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Bastards Brigade
By steve hulford on 2009-06-28 01:43:01
Bastards Brigade
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
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Day 5 of the Toronto Garbage strike
By steve hulford on 2009-06-26 10:36:36
Day 5 of the Toronto Garbage strike
The garbage bin filleth over. This city is starting to stink. Check out the 19 Garbage Dump sites across the city on Google Maps. If you are pissed off about the Garbage strike tell them how you feel about it in this Facebook Group.
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Toronto sundown
By steve hulford on 2009-06-25 21:41:53
Toronto sundown
You have to love the long days of the summer. This was taken on the 4th floor of the Spoke Club looking west.
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Driving with the top down with Stuartma
By steve hulford on 2009-06-25 12:48:54
Driving with the top down with Stuartma
After talking shop for a couple of hours I got a life him in this nice convertible jag by Tripharbor.com CEO Stuart MacDonald.
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Storm chaser
By steve hulford on 2009-06-23 16:46:54
Storm chaser
Taken in the parking lot of The Weather Network. They seem to have modified their car into a portable weather station. There are people that make a living chasing storms. I followed the blog of George Kourounis a weather chaser. George describes himself as: "I'm a storm chaser, global explorer and adventurer. Here you will find many unique images of my incredible journeys from all over the world". George I wonder what you pay in life insurance? It must be high. All the best to you in your adventures and travels.
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Broken Social Scene with Leslie Feist
By public on 2009-06-18 22:49:40
Broken Social Scene with Leslie Feist
Live from The Courthouse on Adelaide St, in downtown Toronto. A rare event with Leslie Feist rejoining Broken Social Scene for a few songs.
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R.O.W. awards gala
By stevefm on 2009-06-15 10:28:47
R.O.W. awards gala

At the 1st Annual R.O.W awards gala, I had an opportunity to take part in an auction for Victor Davis's 1984 jersey. I out bid everyone on the priceless award which is a frame with Victor's jersey, and an autographed photo of Victor. This is a photo of me, Dean Boles and Cliff Barry. What a night for me, to be able to see Dean and Cliff after many year, these are two men that had a big role in shaping me.

Victor was a great champion, and I had the unique experience of swimming with him in the 1985-86 swimming season. After swimming with Victor I grew up thinking that anyone can be the best, they just have to work hard. Having mentors like Victor, Cliff and Dean really set me up for success as an adult. I owe a lot to these guys. So buying the Victor Davis jersey was a very exciting moment for me.

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Streetcar limo
By steve hulford on 2009-06-12 15:14:55
Streetcar limo
How I get from meeting to meeting around the city. It is the better way.
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MMVA Camp out
By steve hulford on 2009-06-12 14:56:00
MMVA Camp out
Hundreds of people are lined up and camped out around the block at 299 Queen street for the 2009 MMVA's.
203 views | 0 comments

Big outdoor ad is missed opportunity for Kraft
By steve hulford on 2009-06-08 23:10:15
Big outdoor ad is missed opportunity for Kraft

I came upon this massive billboard that is 12 stories tall. It was selling Miracle Whip and had a massive jar of the product hanging off the building. The brand is proudly stating how bold its product is, and that it can't be toned down. It is awesome!

However it is strange to see in 2009 ad campaigns (TV Spots, Outdoor ads, Print) that don't contain a call to action to go to a website URL. At the very least you can drop the call to action, and just feature a simple url, as posting a website is a passive call to action all on its own. This is very bad practice, and a wasted opportunity for a brand like Kraft to start a conversation with their consumers. To top it all off, it is a missed opportunity to start this dialogue with fans, and possible influencers.

Listen up advertisers. You got my attention! ... I am interested. Now send me somewhere to satisfy my curiosity. This exceptional advertisement is waisted on me. A url should accompany every piece of ad creative (mobile ads might be an exception, banner as as well as users can click). When you spend as much money as you did on a piece of outdoor creative like this, take 10-20% 20% of your budget, and make a companion microsite to further engage your audience.

Here is how it could work for you: Joe public walks down the street, is impressed and intrigued by the message on the billboard ad. He visits your website. Joe leaves a message on the website, and that message is broadcast to his social networks. So what started out as a billboard becomes a broadcast network with a valuable feedback loop for the brand who put up the ad.

This is a no brainer. Why miss out on an an opportunity to engage with your customers.

UPDATE: I noticed that Kraft has produced a 15 second spot with the same theme as what we see in the billboard. Guess what NO URL in the TV spot either? Essentially they have gone to market with a multi-platform ad campaign, and missed a major piece in the overall puzzle. They have no feedback loop. All those people are floating out there with opinions and interest in this brand, have no where to go. Furthermore, the demographic seems to be the 18-34 age group which is all over the social networks online.

A missed opportunity for Kraft, something I am sure we will see less and less of in the future.

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Street mural Bloor and Spadina
By steve hulford on 2009-06-06 11:27:02
Street mural Bloor and Spadina
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
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Toronto skyline from YTZ
By steve hulford on 2009-06-04 20:01:23
Toronto skyline from YTZ
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
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Picton from the air
By steve hulford on 2009-06-04 19:52:45
Picton from the air
Taken from 15,000 feet on a Porter Air flight
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Take a bike
By steve hulford on 2009-06-04 17:27:32
Take a bike
City of Montreal owns these bikes and people rent them. You can pay by credit card, with the first 30 min free. The city has bought 3,500 bikes, and charges 79 for the entire year to use. This program has been around for a couple of weeks, and has been quite a success. The kiosks that take your money are have solar panels. Good for you Montreal!!!
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Montreal
By steve hulford on 2009-06-04 13:29:03
Montreal
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
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