Awesome things for November

We're a style agency as much as a marketing agency. We're purveyors of relevant and fascinating things pertaining to Gen Y. We're committed to showcasing meaningful trends and memes, not only for our traffic count, but to help foment our position as the arbitors of awesome!

Here's what's awesome for November, 2008:

BEING HINDU

This one was voted on by the readers in a recent poll. With Diwali just passed, Hinduism is top of mind. Hip urban white people are already wise to being sensitive about world affairs and have actually done a lot to learn about Islam and deepen relationships with their Muslim friends. Now attention is being turned to their other Brown friends, Hindus, and enrich their understanding of this complex and storied religion. Culturally, India is contributing more and more to Western ideas and Americans are tired of hearing about how China has eclipsed the US.

The Bright Ideas Group is privileged to have students from many different ethnicities, nationalities, and religions. Diverse perspectives, such as those from Sid Wahi, greater a better holistic focus on the project output.





THE COLOUR PURPLE

Apparently purple (and orange) are Fall 2008's hot colours, and purple is popping up in everything from new Roots collections to fashionable cocktails.


GUNS


Perhaps it's a reaction to the possibility of over-extended US hegemony finally being curtailed with a new administration, but guns - yeah, actual guns, are really trendy. Case in point, GlamGuns top-selling Hello Kitty AK-47 (shown above, notice it's purple!) and Madonna's pistol heels by Chanel, for €2000.


THE FAIL MEME

It's not too new, but I couldn't resist. Fails are hilarious, here's a particularly great example:




BEING STUPID


This isn't something I'm too thrilled about, but it's never been cooler to have a complete unawareness about your surroundings, the news, and basic concepts. Despite a massive surge of interest in the US economy, the election, climate change, and the rise of China, it's still cool to be a dumbass about most things and feign a superficial understanding of large issues. For example, think of your friends. Now think about the dumb friends in your group (I'm sure you know who they are!). Are they marginally aware of Obama and McCain and the differences between the two? Can they base arguments and assertions on anything more than what erroneous facts they've heard and communicated through baffling hand gestures and facial contortions?

What really peeves me is that despite a interest in topical issues that matter, common sense and a pragmatic and rational ability to analyze those issues is still woefully lacking.

Read. The. News.


CONSUMPTION-CONSCIOUS LIVING


So Gen Y are in college, new careers, and starting to live on their own. This is group's limited resources and income is matched by a strong sense of stewardship for their consumption and mild recognition of their overall contribution to global warming. While I'm not too sure about the direct implications of the credit crunch and stagnating economy on Gen Y, these situations put a squeeze on everyone. Expect to see a greater focus on eeking out the most from things and making your dollar stretch. I stumbled upon this modern sink design which is meant to get consumers thinking about their total water use because it lacks a drain at the bottom.


IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION


The worst part of the Nov 4th election night will be waiting for results to trickle in, be recounted, be contested, be deliberated, be recounted, be thrown out, and be decided upon by the Supreme Court. I sound like an old futurist when I say this, but everything today must be instant. Digital immediacy is what we've come to depends on in our lives so when things are unresponsive or unnecessarily sluggish it really makes Gen Ys go nuts. Need proof? Ask any 20-something about how frustrating it is when Facebook status updates and news feeds aren't being published in real time and sometimes the friends' stories you hear about are eight hours old.

I'm sure a lot of you have heard about this already, but computer manufacturers are working with software developers to reduce boot times. I think I'm currently at 40-50 seconds to my desktop screen, but probably 2 minutes to my email on my trusty little Dell Latitude D630 with Vista. It still kills me.


MALBEC


As average wine consumers here wise up and start expanding their scope of international wines, look for wines that offer tremendous fruit on the nose, ripeness, and a satisfying full-mouth feel to be popular. Malbec's already are popular, but expect their price points to go up - buoyed by the recent nod to Achaval-Ferre Finca Altamira Malbec 2006 by Wine Spectator with a rating of 96. The bottle is $116. It's the philosophy that a rising tide raises all boats. Yeah, but is it really worth it?


ACTUALLY WATCHING 30 ROCK


Everyone loves 30 Rock and has nothing but great things to say about it. But who watches it?? I'm determined now - from my heightened respect for Tina Fey and the show's Emmy sweeps - to start paying more attention and watch the episodes on Surf The Channel. Same goes for Mad Men. Expect a wave of interest in November for 30 Rock because of the election and the fact that Oprah and Jennifer Aniston will appear on the show.


SEXY LIPS


Enough lipgloss. Lips are sexy and should be cherished and flaunted in exaggerated ways. Deep red and intense gothic black hues are in, although Dita von Teese always seemed to know.


NISSAN VERSA


The 2009 Nissan Versa is now the cheapest car in the States, priced at $9,990. This subcompact is obviously fuel efficient, and I'm sure it's a functional car, but I can't seem to think that the 1.8L, 122 horsepower engine is powerful enough. It does come loaded with interesting optional features though, including a CVT, six-cd changer, and bluetooth.

Consumerfying 90s music

In a mashup of Juliette Lewis, schizophrenic proportions, here’s how seminal rock albums of the 90s compare to modern consumer culture – keep with me on this!

Blog traffic is way up from that Sarah Palin article I posted from Rolling Stone. My concerns now are how to sustain it and how to keep things interesting!

This is an article I’ve been thinking about writing for a while. The 90s meant a lot to me cause I think that’s when the last good rock music died. Bands like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Metallica, Foo Fighters, were high on this wave of emotion from 20-something Gen Xers who were the first generation taught that that it was ok to feel apathetic about life. Although I was years younger and only beginning to understand my own teenage angst, the music left an impression.

Here are awesome 1990s rock bands and the consumers they now represent:

Ten (1991) - Pearl Jam

If this album was a consumer: the thrifty Value Village shopper
Why: anti-establishment and messy, slapdash and not neatly folded or colour-coordinated. It’s recycled, thrown together, and somehow still makes a unique outfit.
Best tracks: ‘Black’, ‘Porch’, ‘Release’



Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991) – Red Hot Chili Peppers

If this album was a consumer: the douchy Holli-Crombie-Fitch collegiate
Why: Big chunky beats and tremendous drug-enhanced guitar work from John Frusciante, this album screams mainstream with an extroverted, sexual edge.
Best tracks: ‘I Could Have Lied’, ‘Under The Bridge’, ‘Give It Away’



To be seen soon at Hollister:


Tragic Kingdom (1995) – No Doubt

If this album was a consumer: the Tween
Why: this is such an unapologetically saccharine, feel-good album. Loud, fun, funky sound that was new and that one could chew on for the entire summer. It’s a tween because everyone had it, everyone wanted it, and everyone either wanted or wanted to identify with Gwen Stefani.
Best tracks: ‘Don’t Speak’, ‘Sunday Morning’



Ritual de lo Habitual (1990) - Jane’s Addiction

If this album was a consumer: the spiritual skeptic
Why: cause this is a WEIRD album…weird messages and strange that make me feel like I’ve been transported to MDMA-fueled midnight beach rave in Goa. It’s difficult to understand, but really rich with mysticism and imagination.
Best tracks: ‘Three Days’, ‘Stop’



Garbage (1995) - Garbage

If this album was a consumer: the conforming non-conformist
Why: Butch Vig says that the name ‘garbage’ comes from the band’s approach to making music – taking the sonic remnants and piecing them together again. Garbage and goth will always be intertwined in my mind because of the gorgeous, sad, creepiness of the band and their caricatured adoption into fledgling emo subsculture.
Best tracks: ‘Milk’, ‘Stupid Girl’, ‘Only Happy When It Rains’



Jagged Little Pill (1995) – Alanis Morissette

If this album was a consumer: the mid-life crisis married male
Why: this consumer is awash with disposable income and looking to shock and awe. Sure female aggression was nothing new (Patti Smith, 4 Non Blondes, Courtney Love), but this edgy yet still radio-friendly album made feeling bitter and uncaring kinda cool.
Best tracks: ‘Ironic’, ‘All I Really Want’, ‘You Learn’



Siamese Dream (1993) – The Smashing Pumpkins

If this album was a consumer: the middle-class working mom
Why: It’s uplifting, peaceful, and incredibly aspirational. Powerful chord structure punctuated by soaring Billy Corgan guitarwork sets a singular positive foundation of the album with compassionate lyrics that suggest a consumer who is conscientious, caring, and affectionate.
Best tracks: ‘Rocket’, Today’, ‘Mayonnaise’, ‘Geek USA’



The Bends (1995) - Radiohead

If this album was a consumer: the savvy agoraphobe
Why: it’s not stupid music, it’s just misunderstood. The Bends still captured the experimentalism Radiohead was known for and brought the band’s music to a larger audience. The awkwardness and insecurity of the album’s tone resonates with outcasts who'd rather correct my speling than go play ultimate frisbee.
Best tracks: ‘Just’, ‘Fake Plastic Trees’



Purple (1994) – Stone Temple Pilots

If this album was a consumer: the workaholic microbrew-tippler
Why: 'Purple' is a pounding, ethereal album that set a hazy foundation for dreamers, druggies, and early dotcom-ers. In a bizarre smoothie of the three you get a yuppie urbanite of the three who’s introspective with a love for cultural idiosyncracies and pushing their limits.
Best tracks: ‘Interstate Love Song’, ‘Big Empty’, ‘Lounge Fly’



Dookie (1994) – Green Day

If this album was a consumer: the weekend mallrat
Why: The weekend mallrat loves brands, loves celebrities, loves their friends, and loves killing time. They rarely buy things but when they do they make rewarding purchases based as much on peer pressure as information and specs. Dookie made it ok to feel lazy and fucked up.
Best tracks: ‘When I Come Around’, ‘Longview’



The Battle of Los Angeles (1999) – Rage Against the Machine

If this album was a consumer: the urban Green
Why: Despite the anti-consumerist, anarchistic tone of the band, fans of the band were hardly as socially conscious as they’d like to believe. Having grown up and started earning incomes, they choose sustainable products but don’t know what it means to offset their carbon when they take business trips to Chicago.
Best tracks: ‘Sleep Now in the Fire’, ‘Testify’, ‘Guerrilla Radio’



Odelay (1996) – Beck

If this album was a consumer: the informed and cultured Wal-Mart shopper
Why: they’re rare but balk the trend by living a suburban life of leisure while still reading the newspaper, participating in online communities, and going to concerts. Odelay’s carefree, scratchy-mixed, major-keyed, melodic tone personified this attitude.
Best tracks: ‘The New Pollution’, ‘High 5’

"Which way to the paper towels?"



The Downward Spiral (1994) – Nine Inch Nails

If this album was a consumer: the pseudo-nihilist, suburban emo teen
Why: the album was commercial as much as it was some gothic expression through sonic electronic disfigurement. The album felt bad for itself and felt heavy throughout. It wasn’t black so much as completely lacking in any colour. As a consumer, its emo because despite the pity, sickness, and smut it wanted to be recognized and treated like an outlet for society’s abuse. It’s industrial to its core.
Best tracks: ‘Piggy’, ‘Hurt’, ‘Closer’



Use Your Illusion I & II (1991) – Guns n’ Roses

If this album was a consumer: the jingoistic slob
Why: Cause the album is like a sloppy drunk who has soiled themselves. Guns N’ Roses was that uncompromisingly American rock band that elevated the final notes of loud metal rock to elegant heights before finally imploding.
Best tracks: ‘Don’t Cry’, ‘Estranged’, ‘Yesterday’, ‘Knockin on Heaven’s Door’, ‘November Rain’



Totally:


Weezer (1994) – Weezer

If this album was a consumer: the nullified boyfriend
Why: Weezer rocks, but the album was a follower and although it set a precedent for whiny frat rock, it didn’t challenge musical paradigms or come across as being too offensive. Perfect for that pallid tag-along boyfriend who’d shops where his girlfriend tells him to.
Best tracks: ‘No One Else’, 'Say It Ain’t So’, ‘Undone – the Sweater Song’



Antichrist Superstar (1996) – Marilyn Manson

If this album was a consumer: the moneyed, educated professional woman who people misperceive to be a real bitch
Why: it’s a pretty smart album with an intriguing story arc that allows listeners to draw their own conclusions. On first glance it’s scary and obscene, for the same reasons as Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ album, but those who take time to get into it and put aside preconceptions will be rewarded by what they find.
Best tracks: ‘Antichrist Superstar’, ‘The Beautiful People’, ‘Little Horn’



(What’s the story?) Morning Glory (1995) – Oasis

If this album was a consumer: the foreign tourist
Why: it came on the scene kinda unannounced and made a massive impression, paving the way for other sparkly, chewy Brit pop acts. Oasis really didn’t offend anyone but they were really noticeable. Thematically, the album seems like it’s an indulgent shopper on vacation who isn’t worried about the credit card bill when they return from holiday.
Best tracks: ‘Some Might Say’, ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, ‘Morning Glory’

"More sunglasses please"


Nevermind (1991) – Nirvana

If this album was a consumer: the conspicuous spender
Why: the album failed Nirvana’s grunge roots through its flashy, dirty excessiveness. It’s loud and obscene and over the top. If this was a consumer it would be the guy riding top-down through the financial district in his Lambo. (BTW, don’t get me wrong, I loved this album)
Best tracks: ‘Lithium’, ‘Breed’, ‘Come As You Are’, ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’



In the world of blogging, content is good, content is God!

Creative spaces for creative faces

Marketing culture is unique in many respects. In the workplace, there’s a high need for interactivity and stimulation to catalyze innovation. Additionally, the multi-team collaboration required on client projects means that openness and team participation must be cultivated. Style wise, this translates to open-form offices, lots of public spaces or ‘idea rooms’, and a design aesthetic that often runs the gamut between edgy and exposed or frosted and futuristic. In Toronto, the head offices of Cossette or Capital C might be good examples of the former while Wunderman is a good example of the latter.

Of course, it would be nice to have a space like this for B!G and not have to work out of the dark basement of the Schulich building, but as we’re a non-profit, I’m happy for whatever we can get!

I am saying all this because today I stumbled across a really amazing workspace downtown, called 401 Richmond. This is a converted 1899 factory that has been restored and now houses about sixty arts and media related tenants, including ad shops. Creaky wood floors, 15 foot ceilings, and big open windows invite casual passers-by and tourists into the 401 to walk through the floors and see the boutiques and bookstores. On top of the building is a beautiful flower-filled roof garden with terrific views over the neighbourhood and downtown core. But really, it’s a space for artists with working studios and galleries side by side.

Thrown into the mix are a few small boutique media and marketing shops (Boxx3G, Agito Internet Marketing , and Meta Strategies.

I can appreciate why these companies would want to set up business next to artists and creatives. Not only is the building beautiful and occupies a fantastic site in downtown Toronto, but it’s also the model of the agency interior design taken to a larger, macro level. Idea diffusion and new visioning among creative heads is far quicker and clearer when you’re working next to each other. Think of this like a perpetual motion machine that moves faster and faster, it’s the same reason why research universities and technology firms always seem to be grouped together (e.g. Stanford, MIT, UNC Chapel Hill). Innovation spreads faster when the relationships among individuals and firms are mercurial and proximate.

You cannot be creative if you’re in an artistic and cultural vacuum. Agencies should learn from examples like 401 Richmond and internalize this to mean not just sleek, sexy desks with exposed brick walls, but also collocation with artistic people who will inspire and tickle the imaginations of their creative employees.

I'll be moving to San Francisco

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m reading Richard Florida’s new book, Who’s your City, which explores the forces behind why people select and stay in certain cities over other.

Apparently there are strong psychological characteristics to certain cities and this can actually be mapped using location quotients (see the personality maps here). Florida examines the work of Rentfrow, another geographer, who mapped 600,000 survey respondents across five major personality dimensions to find personality clusters in the US. Rentfrow found that:

Type of Region	What Florida Says	Who should live there	Cities
Outgoing Region	High in extroversion, low in neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, and very low in agreeableness.	People who are outgoing and social, who like group activities and functions, who play team sports, and like to be around other people. Unlikely to appeal to people who prefer very close ties or community involvement or to those who constantly need multiple options or enjoy trying new things.	Chicago, Minneapolis, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Detroit, Salt Lake City, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Orlando, West Palm Beach.
Dutiful Regions	High on agreeableness and conscientiousness as well as extroversion, low in openness and neuroticism.	People who are hard working, friendly, trusting, helpful, and compassionate. Perfect for model citizens. Places for people who want to fit in and are more conventional or traditional in their outlooks and values; those who value the status quo and typically don’t step out of line. Poor fit for those who are artistic or creative and constantly need to be trying out new and different things.	Atlanta, Phoenix, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Memphis, Nashville (Nash-vul), Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Indianapolis, and Portland, Oregon.
Experiential Regions	High on openness and neuroticism, low in conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness.	People who do not need to be around other people, who question authority, and who quest after intense experiences (intellectually, creatively, emotionally, physiologically). Good fit for people who are creative but perhaps also lost in their own world, socially isolated, aloof, cantankerous, or who thrive on stress. Poor fit for people who like to meet new people and make friends easily, have conventional values, are status quo oriented, and prefer to work in stable jobs and on standard tasks.	New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, Denver, Austin, Dallas, Las Vegas, Buffalo, New Orleans, Louisville.

I’m fascinated by this stuff. I guess this is why we can travel to a place and it just speaks to us on a deeper, more profound level.

Developing homegrown competency

I'm reading a terrific book this week. Who's Your City by Richard Florida explores one of life's three major choices, 'where to live?' (the other's being 'what to do' and 'who to do it with').

Despite the ease with which technology has allowed us to interact with each other over vast distances, we still love to congregate. Actually, it still makes sense to congregate. Theoretically, this is intuitive: concentration of talented and creative individuals leads to increase innovation which leads to happiness and wealth creation.

Florida affirms that the world is not getting flatter with technological diffusion and communications convergence. Rather, it is getting 'spikier' - a term he uses to describe the peaks and valleys of the world economy and the highly localized nature of very specialized jobs (e.g. computer game design, equity management services, and publishing).

But what makes creative people want to locate in proximity to one another? Are there unique physical features of the place that make it attractive to certain types of people or are these characteristics incidental and secondary to selecting a place with people in your social group.

So is it chicken or egg? Do creative people create creative cities or do creative cities create creative people?

Comments are welcomed and encouraged.