iAd

By now you'll have seen that I rather like YouTube. Not only is it infinitely more entertaining than the average TV channel there's a whole host of random treasures just waiting to be discovered.

I found this clip of the worlds first interactive print ad and thought it was pretty damn clever, they said print was dead along time ago but I personally don't believe that, you just need to work harder to create a journey which immerses the target audience.

I was pleasantly surprised this was done for AXA as it would suit an entertainment brand more. This is the perfect example of the type of integrated communication which is going to deliver ROI in the modern world.

Tech people might not agree with me but more than anything it's: simple, but effective. 

Long live print. 

Nordic Flair

I finally paid a visit to the Acne studio store in London yesterday and It's an incredible retail space, the design aesthetic and mood all add up to create a place where you want to buy.

What you'll see a lot more of in retail is an effort to increase your dwell time. All Saints now have iPads in stores and you'll also notice a lot more cafe's in stores. Acne does this in a low key manner with it's lovely top floor garden.

The atmosphere in the shop was typical Nordic cool, there aren't many places you walk in to be serenaded by a gentleman playing a yellow lemon piano.

I'm pretty sure the shop will be a success. I've been a fan of Acne (Ambition to Create Novel Expressions) for a while, particularly how they grew out of a multi talented collective which encompasses design, advertising, film and fashion.

Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take pictures and my stealth mode wasn't working but this is definitely a store worth seeing. The store has a perfect location on Dover street so you can pop into DSM and A.P.C while you're at it.

That's what I call shopping

.

tip x

I'm always talking about simple but effective ideas and here's another nice interactive video living the mantra .

Just don't tell the RSPCA about what you've been doing.

Chazz Stock

I've met the guys from Ou Est Le Swimming Pool a few times and they're really nice fellas, jokers who are totally into their music.

I was really saddened to learn about the death of their lead singer.

The band members and friends have rallied round to create an event in Chazz's honour and it looks awesome. Get yourself down there, all profits go to the Charity Mind so you can party and feel good about yourself.

Thats pretty sick Mann

I was really impressed with the work of Sally Mann on a recent trip to the photograpghers gallery.

Moody, dark, ethereal, even haunting are just a few words that describe it.

She's a proper artist and uses antique cameras and something called the wet-plate collodion process to make prints which sit in between the realms of painting and photography.

Here comes the science part: 

The negative is made by coating a glass plate with collodion to form an emulsion which gives the photograpgher five minutes to make the exposure in a tricky process.

That's hows the shots can appear aged and smudged like their painted, their imperfections really add to their ambience.

Eat your heart out hipstamatic crew.

Check it out here

XOYO

I think we're all ready for a new club in London especially those of us from up north who cut our clubbing teeth in Sankeys.

Fabric = too big. Cargo = Meh.

On the Rocks was pretty damn good but is sadly no more and I'm a big advocate of Alibi but it can be hit 'n' miss.

I think XOYO a new east london venue that opens this weekend (everyone knows the weekend starts on Wednesdays) could be very special. There's more good names than you can shake a glowstick at over the coming weeks such as, wait for it:

Eat your own ears
Bloggers delight
Casper C
Disco Bloodbath
Smash and Grab
Urban Nerds
Trailer Trash
Crystal fighters
Eygptian Hip Hop

Check out the xoyo.co.uk for logistics & lineups. I'll see you there

Don't be a...............

East london is pretty damn cool I must admit, but there surely are some wanky people about. This video sums up the situation in a totally hilarious fashion.

Check it out here 

Bus stop wanker

The funniest show on TV is back pretty soon and I'm excited.

Girls may be dismayed but I can't think of another show which captures the idiocy of the teenager more precisely than the Inbetweeners.

For those who can't wait for more classic lines like juggosaurus and 'friiienndd' see here.

Look right →→→

If you look to the right of the screen and down a bit you'll see a link for Better Never Than Late.


You should click on it.


It's probably my favourite blog out there, mainly for the way they blend news, fashion, art photography, culture, music, pretty much everything.

These guys get asked to comment on digital communications and are featured in the Times and the Guardian, that makes them pretty influential.

It's a pretty pro blog in general and I think we'll see more blogs of this standard in the coming year as people move away from magazines and want instant gratification.

It's exciting to think that a couple of kids from London can make a real difference.

If you find Styleslut too sporadic and miss ATCN then it's definitely worth checking out.

If you can't be bothered to move your mouse to the link on the right then click here.

It gets better

McDonalds might turn out some junk food but when it comes to marketing their actually pretty good.

I think someone senior there has the same ethos I'm always banging on about.

Simple but effective.

Check out this piece of digital communication here   

It's really fun.