Category Archives: Delighting Consumers with Hidden Surprises

2010 TREND: Consumers will embrace brands that bring them moments of happiness, but will grow increasingly skeptical of brands offering “manic happiness.”

Sociocultural Trends November 4, 2011

3D Projections Move from Land to Water

With many brands taking a back seat to creative product launching, Nike went full-force with innovation to—quite literally—launch the Jordan Melo M8, the latest in the collection designed exclusively with New York Knicks forward Camelo Anthony. Using special effects and … Continue reading →

Marketing October 19, 2011

Travel and the Evolving Experience Marketplace

As vacationers seek more off-the-beaten path adventures when they travel, a greater emphasis has been placed on the overall experience of travel rather than specific destinations. Many hotels are already offering experience-based rewards in their loyalty programs and enhanced concierge … Continue reading →

Sociocultural Trends July 26, 2011

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Google+

“This is it?” I couldn’t help but feel a bit underwhelmed with the all-but-blank screen that greeted me upon my long-awaited first look at Google+. I really wanted to love it, but there was very little to react to at … Continue reading →

Marketing May 3, 2011

New High Score: Brushing Your Teeth

Today’s post comes from Adam Stipanuk, Interactive Strategy Director at Upshot. The nightly tooth brushing ritual with my two year old daughter goes something like this: we ask our child to say “Arrrr” like a pirate to allow us access … Continue reading →

Sociocultural Trends April 26, 2011

Silly Rabbit, Egg Hunts Aren’t Just for Kids.

Today’s post is by Jaclyn Gordyan. Senior Art Director and perpetually curious mind, discover more about her at Upshot’s main site. Follow Jaclyn on Twitter @JGordyan. All the Peeps, Jelly Bellys and Cadbury Creme Eggs have been eaten. So what’s … Continue reading →

Marketing April 19, 2011

SXSWrapup (Part 9): Selling Yourself at SXSW

While we’ve had more than enough analysis of the panels at SXSWi (we left off here), there’s one big piece that we haven’t really referenced. No, not the BBQ, or the free beer, or the free parties. Rather, it’s the … Continue reading →

Technology February 18, 2011

Be a Multilingual Tiger in Bed

Now there’s a headline that’ll get your attention! But, take it easy – the only naughtiness happening here is allowing so much time to elapse since our last augmented reality roundup! In the meantime, we’ve seen a ton of fantastic … Continue reading →

Sociocultural Trends February 16, 2011

Online Tricks and Treats

Following up on Monday’s clever YouTube tweak, we wanted to pass along a couple of other tricks and treats we’ve recently seen around the web. The first is an iPad ad for the USA Network’s show “White Collar,” which is … Continue reading →

Sociocultural Trends February 14, 2011

Dunk Data and Hoops Hype

There’s plenty of budding excitement about this weekend’s NBA Slam Dunk contest, thanks to a crop of extremely athletic youngsters who may or may not be mutants from another planet. But, while the league is building up hype about these … Continue reading →

Sociocultural Trends February 11, 2011

Are Lights and Lasers the Answers to Ad Overload?

Ever since Sao Paulo decided to ban billboards, ad folks in the US (and around the world) have nervously wondered, “Could it happen here?” While it’s hard to say, we’ll soon know what that scenario would look like, thanks to … Continue reading →