Pages

▼

2010/05/27

Neatorama

Neatorama

Does Viral Marketing Make You Sick?

Posted: 27 May 2010 04:28 AM PDT

Viral marketing has become so commonplace that it is now a household term even in the least media-savvy households. Even so, many marketing agencies have managed to fool the world into thinking that certain outrageous stories are genuine articles and not simply a clever ruse to bring nationwide attention to a product or event.

These viral marketing campaigns have managed to trick their way into the public eye and managed to fool us all into believing their ads were real.

The Blair Witch Panic

One of the first and most famous viral marketing campaigns was the one involving the promotion of The Blair Witch Project. Those of you who remember when this film hit the theaters likely remember at least one person you knew thought this was a real documentary and that a group of student film makers was really killed while getting the footage. Some people were so terrified of this mediocre fear-fest that they actually lost sleep after seeing it.

It was so successful that the maker of the movie, Eduardo Sanchez claimed, "One of the guys from Artisan told me the other day, ‘Everything that could possibly go right on the film has gone right on this film, and you’re never going to experience that again in your career and I’m never going to experience it again in my career.’"

Sources CNN, Viral Blog

Should We Ban RayBan?

More recently, you probably remember the video featuring the hipster who was apparently stupid enough to get Buddy Holly sunglasses tattooed on his face. This one spread throughout the web before anyone started realizing that maybe, just maybe, he was actually working with RayBan. Humorously, even after everyone discovered he was working with the company, no one has yet proven if the tattoo is real or not.

This wasn't the first time RayBan managed to fool the masses though, remember the two guys who managed to keep catching RayBans on their faces?

Source: Mashable

Denim Devotion

Levis had a similar success story as RayBan when blogs across the net picked up on this clever video showing a guy jumping into his pants. The commercial isn't branded, but people started being tipped off when they heard the comment on the tape that mentions "at least there's no zipper" and then noticed the video was put on YouTube by “unbuttonedfilms.”  Levis is the only jeans company that markets their button-up flies, which really helped limit down the choices when it came time to figure out who made the promotion.

A while later the company tried to pull a similar stunt with their helium-inflated pants video, but no one really picked it up because it was a) obviously impossible (there’s no where near enough helium in his pants to lift him off the ground) and b) an obvious advertisement. Instead the company decided to just use the ad as a television commercial.

Sources: Trend Hunter, Gawker, Adrants

Don’t Try This At Home

What happens when you combine illegal activities, extreme sports and poor video quality? You get a surefire viral video hit that's sure to spawn some idiotic intimidations. That's how Quicksilver landed a major success with this questionable video showing someone surfing in an English river thanks to a hefty load of dynamite.

Source: Daily Mail

Bike Hero Or Bike Huckster?

This video was obviously branded for Guitar Hero, but it originally seemed to be a fan project. It also made its rounds on the blogosphere before someone discovered it was created by an advertising agency and not "Kevin in Indiana" like the YouTube profile page indicated.

Source: Multi-Player Blog

Fake Science In Fake Virals

Do you remember when everyone thought for a split second that cell phones popping popcorn with radiation could be the new Mentos and Coke? That is until people actually tried it and realized it was a complete hoax.

Then the news quickly arose that the video was actually created by a Bluetooth headset company called Cardo. Lets just hope people were smart enough to test this bunk science before running out and buying a headset.

Sources: Boing Boing Gadgets

Now it's your turn readers. There's been thousands of these promotions in the last ten years, most of which were unsuccessful. But I'm sure many of you have fallen for these tricks at least once? What was the most convincing viral ad you've seen?

Neatorama Mini Hunt: 1000 Awesome Things

Posted: 27 May 2010 01:04 AM PDT

Hello Neatoramanauts! I'm excited to announce a new game called the Neatorama Mini Hunt. It's a quicker version of online treasure hunts we often do on the blog. The inaugural game is hosted by 1000 Awesome Things, and nothing could be more appropriate, since I think all of you are awesome!

1000 Awesome Things is a blog started by a regular 30-year-old guy named Neil Pasricha. Back in 2008, Neil's life was falling apart: his best friend took his own life, his wife and him went their separate ways, he sold his house and moved into a tiny apartment.

To get his back life on track, Neil decided that he would write about one simple thing that brings him joy every day, starting with ... the broccoflower. Since then, he has written over 500 awesome things. Words soon spread, and Neil's blog got famous ... then he got a nifty (or dare I say, awesome) book deal.

Last month, The Book of Awesome was released. It became a #1 International Bestseller soon afterwards ... and for good reasons: Neil's celebrations of the simple pleasures of everyday living resonate with a lot of people. I got an advance copy of the book and I can certainly tell you that it's impossible not to feel better about
your day after reading it.

On to the game. We'll ask you a single question, the answer to which makes a hidden URL on Neatorama:

What is color of the tupperware pictured on top in one of the first ten (#1000 to 991) Awesome Things posts? [one word] (hint: Check out the Top 1000)


To find the answer, visit Neil's blog and rummage around. Then type the answer into your browser bar in this format: http://www.neatorama.com/answer (where the answer is one word, all lower case) and leave a comment there.

Got that? Easy, right? We'll pick 6 random winners: 3 will win free autographed copies of The Book of Awesome and 3 will win stuff (any item $20 or under) from the NeatoShop. IMPORTANT: You need to write down what stuff you want from the NeatoShop, otherwise you forfeit the prize, mmkay? So head on over there and take a look around - may I suggest the New Stuff and the Hot Items)

Good luck!

Japanese Nail Art

Posted: 26 May 2010 11:55 PM PDT

I don't particularly like fake acrylic nails, but I can certainly admire the amount of work that goes into making these Kawaii Nails - the latest in Japanese (who else?) nail art.

Take a look: Link - Thanks Tiffany!

Now, I'm curious: Do you find fanciful (yet fake) nails attractive? Let's take a poll:

Now That's Penmanship!

Posted: 26 May 2010 11:38 PM PDT

Google Books has full text available of a wonderfully beautiful collection of scans from 16th, 17th, and 18th century works displaying the amazing penmanship of those centuries. The flourishes are amazing, bringing to mind a time when writing was an art.

From Penmanship of the XVI, XVII and XVIIIth Century by Lewis. F. Day:

The book begins with some examples of the various Chancery hands, and these are followed by specimens of Old English, German, Roman, and other more or less formal types of penmanship. The rather restrained running hands come next, followed, in their turn, by writing characterized by more or less heavy blobs of ink at the end of the letters. The current hands in which flourishes are predominant, bring to an end the examples chosen simply as writing.

Link – via ministryoftype

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by nmiller.

"Rocket Man" as Interpreted by William Shatner

Posted: 26 May 2010 10:56 PM PDT


[YouTube - Link]


A youthful William Shatner gives a tongue-in-cheek rendition of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s "Rocket Man" at the 1978 Science Fiction Awards.

– via 3quarksdaily

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Marilyn Terrell.

Origins of 10 Common Nicknames

Posted: 26 May 2010 10:53 PM PDT

It’s easy to see how some nicknames came to be. "Alex" for instance is often shortened to "Al." But do you ever wonder how "Richard" becomes "Dick," William becomes "Bill" and Henry becomes "Hank"?

In this mental_floss article, Neatorama’s very own David Israel tells us the origin of some of the most common nicknames in the West:

The name Henry dates back to medieval England. (Curiously, at that time, Hank was a diminutive for John.) So how do we get Hank from Henry? Well, one theory says that Hendrick is the Dutch form of the English name Henry. Henk is the diminutive form of Hendrick, ergo, Hank from Henk. Hanks were hugely popular here in the States for many decades, though by the early 90s it no longer appeared in the top 1,000 names for baby boys.

Link

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by nmiller.

The Haunted Household

Posted: 26 May 2010 08:37 PM PDT

This dust bunny is one of the many household creatures that bedevil Christoph Niemann in this funny photo essay. You’ve probably seen some of them in your home, too! Link -via Boing Boing

Leave Me

Posted: 26 May 2010 08:35 PM PDT


(vimeo link)

An award-winning story of a man and a digital camera. You might want to get a hanky ready. -via Flotsam

Learning to Play the Mandolin while Riding a Unicycle

Posted: 26 May 2010 07:52 PM PDT

UCLA design student Matt Manos came up with a unique idea for his thesis: learning to do two things he’s always wanted. Of course, these two things, playing the mandolin and riding a unicyle, seem pretty unrelated, so Manos added a twist. The result, in the form of a progress blog, is Manos’ goal to play the mandolin atop a unicycle.

I want to learn how to ride the unicycle while playing the mandolin.

Whether or not I succeed, I hope this project will be a fun journey for you and me as I use this blog to track my learning process, successes, and (more likely) failures. Enjoy, and stay tuned.

Link – via metafilter

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by nmiller.

Retro/Oldschool Computer Tech Commercials

Posted: 26 May 2010 07:24 PM PDT

Computer technology has certainly come a long way in only a few decades and though we may like to complain about failed OSes and hardware, looking back at some of these often hilarious computer commercials from the 1970’s and 80’s really goes to show how far we’ve come. Pictured is the IBM 5100 Portable Computer, which had a 16-bit processor and 64K of memory. It only weighted about 50 pounds and would set you back around $10,000. 

Link

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by mrmunchies.

Vintage Lunchbox Parade

Posted: 26 May 2010 07:15 PM PDT

Woody Woodpecker is just one of the over 100 vintage lunchboxes in this collection. Which one did you carry (or covet) as a kid? See them all at The Jailbreak.

Link – via io9

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Marilyn Terrell.

Father's Day T-Shirt

Posted: 26 May 2010 02:29 PM PDT


This Is What A Great Dad Looks Like – $9.95

Looking for some neat Father’s Day gift for dad? We’ve got ‘em at the NeatoShop: Link

10 Amazing Transparent Animals

Posted: 26 May 2010 10:47 AM PDT

This sea cucumber can’t even hide his internal organs, because he is one of ten animals featured at WebEcoist that have one thing in common -they are clearly clear. Transparency is a benefit to animals in some environments because it makes them hard to see, or even invisible to predators. Link

(Image source: Discovery)

Star Wars Around the World

Posted: 26 May 2010 10:45 AM PDT

The Swedish Bed has a collection of Star Wars knockoffs, television ads, music videos, and parodies made in India, Brazil, Turkey, Japan, China, France, and the Middle East. Link -via Buzzfeed

Guide to Pac-Man Ghosts

Posted: 26 May 2010 10:43 AM PDT

Martin Refsal created this whimsical artwork in honor of Pac-Man’s 30th anniversary. This will make it easier to recognize a Pac-Man ghost when you see one! Link -via Holy Kaw!

85-year-old Graduates from High School

Posted: 26 May 2010 10:41 AM PDT

Rueben Ayala of Brighton, Colorado had completed three years of high school when he was drafted to serve in World War II. He didn’t like to talk about the war, and his children didn’t know that he didn’t graduate from high school until recently. Sixty-six years later, he has that diploma.

“I’m just so honored, so very honored to be here today,” he said as he got ready to walk onto the football field of Brighton High School with the rest of the class of 2010.

It is safe to say that Ayala was likely the only graduate of the day with 13 grandkids and 18 great grandkids.

When his name was finally read, it is also safe to say that Ayala was the only member of the class to receive a standing ovation from the entire crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to present to you Mr. Rueben Ayala, 2010 graduate of Brighton High School,” the speaker said.

Ayala slowly walked to the front grinning as wide as is humanly possible. His daughter, Susan Meador, wiped away a few tears.

“I really think this is a dream come true to him, something that he waited his entire life for,” Meador said.

Ayala graduated with the help of Operation Recognition – Veterans Diploma Project, which helps veterans whose education was interrupted by the war service. Link

Fun with Bladeless Fans

Posted: 26 May 2010 10:09 AM PDT


(YouTube link)

Get a whole lot of those new Dyson Air Multiplier™ fans and a balloon, and you could have a swell time! -via reddit

Catching up with Jessica

Posted: 26 May 2010 10:07 AM PDT

Urlesque got an interview with Jessica, who you saw in the Daily Affirmation video last week. She is twelve years old now, and was willing to discuss how crazy her life became after the 8-year-old video went viral. Link

Franc Grom's Amazing Eggshell Art

Posted: 26 May 2010 07:20 AM PDT

Slovenian artist Franc Grom has a unique medium for his sculptures: eggshells. His eggshell art is unmatched anywhere else in the world, yet it took until after his retirement before he even realized what his talent was worth. Grom’s art is inspired by traditional Slovenian designs as well as modern influences. His eggs show pictures that vary from the Eiffel Tower to lizards walking across cobblestones.

Grom can spend months on a single egg, patiently poking thousands upon thousands of holes into the fragile shell. Grom has created more than three hundred of these masterpieces, many of which have – of course – an Easter egg theme.

Link

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by nmiller.
@

No comments:

Post a Comment

Keep a civil tongue.