The latest updates in trends, innovation, technology, culture, agency news, and sustainability.
http://tbwanyplanning.tumblr.com/
By: Elizabeth Stroud, Margaret Griffiths & Olivia Boulenger
2. INNOVATION & TRENDS
Unbranded ‘Secret’ Starbucks to Open At Macy’s:
An unbranded Starbucks is currently under construction on the second
floor of the Herald Square Macy’s store in Manhattan. The location will
provide a “unique experience” targeted at Macy’s shoppers. The Her-
ald Square Café, as it will be called, will be more like a cafe than a
coffee shop, offering wine, Champagne and chocolate. PSFK
5-24-12
Microsoft creates a Social Network for Students:
Microsoft just quietly launched its own social network for students
called So.cl. What students search for on So.cl is shared with other
So.cl users - and it can be shared on other networks like Facebook.
The idea is to give students a quick and easy way to share information
found through searches. CNET
5-21-12
App Puts your Bad Parking in the News:
A new Android app called Douche Parking is aimed at stopping what
its creators call “parking douches in Moscow” by subjecting them to
public shame. When users see poor parking, all they have to do is
snap a photograph with their phones and upload them to the Parking
Douche database. Mashable
5-24-12
3. TECHNOLOGY
BMW Custom Dashboard Lets Users Design own Instrument Panel:
BMW has presented a multifunctional instrument panel for its new 5-Se-
ries, taking customization in cars beyond paint and upholstery to other
areas that drivers care about. PSFK
5-24-12
CellScope Brings Microscopy to a Mobile Phone Platform:
The Fletcher Lab at the University of California, Berkeley has designed
equipment to turn the camera of a standard cell phone into a diagnos-
tic-quality microscope with a magnification of 5x-60x. Cell-phone mi-
croscopy will enable visualization of samples, followed by capture, or-
ganization, and transmission of images critical for diagnosis. Berkely
5-17-12
Your House: The Next Great Digital Network:
The Internet of Things has been around for a while. It includes gadgets
like connected scales and the Nike+ shoe, as well as identifying tech-
nologies as simple as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. Over
the last few years, however, the hardware involved in putting objects
online has become more accessible - and The Internet of Things has
made a beeline toward the mainstream. Mashable
5-25-12
4. CULTURE
Blind Self Portraits:
Blind Self Portrait is a collaboration by Matt Mets and Kyle McDonald,
installed at NYC Resistor interactive show. Visitors close their eyes and
the machine moves their hand to draw a self-portrait. The computer
tracks the visitor’s face and generates a drawing based on it. Booooooom
5-24-12
Infographic: Every Avenger That Marvel Ever Invented:
The Avengers has such a rich 50-year history that’s it’s easy to forget
that the whole comic was really a knockoff to begin with. These incredi-
bly detailed infographics by Jer Thorp do the series of superhero scraps
almost too much justice, as they meticulously and elegantly plot the ap-
pearance of every one of the 132 Avengers. FastCo.DESIGN
5-18-12
Opening Ceremony Launching Magazine:
Opening Ceremony will launch a collectible fashion and culture maga-
zine in August, called OC Annual. “O.C. founder Humberto Leon and
myself are aiming to create a collectible publication for a new genera-
tion, something beautiful...in the vein of Benetton’s ‘Colors,’ Comme des
Garçons’ ‘Six’ and Joe McKenna’s ‘Joe,’” co-founder Carol Lim said. WWD
5-14-12
5. AGENCY NEWS
Omnicom Group’s DDB Acquires London Hotshop Adam & Eve:
Adam & Eve is preparing to move into the London headquarters of its
new parent: Omnicom Group’s DDB Worldwide. DDB struck a deal to
acquire the indie hotshop founded in 2008 by a trio of RKCR/Y&R ex-
ecs - David Golding, James Murphy and Ben Priest - and Jon Forsyth
from Naked. AdAge
5-23-12
The Mobile Circus Is Coming to Cannes - Literally:
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the weeklong ad-
awards show held on the swank French Rivera each year, will award its
first mobile ad awards this June. And, as entries vying to be named the
best in the mobile advertising flooded in for the ad festival, mobile-ad
sellers began making their travel plans. CreativityOnline
5-24-12
What Social Media Ad Agencies Say About Facebook:
When General Motors Co., the third-largest advertiser in the U.S., said
it would pull ads from Facebook, it sparked a discussion about the ef-
fectiveness of marketing and advertising on social media sites. Here is
what a handful of companies that manage brands on social media had
to say about it. Bloomberg
5-17-12
6. SUSTAINABILITY
In the UK, Eco-Friendly Hotel Features a Pedal-Powered TV:
Nestled in the UK’s Hampshire region, the Cottage Lodge bills itself as
an “eco chic” bed and breakfast built with sustainability in mind. Most
interesting of all is the room’s pedal-powered TV, which is “perfect for
those who want to reduce their impact on the environment and get fit
at the same time,” the hotel explains. SpringWise
5-24-12
Peer-To-Peer ‘Laundromat’ Helps Neighbors Share Washing Machines:
Hailing from France, La Machine du Voisin is a new site that aims to
connect owners of washing machines with those who need one. La
Machine du Voisin is free both for owners of machines and for those in
search of one to use. The site indicates all those listed within 500 me-
ters of their location along with profiles and reviews of their owners. PSFK
5-23-12
Biking Saves Americans $4.6 Billion Each Year:
Because cars are so pricey, Americans who are choosing to bike in-
stead of driving are saving huge amounts of money - $4.6 billion, ac-
cording to the calculations of bike-friendly groups. GOOD
5-23-12