50 Cent Gets Online, Pop-Ups Go Bollywood, Safe Kitty Sex Promoted, and Crocs Trot the Globe

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- Crocs launched a travel site, Cities by Foot. Designated Crocs-wearers explore cities like Denver, New Orleans, San Francisco and Vail. Every once in awhile you get a close-up shot of their feet.

- This guy travels to India to remedy his PC pop-up problem. Hijinks ensue. My favourite line: "Just tell them to unplug it, and PLUG IT AGAIN!" Cut to the song.

- Apparently 50 Cent is social media savvy.

- The British government tries scare tactics to keep kids away from knives. They also plan to give out postcards featuring mutilated body parts.

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Doritos Wants to Be Synonymous with UGC

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Surprise, surprise. Doritos.co.uk has made a YouTube channel for people who want to make their own Doritos ads. My favourite was the one put together by the Doritos staff. It's called "Hair" and it reminds me of a My Little Pony doll I used to have.

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by Angela Natividad    May-26-08    
Topic: Brands, Campaigns, Commercials, Consumer Created



Down's Syndrome Sufferers Showcase Their Own Capabilities

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For The Prodis Foundation, Vitruvio Leo Burnett demonstrated how versatile children with Down's Syndrome are by letting them put together their own ad.

Well, that's how it was sold to us. The ad is more like a (professionally produced?) patchwork of their everyday activities: laughing with friends, winning karate trophies, going dancing, etc.

The video's about two minutes long and quite moving, though it's probably more so when you understand what's being said. In any case, it won an ADC Gold Cube in Corbis' Search for Justice awards show.



You, Yes You, Could Be Contributing to Cannibalism

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Consider this a warning to those that like to overpromise.

Thanks to Jon N. for the image, which originally came from Voidstate, a very good blog written by a man with triplets.

by Angela Natividad    May-23-08    
Topic: Consumer Created, Online, Product Placement, Spoofs



Obama Clinton, ObamaClinton, ObaClintman...

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For people that are bored with the power struggle between the charismatic black man and the woman who'll pursue her ambition to the ends of our patience, some relief is circulating the 'net today:

- Why choose if you can combine? (via MarketingProfs)
- Obama, Clinton fight it out jedi-style

And in other (actual) news...

- Obama and McCain have begun seeking VPs. (Well, that's what the story suggests. Obama, for the record, said, "I am not commenting on vice presidential matters, because I have not won this nomination.")

- McCain cuts ties with the Hitler pastor.

- Clinton beats McCain ... at a vodka competition. Four years ago.



Some Pig Wants You to Bring Out Your Dead

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Oink Ink Radio needs entries for its 11th annual Dead Radio contest.

"Disheartened copywriters are invited to submit their best radio scripts that have been rejected, passed up, and left to collect dust. Oink then treats the winning copywriter to an expense-paid weekend in either New York or Los Angeles, homes to Oink studios."

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by Angela Natividad    May-22-08    
Topic: Agencies, Consumer Created, Online, Radio



Apples Continues to Receive Consumer-Generated Love

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Not that we one more proof point to solidify the fact people who love Macs love Macs and people who...well...let's just say there's no love at all on the PC side of thing, but here is yet another consumer-created ode to Apple greatness. It's set to the tune Again & Again by The Bird and the Bee and demonstrates all the wonderful things Mac can do.

The video was featured on the Unofficial Apple Weblog.

by Steve Hall    May-20-08    
Topic: Consumer Created, Good, Video



Oh Look! It's Another Ass Selling Things!

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OK, then. After having crapped all over sexism in the office place, why not jump right back into reality: the use of sex, namely ass in this case, to garner attention for the purposes of selling stuff. This is a consumer-created ad for French railway Voyages-sncf.com. See? Even "regular people" know sex sells.

by Steve Hall    May-20-08    
Topic: Bad, Consumer Created, Good, Racy



Vespa Wheatpasted, fauxreel Projects, GOP Promotes Panic Drug, and Republican Goes Obama Way

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- Check out the projections on the fauxreel website. Not quite sure what they're all about, but watching people alter billboards at high speed can easily kill about four minutes. Without regrets.

- Dentsu Canada's got fauxreel plastering Vespa Squareheads -- Millennials with headlights and mirrored antennae, essentially -- all over Canada.

- MoveOn has finally tapped a winner for its Obama in 30 Seconds campaign. It lacks the flair of the will.i.am mashup, and it's obvious the video was picked because the subject is a converted Republican. Also, MoveOn wants $200,000 from you to help air it.

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Screw Consumers and User-Generated Content! Win $25,000 Yourself

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You'd think with $25,000 up for grabs and with industry creatives having a "leg up" on the competition, there'd be a flood of industry types entering Budget's Flip for Budget video contest. It's so simple. Easy money. Just whip up a concept explaining how to travel on a budget, grab the video camera, film the thing, submit it and cross your fingers for the $25,000.

Come on people! This is easy money! Screw all those non-industry types trying to cash in on the user-generated content craze when we ad people are the ones who are supposed to be making this stuff...and getting paid for it. Don't let consumers steal your job!

by Steve Hall    May- 9-08    
Topic: Consumer Created, Promotions, Video