MICROSOFT UNVEILS FIRST EVER MULTI-PRODUCT CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN
18 October 2011: Last night Microsoft launched its first ever global, multi-product advertising campaign designed to showcase the unique everyday experiences that can be realised through its latest products and services. With an investment of over £5.5 million, it encompasses Windows, Windows Phone, Xbox for Kinect and Office to demonstrate an interconnected family scenario. The first in a series of 30-second TV ads aired at 20:15 during The Gadget Show on Channel Five and will run until the end of January.

The campaign, led by US ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky, includes activity across TV, digital and search and will roll out globally across 35 countries including UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Over the last year Microsoft has launched some of the industry’s most innovative and compelling products, such as Windows Phone and Kinect. These, combined with Windows and Office, provide a unique experience for the consumer. The campaign showcases the interconnected story through visual and relatable moments in everyday life for families around the world. It will provide a deeper understanding of how the products work together and inspire audiences to stay connected this Christmas.

The inaugural advert shows a family witnessing some embarrassing ‘dad dancing’ to Dance Central 2 on Xbox 360 Kinect which is unknowingly captured on his daughter’s Windows Phone. She shares the footage with her brother who edits and remixes it in Windows Live Movie Maker on his Windows PC, before uploading it to SkyDrive – where it is beamed to friends and family around the world. The living-room scenario showcases the connectivity of Microsoft’s suite of products and their integration on consumers’ everyday lives.

Paul Davies, Director of Marketing Communications at Microsoft UK commented: “In the run up to the festive season our thoughts turn to keeping in touch with loved ones. The great technology from Microsoft enables people to do this in new and exciting ways. Our latest campaign demonstrates just some of the things that that families can do using Windows PCs, Windows Phones, Kinect for Xbox, and Office to communicate with each other. Not only is it simple and easy, but the technology can enable them to stay connected, often in entertaining and surprising ways.”

Acer unveils an Experiential Campaign across Europe to encourage shoppers to ‘Explore beyond limits’

Shopping centres across 25 different locations in Europe will play host to a series of interactive experiential stands where Acer will showcase its comprehensive range of Touch-and-Type products with Windows 8.

The stands, which have been created by Mother, are an extension of the current Acer Aspire S7 campaign in which Megan Fox explores her hidden passion for marine biology and uses her Acer Aspire S7 to develop software that allows her to talk to dolphins.

From the front, the stand looks just like a real dolphin tank and it contains a photo realistic dolphin animation running across a bank of up to 12 screens. The dolphin shows off and chats to consumers through Acer’s Aspire S7 and Megan’s software, encouraging them to explore more. At the rear of the stand, is Acer’s latest range of Touch-and-Type products using Windows 8, including tablets, UltrabookTM, notebooks and All-in-One desktops. Customers are free to explore the products and there is also a team of experts, dressed as scientists on hand to guide people around the new products.

“We are really proud of Acer latest range of Touch-and-Type products using Windows 8 and we wanted our customers to be able to experience them in an engaging yet comfortable environment,” emphasises Oliver Ahrens, Acer EMEA President. “Seeing Acer’s latest Windows 8 touch-and-type products from a distance isn’t enough, we wanted customers to be able to experience them first hand and explore what this new technology can offer. Our experts will guide customers through this journey.”

Kieran Bradshaw, strategist from Mother said, “We wanted to use Megan Fox's co-star from the Acer S7 TV spot, Zenya the Dolphin, again—this time to help support the Windows 8 launch and the new Acer touch-type range. Zenya will draw in the crowds at over 20 different locations across Europe and bring the audience witty dolphin banter and an all-new product range”.

The installations will be situated in shopping centres across Europe until December, and can be found in the UK in the Westfield (Shepherd’s Bush) until 4 December and then in Bluewater, the Trafford Centre and the Bullring from 6 until 24 December.

Credits:
Created by the creative agency, Mother.

So today is the big Windows 8 official launch and Google was ready for it with a great video ad entitled "Get Your Google Back". Making the switch to Windows 8 but wondering how to get back some of your favorite Google products like Search or Chrome, not to worry Google's got it covered for you.

Want to make Windows 8 more familiar? It only takes a few minutes to put Google Search and Chrome on your Start page. http://www.GetYourGoogleBack.com

Yes, the song is a remake of the The Jackson 5 "I Want You Back". Thanks Google but we never left.

See how the Abominable Snow Monster of the North Pole (he prefers Bumble) uses Live Tiles to get the information he wants on his new Windows Phone in this commercial, oh and he's big on speed dating.

Microsoft is pumping out a few Windows 8-powered SmartPhone TV ads featuring celebrities Gwen Stefani and Jessica Alba, all part of the Microsoft's "Meet the new Windows Phone, Reinvented Around You" ad campaign (spots below).

The Saks Fifth Avenue Snowflake & the Bubble projection show is bigger and even more spectacular for 2011. The 3D Projection mapping show runs every night for 5 hours, from Nov 21st till Jan 6th. Making it the longest outdoor Video mapping experience in the world.

This year, the activity was quite unique in that shoppers could scan QR codes on the windows of Saks which saw them redirected to a mobile site where they could watch the projection and find out about Saks. Our team worked very closely with the visual display team at Saks who worked on the windows to incorporate characters/elements of the windows into the projection, such as the yetti on the top of the building and the pipes that come out of the windows. The giant clock is a permanent feature – unusual for a video-mapping projection – counting down the time until the next projection. The projection runs from November 21st until January 6th, 5pm to 10pm.
Credits:
Advertising Agency: Iris, USA

Say goodbye to long lines and crowded stores—now shoppers can literally go window shopping and actually purchase the latest, hottest items with the wave of a smartphone!

Grand Opening of eBay Inspiration Shop in the Big Apple!
eBay and designer Jonathan Adler unveiled the "eBay Inspiration Shop" New York City — a 24/7 "shoppable" storefront with interactive windows showcasing a collection of new, must-have merchandise for the fall season—from denim to digital cameras, engines to eReaders and wristwatches to new wheels.

Inspiration Shop Leverages eBay Mobile Technology
The "always-open" store windows enable shoppers to browse and buy the very moment inspiration strikes, leveraging eBay's mobile technology to shop anytime, anywhere, anyhow. The eBay mobile app allows consumers to scan custom Quick Response (QR) codes and shop similar items from more than 200 million listings on the eBay marketplace.

Top trendsetters, including actors, designers, bloggers, stylists, editors, photographers, models and musicians, were tapped to help curate the items featured in the Adler-designed windows by sharing their shopping wish lists for fall. Contributors include: Molly Sims, Lake Bell, Betsey Johnson, Charlotte Ronson, Coco Rocha, Justin Bell, Liz Lange, Simon Doonan, among others.

A new national study on shopping reveals that nearly half of shoppers want to make an immediate purchase when they find an item they love, and also browse store windows for inspiration.

Comedian Andy Samberg is the newest celebrity to star in a Microsoft Windows Phone ad. The spot, "Meet Andy" is Samberg telling us how he loves the cinema as the funny shots a film from his living that stars his feet.

It's easy to see how much Andy Samberg loves movies when you look at his Windows Phone. The live tiles he's pinned to his start screen make it easy for him to write scripts, make a soundtrack or find the latest movies playing in theaters.

Windows 8 is coming soon, 10.26.1012 to be exact and with that is a great new ad for the latest edition of Microsoft Windows. The "Reimagined" commercial features the song "I Really Want You" and starts off with a blazing 10, 9, 8, 8, 8, count down to an explosively good commercial, no comment on the OS itself.

Credits:
Ad Agency: In House — Microsoft

Microsoft believes the world is ready for Windows 8 as we see in this commercial, watch as the travelling road show prepares for tomorrows big launch of the operating system. From India to China and the USA people have been as long as two years for this day...

Around the world, people gather to experience and celebrate Windows 8 as it prepares to launch on 10.26.2012

The Nokia Windows Phone has some fun with iPhone and Samsung smartphone owners in their newest ad entitled "The Wedding" where an all out brawl breaks out between everyone.

Credits:
Client: Microsoft Windows Phone
Spot Title: "The Wedding"
Agency: Crispin Porter + Bogusky
Worldwide Chief Creative Officer: Rob Reilly
Executive Creative Director: Dan Donovan
Creative Directors: Dave Swartz, Dave Steinke, Bill Roden
Art Director: Robbin Ingvarsson
Copywriter: Waldemar Wegelin
Executive Integrated Producer: Aaron Kovan
Senior Integrated Producer: Laura Keseric
Jr. Integrated Producer: Mike Borell
Production Company: Directors Bureau
Director: Roman Coppola
Executive Producers (Production Co): Lisa Margulis, Elizabeth Minzes
Producer (Production Co): Mary Livingston
Post Production: Method
Editorial Company: NO6LA
Executive Producer/Design: Crissy DeSimone
Producer: Leslie Tabor
Editor: Kevin Zimmerman
Jr. Music Producer: Chip Herter

Siri does all the talking in Microsoft's latest Apple bashing spot for it's Windows 8 tablet. Apple's voice assistant apologies for not being able to run certain programs and perform functions..."I'm sorry, I don't update like that," she says. "I'm sorry, I can only do one thing at a time." Let's hope we've seen the last of the attack ads from Microsoft for a while.

Credits:
Creative Ad Agency: Crispin Porter + Bogusky

In advance of one of the most significant waves of product launches in Microsoft’s history, today they unveil a new logo.

It’s been 25 years since we’ve updated the Microsoft logo and now is the perfect time for a change. This is an incredibly exciting year for Microsoft as we prepare to release new versions of nearly all of our products. From Windows 8 to Windows Phone 8 to Xbox services to the next version of Office, you will see a common look and feel across these products providing a familiar and seamless experience on PCs, phones, tablets and TVs. This wave of new releases is not only a reimagining of our most popular products, but also represents a new era for Microsoft, so our logo should evolve to visually accentuate this new beginning. via Microsoft's Blog

Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer Chris Capossela opens the Microsoft Store in Boston, which dons the company's new logo, on Aug. 23, 2012.

Kids say the funniest things. For those tricky moments, there's Kid's Corner, only on Windows Phone. Now you can hand over your phone without fear, because Kid's Corner gives your little ones access only to the apps, games, videos and music you choose for them, so you can relax and let them play, knowing little fingers can't get into your address book, apps

Credits:
Ad Agency: Jam, London, UK
Creative Director: Wayne Deakin
Creatives: Luke Norton, Drew Wolf
Agency Producer: Veronica Saez
Copywriter: Luke Norton
Production Company: Agile Films

Students Kat and Andrew put together a little interactive installation for VELUX set in the streets of Copenhagen for an industry project at The Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) run by Jamie Allen.

#theVELUXpose is an interactive installation for VELUX set in the streets of Copenhagen. VELUX specializes in roof windows and our brief was to inspire young urban citizens to see the roof as an opportunity space and something to aspire to. Our goal was to connect the digital generation and VELUX.

As a symbol, we used the posture people have when looking through these roof windows, which is looking up at an angle of 125º. We brought this experience from the roof, down down to the streets and used Instagram as a way to get people excited and involved.

We put an iPhone in a box with a frame that has VELUX written on it so that it would come up as the border in the image. We hacked together a really long handsfree kit cable so that we could trigger the camera from far. The image gets synced with an iPad for participants to upload their image to Instagram with their own filter.

We put an iPhone in a box with a frame that has VELUX written on it so that it would come up as the border in the image. We hacked together a really long handsfree kit cable so that we could trigger the camera from far. The image gets synced with an iPad for people to upload their image to Instagram with their own filter.

Credits:
Project by:
Andrew Spitz — andrew-spitz.com
Kat Zorina — katzorina.com

Body Shirt: Summer Collection

Happy Day, everyone! If it's raining as much near all of you as it is over here in New York, I sincerely hope you're all staying dry! What's the best thing to do on a rainy day, in my opinion? Online (window) shop! I love learning about new and up-and-coming stores, as well as checking in with my favorite websites to see what was recently added to the inventory (or what's on sale!).

The store where this beautiful dress came from is certainly not unknown - this is the Glacier dress from the super-popular, super-lovely website Shabby Apple! This dress is part of their Berkshire line. I love what they have to say about this line of beautiful dresses:

"Made for the last breaths of summer, this line embraces the Woman-in-the-wild--with basic,feminine silhouettes in easy-to-wear fabrics that provide you the ease and comfort you need for a weekend getaway, a last summer barbecue, or even a long day at the office. Slip into one and feel the joy of the evanescent summer - you'll be glad you did."

I'm sold! As I sit in my apartment shivering and watching the students battle with umbrellas in the storm-like conditions, I could certainly go for a sweet, lingering summer day! Even though this line is inspired by the end of summer, I think this dress is totally a fall piece. It's made from the "sturdiest, no-fuss poly blend," and has the sweetest pinstripe detailing. I love the pleats in the skirt. I think this dress has an incredibly-flattering shape that anyone can wear! Look at those details! So pretty and graceful. Thank you, Shabby Apple, for making such a wonderful dress.

Suiting Up at Express

I've always loved the chic styles in the windows of Express! Whenever I need something classic and pretty for an event or a night out, I'm eager to check out what's new in the store. Right now I'm crazy about the women's suits that can be found in store or online. These tailored pieces are so flattering and would definitely make a statement.

I mean, look at how cute the Rouched Sleeve Jacket and Wide Leg Editor Pant Suit is! I think the silhouette is modern and just so classy. I could totally see myself wearing this to a job interview. Look at the Luster Tweed Jacket and Editor Pant Suit. The details on the jacket are lovely. I love the pockets. I think this suit can easily go from work to play with the addition of some fun accessories (a pretty necklace or a cute clutch).

Guess what, readers! Right now there's an Express sweepstakes taking place on their Facebook page! The Work It Sweepstakes is offering one winner a $500 Express Suiting Makeover! How great is that? Wouldn't you like the opportunity to add one of these cute suits to your wardrobe?

What Express suit do you like best? Where would you like to wear one of their suits, and how would you make it uniquely you?

Enjoy the new "Movement" premiere commercial for MICROSOFT SURFACE from Director Jon M. Chu (DS2DIO, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, The LXD, Step Up 3D) and cast of great dancers (full list below).

"From touch to type, office to living room, from your screen to the big screen, you can see more, share more, and do more with Surface."

The Surface tablet is set be released 10.26.12 and will run on Windows 8, the ad stars Daniel "Cloud" Campos and features some of the world's top dancers, they are:
Anderson, Corey
Andrews, Kendra
Azizian, Paulette
Boedekker, Stacy
Bonnevay, Marie
Brewton, Bianca
Brown, Jesse
Burns, Leon
Chapman, Lorenzo
Chynoweth, Jade
Clemmons, Vincent
Davis, Kylie
Exum, Kelli
Germar, Marko
Grahms, Daniel
Graves, Corey
Gutierrez, Jay
Guzman, Gabe De
Hoffman, Sky
Holt, Bailey
Hott, Julian
Inniss, Marc
Johnson, Josh
Kadish, Jake
Keller, Jessica
Kitama, Mayuko
Koumaev, Ivan
Lamkin, Brandy
Livingston, Emilie
Loftis, Will
Maas, Taylor
Markarian, Rachel
Medina, Marie
Monaco, Tony
Monnie, KC
Mour, Linda
Nairobi, Saidah
Nino, Ashlee
Prudich, Bill
Radomski, Kayla
Rodriguez, Ricardo
Rosado, Luis
Russell,Brittany Perry
Sandvig, Melissa
Scott, Christopher
Shaw, Brandon
Sherbman, David
Shibata, Tracy
Sims, Jamal
Smith, Chadd (Madd Chadd)
Spencer, Terrence
Stecklein, Tyne
Steffens, Timar
Stewart, Britt
Stewart, Nicholas
Tanaka, Bryan
Tanner, Jean
Thompson, Larsen
Todey, Kersten
Velez, Ivan (Flipz)
Washington, Tyrell
Williams, Brooklyn
Wilson, Dana
Wong, Alex
All Choreography by Christopher Scott and Jamal Sims.

Nokia introduces us to the Lumia 920 and what they claim is the World's most Innovative Smartphone powered by Windows Phone 8 with this promo commercial. The ad features the music and song Creep — You, featuring Nina Sky and remixed by Robert Koch.
Simply for our amusement, here is the rest of the list that Nokia's Lumia 920 claims to be the World's Best at:

• offers the world's best smartphone experience
• best video and pictures with PureView camera, even with shaky hands or at night
• brightest, fastest and most responsive touchscreen — even if you are wearing gloves or have long fingernails
• first smartphone with built-in wireless charging in your country
• best smartphone for business with built-in Microsoft Office
• most unique and iconic smartphone design

CWTV is bringing the 90's back with Stupid Hype, a hilarious live-action web series that screams 90's nostalgia. In the 90's, hip hop was all about color, flash and funky fresh beats, from parachute pants to dope dance moves.

In the latest ad promoting the show, "Let's Get Laid" (no that isn't a typo) Stupid Hype chronicles the (mis)adventures of Hype, played by Hart of Dixie Star's Wilson Bethel, who after a tragic breakdancing accident, becomes a rising rap star in 1990. The series features original music from Bethel and his super-producer brother Charlie Bethel, aka Chuck Wild, and is directed by Dugan O'Neal. Look for guests appearance from legendary hip hop icons Flavor Fav and even more Vanilla Ice-esque beats in coming episodes.

Stupid Hype is sponsored by Windows 8 and airs on CWTV.com every Tuesdays. To watch full episodes of the web only series you can check it out here.

Credits:
Director: Dugan O'Neal
Executive Producers: Wilson Bethel & Danielle Hinde
Producers: Wilson Bethel, Courtney Davies & Dugan O'Neal
Associate Producer: Jon Huertas
Cinematography: David Myrick
Production Design: Kathrin Eder & Melissa Jusufi
Costume Design: Meredith Markworth-Pollack
Art Department: Jennifer Giron, Jeremy Jonathan White & Chloe Knapp
Production Sound Mixer: John W. Rampey
Sound Editor: Andrew Twite
Cast
Hype: Wilson Bethel
Tina: Rochelle Aytes

When MJZ Director Rupert Sanders and Grey New York needed high-end VFX to bring a World War II epic, a medieval fantasy battle, and a bit of science fiction together in a new spot for DIRECTV, they turned to the team at MPC. The spot is a showcase of MPC’s impressive skillset and resources. The LA office led a team that included artists across MPC’s global family of studios, taking the project from rough concept design to photo-real rendering to flawless compositing.

“This was one of those projects that only comes along once in a while,” noted MPC LA Managing Director Andrew Bell. “To help create three disparate and fantastic environments with such an incredible director and agency is a VFX team’s dream come true.”

Acclaimed production designer Dominic Watkins (National Treasure: Book of Secrets, The Bourne Supremacy) and his art department helped MJZ transform a quiet canyon two hours north of Los Angeles into the otherworldly scenes. Working with MJZ’s footage of a battle scene populated with 50 extras in authentic military garb, Jeeps, a burnt-out half-track, derelict troop carriers, and a Sherman tank, MPC joined forces with the physical special effects experts at Full Scale Effects to help provide in-camera explosions and balloon lights to illuminate the vast canyon. MPC enhanced these elements in VFX as well as adding the parachute flare in CG.

They also collaborated to create the computer-generated dragon and a spectacular live-action fireball of dragon’s breath. Watkins worked closely with Sanders to recreate the backdrop with several imaginative twists, including a matte painting, a gnarled tree reaching toward the moon from a built-up hill, and a valley rippling with trees, scorched earth, and the skeletons of fallen combatants. The spot’s samurai warrior was shot onsite with a high-speed Phantom camera and lit by glimmering heatwaves to match the CGI dragon.

“One of our greatest challenges in this sequence was to have the dragon’s fireball interact with, but not touch, the warrior and his stallion,” said Mike Wynd MPC LA’s VFX Supervisor. “We solved this problem by digitally rearranging the scene to provide more distance between the two opponents with some of the live-action trees moved and foreground scrub added.”

To create the UFO scene, a small second-unit MJZ team shot the car traveling down a darkened country road. MPC then added the computer-generated spaceship and digitally added light to the ground, the car, its shadows, and the surrounding scenery. The studio also added additional atmosphere and jolted the power poles and cables with an alien-induced shake.

MJZ shot the plates of the back-seat observer with a green screen outside the windows and MPC composited the outside environments in afterward. MPC sealed the effort with interactive lighting in both the live-action and digitally enhanced segments.

View the: 60 version below the credits.

Credits:
Client: DIRECTV
Spot: “Road Trip”
Air Date: May 2013
Agency: Grey New York
President/CCO: Tor Myhren
Executive Creative Director: Todd Tilford
Executive Creative Director: Perry Fair
SVP Creative Director/AD: Denise O’Bleness
Executive Producer: Andrew Chinich
Associate Producer: Lindsay Myers
VP Account Director: Tamar Arslanian
VP Account Director: Beth Culley
Production Company: MJZ
Director: Rupert Sanders
DOP: Greig Fraser
Producer: Laurie Boccaccio
Editorial Company: Work/Spotwelders
Editor: Neil Smith
VFX: MPC LA
Managing Director: Andrew Bell
VFX Supervisors: Franck Lambertz, Mike Wynd
VFX Team: Ben Persons, Brendan Smith, Sharon Marcussen, Brinton Jaecks, Ryan Knowles, Mike Wynd, Ross Denner, Daniel Marsh, Fred Durand, Ian Wilson, Danny Wynne, John Cherniack