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Dr. Eric McLuhan & Michael Tippett

At VIDFEST 2008, Dr. Eric McLuhan, son of Marshall McLuhan was interviewed by Michael Tippett, the founder and CEO of NowPublic. I really liked the relaxed yet informative interview style of Michael Tippett. I have been to the NowPublic offices back when they shared space with Bryght (before their merger with Raincity Studios). I also enjoyed the changing slides behind them as they talked. I didn’t find it distracting, but rather found the imagery effective in enhancing their message.

Living in a digital world has created a new culture of the nomad, one of metaphysical hunters of information. The old hunter-gatherer used a spear and arrow, the new version uses a laptop and wifi – to much greater effect. Join this renowned scholar and son of Marshall McLuhan as he discusses digital media and their impact on today’s communication.

The event was liveblogged by Jarrett Martineau of NowPublic. The text attributed to Dr Eric McLuhan is from there.


Dr. Eric McLuhan – Medium used to be understood as an intermediary, a communion with spirits, not as my father and I understood it.

Dr. Eric McLuhan – Every new medium reconstrues the audience, by providing them with a new way of imagining things

Dr. Eric McLuhan – Media is only understandable as a form of metaphysics. Bodies are no longer relevant. Electronically we are simultaneously in many places at once.

Relevance: What does the proliferation of digital media and mobile technology mean for the ability to transit and share news information instantly via friendfeed, flickr, or twitter?

On the Friday of VIDFEST, I attended the Creative Exchange Conference in which a variety of speakers in diverse areas of social media, crowdsourcing, alternate reality games, digital media, and social action among others presented. It was an all-day affair held at the Arts Club on Granville Island.





The opening keynote was by Chris Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Wired Magazine. His presentation was entitled The Economy of ‘Free’. (see NowPublic for liveblogging by Jarrett Martineau.

Best-selling author of The Long Tail, Chris Anderson is one of the most knowledgeable, insightful and articulate voices at the center of the new economy. Join him at VIDFEST as he talks about the new economy of ‘free.’ As the marginal cost of digital information approaches zero, practically everything on the Web heads toward ‘free.’ How do you thrive when free has emerged as a full-fledged economy? Hear how Chris describes the new directions the economy is taking, names the central phenomenon, and gives you handles for the business opportunities they represent.

Chris Anderson – “Everything that can become digital will become digital. Everything that is digital will become free”


He gave a fascinating presentation beginning with King Gillette – “the patron saint of the free” who invented the disposable blade safety razor and developed a strategy in which he gave way razors for free knowing that people would need to purchase the disposable blades.

Chris Anderson – “In a competitive market price falls to the marginal cost”

He discussed the webmail dichotomy of gmail vs. yahoo, the freemium models that exist in video games (e.g. providing limited demos), and how YouTube emerged because steaming video is almost free, resulting in internet famous people like lonelygirl15.

Chris Anderson – “For the first time in history, complexity is free”

Relevance: I was interested in this presentation as I participate in this free culture by downloading the free single offered each week on iTunes or accepting free samples at Starbucks. It is a part of our culture. What I do wonder is when geographic restrictions will be lifted on the flow of free content online so that I can watch Heroes on NBC.com or live streaming of the Olympics on the BBC website.

At Convergence 2008 this year, I attended the presentation by Sebastian Seithoff, Global Marketing Director – Young Adults, McDonald’s.

As I am a player of The Lost Ring alternate reality game, I was interested to hear Sebastian speak. Not only is McDonald’s the main sponsor, but it is their first foray into the genre of alternate reality games. The Lost Ring, which is linked to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, kicked off in March as 50 bloggers receiving packages with an Olympic-themed poster and a clue pointing them to a website with a unique trailer.

My mystery package


Alternate reality games are part of a genre (e.g. I love Bees ) that mix online and offline realities through clues and activities that focus on the abilities of players to solve puzzles through collaborative means. For example, players of The Lost Ring have collaborated with local participants through The Lost Ring forums to construct city training missions, which may be shared via YouTube, Flickr, and blogs in order to compare times and techniques. The activity of players and characters on different social media platforms can be monitored on an online map.

Characters use a variety of social media tools such as twitter, YouTube, and Flickr to broadcast information relevant for players of the game. The Lost Ring is developed by AKQA, a marketing agency based in San Francisco and Jane McGonigal.

Sebastian Siethoff – McDonald’s


His presentation began with a focus on youth – how they are using social networks and how they are developing an awareness of their global environment and tapping into the increased interest worldwide in the social media culture.

Sebastian Siethoff – McDonald’s


He then provided a background on The Lost Ring for the audience before discussing the unique, less-overt, branding approach McDonald’s is using in relation to the game in order to strengthen ties with the global youth culture.

Sebastian Siethoff – McDonald’s

My complete flickr set from Convergence 2008 is here.


Relevance:
Although advertising has been linked to video games [see the recent design week article] this type of marketing by McDonald’s tied to an alternate reality game is still novel (see Donna’s marketing blog for her analysis after a presentation by Neil Golden, CMO, McDonald’s USA about their sponsorship. Will this lead to other companies seeing value in similar ventures and what are the metrics upon which this relationship will be considered successful?

Sebastian Siethoff – McDonald’s

Grant McCracken – Culture and Consumption – Convergence 2008

On May 22nd, I attended Convergence 2008 sponsored by Cossette West. I had previously interviewed Sandy Fleischer, VP Fjord Interactive a division of Cossette West prior to participating (available on youtube and utterz).

The first speaker was Grant McCracken, the author of Culture and Consumption who was introduced by Sandy Fleischer.

Sandy Fleischer – Fjord Interactive Marketing

Dr. Grant McCracken is a professor of MIT whose work has been reviewed by media ranging from The New York Times to The Oprah Winfrey Show. As a cultural anthropologist, McCracken examnes where culture and commerce, anthropology and economics meet most often: marketing in general, branding in particular, popular culture, Hollywood, advertising, television, magazines, and new media.

Grant McCracken – author of Culture and Consumption

I enjoyed Grant’s presentation (he is a Canadian born in Vancouver) as he explained some of the existing technologies I use such as twitter from an ethnographic perspective. As a student, I identified with his discussions on how students are always online (I know my friends still love facebook). Afterwards I thought of how companies may see digital media as a potential platform for marketing products to youth.

Grant McCracken – Culture and Consumption – Convergence 2008

During the lunch hour I interviewed Grant McCracken about his presentation entitled: Digital Cultures: Markets, Meaning and Brand Management, which I uploaded to YouTube below.

Here are my Flickr photos from Convergence.

Relevance: How are companies adapting to emerging technologies and digital media for marketing to targeted groups?

From May 21-24, 2008, I attended the Vancouver International Digital Festival (VIDFEST) on media credentials.

VIDFEST is eleven events over four days, including conferences, an awards gala, an international partnering forum, a pitch fest, an interactive film screening, and a recruiting fair.

Phillip Jeffrey


On May 21st the Opening Reception at the Vancouver Art Gallery which is currently showcasing the KRAZY! The Delirious World of Anime + Comics + Video Games + Art exhibit took place.

Shannon Kaplun – Fundfindr interviews Lisa Bettany – Mostly Lisa

Darren Barefoot

Shannon Kaplun – Fundfindr interviews Rebecca Bollwitt – Miss 604

Relevance: A fun event to begin 4 days of digital media knowledge

| View | Upload your own

On June 13, 2008 I was a guest lecturer in a course called Internet Technologies 1 at the Vancouver Film School. It was at the request of the lecturer, Kris Krüg and I welcomed the opportunity. For the 3 hour class, I interacted with the students in a group discussion environment as I talked about my knowledge in the area of games, social media, and photography and their influence and interrelationship in my everyday life.

As I had been on a 13 hour bus trip from Banff, Alberta the day before for BANFF, I wrote key points I wanted to address on my blackberry (while viewing the spectacular scenery). I then used my notes to complement my slides on Keynote created at home the night before. I found it challenging to create slides on the Greyhound, so I decided to wait until I could use my desk at home.

Relevance: I was really nervous Thursday, but I am glad I spoke in class. It was a good confidence builder and I look forward to my next speaking engagement.

On May 21st I attended Launch Party Vancouver 4 at Republic. I have enjoyed each of the previous 3 and found it a great opportunity to network and learn about cool tech stuff happening within the Vancouver social and digital media scene and to a great extent British Columbia. I highly recommend attending Launch Party Vancouver 5.

The Sponsors:
Peer 1 , Sun Vancouver, Techvibes, Scott Dunlop from Davis LLP, Layer 7, and Strutta.

Republic staff

Danita Harty & Ben Z Cooper – Fundfindr

Daniel Flippance – inhabit street

Maura Rogers – Strutta, Phillip Jeffrey, and Robin Leskiw

Aaron Hilton – CellMap

Rebecca Bollwitt – Miss 604

Greg Bell & Derek Kehler (ScrnShots) & Greg Andrews

Demos:
There were 7 demos featured at LPV4: HelloTree Vivity Labs, Strutta, inhabit street, fundfindr, CellMap, ScrnShots. I decided to interview each to find out more about their product.

Inhabit street is a Vancouver based company which is focused on providing an online community for apartment residents (e.g. condos, townhouses as well) to get to know each other.

Daniel Flippance – inhabit street

Strutta is a Vancouver based company that provides the ability for participants to compete with video against others around the world.

Jordan Behan – Strutta

HelloTree is a collaborative geology site that provides a fun way to create a family tree.


HelloTree

Fundfindr is a Vancouver-based company that matches entrepreneurs with investors and collaborations through interviews and broadcast means so that they can grow their venture.


Danita Harty – Fundfindr

CellMap provides functionality on cell phones to enable people, places, and events to be connected via interactive maps.

Aaron Hilton – CellMap

ScrnShots allows members to upload, tag, and share their screenshots.

Derek Kehler – ScrnShots

Fit Brains is a product from Vivity Labs that features fun and engaging games in an online environment which exercise key cognitive areas of one’s brain.

Michael Cole – Vivity Labs

Jordan Behan of Strutta has created a Flickr group pool that has been used to share photos of the different Launch Party Vancouver events. In addition, you can read Miss 604 for her analysis of the night.

Relevance: the Launch Party Vancouver events are excellent opportunities to learn, network, and socialise.

Jailhouse EP by hayfa makes music

Last Thursday, I was asked by Hayfa of hayfa makes music to photograph her EP Release party. It was a privilege to do and I learned alot from the experience about lighting, proper exposure, and in general what is needed to correctly photograph a concert.

alexandra taub – hayfa makes music – jailhouse EP release party

As it was the first time I was trying out a new lens (50mm 1.4 USM), it was an adjustment to get a feel for the types of pictures I could take as well as determine the limits of the lens based on my environment. I know what I will do differently next time and look forward to the next opportunity to shoot an indoor concert.

Photography is a learning experience and I am always looking to improve through advice from others and from photo-taking. You can view the pictures in a Flickr set here.

Hayfa Abichahine – hayfa makes music – jailhouse EP release party

Relevance: I enjoy photography and learned alot from this experience. Can’t wait to do it again.

I am taking photos at BANFF. They are available here on my Flickr page and some will make it to the website.