Google x Dr Seuss

Just a wonderful piece of typography from Google to celebrate Dr Seuss's birthday.

The secret to happiness is ... low expectations

The Paradox of Choice was one of the greatest books I've read in the last few years. Barry Schwartz summerises his central premise in this video.

Malcolm Gladwell on spaghetti sauce

Since both Directros of The Whisper Shop are of Italian descent, we thought this was a very appropriate way to belatedly start the new year.

RVCA x National Drawing Awards

Last week saw the opening of the National drawing Awards presented by our clients RVCA. RVCA are a clothing brand that has a heritage of supporting artists globally via their Artist Network Programme. The Whisper Shop developed the partnership between RVCA and Artspace (the hosting gallery) to develop awareness and credibility of the brand in the art community of New Zealand.

Some images from the event:

We got "Whitelisted" for Google Friend Connect

If you look in the landhand bar of this site and scroll on down you will see a new addition, a couple of windows from the new social networking tool Google Friend Connect. Many months ago we applied to be part of their trial, and the other day we got a little email saying we've been "Whitelisted" to use the product. Over the coming weeks we're going to explore ways in which we can use Friend Connect to benefit our business.

What's buzzing right now?

I urge you to check out Twitscoop a site that tracks what is buzzing on Twitter right now. If you want to understand what the most intriguing topics around the world are right now this site will tell you.

Vote for Change

This is a great example of a campaign that utilises the power of the web. The Vote for Change website utilises a number of online word of mouth tools to promote the Obama / Biden Presidential ticket. The site features videos of celebrities endorsing Obama and makes the files available in almost any format and availble to be syndicated to a multitude of social networking tools. Via the site, advocates can distribute and share the videos via iphone, ipod, facebook, myspace, PSP, Google or their very own sites. The creators of this campaign understand that the internet is most powerfully utilised when you create content that can be shared across the platforms that integrate into consumers lives, rather than the antiquated idea of asking their audience to come to them.


Click here for more videos from Vote For Change

Marketing in a recession

OK, so we've all been told the end is nigh, the sky is falling and we're heading for recession for the foreseeable future. We also know the old adage that the most successful businesses continue to advertise through the tough times. When the raw reality hits of decreasing confidence, needing to pay the bills and your staff, this is easier said than done.

We believe that they key is to advertise smarter, rather than less.

• Have a strategy for your brand and communications. Ad hoc marketing decisions end up in wastage and substantial cost increases over time
  
• Reconsider your media mix
• Explore online social networking and targeted advertising strategies
• Try something new. As Einstein put it, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
• Utilise a cost effective communications agency with a coherent and strategic approach to spending your cash
• Remember that generating word of mouth is the most effective form of communication
  

Crackerjacks in the New Zealand Herald

A great article in the New Zealand Herald today on our client Crackerjacks and their Managing Director, Tony Wai talking about how their online contracting recruitment site is going to help business save money and time when hiring contractors. The story contributed to a record day (and weekend) for signups on the site.

Sovereign "Leaders in Life" wins Advertising Effectiveness Award

Sovereign's "Leaders in Life" campaign, developed by TBWA/Tequila has won a Bronze Effie at the 2008 Advertising Effectiveness Awards - the only awards that truly matter.

Piero Liguori of The Whisper Shop was involved in much of the early qualitative research and strategic planning of the campaign, we're hoping he got a credit on the award. Congratulations to all involved!