The Present

Absolutely love this powerful short animation. 


The Present from Jacob Frey on Vimeo.

Lots o' Love, Linda 

What If Feelings Had Feelings?

The most anticipated Pixar film this year is Inside Out! I really wasn't expecting much from this film at all but I was immediately impressed after watching it. 

Even days after, I was still reflecting, watching clips, reading and discussing this film with peers because it really got me deep into thoughts. It triggered all emotions and made me think about the process and significance of our emotions, memories, imagination, childhood (and adult) experiences as well as mental health. 

I was really amazed at how Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc and Up) and his team created this world inside the human brain and managed to pull this off so brilliantly. 

Without giving too much away, I can say that one of the most important lessons I've learned from this was the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence. 

There's also an extra key character that has stolen my heart but has been deliberately excluded from all of the marketing ahead of the movie release. I would say this was a very intelligent move on their part which led to a very delightful surprise indeed. 

Thank you Pete Docter and the Pixar team for creating this wonderful masterpiece! This will go down as one of my top favourite Pixar films of all time. It's a MUST SEE! 

Lots o' Love, Linda

Live-Action Toy Story

I know this was last year's news but I could not go on without making a post about this. Just when I thought I was the biggest Toy Story fan of all time, you then come across two even bigger dedicated fans who re-created the whole film using real toys. It couldn't get any better than this. The wonderful project by Jonason Pauley and Jesse Perrotta took two years. Wow! 

Check it out if you haven't already done so. It's impressive! 

The following images shows the comparisons between an image from the original scene and the re-created scene. Notice the attention to detail? 

Top image: original scene 

Bottom Image: re-created scene

Images via Pixar Post 

Check out Jonason's YouTube channel for more videos. 

Lots o' Love, Linda 

MOVE for the MOVEment

An inspiring campaign "Dance (RED) Saves Lives", that Coke and Red have launched together was a movement to raise awareness of AIDS/HIV in the lead up to World AIDS Day (1st December). What other fun and great way to do this other than through dance, which was the main element to this campaign. It encouraged consumers to join the dance movement and upload their own video in support of the fight for an aids-free generation. 

It included the official video of Tommy Trash's remix of Empire of the Sun's song "Celebrate", that featured a few infamous dancers that many of the younger demographic have connected with on social media; meanwhile, showing a simple signature dance that consumers can follow and feature in their own music videos, also using the featured song. 

Harry Shum Jr, Jabbawockeez, Brian Puspos, and Les Twins all in one video, yes!

The movement also reached Sydney for the dance music festival "Stereosonic", where live-streaming of the 2-day event was available on danceRED.com. 

Image via White Raver Rafting 

To learn more about this movement, click here.  

#CokeRedMoves 

Lots o' Love, Linda 

Monsters University Grumblr

I've mentioned in a previous post about how genius the Pixar team is at experience marketing by creating a university website to anticipate the upcoming Monsters University film, and it never stopped from there. 

The marketing geniuses behind Pixar places more social media to clever use by creating a 'student-run' Tumblr blog called, The Grumblr. It's an easy blogging tool that allows for quick posts of photos, memes, GIFS, videos and reblogging posts that tickle your fancy. And, it's a great way to connect with Monsters Inc fans in the Tumblr community and for them to have a taste of the life of MU students. 

To make it even look more realistic, some images have been posted as 'instagram' style photos.
Here are some instagram pics posted on The Grumblr, cause any active Tumblr user knows that instagram pics are commonly posted.  

Image via Monsters University Grumblr

Image via Monsters University Grumblr

Image via Monsters University Grumblr 

Image via Monsters University Grumblr  

I'll be making more posts about Monsters University marketing communications in the future, so be forewarned.

Lots o' Love, Linda 

Set the World on Fire!

Alicia Keys and her team have integrated social media into the marketing of her fifth concert tour, 'Set the World on Fire' as a way of personally connecting with her fans. This included creative uses of Tumblr, crowd-sourcing, Twitter and Behind-the-Scenes clips. 

Tumblr: 

Tumblr users were selected to document her tour as it unfolded. This meant that users were encouraged to post content, take photos, create gifs and collages. As a bonus, a photo pass, two show tickets and two meet-and-greet tickets were given to the Tumblr users involved. Keys is also an active user (www.thekeysofalicia.tumblr.com) on Tumblr and is also able to connect with fans by 'liking' and 'reblogging' posts. 

Crowd-sourcing: 

Alicia Keys' "Illuminate Me" video that was played during each show used a crowd-sourcing component. This meant that attendees at each city were given the opportunity to feature in the video at the concert when they submit photos of themselves as part of a "Keep Moving - Your City, Your Video" initiative. 

Twitter: 

Using the hashtag #AliciaDedicates on Twitter, fans tweet their section, row and seat number for the opportunity to have a song personally dedicated to them by Keys. Click the link to view the campaign video since it's an unlisted video on YouTube. 

Behind-the-Scenes Clips: 

Videos were also released on YouTube prior to the tour to create anticipation of her tour. Eg: Rehearsals Part 1. 

I believe these ideas are clever and creative ways for a recording artist to collaborate with fans utilising social media to facilitate with the marketing of upcoming tours. For more information on the projects, click here. 

Lots o' Love, Linda 

Bringing Sexy Back!

Looks like 2013 is definitely going to be Justin Timberlake's year! After what seems like half a decade of hiatus, you can tell he's been keeping himself busy. From taking on acting roles, to relaunching the new MySpace, to getting married to Jessica Biel, to releasing new singles (and an album on its way) and not to mention, becoming the creative director of Bud Light. Also, his performance at this year's Grammy Awards was nothing short of amazing! 

I've always been a big fan of Justin Timberlake. Luckily for me, being a late 80's baby and childhood spent in the 90's means that I got to witness JT go from being a member of boyband, *NSYNC, to where he is today. And that is, taking over the world by bringing sexy back one step at a time. 

*NSYNC - I Want You Back

Justin Timberlake: Mirrors

Produced by Timbaland, the new album 'The 20/20 Experience' is set to be released on March 19. I'm definitely looking forward to it!

Image via Billboard 

Lots o' Love, Linda 

Disney's Paperman

Image via iwatchstuff

Image via formula mom

Directed by John Kahrs, Paperman, was screened before Disney's Wreck-It Ralph at the cinemas. It would've been a lovely experience if I watched this at the cinemas because this black and white short is simply amazing. I can't seem to find the words to describe this at this moment but Disney has done it again, putting nothing but warmth in my heart throughout the entire animation. I'll be honest to admit that I did feel a lot more emotion within me than I had anticipated as I watched this. 

Not to mention, it has also received an Oscar nomination for this year's animated short category. All the best of luck, Paperman! 

I've also found this great interview with one of the producers, Kristina Reed. Also, another interview with John Kahrs.

Since the animation on YouTube is unlisted, only those with the link can view it. So, click for the link and get those few minutes of happiness.  

Lots o' Love, Linda 

Glimpse of The Blue Umbrella

Images via Mouse Info

Every time I go to see a Pixar film at the cinemas, I always look forward to seeing the short film that precedes before it created by the Pixar team. For the upcoming release of Monsters University, the tradition continues with this short called "The Blue Umbrella". 

According to Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the director Saschaka Unseld, who worked as a technical artist, was inspired by an abandoned umbrella as he was walking through the streets of San Francisco one rainy day. A simple inanimate object can inspire us in so many ways to be creative (*takes note*). In the WSJ article, the techniques of the animation are also explained which I'm unable to explain myself due to my lack of knowledge in this field. 

There has been quite a bit of a debate online about this short; mostly criticising the animation techniques, the possible predictable love story, and the fact that it may be too similar to Disney's short, Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet (1946). I'm still excited, regardless! 

I'm sure most of us can relate to this moment at least one point in their life. We notice a complete stranger out in public, feel an unexplainable pull towards them, develop a sense of curiosity/interest, catch that awkward eye contact and then out of shyness, respect or avoidance of looking creepy, no ones makes a move. Just to be clear, I'm not always keen on predictable love stories. Only some occasions where there's an exception. Nevertheless, I am indeed excited and curious about how this short story will unfold. 

And, another thing to mention, this also reminds me of one of my favourite all-time sitcoms, How I Met Your Mother! Ted... yellow umbrella...Yes? No? Maybe?

Here's a little teaser to build anticipation for the short: 

Lots o' Love, Linda 

School of Scaring, Here I Come!

Images via Monsters University

Ahead of the release of Monsters, Inc. 2 - Monsters University, Disney Pixar have launched a college site for us to have a glimpse on what this university is all about. If you search up Monsters University on Google, the college site is the first listing. And, upon browsing through this site, it looks pretty legit. It's no lie to say that the Monsters University site puts my own university's site to shame.  

It's got all the content any stakeholder would look for on a university site such as events; programs and majors; academic calendar and admission details just to name a few. There's even an online store where actual MU apparel may be purchased! How awesome is that? The attention to detail is impressive! 

I don't know if it's cause I'm a sucker for Pixar but this promotional tactic is pretty genius! Just as genius as the Lots o' Huggin' Bear Commercial (circa 1983) and Japanese commercial which were released to promote Toy Story 3! 

The new Monsters, Inc. film is due to release on June 21st, 2013 but if you're in Australia like myself, we can check this out from June 20th. 

Looking forward to this. Check out the movie trailer. And then check out the MU Commercial for prospective students.  

Lots o' Love, Linda