ChatRoulette Finally Put To Use!

Posted on August 21, 2010
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I remember sitting in the lower basement levels of the NYU Library with @jade_mangahis wondering how a brand could ever use ChatRoulette to market.

Think about it
1) It’s filled with teenage kids who are raging with hormones
2) Video length depends on both users
3) And the most glaring truth is … there are way too many penises to sort through.

Even if one did sort through all those penises, Mario brother look alike and old lonely people—the question still remains, how do you engage the viewer and how does this engagement affect your communication and business objective.

Seems like The Last Exorcism movie has answered these questions; have a look at the video below (Advisory warning applies).

They masterfully combined the core of their brand (surprise) and the core of ChatRoulette’s brand, (which is based more on hormones than on surprise).
Kudos!

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Skype Interview Skills

Posted on June 7, 2010
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Recently, I participated in my first Skype interview. Obviously the entire process was a little odd, but at the same time it was convenient. I crowd sourced for advice for the Skype interview on twitter and got some great replies that ultimately helped me in my interview.  Sharing the same here:

1) Account:  I know it’s basic and needless to say, but, first have a skype account.

2)Username:  Make sure your account username does not read along the lines of “pinkprincess”, “musikklover”, “thedarkside” etc.

3) Test your equipment: Make sure you sound and video quality is up to the mark. Just make sure the equipment at your end is working well. That demonstrates your competence. (Via @ChuckSimmins)

4)Light : Sit against a blank/white wall with the light in front of you & not behind you. This will limit distraction for the interviewer. (via @Hardeep K Rai)

5) Venue: Don’t conduct the interview in a crowded place. Background noise is a terrible buzzkill through no fault of your own. (via @merubin)

6) Personality check: Most important, be yourself (via @warren-cyber)

And now - all the funny advice that I received and will pass on to you.

7) Wear clothes (via @chucksimmins)

8 ) Resist the urge to say “Got Cam” (via @mojorojo)

9) (This one is a little off, however, it’s still funny) Don’t run porn in another window. Your face will give it away.  (via @radius86)

And to know everything you should not do see this mock interview


Hope this helps. Best of luck for your interviews.

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Durex Did It.

Posted on June 3, 2010
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Durex have effectively used mobile application, QR codes and social media integration to drive home their key message: Condoms prevent pregnancy. The campaign seems apt considering MTV runs a reality show called 16 and Pregnant. However, my only issues with this campaign is will men use it?

As much as the campaign seems relevant, I’m not sure how many men will carry  a phone that cries, needs singing, rocking and feeding? Would you?

The campaign, however, has used different platforms that integrate and help make the campaign unique. Imagine if Pepsi had used QR codes on their cans for their sustainability campaign.

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Everything a PR person should not do.

Posted on May 29, 2010
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Let us all take this opportunity to learn what not to do as public relation professionals from this PR guy.

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Thesis Time

Posted on May 3, 2010
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It has been well over a month since I have updated my blog. While this might seem lazy, let me assure you that is not the case.

I am currently, attempting to complete my thesis paper on political communication in India. So until I get that monster out of the way, there will be little to no posts here. Sorry, but you can imagine how stressful a thesis can be. If you can’t imagine just look at the image below and you will know.

Image Source

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Post-it

Posted on March 26, 2010
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It is not what you have, but what you do with what you have.

Mind-boggling video animation by Bang-yao Liu , design student at Savannah College of Art.

Here is the making of the video. Respect.

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World Water Day

Posted on March 22, 2010
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Since it’s World Water Day - here is something you should know about bottled water. A must watch.

According to this video - used bottled water are shipped to India and dumped there o.0

Here is something my Grandmom taught me: Take water from the tap - boil it for two hours, filter it and that is all you need.

Live and let live.

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Taking yourself too seriously?

Posted on March 20, 2010
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Don’t. Warren Buffet doesn’t. Have a look at the video below where he embraces Axl Rose look and rocks the Gieco ad.

I’ve seen and heard many managers , senior executives and CEO’s talk about how they have to maintain their image. Warren Buffet reinforces one thing we almost, always seem to forget - Let your job do all the talking and flaunting.

Let’s take Bernard Madoff for example. He was a renowned business man. Would you have imagined that a man that was Chairman of the Board of Directors and on the Board of Governors of the NASD, would put his image in jeopardy and steal millions?

Actions are what make images and not the other way around. Similarly in Public Relations - It’s not what you say but what you do that matters.

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The New Dork

Posted on March 8, 2010
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Once in a while a song parody comes about and it just makes you go ” Holy Shit! That is it.” This one is on social media from the pantlessknights. A must, must watch. A parody of the song “New York”.

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Movie Marketing Madness

Posted on March 4, 2010
Filed Under Ideas, Marketing | 5 Comments

Engagement and interaction are two words hardly associated with movies, a one way communication channel. You go to a theater, you watch a movie, it entertains you and you go home with an opinion about it. You, as a viewer, have never had any direct influence on the movie, until now. I saw the following video and it blew my mind away. This video right here is movie marketing madness.

It releases the most basic itch of any movie  watcher. “Why doesn’t he go down.” “Don’t go in there.” “Go left, go right.” Viewers have always had an opinion about what the actor should do while a movie is on, this new technology integrated in cinema lets you do it.

Most importantly it:

  1. It does what no movies has been able to do before. It lets the audience decide the direction of the movie.
  2. It brings engagement to a whole new level . It’s like a sister product of augmented reality.
  3. If you thought 3D was the next best thing in television- Think again.

There is future possibility of this software use in children movies. With the use of this technology a movie could let the kids choose paths, that could be right or wrong. Ultimately teaching them the consequences of their decisions.

If as a company you have anything to do with movies, you should keep an eye out for this. Or simply hire me :P

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