Another Interactive Mercedes-Benz film - "Drive & Seek"

Mercedes have just launched another interactive film on their website to showcase the C-Class coupe. Much like the interactive film they did for the new SLK, users have the opportunity to engage with the various feature available for the car, as well as giving Mercedes an opportunity for lead generation.
The interactive version can be found by clicking here.

There's also a more "traditional" version of the film on Mercedes' official YouTube channel.

High production value as well as being outrageously over the top, but interesting to see this form of interactive film being utilised by Mercedes in such quick succession after the SLK effort.

Via - Autoblog

Tissot Brings Augmented Reality To Point Of Sale

Tissot has partnered with Harrod's by installaing an interactive window display that enables consumers to virtually ‘try on’ watches from both the Ladies and T-Touch men’s collection, complete with a fully interactive touch screen that allows potential customers to experience the wider Tissot range range in an innovative and fresh way.

Whilst the idea and execution is no doubt highly engaging and interactive, the paper wristbands do somewhat detract from the premium nature of the watch brand, in my opinion...

Below is a video showcasing the many positive responses from potential purchasers, so perhaps my opinion doesn't matter much, in this instance.

Via - Luxuo

Augmented Reality Film

The Witness claims to be the first film to take place on the "outernet", blending drama with real life interactivity through a specially designed iPhone app, where participants either inadvertently saves the day or becomes the villain of the story as a result of a series of decisions they make along the way.


In order to participate, German viewers would apply online, where "winners" got to enter a real-life version of the movie in which they play a role, using their phones to watch snippets of the film that play out like a virtual layer over the physical environment they are in.

Via - YouTube

Speed Date With New SLK

Mercedes US have launched an interactive campaign utilising social media to showcase the new SLK to the world.

The campaign works as a choose your own adventure type of interactive movie, where you, the user, are treated to a test drive by a fictitious Californian called Ksenia Lauren. Throughout the test drive, the story unfolds differently depending on the choices you make after being prompted at various points. You are also offered a chance to become her Facebook friend, which will update you as the campaign unfolds if you choose to become a fan.


To experience the SLK for yourself, click here.

Via - Mercedes Benz

Harley Tries Crowdsourcing

Harley Davidson took the decision to allow the brand's fans to create their next commercial. The brand made the brief public and received over 600 ideas from 200 individuals. This was then shortlisted to 65 possible ideas, with one eventual winner chosen.

Below is the perhaps slightly predictable result:

Via - PSFK

Toyota Attempts To Buy Friends

Toyota Australia recently launched a social media campaign in support for the FJ Cruiser. The idea is a simple one, for every "Like" the brand receives on it's Facebook page, the total price of the vehicle will decrease by $5 for the eventual winner. Over and above the discounts, the brand will also throw in extra value-add items to entice potential purchasers even more.

The overall winner of the competition, out of all those who participated on Facebook will stand a chance of buying the vehicle at a maximum $20000 discount.

Via - Like My Ride

Interact With Ads - There's An App For That

In support of the new Honda Jazz campaign, the Japanese automotive brand has launched an iPhone app that allows viewers to participate and influence the commercial.

The app lets viewers catch and play with the characters as they appear in the Honda Jazz spot, whether it's being viewed on TV, a computer or iPhone. The goal: try to catch them all, and watch for some "unpredictable extras" — and, of course, keep Honda Jazz top of mind.

Via - YouTube

Aston Martin's 6 Minute Commercial

The communications for the new Aston Martin Rapide 4-door sedan was launched last week with a heavy digital presence.

The centerpiece of the campaign is a commercial that runs 6 minutes and 25 seconds, which can be watched in three parts on a section of the Aston Martin Web site.

The campaign idea, "True Power Should Be Shared", is brought to life in the web series that follows a mission embarked upon by four Britons who are tasked with the sharing of the ultimate "Power" - that of time.

James Temple, executive creative director at R/GA London - the agency tasked with the campaign - said the communication will seek to bring to life the concept that a four-door Aston Martin “provides the same exhilarating experienced expected and loved in the two-door Aston Martin.”

The campaign will also play out in social media. For instance, the four members of the mysterious team are on Twitter and they will send messages to people who follow them.

Below is the first episode:

Via - Aston Martin

Adidas + Intel = New Spin On Retail

Intel, in partnership with Adidas, has launched a spectacular virtual display that renders products in 3-D, and allows a shopper to spin and zoom in on the shoes, and call up specs from a touch-screen display.


Supplemented by a supply of actual shoes that can serve as fit models, the display wall allows retailers to deliver massive inventory in a relatively small space.

The clever use of technology can really catapult traditional retailers into more interactive and immersive experiences for shoppers and is the closest any brand has come to combining e-commerce and traditional retail.

Via - FastCompany

Hyundai's New Owners Manual

Rather than just providing written information, Hyundai USA has taken advantage of the iPad's capabilties to deliver an app that demonstates to you what it's talking about.

The added advantage of presenting the manual in the form of an app - apart from the obvious value-add for the purchaser in the form of a new iPad with every purchase - is that the the app is free to download on iTunes whether you are an owner or not, thus doubling up nicely as an interactive product brochure for potential buyers too.

Via - Autoblog

Absolut App Driven By QR

Absolut, the premium vodka brand, has introduced a neck collar incorporating Quick Response (QR) technology, in a bid to distribute its Drinkspiration app to consumers.


Launched in 2009, Absolut Drinkspiration combines mobile technology with social media interaction and user generated content. It is an encyclopaedia of illustrated recipes that allows users to browse drink recipes or receive personalised recommendations based on a variety of preferences such as desired taste, colour, spirit, time of the day, weather, bar vibe, or what is popular.

The initial drive will see QR-tagged neck collars on 200,000 bottles of Absolut and Absolut Naturals in the UK, which will allow iPhone users to download the application instantly and free of charge just by hovering their mobiles over the code.

Via - Marketing Magazine UK

iPad Only Magazine

Richard Branson has beaten other established business leaders in the publication world by launching the first iPad only magazine.

The magazine, called Project, will likely be released on iTunes and will focus on technology, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and promises to be "within shouting distance of the cutting edge."

Via - Fastcompany

Ralph Lauren Reinvents Fashion Show

We all know that premium brands constantly need to innovate themselves in order to differentiate themselves in order to provide more reasons for people to believe in their brand.

Below are two of Ralph Lauren's latest efforts, which David Lauren, son of Ralph, has described as "game-changing".

The result features Architectural Mapping and augmented reality in order to bring an almost 4D effect for viewers, resulting in an engaging and innovative way of showcasing the brand in a new light.

Via - NY Times

Free Access To Disney For A Day

In a bid to inspire people to show more care to those less fortunate then themselves, as well as boosting traffic to Disney theme parks in the US, Disney has announced an initiative called "Give A Day, Get A Disney Day"Disney will be partnering with HandsOn Network to highlight a variety of volunteer opportunities with participating organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Starting 2010, those who contribute their time need only have it verified by HandsOn; then, in exchange, they'll get a voucher from Disney which will allow them one day admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park.

Via - Disney Parks

Football Gets Big

EA Sport's latest football-related communication campaign, called "How Big Can Football Get", aims to bring together football fans from around the world through the power of Twitter.

EA Sports has developed a new application, released on beta which uses data driven by an estimated two million Fifa10 games played each day, encouraging players to share their opinions, passions, and dedication for their team.

Fifa Earth uses data from Twitter, tapping into tweet mentioning keywords or hashtags such as goals, football, soccer and uses geotagging, to show how the world talks about and plays both real and virtual football. The application also aggregates game score from Fif10 matches, creating a live interactive competition. The better a user plays in Fifa10, the higher the team's ranking on Fifa Earth.

Via - Brand Republic

Audi's New Car Configurator

Audi has launched an interactive car configurator with Microsoft Surface as the main hardware to run the program.

For the initial launch, Audi will allow multiple users to configure and customise the A4 of their dreams in an immersive 3D environment. Through simple hand gestures or motions, one can virtually alter everything on the car. It'd be interesting to see whether the brand will make use of this latest technology in their dealerships, as opposed to the more traditional brochures.

Audi Car Configurator on Surface @ IAA 2009 from Neue Digitale / Razorfish on Vimeo.

Via - Neue Digitale

Levi’s: Back To The Future

New York based adverting agency Wielden & Kennedy has created a digital game that aims to link the past with the future. This game blends real and virtual worlds as the player goes on the ultimate treasure hunt across America.

The games narrative revolves around a historic character named Grayson Ozias IV who left message recordings in the 1890’s and the aim of the game is to hunt these messages and can ultimately win the $ 100,000 fortune Ozias buried. This campaign entrenched the heritage of the brand and celebrates the brands roots.

via:brandwise.com

Surprising Service

PSFK provided an interesting new idea for restaurants who are looking to increase their word-of-mouth recommendations.

The restaurant in question is called Ogori Cafe in Japan. Apparently an innocuous enough looking cafe with an interesting difference in the way patrons experience their orders.

According to the post, "you get what the person before you ordered, and the next person gets what you ordered. Thus, if you’re in on the game, you can choose to be either a generous benefactor, and treat those that come after you – or try your luck at being cheap. Either way, it’s an interesting experiment that explores surprise, kindness and encourages interactions."

There's also an interesting account of their personal experience when they visited Ogori on the post which definitely makes you realise that unexpected generosity is possibly the easiest way to bring joy to those around us.

Via - PSFK

How To Spend It (If You Have It)

The UK Financial Times publication will be launching a standalone website targeting the well-heeled on the 3 October 2009, coinciding with the brand's 15th anniversary.


Howtospendit.com will offer advertisers microsite opportunities and has already secured several launch advertisers, the most prominent of which being Rolex. Included in the offering will be regular postings has well as weekly video bulletins highlighting the latest in the world of technology and gadgets.

In an environment where luxury brands are facing increasing cynicism from consumers in their brand messaging, the FT believes that they will meet the advertising requirements to an interested and targeted audience.

We'll wait and see.

Via - Brand Republic

Drive The New R8

Audi, in conjunction with Sony's Playstation 3 platform, will soon enable the average man on the street to enjoy and experience the newly launched Audi R8 E-Tron electric car.
Audi capitalised on the PS3's ability to go online and has created a virtual universe called Audi Space, where one can test drive the new R8 concept around a track. Presumably a safe enough environment so that their precious concept vehicle does not get damaged...

The game goes live in December for all those lucky enough to own a PS3!

Via - Top Gear