GeekMail 4.4

Hey Geeks,

The $$MONEY$$ issue!

Big budgets are moving online at a rate of knots as you will see with all of this weeks sites - especially the Stella, Halo3 and FFK sites - wow!

Also in this GM we have a look at some really cool viral executions. In fact the Dylan one is brilliant!

I have a stab at what Web 3.0 will be like in the Buzz Focus at the bottom of this email.

Hope you enjoy it.

Mark

Heavenly Halo
http://www.halo3.com/

This site is just AMAZING! It's been created using a scale 3-D model (yes they actually hand built the entire set). It's a completely immersive experience and one that I really enjoyed.

Be sure to check out the "making of" video while you are there.

Fight For Kisses
http://www.ffk-wilkinson.com/

I believe Sigmund Freud might have something to say about the new Wilkinson campaign from France that exploits Edipus Complex to promote a razor. Ignoring psychoanalysis and concentrating on the pure entertaining/advertising side of the concept, watch the video and let me know whether or not the concept is brilliant and has the potential to generate a lot of buzz.

There is also a site to check out with a series of goodies and an advergame to download (98MB!!) and play to win a series of prizes.

I download it and installed it on my PC (I haven't seen a Mac version around), I played it but unfortunately the gaming experience is not as cool as I expected. A "regular" Shockwave advergame to be played online would have been enough to engage the audience. On the contrary, what they've created is rather pretentious, far from being perfect from a usability point of view and also demanding in terms of users actions to be part of the action (download, install, understand the moves, play... win).

So in the end I would give 9 to the concept and the video and 4 to the execution of the online accessory part.

Viral Dylan
http://www.dylanmessaging.com/

Fans of Bob Dylan will love www.dylanmessaging.com, a simple but extremely smart viral idea to promote his greatest songs compilation due to be released on October 1st.

Inspired by one the greatest videos ever, Subterranean homesick blues, the site allows you to create a personalised ten step message to be spread around using the signs turned by Dylan in the original footage.

I definitely find it one of the brightest viral ideas of the year as I'm sure a lot of Dylan's fans will see it and share it and therefore learn about the upcoming release of the collection. Cool stuff indead!

Stella in 1366
http://www.stellaartois.com/

Stella Artois and Lowe Worldwide have launched a new site that takes a trip back in time to meet up with an eclectic host of characters and challenges, will you risk thwarting the gods of thunder in 1366 - or take on the 9 step pouring ritual to produce the perfect virtual pint? Just don't fall off the edge of the world! There is so much content which has been very nicely shot and designed that you will spend ages checking it all out.

You will discover the history, heritage and secrets behind the 650 years of quality brewing in Leuven - and indulge in challenges, games and a true cinematic experience. It's a mash of flash, video and gaming which seems to work very nicely. I saved the beer from being stolen and was very happy with myself!

Staff Profile

Vi Nguyen is a freak with numbers, and has a sign hanging over her desk that reads "DO NOT FEED SUGAR". As a naturally bouncy person she assumes the role of our Assistant Accountant. She has an amazing ability to fend off forceful suppliers, and cracks the whip when it comes to coding our Amex cards. You can often find fresh flowers on her desk when someone needs their expenses paid fast. She's tops.

Buzz Focus

Web 3.0 - The Semantic Web, The Live Web, The Everywhere Web

By Mark Ashley-Wilson

So what is The Semantic Web?

The concept has been around for quite a long while - coined by the “father” of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee. It’s a term you’re going to hear a lot more in the time ahead, probably more likely referred to as being Web 3.0.

Here’s an example of what the semantic web is about:

You want to go out to dinner, but you have no idea where to go and your car is getting a service. Using a software “agent” you issue a command for the agent to search for an restaurant serving Indian food within a 10km radius that has a table available on Wednesday evening at 6.30pm. But you don’t want just any restaurant, you want a restaurant that has a 4 star rating issued by a well known restaurant critic. Furthermore, you want the table booked and a cab to pick you up from your place. Additionally you want a call to be made to your phone once that’s all done; but you don’t want to be disturbed by the call as you’ll be in a meeting - just for the the reservation details to be added to your phone organiser.

Web 1.0 lacked context, Web 2.0 lacked interoperability, Web 3.0 will be a web where websites become web services and access to any information you desire is no more difficult than installing a widget onto your website.

We are at the prehistoric edge of the Web's next generation, where big media and marketing assets will blend seamlessly with people's desire for both self-expression and forging connections.

What will distinguish Web 3.0 is the professionalisation of 2.0. Users' tools for creating their own content are accelerating even as big media places more of its prized TV shows, music videos, and news stories online.

The line between professional and amateur content will blur, but more importantly, media properties and personal lives will mingle in new ways. It should be a whole lotta fun!