Body As Billboard
"Advertise for Sh*t That Matters"
Today's post links to a site that is not work-safe, but cool and creative nonetheless.
Periel is a writer/designer who created Body as Billboard after coming to the realization that her body was being used as an advertising vehicle to promote products and politics.
"I was sick of having my body used as advertising for companies that use sweatshop labor, where workers work too long hours and get paid too little wages and have no health benefits. I reject having my body used in this way and so I decided to fight back."
Body As Billboard began by accident in 2003. Periel was shopping while wearing one of her creations (a t-shirt that says "The Only Bush I Trust Is My Own") and the owners of the shop loved it. They asked where she got the shirt, and after Periel explained she'd made it herself, they placed an order to sell the shirts in the store.
"The clothes I make and design are meant to be worn by people who want to fight back. They're made for people who want to use their bodies instead of having their bodies used. They are suitable for vegetarians and there is no sweatshop labor of any kind. Things are f*cked up. So go buy a shirt that isn't. Or make one. Do something."
As musician Billy Bragg wrote in "Waiting for the Great Leap Forwards" --
The revolution is just a t-shirt away.
Start Your Own Revolution
At CafePress.com you can create and sell t-shirts, mugs, mousepads and more with your own designs on them. You just upload a picture, and they create a complete storefront for you - completely FREE. It's really easy and doesn't take long - plus it's a lot of fun. Check 'em out.
Design Eye For the Usability Guy
All things just keep getting better...
HA! The computer geeks are getting in on the make-over act.
The Design Fab Five.
McTV
Music Television turns away 'Super Size Me' movie ads in favor of McProfits
I figure MTV jumped the shark long ago (when was the last time they actually played a music video?) but it's amazing to me that they choose not to advertise this award-winning film because it's "disparaging to fast-food restaurants" -- WTF??
MTV will run an hour's worth of anti-smoking ads, but decide not to run spots for a movie about a guy who ate fast food for a month -- and the life-threatening health repercussions he suffered -- especially when obesity is surpassing smoking as the top avoidable cause of death?
Unbelievable.
Or maybe not-so much.
Tobacco companies aren't allowed to advertise on tv, so MTV won't be losing any ad-dollars by cigarette makers threatening to pull their advertising -- but fast food joints don't have that problem. Especially when a recent marketing campaign involves the enlistment of the self-same performers who appear on TRL and other MTV programming in order to appeal to the people too young and stupid to be concerned about their health at this point in their lives.
Do you think it's a coincidence that the burger giant discontinued its Super Size program mere months before the release of this movie? What about the new ad campaign featuring the adult-type happy meal that consists of a salad, bottled water, and a pedometer? Perhaps I'm disparaging the fast food clowns, but I'm dizzy from all the spin-control in effect at the moment.
My guess is the McMoguls saw the Super Size Me film (even though they say they haven't) and weren't "Lovin' It."
Told ya so.
I talked about this two years ago.
See this article from the May 17, 2004 Hollywood Reporter?
I saw this coming back in 2002, when this article (or one like it) appeared in a magazine.
This is a bit of a recruitment video here, but it shows an early example of the PLED in action.
Between the two styles (full color monitor vs. 1-Bit graphics) I think the 1-bit flexible screen has more of an immediate commercial appeal -- it's truly lightweight and appears to be very flexible. Putting one of those displays on a t-shirt -- especially if it allowed you the cabability to program your own messages and animations) would be incredibly creative. It would bring back the novelty t-shirt popularity of the 70s.
Can you imagine what this technology would do for product packaging?
Every box or can in the grocery store would be running it's own mini-commercial right on the wrapper. It could turn the can-goods or cereal box aisle into the Vegas strip! At least there would be plenty of popcorn at the store with which to enjoy the micro-movies.
You can see the color video version from the Hollywood Reporter article at the official webpage: T-ShirtTV.com. They look rather bulky and uncomfortable, so I'd say it'll be about 6 months to a year before you start seeing more of them. By then they'll have all the cable channels as well as WiFi internet access.
But, don't ask where they put the CD-Rom drive...
Ouch.
The First Rule of Calvin and Hobbes...
Today the role of Tyler Durden will be played by a stuffed tiger.
Every once in a while I click on one of the links in the Google adwords box at the top of this page -- just to help support Blogger.com and their free service.
Today I found a really interesting site that may have been (upon first glance) a college term paper. But a quick click on the logo and a brief read of the 'about' page confirms that it's actually a movie review site. Either way, it's one of those things that makes you "think" (perish the thought!)
Fight Club: The Return of Hobbes
You should see what they did with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Scooby-Doo...
Seth Godin's Crystal Ball
No, wait -- That's his head.
Nice "What-If?" from Seth Godin in his blog yesterday.
Seems like I've been having this conversation with a lot of people lately. There are some who continue to complain and commiserate about the fact a lot of U.S. jobs are being sent overseas -- they're right -- it sucks to lose a job. It sucks even MORE to lose thousands of jobs. But, y'know what? This has happened before.
There is always a tipping point where one way of life dies and another revolution begins. I imagine the manufacture of Buggy Whips used to be big business -- at some point there were a bunch of out-of-work buggy whip employees sitting around a saloon complaining about losing their jobs.
But enough -- it's happening and nothing's going to stop it.
It's time for the next revolution.
Let's do something new.
Woo-Hoo! Two-New!
The Return of Ornery Boy
One of my favorite online comics has reappeared with two new episodes.
Ornery Boy is written and illustrated by a talented guy named Michael Lalonde, and everyone who talks about the strip makes an obligatory comment about the cool backgrounds and the incredibly rich colors -- why should I be any different?
Read, enjoy, and watch out for Brian -- the pet zombie in the basement.
Caffeinated Creativity
Another link between coffee and creative people
This is one of the primal creative settings. When I think of 'being creative' and seeing creative people at work -- these are some of the first images conjured in my mind.
For Screenwriters, Inspiration Smells Like French Roast
You might have to register for access to this story.
Survivin' The Island
Jenna Lewis readjusts to living in civilization... or not.
This short film must have come out a few years ago, as they make reference to "filming season three" in it, but in honor of tonight's last Survivor show for a few months, I thought it would be fun to share this with you.
Plus, I've never seen -- so maybe some of you haven't either.
Survivin' The Island
The 15-Second Pitch
So, what do YOU do?
I used to DREAD being asked that question at networking events -- I mean, how the heck do I explain what an "Idea Guy" is to someone else when I'm constantly redefining the concept to myself??
Enter Laura Allen and 15SecondPitch.com.
The 15 Second Pitch website lets you answer that dreaded with confidence and get prospects interested in learning more about you. Marketing yourself effectively can enhance all your relationships -- business AND personal.
The website offers an easy-to-use "Pitch Wizard" to help you in creating your own 15 second pitch. Once you've created a version you like, save it to an online file and upload a photo to create your own 15 Second Pitch card:
You can save multiple pitch cards in your personal library, as well as order printed versions to use in your networking efforts.
Laura's site was recently included in Seth Godin's new book "BullMarket 2004: Companies that can help you make things happen."
Do yourself a favor and take a few seconds of your own to check out 15SecondPitch.com.
IT FIGURES...
Orkut.com Goes Offline Indefinitely
I just fell in love with this damn site and now they've taken it down for an indeterminate amount of time. Sheesh!
I've been telling everybody how great Orkut is, I've made some great business and personal contacts -- even got a brainstorming project or two -- as a result of meeting the phenomenal early adopters of Orkut's social networking website. Now they go and do this.
I'm betting this is to cause an uproar among members, resulting in the ability of Orkut to charge for their once free memberships.
Guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Project: TRUFFLE
Your sweet ideas could net a tasty new treat for all of us, and $50 for you!
My friend Peter Lloyd at GoCreate.com just told me about an exciting new Brainline project he's working on to develop a new sweet treat.
His client would like ideas and input from real consumers who frequently purchase candy bars, and is will to pay $50 for your thoughts -- sure beats the old price of 'a penny for your thoughts!'
The project has a limited number of spaces available, but knowing how creative the Brain|Blog readers are, Peter gave me permission to invite you all to apply for entry into the project.
In order to take part in Project Truffle, you must not be employed by a manufacturer or marketer of candy or other confection, an advertising agency, branding consultancy, or marketing research firm. If invited to participate, you will be asked to sign a statement to that effect as well as a standard confidentiality agreement. You can read the agreement HERE, but don't fill it out until you are notified of your acceptance into the project.
Fill out the questionnaire if you'd like to participate -- you must enter by May 5th if you wish to participate.
You can learn more Peter Lloyd's Brainline process by clicking here.
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