasaki, Armano, Pulver, Scoble. (Not familiar with twitter? Twitter in Plain English). Twitter tapped that collectivism motivation buried deep (very deep!) within me and I became a part of the in-crowd. People started to follow me! I’m popular! But my twitter binge took a toll on my day job. My 5 step program now includes limiting my twitter use to events, daily check-ins and killing time waiting at the bus stop. But here’s what I’ve discovered: Twittering at an event, like iCitizen, packs all that tasty collectivism goodness into a portable, 100 calorie pack. At a conference, following and contributing to the backchannel transforms me from a passive observer into an active participant. It’s a social lubricant, opening doors to face-to-face introductions I might never have had. I’m more engaged when I am sharing my opinion. I’m popular! I’m often asked how Twitter applies to brands. Here’s one idea: Consider how microblogging might transform local event sponsorship. What if your Major League (or little league) sponsorship banner included a call-to-action for fans to join the real-time conversation via their mobile phone? What if your brand could harness the shared passions of a group of raving fans (or parents)? As mobile technology evolves making location-based services the norm, it will become even easier for everyone to participate. You’ll be popular – and make others feel popular too! Concerned with staffing you own digital party? I know plenty of marketing-types who will gladly work for a cold beer, a free ticket to the ball park and a chance to share an opinion. Call me!
May 30, 2008
If I Controlled the InternetTagged as: iCitizen, new consumer journey, retailPosted by: Molly Metzger Last week at iCitizen, Doc Searls introduced project VRM to clients and associates. While more of mind-shift than actual code, Doc Searls believes in the next few years, consumers will disclose their intentions to marketers through something akin to a personal rfp. Marketers will respond to these intentions, instead of merely guessing at them via CRM systems and media. VRM is about giving more control to consumers so we can participate in the relationship. Huge. In 2006, slam poet Rives received a standing ovation at TED for a performance called “If I controlled the internet”. I gave the same standing ovation from my orange couch in Columbus, Ohio. I, too, believe that childhood.com should link to a picture of me on my banana seat bike pretending to be Sabrina from Charlie’s Angels. I want the internet to be about me. I want control over the experience because I know what I like and need. I am optimistic that I will, in the near future, have control of my relationships and data. The twitter backchannel and blogosphere were a bit more skeptical. Reality check: language counts. We need better words to convince both consumers and marketers that the intention economy is worth the effort. Terms like “VRM” or “personal rfps” evoke some of the biggest jokes of cubicle-laden America, the stuff of cartoons, not a revolution. The snarkosphere will have a field day. To change attitudes and behaviors, we need poets as well as coders. Over the next few weeks I’ll explore VRM, its contribution to The OPEN web and the steps marketers can take now to get ready for things to come. I welcome comments from poets, coders and everyone in between. May 28, 2008
In the spirit of joining and creating online conversation, and fresh off our client symposium, iCitizen: The Open Imperative, Resource Interactive (RI) brings you our new blog, weThink. WeThink will focus on all things OPEN—open brands, the new web-empowered consumer and how we all can dig in to our benefit—with an eye to the future and all its possibilities. In our new book, The Open Brand, we refer to the internet as Chief Opening Officer, catalyzing collaboration across the globe in ways we could have never imagined, transcending virtually every aspect of our society. Crowdsourcing. Open source. OpenSocial. Open is more than a word —it’s a macro trend. It’s also at the core of our thought leadership platform. We believe RI is supremely positioned to facilitate the OPEN online conversation for our clients, partners and community. Welcome to weThink. Come join the conversation! We look forward to seeing you on these pages. And for the story behind our aptly-titled new blog, see our manifesto. |
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