If You Can’t Beat ‘Em… Join ‘Em.

Recently, I’ve seen a number of snarky commentaries on the rise and overtake of social media. This includes videos and blog entries from both social media users and industry experts.

It seems that both of these groups have realized the impact of web 2.0 and the implications for the future and decided to take a light-hearted jab at themselves. Check ‘em out for yourself:

Facebook Network News – Posted by a sketch comedy group:



New Media Douchebags – This sketch was found on a marketing industry video blog:






Although these are quite playful, I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing the emergence of a small movement for the demise of social media. The powerful hold social media has on society is undeniable, and with every rise to power there is always opposition. And I’m not just talking about a “Down with Facebook!” club. I’m talking about a real throwback to the old ways… think knitting circles. Evidently, the movement is already taking form: http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article3172037.ece

Birdhead has been merging the gap between art and fashion since 2002, connecting like-minded people and providing an alternative to the norm. Their thought provoking designs subtly comment on social, environmental and cultural issues without sacrificing style. With those roots in mind, Birdhead has always printed locally on sweatshop-free shirts with water based inks. Also, next season every shirt will be printed on organic cotton.

For the month of December, in celebration of giving back, Birdhead is kicking it up a notch. All the sales from http://www.birdheaddesign.com/ will be donated to fund volunteer opportunities abroad for social and environmental change. They are calling this project "Chase the Rising Sun.” It was conceived with the vision of spreading awareness and taking initiative for the betterment of the world.

To launch this mission there will be an exhibition at LAB gallery on December 15 in Boston featuring new work by Michael Crigler, founder of Birdhead, Art Director of Street Attack, and owner of Prank Design. Check out some of their designs and invest your holiday spending cash into some cool shirts for a great cause.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be posting snippets from our upcoming yearly review publication, Choice. The publication covers trends that surfaced in 2007, opinions and commentary on hot topics of the year, and predictions for 2008. If you’d like to be included on the distribution list for Choice, please email jess@streetattack.com. If you have any specific requests of topics you’d like us to cover, let us know and we’ll see what we can do.

Thinking Outside the Bin

I received a call from a newspaper reporter in Florida the other day, asking my thoughts on a new ad space in airports – security bins. Is this considered alternative media advertising? Is there any merit to these ads?



My response: One of the reasons that Street Attack is in the business of alternative marketing is because we believe that people have become desensitized to traditional marketing in traditional spaces. In my opinion, security bin ads would fall under the category of what people have become desensitized to. It was really only a matter of time before “traditional” media advertising took this bin space over. Realistically, the bin ad is no different than the grocery cart ad, except that people spend even less time interacting with airport bins.


My suggestion: take a step back from traditional thought and traditional placements for ads. You can only be so creative within that space. The future of advertising is in creative uses of the environment, giving value to your audience, and letting your audience experience and discover your brand/product. I’ve included a few examples of creative ad placements that piqued my attention.

Death Subject

I’m a big Coen Brothers fan. And after seeing No Country for Old Men the other night, I’m an even bigger fan. A terrific movie to add to the long list of classics – Raising Arizona, Fargo, Big Lebowski...

So, what does the latest Coen Brothers movie have to do with non-traditional marketing? This:



Wait, no… that’s a picture of me, dead.
How about this: http://www.nocountrymovie.com/game.php



Two words: freakin’ awesome! What’s cooler than a viral game (turned Facebook application) that lets you toss a coin for the chance to win your life? Other than the actual movie itself (obviously). How about being able to download a picture of you with a bloody hole in your head and being able to pass that along to your friends… or mother.

Great movies like No Country for Old Men are viral in nature. But, giving fans a really cool online application to extend their experience with the film, is a great way to fan the flames and empower people to spread the buzz. I sent this game to a few friends with the tagline, “you’ve GOT to see this (movie/game)!” And I know they’ll be passing along bloody pictures of themselves within the hour to their friends. Not to mention, spending $10 a pop to see the movie this weekend.

The Other Mini

Light projections have been a topic of conversation in this office for quite some time. In my research I found a light projection that deserves a tip of the hat. Using four projectors and spanning a height of 10 stories, Mini projected an ad revealing their new model, the Mini Clubman. Impressive indeed!

As if an enormous ad wasn’t enough, they followed up with guerilla street tactics (my personal favorite). Sure altering crosswalks and posting clings on other cars is a step away from defacement but Mini has always prided itself on using non-tradition media to stir heads. Kudos to Mini.

Halloween 07, Flight of the Imposter and the inexpensive light projection

Carving Pumpkins is underrated. This year, I really took the initiative to create a work of art out of what I had always considered a pastime for children. My inspiration for this was my newly acquired kitten appropriately named, Tofu.


I had to use professional pumpkin carving miniature saws and a power drill. Not only does this bad boy look great lit up with a candle, but it also projects the image nicely onto a wall. Being in the business of light projections (among many other things), I figured I’d share this tip with party throwers across the globe.


Now, onto my costume. Over the past few months, it's become apparent that I have an uncanny resemble to Bret from Flight of the Conchords (HBO hit series and New Zealand's fourth most popular digi-folk paradists). Check out their performance of "Business Time" here. I soon realized this would be the perfect Halloween costume. I went out dressed like this, and a total of 1 person knew exactly who I was, which was exactly the response I was hoping to get. Safe and easy, and I only had to go to 2 websites to find this exact sweatshirt.