It's nice to be important. But... it's important to be nice.

MAKING MAN...KIND - An excellent film preview video by Julia Rose.

MMK is a project in collaboration with Gregg Braden, Bruce Lipton and Mike Dooley.

More than a video, it's a movement. See the summary below. Watch. Enjoy. Share.



Be good to others. Be human. Be man...kind.


A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds.
PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE & SPREAD THE SPIRIT OF GLOBAL KINDNESS: 

An explorative journey of the values & virtues of kindness. Engaging youthful change-makers, like you, to use technology and social media to spread the spirit of global kindness.

This cinematic voyage is lead by a citizen of humanities youth, who is rediscovering what he came into this world knowing: WE ARE BORN TO BE KIND.

The narration begins with a baby's consciousness speaking to the universe. Now a teenager, this young citizen of humanity seeks out validation of the echoes he recalls from his nearly forgotten conversation with the universe.

Our young explorer will begin by participating in a chain of random acts of kindness...by skateboard. As the film progresses we will see the full sequence of events that his kindness began....which eventually, link back to him. Meanwhile, as his travels continue, he will perform other simple acts of kindness whose ripples are not seen. The experts and ordinary people he encounters on his voyage will provide the science and stories of man...kind.

With the way technology connects the world today, the millennium generation is armed to be the change. The keys to our current & future happiness are well within our grasp.

The future is NOW. And WE are "the ones". We all belong to a great and diverse family called man...kind, and kindness is the universal language we speak.

We can conquer wars of heart and country with contagious kindness as our weapon of mass creation. After all, we are man...kind.

THE MOVIE, THE MURAL, THE MOVEMENT.

This is the prelude to an upcoming feature film. For more information visit 

www.SpreadingGratitudeRocks.com   |   www.MakingManKind.com

Thanks to Dee @amysticgirl Trivedi for sharing this video.

The Power of Emotion in Digital Storytelling

Good content comes from strategy. 
Great stories... from passion.

Great stories, they travel.
They go beyond borders and cultures, ages and languages.
Universal connectors, they talk to everyone and touch us all.

In marketing parlance, they are not always on-brand or contain product truth.
What they do contain is a generous mix of emotion that warms us deep inside.

Talk To Humans. Not Spiders And Bots.

The beauty of a great story is that it connects with us at the most basic level – human.
That’s the power of emotion in storytelling - digital or real life. It is a great leveler, an engagement driver, and community builder. Great storytellers get that. Important for marketers to get it too.

More than keywords, message purity, authenticity, and relevance to audience are key. That's what Google is trying to convey via algorithm changes:- Rather than gaming the system, by impressing our search bots and spiders, it's smarter SEO to connect with real people via quality content.

Your Brand Story. Tell It. Don't Sell it.

Bear in mind, while purchase is entirely a matter of context (product type, price, need, timing, age) - the point is: We may not buy the product, but we buy-in to the brand... If we recall the brand story, we may share or recommend it on social media. and in time, become brand advocates. For marketers, that’s pure gold, for content marketers... a victory in itself.

Great brands are built on stories. Today's best brand stories are told (not sold) digitally around online fires. Some outstanding examples of effective use of emotion in stories across the globe:

China - Malaysia: Malaysian rice company, Bernas wishes Happy Chinese New Year (Gong Xi Fa Cai)


Thailand: Thai mobile network, TrueMove H's commercial on the concept of 'giving without hope of return'


USA: Chipotle Mexican Grill, fast-casual restaurant chain serving Food With Integrity. Eat Responsibly.  


Global via London Olympics 2012: P&G's 'Thank You, Mom' sponsorship campaign - Marketing Gold !!!


India - Pakistan: Coca-Cola Small World Machines - Happiness Beyond Borders - Amazing human tech story!


Google Search: Reunion - Search v/s Separation - Bridging the generation gap between time and tradition.


Time (and bandwidth) permitting, watch all above in full screen. Warning: Please keep a tissue box handy!

Now we know, emotion is the secret sauce in great storytelling. However, if you're a film lover, you may have also noticed how mini films (aka epics on Youtube) have replaced the traditional 30sec/ 60 sec ad spots and commercials of yore. (Just a wee observation, but Thx! for clapping :-)


To sign off, I'll leave you with a warm hug and some top quality material on content marketing:

• A witty slideshare from Doug Kessler of Velocity Partners. 

The Other C Word: What Makes Great Content Marketing Great - @DougKessler - http://t.co/q6QhI17UBp - (RT @BrennerMichael @PamMktgNut)
— Amar Trivedi (@Mr_Madness) October 9, 2013

The Other C Word: What makes great content marketing great from Velocity Partners

Thanks to Michael Brenner for a neat blog on this: The Secret Ingredient to Great Content.
Many Thx also to my Twitter Buddy (and good egg) Pam Moore for sharing his blog post.

• A surprisingly erudite quote from Joseph Gordon-Levitt (this hunk can thunk !!!)

• An excellent LinkedIn Thought Leader post - Editor's Pick among Marketing Strategies:

Nicolas Bordas, VP, TBWA Europe & President, BEING Worldwide: What if we got emotional?

• Bonus: A warm hug from cold, cold Canada. 

Pfizer: Takes more than medication to get better. An oldie but a feel-goody!

New Chipotle ad film does it again with "The Scarecrow"

Food chain, Chipotle Mexican Grill has done it again. Clearly, it's a brand with a conscience, a green heart and a soft spot for the planet. Serious stuff for a burritos maker but then again...

It's new animation ad "The Scarecrow" is a wonderful creation - dark yet gripping, a joy to watch. What's more, they have also created a game app with Moonbot Studios and CAA Marketing.





For more on the ad:

• Ann Handley of MarketingProfs piece on LinkedIn Thought Leaders:

The Biggest Marketing Lesson from Chipotle’s ‘Scarecrow’ Video 

(and It's Not to 'Start with a Billion Dollars')

• Lisa Lacy on Clickz: Chipotle's Scarecrow Advocates 'Food with Integrity'

Chipotle's first animation ad 'Back to the Start' was a runaway hit. And why wouldn't it be? They got country music legend, Willie Nelson to sing a Coldplay classic! My blog post on it (May 2012).

What Does The Fox Say? - Funny. LOL :-)

If you haven't seen What Does The Fox Say? by Ylvis
- the newest viral video to hit the interwebs - you're in for a treat. And if you have, you know it's worth a second look.

Ring-a-dinga-ling... that's "have foxy fun" in jungle lingo. Enjoy !!!

(-:              :-)




Hilarious lyrics. Made me LOL :-)

Google Science Fair, YouTube Comedy Week, Geek Week

The results of Google Science Fair 2013 are out today. A celebration of creativity and innovation, it's a competition that encourages talented youngsters from around the world to pitch their potentially world-changing ideas to a seasoned panel of judges. Which one will win? --- #GSF2103

Gotta say, YouTube's taken to holding virtual events in a big way, offering TV channel-style entertainment. In May, they hosted YouTube Comedy Week (May 19-25). Earlier this month, (Aug 5-12) was YouTube Geek Week 2013 - celebrating global geekery. Here are some memorable video clips including one that came in from the now-famous Slowmo Guys. Enjoy!










Slowmo Guys, Gav + Dan start a water balloon fight with 1500 people and film it @ 2500fps. They shouldn't have... ;-)


Speaking of geekiness, I think the "Boy and His Atom" film by IBM Research is the bee's knees.

Hey! It's Brainiac Tuesday #GeekWeek @YouTube | A genius gem of Global Geekery via @IBMResearch --> http://t.co/obbtXxOu63
— Amar Trivedi (@Mr_Madness) August 6, 2013

Ashton Kutcher Delivers Rockstar Acceptance Speech #InspirationCentral

'Sbeen a wild week of viral memes on the web what with Ben Affleck named the new Batman, and Miley Cyrus OMG! twerking her behind off at the VMAs. But it began with Ashton Kutcher stealing the show with his Ultimate Choice Award acceptance speech at The Teen Choice Awards 2013.

Fresh from "Jobs the film", Ashton is definitely doing some grown-up talk. Wise words in the speech, some good, sensible advice - not just for teens. Sample this 3-pointer:

1. Opportunity... looks a lot like work.
2. The sexiest thing in the world is being smart, thoughtful and generous. (All else is crap!)
3. Look around. Everything you see and like was made by people just like you. Build your life.

Impressed? 3.5 million hits on YouTube... and counting. Watch the video. Inspire and be inspired.

Post by Inspiration Central.

Welcome to Inspiration Central - Inspire and Be Inspired. www.facebook.com/InspirationCentral


Gratitude! Thanks to Angela Ahrendts for posting this on LinkedIn.

What is Innovation? --- I ♥ the simplicity of this definition.

If you like this definition, you will love ☛ IBMblr - IBM Innovation Culture on Tumblr 

Audi NZ ad: Land of Plenty. Land of Quattro - great A/V

What is a good TV commercial? End of the day, it's great audio-visual content that makes it memorable. Just what the new Audi New Zealand commercial "Land of Plenty. Land of Quattro" - Audi's first ever NZ made television commercial - has in heaps.

The best TV ad I've seen in a while, it features an awesome audio track by Kiwi singer songwriter, Greg Johnson. The song was composed especially for the Audi ad. It could (and should) be used for NZ Tourism. Hear! Hear! Tourism New Zealand, this song is a floor-filler, ear-puller.



"no matter where your spirit roams... feels like home" --> beaut of a slogan for NZ Tourism

Film Credits

Agency: bcg2

Creative Director/ CEO: James Blackwood

Director/DOP – *Lee Howell

Camera Operator/DOP – *Simon Waterhouse

Second Camera Operator – James Blackwood

Producers – bcg2 / Amanda Jenkins AJ Films

Agency creative – James Blackwood (bcg2 CEO & Creative Director)

Agency suit – Martin Scragg (bcg2 Account Director)

*bcg2 enlisted the skills of Lee Howell, a commercial photographer who has done extensive work for the automotive industry, and Simon Waterhouse who specialises in shooting the South Island.

Read more about the making of the commercial on AdMedia.

What would a world without mobile look like?

" The future is not about mobile devices. It is about mobility. "
- David Armano, Harvard Business Review

Can you imagine a world without mobile phones or smartphones? How would life be if we had social media in real life? This tech parody video gives us a good glimpse into a mobile-less world.



Think Mobile First - #BornMobile #MobileFirst  Do you have a smartphone? Or a dumbphone :-) Tablet? Or phablet?

Beyond The Device. Rise of Mobile Enterprise.

Innovative businesses are mobile enterprises. Enterprise Mobility enables you to:

• Attract new customers
• Delight users with contextually relevant experiences
• Turn every interaction into an opportunity
• Provide a consistent brand experience
• Deliver innovation

Enterprise Mobility is about putting your business in motion, transacting on the go...
For more information on mobile experience, follow @IBMmobile + visit IBM Mobile First

Think Mobile First - Fun Facts via #IBMmobile (cc: @edbrill @SocialMktgFella) | Good Stats --> http://t.co/l9REFGiVl0 pic.twitter.com/IBu4hTYJyE
— Amar Trivedi (@Mr_Madness) July 23, 2013

Beyond the Device: Rise of Mobile Enterprise. MT @CaseyCrl @IBM_NEWS: IBM's new #mobile strategy for business. http://t.co/nLrEdrJByg
— Amar Trivedi (@Mr_Madness) August 7, 2013

Click on image to view enlarged version

Say Hello! to the best bear video. Ever... and Twitter's TED

We've all seen those bear-catching-salmon-swimming-upstream videos. This will change the way you look at bears. Hahaha... Too funny. OMG! Ow! my stomach. I can't bear it. LOL. - all perfectly normal reactions on viewing this 7 second clip. Challenge you not to see it again. And again!



This proves beyond all doubt that bears really are wild creatures. They. Are. Just. Too. Wild. :-)


Speaking of wild bears, meet TED - officially the craziest bear on Twitter. TED tweets a lot (often NSFW), but mostly harmless fun & funny stuff which his million+ followers lap up with gusto !!!

The walk of shame when you have to put something back in a store after your mom says no
— TED (@TedOfficialPage) July 25, 2013 

Farts are just the ghosts of the things we eat.— TED (@TedOfficialPage) July 25, 2013 

pic.twitter.com/0ukOXiSf9h
— TED (@TedOfficialPage) July 23, 2013

(-:              :-)

Amazing TEDx Talk - Beatboxer Extraordinaire, Tom Thum

TED stands for Technology. Entertainment. Design. This video represents the 'E'... to a 'T'.

You've seen amazing people performing on TED. Few come close to this. This beat-boxing powerhouse of vocal talent, has honed his natural gift into an awesome, hugely entertaining show.

From Brisbane, Australia... rocking TEDx Sydney... Ladies & Gentlemen, this is Tom Thummer.

Cool trio of Mentos ads + Diet Coke classic viral hit

Take five to enjoy these funny 'Don't Become Your Dad' ads for Mentos Chewy Mints. An orally awesome creative trio with that perfect flavour of silliness and humour. Chew on it!

Hot Tub



Technology



Stranger Danger




Vintage Viral Video

Check out the Diet Coke + Mentos Eruption Experiment - one of the earliest viral videos from back in 2006, pre-social media - when people shared cool stuff via email attachments :-)



Here's the scientific explanation of the chemical reaction that causes the explosive geyser.

Humans are awesome. Which means: You. Are. Awesome.

Hey! Awesome human. Know what? You were right. You. Are. Awesome. Here's an amazing video series (and website: http://www.humansareawesome.net/) dedicated to the awesomeness that we homo sapiens bring to the world. Celebrate your life. Love your being. Enjoy your awesome self ;-)





Many Thanks to Kristy Napier for tweeting this out. Awesome find.

Love the latest humansareawesome video http://t.co/WZjNtqoazU #fb
— KristyNapier (@kristydarby) June 28, 2013

While on awesome humans, follow my twitter friend, Engaging Emma for #Twinspiration

Today is TYFBA ...... #attitude pic.twitter.com/Om5xoXYz9v
— Energise & Engage (@EngagingEmma) July 9, 2013

America's Got Talent, Kenichi Ebina, Dancer Extraordinaire

Want to see something mind-blowing? Yes. Then, watch Kenichi Ebina's dance-ish performance as he tears it up on the dance floor at the Chicago Audition of America's Got Talent.

Prepare to be amazed. Enjoy...

Awwwwww.....esome !!! It's The Super-Cute Evian Babies.

OK, folks! I haven't posted on 'Mr. Madness' for a while. But this lovable viral film brought my blogger mojo back. With me, the Evian boogie-ing babies are back in business too. Enjoy...



Move over Harlem Shake, Make way Gangnamstyle... here comes the hot-stepper !!!


Seen the other super-hit viral Evian ad... with the street-dancing, roller-skating babies... :-)