Esquire’s Augmented Reality Issue Hits US Stores

Esquire Magazine has released their Augmented Reality issue which has landed on shelves this week. The special issue includes certain pages which feature the AR coding, allowing the reader to interact with the title. As usual the users just need to install the software from Esquire’s website, hold the mag up to their webcam, and their away. Robert Downey Jr. is even on board to introduce the issue. As in any great example of something this neat, there is a YouTube video explaining it in more depth, so check it out below.


Video - Esquire’s Augmented Reality Issue

I think this is a fantastic way of showing their readers that they understand what's happening in the world around them, in a very quirky and fun way. The level of interaction is very cool, and isn't just the run of the mill stuff we see all the time. A very nice example.


Pic - Esquire’s Augmented Reality Cover Robert Downey Jr.


Via - Digital Trends

Marge Simpson Strips for Playboy Cover

That's right, after 30 years on our screens Hugh has finally given Marge Simpson her own shot at being a Playboy Covergirl. Readers will be able to see this on the November issue of Playboy, and I think you'll agree that after popping out three kids she certainly gives the Girls Next Door a run for their money.


Pic - Marge Simpson Cover November issue of Playboy (Photo Credit)


Thanks for the tip Miss Hills!

Did You Know 4.0 - Latest Video for Autumn 2009

Okay, I know these 'Shift Happens' videos get updated every few months, but here is the latest of the Did You Know videos, 'Did You Know 4.0' updated for Autumn 2009. The video as always is massively positive if you work online, and not so positive if you happen to work in the offline media world. The video, developed in partnership with The Economist, includes a very rounded collection of facts and statistics of the changing media landscape, including convergence and technology. Even if they are mainly from the US, it's still worth having a look at.



Video - Did You Know 4.0

Lego 'Making History' Campiagn: Ali, Tank, and Brandenburg ads

Here are a few ads from the Lego 'Making History' campaign which I've seen today, and so thought I'd share them with you all.



Lego 'Making History' Campaign: Ali advert



Lego 'Making History' Campaign: Tank advert



Lego 'Making History' Campaign: Brandenburg advert

True Blood: Vampire Targeted advertising

The second series of HBO's True Blood starts in the US on June 14 at 9pm, and in the true nature of the TV show over the last month or so, they have got together with a handful of brands to launch a very original and cool campaign targeting the vampires living among us. Some of the brands involved are below.


MINI



Harley-Davidson



Monster.com



Gillette



Other brands involved include Ecko Fragrance, Anubis Air, Hotel Carmilla, and Geico in a campaign which was implemented across Outdoor, Press, and Online.

According to the True Blood Bloodcopy Blog advertisers would be silly not to target Vampires in these difficult times... "With a global recession in full swing, tapping the growth segment of vampire consumers has become all the rage in corporate America. Leading the competition, these companies have all launched marketing efforts aimed at turning undead desires into dollars".

Fantastic!