Waterloo Tech TV - First episode of Tech Pulse

Waterloo Tech TV is a fabulous resource for anyone who wants to know more about what is happening with technology in Waterloo Region. As a visual thinker, I love using video to help me better understand things. As a multitasker, video allows me to listen while I check email. With video content online I can stop and start the story when I hear something I should focus on visually.




Modevation Media is a startup at the Hub and Chris Meidell has a tremendous presence there, helping many other tenants who are in need of professional quality video support. His team is at all Communitech events where they capture presentations and then share with those who were unable to attend through Waterloo Tech TV.

More digital gaming fun from Grey - Sensodyne iso-active Foam Snake Frenzy

Combining Facebook and gaming fun is a compelling way to build new product awareness, especially when utilizing colourful graphics and easy game play. This new Sensodyne iso-active Foam Snake Frenzy game is another example of a GSK initiative designed and built by Grey; we created an engaging interactive experience for a consumer target that is known to frequent Facebook.

Game play is easy yet challenging.

Can you quickly snake your way through the three levels of delicious social situations? Put your skills to the test at The Dinner Party, Movie Date and Resort Vacation and see if you can clean up the competition using your Sensodyne iso-active foam snake. Collect the food and bonus items before time runs out without getting tangled up!

The leader board allows you to compare your score to others who are learning how to master the game. To personalize your experience you can challenge your Facebook friends to a Foam Snake show down.








The launch of this initiative is combined with a digital media campaign to drive consumers to the web pages and Facebook games, all in an effort to increase awareness of Sensodynes iso-active. Another example of a Digital Interactive Game from Grey is our Love Your Lips campaign, also created for GSK.

The agency of brick and mortar is disappearing

Do you agree with this statement?
Grey Canada was offered one page in a marketing magazine to do whatever we wanted. In response we created an editorial infographic about the "The Ad Agency 2011". 

Post your thoughts about the possibility.

As I sit here at the Communitech Digital Media Hub in Kitchener, Ontario, while working closely with my colleagues in Toronto, it is apparent that change is good. 

Munchies Lunch video collaboration with Modevation Media - another reason why I love the Hub

This video is a tremendous representation of the spirit of this amazing facility. Yesterday afternoon I was in the networking section of the Hub and overheard Chris of Modevation Media and Vlado, Kristina and Bill of Footloose Games discussing the idea for the video -- 10 hours later the video is posted on Youtube. Thanks to Chris sharing his equipment and expertise, Munchies Lunch has a smooth and speedy launch onto a social media platform that will help them spread the word.



The Munchies Lunch game is now available for download. I have been having lots of fun playing the game -- the best $5.99 I ever spent!

Canada's largest branded 3D projection takes over Toronto's Union Station

This type of event was listed as trend # 4 in our Marketing 2011 - Observations and Predictions. Good news for my friends at Christie Digital Systems -- Providing the World's Leading Digital Projection and Display Technologies. 

This is an opportunity for marketers to present their brands in unique and powerful ways and use more surfaces to promote products. Outdoor projection marketing is seeing a huge upswing and Christie, manufacturing here in Kitchener, Ontario is a technology leader for outdoor and event based projection. Their line of high resolution, high brightness projectors, known for rugged handling, have a superior reputation with Rental/Stagers because of their reliability and quality performance. 

This 3D projection event was created by Grey for the launch of a new toothpaste Sensodyne iso-active Foaming Gel. This presentation, and the followup response to the event, was a great way to draw attention for this new innovative toothpaste. 

You never know who you will meet at the Hub

Recently I had a follow up discussion with Dana Fox, the President of ClevrU, to get an update on the status of their pilot projects in China. More and more great opportunities continue to emerge for this company so it is time to begin preparations for a media relations plan. 

When I met Dana in the Hub networking area he introduced me to "Eric" and explained how he would be joining our discussion. I got a friendly handshake from Eric -- my hand felt lost in his huge hand -- Eric is a big man. The three of us sat in one of the meeting rooms and as Dana shared details about all the exciting initiatives in the works for ClevrU, Eric and I took notes. Dana and I talked a lot about mobile platforms and how some interesting opportunities could emerge for ClevrU based on changes that are taking place in the market.

After about 30 minutes of a very technical conversation I turned to Eric to ask about his experience in technology and communications. "My background was in Entertainment" he shared. "This market is completely new to me." I am sure my facial expression indicated my confusion at Eric's statement.
"You don't know who Eric is, do you Beth," asked Dana.
"No. Should I know who Eric is?
"Eric Lindros," returned Dana as Eric smiled politely at my embarrassment.
"The NHL Eric Lindros!" I declared. I turned to Eric and said "I thought you were a very large man but I just thought you were a farm boy." We all laughed and our technical conversation continued.

Turns out that Eric is friends with David Murdoch, founding partner of ClevrU, and he wants to learn more about this exciting new company. You just never know who is in the Hub.

Eric Lindros, centre with the white shirt, with the ClevrU team and Iain Klugman CEO Communitech. Sadly I did not get a photo with Eric when he visited the Hub.

And a BIG thank you to my dear friend Kira Turner who very kindly provided me with this new background which is a great start to getting a more personalized look to the blog. Thank you very much Kira.

I just proudly purchased a version of Munchies Lunch and I am so excited

Congratulations to the tremendous team at Footloose Games. You guys rock!

 

The back story and theme of the game lends itself easily to an interesting and powerful marketing appeal. President Vlado Jokic and I are still working out the details for the marketing plan and now that the game is available Vlado's team will shift into marketing mode. It has been wonderful to work with this team and be involved with the planning for the marketing of a computer game. Lots of fun learning for me and it is great to witness Vlado's amazing charisma and entrepreneurial zeal.

 

There is LOTS to be done now and you will hear more about this game. Please help us spread the word about this fun game from a great Startup company at the Hub. Try the demo, but even better, spend the $5.99 and buy the game. It is money well spent.

Munchies' Lunch is great for families -- unless you don't like your kids beating you at puzzles

Things look grim for Mrs. Munchie here. Can you save the day?

 

MIT Media Lab

True to their innovative nature they developed not just a logo but an algorithm that can produce a range of unique logos. The design utilizes 3 spotlight images that intersect and organize themselves into up to 40,000 shapes and create 12 unique colour combinations. Every teacher, staff member and student at the school can claim and own their individual shape and use it on their business card. Each is different but undeniably similar.


MIT Media Lab Identity, 2011 from readyletsgo on Vimeo.

The Green Eyl did the design work. "Whatever 'media' means, it has been and will be defined at this place, in the next 5, 10, 20 years," says designer Richard The. "The algorithmic logo is an effort to capture this dynamism."

Grey Gravy - work from around the Grey Globe

For a better understanding of the work Grey Group does, here is an EXCELLENT magazine display that is a feast for the eyes.
I love the David Ogilvy story on page 14. It is very Mad Men-esque.

March Madness hits the Hub

The first project of your Recreation Committee! If you work in the hub you can take your chances at winning a draw for up to $510!

On March 15^th 68 US College Basketball teams will begin a showdown that lasts until April 2^nd. This showdown is traditionally known as NCAA March Madness. 

For $10 a team you can buy into the fun and take your chances at winning up to $510.

Here’s how our March Madness Draw will work:

• You don’t have to be a basketball fan to play
• A March Madness Draw grid with 68 slots will be posted in a common area within the Hub on March 4th

• Sign up for a team in one of the 68 slots … or pay $20 and take 2 slots and so on. Once all the slots are filled, the draw is closed.
• Once the draw is closed, a random draw is conducted to determine who gets which team
• During March Madness, if your team is eliminated from the tournament, so are you from the Draw. If your team wins the tournament, you win the money!
• A leader board will be posted with up-to-date results on tournament play
• Pay Beth Cotter from Grey KW your entrance money
• You can share a team, more than one person can agree to buy a Draw slot (if you win you split your winnings)
• Only people working within the Hub  are eligible to play
• Minimum number of entries to the March Madness Draw is 15. If we do not get 15 players, the draw will not take place and those who have given cash will be refunded in full. 
• Entry closes on March 11^th at NOON, your team will be revealed on or before that date
•  25% of all the funds collected will be donated to a registered charity of the March Madness Draw winner’s choice. 
• Team trash talk is allowed and encouraged

There are 68 US College teams participating in NCAA March Madness.  

And a Thank You to the idea generator behind this event, Gary Smith, Creative Director at OpenText. Thanks Gary for providing the technical guidance in how to run the draw.

A TEDxWaterloo Afterglow

@RamyNassar said it best when he encouraged everyone, those in the audience or watching through a live stream, to make the day truly worth it.... keep thinking on what you heard and share it. There were SOOOO many amazing presentations yesterday and tremendous ideas. Lots of inspiration for setting huge audacious goals and committing to those goals once you state them.

Best quote of the day "I had to achieve my goal, I had put it on a tshirt. I had to climb Mount Everest." Jean-François Carrey

A truly TREMENDOUS job in organizing a really great and inspiring event. Now it is up to us to keep it alive. Thank you to the amazing organizing team, for sharing your tremendous effort with the Waterloo Region and beyond.

What is TED Wondering

Before I head off to enjoy all the excitement that TEDxWaterloo brings to the KWcommunity (everyone who has a ticket, including me, is very excited to be attending) I wanted to share a Grey TED connection that is also happening right now with TED2011. Grey set up a video booth allowing participants to share what they are wondering about during the conference. The landing page for What is TED Wondering begins with a very cool digital photo of each of the speakers. Grey is a sponsor of TED Conferences. Enjoy.

Love Your Lips - new Abreva Digital Interactive Campaign

From our GSK account and creative team comes Love Your Lips. 

An interactive digital video which teaches consumers about the benefits of Abreva versus other lip balms. Our creative team utilized research from both medical sources and consumer perception statements to create an interactive quiz.

Once consumers complete the quiz they can enter the ‘Love your Lips’ contest for a chance to win a $3,000 grand prize. You can also collect extra ballots for uncovering hidden items found along the way!

Check it out at www.abreva.ca. You can enter to win a $3,000 grand prize. The campaign is launching live on external websites this weekend with the help of SayMedia.