Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), Sergey Brin (Google) and Yuri Milner (Digital Sky Technologies) along with some other notable figures in the IT sector have joined forces to launch the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences Foundation to foster researchers in the biotech sphere. The list of founding sponsors also includes Zuckerberg’s wife Priscilla Chan, Brin’s wife and co-founder of 23andMe Anne Wojcicki as well as Art Levinson of Apple, who has been appointed the Chairman of the Foundation’s board.
Year: 2013
Jim Beam has tapped Leonardo DiCaprio for an advert, which is airing exclusively in Japan. Surprisingly enough, the brand has not engaged the Hollywood A-lister in a massive campaign—the highest paid actor in 2011 stars in a simple (and a bit odd) short commercial. In the ad, which is just 17 seconds long, Mr. DiCaprio first appears as a sculptor and then turns into a magician.
BlackBerry has finally started the “Keep Moving Projects” cultural influencer program, which was announced at the launch of new Blackberry products earlier this year. The brand’s creative director Alicia Keys along with Robert Rodriguez and Neil Gaiman are inviting the global audience to work with them on a series of projects, which require creative vision and desire to leave a mark. Alicia’s and Neil’s projects have already been launched, while Robert’s one is yet to come.
The British telecom company O2 has tapped street artist Slinkachu to create three impressive artworks in order to promote the 20 Years of War Child exhibition, supported by O2. The pieces, which reflect the creator’s signature «little people» approach, are developed to raise awareness of the War Child charity’s missions and celebrate its 20th anniversary. The international charity unites artists and musicians, who contribute to the cause by raising funds to tackle problems of children living in war-torn countries.
Ford is engaging the U.S. online community to promote its latest Ford Fiesta vehicle. The automaker is on the lookout for 100 young adults, so-called social influencers from various areas, who will “convey the unique personality and attributes of the new 2014 Ford Fiesta in an entirely different way,” says the brand. The new initiative, dubbed “Fiesta Movement: A Social Remix,” will be built from user-generated content only.
Lexus infuses life into the new print, promoting the 2014 Lexus IS in the latest issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine. The automaker has collaborated with the Team One agency, which created the interactive print that is activated by scanning a QR code. Thanks to the technology, a traditional paper magazine ad comes to life, revealing three models wearing swimsuits.