The Great Walls of China

What can one man do with 344 square feet? Well, in the below video Gary Chang of Hong Kong shows us exactly how to maximize your space. Yes, pulling out some Houdini-like moves, Gary transforms his tiny Hong Kong apartment into a space of many looks and dimensions. George Castanza and his under-the-desk bed would be proud of this kind of ingenuity.

Cold Sport. Hot Pants.

Here's a major marketing conundrum? How do you bring excitement or attention to a sport like curling. Yes, that frozen shuffleboard game that takes forever and whose rules are about as understood as the U.S. tax code. Do you add tackling, checking or a little broom-slashing to the game? Or how about retractable holes where unwitting players plunge into the chilly waters below? Or perhaps: Put on some funky pants.

Yes, in these 2010 Olympics, while the Canadian Men may have been accessorized with Gold Medals, it was the 2nd place team from Norway and their colorful attire that gained fans from all over. The pants (I mean the team) have over half a million Facebook fans. And I can only imagine how many Norwegians are parading around in these fancy pants. Well done Norway! If you're interested, these Argyle wonders are available at loudmouthgolf.com for $90.00. If they were wise, they might throw in a couple brooms and a silver medal to complete the outfit.

Snow View

For years now, Google Streetview has been fantastic way to take a virtual stroll through any neighborhood you wish to see. It's been employed to scout for new houses, take a peek at the giant estate that former high school nerd turned internet mogul just bought and it's even revealed a few inappropriately parked cars. "Wait a second! Why is there a pool repairman truck in our driveway? We have no pool."



With the Olympics in full throttle, Google has taken the Streetview concept to bring us a closer look at this worldly venue. I love this idea. And actually wish they went further by bringing a camera down the bobsled track or along for a Shaun White-esque, half-pipe ride. They do show a little bit of an alpine run, which is cool.

To satisfy my craving for an even better virtual experience, I give you a series of helmet cams that offer a feel for the thrill of these Winter Olympic sports. If you've watched the events this year, you've seen how NBC has taken advantage of innovative cameras and interesting setups to really bring the action into our living rooms. And yes, go USA.

Guerrilla Goodness

Guerrilla Marketing, not so long ago, was something seen as hands-on and personable, yet small and short-lived. Typically, a tactical team would hit a city block or a train station or a college campus. They would do their thing. And then several hours later the effort and the impact would be history.

These days, however, thanks to the vast power of this little thing called the internet, the right guerrilla approach can live on and on. In fact, as a part of your marketing plan, you can create and execute ideas that work both from a guerrilla standpoint and a viral one.  Here are 3 well-played ideas. One from Coke. One from T-Mobile. And one from Motorola.

The Happiness Machine in action:


T-Mobile shows us how life's worth sharing:


Motorola Droid hypes their secret apps... sort of.

Another 5 Most Excellent Outdoor Ads

Maybe it's the frigid temps here in Chicago right now, but this billboard for Norwegian Air is really appealing to me. It takes the reality of the ever declining weather that you're suffering through and kindly offers a nicely priced escape.



Nothing fancy here, it's just a great use of the environment to make a small ad for Altschul Orthodontics much bigger.

  Here's a clever campaign from SPCA to help get shelter dogs a home to call their own. Sure the way a pooch wags his tail, slobbers all over you and fetches that stick is nice, but this idea shows a real purpose and benefit to having one around. They're protective of their, that is your, domain and that could keep you safe.



Ah, another dog-related ad. At first I wasn't sure about this execution: "Dog staring at food." But then I spotted the drool on the ground. Nice job Royal Canin, Pavlov would be proud.



If a car were to come in a box, it probably would be the Mini Cooper. This outdoor Christmas tactic, does a nice job a blending in just enough to make the reveal worthy of a smile. It carries on the Mini Cooper's embracing of its size and gives people a thought on how to create a very surprising gift.

Fun with Lights... and sheep

Don't get the wrong idea, this 1st posting has absolutely nothing to do with lonely men and furry animals. Well, okay... maybe a little bit.  This piece has already claimed viral victory with over 10 million views on youtube.

It's purpose is to hype Samsung's LED TV technology. I'm not sure it tells me anything about the TVs, but it's interesting, different and certainly an effective example of creating something that goes viral.



This second "fun with lights" spot is for Honda. It's probably less viral and more commercial because it's a little less talk worthy. Lighting up sheep is new, cars not as much. However, it's still very engaging and it delivers a message about their latest and now very affordable Hybrid car. I've also posted the very ambitious making of Honda's Let It Shine.

This message brought to you by Santa

For a kid, there is nothing cooler, or perhaps scarier, than Santa. He's big, loud and hairy. He runs with a pack of elves. And he's constantly watching your behavior.  He is also the guy who leaves a towering pile of awesome presents in your living room and flies through the sky in a sleigh.  And right now, kids everywhere are wondering: "What's the Jolly Man up to?" "I wonder if he got my list?" And "I hope I don't get coal."

Thus, the website portablenorthpole.tv has created a unique way for people to check in with the North Pole by sending a personalized video message from Santa Claus himself. Parents create a Santa Greeting that in nice detail informs their little ones, with name and picture included, that they are being "nice" and that Santa knows what they want this year. Or on the flip side, if you're Elin Woods, you could send Tiger a special Santa message about how "not nice" he's behaved and what he'll be finding in his stocking this year... (insert joke here).

Either way, this is a very fun use of technology and creativity to bring home some holiday excitement. Click below to see a Santa video.

http://portablenorthpole.tv/