Filed under: Blogging, Branding, Business, Customers, Technology, Trends | Tags: Add new tag
For me, Social Media has a rebellious freedom that I find really attractive. Being part of the blogging world has given me an insight that has been pretty eye opening. Personal blogging aside [alot of ego involved there it seems] the more ‘technical’ big companies become [entering the blogosphere through smaller social media companies] the more I think the original rebellious freedom part dissipates….
It may be that as a consumer I am skeptical that this is another platform to gain access to my thoughts and manipulate their PR using a customer base. Lets be real here, the broader corporate market cannot even use the basic media tools very well [there will always be work for smaller companies like us] so how the hell will they effectively use a blog? Raw, direct communication [would you trust that? Comments can be removed etc...mmmm..not sure I do]
Sure I probably sound cynical, and I am sure that there are the odd few that have a good customer connection strategy that will make it work BUT is that really something that the majority are thinking or can do? I just don’t want to see a flood of crap from big corporates entering the blogosphere as consumers. Lets try keep blogging real!
Posted by: Candice
Filed under: Branding, Business, Customers, Design | Tags: Funk that, Funkthat, web, Website
The Funk that! website is now up. We are proud of it, but realise we still need to get a few glitches ironed out..this is a work in progress..! Go check it out and give us your opinion… www.funkthat.net
Posted by: Candice
Filed under: Blogging, Branding, Business, Design, Technology | Tags: Funkthat, web, Website
WOW! We have been busy! Great for our small business but sad when we neglect our company blog! I have been blogging haphazardly on my personal blog about politics [so much 2 say there!].
We have been working [and reworking] our company website for way 2 long now! Just never seems right! SO we have finally decided to upload what we have, it will be complete in as much as your comments will be needed to almost finalise it! The reality it though, it will NEVER be complete.
So later this week we will take the plunge and push upload! Watch this space….Phase 2 will see a migration from this blog to our own….
I am an Apple fan 100%, so this Ad caught me by surprise….interesting that this problem even exists and is bad enough to spend money on!!!
This is a campaign run in Australia aimed at creating awareness of the number of teenagers dying as a result of listening to iPods whilst crossing the road…can you believe that one!
Story originally see on Coolhunter.
Posted by: Candice
Filed under: Branding, Business, Customers, Design, Technology, Trends | Tags: Business, Funk that, New Year, SMME
The Funk that! team is look forward to a busy 2008….The start of the year sees a new ‘funkster’ joining our team.
Welcome to Suerel who joined our web team this week [we can finally get someone concentrating on our website!]. We are looking forward to your creative input and comments on this blog!
One of our core business goals is to make a real positive difference in any project/business we touch. This year in addition to our existing business, we will focusing on offering more creative support to small/medium businesses. Its going to be a gr8, exciting year!
Here’s wishing everyone a great start to the New Year. May 2008 be a cracker!
Posted by: Candice
Filed under: Blogging, Branding, Business, Customers, Technology, Trends | Tags: Brand Terrorists, Branding, freedom, web, Web 2.0
Sadly, a company I know recently experienced a small taste of negative Citizen journalism in the Web 2.0 world. I have always been pretty outspoken about being a Consumer Activist, but I think there is a big difference between activism [for a positive outcome] and Brand terrorism.
The definition of a terrorist is widely documented in our time. Brand terrorists are people that will go as far as stretching the truth [they often have hidden intentions] and want to hurt…. its more like sabotage. In the case of this company, blatantly untruthful inclusions were made in this terrorists ‘case’ to his minions. This is unlawful BUT fear drives company responses in cases like this, as anything you say could be taken entirely out of context and make the brand appear as if they are guilty, not to mention how many more potential terrorists could then mushroom up that would spiral more out of control. Most companies are unfortunately still not seeing how dangerous these people can be. They spend their time building a portfolio of negativity for your brand with the intention of ensuring they plant the correct seeds in the minds of their followers. Its about taking the corporates down…its about winning and its cheap to do. The only tools these people need are: a large network, a computer, a sharp tongue and a gripe.
So this begs the question is this right? I am ALL FOR freedom of speech, but this is a form of online ‘gossip’ based in most cases on shallow facts. Even if there is an element of truth to some of it, lying is something I cannot stand. Recounting your own personal experience is one thing, adding all the extra colourful ‘add-ons’ to keep your audience at any cost is quite another. Advertising on a site also does not help the situation, I believe some people use ‘gossip’ stories to make their site sticky and increase traffic, so this kind of thing can pay….
In the end these terrorists are bullies that end up ruining things for those using the web platform/tools and are legitimately communicating to people/customers and clients. You can unfortunately not discount them and they are dangerous but we need once again to find the balance. This behaviour chips away at the web’s credibility…..eish it always takes just one…
Posted by: Candice
Filed under: Branding, Design, Trends | Tags: Advertising, Graffiti, Street Culture
Graffiti is often seen as a mark of individualism, aesthetic and rebellion, but what happens when the corporate tries to take a piece of this spraycan pie?
Many artist still argue the fact that the corporate world has no connection into the world of graffiti .Why is it that many brand campaigns are all of a sudden taking to the deep end of this medium ? Street culture has become a solid core/part of the youth and brands are trying to capitalize on this (visually) to be the brand of the moment or the “it” brand. Agencies also view Guerrilla Advertising as being popular because they claim it opens more OPTIONS for the agency creatives to connect with and engage the consumers.
The fact of the matter is most of these brands (including some of the agencies) lack the true objective, understanding, vision and the essence of what this medium is all about, the medium they are trying to piggy back on. Firstly there is no logical connection. Basically in most cases it’s not really about the execution of the concept, but the lack of original thinking. What some of these brands don’t realize is the fact that there are vast possibilities of using this medium and if a brand decides to pick up a stencil, cause it’s the cool thing at that particular moment, they will just be cheapening the artist that has spent time, effort, risk and energy just to be seen as the cool brand of the moment. Using Graffiti/Street culture to sell a product is much trickier and harder than it seems to appear.
I personally feel that a good Campaign when it comes to using Graffiti has to be subtle, but not to subtle to the point of making the product unrecognizable. It also has to appeal to other creatives (graffiti artist) and not become an annoyance to the general public; it is occupying public space after all. All in all it has to be created by a genuine artist who isn’t “pressed down” by the corporate view/vision (if there is one).
In closing Brands will have to formulate a genuine understanding of their audience and the medium itself, in order to achieve an all effective and successful Campain.Also as the understanding of this culture grows and true objectives/visions grow, expect to see more vandalism….oops I mean fantastic designs popping up in walls near you.
Mpumelelo a.k.a the Infamous Anonymous Muntu / IAM
Filed under: Branding, Business, Customers, Funny | Tags: Cars, female purchasing power, Funny, SA
or NOT!!
This post was irresistible and a perfect example of how brands are still not taking the female purchasing ‘vote’ seriously enough [over 70% of purchasing decisions are now made by the female in the house]. It seems that everyone is not on the same page…this lot were reading a different book altogether!
Donna may of had good service when she brought her car BUT this is a pic of her new car keyring….
It really ’speaks’ to the audience… NOT. Total waste of money, it was removed instantly….
