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All blogs in chronological order.
 Remember the days when you received your first personalised printed matter? “Hi Onno, here’s a very special offer for you”. Pure marketing magic; seeing your own name on print does it all the time. In fact, it still does. When done the right way, it works. Most of the time, software moloch Adobe does things right. It is not my habit to praise software companies, but for Adobe I’m willing to make an exception. Every since they released Photoshop 1.0, they have not stopped to release new versions of very cool software with very short intervals. Although there were times when upgrades just meant the same program with a few extras you’d never use, running a lot slower than the previous version, but with Suite 3, everything is done right. It’s fast and it’s packed with features. The user interface is a very intuitive and even the packaging looks great. Plus: it’s offered at a reasonable price. Last week, Adobe invited me to come to one of their roadshows to promote their CS3 suite. They do so by sending me a special, highly personlised magazine. “Hi Onno, please visit our roadshow in Amsterdam”. The piece looks so good, you’d tell it’s printed in offset. On the inside, they go even further. “Hello Onno, did you know Amsterdam is just 122,7 km from Overijse? They even have a personalised roadmap, especially for me, that shows me the road from Overijse to Amsterdam. Very, very cool; if only they had gotten the facts right. The map and the number tell the way from a place near Katwijk (Holland) to Amsterdam, not from where I live. I think I won’t attent the seminar. Sorry guys. Last night, I went to see the godfathers of Doom metal in London. It was their first tour in ten years, but they still rock. I’m sure both the soundman and the singer smoked too much grass. but apart from that, they’re still doing it the right way. Respect. This lady also does things right. Check her 2007/2008 winter collection. I guess style can be bought after all… Even more respect.
In a technological break-through, Microsoft is reportedly today introducing a first-of-its-kind coffee-table shaped surface computer, called ‘ Microsoft Surface‘ at a technology conference in California.
The company says that ‘Microsoft Surface’ turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, dynamic surface that provides effortless interaction with all forms of digital content, through natural gestures, touch, and physical objects.
‘Microsoft Surface’ has an intuitive user interface that works without a traditional mouse or keyboard, allowing people to interact with content and information on their own, or collaboratively with their friends and families, just like in the real world. It also has a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that small groups can use at the same time.
In a statement, Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft, said, “With ‘Surface’ we are creating more intuitive ways for people to interact with technology. We see this as a multibillion-dollar category, and we envision a time when surface computing technologies will be pervasive, from tabletops and counters to the hallway mirror. Surface is the first step in realizing that vision.”
“Consumers now have an entirely new way to get the information they need, turning their everyday tasks into enjoyable and engaging experiences. There are hundreds of thousands of restaurants, hotels, and retail locations that are looking to give their customers unique and memorable experiences that ‘Surface’ will provide,” added Pete Thompson, General Manager of Microsoft Surface Computing.
‘Microsoft Surface’ has the ability to recognize physical objects that have identification tags similar to bar codes. This means that when a customer simply sets a wine glass on the surface of a table, a restaurant could provide them with information about the wine they are ordering, pictures of the vineyard it came from, and suggested food pairings tailored to that evening’s menu.
In addition, its horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience. It also has object recognition feature, wherein users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.
According to Microsoft, it will manufacture the machine itself, and sell it initially to corporate customers, deploying the first units in November this year in Sheraton Hotels, Harrah’s casinos, T-Mobile stores, and restaurants in the US.
The company will sell the ‘Microsoft Surface’ for each $5,000 (Rs 2,03,162 approx) to $10,000 (Rs 4,06,305 approx), but says it will bring prices down to consumer levels in three to five years, and introduce various shapes and forms too.
Source : thevistadaily.com
 I confess, I’m addicted to tearing. I do it all the time and just can’t stop doing it. I tear pages from magazines and newspapers, flyers, brochures. I just can’t stop doing it. Urls, addresses, full page articles; you name it I tear it. Over the weekend, I always try to read through a stack of old newspapers from the week just gone. My favourite one is Belgian; they feature a full page article on Marketing every Wednesday and it’s always a must read. Most of the time I tear it out for one of my colleagues. This week, they had a cool piece on a loyalty programme run by UK retailer Tesco and their Marketing Partner Dunnhumby. Tesco gathers as much info as they can during the customer lifecycle and uses this in an intelligent way when setting up promotions. Quite logical, right? Well, the truth is most companies don’t do it. Did you know promotions can even have a negative impact upon sales when done incorrectly?  In Belgium, Delhaize are preparing to set up a similar programme this year. Looking forward to that. Shopping at Delhaize is fun. Such a lovely store. Everything is done right, from the product selection to the graphics in the store. They have a great free mag too. The same paper had a small feature on Pete Doherty’s blood paintings. What a load of crap. Let’s make it official: junkies are not cool. Did not tear that one out.
Today I received an e-mail newsletter from an Internet cd/dvd store. On top of the newsletter was this promotional banner:  Nice. But perhaps just a little bit strange considering the summer is knocking on our door? So what went wrong? Was it a human mistake? A technical error? In fact it was 'none of the above'. The Internet store is being operated from Australia, where it's indeed almost winter. Just a little example of who good personalization starts with basic localization...
 Long time since I blogged; shame on me, should do it more. Today was my day off. An ideal time to read, surf and read more. Shame on me, should do it more. I finally ordered that Stefan Sagmeister book. Incredible stuff, one of those books that make you utterly jealous. So, what ‘ve we been up to in our creative cell? A lot of pitching for new business and some playing around with a camcorder too. Here’s a low budget 30 sec. spot we created for ourselves. We’re looking for 10 new collegues, hope this helps in finding them.  My dad did the techincal part; thanks for connecting the wires on this 2000 watts consuming piece of art. I love you dad, we all do. Also, we’re In the middle of launching a cool HR campaign for Belgian Wireless pioneers Option. Our friend Alex was there to shoot the pictures. Muscially, this was a great week too; went to see the old time classic HC Negative Approach last Saturday. Lots of old friends, lots of crazy stage diving and a very, very sticky floor. Will blog some more next week – promised.
Google Analytics has launched an upgrade last week. The redesign makes the product’s user interface more intuitive and its data clearer and easier to use. The product now also has several new ways of presenting web usage information and displaying and delivering reports. Make sure to take a look at the tour. 
Dat in-game advertising ook leuke spelletjes kan opleveren, wordt hier bewezen.
Logitech (bekend van computermuizen en klavieren) heeft dat goed begrepen. Hun game is superleuk om te spelen en nog eenvoudig ook! Kruip in de huid van een jelly mannetje en spring op het toetsenbord heen en weer.
Als je 10 levels kan uitspelen krijg je 20% korting op hun producten.
Maar de échte gamers spelen de 50 (!) levels natuurlijk uit  Spring met je mannetje op alle groene of blauwe vakjes en vermijdt de rode.
Geen registraties, geen tijdrovende acties vooraf. Nee, Logitech wil de speler juist laten ervaren hoeveel plezier je kan beleven aan je klavier. Gewoon naar de site gaan en spelen maar. Give it a try at www.jellyjumper.com
(Bron: Flanders District of Creativity)
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