Lexus Dark Ride- Awesome but why?

I just came across this digital experience for Lexus over at Digital Buzz Blog. It includes a lot of very cool bits and pieces, like facebook connect, webcam and microphone integration and pannable film shots. It is by the consistently awesome Stink Digital who were behind the Philips Carousel work, Shelter's House of Cards and a load of other stuff which it is worth checking out.

It is slick, involving and it has got people talking already, though I can't help but wonder whether throwing money at making some cool online thing is really the best way to solve the client's business problem. But then again it is fucking cool.

Go here for the full experience.

Everything Is Interesting

I think this same rule applies to advertising as it does to designing; especially for planners.
A while ago I found this thought on the role of a good planner. Unfortunately I can’t remember where I stole it from but it really resonated with me:

“Part of the job of a good planner is to have their eyes and ears and mind open to all conversations, all possibilities and opinion because our primary role is to always be in touch and moving with not just what's going on with the world, but also how people feel about it all. We take in these movements, and then use them to fuel creative thoughts within our teams of writers and art directors and subsequently solve business problems - not always with ads.
In essence, planners are inspired by everything, and we use this inspiration to inspire creatives, who use that inspiration to inspire consumers to act.”

I think this is spot on. It’s the essence of what we do. It’s also what makes the job bloody fantastic.
On that thought here are 8 of my favourite sites for inspiration, ideas and learning about “everything”.

POP!Tech - a one-of-a-kind conference, a community of remarkable people, and an ongoing conversation about science, technology and the future of ideas. I’ve included one of my favourite talks below. It’s by Frank Warren on the story of PostSecret & the spin-off projects it inspired.

@ Yahoo! Video

TED – riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world. As an introduction watch THIS entertaining talk by Joachim de Posada.
Business Innovation Factory – this year’s Innovation Summit brings more than 25 storytellers together for two days of rapid-fire storytelling about what it really takes to innovate. No keynotes. No corporate infomercials. Just real talk about innovating in tough economic times.
Good Experience Live - a conference and community exploring good experience in all its forms: in business, art, society, technology, and life.
BIL - an ad-hoc conference for people changing the world in big ways. It's a place for passionate people to come together to energize, brainstorm, and take action.
ideaCity - 50 Presenters, 3 Legendary Parties, a Ton of Inspiration. ideaCity, also known as 'Canada's Premiere Meeting of the Minds', is an eclectic gathering of artists, adventurers, authors, cosmologists, doctors, designers, entertainers, filmmakers, inventors, magicians, musicians, scientists and technologists.
Sputnik Observatory - educational organization dedicated to the study of contemporary culture.
Fora.TV - the web's largest collection of unmediated video drawn from live events, lectures, and debates going on all the time at the world's top universities, think tanks and conferences.

And if that isn’t enough there are plenty more sources HERE!
Via Mashable.

Coming To An Ad Near You Soon

Ok so I'm going to be completley honest - I "borrowed" this idea from CMW's blog.
The idea is that if I see something I think might be used for an ad I'll post it under this title - just remember where you saw it first!
Think of this and the Aero advert that resulted.
So the first "Coming to an ad near you soon" is this short film by Chris Milk.