Fans Invited to Style Elle Photo Shoot

For most of us the fashion world can feel so exclusive and an elite league of its own that it is almost impossible to imagine being a part of it. However, social media appears to be changing that - helping  bring us into this world as we start to see elusive luxury brands taking us behind the scenes, offering exclusive looks at the seasons hottest trends before they hit the runway and engaging our thoughts on it all. 

Fashion magazine Elle is taking its Facebook fans a step further into their world, by inviting them to help style a photo shoot for their December issue. The Facebook app created by Elle and Milyoni features videos of Joe Zee, the magazine's creative director discussing elements of the fashion shoot, including theme, model, clothing and accessories. Fans can then select their preferred options and the one receiving the most votes will be featured in the photo shoot. Before the shoot wraps, fans will be encouraged to create their own Pinterest boards inspired by the shoot or stage their own photo shoots and post them to Instagram. 

By synthesizing their fans feedback online and incorporating it into a major offline showcase, Elle has just become one of my favourite fashion sources on the social media scene. Who are your favourites? Source: AllFacebook

Volkswagen Street Quest: Pin it to Win it

When you were a kid did you ever play that game where whoever saw a Volkswagen Beetle first got to suprise their driving companion with a punch in the arm, shouting "Punch buggy"? It appears that the guys at Ogilvy Cape Town might have taken some inspiration from this never tiring game with their Volkswagen 'Street Quest' advergame - a Facebook challenge to find and PIN as many Volkswagens as possible on South African roads using a customised Google Street View interface.

The game ran over 4 weeks with each week producing a winner for the most pins. Winners are then set to meet for a real-life Pin-Off at the Grand Final in Cape Town next week. Source: DigitalBuzzBlog

Mandela's Story As Told Through Social Media

What would it have looked like if social media existed during the times of Mandela's fight for freedom in South Africa? As tribute to the inspirational leader on his 94th birthday today Prenzence Digital have put together a well-executed, creative piece of work with this video on Mandela's story as told by social media - "a language we all understand today".

Which asks the question: how could the power of this medium's reach and connectivity have changed the course of South Africa's story? 

Inspired? Leave your mark on Nelson Mandela Day here #MandelaStory

Mac Users Landing Pricier Options Online?

Whipping out your Mac at a coffee shop stirs up a whole round of snap judgement in the room - you're either a creative or tech-savvy entrepreneur; your house is one slick pad, connected by Apple devices; iPhone? obviously. Overall you must be doing pretty well for yourself if you were willing to pay more for a Mac than a cheaper Windows option, right? These branded perceptions of a Mac user may be subjective, but research conducted by Orbitz, has found that Mac users are, in fact, more likely to pay 30 percent more on a hotel room than Windows users. Therefore, in an effort to provide them with better targeted results, Orbitz website is directing Mac users to the more expensive hotel room options. Note: its not showing the same room at different prices, just landing them on the higher quality, higher priced options. 

That's the story with Orbitz, but how many other websites have been using this data to narrow higher-end search results for Mac users? And if you have invested more into you laptop, does that really mean you are willing to invest more into other products and services?  Source: DigitalTrends

Brilliant Example of Linking Social Media with the Real World: Nokia Gift Machine

For a mobile phone giant who has been falling out of touch with its consumers, and more accurately with its brand purpose, "Connecting People"; this is one step in the right direction to re-connect. The Nokia Gift Machine recently opened in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates and resembles a vending machine, except instead of money, users need to check-in on Foursquare to receive instant prizes, from movie tickets, chocolates and accessories to Nokia handsets. The gifts are also providing interesting marketing opportunities for their trade partners. And knowing Dubai I'm sure we can expect some luxury items to start rolling out. The Nokia Gift Machine was created by social agency 1000heads. " Nokia came to us with a specific challenge - to inspire people with a new and innovative way to blend social media and the real world" said Mike Rowe, CEO of 1000heads. Nicely played Nokia, nicely played. Source: brandchannel

That Design Student Now Has the Attention of the Creative World

From grabbing the attention of Coke to the world, that young designer who we spoke about here before, has helped Ogilvy Shanghai nab the Grand Prix award for Outdoor at the Cannes Lions festival. Proving that in a category featuring break-through technology ideas - a simple graphic can still hold its own. " The ["Coke Hands"] billboard is a lovely expression of the brand's philosophy; it's so simple, but embodies a deep meaning," said jury president Lo Sheung Yan. 

Mercedes-Benz "The Invisible Drive" also won a Grand Prix for outdoor; it has used technology purposefully to communicate a clear message: the car leaves no trace. If you haven't seen it yet, you need to watch this. Source: AdAge

Carling Black Label's Mobile Campaign is Ground-Breaking

As a South African let me just say that there are few times when you are, ever, going to see South African men get as excited as when they are watching their favourite game. From wild hand gestures directed at the television to swearing at coaches from the stands; men are desperate to have their frustrations heard. It was insights such as this that led Carling Black Label, a beer from SAB, Brandtone and Ogilvy South Africa to the trailblazing 'Be the Coach' campaign. 

Aimed at ardent soccer fans on the platform they most cherish - their mobile - the campaign centered on the most emotionally-invested game of the season Orlando Pirates vs. Kaizer Cheifs. 'Be the Coach' finally gave supporters a voice and empowered them to select the team and make live substitutions through a mobile voting platform. To enter supporters needed to buy a Black Label and SMS the unique number on their bottle cap to a mobile platform using USSD. The USSD system helped with the mass appeal of the campaign as it wasn't limited to smartphones. Supporters could then keep track of their teams through a user-friendly mobile site and keep in touch with information from the Facebook tab and microsite. The results? Watch this video. Incredible. Source: mobiThinking