Apr 15, 2008
So the “Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations” comes into effect in May 2008. For those of us even remotely involved in the creation and practice of buzz marketing, word of mouth and some aspect of Viral marketing, it could start flashing warning lights and we should probably all read-up on the new laws coming-in next month.
The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising is warning that this law represents greater restrictions on commercial communication via the internet, social networking and word of mouth communications. In some cases, such as Seeding viral ads on the internet without clearly stating you are a representative of the brand, it could spell trouble.
Now, while this has the best of intentions and really should be a good thing, it does make it hard for some of the more original areas Viral marketing to get going. Take , for example, the viral and extended reality concept behind the new Batman campaign:
http://ibelieveinharveydent.com
Is that clearly related the new film? How about the site at:
http://www.ncc-1701.com
Is that obviously a film site for the new Star Trek movie? Or is the latest Lost viral, another from the JJ Abrams camp, which uses an unfolding narrative to told a backstory in the run-up to the new series of Lost
http://www.find815.com
These may not be breaking the law, because they aren’t UK based, but it might prevent us UK based folk from using the same kind of engaging and creative narratives in future if we have to explain the punchline upfront. None of these are harming anyone. In fact part of the fun and engagement factor of these is *being-in-the-know*. People join-up to be one of the select few, the insiders, the ones who actually went out and campaigned in Seattle, Denver, and all over the US for Harvey Dent, a fictional character - and possibly made an ironic and important political statement at the same time. I’m not convinced it would happen if it had Batman logos all over it.
You can get the IPA’s take at:
http://www.ipa.co.uk/news/news_archive/displayitem.cfm?ItemID=2237
Apr 14, 2008
| May 1, 2008 |
| 12:00 pm | to | 2:00 pm |
A growing community of creative people working with internet technology in and around Hackney who could benefit from better professional networks.
Silicon Hackney
Space
129-132 Mare Street
E8 3RH
London
Apr 14, 2008
It’s the nineties again! There’s so many digital gatherings and events lately I’m beginning to wonder if babysitters can be tax deductable. But few have such excellent names as Silicon Hackney, happening on the 1st May at Space on Mare Street. I have no idea if it will be any good, it may be a little too far from the Shoreditch lights and into the real Hackney for some, but with a name like that, and being 10 minutes walk from Do Tank Towers in Broadway Market, how could I refuse?
I’m a long-time resident of these parts and ferocious fan of this pearl of cultural diversity and tolerance. I am often caught out when I wander West by the lack of free wi-fi in that part of the world - even the greasy spoon up the road has it - but, aside from the Shoreditch / Old Street environs, even I can’t claim Hackney as a beacon of digital entrepreneurship and home to the digerati. Still, I’m always up for a cup of tea and a biscuit with anyone, so hope to see you there.
More events on meetup.com
Apr 9, 2008
The numbers are in. According the IAB the UK online ad spend has grown another 38% in 2007 to £2,812.6 million. Amazingly, the online advertising spend has grown by £2 Billion in three years to grab 15.3% of market share. with growth accelorating faster than the entire advertising sector put together. a a large than press classifieds and regional newspaper.
“To grow 38% from £2 billion to £2.8 billion is a very powerful performance, and with 16% share of media spend, the UK is head and shoulders above all other major world markets. Itís clear marketing directors now recognise the value of online to drive their business, and more and more are using rich media and video to build their brands, just as they do on TV.” - Guy Phillipson, Chief Executive, IAB
For a more detailed analysis go to the IAB Online Advertising Spend 2007 report
Apr 4, 2008
At Do Tank we pride ourselves on the creation of innovative and intelligent examples of digital media and, as a digital creative agency, we like to put these examples to good use. So we were massively chuffed when “White Noise“, an interactive TV application we developed for innovative Dutch broadcaster 3Voor12 won a presitigious Spin Award (the Dutch equivalent of a BAFTA) this week.
The application is a next-generation mash-up that picks-up the keywords that iTV viewers send to the TV, runs them through Flickr and broadcasts the resulting images synchronised to a Dave Clarke DJ set. We’d call it VJ2.0 but we already did one of those a few years back with a bluetooth app for clubs.
Do Tank are currently working on the next, extended and improved version of WhiteNoise ready to launch early summer.
The judges’ report ( translation stolen from Patrick Rushton’s blog! ) reads “A silver SpinAward goes to VPRO and Chellomedia for Whitenoise. Within the 3VOOR12 brand, VPRO and Chellomedia have pioneered development of interactive applications on digital television, and Whitenoise is the next step. The Whitenoise concept brings together television, interactivity and internet. Via the remote control, the user chooses search keywords from the popular internet site Flickr. The result goes further than polls or voting and the collaborative creation is a true innovation on television and is therefore worthy of a SpinAward.”
http://www.spinawards.nl/
