POST DIGITAL

You're gonna have to do better than pink

Three year old Riley calls bullshit on marketing to young girls. I love it.

Marketing to girls and women requires solid strategy, not just tactics or the color pink. To really make an impact with young girls and women, you've got to commit to them-just like with any other initiative. You have to be smarter than the color pink.  There is an insight in this video.  Can you tell me what it is?

I think that Riley defines that girls happen to love things that traditionally would be just for guys.  If Riley gets it, so should we.

The Mobile Year In Review

Does A UCD focus make companies miss out on disruptive innovations?

Fast Company’s Co.Design blog published a controversial post that triggered a lot of discussion. In their article provocatively titled User-Led Innovation Can’t Create Breakthroughs; Just Ask Apple and Ikea, Jens Martin Skibsted and Rasmus Bech Hansen wrote:

“[User-centered design] doesn’t work. Here’s the truth: Great brands lead users, not the other way around.”

Skibsted and Hansen cited Apple and IKEA as some of the most innovative brands that don’t follow the user-centric design model. They say that the Apple design team spoke out against user-centric design because it’s “a waste of time”. Similarly IKEA claimes, “it doesn’t work.”

They argued that brands have to take the lead in innovation with a strong and consistent vision, and outlined several reasons why it’s actually detrimental to listen to your users.  Without vision and innovation we begin to create a sea of sameness.

I must admit, their points are compelling...[sigh] but are they correct?  Where does the user fit in?  After the innovation or to inspire the innovation?  How might we reconcile their claims with the value of design research and user-centered design?

You can read the article at http://www.fastcodesign.com/1663220/user-led-innovation-cant-create-breakthroughs-just-ask-apple-and-ikea

Are they right?  Sound off.  What do you think?

 

Interactive spending to outpace Olympic, election growth

ZenithOptimedia predicts that Internet ad spending will increase of 16% through 2014, adding that it will constitute more than half of the industry's growth for the first time. GroupM's Adam Smith said digital should represent 22% of spending in "Western economies" in 2012, adding that just-maturing markets are catching up fast. The "quadrennial effect" of the U.S. elections, the Olympics and other events in 2012 is expected to boost global advertising spending 4.7%.

[Source: MediaPost Communications/MediaDailyNews (12/5), The New York Times (tiered subscription model)]

 

Nicole Meyer's Logo A Day Project

One of the most entrepreneurial acts by a designer that I have seen in a while.  Art Director, Nicole Meyer has created a project that captures the imagination of a prospect.  She's doing a logo a day, every day.  Not just any logos - she is creating one for every one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes. Here's an iPhone Film so you can see a quick sample of the work.

She says it might take her 27 years to finish.  In the meantime, I'm sure it'll get her some business in the next few months. Shoot I might hire her!

Visit http://branding10000lakes.com

Generation WE

Generation WE: The Movement Begins... from Generation We on Vimeo.

What can brands do to help solve these problems WITH Generation We?