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  • This Headline is The Sound of a Blue Bird Whistling Goodbye.

    Twitter's iconic blue bird has been officially replaced with an "X." But does it have the X-Factor? Photo by Kristi Hines Elon Musk's daring rebranding move has commanded the internet's spotlight in a twist that has left the world in awe. However, deciding to bid a fond farewell to the iconic blue bird was no sudden revelation. Discussions of this shift had been circulating well before the gazillionaire's monumental $44 billion acquisition of Twitter. What's the deal with the X? Musk had a light-bulb moment during his first meeting with Twitter employees and passionately shared his vision for Twitter's future: to propel the platform's user base to an astonishing one billion users. Attempting to recreate an American WeChat, Musk highlighted the need for Twitter's evolution into an intricate powerhouse that combines messaging, social media, shopping, and mobile payments — all in one transformative package: X.com. "There's no WeChat equivalent outside of China... you basically live on WeChat in China. If we can recreate that with Twitter, we'll be a great success" - Elon Musk Amidst his plans to revamp Twitter into an all-encompassing "everything app," Musk set an audacious, and quite frankly beyond belief, goal to position X.com as the largest financial institution in the world. However, I do have to point out that in that same first meeting, Musk outlandishly talked about the possibility of alien life. Details of the new financial world haven't been discussed yet. Why "X"? Musk's admiration towards the letter X is clear-cut. The 52-year-old has recently released xAi, an artificial intelligence startup, alongside his renowned rocket company, Space X. But, this fondness towards the letter is anything but new. Musk brought forth X.com for the first time back in 1999, which at the time, was an innovative online banking site attempting to rewrite the rules. Offering an exciting $20 incentive to potential clients, Musk, as the company's chief executive, promised no interest fees or penalties, sparking a surge in the number of users. Users surpassed 200,000, albeit with a few malicious scammers seeking their way into account fraud. If you're wondering what happened with that X.com, it is now owned by eBay and is called the name we all know, PayPal. Is X.com headed for failure? It seems so. One way or another, Musk clearly wants X.com to work. I understand the need to validate the status quo; however, choosing to completely overhaul a distinct and enduring brand — after 17 years of dedicated work is an entirely different, slightly reckless approach. Even more so dangerous is attempting to mimic China'a WeChat success story within the American landscape. There's a reason there isn't a platform like WeChat in the U.S.: they are two entirely different markets. Another pivotal concern arises from transforming one of the most popular social media platforms that evoke association with adult content (in simple and honest words: x.com sounds like a porn site). This raises significant questions about the wisdom of such a strategic shift. The timing is intriguing: Musk's Twitter rebranding closely followed Zuckerberg's Threads launch (likely not a coincidence, considering the ongoing digital rivalry between these tech moguls). It is possible that Musk is realizing his limitations in running the social media world and is leaning towards a new direction that aligns more closely with his perceived strengths: the realm of digital payments. The success of Musk's soon-to-be financial powerhouse remains unclear, but a critical element to consider when it comes to financial ventures is that they depend on trust. That's a long journey ahead for Musk. Let's look at some viral, hilarious tweets for now (or, are they called X's now?).

  • Barbie's New World: Marketers.

    Congratulations, marketers. You are now living in #Barbie's world. Welcome to a captivating world where pink tones and boundless creativity sway supreme. Photo by: Amelia Knust In my first year of college, I immersed myself in captivating class discussions centered around the global impact of Barbie's marketing messaging spanning the last six decades. The iconic doll's influence on young minds, particularly the concerns about the negative body image it allegedly perpetuated among girls, especially the circumstances surrounding negative body image, sparked intense debates among professors and peers alike. "Barbie shouldn't target children because it promotes unrealistic beauty standards, which can harm the self-esteem of young minds. The pressure to look like the doll, with its perfect and slender appearance, could have negative effects." - One of my professors. But over the past two years, I've witnessed the magical transformation of Barbie's marketing team! They've become the ultimate #dreamteam, sprinkling plenty of pink into their every move. Seeing how this iconic doll has thrived and endured over the last six decades is like witnessing marketing magic at its finest! Let's dive into the world of pink wonders. The New Barbie Movie We all know the iconic swoosh of Nike’s logo, standing solo without the brand’s name. That’s the power of a truly memorable brand. But who thought that a single shade of pink would grow to be an unmistakable hue that spells “Barbie” wherever you see it? That’s the enchanting spell the queen of dolls (aka its marketing team) has cast upon the world. Mattel’s brand has owned that famous pink hue (colour code: #e94196) for generations, finding its place in the hearts and brains of people everywhere. Barbie has soared into the world of collaborations with a movie budget of an outstanding USD 150 million. It’s safe to say that fashion and beauty have always been her closest companions; Barbie matted herself with renowned brands like OPI, Gap, Moon, Homesick, NYI, Forever 21, Aldo, Fossil, Vans, Kipling, Zara, and so much more before the movie’s release. Even still, the genuinely captivating collaborations are those that break free from the confines of fashion and beauty. Wouldn’t seeing Barbie's dream house come to life in the real world be miraculous? Airbnb dared to dream with Barbie, making a life-sized Malibu mansion that transformed the power of imagination into actuality. Photo by: Abene Clayton "While everyone's favourite doll makes her live-action film debut, Ken is handing over the keys and hosting an overnight stay in the newly renovated and iconic Malibu Dreamhouse" - Airbnb If Barbie's and Airbnb's collaboration is insufficient, how about some hot pink sauce on your burger? I'm being serious; Burger King in Brazil has created a Barbie burger with smoky hot pink sauce and bacon bits with a side of Ken's potatoes in a combo meal with a Barbie milkshake and doughnut for dessert. Along the same lines, Grill'd Healthy Burgers in Australia has created the Barbie Dreamburger, which consists of a pink burger, snack chips, Raspberry Sodaly, and pink mayo dip. (Talk about people and brands trying to out-barbie each other). Photo by: Grant DeArmitt We’ve seen that Barbie has conquered the realms of fashion & beauty, lodging, and the food & beverage industry, but guess what? She’s already making waves in the tech industry as well. Just weeks before the movie’s premiere, Microsoft launched a pinkalicious surprise: a Barbie-themed Xbox S series! Not only that, but the brand has also made fashion-forward gaming consoles inspired by Barbie and Ken and their on-screen outfits, allowing gamers to conquer the virtual world in pink. Photo by: Microsoft Was Barbie's marketing strategy too pinkish? There are some articles out there that feel that Barbie's marketing was a tad oversaturated and it's just annoying and ineffective. However, I beg to differ. In today's digital age, where content bombards us at every turn, impactful marketing is the key to being memorable. “They’re picking these different areas because they realize, ‘hey, if we’re here, we’re reaching audiences with these unique brand collaborations and we’re going to be able to reach the masses’, they’re reaching the masses and that’s the way to do it in today’s world.” - Eunice Shin As for me, I'd paint the world pink if I had my way. So, what do you think? Did Barbie's marketing team overdo it? In my book, there's no such thing as too much pink magic!

  • Let's Talk About @Threads, Baby.

    Just when I thought there was no room for a new social media platform (at least for now), Mark Zuckerberg disrupted the world by being a #threadsetter (pun totally intended). Photo by The Wall Street Journal When Meta published the platform, my brain had so many thoughts to jot down I didn't know where to start. Elon Musk has agreed with a tweet claiming that Threads is a copycat of Twitter, but that's not entirely true. Let's discuss some of the significant differences: While some differences are unique to Threads, Musk threatens to sue Meta for its copycat, accusing Zuckerberg of "unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property." Musk's Threat to Sue Threads Soon enough, Meta's new platform will hang by a thread (I won't stop with the puns). Musk has shared the cease-and-desist letter to Meta on his Twitter profile, claiming that Zuckerberg will lose this battle. More specifically, Musk's letter includes specific grounds to sue Zuckerberg: Twitter claims that Meta has hired numerous former Twitter employees this last year, with some who "had and continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information." The claim states that Meta intentionally hired these employees to develop and publish the copycat app. Unsurprisingly, Meta's communication director immediately responded to Musk's claim, stating that Meta has not assigned any former Twitter engineers and employees to the Threads team. Zuckerberg's Angle This bold move by Meta doesn't come without reason. The platform aims to develop a "friendly public space for conversation." “We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing what's on your mind.” It's about more than just a friendly space, however. Zuckerberg immediately jumped towards the opportunity to create a clone-like platform to convince users to transfer to a more "positive" space, notably after Twitter had decreased in popularity. Twitter has been going downhill due to unsettling decisions made by Musk, such as "overhauling its verification program and putting a limit on reading tweets in an attempt to transform Twitter into an all-inclusive app." In fact, Meta has hinted at this underlying motivation: “Obviously, Twitter pioneered the space,” Mosseri said. “But just given everything that was going on, we thought there was an opportunity to build something that was open and something that was good for the community that was already using Instagram.” Will Threads be the official "Twitter Killer?" Meta has suffered significant criticism and scandal over the years, particularly regarding its privacy concerns and data breaches. No platform will ever regain users' trust again, and critics have already brought to light numerous privacy concerns about Threads. You may not want to read the fine print, so others did that for you. So far, many people have found that Threads can collect information about your health, finances, web history, location, purchases, search history, and other sensitive information. This issue is why the platform is not available in the European Union (yet). Even still, Threads is off to a good start. In fact, since its launch three days ago (July 5), the platform has earned approximately 80 million users. It seems as though everyone is really tied up in it (ok, I'm done with the puns). Currently, it is unclear whether Zuckerberg's new platform will survive. What do you think? Will Threads be the new Twitter?

  • Quiet Quitting: What Should PR Pros Do?

    #QuietQuitting is not quitting quietly. Instead, it's what Gen Z is doing to reclaim their work-life balance: abandoning the idea of going above and beyond at work. The idea of quiet quitting isn't new, but the trend jump-started on TikTok by Zaid Khan with 3.5 million views. In addition, the hashtag has earned 97.6 million video views on the platform. "You're still performing your duties, but you're no longer subscribing to the hustle culture mentality that work has to be your life. The reality is it's not — and your worth as a person is not defined by your labor." - Zaid Khan #QuietQuitting is doing the minimum at your job; clocking in at 9, out at 5, and only doing your job description. It is an extension of The Great Resignation - "the record number of people that have left their jobs since the beginning of the pandemic - shows no signs of abating." After a long period of working remotely, many have decided that their work-life balance is essential to them - hence the trend. Many still believe that quiet quitting is fake and it's nothing more than a buzzword among Gen Z. Don't be fooled; it's real, and it's dangerous. Let's look at the numbers: Up to 67% of US employees and 85% worldwide could be quiet quitting. 79% of employees report they would stop quiet quitting if given more recognition. 73% of US employees are considering resignation. The PR industry cannot handle quiet quitters. Picture this: one of your clients is going through a crisis at 7 pm, and you need to issue a press release, but your employees say, "nope, I'm acting my wage" (which is a blog article for another day). So, what should you do to keep your employees encouraged and feel recognized? Listen to your employees. I get it, you're a communicator, but you can't communicate if you don't listen. Often, employees express their concerns, but you're too busy because of the post-pandemic workload, and you all need to put your heads together and keep things running. Unfortunately, this habit encourages employees to disengage and maybe even lose faith in you. You must keep listening to your employees (and acting on their concerns) to keep things running smoothly at your firm. Empathize with them, and show them you have their best interest in mind (here's an idea: create a safe space for employees to express what's on their minds; how about a weekly meeting?). Reinforce common boundaries Your employees avoid your phone calls and emails past 5 pm because it's not part of their job description. That's a passive-aggressive attitude, and you don't want to have it around. Be as vocal as possible with your employees and positively remind them of their boundaries. For example, you can say, "I want you all to be aware that responding to phone calls after working hours is optional, but if there's an emergency, we will send out a priority email and discuss your overtime compensation." Small acts like that can go a long way. Of course, compensation isn't always about money. Many people can be financially compensated for their overtime hours but feel burnt out. One thing you can consider is mental compensation. For instance, "Thank you for working late tonight. Why don't you take a couple of hours off tomorrow morning or leave earlier? It's up to you!" These things are not hard to do but can save you from quiet quitters. Don't promote the hustle culture mentality. Many managers guilt-trip their employees to overwork themselves. One of my previous managers once told me, "If you don't put your all into your work and do the overtime, you'll never make it in this world." If that's what the professional world is like, I don't want in; I'd instead stick to freelancing and determine my projects and hours. Do not enforce that kind of mentality. Instead, create a healthy workplace that makes your employees feel valued and appreciated for their hard work. Be a team member and create a collaborative environment where you all work hard together and attend to your well-being together. #worklifebalance #actyourwage #actingyourwage

  • How to Avoid a Checkmate in Your PR Strategy

    I've recently been obsessed with playing chess (about eight times a day!). And, you guessed it, I am not a winner. When I play (and lose to) my husband, it only encourages me to keep learning until I beat him. But, you can't "keep trying" with your clients; you only get that one chance. So, let's talk about how you can avoid a checkmate in your PR strategy. As I learn chess, I use words like positioning, strategy, promotion, and tactics. Of course, I also use woodpusher (aka a lousy chess player), but that's irrelevant, and I often use it to describe myself. After continuously using those terms while playing chess, I started connecting the dots with public relations. So, here's my advice on how to avoid a checkmate in your PR strategy (not such a woodpusher now, am I?) 1. Be a Prophylactic According to an author on Chess.com, a prophylactic is a "rare breed of player." They are a combination of positional, defensive, and tactical. Does it get any more PR than this? For example, Magnus Carlsen (a Norwegian chess grandmaster) is a prophylactic or, in other words, a pressure player. "If you can predict and stop your opponent's ideas, then you will be well on your way to victory." - Chess.com Player Being a prophylactic means foreseeing your opponent's plan. Don't be afraid to learn from your industry leaders, employees even competitors. Use your knowledge and power to consider every possibility, and use them to navigate your way through a crisis (or maybe a crisis you predicted from being a prophylactic). 2. Control the Center "Controlling the center" in a chess game allows you to freely move your pieces and limits your opponent's ability to do the same. In other words, "controlling the center is controlling the game." In other words, take the lead and control the conversation; it's the only way to see how people will react, and you will be able to predict the next move. Of course, this ability can help you refine your "next moves" in your campaign. Controlling the center is also crucial for handling crises while maintaining flexibility. 3. You Can't Take it Back Working in the communications field is tricky; once you put something out there, you can't take it back. Just like there isn't an undo card in the game, there isn't an undo button in PR. Your next move is out in the open in today's rapidly changing digital sphere. Every day, we all feel pressured to create disrupting, break-through, digital content that connects with our audience. More often than not, most of the moves in the game are forced, as they are in PR. So, double-check your content, grammar, data, and, most importantly (if you didn't already know), your words. You have to be 100 percent confident of your next move, don't publish otherwise. 4. The Communicator's Gambit Let's break down what the term "gambit" means: Gambit [noun]: An opening move in chess where a risk is taken to secure an advantageous position. An action or set of actions you carry out in order to gain an advantage in a situation or game. A remark made to start a conversation with someone. Shine in your role as a communicator and open strongly. After all, the opening is everything. Are you going to rise to the occasion and take a risk or play it safe? It always depends on the situation, and there is no correct answer; it's a judgment call. Whatever you're working on (product release, ad campaign, or an event launch), you want to pull a gambit and earn an excellent first impression. Let's not forget that it takes people seven seconds to make an impression on you. What other chess tips would you add to this article?

  • Why Design is the Backbone of Web 3.0 Development

    Web3 seems to be coming out of its theoretical shell. Developers are now working on making it mainstream. First, let me explain what Web3 is and why brands want to be the first to leverage it. Web3 is the vision of the new internet. While the term has been around for many years, it's been glorified in the last year. Packy McCormick, an investor in Web3, has defined it as: "The internet owned by the builders and users, orchestrated with tokens." Web3 is yet another decentralized version of the internet. But, tech giants like Meta, Apple, and Google will no longer be able to own, possess, and control user content and platforms. More importantly, Web3 is believed to solve all privacy and security issues. What a world, right? Mayank Sharma has summarized four advantages of Web3: it's trustless (everyone has complete control of how decentralized apps work); it's permissionless (anyone can enter with their crypto wallets and passwords; no authorization is needed from companies); it's distributed (you have unlimited power and control over internet products and services; you earn ownership based on your contribution to Web3 platforms); and it's open (Web3 stores data through blockchain, which is an open ledger). So, what does this mean for designers? One of design's basic rules is to design with the end-user in mind. But, this rule has been left behind in the development of Web3. Today's centralized systems have left designers creating for developers, and it's your job (as a designer) to refocus on users for Web3 (after all, it is distributed). "They are not focusing very much on user experience because they are focusing more on experimentation of the technical aspects of it, and seeing what works." - Derick David Your goal as a designer is to make Web3 easy, welcoming, and disposable for all users. Start with research to understand what are the best social practices, how they use social media, and what are their overall habits. In other words, take the information that users know, and help them use it to adapt to Web3 using design and user experience. Part of making Web3 easy for users is by translating technical jargon. Let's look at Web3's dictionary: alt coin, ATH, ATL, bearish, buidl, bullish, cold wallet, DAO, degen, diamond hands, flippening, full node, gwei, light node, mainnet, nocoiner, and much more. Yeah, I didn't understand most of that. Developing websites that simplify all that blockchain lingo will attract more users. Design glossaries and icons to help the average user understand and keep the language easy and fun. In my opinion, design is the global language; everyone understands simple graphics and visuals. Not only can designers make Web3 easy, but they can also make it welcoming. Let's admit that all the privacy and security issues associated with Web 2.0 scare away users and developers. I can safely say that the average user doesn't trust the internet. So, how can designers ensure cyber security breaches? First, you must give a transparent background on the subject (pun intended). When you type in a URL, you get a pop-up that most people don't read, and you "accept cookies." Almost everyone is new to Web3, so this is an opportunity for designers to lay out an educational tool ensuring safety. For example, use clear, crisp, and concise language (believe me, no one wants to read pages and pages of user agreements); visually communicate to users using their communication habits; only give out the necessary information. Finally, let's talk about how design can make Web3 disposable to users. It all comes together: the jargon, cyber security issues, and the "how-to" of everything. In other words, if users don't understand what's happening, they'll be discouraged from exploring Web3. “[Web3 platforms] try to force users into their cult of community and try to force you to speak their language, which is not good for people that don’t know anything about Web3,... It goes against the principles of designing for inclusivity.” - Derick David This is the time for designers to create clear-cut copy that everyone understands. Start by spelling out acronyms and using visuals. No one likes it when people intimidate with language, and no one will be impressed. The easier it is for a user, the better. Takeaway: there is a huge opportunity for designers to take on Web3 and make it flow as humanly as possible. #Web3 #CyberSecurity #Blockchain #UX #UI #Internet #Crypto #DesignThinking #Design #Education

  • Do Creatives Work Better at Home or at the Office?

    It's the best of both worlds. About a month ago, Elon Musk sent out a hardheaded email to all his Tesla employees: "Everyone at Tesla is required to spend a minimum of forty hours in the office per week.... If you don't show up, we will assume you have resigned." First, let's address the fact that we still live in a pandemic. Working from the office not only puts people at risk of contracting Covid-19 but also puts friends and families of employees at risk. It's safe to say that Musk doesn't care. Not only is he enforcing a strict WFO policy, but he thinks that health restrictions are "fascist." At the end of his email, Musk said that creativity works best at the office: "Tesla has and will create and actually manufacture the most exciting and meaningful products of any company on Earth. This will not happen by phoning it in." This post isn't about Musk's opinions on the pandemic. Instead, let's talk about how the company might not create the best products ever by forcing employees, especially creatives, to work 40 hours a week from the office (in case you didn't already know, the United States Labor Law states that employees must not exceed working more than 40 hours per week). As Covid-19 cases decline and symptoms weaken, the concept of "Return to Office" has left employees demotivated to work. The CIEL HR Services in India conducted a survey, showing that 60 percent of survey respondents would rather WFH with a lower salary or even quit their jobs than return to the office. Here are four reasons why WFH can produce better creative work: 1. Creatives need flexibility Part of being creative means suffering what is called "a creative's block." People need to change sceneries to get their juices flowing. People often get re-inspired by changing locations (for example, from home to a coffee shop to a garden. Creatives need to switch it up and avoid the monotonous day-to-day trip to the office. Let's face it, the greatest of ideas will not come about by sitting in a 6x6 cubicle with the loud sounds of clicking and typing coming from every angle of the office. Of course, avoiding the office entirely isn't the way either. Some of the most incredible ideas are produced in a group effort through brainstorming. A more balanced and flexible strategy between WFH and WFO is best for a creative. 2. Creatives must not suffer from any distractions Here you are, sitting with your headphones on, right on the cusp of the best idea ever, and then your coworker taps your shoulder to see if you have a pen they can borrow. Boom! Thought lost, and your idea is gone. Or, maybe your calendar disrupts your train of thought by reminding you of your 2-hour long daily workload meeting beginning in five minutes; that's another beautiful idea disrupted. That doesn't mean your home doesn't have any distractions. I can hear your kids fighting in the other room. It just means that finding your own place with no distractions is your best bet. Only you can avoid annoying disruptions, and only you know where that place is. 3. Asynchronous collaboration works best for a creative If your meetings can be handled through a Microsoft Teams meeting, then so be it. It's best for a creative to avoid long commutes to the office and back, or even commutes from the cubicle to conference room A. Such disruptions can contribute to the creative block. On the other hand, asynchronous collaboration can create more thoughtful participation, and employees might be in better shape to share more creative ideas. 4. Creatives do not need any added stress The creative block on its own can be a stressful and fearful time for all creative employees. They cannot handle worrying about anything else. Stressors such as anxiety at work, worrying about kids, and feeling burnout (and surviving an entire pandemic) contribute to poor mental health and worsened creativity. If employees feel stressed to return to the office, then I can guarantee that their creativity and innovation will diminish. "We’ve all felt it: our creative spark dulled or distinguished by the mundane realities of life. Routine tasks like commuting, running errands, raising children, and advancing careers fill our calendars." - Erin Eatough Bottom line, if your employees have greater productivity and creativity working from home (meaning anywhere but the office), then it might be a good idea to create a hybrid model with flexibility to let the employees decide what works best for them.

  • Design Thinking: A Human Approach to Creative Problem Solving

    What is design thinking, and why is it taking the world by storm? Photo by Axel Ruffini "Design thinking is an iterative and non-linear process that contains five phases: 1. Empathize, 2. Define, 3. Ideate, 4. Prototype and 5. Test." - Rikke Friis Dam and Teo Yu Siang Okay, let me break it down: Design thinking is the process of taking on challenging assumptions by understanding consumers' needs and making creative solutions. You might think that design thinking is for designers, but it's really for everyone. You don't need a really creative mind; you just need strategic problem-solving. Why? - Thinking Outside the Box Some of the most profitable companies are taking advantage of design thinking. For example, in her piece on Innovative Ways Companies are Using Design thinking, Jean Liedtka explains how Toyota implemented design thinking to completely recreate one of its customer service centers. The company combined the minds of business leaders, designers, frontline call representatives, and software engineers to transform its service centers to better accompany customers and service associates. "This practice — Kaizen — ended up being one of the greatest advancements in Toyota’s history and the manufacturing industry as a whole. It has become the cornerstone of the Toyota Production System and helped catapult the company to consistent success ever since." - Ward Andrews Design thinking is a human-centric guide for companies to shift their way of thinking and use design to maximize success. I'm not talking about product design; it's about environmental, economic, and social innovation. It's safe to say that users' unmet needs are infinite. In this rapidly changing world, there are new unmet needs every day. With design thinking comes breakthrough innovation. How? - A 5-Stage Process Photo by Sandra Iseli 1. Empathize The first step is to empathize. In other words, gain a deeper understanding of how people interact with an issue in a certain way. It's not just about the research; it's about observing with empathy to learn about issues that consumers didn't even know they had. Empathizing with consumer issues opens the doors to understanding the human need you are designing. In this stage, you must put yourself in someone else's shoes to truly understand the issue. This stage is your opportunity to unlock new ideas. 2. Define This is where you synthesize your findings. In this stage, you need to combine all your observations and begin brainstorming innovative solutions. Ask yourself, what are the insights? What consumer barriers exist? What are the themes rising to the surface? Think outside the box; think about the cultural influences and lifestyle realities. Again, write down your problem with a human-centric frame of mind. 3. Ideate Now is the time for you to write down ideas. Think big, crazy, creative, and innovative. Use your imagination and give yourself the freedom to do the impossible. Before getting too excited and getting your designers, you must go through the messy and impatient process of developing the best idea out there. I like to start with sticky notes and visualize my ideas. After all, your brain can only handle so much. In her book, Powered by Design, Renee Stevens describes the root reasons for ideation: "Often, an idea will come from an interesting juxtaposition, an unusual pairing, or by placing one element in the context of another. It has less to do with creativity and is more about being open to trying different ways to answer the question: Why?" - Renee Stevens 4. Prototype Your idea is not perfect yet. This is the stage where you bring your vision to life (inexpensively), experiment with your concept, and build a real representation of it. Prototyping allows you to discover what parts of your ideas work and what don't. Remember, keep your observations, research, and ideas in mind. Use them to truly understand the issue at hand and put your idea to the test. Ask yourself: are there any barriers or flaws in this idea? 5. Test Congratulations, you've completed the prototype, and you think you know what works. But now is the time for the actual test. The final stage is where you collect consumer feedback; accurate, genuine, and valid opinions of your idea. During the testing phase, you must hold all other stages dearly to your mind. Ask yourself: did I meet my consumers' needs? Does it answer how they feel? How does it solve their problems? Design Thinking is an Instinctive Process Let's talk reality; this is your first prototype, so you need to accept the critique and restart at the first phase: empathize again. It may seem like an intimidating process, but the result is a success. Remember that your primary goal is to deeply understand your consumers' needs. So, go back and recreate until you've achieved your goal. Author's Note: This is not a sponsored post. I am expressing my opinions and sharing knowledgable information.

  • How AR Reshaped Advertising: Top Four Examples

    Let's disturb your virtual space. That's the definition of augmented reality. The world is changing in many ways. Augmented Reality, or AR, is reshaping the entire world. You might think that AR rose in the late 2000s. But, kid you not, AR was actually introduced 50 years ago. Ivan Sutherland created the first augmented reality system with a stereo see-through head-mounted display (HMD). The HMD was set up to be connected to a head tracker displaying simple graphics. So, what does AR look like now? Who is using it, and why? Photo by Mike Baumeister 1. Amazon Sumerian We all want to apply the latest technology to our businesses. Amazon Sumerian lets you create browser-based AR applications (easily!) Amazon Sumerian offers tools to run VR, AR, and 3D apps quickly (without specialized programming expertise) on a wide range of platforms. It’s now open to all developers. 2. Facebook's AR Studio Spark AR lets you create and share AR experiences using Facebook apps and devices. Netflix used Spark AR for the brand’s first comic book series, FIFA (for 2018 World Cup features), and Nike (which used AR to sell out its stock of the Kyrie 4 ). In 2017, Facebook AR Studio offered its service to everyone. 3. Snapchat Snapchat has created the next generation of spectacles. "The first pair of glasses that bring augmented reality to life, redefining how we interact with and overlay computing on the world." Unfortunately, these spectacles are not for sale. They are for creators who want to push the limits of immersive AR experiences. More than 250 million creators are using Snap's AR. So go ahead, become a creator! 4. Apple At this point, Apple's mixed reality (AR and VR) together is just a rumor. But, Jeff Pu, Haitong Intl Tech Research Analyst, has announced that Apple's AR glasses will be announced in 2024. Details on this mysterious headset are still unknown, but sources say that it will heavily depend on the iPhone 5. ARCore and Google ARCore integrates environmental understanding, light estimation, and motion tracking to combine virtual content with real-life. It permits developers to create infinite AR experiences on any platform through Google’s software development kits. How did AR Reshape the Advertising Industry? Here are four of my favorite examples: 1. Absolut Truths Absolut Truths is an interactive campaign created by Absolut Vodka. Absolut Truths come in the form of small cut-out paper cards wrapped around the top of the bottle. Users can download an app through the app store, scanning each card using a unique QR code. Each card conveys an outline of a vodka bottle or a cocktail setup. After scanning, Absolut Truths messages pop up on a user’s device screen in the form of augmented reality. 2. Pepsi's Grand Visual Pepsi’s Grand Visual aimed to create an interactive digital billboard campaign to share Pepsi’s message of “Live For Now.” The brand used AR to transform a bus shelter display into a window that augmented unusual scenarios as if they were real. People saw a giant laser-shooting robot, a fiery asteroid, and a manhole with tentacles emerging. 3. Sunshine Aquarium Penguins The Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo, Japan, has taken location directions to a new level. Research revealed that consumers have trouble finding the Sunshine Aquarium using Google Maps, which has led to a drop in attendance. The brand used augmented reality by creating an app to help visitors locate the aquarium by providing clear directions. The twist: the brand used penguins to lead you to the facility. Sunshine Aquarium reported a 152 percent increase in facility traffic. 4. Hyundai's Accent Sedan Hyundai took AR to another level. To promote its new Accent Sedan, the brand chose to create a building-sized 3D projection on the side of a building. If this isn’t enough to impress you. “They suspended an actual car on the face of the building, and had a driver walking down the wall to drive it.” What's next? We might think that our imaginations are limited by the current-available technology. But, in my opinion, the sky isn't even the limit. Many companies are offering their AR services for the world to use. These four ads should have inspired you to create! You can also read my latest project on AR and get some inspiration. So, go, and make some magic! Author's Note: This is not a sponsored post. I am expressing my opinions and sharing knowledgable information. #AR #AugmentedReality #Advertising

  • REmemory: Ogilvy PR Does It Again

    Remember that time Oglivy PR found a connection between fashion and dementia? This is what I like to call #BorderlessCreativity. Photo by PRWeek In the 2022 PRWeek Awards Asia, Ogilvy PR won the Grand Prix as Campaign of the Year for the fourth time in a row. The Campaign: REmemory The agency found that the youth in Taiwan lack paramount awareness of dementia, so Ogilvy wanted to create a conversation with the targeted audience. “A viral phenomenon that recently took place in Taiwan where a third-generation owner of a dry cleaner mixed and matched clothes left behind in his shop, creating fashionable retro outfits for his grandparents” - Surekha Ragavan The Point: Forgotten Clothes The owner recreated the forgotten clothes left at his shop. This campaign’s success includes three significant takeaways: 1. “Forgetting” things is not a bad thing (Look at what the dry cleaner did!) 2. “Forgetting” has been conceptualized with creativity: “age and disease are no barriers….” 3. Retro fashion is back. The Execution: Fashion and Dementia The execution: the brand created an online store featuring the “forgotten clothes.” Each sale has been packaged into a branded box with a unique story of someone with dementia. The delivered package also included access to education about the disease to make it easier for the youth. #BorderlessCreativity #PRWeek #PRWeekAsia #PRAwardsAsia #PRAwardsAsia2022 #GrandPrix

  • You're Not Welcome Here.

    Unless you run the world #LikeABoss First, this is a rewrite of one of my previous posts. I'd like to take you back to some inspiring words that keep you at the top. Second, thank you to Eboni Britt, Dara Royer, Annelise Cassalia, and Master Sgt. Angel Ford for providing motivational and inspirited perspectives at the #PRogressSU panel back in 2018. On Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, at 7 p.m., a panel of experienced local women talked about diversity and inclusion in the field of public relations. These four women do not only work in the field; they lead the field. The panelists were Eboni Britt, marketing manager at Kodak; Dara Royer, Senior Vice president and Chief Communications Officer at Syracuse University; Annelise Cassalia, public relations coordinator of Eric Mower and Associates; and Master Sgt. Angel Ford, the communications officer of the Air National Guard. Each of these women comes from different sectors of the field, providing broad perspectives on how to PR #LikeABoss. The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications tweeted on @NewhousePR, "THANK YOU to our four amazing panelists and everyone who attended our diversity and inclusion panel tonight! It was a packed house with standing room only and over 70 live streams. We hope you left feeling INSPIRED! #PRogressSU#LikeABoss." I'd like to remind you of the major takeaways that apply stronger post-pandemic: "Own you. Own your brand," — Dara Royer It's time to own it. PR professionals and practitioners must identify their personal brand and then believe in it. This does not only apply to women in the field. Recognizing and owning your brand is the basis of real success; it applies to everyone (unless you don't want to be successful). How do you identify your own brand? First, think of three words that describe yourself, then wrap your head around them (and by head, I mean content). I usually take my criticisms seriously; it only helps me get better, right? No, not always. According to Royer, owning your brand enables you to understand what criticisms matter and what don't. But first, you must figure out who you are and what your brand is. Eventually, you'll learn how to pick out the negative and unnecessary feedback. Stay true to your brand and #ownit. "It's not what you say, it's what you do ... Don't just talk the talk, you have to walk it too," — Dara Royer. If you didn't already know, actions speak louder than words, but this is another way of saying it: whatever you need to do to break ground, do it even if it means "going above and beyond," just keep it legal. This, in turn, will keep you respected in the industry. A standard issue all panelists focused on is the idea that women tend to count themselves out or take the easy way out. According to a study cited by Royer, although women dominate the public relations industry, the field's C-suite is still dominated by men. Does this sound logical to you? Probably not. I see this threat as an opportunity; it's time you put yourself out there and do whatever it takes to earn your desired position. Don't just talk about it; walk it too, because that is the only way to prove yourself. Do not set yourself very high standards when doing a job search. You're much stronger and more confident. Speak up and be the best version of yourself. "When I'm negotiating a job, I negotiate like a white man," — Eboni Britt. Yes, it is 2022, and we still have to #negotiate to get what we want. How can you use that to your advantage? Do it like a white man, precisely as Britt said it. Never settle for less than what you deserve. Seize whatever you want, and seize it with strength and confidence. Yes, it may be uncomfortable, but that's the whole point. #Getoutofyourcomfortzone because that's where the magic happens. You probably don't want to discuss it with your boss but negotiate your salary too. Did you know that women still earn 83 cents for every dollar men make? Well, Britt said to "Leave nothing on the table. Go in high because you are not going to get where you want if you don't start higher." "They told me not to wear heels. And you know what I did? I went and found my tallest pair. I don't look like you, and I'm not trying to ... I am not here to fit in, I am here to make changes." — Dara Royer. This quote by Royer is my favorite because it summarizes everything discussed in this blog post. At the end of the day, this is how you own your brand, how you walk the walk, how you negotiate, and how you do it. Enough said. #PRogressSU#Diversityandinclusion#diversitymatters#publicrelations#LikeABoss#negotiate#ownit#inspiration#motivation

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