MINI Clubman

MINI's teaser site, counting down to the launch of buzz-building 15-second film clips promoting the Clubman. See Contagious post or MINI's The Other View clock.

Also running is their The Other Lunch campaign. Choose from a variety of events (FREE LUNCH included) where you can bone up on some valuable life skills. Why don't I live in London? Actually, I'm really curious to know how MINI will integrate their brand story directly into the events. Or, will there be no mention of MINI or the Clubman?

I like the quirk factor in the various events (how to get back in a will, how to pass a lie detector test). And I like that you get free food. Aside from this, the campaign is interesting in that it combines fun learning with community interaction. It's really working to bring like-minded people (MINI fans, potential fans) together, get them to interact, and ultimately bond within the group and to the brand.

If anyone signs up to one of these lunches, post your comments on the experience here.

Golden Jigsaw, Interactive Puzzle

Here's yet another fascinating example of interactive marketing that has the power to draw people in so they actually experience something, rather than just observe a brand's online presence (i.e. visiting a site, playing a game, or signing up for updates).

Actually, it's a "first" according to PRBuzz.com.

Check out the Golden Jigsaw. It's an interactive game where players put together a puzzle by solving clues and finding pieces on various websites. The 1st person to put it together wins $1 mil. Strategic idea to get traffic from users advertisers wouldn't normally see.

AP, CP, IS: The Strategic Triumvirate

Adam Crowe over at Imagination gives us another link related to connection planning, in addition to account planning and interactive strategy. Thanks, Adam!

Camp Okutta, a Child's Dream Camp?

I saw this on Faris Yakob's Talent Imitates, Genius Steals and was compelled to post.

Camp Okutta sounds like the ideal summer experience - kids can familiarize themselves with AK-47s, drugs, and more fun.

During the first few minutes of checking out the site, I found myself chuckling...but wasn't sure why...obviously I was confused. Curiosity led me to see where I could find this camp. The next few minutes browsing the linked site brought up...a sick feeling.

The very real horror of child warfare is made clear in a creative and compelling way.

Plannersphere on Ning

We all know about MySpace by now. (If you find yourself in the minority, well, you are an insect living under a very large and heavy rock.)

Recently, I came across yet another social networking site called Ning. I've only just joined, but what seems to set Ning apart from MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, Hi5, etc. is that the focus is on social networks as a specific (online) entity. MySpace and the like are in general, social networks, but how well do they unite people on specific platforms?

MySpace and Facebook are individual-specific. MySpace encourages users to personalize their pages, which is probably one reason (among others) teens are addicted to it. Now Facebook is in the personalization game, offering various applications for users to add (i.e. Moods, which allows users to display their current mood).

Of-course, creating or joining groups on both of these sites is possible. However, it can become an inconvenience when you belong to several groups and are finding it difficult to keep up with each group's comments, discussions, etc.

Ning makes it simple. In a clear, navigable design, you can easily view the main page, your profile, members, discussion forum, photos, and more. The focus is not on you, the individual, but the shared interest/idea behind the group. True discussion -- interaction and communication is the emphasis here.

The group I just joined is on, what else? Planning. See Plannersphere.

By the way, Faris Yakob, strategist and "digital ninja" at Naked Communications, created this social network.