19. What Turns Me On

My latest project focuses on the 'other' that inspires people in the ad community, an 'other' being any interest/job/hobby that isn't related to advertising. This project was born on my natural interest in people's 'other,' no matter their job title. Now, I've been thinking about what turns me on, what inspires me.

As a clear indicator, we can review my bookmarks:

1. Adweek: This isn't my most looked at bookmark, though some may argue it should be, but it is my most recently added, which is why it's first on this list. I visit for the latest in weird ads and interesting thoughts on branding.

2. Interview Magazine: Good for procrastination and edgy photos/interviews of celebrities by celebrities. The magazine, started by Andy Warhol, isn't afraid of showing some nipple or shooting in black and white. Their photos are perfectly edgy and their art, film and music sections boast the latest in beautiful stuff.

3. mb! Magazine: I've blogged about how wonderful and youthful this marketing-scheme-pretending-to-be-magazine is. It's the creation of Mercedes-Benz and targets the youthful and hipster-ish yet semi-wealthy community. The online mag is a source of inspiration and reflects on culture, art, music, travel, and of course, cars.

4. FoodNetwork: Goes well with cooking. Food is one of my true loves and I strive to try new recipes. Food* can easily inspire creativity.

*Really amazing succulent food

5. THE DEPARTMENT STORE: The site explains:"The Department Store is a modern take on the traditional department store experience... where one can experience the very best from the worlds of design, beauty, fashion, interiors." Well said. The store is run out of Auckland, New Zealand and inspires a new and more interesting way to dress.

6. Netflix: Because movies lead to ideas. Especially movies by Woody Allen.

7. The Selby: My slight obsession with this site and the photographer, Todd Selby, should be clear by now, as many of my posts mention The Selby or have been inspired by one of his posts. He travels the world to photograph the interiors of houses and their owners. Many of the houses are inhabited by the creative people that we dream of meeting and (at least if you're me) rummaging through their belongings (only the good stuff: art, music, jewelry, clothes, antiques). I'm not creepy. I'm curious.

8. W+K: I shouldn't have to explain this one.

9. Urban Blog: Urban Outfitters' blog has daily posts about cool fashion, people, music and art, even giving away free music every Monday. Yet again, it's another great example of participation and awareness among the company's target audience. Good job.

Things that aren't bookmarked, but play a big part in my life:

1. Homemade cookies: mostly chocolate chip or any with cream cheese frosting on top (the special heart attack inducing kind)

2. Dogs, cats, and turtles: turtles, the kind that swim in water and are illegal to own in most states, are awesome but smell horrible.

3. Mom+Dad: an example of an amazing relationship that has lasted over 25 years. Keep going you guys.

4. Boyfriend: an example of an amazing relationship that has lasted over 2 years. Keep going us.

5. The Greek Islands: they are the most amazing places I've visited with great food and interesting people.

 

18. Zara on Art and Fashion

(This post was also posted on Scott Goodson's blog, Uprising Movements, who is the founder of StrawberryFrog)

The Selby produced another beautiful video, this time for Zara, one of the largest international fashion companies, featuring Lucy Chadwick who runs a contemporary art gallery in NYC. She lives with her companion and lover, Duffy, who is a hairstylist and according to Lucy, "a general all around wonder-boy." She discusses how her experience with art has influenced her life as well as her work. The couple recently purchased an expansive barn in Upstate New York to use as an escape from the city and to get their hands dirty building something. Their goal was to tear down and rebuild the barn from the ground up.


Watch:

The video pays homage to Zara's innovative work in the fashion industry, which stems from its focus on friendly stores, fabrics, transportation, employee eco-training, and even reaches the farms where animal products are only purchased from food farms, where animals are fully used after death. 


Aside from their extensive environmental policy, the company is also very culturally aware and artist environmentally ically present. Under events on their homepage, we can find galleries of photos and movies from around the globe that represent Zara's store presence in a new country. Their online gallery, Dear, America, is comprised of 50 photos from 50 states, celebrates Zara's US opening of their online shop.

The company has reached its current status because of its engagement with the art world, outside of clothing, and its rigorous environmental policy. This involvement helps gain brand respect and build brand awareness among the hip twenty-somethings around the world. Brands that integrate themselves into the young art culture, like Mercedes-Benz did with mb! magazine and Absolut Vodka with initiatives that support artists, are bound to grow faster while increasing earnings.


After creating awareness, Zara seals the deal by encouraging their (potential) consumers to engage with the brand through their project: PEOPLE! Through this tool, the company allows their consumers to create a profile and upload photos of themselves wearing an outfit comprised of at least two articles of Zara clothes from their most recent line. PEOPLE! then chooses their favorite outfits and posts them to their site every week and the published photographers receive 300 Euros for participating. They started a successful interactive social movement around a company. Well done, Zara.


Here are some of my favorite published PEOPLE! outfits:

http://imasamurai.tumblr.com 

www.joujouvilleroy.com 

http://samsaramoda.blogspot.com 

5. mb! Brand Connections among Gen-Y

     Mercedes-Benz' new online magazine, mb!, features edgy design and content targeting the creative 20-somethings who have or who want to inherit their grandparents' antique Mercedes. By creating an outlet for creative content among the generation Y, they have brilliantly created an audience and consumer for their product. Many of the viewers can't afford the product now, but the site is generating interest for the future.  


     The site is written for and by Gen-Y, a la TNGG, while remaining brand-centric and hosting new ideas about music, people, events, and ideas that inspire creativity. Brilliant! 


Mercedes-Benz = youthful and hip.


     This is a beautiful short film produced by photographer, Todd Selby, documenting his photo shoot with interior designer, Abigail Ahern, for mb! Check out the rest of the photos from the shoot!

Follow mb! @mb_magazine