Friday, December 03, 2010

Polishing 'Things Unduly Receiving Dominant Support'

I used (and still do, a bit) work in ad/marketing.

And nothing was surer than night followed day than when a new broom swept into a client's marketing department, they'd just have to make their mark.

Sort of a territorial marking thing.

And nothing made us happier at the agency, because a) it was more money, and b) having lived with marketing stuff more intimately, for longer, we were bored with the 'same old, same old', too.

That the consumer was probably fine with it, and would be for years, really didn't come in to it.

So it's kind of interesting that, when opportunity to do so much more knocks, the focus of gazing still seems to be pretty much at the collective navel.

http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/in-depth/the-perilous-world-of-the-revamp


Of course, I now have extra, vested interests in thinking beyond the box, about the box and how the box can be reused...

'In a consumer-centric world governed mostly by a desire to get an end benefit, while a new look may serve those within an organisation more, a desire that actually adds value… to the purchaser… is more likely to drive extra sales.

Boosting recyclability is of course great, but creating reuse keeps the brand in the home, and heart… not out via the bin. Much as that may tick a tonnage box.'

Thursday, December 02, 2010

COMPETITION - myplasticidea.co.uk

A great lead kindly provided by Junkeeter Anita of Writing Services:

COMPETITION

WHEN: Entry D/L Jan 22 2011
WHAT: From their blurb:

This competition is aimed at creatives and students of all ages who are resident in the UK. Using Priplak polypropylene you are asked to create a product, an innovative packaging solution or a promotional incentive. Part of the brief is to think about re-usability, durability, multi-usage and multi-functional.

The designs may be an innovative solution to an existing product or common everyday item, but will be judged on creativity, originality, and functionality, cost effectiveness and use of the material.

WHAT... MORE?:

There will be three categories: My Plastic ‘Packaging’ Idea, My Plastic ‘Product’ Idea and My Plastic ‘Incentive/Promotional’ Idea. First prize for each category is £500 cash and the overall winner will receive an additional £500. Shortlisted finalists will get showcased at an exhibition in May in front of potential clients. In addition, the organisers will be scanning all entries looking for potential opportunities for products or incentives to be developed to market on a royalty arrangement basis.

HOW MUCH: My fave... no mention of money!
URL: http://www.myplasticidea.co.uk/
COMMENTS: Possibly somewhat restricted by having to focus on reuse (and sussing out the plastic specified in the brief), we will for sure be having a go here. But if you do enter via us telling you... and win... make sure to give us a mention at least:)

STANDARD INFLATION

That's the problem with standards.

Allow more than one, and you often end up with none.

And nothing, but nothing, undercuts the value of good work than having a compromised messenger for critical messages, especially one as grotesque as this:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100066317/cancun-suffers-its-final-indignity-a-visit-from-two-jags-prescott/

It's as story from, it's fair to say, a sceptical site, but the ongoing indulgence of representatives such as John Prescott, in his joke role, simply perpetuates the own goals the hypocritical involvement in the name of green this involves.

Telling it like it... well, some want 'it' to be

It's no secret I hold our media estate in low esteem.

Especially on matters of science at the best of times, but even more so when agendas then get bolted on top of near zero appreciation of facts, what is know, or what is not, to support prejudices.

This highlights the point:

http://climatedenial.org/2010/12/02/one-report-two-headlines/


Two diametrically opposing news media; two diametrically opposing ways at looking at things.

It looks like a debate is brewing that may be worth the follow.

I have to agree that I'd rely on the Daily Mail for very little, but it does have its uses.

The Guardian is more credible, but can also be prone to seeing things through its own prism.

And the Met Office's record is not one I would hang my hat on to justify a story.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

An important day for RE:tie

Karma is a funny thing.

With the 'brimming with vindication' consumer market research burning a hole in my filing cabinet, yesterday was supposed to be the day of a big meeting with a PR whiz to get the media, at least (hopefully followed by consumers, groups and government) to sit up and take note of RE:tie as a green, disability PR, CSR and sales dream come true.

Sadly, snow stopped (well, postponed, possibly until next year) play.

Suitably snookered, I was licking my wounds when I happened across this:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/ianmcowie/100008829/grey-pounds-100bn-christmas-warning-to-retailers/

Bearing in mind that equal to RE:tie's 'green' cred is its contribution to enablement, this was not unfortuitous.

Of course I have weighed in:

'Retailers risk repelling some of their wealthiest customers with excessive and poorly-designed packaging which older people find difficult to open or use...

+

...Nearly half of more than 2,000 people questioned said they are sometimes unable to take lids or caps off products such as plastic milk bottles or jars because of the packaging

As one with more than a passing interest in PR & marketing, what surprises me is how resistant many brands are to initiatives designed not only to boost their CSR, but which may also confer more than a slight USP/sales advantage too, which one has to presume is the holy grail.

With luck it is but a matter of time before design initiatives such as http://www.retie.co.uk/ or http://www.squeezeopen.com/ get noticed, embraced and appreciated as much by those marketing whizzes (and their bosses forever on the TV claiming to be in support of 'innovation') as much as they may be by consumers.

I have also contacted the professional bodies cited, and downloaded a useful research aid:

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/
http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/
http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/record.jsp?type=publication&ID=80
http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/files/pdf_pdf_155.pdf

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Two heads...

Sort of a meeting of minds.

And when they click, synergy is always good.

Yesterday I was pleased and honoured to play host at Junkk Towers to Anne of like-minded 'doing' site Makeitandmendit.com.

She had come to 'kick our tyres' so to speak, but in the course of a few very enjoyable hours we also explored some interesting areas of opportunity and mutual benefit.

Just how I like it.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

IDEA - Abandon hope...

... all ye who enter here!

Suitably apocalyptic? Good.

Because, earlier today, I was.

The route from here to my Mum's home (where I visit twice daily) is about 10 mile, each way.

It's almost all a stretch of dual carriageway between Ross on Wye and Monmouth, along the A449/40.

On a good day, 10 mins, door-to-door.

On a bad day.... best to be thinking in terms of nifty beard styles.

No dual carriageway or motorway is any different. Great when they work, but you're stuffed when they don't.

And the worst part is that once you're in, there is no way out.

Which got me to pondering.

With all the technology that exists today, from hardware such as Highway Agency gantries to TrafficMaster, and immediate on-site assessments from the police to drivers with Bluetooth mobiles, surely there has to be a way to identify the problems quickly and accurately, and inform others upstream usefully and reliably.

This stretch is a prime example. There is nearly zero alternative route (trust me, I did a tour of Herefordshire trying), so the most logical thing is, surely, to position just two warning signs, one Southbound at Ross and one Northbound at Monmouth, that basically tells you that section of the route is stuffed (for how long in terms of miles and duration until resolved optional extras). I can't see how this would cost too much, and it would save so much.

OK, there will be the vast stream of traffic pouring in that will divert, or stop, or go back, but surely that is better than creating a several mile backing up car park with motors idling?

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Light fantastic

If it's too good to be true... rush in and worry later!

I am sure there is a downside, but just got back from FOCUS DIY with a stash of Edison screw and bayonet low energy bulbs for... 29p/ea. O, and 3 for 2, too.

I presume they will actually work, but really...

Blowing the horn for reuse

I must confess that the Vuvuzela seemed to consume a lot of plastic.

Especially in this country, where most enjoyed a limited lifespan.

Anyway, it is nice that the spirit of reuse has inspired some in the home of the Vuvuzela.

Telegraph - Leftover vuvuzelas to be reinvented as earrings

I have to say that the winning entry selected has confirmed my views on most judges.

At first I thought folk would need pretty tough lobes to swing a couple of these fellas off 'em, but apparently the notion is to saw slices along the length. Hmn.

All for thinking laterally, and no problem with a bit of extra DIY, but... really?

Purely subjective, but I would have given more credit to some of the other, and often simpler ideas.

But at least those imaginations are out there, and working furiously, worldwide.

Sunday, November 07, 2010

If you do one thing today...

http://www.silentsingle.com

Brilliant concept, totally appropriate for an outstanding cause.

While the marketing sense of using 'celebs' is clear, I would have preferred more of the faces to be featured to be those more relevant and in need of further exposure to those they have served.

Still worth 'buying' over and over to succeed.

I was going to apologise for this being a bit 'off eco' but, on reflection, other than server consequences, etc, maybe it's even 'greener' than more 'showy' methods.

Of course, get that poppy too, but only to wear at the right time for the right reasons.

Dad, what you and others did and still do for me and our future will never be forgotten.

Telegraph

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

REPAIR - A problem halved..

I wanna tell you a story...

A few years back, we had a shower unit installed in the master bedroom.

Recently, we had rain in the lounge below.

As luck would have it, we had taken out one of those British Gas insurances on all sorts, including, we thought, plumbing.

As it turns out, luck was against us... the wrong kind of plumbing.

A man came, saw, and went away. We'd run the shower, he looked, nothing happened, and away he went.

Thing is, it started raining again.

This time, I went into full Sherlock mode and, armed with a camera, 'observed' the missus at her toilette. Racy. But, more critically, the blooming waste pipe was dripping a storm! That... was covered. How had they missed it before?

So I got them back.

Blow me down... nothing again.

Then I had a brainwave.

I recalled a story about a lady who said her telephone didn't work when it rained. Several engineer visits later, no sign of any problem.

Then, as luck would have it, one call-out day, the engineer meets her in the driveway on a rainy day. Shaking out her brolly, as they enter the hall she hangs it up to dry... on the telecom wire, just enough to pull the connection apart.

So I thought laterally, and donned a pair of Speedos and climbed in to shower while the engineer surveyed beneath. Sure enough... a leak.

What was happening was the weight of the person on the shower tray was dropping it enough to create a gap the older sealant couldn't accommodate.

Sorted, but sad part is... that aspect is not covered by the insurance.

Plus seeing off a young man in my bathrobe has done my reputation locally no good at all.

Monday, November 01, 2010

PROF'S POSER - Tow or trail?

Here's a fun one.

On my daily jaunt to visit my Mum, I see quite a few tourist RV's plying the highways.

Some often have a little shuttle bug (usually a Smart) hanging off the back.

Very sensible to simply nose around the latest venue without a monster truck.

T'oher day I overtook two such behemoths, only one was connected to its baby by a tow bar, and the other had it on a trailer which was in turn hooked up to the Mother ship.

Which set me to pondering which would be better.

The latter obviously reduces wear and tear on the towee, especially tyres, but will impose a load on the tower rear.

The former might add more friction (4 wheels vs. 2) but maybe less load (weight of trailer + any down forces).

Not a clue. But keen to find out.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

PROF'S POSER - Tap or...?

Nope, not about bottled water.

The other day I was cooking lunch for the boys and needed to clean the pan, which was coated in fat from the last fry-up.

Invested one kitchen towel in scooping the solids out and to the pin.

Then I needed to address the remains. A dob of Fairy Liquid and then I reached for the hot tap.

Now, hold on.

To get the water I needed, I say a minimum 'run' of about 1min. That's a lot of water down the drain anyway. And then the amount of hot water now left to cool in the pipes between boiler and tap.

Vs.... popping 1/2 a litre in the kettle. 250ml to cleana dn the rest to rinse.

I opted for the kettle. But I wonder is the 'leccy vs. gas source makes a difference.

CYCLING - Uni-lateral dismemberment?


Just had to share this.

In Hereford the other day.

That now lonely wheel was fully padlocked.

Ironically, to the bike rack of the local council offices... under the security camera.

Friday, October 29, 2010

COMPETITION - Sustainability Now Social Media Awards

COMPETITION

WHEN: Deadline Friday 5th November
WHAT: Sustainability Now Social Media Awards
WHAT... MORE?: Their blurb:

The Sustainability Now Social Media Awards will highlight the very best social media focusing on the creation and sustainability of a green built environment. We’re looking to highlight the most engaging, informative, innovative or simply entertaining sustainability based social media, wherever it may be found.

The theme of the awards is sustainability, but this doesn’t mean it has to be the main focus of these social media efforts; it could be a recurring element among many different discussion areas, or a single tweet, an individual blog post, or the primary subject matter.

The categories:

We have seven categories available for the awards this year. These are open to individuals as well as branded company accounts. Entries and nominations for the Awards close on Friday 5th November.

Nominate yourself or your company in 350 words or less for any of the following categories

Best social media community group
Best Tweeter
Best Blogger
Best brand social media use
Best social media individual

HOW MUCH: Don't see a fee, so 'Weeeeeee!'
URL: http://www.ukvirtualevents.com/virtual-events/sustainability-now/social-media-awards/
COMMENTS: Now, who do we know worthy...:)

Ok, so your arteries are still clogged...

And the salt is seizing up your heart.

But this works (a bit better) environmentally:

http://www.kfc.com/packaging/lineup.asp

Have to love that first word!

Monday, October 18, 2010

COMPETITION - Letswasteless.com

Actually, it's a competition to intro a new website.

http://www.letswasteless.com/cms/community/competition.aspx

And it's one in our 'hood - Herefordshire & surrounds.

Not sure how well populated it is, as a lot of folk (including Junkk.com) are not included who could/should be), so it's also an opportunity to bring 'em up to speed.

Tell 'em Junkk.com sent you. Maybe they'll realise we're here... and have been for a while.

And here to help:)

Friday, October 15, 2010

Number Crunching

Sometimes things make you think.

And sometimes folk make you think you need to think more.

A few weeks ago, in my local paper, I saw the headline 'Well done for recycling 25 jumbo jets off waste', and was frankly, impressed.

It was a letter to the county's public by the Environment Cabinet member, celebrating the 5,000th tonne of waste collected for the EnviroSort facility.

Certainly, other than that sidelined here for reuse, our household has 'done it's bit' with the new wheelies.

But then I read a follow-up letter the next week, pointing out that it worked out at 0.6kg per week per person in the county.

Further, the free paper this message was in, is a weekly 0.15kg. Made me think twice before getting too impressed too quickly. Better than nothing, but perhaps a ways to go?

But just in case, I'll also await next week to see if there is more to the way the numbers get crunched than meets the eye.

PR COVERAGE - Little acorns

Did a little series of talks t'other week for local Cub & Scout groups.

Nice to be appreciated.