Maxus Mouth

Video of the Week #79

Address Is Approximate from The Theory on Vimeo.

Super Cyber Monday

So today is cyber Monday (the busiest online shopping day of the year), also known as Black-Friday-for-those-who-don’t-want-to-get-cold, and I for one have partaken. In one lunch hour I’ve taken care of 50% of all two presents I have to buy this year* (thank you Yogamats.com). 

X Factor or X Rated?

Sunday night saw Rihanna take to the stage for the X factor results show.  The singer was rapped for last years ‘raunchy’ and explicit performance and from Monday’s headlines it appeared that she returned to controversial form with swear words scrawled across her shoes.  Although not as x-rated as last year’s performance, it meant that once again; the X-factor hit the headlines in a controversial manner.
However, surely this is something that the X-factor needs?  With dwindling viewing figures and Strictly Come Dancing winning the battle of Saturday night TV in terms of popularity, the X-factor seems to be pushing the boundaries in whatever way it can to remain front of mind. Remember, that this is a show that had Frankie Cocozza as a contestant – a young man who appeared to worship Pete Doherty and spend more time in the pub than actually singing.  We have also had stories of bullying, back stage bitchiness and boybands changing their line-up on a daily basis and the series isn’t even finished yet.  Is this what the show needs to pull in viewers?  Do we tune in to hear young people sing or see which judge can come up with the best insult to a fellow panel member?
I personally didn’t see the shoes (apart from in the paper) and wouldn’t label Rihanna’s performance last year as ‘explicit’ but surely X factor needs these types of artists on their show to deliver audiences?  Year on year, the X-factor appears to be more about the headlines and the controversy on-air (and off it) rather than the contestants and their singing ability.   

Video of the Week #78

Experience Zero Gravity from Betty Wants In on Vimeo.

Retailers socially engaging this Christmas

Many advertisers this year have taken their TV ad to social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook before launching them on TV, thus providing their loyal ‘fans’ with an online exclusive and opening up a new exciting topic for discussion with their most engaged form of audience. So far this Christmas we have seen Marks and Spencer embed and launch its Christmas TV ad (featuring X-Factor finalists) through its website incorporating social video technology called Chatter, streaming in relevant tweets using specific hashtag  #MandSadvert or mentioning X-Factor or M&S.

M&S and X Factor

Aside from being a desperate jump onto the (fading) X Factor bandwagon, what on earth were Marks and Spencer doing when they signed off the truly awful ‘Wish Upon A Star’ Xmas TV campaign. Rarely can there have been a more lazy and gratuitous attempt to associate a brand with popular culture. All their efforts to be high quality and aspirational lost in 60 seconds of faux celebrity drivel.

Watch This Space

Method Acting has had a mixed history. The technique used by actors to immerse themselves in the lives of their characters has produced as many absurd stories as great performances. For every Marlon Brando in On The Waterfront, there’s Daniel Day-Lewis getting pneumonia while filming Gangs of New York but refusing medical assistance because “they wouldn’t have had treatment in the 19th Century”. For every Robert de Niro in Raging Bull there’s Dustin Hoffman staying awake for three whole days during the filming of Marathon Man to try and make his character look tired (his co-star, Laurence Olivier, suggested he “try acting” instead).

It now looks like Justin Timberlake has trumped them all. Shortly after immersing himself into the character of an internet mogul who takes The Facebook to the next level (it was his suggestion to “drop the ‘The’”), he’s taking method acting to the next level by taking a stake in MySpace along with Specific Media.

Since the announcement to a skeptical industry in June it’s been pretty quiet, but things are starting to happen after launch events in LA and this week in London. The first reason to think that JT might be on to something is the fact that 70 million people still use the service: surprising when most people in media assumed it had died a death. Beyond that, the new owners are convinced that MySpace can fill a vacuum in popular culture, music and content, which has never been filled, despite the popularity of Facebook and YouTube.

It’s a bold move and the odds are against them, but Hollywood loves a good underdog-comeback story. Whatever happens, it will be fun to watch.

Video of the week #76

Can social media inject the excitement back into X Factor?

As the nights draw in and the clocks go back the sofa holds a stronger appeal then heading out in the cold on a Saturday night! Luckily for me I am an X-Factor fan which provides endless entertainment over the weekend and often results in a late appearance at events I can’t get out of…
I know I’m not alone, I am one of many sofa-squatting X-Factor experts nationwide, so this year I was surprised to hear that the viewing figures are down almost 2 million vs. 2010. In fairness lots has changed since 2010 – mainly the judges -
* It seemed like a crazy suggestion to think ex boy band member Gary Barlow could fill Simon Cowells authoritative shoes. 
* The loss of Danni Minogue, replaced with Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland who the UK audience knew little of.
* And finally the controversy over the nation’s sweetheart Cheryl Cole leaving to host the US version only to be axed and replaced in the UK with the grittier version, Tulisa Constostavlos of N- Dubz.  Love or hate the new judges it definitely sparked a debate on Facebook and Twitter and after all isn’t it about the music not the judges?
There has been a lot of debate over whether the contestants are as talented as previous years and if the producer’s decision to make each judge kick off one of their own acts in the first live show was fair. If the public are so concerned about the welfare of the contestants, are they willing to vote for their favourite act which ultimately results in another getting the boot?
After failing to hit viewing figure targets in the USA, Simon Cowell is encouraging viewers to vote for their favourite act via Twitter or the official Facebook page. Perhaps this could be a way to engage once again with the falling numbers in the UK. Despite being a huge X-Factor fan I have never picked up the phone to vote, but am happy to update my Facebook status about my favourite act or who I want to be voted out. By having this option surely it will make the voting system more open? No more phone line scandals and a cost free option. It seems like a great option for most people but it will come with drawbacks, by utilising social media as a voting tool how will that affect the contestants? It could be argued that the show is already more of a popularity contest than a talent show but by adding this element will it be more about the contestant’s tweets and how entertaining they are to the audience via their updates rather than how well they perform on a Saturday night? Not to mention possible sabotage by the rage against the machine twitterati!
 
Personally I think this is a step in the right direction, Twitter and Facebook are already key platforms for discussion about the show, why not open it up and see the increase in votes? Perhaps it will mean that the contestants need to spend more time updating statuses/tweeting but surely this is just good practice for what lies ahead?

Pad Around Madrid

Spanish start-up PadInTheCity offers iPads for rent in Madrid. Squarely aimed at tourists, a 3G iPad can be booked online for just 25 Euros a day and delivered to your hotel at the time of your choosing. It comes pre-loaded with a constantly growing number of relevant apps such as maps, tourist info, car rental, weather and hotel booking as well as various others to keep you entertained such as Angry Birds, Hootsuite and even BBC News. Once you’ve spent a day (or more) checking out the city with all the information you need at your fingertips, it gets picked up again, from your hotel (and soon from a pre-determined location chosen by you). Brilliant.
Not being a massive Apple fan I’m unlikely to buy one so I love the idea of being able to rent one in exactly the situation when it’s going to be properly useful. I also think it could be great for families, use the likes of the iSpain app to help you have great experiences during the day and then Angry Birds and Youtube can keep the kids quiet in the evenings!
But can’t you find and use all these apps on your smartphone? Sure you can but a couple of full days roaming for data abroad it’s more than likely going to cost you a fair bit more than the 25 Euro cost for the iPad.
Assuming it all goes well in Madrid they plan to role it across other major cities. What do you think? Would you use one?