iPad and Advertising

Check out this NY Times article "Advertisters Show Interest in iPad" by Stephanie Clifford. It details the interest of advertisers for buying space on the iPad, released on April 3. One thing that struck me about the article was that Chase Sapphire bought the first 60 of advertising for advertising in the New York Times app. They target a high-end market. They are smart to be doing this because the only people who will have an iPad are those with money, a representation of their target market.
FedEx is also taking a strong stance in this -- and say that being included in the initial phase of a new product is extremely beneficial to the advertiser. Especially if the product has as much interest as the iPad.
The only problem is the lack of flash ability in the iPad. This is a definite negative, both for advertisers and those creating apps. Adaptation is necessary, but this pays off in being among the first advertisers on this new technology.

Going Green

There is a huge movement that is hitting all aspects of business, especially design. This is going green. Even with the recession and lack of money, green and sustainable products saw a rise in purchase. This is an indication that this is here to stay.
And in this New York Times article by Kate Galbraith called "Green Diplomacy at Its Most Basic Level" there is a discussion about embassies that are going green. Even though some are located in historic buildings and other structures that are not exactly designed for this sort of sustainability, there is a push for them to become more so. It's all about saving energy, water, and transportation.
To them, it's a demonstration of a country's core values. These should be reflected in embassy buildings - as they portray the country and give a chance to show advances in technology and design.
Design is much more than simply how something looks; it encompasses a vast array of demonstrative values and ideals.

R/GA

R/GA: Innovation

R/GA is an agency that serves top companies, helping them develop digital communications and strategies. The agency was founded in 1977 by Bob Greenberg and his brother Richard. Since that time, the firm has grown exponentially and now serves many Fortune 500 companies.

While it was first a design company, Bob and Richard sought to include new technology and cutting-edge motion graphics into their products. It was through this balance that they were able to successfully take part in many films and television projects, helping to create groundbreaking visual effects. Essentially, their company was a production house and sought to use computers to better create effects. While others feared this new technology and thought it would negatively impact film, Bob and Richard embraced it and were able to create a company that quickly grew.

In the 1980s, they were able to combine film, video, and computer graphics all under one roof. This was extremely innovative at the time, and they were soon creating commercials that became iconic to Americans. It was during this time that R/GA won an Academy Award for technical achievement. They worked on over 400 feature films and 4,000 commercials.

In the mid 1990s, Richard left the company and Bob decided to transition R/GA into a multiplatform advertising agency focusing on e-businesses. He put his focus on digital, and another revolutionary move to most agencies at the time. He worked with various companies, helping them become more organized in their approach and collaborative in efforts. When IBM had 5 million websites scattered in various places, R/GA worked to create one user-centered destination.

Recently, they have worked with Verizon to recreate their brand from a phone company to a broadband company. This resulted in a do-it-yourself film campaign that circulated quickly online. They also serve Nike and teamed up with Apple to create Nike+. They are able to take a brand and combine it with technology to create a whole new product that consumers are vying for.

The company has over 550 employees and is located in New York. It does not outsource its projects -- Greenberg says that the strongest ideas flow from the technology itself. They are an extremely innovative company that seeks to utilize technology for new products and services.

References

Sacks, Danielle. Reinventing the Reel. Fast Company. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/119/reinventing-the-reel.html

http://www.rga.com/about/leadership/bob-greenberg

Archiver

With most media today becoming digital, there is a definite fear that the information stored in computers and various servers will disappear. And what happens when our history is lost? And what if those that control these bits of information refuse to let others see them?
This is where archive.org comes in. It is a website that enables you to search through its database of old websites and media. You can find Apple from the 90s or Google from its inception. It's a really nice idea and is important for keeping history safe. Check out their description here. Founded in 1996, it is only growing as more and more people realize the importance of a digital library.