While most of these social networking channels still maintain their top rank in the game, a new social networking site called Ello has been gaining some buzz recently.

Say hello to Ello!

Unlike most social networking sites that sell ads or user information to third party advertisers, Ello boasts as being completely ad-free with a strict ‘no-ad and no-data-mining’ policy. Better still, they give you the opportunity to opt out in sharing any information if requested.

Seems interesting right? But one has to wonder how the site will support itself in lieu of advertisers.

Ello’s answer to this is providing special features through a user pays system. As special features are introduced, users can add it to their account by paying a small fee which is then activated on their account forever.

This approach seemed odd to me at first, but when I though about it, it’s kind of like paying for an upgrade, or like buying another accessory to your camera like a lens that has a different function.

The way to join this social network is by invitation; you just need to go to their website, enter your email to request an invite and then wait for their response.

With this out of the box structure and security promise, can this social network rise against other social media giants out there? Only time will tell.

Yours in social networking,
Brio Team

Fans scurried their way through stores to claim “first to try”, “first to buy” or “first to have” the newest iPhone in the market.

What is it that made us really excited with the release of iPhone6?
Well, let’s have a recap shall we?

From our August Phablet Race post, we looked at some of the rumours and expectations for the new iPhone. Now that it’s released, let’s see if rumours are true or if they misled us.

 Rumoured Release Date: Probably September 9
The release did in fact happen on it’s set day, September 9, 2014.

 Cost: starts at around AU$1006|$944
A source we found say that the pricing are as follows:
16GB – AU$869
64GB – AU$999
128GB – AU$1129
Being only $7 out from the mid-range option is pretty close and a good indicator.

The target sale date in Australia is September 19, but pre-orders are open from the 12th. Here’s what the launch told us about the new iPhone.

 What to expect: major revisions, including design
Apple definitely delivered because it’s bigger and definitely better.

Dimension:
iPhone6: 138.1x67x6.9
iPhone6 Plus: 158.1×77.8×7.1
To make the device bigger without the having the uncomfortable feeling when you use it, they have made a noticeable revision on the design making the sides rounded for a smooth handling and looking a lot more slick.

Display:
iPhone6: 4.7 inches
iPhone6 Plus: 5.5 inches
Both using Retina HD Display

To compare to the current iPhone 5S, its display is 4 inches, with the iPad Mini being 7.9 inches.

 Coolest Rumour: addition of NFC
We are giving a soft check on this as well, as this functionality is not yet available and will be coming in this October.

But that doesn’t mean we can leave this off, this makes us all the more excited as this will change the way on how we do transactions. Apple Pay is a technology that provides a security feature built in you device so you can use your iPhone to pay in a hassle free way.

Apple has maintained the cool feature of iPhone6’s predecessors, improved other features and introduces other features. What to say what they’re going to do next. Only time will tell.

Even if you don’t plan on picking up the iPhone6 straight away, don’t forget to download the new iOS 8, available from September 17.

Yours in current trends,
Brio Team

The funds collected through the website will be used to finance the work of Arrels Foundation for the homeless people in Barcelona.

I think most of us would have seen or heard this campaign with a catchy tune called ‘Dumb Ways to Die’. It is all about safety around trains and has been extremely successful not just as a viral campaign but more importantly as a behavioural chance campaign.

This is a fantastic case study around how McCann Melbourne built on the initial video to include a rollout of print ads, smartphone apps, story books, radio, music charts, huge interactive poster displays and website pledges were all channels used to share the story.

What we love about this campaign is that a good idea executed well with an aim to not just get some cut through with one strong message but leveraged with two way interaction can start to change a behaviour. The stats as the end of the video of the lives saved speak for themselves.

Yours in behavioural change campaigns.

Belinda

In March 2013, Coca-Cola set out to break down barriers and create a simple moment of connection between two nations — India and Pakistan. The initiative “Small World Machines” provided a live communications portal between people in India and Pakistan and showed that what unites us is stronger than what sets us apart. The key to engaging with each other through the machines was simple: people in India and Pakistan could complete a task, like touching hands, drawing peace, love, and happiness symbols — together.

This is new from navigation systems TomTom… a take off of some of the top videos that have gone viral this year… Does it work? or is it just a little too lame to go anywhere?

I think it is a good attempt but don’t think it will get the cut through that TomTom may be expecting. In saying that is always refreshing to see a brand take a creative approach to their marketing and be willing to take a risk with something new.

What do you think about this approach?

Tim gives a great insight with this TED talk about how your brand is what other people say about you when you are not in the room. He says “Hyperconnectivity allows companies to be in that room now, 24/7. They can listen and even join the conversation.”

In this talk Tim presents three rules that brands can use to change how their customers / consumers feel about them which then affects what they say about them.

These 10 examples that Tim outlines in this talk are all using his three rules and are doing something totally unexpected. We were only talking today now we love to work with brands who are willing to let us shape a creative idea and then being willing to try something different. It gives them greater cut through than being safe ever will. Here are some brands that have done just that.

1. Patagonia asks consumers not to buy their products.

2. Interflora sends bouquets to customers having a bad day.

3. Semco lets employees set their own hours and salary!

4. Radiohead lets fans set their price for their album.

5. Anthon Berg sells chocolates for good deeds.

6. Netflix offers employees unlimited holidays.

7. Microsoft supports hacking.

8. KLM makes happiness strike again.

9. Frog encourages employee speed-meeting.

10. American Express turns travel into a game.

Yours in being different.

Belinda

As the plain cigarette packaging debate rages, this simple test done with kids shows the influence the packaging and the colours has on the buying decision. What do you think? Should cigarettes have plain packaging?

Yours in the power of colours.

Belinda

Microsoft Kinect is partnering up with tonnes of digital billboards and installations this year, and here is just one example to help kick it all off. Autism Speaks has created a Kinect powered digital billboard featuring a life size girl who avoids eye contact no matter how hard you try.

I’m really impressed how we can interact with a screen, what a great form of communication.

Reference: Digital Buzz.

Yours in interaction,
Tanya

For the past Valentine’s day, Coca-Cola installed special vending machines inside of the most crowded shopping malls in Istanbul. Those machines were designed just for couples and there was one way to get them working: people had to prove they’re indeed a couple.

Just another way to use communication in advertising.

Reference: C-Section.

Yours in happiness,
Amber