Google 8-bit NES Map for April Fools, So Racist

But so good! I like it!

When Digital Does Good Good--WWF, Chrome For A Cause, NogPong

In the past few years, I have seen many corporate-sponsored, large scale digital charity campaigns like American Express' Members Project and Pepsi Refresh--all which follow a submission, vote and select format which may feel like it's months before any positive change occurs; however, recently, WWF, Google Chrome and Saatchi & Saatchi LA have created some unique and simple ways to digitally "do good" (seemingly) very quickly.  These ideas are a response to people's need to feel like they ACTUALLY can make a difference in the world INSTANTLY.  No registering, voting, submitting or writing, simply with a save, ctrl+T or click--we can all feel like we've made the world a better place.

I really recommend checking out Chrome For A Cause and NogPong since those will end soon.

1) Save as a WWF, a neat way to actually save trees by not allowing people to print their docs

2) Chrome For A Cause, With every tab you open in your Google Chrome browser from today until December 19th you could donate water, books, shelter, vaccinations or trees.  I've already gone psycho on the apple+Ts and currently have 15 tabs open, but guess what?  I just helped provide 6 persons' worth of clean water.  I am hoping Google will share the results of this project in a colorful trend graph and YouTube videos of the donations.

3) NogPong, this one is actually fun which makes it even more awesome.  Saatchi & Saatchi LA created a site that streams live video of Saatchi workers responding to real-time pong throws into cups of eggnog.  Anyone with an internet connection can take a shot simply by clicking (you're able to adjust the aim and strength of the throw).  The charity portion is that with every cup made they will donate to selected charities.  NogPong was definitely made with the user experience in mind--engagement rates must be out the roof.  Good job @SaatchiLA!

What I love best about all three of these ideas is that it started with a natural consumer action e.g. saving a file, opening a tab, throwing a pong ball and tailored it to be relevant to the organization, company or agency i.e. file type = "WWF", tabs <3 browsers and Chrome is a browser, and agency holiday office parties are just fun!  Plus all sites were fully equipped with Facebook and Twitter sharing functionality.

Stuff like this makes me very happy because it reassures me that humanity and this industry is still very clever and that digital is progressing in a positive direction.

Google's BOUTIQUES.com Will Change The Way We Shop

I'll admit that I don't find shopping for clothes fun anymore due to the long fitting room lines, missing sizes and overwhelming number of options, but this week, Google (of all things) is making a bold statement with the launch of BOUTIQUES.com, "a personalized shopping experience that lets you find and discover fashion goods, by creating your own curated boutique through a collection of boutiques curated by taste-makers--celebrities, stylists, designers and fashion bloggers".

I was curious what a fashion site built by Google would be like so I created an account today, and the first step is going through a photo style questionnaire that deciphers your personal style.  I have quite an eclectic, confusing style (NYC Black Boho Meets California Casual Retro?), so I was skeptical about BOUTIQUES being able to recommend things that I would like.  But no surprise, BOUTIQUES is awesome!  I would wear majority of the pieces recommended if I could afford it.  I am loving the Polyvore-esque personalization of your own boutique (you can upload your own images and share your style inspirations) and the coolest part is being able to browse pieces in the boutiques of popular fashion bloggers like Rumi Neely and celebrity style icons like Mary Kate (where is Rachel Bilson & Kate Bosworth?!).

BOUTIQUES is a user-friendly hub of fashion inspiration that uses runway and celebrity photos to help users guide their own personal style while seamlessly recommending pieces users may not have seen before.  Would be interesting to see how fashion labels/retailers are incorporated into the site, because I am sure the advertising platform for BOUTIQUES will awesome in its targeting capabilities.

Besides my recent trip to London's vintage flea markets and high street stores, it's been a while since I have been excited over beautiful dresses and funky heels.  BOUTIQUES reminds me of why I love fashion and shopping in the first place--reminds me that there are so many skirts, shirts, dresses, shoes and purses that scream "me".

Google's Watch This Space Campaign Is Stalking Me

I can't help but think Google is stalking me with its recent 'Watch This Space' campaign promoting the Google Display Network.  I personally find the campaign refreshingly simple, game-changing (by changing perceptions about the power of a typical 300x250 placement) and a great example of how Google has mastered the art of streamlining.  Google is known for dominating the search space (65% of market share) and now it looks like Google wants to dominate (the world) the display ad space too.  

Learn more out Google's Watch This Space here.

Recent MediaWeek Magazine cover wrap

NYC Advertising Week Guide double-page spread 

300x250 on LinkedIn Profile

Lunch at Google Just Made My Day

Oh my goodness the view from the Google NY office just kills me.  Just as much as the shrimp tempura spicy tuna hand rolls, salmon sashimi, honey mustard chicken wings and seaweed salad I had for lunch.

What's in a bing?

Microsoft launched a new search engine last week called "bing". There's a part in me that wants to see 'bing' the underdog succeed, but a fight against Google is not even a fight, it's a slaughter, just like when BU hockey plays Merrimack.

I do like the look and feel of the site. Everyday the 'bing' homepage image changes to feature a new place around the world. **Update: Click here if you want to compare your searches in Google and Bing.

Bing gives us an option when searching for things, and I think it's a smart move on Microsoft's part but their TV ads are loud, annoying and a reminder of why people hate ads in the first place. JWT is responsible for bing's $100 million marketing campaign. It would have been nice if the ads only reflected the calm quality of the engine instead of shouting "search overload".

Bing has a tough challenge to change the way Americans search... I mean, my friend googled "bing" to find out more about it.

Google Suffers, the Apocalypse is Coming

You know you've made it big when you're mentioned twice in the movie Twilight, and by this, I'm talking about Google. It's the one and only search engine, as far as America is concerned.

I'm not usually a huge endorser of large corporations, but Google truly is GOD. Think about it... how else would a pacific northwest teenager find out her crush is a vampire?!? We don't 'Yahoo!' searches or 'AOL' them... we google. Googled. Googling.

Besides a simple search bar, Google has changed our lives with:

• Google Earth - We've all zoomed in on our houses or secretly stalked others...
  
• Google Analytics - I'm hoping you are a unique visitor, please return :)
  
• Google Maps - What's MapQuest?
  
• Gmail, GChat - Best way to communicate in class or at work, I swear I'm checking my email!
  

It's nothing but a G-thang... but now, our dear God Google is laying off about 200 employees globally in their sales and marketing departments.

WHAT? Google is trimming the fat also? The recession truly is ruthless, it knows no boundaries. And this time it's gone to far, vampires and humans alike must unite to fight this evil force we call economic recession...