About ElliotOwl

digital dude

QR codes

I’ve been a fairly slow to accept QR codes as a effective (and creative) method of content distribution. For me, personally, I always found it too much of a hassle to install a reader and scan the code, only to get directed to a website. But then I realised that I was being boring, not thinking out of the box, and not seeing the big picture.

There have been some great creative QR code integration, that have allowed me to look at these little bits of graphical code in a completely different light.

Following my previous post about virtual resumes, here’s a good one by Victor Petit, who turned his otherwise boring, two-dimensional resume into a cross-platform, interactive, multi-media masterpiece.

Tesco/Homeplus launched one of the most interesting and engaging uses of mobile web with their subway virtual store in South Korea.

I’m also a big fan of these Victoria’s Secret ad mockups.

These innovative uses of QR codes lets us experience the message, allowing you to interact with the ‘real world’ and the virtual space simultaneously. Think of different and exciting ways to engage your audience through your mobile site. Even better? Relate it to that physical space. Create a new dimension. Deliver.

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Facebook check-in deals

Finally! Facebook check-in deals has just launched in Australia. I’ve been watching this closely since it first launched in the States last year. Facebook Deals allows businesses to offer users special deals for checking in at specific locations. Businesses have the option of offering users four types of deals:

  • Individual deals (for individual check-ins)
  • Friend deals (for when you check-in with a friend)
  • Loyalty deals (for regulars)
  • Charity deals (for a cause)

Fantastic news for my sometimes-digital marketing self who is torn between wanting to run geo-location campaigns and not wanting to create  more web clutter by making use of multiple platforms (i.e. Facebook + Twitter + FourSquare). I’m sure I don’t need to reiterate to anyone how extensive Facebook’s reach is, as opposed to, say, Twitter and FourSquare. With the introduction of Deals, I can concentrate my efforts on one channel to deliver maximum result, instead of pottering about different platforms and potentially having the core idea or message get lost in translation.

Commonwealth Bank, Westfield and 7-Eleven are already leading the way, and I can forsee how this will continue to grow exponentially in coming weeks/months.

Are you as big a fan of these Facebook check-in deals business as I am?

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Paper or pixel?

Matthew Epstein spent $3,000 out of his own pocket to create a marketing campaign aimed to cajole Google into hiring him. He created an engaging mustachioed character, built a website, and then did what he did best. Market the hell outta it.

What has he got to show for it? How does >10k Facebook likes, >3k tweets, and 2.8k Google +s sound? His story has been covered by top media sites like TechCrunch. While he hasn’t officially been offered a job at Google, I don’t think it’s that far a leap to say that it’s just a matter of time. According to his blog, he has already been contacted by Google recruiters. And what happens if Google doesn’t pick him up? I wouldn’t be surprised if top agencies snap him up in a heartbeat.

Stellar work.

It’s exciting to see creative folk thinking outside the box and using really exciting new ways to sell themselves. These guys caught my eye as well:

and

So does this mean that the traditional cover letter and resume combo has begun to become obsolete?

In this digital space? I would say so.

Some months ago, I decided to get rid of my physical resume. Why? I felt that having to click to download it from an email seemed too arduous for a time when you have, quite literally, the world at your fingertips. Instead, I kept my online presence up-to-date and concise. My CV can be found on LinkedIn, my thoughts and findings can be read on my blog, and my Twitter gives you pretty good idea of my personal style. I combine all these elements together to give future employers or clients a good idea of my education, experience and working style. This, I feel, is far more effective than any .PDF or (god forbid) .doc resume I’ve ever sent out/received. By a mile.

What are your thoughts? Resumes – paper or pixel?

 

- Cross-posted on Propaganda House

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Workaholics r us

It’s an atrociously busy week for me this week. I’ve got the standard, boring 8-5PM hours to plough through at the office, before I’m off for a slew of meetings and idea-brewing get-togethers with some talented folk. I’ll try to squeeze in some dinner midway, and if I’m lucky, I’ll try to get to sleep before midnight. Alas, things like eating and sleeping tend to get in the way while you’re trying to take over the world. The pesky little things.

But it’s okay. Snow White says, all I gotta do is:

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