Tag: cool

The IAB has announced the winners of its interactive advertising awards. Who came out on top? A mix of social media, video, games and movies, trumpeting the achievements of Lynx, Freddo, Tourism Victoria and Tooheys. Advertising has never been so cool.

In this typically thought provoking TED talk, architect and ecologist Mitchell Joachim shares some of his recent experiments 'growing' houses out of trees and... meat! Imagine using animal fat for insulation and "sphincter muscles for doors and windows".

In this typically thought provoking TED talk, architect and ecologist Mitchell Joachim shares some of his recent experiments 'growing' houses out of trees and... meat! Imagine using animal fat for insulation and "sphincter muscles for doors and windows".

If you haven't already watched the commercial below, you're about to see what is already being described as one of the best brand re-launches of all time. It deservedly won the Film grand prix at the Cannes Lions and is now being praised, far and wide, for the way its creators Wieden + Kennedy have extended the reach of the campaign to embrace social media.

The word 'anthropology' refers to the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings. It would be hard to think of a more instructive tool for the analysis of modern human behaviours than YouTube.

The word 'anthropology' refers to the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings. It would be hard to think of a more instructive tool for the analysis of modern human behaviours than YouTube.

The selection process for our weekly Beer O'Clock newsletter (The Best and Worst of Anthill TV) involves a surprisingly complex number of considerations, such as balance, educational content, local relevance, chuckle-factor and good taste. That's why it was pleasing to stumble across this short clip at 4:22 this afternoon (yes, only minutes ago). It's now that special time of day. So... enjoy.

Australia experienced its first ever 'flash' snowball fight in Melbourne's Federation Square last week. The public stunt, involving yeti, winter-clad revellers and a whole-lotta-snow, was staged to promote the end of 'snowy' reception at community television station Channel 31.

It was only a matter of time. Columbia Pictures has adapted the story of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, to create The Social Network, due for US release in October. However, it's likely to face stiff competition, with the Middle Men due for release in August. Yup, it's another tale of internet fame and fortune 'based on a real story' -- the 'invention' of ecommerce.

What I personally found so interesting about this item of digital media is that it was created by the crowd and assembled by attendees (or one particularly passionate attendee in particular). And, despite having not attended the event, I suspect that it is more helpful than most of the glossy 'take homes' I find shoved in most 'goodie-bags' post most conferences.

Mario must be getting a bit long in the tooth these days considering that he's been head butting bricks and chasing mushrooms for more than two decades. In that time he's experienced a number of transformations, from games character to (not so successful) film star. Well, now he's been transmogrified into a physical presence once again with the help of some modern stop motion trickery.

The third-party gadget floodgates have opened and we're already becoming inundated with optional extras to help us play and adapt our new shiny toy. That's why this video caught our attention. Not only is it a novel way to display your iPad, but it's... kind of cool, with a hint of 'chindogu' madness likely to impress both early-adopters and luddites.

What's the difference between tragedy and comedy? According to Mel Brooks: "Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die." For the rest of us, the difference is usually just a matter of timing. Is it too soon to start making fun of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (also referred to as the BP Oil Spill)? Well that, according to the folk at UCBComedy, depends entirely on who you are making fun of.

What's the difference between tragedy and comedy? According to Mel Brooks: "Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die." For the rest of us, the difference is usually just a matter of timing. Is it too soon to start making fun of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (also referred to as the BP Oil Spill)? Well that, according to the folk at UCBComedy, depends entirely on who you are making fun of.

Sony has recently developed the prototype of a rollable OLED (organic LED) screen that can be bent and distorted while still rendering crystal clear 432 by 240 pixel video images. It's hard to not imagine the effect that something like this could have on outdoor advertising and the magazine industry.

Sony has recently developed the prototype of a rollable OLED (organic LED) screen that can be bent and distorted while still rendering crystal clear 432 by 240 pixel video images. It's hard to not imagine the effect that something like this could have on outdoor advertising and the magazine industry.

Building on the success of its2006 'Impossible Dream' campaign, Honda has released a new extended version for 2010 to air across 28 nations. The ad still features the original and distinctly 'Village People-esque' hero as he strives from one impossible dream (honda product) to the next, but is 20-odd seconds longer and flows a lot more smoothly. More importantly it features a greater number of Honda's technological achievements including the HondaJet, the CR-Z Hybrid Coupe, the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity and the humanoid robot ASIMO.

We love Lego. And we have no doubt that you do too. This Friday, we've assembled three of our favourite Lego-related videos, from the educational (MIT’s Eric von Hippel: Open Innovation) to the inspiringly creative (My Desk is 8-Bit by Alex Varanese) to the mind-blowingly, bodaciously awesome (Pixels by Patrick Jean). Happy Friday Anthillians!

Being a single industry economy is notoriously dangerous. And few countries understand this better than Iceland. Not wanting to remain in the doldrums, Iceland is trying to re-brand itself as a journalistic haven, centre of creativity and popular tourist destination. Cue cart-wheeling citizens.

Every now and then we publish something completely unrelated to business or innovation, simply because, well, we dig it. In fact, I doubt we've posted anything quite as frivolous as this since The Muppets covered Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody in November 2009.