World Smile Day

SMILE )))))))

Good Day fellow bloggers & Happy World Smile Day.

World Smile Day is held on the first Friday of October each year and is a day dedicated to "good cheer and good works". The catch phrase for the day is "Do an act of kindness-help one person smile".

Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963. That image went on to become the most recognizable symbol of good will and good cheer on the planet.

As the years passed Harvey Ball became concerned about the over-commercialization of his symbol, and how its original meaning and intent had become lost in the constant repetition of the marketplace.

Out of that concern came his idea for World Smile Day.

Smiling is infectious so let it spread today.

Donal 'Smiles' Mc Sharry

Ambient Marketing at it's finest in Sydney

In the "Age of Digital" I am getting a little bored of the repetitive viral campaigns being recycled and reused by marketers. In my opinion creativity is the beauty and backbone of successful marketing. Selina's feature about McDonald's creating an "adult sized" playground in the central business district of Sydney inspired me to take a look at some other ambient marketing campaigns.

Turns out Sydney is quite the creative spot!Ikea turned a popular footpath into a walk in kitchen,inviting members of the public to pose for photographs. 3D Chalk artists Jenny McCracken and Anton Pulvirenti developed a scene on a circular quay that provided an illusion of an enormous kitchen sink complete with dish rack. The stunt was a part of Ikea's preparation for the 60th anniversary of the Ikea catologue 2011. Clink on this link to see Ikea's ambient stunts....

It is this type of innovation and creativity that keeps well established brands like Ikea at the forefront of the consumers mind.

However how do marketers ensure that this form of marketing doesn't become outdated and overdone? What are the key elements needed for a successful ambient marketing campaign?

Kate Flanagan