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Clever Kiwi

Welcome to Idealog Weekly, the free email newsletter for New Zealand commercial creatives, entrepreneurs and anyone rich with ideas.

Clever Kiwi

Meet Bruce Ferguson: the go-to guy that brands call on first when they want to make a big splash. His forte is the big, flashy visual stunt and he knows just how to create a buzz and leave a lasting impression. He arrived in the UK as the recession began to bite, but a year on is still making a living doing what he does best. Stephen Jewell catches up with him and learns how a Kiwi connection landed him a lucky break. Get the full story in this month’s magazine or on our website, and check out our past coverage of the man behind the bright lights.

Advancing advertising

The advent of viral marketing and digital media has forced ad agencies to push the boundaries and create ever more diverse, complex campaigns to capture our attention. But this doesn’t mean traditional advertising is becoming redundant. Far from it—the role of the agency in brainstorming ideas and seeing them through is more vital than ever. Find out why in the Creative Showcase supplement in Idealog #24.

Words from the wise

How do you convince a spooked bank that lending to your business is a safe bet, and just where should you draw the line on Facebook and Twitter in the workplace? In his typically straight-up manner, Lance Wiggs tackles these delicate business dilemmas and more in the latest Idealog. Got a question for Lance? Ask away: email him at advice@idealog.co.nz.

Labour of love

In the space of just two months, Abigail Uhteg handcrafted 35 copies of her book The Complex of All of These. Even the paper (flax and abaca) and binding is handmade.

Virtual wanderings

First came online maps, then came the virtual reality of Second Life. Now there’s EveryScape, a interactive photo-based directory which enables visitors to explore real city streets, shops, bars and hotels in high resolution. Out of the 41 cities that have been mapped out so far, Christchurch was the first in Australasia to get the royal treatment. Kris Herbert talks to architect Jason Mill about how EveryScape recreates the real world online.

Job of the Week

Design Director/Creative Director P0551

Our client is an established and prominent design company who specialise in branding and more specifically FMCG packaging design.

They have developed a fantastic team environment unlike any other and have some great 'personalities' amongst it. Their premises are fabulous and are centrally located on the city fringe.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a current Creative Director looking for a change of scene, or a very senior designer (8-10 years minimum) at the top of your game, who is looking to develop their skills in overseeing a team and the creative product coming out of a hot studio. They are looking for an inspirational, energetic and edgy person who has the passion and personality to drive and mentor a team of like-minded individuals.

You will need to be effective and comfortable in a client facing role and have a portfolio showing some strong work. It is essential this identifies your strengths in branding and profiles some of your exceptional FMCG packaging work. Your strategic skills will need to be well developed, you must be an amazing 'ideas' person, and you will be an effective communicator who is confident and shows the ability to inspire others to produce their best possible work.

Most importantly you'll have a wicked sense of humour and an outgoing personality.

If you think you have what it takes send in your application ensuring it includes your CV and portfolio as a pdf (no larger than 5mb please), or as a weblink, to debbie@portfoliorecruit.co.nz without delay, or apply online.

Through the looking glass

Gondolas float through Times Square. People cast fishing lines from gravel banks alongside towering skyscrapers. This is Aqualta, a dramatic collection of images depicting New York City and Tokyo after a catastrophic flood. As bleak as that sounds, there’s actually a real sense of beauty in the juxtaposition of the metropolis and the aquatic elements. We like the blimps and cable cars, too.

Bucking the trend

After seven long years, the Auckland-based Sheehan brothers have completed their graphic novel The Inhabitants and they’ve made it available online—for free. The comic deals with alternative dimensions, mysterious bohemians and fast cars in a vast city which parallels our very own City of Sails. According to Kelly Sheehan, who was responsible for the dialogue, only time will tell if this “strange mix” will be successful. Giving away content is anathema to most authors, but Darren and Kelly hope their work will attract a following online. Check out the series on their blog, or for those who prefer hard copies, there are some of those up for sale too.

Google's armies

At first, Google was just another search engine. Then it became a verb. But it didn’t stop there …

Pac Man in 3D

It’s one of the most popular games of all time, but Pac Man has always been confined to a small screen, two-dimensional reality. Until now, that is. This 3D rendering of the not-so-little yellow blob is made entirely out of recycled cans and, as Gizmodo puts it, shows “the terrifying reality 8-bit graphics couldn’t”.

Free for all

The Quadrant Hotel will be introducing free wi-fi internet for all hotel guests from December 1. And there’s no long paragraph of restrictions for this deal. Simple is always best and with 10GB downloads per day, every guest can log on from their room, the bar or even the gym. For more information see their website or call 0800 666-611.

Quote of the week

“Consumers don’t know or don’t care that their favourite artists actually produce more than just singles. Digital downloading certainly got plenty of plaudits for reinvigorating the ailing singles market, but it was at the expense of albums.”

– Mark Roach on the seachange of music fans in the digital age

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Overheard

• Mark on Bigger, faster, more productive:
  Fantastic! Finally some vision in establishing a key infrastructure to support New Zealand's future prosperity and commercial competitiveness. Good work Rod, Sam and Steve - your country thanks you for your patriotism!  …
• Margaret Holmes on NZ Institute thumbs down Key's agenda:
  Unfortunately it is not just red tape - it is also the laid back kiwi attitude, compounded by educators who think achieving national standards is a bad thing.
• Tim Marshall on Smile, you’re in New Zealistan:
  The target of higher GDP per capita is all wrong. Aiming for it encourages more production and consumption, often at the expense of quality of life. We need to construct a Genuine Progress Index (GPI) to guide policy. Fr  …
• Peter McL on New note:
  "You got caught up in events at EMI.." and yet shes STILL with EMI - their local branch is distributing her new album. Wonder why?
  
  I blogged some more of Hollies comments on the details behind the fallout  …
• Phil Wollerman on Smile, you’re in New Zealistan:
  Brilliant, insightful article, VH.
  
  This situation has principally arisen because - simplistically - the world no longer wants what we are intrinsically advantaged in supplying.
  
  And yeah, it doesn't look like our co  …
• Anon on Smile, you’re in New Zealistan:
  The answer lies in a) increasing the returns to capital and b) decreasing the cost of capital. To do a) we need to reduce corporate and income taxes and replace them with land, resource, pollution and infrastructure char  …

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