Your Story Alive: A Live Communications Blog

April 05, 2012 12:35 PM

Titanic Exhibit Marks 100th Anniversary

Posted byKatie

Above is an image of just one of the interactives attendees will experience at the exhibit.

On Thursday, April 12, Sea Research Foundation, operator of Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Conn., will open its major new exhibit -- Titanic – 12,450 Feet Below -- located at Mystic Aquarium’s newly renamed Ocean Exploration Center exhibit hall.

Titanic Discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard and Former Top Disney “Imagineer” Tim Delaney, in collaboration with EWI Worldwide, took “a very different approach to the Titanic experience, one that taps directly into the excitement of exploration and discovery,” according to Delaney. “Our Titanic exhibit is awe-inspiring and emotional. It is designed to capture the moment of discovery that only access to the actual discoverer’s insight and vision can deliver. Working hand-in-glove with Bob Ballard and Sea Research has enabled us to create something that both adults and children will find thrilling, immersive, interactive, experiential and memorable. Titanic – 12,450 Feet Below takes you there.”

Featuring captivating imagery, breathtaking recreations, emotional soundscapes, hands-on activities and thrilling entertainment, attendees can experience the moment of discovery and remember the journeys of Titanic’s passengers.

Digital elements, including interactive kiosks and touch-tables, enable guests to access a veritable treasure trove of information, find Titanic artifacts at the bottom of the ocean, learn about icebergs and the Titanic’s course that night, and explore over 300 separate image and video files of the underwater wreck. The high-tech tables feature the latest in multi-touch and object-recognition technology, and evoke the magic of adventure and discovery that Dr. Ballard’s expedition embodied.

Based in Mystic, Conn., Sea Research Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates Mystic Aquarium, Institute for Exploration and, in partnership with National Geographic Society, The JASON Project and its Immersion Learning program. For more information, visit searesearch.org and mysticaquarium.org/titanic.

Tags: Architecture, Brand Stories, Cool Stuff, Environmental Design, Exhibits, Graphic Design, Interactives, Museums & Attractions, Pop Culture, Technology

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February 23, 2012 1:52 PM

Making social media work smarter for event marketers

Posted byKatie

When you think about extending a brand's presence beyond the show floor, social media is a natural go-to answer. However, when listening to a Webinar earler this week on the Event Marketing institute's EventTrack 2012: Event & Experiential Marketing Industry Forecast & Best Practices Study, I was surprised to learn the study found that "the relationship between events and technology is emerging. Only 28 percent of brands say their social media efforts are very integrated with their event and experiential marketing currently, although 49 percent say these two mediums are somewhat integrated."

What does this mean? Everyone sees the value of social media, but it's application is still in its infancy, despite seeing an explosion of growth in the past three years (see Pinterest and music streaming sites like Spotify, Grooveshark for latest boomers). According to the study, the most opportunity for social media - and the areas they are most interested in seeing evolve - are those applications that help enlist influencers and build the company database.

How you can get ahead of the curve:

Keep using social media to spread the word. One of the best advantages of social media is that it's widespread, accessible and reactive, so you can get news out in a matter of minutes when needed. This becomes especially handy when
Do your homework and see who is making the most noise in your (and your clients') industry. They may already be your brand evangelist - and arming them with the right resources and information can go a long way. The Ford Fiesta Movement is the example that always coming to mind, where Ford gave consumers a Ford Fiesta and asked them to complete a different mission every month. (Read more at Business Week)
Help people convert. When I'm interested in a brand, I often try to wallpaper my resources. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and their blog are all locations I want to track to make sure I don't miss out on a word. Make sure that your (and your clients') community isn't missing out, or you could be missing an opportunity waiting to be converted. This doesn't mean that you need to sell them on your next special, but it can open the conversation and get you and your team thinking about what questions this community might have and how you can fulfill them.

What are some forward-thinking social media applications you've seen in the event space?

Tags: Brand Stories, Social Media, Pop Culture, People, Music, Creative Inspirations

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February 07, 2012 1:12 PM

Experiencing NAMM

Posted byAdam Sweet

The NAMM show, referring to the National Association of Music Merchants, is the most unique tradeshow I’ve attended to date. It includes domestic music product retailers as well as international associations of commercial businesses, and manufacturers. NAMM is much different than auto shows and way different than health care shows; it is a collective of passionate people and companies to showcase new products, innovations, and have a lot of fun.

NAMM is a show for the music world. Since I am not an instrumental musician, most experiences were out of touch for me. Experience was something I watched more than participated in. There were plenty of areas for attendees to use new products like drums, guitars, accordions, and many other instruments. However, the most effective experiences for me involved headphones. The partnership between a video screen and a set of headphones is understated, but extremely effective. It allows you to be in your own world, separate from your surroundings.

There was an intimacy at this show that was visible; people were emotionally tied to what they were doing musically. These instruments were an outlet for their inner self, and just walking down the halls was an experience for me because I got to listen to these people’s souls’ projected through music. It was really wonderful. That alone was enough for me to say that this show was experientially great!

NAMM showcased an ability for a message to be conveyed in a number of ways. We as designers in the exhibit industry can learn from the show how important it is to truly make an impact on our visitors. Target your audience, plan your attack, and execute with intent.

For more information on NAMM including membership information, news, and event dates, visit www.NAMM.org.

Tags: Consumer Electronics, Creative Inspirations, Music, Pop Culture, Product Launch

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February 03, 2012 4:30 PM

HOW WELL DOES GOOGLE KNOW YOU?

Posted byAdam Sweet

Via Geekologie.com and Google Ad Preferences, I've recently discovered our good friend Mr(s). Google has set up a cookie tracker on my web browser that highlights targeted advertising that they feel fits my demographic. How do they know my demographic you might ask? Why only by stalking my every online move! But wait, we've known they did this for years, right?! Well now I know for sure! Stay outta my head Google! You know me better than I know me....

...and apparently, I'm a 25-34 year old man who does research on Arts & Entertainment for the technologically advanced auto industry and has a slight obsession with Rugs, Carpets, and online clothes shopping...

Check out your info by logging into your Google/Gmail account, and then clicking here

Oh, and follow the steps on the page to OPT OUT if you'd prefer Google DIDN'T invade your privacy like this.

Tags: Advertising, Guerrilla Marketing, Pop Culture, Technology

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February 02, 2012 2:51 PM

The Super Bowl Commercials are Back

Posted byKatie

I may not be the biggest football fan, but I love the Super Bowl's commercials every year - and it appears that I'm not alone.

According to a recent story in Ad Age, 25% of the total Super Bowl Web chatter is about the ads, not the game. For fans like me, this spells good news, especially now when advertisers are leaking their ads to generate even more buzz before the big day. It also seems like a great way for companies to expand existing campaigns across multiple channels - especially when they start to involve social media or other live events.

My personal favorite so far is Honda's "Matthew's Day Off"... can't wait to see what else is in store on Sunday!

Tags: Brand Stories, Promotions, Pop Culture

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December 21, 2011 9:40 AM

Turning a Pointless Collection Into Something.....

Posted bySteve Riley

Hotel Shampoo, a record, a place, and a way to use your "free hotel shampoo."

Tags: Creative Inspirations, Music, Pop Culture

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November 03, 2011 8:41 PM

Some New Age Office Opts

Posted byAdam Sweet

Some very cool office décor for creative spaces. I like the juxtaposition of super ornate surroundings with modern furniture and fixtures. Although the Azure space is something out of a Dr. Suess story.

Bank-Of-Moscow-Offices

Azure-Office

Coordination-Asia-Shanghai-Office

dtac-Headquarters-Office

Happy imagining!

Tags: Architecture, Creative Inspirations, Environmental Design, Exhibits, Furniture, Global Design, Pop Culture

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November 03, 2011 11:43 AM

Mazzy Star Returns After 15 Year Hiatus

Posted bySteve Riley

This is perhaps much lesser news than the return of the Stone Roses (!), but Hope Sandoval is putting out a new Mazzy Star record in 2012. Just a reminder to slow down..... new single common burn

http://pitchforkmedia.com/reviews/tracks/12670-common-burn/

Tags: Music, Pop Culture

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October 11, 2011 8:40 AM

Qwikster No Longer

Posted byKatie

In a move applauded by investors and customers, Netflix has decided to ditch the division of its businesses and keep both streaming and DVD services under one name.

Stock has gone up significantly (although not enough to cover losses incurred during the announcement) and positive feedback has been rolling in. Netflix is also working to recover the 1 million customers it lost when it made the announcement.

For many, the question has been- why? Why would they divide the services on top of announcing a 60 percent rate hike for those that wanted both? Well, they’re different cost structures, and if you only wanted streaming, which represented the majority of new customers, you wouldn’t have seen a price hike at all.

Although the numbers looked right, it didn’t fit the Netflix customer’s needs and the brand’s value proposition. Not every idea can be a success -- this New York Times piece compares it to the New Coke, remember that? -- but it appears, at least at this early date, that knowing how to come back from that leap is what matters. After all, Coca-Cola is still here.

Another silver lining of this reversal is the sense of brand ownership and control customers are feeling. I am seeing a lot of feedback about Netflix really listening to their customers, which sets them up for future dialogue when creating and rolling out new services. On the flp side, there have been great blog posts written about what Netflix could have done better to have made this rollout a success.

How do you think this will affect the brand long-term? If you’re a Netflix customer, will you stay with the brand or cancel services? Do you think this move shows that Netflix is being “topsy-turvey,” as some have suggested?

Looking forward to seeing how this decision plays through.

Tags: Advertising, Media, Pop Culture

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October 05, 2011 10:51 AM

Patterns. What can we learn?

Posted byEli

IBM celebrates its 100-year anniversary, taking us on a journey where past, present and future collide. A striking 123’ wall captures a live data stream that artfully evolves into gorgeous data visualizations.

Further down the path are 40 screens that narrate a film featuring our quest for progress. The visual then turns the screens into a multi-touch interactive to further enhance the learning experience of the potential of science and information technology that can make the world work better.

The THINK Exhibit was open to the public from September 23 to October 23 at Lincoln Center in New York.

"Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se."
Charles Eames

Tags: Technology, Special Events, Pop-Up Retail, Pop Culture, Museums & Attractions, Media, Interactives, Innovation, Creative Inspirations, Cool Stuff, Brand Stories

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