When you're struggling with a creative problem, flip the thing on it's head. Even if you've done it the other way for years.
What if the white swan were black? What if forward were back? What if up were down?
That's how new concepts are born, new products are invented, and the toughest problems get solved.
The upside down ketchup bottle. Roller coasters with wheels up above.
Upside down may actually be the bright side up.
The proof, is in the banana....
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
United Breaks Guitars, but Fixes Public Relations
Many of you may have heard this story, and over 500,000 have seen the video: a musician flew United, had his guitar wrecked in transit, and when he appealed for recompense, he got none.
So he wrote a song. And now is getting more than just an apology from United.
He's getting his 15 minutes of fame. Talk about turning lemons into vodka with lemonade.
And United, a dear old client of ours, is seemingly trying to do the same.
United's spokesperson is quoted on Chicagotribune.com as saying the video complaint 'struck a chord...', pun intended to be sure. They are promising to 'make things right' at long last.
And now customer relations is quoted as asking for the video to help improve customer service.
Empathy. And apology.
Sad that in this day and age it comes AFTER the negative publicity and not as a core value, but there seem to be many reasons why customer experience comes last in a popular drive to deliver such inexpensive product (think about it -- sometimes your cab fare to the airport is half the cost of your airline ticket.)
Anyway, a positive, creative solution to a problem. And kudos to United to not fighting it, but riding it.
So he wrote a song. And now is getting more than just an apology from United.
He's getting his 15 minutes of fame. Talk about turning lemons into vodka with lemonade.
And United, a dear old client of ours, is seemingly trying to do the same.
United's spokesperson is quoted on Chicagotribune.com as saying the video complaint 'struck a chord...', pun intended to be sure. They are promising to 'make things right' at long last.
And now customer relations is quoted as asking for the video to help improve customer service.
Empathy. And apology.
Sad that in this day and age it comes AFTER the negative publicity and not as a core value, but there seem to be many reasons why customer experience comes last in a popular drive to deliver such inexpensive product (think about it -- sometimes your cab fare to the airport is half the cost of your airline ticket.)
Anyway, a positive, creative solution to a problem. And kudos to United to not fighting it, but riding it.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A Simple Web Banner Can Go a Long Long Long Way
Take a look at the amusing web banner from Pringles that we've attached below (the webpage itself is irrelevant -- the ad is the feature, kind of like a bad SuperBowl match up.)
As you'll see, each click of the banner image produces another amusing line. It's dead simple. It takes as much time as you want (and it DOES go on and on.) And it leverages the medium well.
Sell more chips? Not necessarily. But it does create a memorable, positive brand experience better than an image-driven TV campaign. And the moustachioed icon wise-acre and the product, er, placement (you'll see what we mean) help actually drive home Pringles. Plus you're engaged by clicking to get more out of the ad.
Just goes to show you how far a simple, clever idea and a low-tech solution (by today's web standards) can beat out all the pyro-techspecs.
Nice work, Cincinnati.
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