The Design Business Association, the UK organization that measures and rates the effectiveness of design in a range of categories by using commercial data to evaluate the success, announced the winners of its annual Design Effectiveness Awards, which included projects by leading design agencies. The ceremony, which was held in London on February 16, brought together 450 industry leaders, who received 62 gold, silver and bronze trophies, awarded by the association this year in 12 categories.
Author: Anna Rudenko
Fast Company, the journal covering the latest news in the technology, ethonomics (ethical economics) and design fields, has unveiled its annual ranking The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies. Apple, Facebook, Google and Amazon are taking the lead (they are No. 1, 2, 3, and 4 correspondingly). Traditionally, the biggest intrigue here is not who will occupy the top lines (these several leaders are featured on most of ‘the best, the most successful, etc.’ ranks), but in which order they will do it (though, there are some newcomers as well). The most unpredictable thing here is what companies will take the rest of the positions and rule in their industries.
Red Bull, the energy drink brand known for its bold nature, is inviting the USA feel the spirit of Venice to the American environment. On April 14, the brand will be hosting a hilarious competition Red Bull Candola for the second year running on the New River in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where a maximum of 30 teams of three will be rowing in safe and nature-friendly entirely human-powered boats made from or inspired by Red Bull cans. Not for speed records, but for fun.
First people, then brands—Facebook is going to make the Timeline format, which was launched for individuals on the social network in 2011, available for companies. The new option for creating a picture-heavy and collage-like impressive profile was first launched in September for users from select countries and soon rolled out worldwide, but not for brands (as we remember, Google+ opened only for people in the beginning too, and invited brands only after several month following the official launch of the network).
YouTube offers its global audience a unique opportunity to see the large-scale events live even if they can’t be there in person. Last year, the video-sharing website invited people from all over the globe to see the royal wedding ceremony straight from Westminster Abbey and watch the ritual of the Hajj on November 5 in Mecca to name but a few. The service is going to bring every major occasion online for those who can’t be there. Now, YouTube is streaming fashion shows live from the runaway of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (February 9-16), and is going to make this winter hot by showing its audience what will be going on at Brazil’s Carnival from February 16 to 21.
Coke Zero, the no-calorie drink from the beverage giant, has kicked off a new campaign in Great Britain, following on the heels of the new round of Diet Coke ‘Love It Light’ promotion in the country, launched in partnership with the Benefit Cosmetics beauty company. The new marketing effort targeted at young male will be rolled out on video on demand services and online until early March and will be offering the drink’s fans to ‘Taste the Possibilities’ (as the strapline says).
Google+ is gaining momentum as an online destination for photographers from all around the globe. In November 2011, the network encouraged student photographers to share their stills with public for a chance to get their photos on a public display in an offline gallery. This prize is for younger generation, which may need some encouragement and support to step out—but some photographers on Google+ didn’t wait for any calls and developed their own collaborative project, a book titled ‘Plus One Collection’ under Google+ name. The new product is celebrating the art of photograpy, provides an opportunity to see photos in print (in our digital era, this becomes a rare thing) and offers a nice contribution to a philatrophic community.
Get Married, Get a Car: Renault Offers Women an Opportunity to Make a Unique Proposal on February 29
Want to kill two birds with one stone, get a husband and a new car at one time? Building on the old tradition which allows women propose to their men on February 29 with no fear of being judged, Renault and Yahoo! are offering ladies in the UK an opportunity to finally make it and ask their boyfriends to be their husbands, but do it with a modern twist. The auto brand is calling female users to submit their ideas on how they would like to propose—Renault will give the winner a new auto and film the moment and post the video on the Yahoo! homepage. Happiness should be shared.