Unbelievable Teckers

Technology is amazing.

The more I learn about it, the more I'm impressed. I've been lucky enough while I've been in London to get a much better look at some of the tech thats around at the moment. This is a collection of the things I've come across that I'd like to share:

Google Japan

This isn't really about the technology itself but the application of it. I think it's a really innovative and fun use of Google to launch the service in Japan, and really puts the imagination of Wieden + Kennedy on display.



Coca Cola iPhone App

I have some issues with Coke (I'm a human being after all) but this is about the app rather than them. It turns your iPhone into a snow globe. I love this! It's exactly the simple, festive and interactive app that makes me want an iPhone despite my lack of funds or necessity for one.

*Apologies for the video. It was the only one I could find that actually showed what the app is.



Google Tv

Google again. This is the direction that technology is heading- all combining to form one single platform. Google Tv combines the internet with Tv allowing you to use both simultaneously. You can search for shows and movies online and then watch them, all on your tv screen. Not sure which movie to watch? Look at the reviews before you start watching. It's the ultimate technological indulgence that will become standard before we know it.

Note to self: It's all progressing as I planned (Mwah aha ha ha).

Next I think it will consume social media and combine that world with media.



iButterfly

My personal favourite piece of technology I've found, even though it's only out in Japan at the moment. It's an iPhone app that combines GPS, motion sensors and augmented reality. The objective is to track, collect and trade virtual butterflies, each of which represents a coupon for a particular store in the area. You have to find a butterfly on the GPS map, mosey on down to it's location and then, using the camera, 'catch' the butterfly in your net. Each butterfly is beautifully designed according to it's location and it's one the few ideas recently that combine fun with function, helping to increase retail output in an uncertain Japanese economy.



Word Lens

Like iButterfly, Word Lens is an app for iPhone. Using the camera it automatically and instantly translates signs and other information on the screen. How useful is that? I have no real idea how it works but I think it's a real revelation in communications.

Because Winter Hates Rubbish Headlines

Little do many of you know but I have had an intense few weeks. I've been involved in a little thing called the 'Spring Project' (I'll talk about that later) and I've learned so much in it about myself and my career. One of those lessons is that I am a storyteller, without a doubt, which will probably take me down the copywriter route in advertising. I've alway had a suspicion but it's much clearer these days and that is what I'll focus on come 2011.

Now, copywriters are most famous for headlines. They do much more than that but that's the main preconception of the job description. I have done a bit of headlines, taglines etc and there is an art to it. The more you put in, the more you get out in terms of originality and creativity. If you look, for example at the Economist work by Abbot Mead Vickers, some of my favourite headline work, it is cunning and marvelous.

So when this spot rudely interrupted Soccer Saturday I felt part of myself die. It actually one the most poor and uninspiring lines I've ever seen. When I brainstorm a line, that sort of thing comes out, now and again, but it never occured to me that it was good enough for me, never mind for an actual campaign.

What a tragedy to advertising this is.

Teachers

I was wandering across the YouTube universe when I was directed to a video of Jennifer Love-Hewitt. I approached the video like I do most things in life- a quiet curiosity but wasn't expecting anything special. While watching however something unexpected happened- I learned something. Jennifer said something that really stuck with me. I'm not going to share what it was because that isn't the point. The point is that everyone can teach. There are opportunities to learn all around us, if we just take the time to listen.

The Balance Theory

Would you like to know one of the most commonly said phrases to me? "You can't eat pizza everyday Will".

Poppycock! While we're on the subject though I would like to say a thing or two. First, to those people who are trying to rain on my parade, trying to separate me from my delicious friends (How dare you!), I would like to point out that it's a bit harsh to will punishment upon me, when my only crime is, I haven't been punished. The area does arouse my interest though. I have always been a fan of behaviour, stories, and in this case, nonsense.

So, where do these stories come from and why does everyone believe them?

I've always thought that people believe in a fair and just world as a self-defense mechanism. Balance makes us feel safe- to think that if we are nice, people will be nice to us in return. If I get a parking ticket in a particular car park then, you should too. Most of the time these stories and information they relay goes against their own experiences. I guess that 'universe balance' theory makes them feel as if they have some control over their lives. Unfortunately, it's not balanced and they don't have control.

This world is full of chaos, randomness and frankly, nonsense. There is no balance, no rules. It can't be controlled. But why would you want to?

Not having control is a good thing. No control means there are no rules, and no rules means no limitations. The universe is boundless which (theoretically, at least) means we can do anything we want. We can achieve anything. It means that our realization of our own powerlessness walks hand in hand with an almighty, 'Fight Club' style, liberation. I would like to propose, that by accepting the universe as it is (instead of the stories you hear) and denying your own narcissism, it rather poetically gives you more power.

Of course, it is up to you to determine which belief structure you subscribe to, but I won't be attending any 'Pizzaholic Anonymous' meetings in the near future.

Bad Society

I've often admired people that go too far. They're more often than not trendy pioneers, leading the way for the rest of the generation. There are exceptions however...



This is too far. I like social media as much as the next guy but this is ridiculous. Why in the world would anyone buy these? I have no idea but I'm willing to bet that someone will. Goodbye, Society. I am disowning you!

My Welly Story

This is my application letter to DDB Grad Scheme. I assume I didn't get in because they have already had their interviews. Nevertheless, I am proud of my idea, I think it's good example of storytelling, has a natural flow to it and contains a valid message. Overall, I think it's a good piece of work that deserves to be seen.

Lessons from The Apprentice

Watching yesterday's 'The Apprentice' I was shocked. I saw a team of guys (who I'll call... Team Win) approach a task with minimal preparation, yet defeat the girls' team (who I'll rather candidly call Team Fail) who planned the task out extensively. The task was similar to a treasure hunt with each team asked to hunt down a list of unusual items including truffles and work top counters. Team Win split up the list and just went for it while Team Fail prepared their actions, with a sense of responsibility and professionalism you'd probably expect from businessmen/businesswomen.

For a while I've been an advocate of all things improvised and spontaneous, with an idea that it might work in business, but I'd never seen it. I'd certainly never seen it work. That changed tonight.

Team Win, won. Despite not gathering all the items (no doubt, due to their lack of planning) they were able to spend less than their counterparts and win this week.

What can we learn from Team Fail?

From a business point of view I think Team Fail failed because they lost sight of the objectives- a good reminder for all business and ad people reading. Objectives, objectives, objectives. Never forget why you are doing this project/assignment/campaign. It should be the rational behind every decision that you make.

It was a bit of a rookie mistake (you really hate to see it) especially considering these are these are supposed to be the 'brightest british business prospects' (cough,cough) but I think they were blinded by the penalties laid before them concerning completing the list in time. I feel that they failed to use fear the way it should be and yes, fear is useful. You can use it as a tool in business to motivate and focus yourself and others, ironically, you just can't let it scare you.

One area both teams failed was gathering the necessary knowledge resources. I would like to point out that I didn't see a single contestant using the internet, even Wikipedia. I consider learning the usefulness of Wikipedia to be a priceless lesson from university, not necessarily as a main source of information, but a good starting place at least. I'm sure those phone were equipped with web-browsing facilities. I don't know if the rules prohibited the use, but if not they've all got some explaining to do.

Neither team knew their products- I think that was the point of the exercise from Sugar's perspective, but at least Team Win had a good strategy for bargaining though. They didn't know their product but they adapted and developed a strategy for dealing with hagglers and getting the best deal (the objective, if you, like Team Fail, had forgotten). You have to commend Team Win for their adaptation. Probably accustomed to large scale business deals, they were able to adapt their language, adapt their behaviour, negotiate strongly and do whatever it took to get the sale, even making up stories about their brothers. upcoming weddings and forgotten exams.

That brings us to the real key to their success. Their adaption. Planning can only get you so far. I've alway believed that in business, and life in general, that instinct plays a much bigger part than anything planned. We have no real control over the things around us, so being able to adapt to what comes your way will always be important for success, no matter what field you are in. Obviously, I'm not saying don't plan anything because it can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. My suggestion is that you don't let it dominate your thinking.