'Nandos Fergie Time' on Twitter - chicken restaurant reacts to Manchester United news! #nandosfergietime

Nando's restaurant have responded to the widely tweeted news that Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson will retire at the end of the season.

In recognition of 'Fergie time' (the belief of many that Manchester United are seemingly granted additional time at the end of matches when they need it most) Nando's have arranged for all of their Manchester restaurants to be open for an additional 5 minutes tonight.

Nandos have tweeted about this and have been retweeted around 6000 times in 30 minutes!

#NandosFergieTime - Nando's restaurants open later today to honour Alex Ferguson

Nando's have even changed the restaurant opening times on their website!

Nando's Fergie Time - opening hours changed on Nando's website

Always-on content marketing is about having a finger on the pulse and being quickly able to capitalise on the Zeitgeist.  Another name for this is 'newsjacking' (the idea of piggybacking a news story in order to drive relevance and coverage) and #nandosfergietime does exactly that!

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YouTube blood donation film integrates into video progress bar (Hemorio, Brazil)

A clever new film from Hemorio in Brazil highlights the fact that in Brazil, no matter how much blood is donated, there is always someone waiting for a blood donation - the film is therefore named 'waiting for life' and aims to encourage more people to donate blood in Brazil.

Screengrab from blood donation film on Youtube - the video progress bar morphs into a catheter...

In order to make the film more noticeable (and newsworthy), the makers created "a link between the waiting time and the importance of getting blood to those who need it. In the video, the blood leaves the veins of the donor and enters the YouTube video progress bar as if it were an extension of the catheter", then when the blood reaches its destination the patient comes back to life...

The full English version of the 'waiting for life' blood donation film is here:


A nice example of how content can be strengthened through integrating it into the mechanics of a platform!

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Ed Sheeran - Lego House (Lego version) - animated video remix drives new attention

A user generated LEGO remix of Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House' video is drawing new attention to the track.

Ed Sheeran's 'Lego House' video was originally published to YouTube in October 2011 and so far Lego House has attracted 47 million views.  LEGO animator Dylan Woodley (check out his Insomniac Animations channel here - http://www.youtube.com/NXTManiac94) has now breathed new life into the Lego House track with an animated LEGO version that Warner Music have uploaded to the official Warner Sound YouTube channel.

The new version of Ed Sheeran 'Lego House' sees a split screen approach that shows the original 'Lego House' video on one half of the screen and the animated LEGO version on the other half of the screen:



The LEGO version of the 'Lego House' video is really nice piece of content that is sure to attract more views for both itself and the original (the original version of 'Lego House' is prominently linked to from the description of the new video), it may also drive new subscribers for the channels involved too.

*This is another example of how in today's world it can be better to harness and promote the efforts of others rather than trying to do everything yourself!


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BMW April Fools Day 2013 - BMW P.R.A.M. [images] #aprilfool

BMW's history of BMW April Fools adverts continues for 2013 - this year BMW have announced the BMW P.R.A.M. (Postnatal Royal Auto Mobile) with the headline 'Your P.R.A.M. Ma'am' [on page 3 of the Daily Telegraph today.]

BMW April Fools Day 2013 - BMW Pram

 The BMW April Fools Day 2013 ad for the Royal BMW Pram then states:

BMW April Fools Day 2013 - BMW Pram ad text

"With a royal baby due this summer, we are proud to announce the launch of our limited edition BMW P.R.A.M. (Postnatal Royal Auto Mobile.)

Available in Princess Pink or Royal Blue, this soft-top convertible has been designed using our Efficient Dynamics technology. With two or four-wheel-drive, it rides as smoothly on a polo field as it does down The Mall and comes with air conditioning and built-in extendable flagpoles as standard.

For those who are ‘too posh to push’ this masterpiece of motherhood even comes fitted with N.A.P.P.I.E. (Nanny-Assisting Petrol-Powered Injection Engine). To find out more or book a test drive, contact our Head of Postnatal Innovation at Joe.King@bmw.co.uk or ring 0800 093 6161"

BMW P.R.A.M.

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Dave Seaman Kickstarter DJ Mix compilation #kickstartdave - the first crowd funded 2 x CD DJ Mix compilation album!

Dave Seaman is a dance music legend and his latest project is interesting...

Previously half of Brothers In Rhythm, Dave Seaman has had chart success as an artist (remember Such A Good Feeling?), as a producer / remixer for many big names and as a DJ in his own right, featuring on CD mix album releases from the first Mixmag complitation through to mixes for Global Underground and Renaissance. Dave Seaman's latest project takes in a fresh approach though - namely using funding platform Kickstarter to generate the finance to create the first crowd funded 2 x CD compilation album.


Kickstarter allows anyone to post an idea and ask for backing from internet users.  If a project reaches its target by the deadline date it goes ahead (if the target is not reached, backers don't get charged and the project does not proceed.)  In successful Kickstarter projects the creator gets to follow through on an idea and the backers get a stake in the final outcome.

Kickstarter has seen some prominent successes and interesting stories realised so far.  $10m was raised for the Pebble watch, $3m was raised to create an 'affordable 3D printer.'  Numerous video game and ents projects have also been realised thanks to Kickstarter support, including the real-life rags to riches film of the former Watford football player Jay DeMerit's career! (Produced after raising $223,442 through Kickstarter from 1937 backers - http://jaydemeritstory.com/kickstarter-jay-demerit-story-soccer-documentary-gift/ )

Dave Seaman kickstarter DJ Mix compilation

The Dave Seaman Kickstarter target is £25,000, money which will be used to bring the first crowd funded DJ mix compilation into being.

Money will be used for:

"licensing advances for the artists and labels featured, mechanical royalties, artwork & sleeve design, production and manufacture, postage and packaging. Plus, we have to pay people to actually do the licensing and contracting for us, mastering engineers to make it sound perfect and maybe even some PR people so we can spread the word about what could potentially be a game changing concept."

Backers of the Dave Seaman Kickstarter project will be rewarded, with the reward corresponding to their level of contribution.  I have bought a 'backer only version of the CD', but there are other options too:

"In exchange for your support in making this happen, you, the pledger has the opportunity to secure all sorts of exciting and exclusive rewards from signed copies of the album (a double CD no less), your name featured in the Thank You section of the album credits and exclusive T shirts featuring fancy artwork from those awesome designers Neighbour right through to one-to-one DJ lessons, VIP nights out or even a private party for you and all your friends. Well not all of them, just 30. Now you don't get all that when you pre order from Amazon do you?"

The Dave Seaman Kickstarter DJ mix CD is another example of the ability of the internet to directly connect artists to the audience to facilitate groundbreaking initiatives and, with 24 days to go, £11,116 of the £25,000 total has been raised from 225 backers.

Really interested to see how this turns out!

(Disclaimer - I am not an investment advisor, I am simply highlighting this as an interesting use of Kickstarter and kickstarter terms and conditions apply to every project)

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WolfDog - the new Old Spice campaign running across multiple social channels

Mr WolfDog is the new face for Old Spice. WolfDog is the new 'Executive Director of Marketing' and has taken over the official Old Spice Twitter feed.  WolfDog also has a Twitter account of his own @DirectorWolfDog.

- Mr WolfDog announced his Old Spice appointment in a YouTube video announcement ("sometimes you gotta eat people America, that's how business works"):


- The Old Spice Facebook account has been suitably updated with WolfDog imagery and comment:

Old Spice WolfDog Facebook

And there is a range of other WolfDog / Old Spice content that incorporates some of the latest content trends:

- A Mr WolfDog animated gif:

Director WolfDog Old Spice animated gif annoucement

- an Old Spice WolfDog Tumblr at www.mrwolfdog.com

Old Spice Wild Collection WolfDog Tumblr

- a WolfDog Google Hangout (where internet users could apply to work as the WolfDog assistant #workforwolfdog)



The tone of voice is similar to the original 'I'm on a horse' Old Spice man ads and Mr. WolfDog has been brought to life across a range of channels with everything unashamedly mentioning / promoting the new Old Spice animal scents.

Will be interesting to see how long this WolfDog Old Spice activity runs for and how it develops...

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Pony remixes - #danceponydance mixer and alternative versions of the new ad campaign for 3

The new UK ad campaign for mobile phone network 3 features a moonwalking pony and a Fleetwood Mac soundtrack before finishing with the strapline 'Silly Stuff. It Matters.' (The Dance Pony ad is supporting 3's mobile internet proposition and encourages viewers to 'Keep On Internetting...')


This 'Dance Pony' film has been gaining YouTube views, but internet users also have the chance to remix the Three Pony Dance ad ('mash up your pony') using the Pony Mixer at ponymixer.com:

Dance Pony Dance Pony Mixer

Dance Pony Dance Pony Mixer Rock version

The Pony Mixer offers a number of options for 'mashing up your pony' including:

- Boyband Pony featuring WestLife 'When You're Looking Like That'
- Hip Hop Pony featuring Run DMC 'It's Tricky'
- Rave Pony featuring Darude 'Sandstorm'
- Rock Pony featuring Europe 'The Final Countdown'
- Love Pony featuring Bonnie Tyler 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart'
- Funk Pony featuring Wild Cherry 'Play That Funky Music'
- Punk Pony featuring the Undertones 'Teenage Kicks'
- Bollywood Pony featuring Tu Meri

There is a Pony Mixer trailer:



and different Pony Dance videos have been created for all the different Pony Mixer options available, leading to Pony Dance YouTube films like this:

Hip Hop Pony


Rock Pony


Love Pony


The Pony Dance ad therefore plays out on TV / cinema as a piece of broadcast creative, but then drives people online where they can interact with different Pony versions and share them with friends - TV leads to YouTube which leads to a microsite that leads back to YouTube which then encourages further sharing - all in support of the idea of 'Keep on Internetting.'

Paid Owned Earned with a feel good factor!

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Red Bull Harlem Shake skydiving (and Pepsi and Sea World too) - brands join in with the Harlem Shake craze...

Advertising agencies have been quick to jump onto the Harlem Shake bandwagon, indeed there is a Tumblr dedicated to ad agency Harlem Shake efforts at Harlem Shake Agency here and the efforts of over 200 agencies are featured. However, (surprisingly?) few brands have tried to follow the Harlem Shake trend by making their own Harlem Shake brand videos.  There are some examples but I can't seem to find many:

- Pepsi Harlem Shake videos uploaded to YouTube show one Pepsi Harlem Shake with product and one Pepsi Harlem Shake video with Jeff Gordon and his crew:



- Sea World San Antonio Harlem Shake stars various Sea World trainers and animals doing the Harlem Shake routine together:


- Perhaps the best of all the advertiser brand Harlem Shake videos to date has been published by Red Bull: 

Red Bull Harlem Shake Skydive edition screengrab

True to the Red Bull extreme sports personality, the Red Bull Harlem Shake video is based around Skydiving (and also notes in the comments: "WE KNOW! Everyone is making Harlem Shake videos, and to be honest its about time to close this chapter of the internet. Thats why we decided to go out with style.")

The 'Harlem Shake (Skydive Edition) - THE END' may be a great way to finish the Harlem Shake trend, but I think it might have someway to go yet...


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Harlem Shake - the new Gangnam Style?  New dance craze takes over YouTube

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Die Hard infographics become More Than insurance content marketing

The latest film in the Bruce Willis Die Hard series is about to hit the cinemas and some friendly internet folks have distilled the statistics of various Die Hard into handy infographics (infographic for original Die Hard movie is below, Die Hard 2 infographic is here.)

Die Hard infographic

These Die Hard infographics were entertaining and this has prompted More Than insurance to follow up by making their own Die Hard infographic based on John McClane's activities over the years!

More Than have been able to piggyback the original Die Hard infographics and use their own 'A Good Day to Die Hard' infographic to talk about insurance in an interesting and fun way.  This we see the A Good Day to Die Hard infographic highlight:

- 'cost of personal accident insurance for John McClane'
- 'damage roundup'
- liability for the following claims
- costs for personal liability insurance, car insurance and the total.

More Than / A Good Day To Die Hard insurance infographic

The More Than / A Good Day To Die Hard insurance infographic is great example of how to develop brand related content whilst capitalising on a trend!

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Downton Abbey sing 1D / One Direction 'What Makes You Beautiful' - video / music mashup

New YouTube mashup sees the Downton Abbey cast sing One Direction 'What Makes You Beautiful'!

Downton Abbey perform One Direction 'What Makes You Beautiful'

YouTube user Buchan39 has mashed together various Downton Abbey clips over the top of the One Direction hit.  The result is remarkable... The video jumps around a bit, but I think it's very clever and can't imagine how long it took to mash One Direction and Downton Abbey together!


And if you like the One Direction / Downton Abbey mashup then you might like the cast of Mad Men singing Rick Astley too:


Thanks Rik for the link - and another example of how creative YouTube users can be...!

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