After Reading This, You Will Never Speak Industry Jargon Again

jump_on_my_extension.jpg

The folks over at Space150 have created yet another slaying of industry jargon, business buzzwords and all those other idiotically insipid things we all say to each other as we go through our work day.

But with Industry Terms of Endearment, out just in time for Valentine's Day, Space 150 has taken seemingly innocuous business blather and coupled it with imagery. The results may shock you into never speaking like this again. Or at least, give you a giggle when you do.

more »

by Steve Hall    Feb-14-14    
Topic: Trends and Culture



25 Design Trends for 2014 [Infographic]

shutterstock_design_trends_2014.jpg

Shutterstock, just like iStock did in December, is out with its collection of design trends for 20014. In a data-packed infographic, Shutter stock shares what's to come in the area of design universally, locally, what design elements people are searching for, what's trending in video and typography and what's being shared socially.

Here are the highlights:

more »

by Steve Hall    Feb-12-14    
Topic: Trends and Culture



All Nippon Airways 'Big Nose' Ad Called Racist

ana_big_nose.jpg

Well this ad has certainly stirred up a shit storm. Japan's All Nippon Airways ran an ad that shows two Japanese gentleman in ANA pilots uniforms talking to each other at the airport. They mention that the airline now flies to Hanoi and Vancouver and comment on how this change relates to the perception of Japanese people.

more »

by Steve Hall    Jan-23-14    
Topic: Trends and Culture



12 Marketing Experts Share Their Social Media Secrets

Smart marketers know that the secret to creating lasting customer relationships with social media is to create great experiences. From rewarding fan loyalty, to providing excellent social care, to starting the right conversations with the right audiences, today's top brands are delivering meaningful social experiences -- and realizing major business results.

The Social Experience, a 28-page eBook, features insights and approaches to creating great social experiences from 12 leading social brand strategists and visionaries. Hear directly from the people behind social at brands like Whole Foods, Caterpillar, and RadioShack. Experts like Ann Handley, Sam Decker, Jay Baer, Jackie Juba and others.

Get your copy of The Social Experience now for an inside look at today's top social programs.

by Steve Hall    Jan-21-14    
Topic: Research, Trends and Culture



Aerie Aims to Boost Girls' Self-Esteem by Retiring Photoshop

aerie_pink_butt.jpg

For it's Spring 2014 ad campaign, American Eagle sister store for lingerie, Aerie, has decided to go au natural. No, the models will not be in their birthday suits but they won't be retouched. At least that's what the new campaign is promising.

A new campaign which promises, "No more retouching our girls and no more supermodels," features "regular" girls because "the real you is sexy." As well, the campaign is, "challenging supermodel standards by featuring unretouched models in their latest collection of bras, undies and apparel."

more »

by Steve Hall    Jan-20-14    
Topic: Trends and Culture



Top Social Marketing Trends to Watch in 2014

Social-Media-Trends-2014.jpg

If the Internet revolutionized the notion of commerce in America, then it was the rise of social media that revolutionized how goods and services are marketed. Yes, not so long ago social media was the next great frontier in marketing. Today, that frontier is all around us.

This notion is hardly lost on modern marketers. However, what is of paramount importance is navigating the ever-shifting landscape of social media to ensure the widest exposure possible. After all, it is only through innovation and staying ahead of the curve that marketers will reach their target demographic across a wide variety of platforms.

And it is indeed a "wide variety." So with that in mind, here are some current trends that look at all areas of social in order to help marketers craft winning strategies.

more »

by Steve Hall    Jan-17-14    
Topic: Social, Trends and Culture



Top 10 Most-Read Adrants Stories of 2013

pro_infirmas.jpg

As we look back on 2013 to see what popped here on Adrants, we see that interests ranged from the serious (a campaign which used disabled models to ponder the notion of perfection) to the silly (semi-naked teens promote a magazine with hand bras) to the stupid (yet another social media screw up) . But most interestingly, it was our Facebook screed, This is How Facebook is Going to Die, that took top honors, by far. Without further ado, here's what you loved most on Adrants in 2013.

1. This is How Facebook is Going to Die
2. Kaley Cuoco Makes Super Bowl Debut in Toyota Ad
3. 'Disabled' Mannequins Ponder the Notion of Perfection
4. Semi-Naked Teens With Hand-Bras Promote Swiss Magazine
5. Bookstore Chain Helps You Sleep With Your Favorite Book Characters

more »

by Steve Hall    Dec-27-13    
Topic: Trends and Culture



How to Avoid Copycatting Dead Ad Trends

Blog_dated-ad-trends.jpg

If you hadn't noticed, in the world of advertising, things come and things go. What's cool today is passé the next. It's a fickle business with an inherent lemming-like underpinning that almost requires brands to quickly jump on the latest trend lest they be viewed as stodgy and out of touch.

But the problem with this approach to things is twofold. Much like the movie business, in which most sequels never live up to the original, rarely do "advertising sequels" live up to the original and rarely does the much pontificated "next big thing" ever truly come to pass.

In celebration of this hard to shake advertising trait, we're going to take a look at some of advertising's trends that wish they could have become more than trends - and how a little collaborative foresight could have avoided both the time wasted willing these trends that never were into fruition and the embarrassment that resulted from choosing to be a copycat.

More...

by Steve Hall    Dec-17-13    
Topic: Trends and Culture



Top 13 Visual Design Trends For 2014 [Infographic]

visual_design_trends_2014.jpg

Last week, we took a look at what's hot and what's not in terms of design trends for 2014. Today, we're going to take a look at the top visual design trends for 2014. Just like last week's Hot or Not Design Trends piece, iStock queried creatives from around the world so see where design is headed for 2014.

There are 13 visual design trends to look for next year. They have been compiled on an interactive infographic here and we've also listed them below:

more »

by Steve Hall    Dec- 9-13    
Topic: Research, Trends and Culture



Top 10 Design Trends For 2014 [Infographic]

2014_design_trends_infographic.jpg

iStock has queried creatives from around the world to determine what to look for in 2014 design trends. Entitled Hot or Not (oh how we miss the original Am I Hot or Not), the infographic gives a thumbs up/thumbs down look at flat design and skeumorphic design; short form storytelling versus long form; real models versus retouched; 3D and offset printing; and more. Give it a look.

more »

by Steve Hall    Dec- 3-13    
Topic: Trends and Culture