That's GREAT! » experiential http://blog.greattv.com a Blog by GREAT! CEO & IDEAologist Dan Smigrod [@smigrod, @uSCANme] Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:12:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 Panoramic Photography Goes Mainstream in 2012; powered by Apple, Google, Microsoft and TourWrist http://blog.greattv.com/2012/01/panoramic-photography-goes-mainstream-in-2012-powered-by-apple-google-microsoft-and-tourwrist/ http://blog.greattv.com/2012/01/panoramic-photography-goes-mainstream-in-2012-powered-by-apple-google-microsoft-and-tourwrist/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:08:04 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=4789

[Editor's Note: Here is the TourWrist news we announced Thursday (1/26/12) at the Macworld Conference & Expo Mobile Apps Showcase for our GREAT! client.]

360º Pano Photography Shooting Feature Added to Award-Winning, free TourWrist iPhone App

January 27, 2012 • San Francisco, CA – Starting today, millions of iPhone users can easily shoot and share an unlimited number of 360-degree panoramic (pano) images for free using the TourWrist iOS app.

TourWrist App Icon

TourWrist unveiled the addition of a 360-degree capture feature within its market leading app at the MacWorld Conference & Expo® in San Francisco today. This new feature enables an easy, end-to-end shoot and share experience for iPhone users.

TourWrist is the best-in-class mobile and online virtual tour platform empowering consumers to shoot, publish, search for, view, share and market their 360-degree panos.

TourWrist also announced at MacWorld that it would soon release an upload feature in its award-winning iOS app that will give iPhone enthusiasts a choice of using 20+ panoramic photography apps with the ability to publish an unlimited number of their panos – free – via the TourWrist app.

TourWrist App

“Until recently, creating virtual tours required thousands of dollars in camera gear and software, plus hosting – not to mention an expertise in using it all,” said TourWrist CEO & Founder Charles Armstrong. “Now, millions of iPhone users worldwide can easily shoot and share immersive 360-degree panos – for free with the TourWrist app.”

“Plus, many developers worldwide are already integrating the free Publish to TourWrist API into their 360-degree photography apps, image stitching software and camera gear,” said Armstrong. “At least three products will feature an easy Publish to TourWrist button by March 1st.”

“By empowering consumers to shoot and share places and memorable moments from their choice of apps, programs, and cameras, TourWrist will continue to be the new ‘go to’ critical mass repository for geo-searching, viewing and sharing panos – just as YouTube is for video,” said Armstrong. “Developers and manufacturers can now focus on their core competencies, including image capture, stitching, and processing and leverage the TourWrist pano viewing and sharing experience.”

Pano photographers can also publish their panos to TourWrist using the TourWrist.com content management system (CMS).

“Panoramic photography is going mainstream this year as a result of pano initiatives by Apple, Google, Microsoft and TourWrist,” said Armstrong. “By releasing a native panoramic photography feature in iOS 5, Apple, for example, will broaden consumer adoption, just as it did when it re-invented smartphones in 2007.”

Developers and manufacturers, who would like to integrate the free Publish to TourWrist API, should email: API@TourWrist.com

About TourWrist

TourWrist is the leading, mobile and desktop–based virtual tour platform. Just as YouTube is for video, it is the ‘go to’ destination for sharing panos. The company’s mission is to improve how consumers make educated, location-based decisions.

Consumers can easily shoot and upload their own 360-degree panoramic images, or browse and share any of the 30,000+ geo-tagged panos already available via the free TourWrist iOS app (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), the Android–optimized web app, and on the TourWrist website. TourWrist launched commercially in early 2011. TourWrist owns and operates the world’s largest panoramic photography forum, Panoguide, with 6,500 professional virtual tour photographers globally, and is a sponsor of the International VR Photography Association (IVRPA). The TourWrist company (private) is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information about TourWrist, please visit:

TourWrist is an independent service and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. All trademarks, including TourWrist®, are registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Additional Resources

loadEmbeds();

360-degree pano shot with the free, updated TourWrist iPhone app; and displayed using free TourWrist embed code • Image by TourWrist CEO/Founder Charles Armstrong • Location: San Francisco, CA

Video: How to Shoot and Share 360-degree panos using the free TourWrist iOS App

URL For This Blog Post

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2012/01/panoramic-photography-goes-mainstream-in-2012-powered-by-apple-google-microsoft-and-tourwrist/feed/ 0 TourWrist Media Coverage and Press Releases http://blog.greattv.com/2011/09/tourwrist-media-coverage-and-press-releases/ http://blog.greattv.com/2011/09/tourwrist-media-coverage-and-press-releases/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:50:29 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=4358

September 2, 1011 – Atlanta, GA USA – Since its commercial launch January 2011, TourWrist (Executive Summary, Presentation Deck) continues to be reviewed by consumer and trade press.

Free TourWrist App on an iPad. Here are links to the TourWrist platform (mobile, web and social) consumer and trade media coverage, press releases and video.

[This list below was last updated 1/31/12.]

The free TourWrist app is frequently among the Top 200 Great Free Apps in the Apple iTunes App Store, according to TopAppCharts.com, plus:

  • #6 in iPad Travel Apps (8/3/11)
  • #9 in iPad Entertainment Apps (4/14/11)
  • #36 in iPhone Travel Apps (9/9/11)

TourWrist Media Releases

TourWrist Media Coverage (Consumer)

TourWrist Media Coverage (Consumer – Short Items)

TourWrist Media Coverage (Business Trade Press)

TourWrist Media Coverage (Photography Trade Press)

TourWrist Coverage (Retail Trade Press)

TourWrist Coverage (Real Estate Sales/Leasing)

TourWrist Media Coverage (Travel Trade Press)

TourWrist Media Coverage (Education)

TourWrist: That’s GREAT!

TourWrist Custom White Label Apps (Articles, Webpages and Videos)

TourWrist Video Coverage

TourWrist and Crime Scenes (Media Coverage)

TourWrist Honors

TourWrist Media Coverage (International) [Google Translate -->English]

TourWrist Websites (Official)

Free TourWrist App on an iPhone

TourWrist Custom White Label Apps

TourWrist Attending Events/Trade Shows/Conferences

TourWrist Embed Virtual Tour Scene Examples (Using TourWrist Embed Code)

If you find a TourWrist article that belong here, please let Dan Smigrod know.

Short URL Link To This TourWrist Post

Disclosure: GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod is also a TourWrist Marketing and Public Relations Consultant (via his agency, GREAT!). In addition, Dan is an Atlanta-based TourWrist photographer. Here are some examples of his TourWrist 360º virtual tour scenes: St. Simons Island Lighthouse (look for the satellite); Fashion and Glamour Photo Shoot; and a TourWrist microsite for Fire Mountain Inn near Highlands, GA USA.

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2011/09/tourwrist-media-coverage-and-press-releases/feed/ 2 Predictions: Apple’s New Mobile OS to Include Shoot & Share 360º Virtual Tour Photography; 2011 is the Year of 360º Virtual Tour Marketing http://blog.greattv.com/2011/07/predictions-apple%e2%80%99s-new-mobile-os-to-include-shoot-2011-is-the-year-of-360%c2%ba-virtual-tour-marketing/ http://blog.greattv.com/2011/07/predictions-apple%e2%80%99s-new-mobile-os-to-include-shoot-2011-is-the-year-of-360%c2%ba-virtual-tour-marketing/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:30:48 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=4283

July 19, 2011 • Atlanta, GA – 2011 is the Year of 360-degree panoramic virtual tour marketing: super-charged by Apple. And, Apple’s new mobile OS – to be introduced soon – will include shoot and share 360-degree virtual tour photography. These are my predictions for 2011.

Here’s Why! And, Why This Matters To You

The world is rapidly moving to mobile because of the speed of innovation by Apple in the mobile space with its iPhone and iPad mobile iDevices. Mobile app usage now surpasses web usage, according to a study released in June 2011. Smartphone purchases have overtaken feature phones in the U.S., according to a Nielsen mobile study also released in June. Apple reported today (7/19/11) that iPhone 3Q11 sales (20.34 million iPhones: more than double than 3Q10) grew by 142% and iPad sales (9.25 million iPads in the quarter: 29 million iPads to since its launch April 2010) grew 183% with record revenue up 82%, according to Apple’s press release.

By September 2011, Apple will release its new iPhone 5 and its new iOS 5 mobile operating system that will, for the first time, include the ability to shoot and share 360-degree panorama virtual tour photos.

Why 2011 Will Be The Year of 360º Virtual Tour Marketing

  1. Know The Code: industry trades report that Apple’s iOS 5 code includes pano and panorama: these are keywords in the 360-degree panoramic virtual tour photography space.

    Free Tour Wrist App on an iPad

  2. Apple iTunes App Store: Apple is sharing its over-the-top love for virtual tour photography to help grow the space in time for its by September 2011 launch in this space. The Apple iTunes App Store Great Free Apps; Staff Picks; What’s Hot and New and Noteworthy frequently include 360-degree panoramic photo apps such as Tour Wrist; Photosynth; Dermandar; and Jetsetter. For example, between Saturday (7/10/11) and today (7/19/11), Apple iTunes App Store Top 100 Great Free Apps list includes these four 360-degree photography apps.
  3. Big Players in the Space: Microsoft has a panorama app (Photosynth) and platform (Bing maps) for sharing virtual tour photos; and, Google Street View spawned the new Business Photos from Google (shooting 360-degree panoramic view) service. Apple sees the success of big players in this space and knows that it can do a better “it just works” user experience.
  4. Tour Wrist API – The Tour Wrist API (first press release 4/27/11), second press release 7/18/11) will enable millions of iPhone users to easily and seamlessly shoot and share 360-degree virtual tour scenes via Tour Wrist – free. Six developers have already expressed interest in integrating the Tour Wrist API into their 360-degree virtual tour shooting app, reported Fast Company and WIRED on July 5, 2011. Will Apple and Microsoft be among the developers that leverages the Tour Wrist platform (mobile, web and social) by enabling its iOS 5 panoramic shooting capability to publish to the open Tour Wrist platform the YouTube of 360-degree virtual tour images – or pursue a proprietary platform strategy – or both?

“A race is underway to map the world’s interior and exterior spaces,” says Tour Wrist CEO & Founder Charles Armstrong. “With web and mobile technology advancing by the day and consumers keeping pace, the ability to travel remotely will soon change the way we market, discover, share and engage with business and one another.”

“Google and Microsoft, the biggest existing virtual tour platforms, continue to show that their motivation is to index properties to create the virtual tour equivalent of a white pages directory rather than yellow pages,” says Armstrong. “Tour Wrist – the YouTube of virtual tour images – gives business the ability to market themselves proactively, stand to unlock a significant consumer buzz generator and mainstream revenue channel.”

Why This Matters To You

Marketers of cable TV, entertainment and travel/tourism are quickly positioning their brands now to benefit from Apple’s “it just works” innovation that will (soon) result in millions of iPhone users easily and seamlessly shooting and sharing their life experiences within 360-degree geo-tagged virtual tour images. Crowd-sourced user generated content (UGC) will quickly and efficiently map the world where Google Street View can’t take you – inside – all of the world’s spaces.

Free Tour Wrist App on an iPhone

By getting started now, you can be ready Fall 2011 – concurrent with Apple’s newest iPhone 5 and iOS 5 releases so you can benefit from tons of media coverage; social media; web and world-of-mouth regarding what brands are doing with 360-degree virtual tour photography. In the Fall 2011, everyone will discover the next generation of 360-degree panoramic photography.

So why use the Tour Wrist virtual tour platform (mobile, web and social) when you could opt to build a virtual tour strategy around Microsoft’s Photosynth app and Bing maps; Business Photos from Google and Google Maps; or Apple’s shoot and share 360-degree photography integrated in its soon-to-be released iOS 5?

Watch Out Goliath, Here Comes David

In a world of slow-moving Goliaths, there is always an opportunity for agile Davids to win the battle.

“Tour Wrist is a total reinterpretation of what it means to shoot, publish, host, search, view and share virtual tours with a platform [mobile, web and social] designed for consumers and marketers,” says Armstrong. “We see great momentum with consumers, content providers and a range of marketing partners since we launched Tour Wrist commercially on January 1, 2011.”

Tour Wrist has added more than 20,000 360-degree virtual tour scenes in just months of its launch.

“Now that we have released the free Tour Wrist publishing Application Programming Interface (API), we anticipate many panoramic image apps, software, and even cameras – to upload and host images on the Tour Wrist platform – free,” says Armstrong.

Top 10 Reasons Why Tour Wrist is Positioned To Contribute to – And Benefit From – 2011 is the Year of 360º Virtual Tour Marketing

“Tour Wrist has an early lead in the race to bridge virtual tours via mobile tools; social media and user generated content from millions of iDevice owners,” says Armstrong. And while I have a Tour Wrist platform bias – my company, GREAT! is the marketing agency for Tour Wrist and has a meaningful interest in the success of Tour Wrist – my sense is that Tour Wrist has – or will have – the right mix of:

  1. Crowd-Sourced Consumer Content – to map the world’s interior spaces via user generated content (USG) leveraging the Tour Wrist publishing API (as Twitter has done with opening its API) – free for consumers. “The old perception is that closed data is a competitive advantage,” reported Read/Write Web in 2007 in discussing the open Twitter API. “The new reality is that open data is a competitive advantage.”
  2. A-list Media and Entertainment Brands – major A-list media and entertainment brands providing both celebrity content and marketing muscle to drive viewership and downloads of its free Tour Wrist app (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch). While Tour Wrist was created for the travel/tourism space, innovation often comes when marketers in different industries use a tool in a new way – a mashup – that may not have been envisioned by its inventor: disruptive innovation. For example, please see my That’s GREAT! story about how cable TV channels and movie marketers will use disruptive innovation to leverage Tour Wrist: Two-Screen Marketing: TV and Movie Marketing Meets ‘Tour Wrist’ Mobile Experience Meets Immersive Consumer Engagement Experience
  3. Hobbyist and Professional Photographers –  producing virtual tour content sourced from the 6,000+ members of the Panoguide community powered by Tour Wrist and its freemium; $5 per month Hobbyist; and $30 per month Professional membership pricing.
  4. A-list Anchor Content Provider Brands – A-list anchor brands in travel/tourism, real estate and vehicle manufacturers will provide tonnage in 360-degree virtual tour image content. For example, hotel chains and cruise lines already have thousands of virtual tour images that can be re-purposed on the Tour Wrist platform (mobile, web and social) Content and marketing are provided by consumer and business users in the course of providing and promoting their Tour Wrist content.
  5. Social Media Promotion – Consumers share their 360-degree virtual tour scenes with family and friends via Facebook, Twitter, email and other social media share tools.
  6. Scalable Business – Tour Wrist lives in the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) – via the Heroku cloud application platform for Ruby on the Rails open-source web framework – and not tied to fixed infrastructural costs. The Amazon EC2 cloud enables Tour Wrist to easily scale digital content storage and usage spikes created by national media promoting Tour Wrist content.
  7. Smart Leadership – In addition to being a brilliant, creative, passionate and energetic technology visionary, Tour Wrist CEO and Founder Charles Armstrong is a great leader, team builder and motivator.
  8. Great User Experience – Charles’ obsession with the design esthetic meets user experience – recognized by Communication Arts magazine – resulted in Tour Wrist being the YouTube of 360-degree virtual tour photography.
  9. Venture Capital –Tour Wrist will soon benefit from millions of dollars in investment capital that will accelerate its consumer marketing; technology development; and Tour Wrist white label re-skinned and custom apps for business to leverage its existing platform, proprietary technologies and expertise. Within just months of its commercial launch, Tour Wrist has already produced five white label app versions of Tour Wrist: a) Eckerd College; b) ProTours360; c) Drink Wine 360; d) Home Tours Florida; e) University of Florida’s CrimeSeen 360 (password required); f) 360iTours; g) City of Redlands, CA and h) Redlands PD [Tour Wrist will create additional white label apps.]
  10. Great Timing – While both Google and Microsoft have paved the way for the next generation of virtual tour photography, Apple’s “it just works” innovation and introduction of a 360-degree virtual tour shooting and sharing built into its mobile OS will empower millions of iPhone users to shoot panoramic images. Instead of limiting Tour Wrist content providers to 6,000+ Panoguide professional photographers using nearly $3,000 or more in camera gear/software and advance photography skills, millions of people will soon use their iPhone and iPod Touch to shoot and share virtual tour images – free (and without any special gear/software or training).
  11. Bonus: Just as opening the Twitter API helped accelerate the success of Twitter, opening the Tour Wrist publishing API will enable many virtual tour app developers – and camera gear manufacturers – to integrate Tour Wrist into their customer experience resulting in millions of people easily and seamlessly shooting and sharing 360-degree virtual tour scenes – free via the Tour Wrist platform (mobile, web and social).

www.TourWrist.com on a Desktop

So, knowing that the future arrives by September 2011 when Apple bursts on the 360-degree panorama virtual tour scene, if you get started today with your test and learn strategy … you’ll be ready to benefit from the media coverage, social media and world of mouth in the Fall of 2011 and beyond.

So, how good am I at predicting the future of emerging digital media trends in the United States? Should you believe me and act now to be ready when the future arrives Fall 2011?

On June 12, 2010, I proclaimed 2010 as the year of the quick response (QR) code in the U.S.

In 2010, did your company even know what a QR code was?  In 2011, is your company still asking, “What’s the ROI on QR codes?”

# # # # #

Virtual Tour Photography Resources

  1. Tour Wrist Publishing API Developer Site
  2. Tour Wrist Publishing API Documentation

App Developers

  1. 360 Panorama (Occipital)
  2. AutoStitch Panorama (Cloudburst Research)
  3. Bubbli (Bubbli Co)
  4. Dermandar (Dermandar (Offshore) S.A.L.)
  5. Pixeet 360 (Pixeet)
  6. Pano (Debacle Software)
  7. PanoLab and PanoLab Pro (Originate Labs)
  8. PanoMinute (Denis Martin)
  9. Panorama (Airshed)
  10. Panorama Free (Free the Apps!)
  11. Panorama Mosaicker (Intpel)
  12. Panoramatic 360 (Andrea Esposito)
  13. Porsche 360º (Porsche)
  14. YouSpin360º (3sixty Ltd.)
  15. UScape.it (EveryScape)
  16. Video to Panorama (Haiqun Deng)

Software Developers

  1. Apple iOS 5 (Apple)
  2. AutoPano Pro (Kolor)
  3. Hugin (Open Source)
  4. ImmerVision (ImmerVision)
  5. Photosynth (Microsoft Corp.)
  6. PTgui (New House Internet Services B.V.)

Hardware Manufacturers

  1. 0-360 Panoramic Optic lens accessory (0-360.com)
  2. Apple iPhone 5 (Apple)
  3. Canon “PhotoStitch” (Canon)
  4. Casio TRYX (Casio)
  5. FujiFilm FinePix Cameras “Motion Panorama 360º” (FujiFilm)
  6. GE “Pancapture” (GE Consumer Electronics)
  7. Giroptic 360 Degree Camera (Giroptic) – 360-degree panoramic video camera
  8. GoPano Micro (EyeSee360) – 360-degree iPhone 4 video accessory
  9. Kodak “Panoramic Stitch” (Kodak)
  10. Nikon COOLPIX “Easy Panorama” (Nikon)
  11. Nodal Ninja (Nodal Ninja)
  12. Olympus “Combine” (Olympus)
  13. Pano Pro MkII one-shot 360º lens (Pano Pro USA)
  14. Pixeet iPhone 360º lens accessory (Pixeet)
  15. Panasonic-Lumix “Panorama Assist” (Panasonic)
  16. Pentax “Digital Panorama” (Pentax)
  17. Samsung “Advanced Panorama with Object Tracking” (Samsung)
  18. Sony iSweep–Enabled Cameras (Sony) — consumer cameras (Watch Sony TX7 Cyber-shot Camera ‘Taylor Swift’ Commercial Video) (View Sony Cyber-Shot Digital Camera with iSweep in Amazon Store)
  19. Vivitar (Sakar International, Inc.)
  20. WebCube – 360 Webcam (ImmerVision)

Panoramic Photography Resources

  1. IVRPA – International Virtual Reality (VR) Photography Association
  2. Panoguide – a community of 6,000+ virtual tour photographers
  3. 360º Photography Weekly – a free weekly online newspaper published by Tour Wrist Virtual Tour Photographer Dan Smigrod using this list of article contributors
  4. Panoramic Photography Shooting Apps ­­– a Twitter list of 360º photography apps (curated by @smigrod)
  5. Panoramic Photography – a Twitter list of 360º photographers, hardware and software providers and other related vendors (curated by @smigrod )
  6. All Tour Wrist articles by Dan Smigrod [See PostScript with Related Tour Wrist stories]

Short URL For This Article

PostScript

Click here to view the embedded video.

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2011/07/predictions-apple%e2%80%99s-new-mobile-os-to-include-shoot-2011-is-the-year-of-360%c2%ba-virtual-tour-marketing/feed/ 0 GREAT! Agency Retained As Exclusive Marketing Agent for the 400 MPH Rocket Car at Air Shows http://blog.greattv.com/2011/06/great-agency-retained-to-market-air-show-performers-nearly-400-mph-in-9-seconds-smoke-n-thunder-jet-car-is-first-off-the-starting-line/ http://blog.greattv.com/2011/06/great-agency-retained-to-market-air-show-performers-nearly-400-mph-in-9-seconds-smoke-n-thunder-jet-car-is-first-off-the-starting-line/#comments Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:33:40 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=2046

June 1, 2011 – Atlanta, GA USA – Would you like your marketing campaign to take-off like a rocket in 2012?

Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Shows (Braack Motorsports, Inc.) has retained Atlanta-based GREAT! agency as the exclusive marketing agent for integrated marketing sponsorship packages for Braack’s 400 mph Rocket Car performances at 20 Air Shows in 2012.

Rocket Car Creates Three-Stories of Smoke

More than 7 million Air Show enthusiasts annually experience the Rocket Car accelerating its more than 10,000 horse power J34 jet engine (from a T-2A Buckeye military aircraft) to a crowd-pleasing 400 mph (without leaving the ground) – in just nine seconds – racing (and often beating) an aircraft (that has a heads start).

Then, a 14′ double-ringed military-style Rocket Car parachute deploys – producing up to 14g’s of negative force to the pilot – brings the Rocket Car to an abrupt stop to cheering crowds. The Rocket Car 2012 sponsorship opportunity is unique: the Rocket Car is the only land performer at the 20 Air Shows it performs in annually.

Air Show attendance continues to soar above other national sporting events with 10-12 million spectators attending Air Shows in the United States annually: shows that are often free.

Braack Motorsports President and Rocket Car Pilot Bill Braack (retired Air Force 20-year C-130 and C-141 Air Force and Air Force Reserve Veteran) works the revved-up crowd – prior to each Rocket Car versus aircraft race – from his Rocket Car cockpit commanding all eyes on the Rocket Car as he slowly drives the Air Show flight line, generating:

  • a roar of multiple near-sonic boom thunder-claps;
  • three-story billowing clouds of smoke; and
  • 30′ shooting flames from the Rocket Car’s afterburner.

Rocket Car and Aircraft Race at an Air Show

“America loves the thrill of racing meets Air Shows. And I’m thrilled that GREAT! is the exclusive marketing agent for the Rocket Car performances at Air Shows across America,” says Braack. “We seek A-List brands – and their agencies – brands that can benefit from sponsoring the 2012 Rocket Car tour at 20 Air Shows to reach more than 7 million engaged fans,” said Braack.

In contrast, USA Today estimated that all annual NASCAR races combined in 2010 would be 3.6 million: that’s 1 million less than in 2003. NASCAR race attendance is nearly half the estimated annual attend of a 20-market annual Rocket Car Air Show tour. And, unlike NASCAR with 40+ cars on the track at one time; all eyes (and ears) are exclusively devoted to the Rocket Car. [The attendance for the entire National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) season attendance equals about two Rocket Car Air Shows, according to Braack.]

“The sky’s the limit for creating and marketing efficient on-brand; adrenaline pumping experiential; integrated entertainment sponsorship packages leveraging the Rocket Car at U.S. Air Shows,” said GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod. “There are many terrific opportunities – such as product sales, sampling, lead generation and social media on steroids – that the Rocket Car can help sponsors activate and engage consumers; while firing-up marketing plans at near super-sonic speed in support the brand’s distribution channels such as – retailers, grocery stores and drug stores. With hundreds of Air Shows annually in North America, the title sponsor can pick and choose Air Show markets strategically.”

Rocket Car Excelerates to 400 MPH in Nine Seconds

“We also include VIP money-can’t-buy-experiences. For example, Sponsor’s VIP guests get to flag-start the race between the Rocket Car and an aircraft racing just 100 feet above the  Rocket Car. It’s a heart-pounding experience as the Rocket Car accelerates to 400 mph and an aircraft with 180 mph head start – rockets past the VIP just yards from their whirling green flags to signal the start of the race,” said Smigrod.

“Flag starting the race on the runway starting line is an over-the-top, unique, thrilling and exciting experience to offer a VIP client guest or winner of an internal sales contest. With 20 Air Shows annually, 120 VIPs get to flag-start a race and 360 guests annually experience the adrenaline rush just feet from the flag-starter. Plus, new in 2012, thousands of VIPs will get to experience the Air Show from the Sponsor’s Rocket Car chalet,” said Braack.

With 6,500 pounds of 3:1 thrust-to-weight ratio at 4.5 g’s, the Rocket Car accelerates faster than any jet in an Air Show; including U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jets. If the 2,250 lb. Rocket Car was stood on its tail, it has enough raw-power thrust to take-off like a rocket, according to Braack.

Integrated sponsorship marketing opportunities to activate and engage audiences experiences during the typical three-day, eight-hour-per-day experience include:

  • Social Media
  • Experiential
  • Sampling
  • Lead Generation
  • Product Selling
  • Publicity
  • VIP Experience
  • Military Activation
  • Pro-Social

Specific Rocket Car marketing legs include:

  • Exclusive performer re-branding naming rights
  • Sampling; couponing (and product selling)
  • VIP Chalet shaded seating on-the-flight-line
  • One-on-one experiences with the Rocket Car Pilot
  • VIP flag-start the race (and accompany the flag-starter)
  • VIP fly-alongs on media/rehearsal day
  • Trade and consumer TV/print/radio media interviews (fly-alongs for media on media day to film the Rocket Car from the air)
  • Pro-Social (at Sponsor’s option: Air Shows at military bases only)
  • Air Show enthusiasts photos and videos of the Rocket Car for their Facebook, YouTube and flickr accounts
  • Social media engagement with Rocket Car Pilot Bill Braack
  • Media interviews with Rocket Car Pilot Bill Braack
  • Retailer, drug store and grocery marketing extension opportunities
  • Media buy integration opportunities
  • Unique contest and sweepstakes prizing opportunities
  • Internal and external sales incentive (with money-can’t-buy VIP experiences)
  • Eco-green/sustainability integration – the Rocket Car can run on biodiesel B20 fuel (20 percent recycled cooking oil) [when/where available]
  • Rocket Car-Cams – video showing the Sponsor’s branding: including inside the 14′ parachute
  • Public Address (PA) announcements during the Rocket Car Air show performance, in particular, and through-out the day
  • Official Air Show program
  • Official Air Show map
  • Official Air Show poster
  • Official Air Show advertising
  • Official Air Show Welcome Party for Performers (and their guests) – and other private events

“Rocket Car Pilot Bill Braack is the ultimate media-savvy spokesperson: well spoken; articulate; a 20-year (retired) airman veteran that can integrate client ‘talking points’ into his media interviews,” says Smigrod. “The Discovery Channel Daily Planet six-minute (11/1/10) segment is an excellent example of Bill and his Rocket Car generating TV coverage.”

In 2012, local market TV coverage – and newspaper and social media coverage – will leverage all Sponsor branding, including the:

The Discovery Channel Daily Planet Segment with Rocket Car Pilot Bill Braack Racing an Aircraft

“Between our decades of Air Show and military expertise – and the nearly 25 years of GREAT! agency entertainment marketing experience – our combined teamwork creates a win-win-win opportunity for brands – and their agencies – with the Rocket Car (presently doing business as the Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Car Shows) and Air Shows across North America,” says Braack.

The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) estimates that 10 to 12 million people annually attend one or more of the 325-350 Air Shows in the U.S. and Canada. ICAS reports a 20 percent spectator growth trend during the 2008 and 2009 Air Show seasons and that this trend is forecasted to continue in annual Air Shows in the next couple of years.

The Rocket Car typically participates in the larger Air Shows – often at military bases – that are frequented by:

“After more than 4,000 performances since 1980, the Rocket Car has a 100 percent safety record,” says Braack. “Plus, since current safety procedures have been put in place, no spectators fatalities have happened at a North American Air Show since 1960: an enviable safety-record for any business.”

For Rocket Car sponsorship opportunities – including an exclusive Rocket Car “buy out” for the 2012 Air Show season – please contact GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod:

For the 2011 Rocket Car performance tour schedule, please visit the Smoke-N-Thinder Jet Car Shows official website: www.smoke-n-thunder.com/ The 2012 Rocket Car performance tour schedule will be determined in conjunction with the 2012 title sponsor of the Rocket Car.

Short URL For This Story

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video: Six Jets Flying in Tight Formation – flying just fee above the runway — race the Rocket Car at 350 mph in this :45 video shot at the Oregon International Air Show on Friday, August 19, 2011.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video: PencilCam video of the Rocket Car at NAS Patuxent River, MD [Rocket Car racing the airplane starts at 3:40 into the video]

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video: Rocket Car at JBLM Air Expo 2010

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2011/06/great-agency-retained-to-market-air-show-performers-nearly-400-mph-in-9-seconds-smoke-n-thunder-jet-car-is-first-off-the-starting-line/feed/ 0 Two-Screen Marketing: TV and Movie Marketing Meets ‘Tour Wrist’ Mobile Experience; Meets Immersive Consumer Engagement Experience http://blog.greattv.com/2011/02/two-screen-marketing-tv-and-movie-marketing-meets-tour-wrist-mobile-experience-meets-immersive-consumer-engagement-experience/ http://blog.greattv.com/2011/02/two-screen-marketing-tv-and-movie-marketing-meets-tour-wrist-mobile-experience-meets-immersive-consumer-engagement-experience/#comments Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:23:02 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=3452

February 21, 2011 – Atlanta, GA USA – Network and cable television marketing today is about two-screens.

“‘We know people are multitasking while they’re watching TV,’ said Albert Cheng, the executive vice president for digital media for the Disney/ABC Television Group, which oversee ABC. ‘The question is, how do we tap into that and create a whole different consumer experience?’” reported The New York Times on Sunday (2/20/11).

As a GREAT! IDEAologist in the television and entertainment space, I am always looking for two-screen audience engagement technologies first developed for other spaces that can be mashed up for television series, movies and other entertainment experiences.

Vision: 'Teleport In' to TV show sets and movie locations with the Free TOUR WRIST iPhone and iPad Immersive Experience Apps from TOUR WRIST

So when I attended the by invitation only technology Startup Riot in Atlanta on Wednesday (2/16/11) and saw the ‘teleport in’ go-anywhere-without-going Tour Wrist online and mobile marketing platform – first conceived for virtual tours in the travel space – I immediately visualized how the free Tour Wrist iPhone/iPad app – and two-screen online experience – could create value for television series and movies.

The new paradigm for creating and marketing television series and movies in a world of social engagement and brand activation means that television and movie producers and marketers – to create value – now also need to create immersive consumer engagement experiences during TV Series/Movie production – in addition to: 1) product integration; 2) sponsorship; and 3) other integrated marketing opportunities. Here is a GREAT! example of why you want to embed the consumer marketing team within the production of your TV show or movie – rather than handing over a finished television show or movie to then be marketed.

First, to help visualize where I am going with this idea, please:

  1. Watch the 90 second video at the bottom of this article or click here.
  2. download the free Tour Wrist app (for iPad) (for iPhone)
  3. Visit: www.tourwrist.com/tour and look at some of the 360 degree panoramic tour images

While you may have seen 360 degree panoramic images when looking at a hotel room, cruise ship cabin, restaurant or rooms in a house for sale, the free Tour Wrist app (for iPhone) (for iPad) enables you to ‘teleport in’ to have a being-there-without-being-there immersive location experience by levering magnetometer data and the real-time accelerometer in your iPhone and iPad. “We saw a significant opportunity to connect the world with locations in a way that is much more intuitive than what people are currently use to,” says Tour Wrist Founder and CEO Charles Armstrong. “In addition to viewing the photographer’s cylindrical or spherical imagery on the web, the Tour Wrist app places the viewer inside of the photographed environment for an intimate and tactile experience.”

10 GREAT! Ideas* For Integrating Tour Wrist Immersive Experiences in a TV Series or Movie
  1. Go On Set Experience: What’s it like to be on set – to see the set from the actors’ perspective? Actors and crew freeze for 15 seconds while a photographer shoots a 360 degree panoramic “you control the move-e image” with the Tour Wrist app of each scene shot: including the lights, cameras, set, actors and production crew. All the 360 degree panoramic images are linked so that the viewer can visit the adjacent sound stage set – or location – room-by-connecting-room. The viewer sees the actual configuration of the set experience. It’s the ultimate ‘teleport in’ immersion experience for your audience – without your audience actually being on the set. For example, if you are producing a television series or movie with a crime scene, your viewers can ‘teleport in’ with the Tour Wrist produced “white-label” [TV Show Name] Crime ‘Seen’ 360 App – for an immersive, get-in-close examination of the clues and evidence.
  2. Movie Sequence: Same as number 1, except the “360 degree you control the ‘move-e’ panoramic images are linked in the order of the actual television show or  movie sequence. Viewers can hit pause on their DVR and take a behind-the-scenes closer look in “real time” …
  3. Go Backstage Experience: Actors and crew freeze for 15 seconds while the photographer captures a 360 degree panoramic Tour Wrist “you control the move-e image” while actors get their make-up and hair done, get styled; and while the actors and crew visit craft services or are on meal break.
  4. Visit The Stars’ Trailer Experience: Let’s go inside each of the actors’ trailers to see the “you control the move-e image:” ideally, with the actor present
  5. Visit The Production Trailers Experience: Let’s go inside each of the production trailers.
  6. Product Integration Experiences: actors freeze for 15 seconds while the photographer captures a 360 degree panoramic Tour Wrist image with the product integration experience.
  7. Product and Stars: the photographer captures a 360 degree panoramic Tour Wrist “you control the move-e image”with the integrated products and stars.
  8. Red Carpet Premiere From The Stars’ Perspective Experience: At the theatrical movie premiere, a photographer shoots a 360 degree panoramic Tour Wrist “you-control-the-move-e image” …
  9. Stars and Producers Collaboration Experience: When actors and producers congregate and collaborate together, freeze for 15 seconds while the photographer shoots a 360 degree panoramic Tour Wrist “you-control-the-move-e image” …
  10. Location Scouting Tool Experience: TV and film production executives get an immersion experience “visiting” potential shoot locations (better, faster and easier decision). These location scouting trip images become part of the DVD or micro-site bonus content.

These 360 degree panoramic Tour Wrist “you control the move-e images” get re-purposed to help get more viewers, increase viewer engagement and help sponsors sell more product. For example:

  1. Tour Wrist iPad/iPhone app immersive experience
  2. Tour Wrist iPad/iPhone private label app immersive experience (TV Network, Cable Channel or Sponsor)
  3. Websites (TV Network, Cable Channel, Sponsors production company)
  4. DVD bonus content

While it may seem early for a television series or movie to leverage new audience engagement services like the “travel remotely” Tour Wrist app, media companies that are early adopters will benefit from the buzz generated from traditional media coverage and the viral social engagmenet word-of-mouth; and be better positioned to leverage a rapidly growing smartphone audience [More than 50 percent of the U.S. will have a smartphone by 3Q11 or 4Q11, according to Nielsen (as reported by MediaPost on 2/5/11).]

“A recent study by Deoitte of 2,000 American consumers ages 14 to 75 found that 42 percent sometimes surfed the Web while watching TV,” reported The New York Times on Sunday (2/20/11). “Analysts say such behavior will become more common as tablets and smartphones become more prevalent.”

Imagine being among the first television series or movie to go full throttle with Tour Wrist ‘teleport in’ immersive mobile experience.

Tour Wrist online and mobile marketing platform is a GREAT! big 360 two-screen marketing idea.

*This ideation is a mashup of thinking by the GREAT! and Tour Wrist teams to help television networks, cable TV channels, producers, production companies and movie studios visualize and leverage the Tour Wrist online and mobile marketing platform and to experience GREAT! ideation.

PostScript

Tour Wrist Related Stories by GREAT! CEO Dan Smigrod

Short URL For This Page

Disclosures:

Click here to view the embedded video.


Example (above): TOUR WRIST virtual tour image using Embed Tour as Popup Code • Atlanta Spring 2011 Swimwear & Glamour Photo Shoot, Atlanta, GA Image by TOUR WRIST virtual tour Photographer Dan Smigrod

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2011/02/two-screen-marketing-tv-and-movie-marketing-meets-tour-wrist-mobile-experience-meets-immersive-consumer-engagement-experience/feed/ 4 QR Code 101 Guest Post: Two Dimensional (2D) Quick Response (QR) Scan Codes: ‘The 10 Commandments for Marketers’ http://blog.greattv.com/2011/02/qr-code-101-guest-post-two-dimensional-2d-quick-response-qr-scan-codes-the-10-commandments-for-marketers/ http://blog.greattv.com/2011/02/qr-code-101-guest-post-two-dimensional-2d-quick-response-qr-scan-codes-the-10-commandments-for-marketers/#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:24:39 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=3428

February 24, 2011 – Atlanta, GA USA – The following QR Code 101 Two Dimensional (2D) Quick Response (QR) scan code article was first published by Mashable. This excerpt is reprinted by permission of the author.

Author: Jamie Turner is the chief content officer of the 60 Second Marketer, the online magazine for BKV Digital and Direct Response. He is also the co-author of How to Make Money with Social Media.

It seems as though every time you scan the web, there are posts and articles about companies that are using 2D codes such as QR codes, EZcodes and Microsoft Tags to promote their products or services.

Quick Response (QR) Scan Code: Text SCAN to 43588 to get a free scanner app. Scan this code to launch the 60 Second Marketer Social Media List of 45 Social Media terms

The problem is that many of these companies are using 2D codes as novelty items instead of using them to drive real, tangible revenue to their businesses.

I’ve spent the past few months analyzing several hundred different uses of 2D codes across the globe. Some of them have been quite brilliant (as is the case with the Smithsonian Institution’s Neanderthal exhibit, which we’ll talk about in a second). Others have been … well, not so brilliant.

Many members of the Fortune 500 have used 2-D codes to promote their products or services. For example, The New York Times Magazine took a photo of a QR code made entirely of balloons. Yes, you can create a QR Code using balloons and it actually works. Users who scanned the QR code were driven to a special mobile webpage promoting their 10th Annual Year in Ideas issue.

Starbucks is one of the first major corporations to use 2-D codes for commerce. The Starbucks Card Mobile Application allows baristas to scan a 2-D code off of your smart phone. The cost of your Venti, sugar-free, non-fat, vanilla soy, double shot, decaf, no foam, extra hot, peppermint white chocolate mocha with light whip and extra syrup is simply deducted from your card. When the money runs out, you just add more to your mobile card using the app.

Surprisingly, the best example I’ve seen for the use of a 2-D code was by the Smithsonian Institution. Yes, a quasi-governmental, traditional institution kicked the private sector’s rear end when it came to the best use of a new and emerging technology.

If you visit the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum, you’ll see an exhibit about Neanderthals on the main floor. Neanderthals were contemporaries of humans who lived in Africa, the Middle East and Western Europe 30,000 to 50,000 years ago.

The Neanderthal exhibit is pretty typical, except that they’ve placed a 2-D code on it that says, “Scan here to be part of our MEanderthal exhibit.”

When visitors scan the 2-D code, they’re sent to a website that allows them to take a picture of a friend or family member with their smartphone. Once they’ve done that, users can superimpose an image over the photograph that shows what that person would have looked like as a Neanderthal 30,000 to 50,000 years ago.

The Smithsonian’s MEanderthal Experience Meets QR code

The Smithsonian’s MEanderthal experience doesn’t end with the superimposed photograph. You can also put different Neanderthal overlays on your photograph and even upload photos to your Facebook profile or e-mail them to a friend. The end result is that instead of spending, say, two or three minutes learning about Neanderthals, visitors with a 2-D code reader on their phone will spend five or ten minutes with the exhibit.

All this brings us to our main point: The 10 commandments of using 2-D codes for business. After all, if you’re going to dive into 2-D codes, you should have a handle on the best practices.

1. Thou Shalt Assist Thy Consumer in the Use of 2-D Codes

Even though the use of 2-D codes is increasing rapidly, most consumers are just starting to embrace them. It’s best to help consumers out a little with a line of copy that explains what 2-D codes are and where the consumer can download a code reader.

Here’s the one I use all the time: “Scan the 2-D code for a special coupon. To download a code reader to your phone, open your mobile browser and visit scan.mobi.”

Other good 2-D code readers can be found at BeeTagg.com, i-nigma.com and ScanLife.com.

2. Thou Shalt Drive Consumers Through to a Webpage Designed Specifically for a Smartphone

This one seems painfully obvious, but you’d be surprised how many companies drive people through to regular webpages. By linking your 2-D code to a mobile site, you’re enhancing the customer experience. A good customer experience equals return visits, which is what you’re looking for.

3. Thou Shalt Run Thy 2-D Code Promotion in an Area That Has Cell Phone Coverage

Another classic mistake is running a 2-D code promotion in an area that has bad cell phone coverage. If you’re going to run a 2-D code promotion in a subway station, a rural area or an office building, you’d better check the mobile reception first.

4. Thou Shalt Add Value for Thy Consumer

The best 2-D code promotions give people something extra for their trouble. Sometimes, that extra value is simply an enhanced experience. Other times, it’s a discount or special coupon that rewards them for taking the time to scan your 2-D code.

5. Thou Shalt Track the Traffic to Your 2-D Code Landing Page

Marketing is about metrics and measurement, so be sure you track your results. One way is to measure in-bound hits using Google Analytics or some other analytics program. Another way is to partner with ScanLife, Microsoft or some other 2-D code provider to track data using their systems. Experiment to see which approach works for you.

6-10. [Editor's Note: That Shalt Click Here to View 10 Commandments 6-10 for Marketers on Mashable]

_______________________

Author Jamie Turner

That’s GREAT! blog post by Guest Columnist Jamie Turner, Chief Content Officer for 60 Second Marketer, the online magazine for BKV Digital and Direct Response. Copyright 2010-2011 Jamie Turner. First published 9/1/10 by Mashable.

Reprinted by permission of the Author. Download a free chapter from Jamie’s book by clicking “How to Make Money with Social Media.”

Short URL For This ‘That’s GREAT!’ Post

http://j.mp/the10QRc

Subscribe to the Free Daily Online Scan Code Newspaper From GREAT!

That’s GREAT! Quick Response (QR) Scan Code Resources

1.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 Ideas for Using QR Codes
2.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 ‘Pointers’ for Using QR Codes
3.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  101 Major U.S. Brands Using QR Codes
4.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  50 Major Media Companies Using QR Codes
5.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Using QR Codes
6.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Best QR Codes Uses in the U.S
7.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) ‘10 Reasons Free QR Codes Will Bite Me In The Tush’
8.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) What’s the Return on Investment (ROI) on QR Codes?
9.     That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  (Video) – 2011 is the Year of the Quick Response Code
10.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Multiple Choice:  (2010) (2011) (2012) is the Year of the QR Code
11.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 300 Must Read QR Code Articles
12.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 150 Must Read QR Code Articles
13.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  How Newspapers Can Use QR Codes to Delay the Demise of Print
14.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  QR Code Book : ‘I Live in the Future & Here’s How It Works
15.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Top 10 Reasons EZcodes Are Better Than QR Codes
16.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: The 10 Commandments for Marketers
17.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: How to Use QR Codes to Promote Your Business
18.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Guest Post: An Introduction to QR Codes
19.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Product Camp Atlanta: 25 QR Code Ideas in 10 Minutes
20.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Follow Dan Smigrod’s QR Twitter Account: uSCANme
21.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  Free Daily Online QR Code Newspaper (The uSCANme Daily)
22.   That’s GREAT! – QR Code 101:  All ‘That’s GREAT!’ QR Code Lists, Videos, Articles and Resources

Bonus: GREAT! ScanLife Promo Code (“Invitation Code”) = great (for small, medium, large businessesand agency/resellers so you can play with a robust, paid scan code platform (For example: generate free QR codes to practice with and generate usage reports for these codes). When you are ready to use the scan codes commercially, please request a quote from ScanLife or email GREAT! CEO Dan Smigrod.

Disclosures

*Though Quick Response (QR) brand scan codes are a registered trademark of Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave, Quick Response Code (QR) are commonly – and incorrectly – used generically to refer to all Two Dimensional (2D) mobile barcodes: including ScanLife EZcode brand scan codes; Microsoft Tag codes; datamatrix codes; and still other scan codes that are scanned or photographed on a smartphone such as an iPhone 4. Saying Quick Response code or QR code is like saying that you TIVOed the TV show when you actually used the Comcast brand digital video recorder to record the TV show.

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2011/02/qr-code-101-guest-post-two-dimensional-2d-quick-response-qr-scan-codes-the-10-commandments-for-marketers/feed/ 13 GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary in 2011 – 500,000 Funatics High-Five for the Next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun Weekend [While in a Ride Queue Line] Sponsored by Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer http://blog.greattv.com/2011/01/great-idea-six-flags-50th-anniversary-in-2011-%e2%80%93-500000-funatics-high-five-for-the-next-50-years-of-six-flags-fun-weekend-while-in-a-ride-queue-line-sponsored-by-purell-with-aloe-instant-h/ http://blog.greattv.com/2011/01/great-idea-six-flags-50th-anniversary-in-2011-%e2%80%93-500000-funatics-high-five-for-the-next-50-years-of-six-flags-fun-weekend-while-in-a-ride-queue-line-sponsored-by-purell-with-aloe-instant-h/#comments Sat, 15 Jan 2011 19:38:44 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=2184

January 18, 2011 – Atlanta, GA USA – This is idea 11: a bonus  in a series of 10 theoretical examples of GREAT! ideation to help Six Flags Theme Parks* increase Sponsorship revenue – and celebrate the 50th birthday of Six Flags fun in 2011.

GREAT! Big Idea

  • Kids love to high-five. It’s fun. And, when adults high-five, we all smile too.
  • This weekend publicity stunt will turn a long ride queue waiting time into an entertainment experience. Plus, for local news, it’s a fun visual of strangers giving high-fives – which bring people closer together with this small gesture of fun.
  • So, for one weekend in 2011, at a designated ride queue in 20 Parks, Six Flags will go for a Guinness World Record: 500,000 Funatics high-fiving for the next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun. [500,000 = 12,500 per day for two days at 20 Parks. Use one or more ride queue lines per park]
  • Each Six Flags guest  that enters the designated ride queue line receives a free Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer sample and a Little Six/Big Six certificate thanking the guest for participating in this recording-setting event.

The Certificate Serves Four (4) Purposes:

  • free coupon redeemable for a Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer
  • “thank you” for participating in the 500,000 Funatics High-Five for the next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun attempt at a Guinness World Record.
  • Sign-up at sixflags.com/funatics to receive special offers
  • Visit Purell.com for special offers

The “high-five” takes place in designated ride queues as the line passes each other like a giant conga line passing in opposite directions, or long straight queues such as Thunder River at Six Flags Over Georgia.

During this activate-the-Purell brand – “Imagine a Touchable World®” – all Six Flags employees:

  • Wear High-Five For Six Flags Fun t-shirts, hats and buttons (Purell logo)
  • High-Five guests
  • Optional: outside of queue: give out trial size hand sanitizers (surprise and delight)

This is a fun, free moral boosting campaign for employees too. They will feel the fun too when they high-five guests. Plus, going forward, this stunt kicks off employees saying/doing: “High-Five for Six Flags Fun!” instead of “Have a Six Flags Day!”

Scalable:

  • Sell-in hand sanitizer Sponsorship for 1, 5 or 20 Parks “times” number of promo days: can also scale to more than one ride queue per park.

Other Potential Sponsors:

  • Germ-x Hand Sanitizer

  • Lysol Healthy Touch Gentle Hand Sanitizer
  • Sani-Hands KIDS Instant Hand Sanitizer
  • Zytrel XP Hand Sanitizer & Moisturizing
  • Wet Ones Singles Antibacterial Cleansing Wipes
  • Soapopular KID Friendly Foaming Hand Sanitizer
  • Hands2go Foaming Instant Hand Sanitizer

10 GREAT! Six Flags Theoretical Examples:

  1. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary in 2011 – 500,000 Funatics High-Five for the Next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun Weekend [While in a Ride Queue Line] Sponsored by Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer
  2. GREAT! Idea: Bid on eBay to Buy-Out the Six Flags Park of Your Choice (One Night Available at Each of 15 Six Flags Parks) • 20,000 Guests Per Park
  3. GREAT! Idea: If You Are 50 or Older in 2011; Your Fun is Free – All Year Long – with a Paid Child Admission – When You Show Your AARP Card
  4. GREAT! Idea: Get Charged Up for a Six Flags Day of Fun – Cell Phone Charging Stations (Power Outlets) Where Guests Sit Down for a Meal (Sponsored by AT&T Wireless)
  5. GREAT! Idea: 500,000 Funatics High-Five for the Next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun Weekend [While in a Ride Queue Line] Sponsored by Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer
  6. GREAT! Idea: Grow With Six Flags Over Georgia/Six Flags White Water Atlanta: Free Height Chart For 42 Height Restricted Rides
  7. GREAT! Idea: Six Flats 50th Anniversary: Six Flags Discover Fun 50-Year Season Pass
  8. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary: See You on the FLIP SlideHD 2011 Summer Tour
  9. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary in 2011 Meets AARP: News Sponsor Category (50+ Adults)
  10. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Birthday ‘New Baby’ Promotion to Generate New Sponsorship Revenue
  11. Bonus: GREAT! Idea: Nike ‘Just Do It’ Experiential Sports Themed Trash Cans at Six Flags Over Georgia

GREAT! entertainment marketing ideation services are available on a monthly retainer. To discuss your challenges and opportunities, please contact GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod.

Short URL For This Story

  • http://j.mp/GREAT_Six_Flags_11

*Disclosure: Neither Six Flags – or companies mentioned – are GREAT! clients (though Six Flags did provide me with free, front-of-the-line passes, meal vouchers, parking and swag for six of us to experience Six Flags Over Georgia together.) This is a GREAT! theoretical idea.

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2011/01/great-idea-six-flags-50th-anniversary-in-2011-%e2%80%93-500000-funatics-high-five-for-the-next-50-years-of-six-flags-fun-weekend-while-in-a-ride-queue-line-sponsored-by-purell-with-aloe-instant-h/feed/ 9 GREAT! Idea: Get Charged Up for a Six Flags Day of Fun – Cell Phone Charging Stations When Guests Sit Down for a Meal (Sponsored by AT&T Wireless) http://blog.greattv.com/2010/11/great-idea-get-charged-up-for-a-six-flags-day-of-fun-%e2%80%93-cell-phone-charging-stations-when-guests-sit-down-for-a-meal-sponsored-by-att-wireless/ http://blog.greattv.com/2010/11/great-idea-get-charged-up-for-a-six-flags-day-of-fun-%e2%80%93-cell-phone-charging-stations-when-guests-sit-down-for-a-meal-sponsored-by-att-wireless/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:47:58 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=2219

November 22, 2010 – Atlanta, GA USA – This is the 6th in a series of 10 theoretical examples of GREAT! ideation to help Six Flags Theme Parks* increase Sponsorship revenue – and celebrate the 50th birthday of Six Flags fun in 2011.

GREAT! Concept:

  • All adults probably bring a cell phone to Six Flags. And, while at the Park, they text, take photos, shoot video and call family and friends.
  • That means by the end of the day, their cell phone is out of juice … until now!
  • To surprise and delight guests, add power outlets where people eat their lunch and dinner.

Option:

  • Sell one or more Parks. For example, Georgia Power sponsors in Atlanta and AT&T Wireless sponsors in Los Angeles.

Potential Sponsors:

  • Power Company (Georgia Power)
  • Cell phone carrier (AT&T Wireless)
  • Cell phone (Motorola)
  • Juice (“Get Juiced Up”) (Welch’s – a juice sold at the concessions)

10 GREAT! Six Flags Theoretical Examples:

  1. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary in 2011 – 500,000 Funatics High-Five for the Next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun Weekend [While in a Ride Queue Line] Sponsored by Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer
  2. GREAT! Idea: Bid on eBay to Buy-Out the Six Flags Park of Your Choice (One Night Available at Each of 15 Six Flags Parks) • 20,000 Guests Per Park
  3. GREAT! Idea: If You Are 50 or Older in 2011; Your Fun is Free – All Year Long – with a Paid Child Admission – When You Show Your AARP Card
  4. GREAT! Idea: Get Charged Up for a Six Flags Day of Fun – Cell Phone Charging Stations (Power Outlets) Where Guests Sit Down for a Meal (Sponsored by AT&T Wireless)
  5. GREAT! Idea: 500,000 Funatics High-Five for the Next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun Weekend [While in a Ride Queue Line] Sponsored by Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer
  6. GREAT! Idea: Grow With Six Flags Over Georgia/Six Flags White Water Atlanta: Free Height Chart For 42 Height Restricted Rides
  7. GREAT! Idea: Six Flats 50th Anniversary: Six Flags Discover Fun 50-Year Season Pass
  8. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary: See You on the FLIP SlideHD 2011 Summer Tour
  9. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary in 2011 Meets AARP: News Sponsor Category (50+ Adults)
  10. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Birthday ‘New Baby’ Promotion to Generate New Sponsorship Revenue
  11. Bonus: GREAT! Idea: Nike ‘Just Do It’ Experiential Sports Themed Trash Cans at Six Flags Over Georgia

GREAT! entertainment marketing ideation services are available on a monthly retainer. To discuss your challenges and opportunities, please contact GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod.

Short URL For This Story

  • http://j.mp/GREAT_Six_Flag_6

*Disclosure: Neither Six Flags – or companies mentioned – are GREAT! clients (though Six Flags did provide me with free, front-of-the-line passes, meal vouchers, parking and swag for six of us to experience Six Flags Over Georgia together.) This is a GREAT! theoretical idea.

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2010/11/great-idea-get-charged-up-for-a-six-flags-day-of-fun-%e2%80%93-cell-phone-charging-stations-when-guests-sit-down-for-a-meal-sponsored-by-att-wireless/feed/ 1 GREAT! Idea: See You on the FLIP SlideHD 2011 Six Flags Fun 50th Anniversary Summer Tour http://blog.greattv.com/2010/11/great-idea-see-you-on-the-flip-slidehd-2011-six-flags-fun-50th-anniversary-summer-tour/ http://blog.greattv.com/2010/11/great-idea-see-you-on-the-flip-slidehd-2011-six-flags-fun-50th-anniversary-summer-tour/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:17:44 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=2150

November 8, 2010 – Atlanta, GA USA – This is the 4th in a series of 10 theoretical examples of GREAT! ideation to help Six Flags Theme Parks* increase Sponsorship revenue from a new category and celebrate the 50th birthday of Six Flags in 2011.

GREAT! Concept:

Twenty (20) Six Flags Fun Fanatic college interns visit 20 Six Flag Parks in 50 days to celebrate 50 years of Six Flags fun. [Summer 2011]  Job requirements: Have a fun summer at Six Flags and share your experience using the FLIP SlideHD video camera via social media and traditional media.

Objectives:

Leverage 50th anniversary in Park markets and nationally during the 2011 summer season via 10 phase strategy to generate:

  • Social Media Content & Engagement (YouTube, Facebook, Flickr, blog, Twitter, Foursquared)
  • Media Coverage (TV, print, radio and online)
  • Word of Mouth buzz
  • Six Flags team spirit
  • Increase Revenue: single ticket sales; season passes; Food and Beverage revenue; merchandise revenue; parking revenue
  • Sell Exclusive Sponsorship (or three Sponsors); new Sponsor opportunity

Phase 1

  • Announce Summer Intern Job Search – for 20 Six Flags Fun Fanatic college interns for Summer 2011 [Announce the search so that candidates can shoot video – now!]

Phase 2

  • Application period – (entrants must post YouTube video; must post to Facebook, Tweet and post a blog that includes video and photos from one or more Six Flags). Must be 21 or older, enrolled in college and a U.S. Citizen. (Will need to get a U.S. Passport)

Phase 3

  • Each park narrows candidates down to their favorite 10 candidates – [Criteria will be identified such as: fun, well-spoken (for media interviews), social media savvy, love Six Flags (uber fan); view opportunity as the ultimate dream opportunity. Probably marketing, journalism, English, theater or social/digital media major students).

Phase 4

  • Online Voting – most friends on their Facebook Fan Page, friends on YouTube, Twitter Followers (all combined) – to narrow 10 per market down to 3 per market. The 10 candidates – per market – will be leveraging social media to turn out the vote.

Phase 5

  • Six Flags (National) selects final interns for each market.

Phase 6

  • Announce the selection – of the 20 summer interns

Phase 7

  • Fly all 20 summer interns to two weeks of Social Media/Media boot camp [also bring in one alternate per market in case someone has to drop from the Tour]

Phase 8

  • 20 Park Tour begins (three Artist tour buses: wrapped with Six Flags 50th Anniversary See You on the FLIP SlideHD 20/20 Summer Tour Sponsors by [Sponsor]. Embed national media. Embed Six Flags TV production crew (to service b-roll to media and in-park TV/radio. Surprises on tour include: family and friend join in the fun; celebrity visits. Allow time for posting video, writing, photo posting, Tweets, update Facebook page. Allow days off. All media interviews in park to leverage production values. [Embed Tour Director and Manager and 10 publicists/logistics. Park VIP Tour guide per four interns plus two publicists/logistics people per group of four.]

Phase 9

  • Last market visited.

Phase 10

  • Optional Extra: Dubailand

College Interns Receive:

  • 24/7 pay at minimum wage with overtime/holidays; $5,000 allowance to buy a laptop. Interns also receive: (Cisco) Six Flags 50th anniversary custom-skinned commemorative FLIP SlideHD video camera; a; smart phone [Apple iPhone] with wireless service for the phone, digital camera [Kodak] and laptop [Apple]; hotel; transportation; meals; per diem for misc. expenses; and $2,000 tour clothing allowance.

10 GREAT! Six Flags Theoretical Examples:

  1. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary in 2011 – 500,000 Funatics High-Five for the Next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun Weekend [While in a Ride Queue Line] Sponsored by Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer
  2. GREAT! Idea: Bid on eBay to Buy-Out the Six Flags Park of Your Choice (One Night Available at Each of 15 Six Flags Parks) • 20,000 Guests Per Park
  3. GREAT! Idea: If You Are 50 or Older in 2011; Your Fun is Free – All Year Long – with a Paid Child Admission – When You Show Your AARP Card
  4. GREAT! Idea: Get Charged Up for a Six Flags Day of Fun – Cell Phone Charging Stations (Power Outlets) Where Guests Sit Down for a Meal (Sponsored by AT&T Wireless)
  5. GREAT! Idea: 500,000 Funatics High-Five for the Next 50 Years of Six Flags Fun Weekend [While in a Ride Queue Line] Sponsored by Purell with Aloe Instant Hand Sanitizer
  6. GREAT! Idea: Grow With Six Flags Over Georgia/Six Flags White Water Atlanta: Free Height Chart For 42 Height Restricted Rides
  7. GREAT! Idea: Six Flats 50th Anniversary: Six Flags Discover Fun 50-Year Season Pass
  8. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary: See You on the FLIP SlideHD 2011 Summer Tour
  9. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Anniversary in 2011 Meets AARP: News Sponsor Category (50+ Adults)
  10. GREAT! Idea: Six Flags 50th Birthday ‘New Baby’ Promotion to Generate New Sponsorship Revenue
  11. Bonus: GREAT! Idea: Nike ‘Just Do It’ Experiential Sports Themed Trash Cans at Six Flags Over Georgia

GREAT! Entertainment Marketing ideation services are available on a monthly retainer. To discuss your challenges and opportunities, please contact GREAT! CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dan Smigrod.

Short URL For This Story

  • http://j.mp/GREAT_Six_Flags_4

*Disclosure: Neither Six Flags – or companies mentioned – are GREAT! clients (though Six Flags did provide me with free, front-of-the-line passes, meal vouchers, parking and swag for six of us to experience Six Flags Over Georgia together.) This is a GREAT! theoretical idea.

]]> http://blog.greattv.com/2010/11/great-idea-see-you-on-the-flip-slidehd-2011-six-flags-fun-50th-anniversary-summer-tour/feed/ 0 Dropping In Via SKYPE Video to the NYU Digital Entertainment, Marketing and Advertising Class (And Still Making It To My Argentine Tango Class) http://blog.greattv.com/2010/10/dropping-in-via-skype-video-to-the-nyu-digital-entertainment-marketing-and-advertising-class-and-still-making-it-to-my-argentine-tango-class/ http://blog.greattv.com/2010/10/dropping-in-via-skype-video-to-the-nyu-digital-entertainment-marketing-and-advertising-class-and-still-making-it-to-my-argentine-tango-class/#comments Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:33:35 +0000 Dan Smigrod http://blog.greattv.com/?p=1918

October 28, 2010 – Atlanta, GA USA – A shout-out to the digital media students at the New York University (NYU): School of Continuing & Professional Studies in the Center for Marketing.

Thank you for the opportunity to drop in your NYU Digital Entertainment, Marketing and Advertising class – via SKYPE Video – to chat with you about digital media marketing. I am thrilled that my colleague of 20+ years, President/Founder of EPM Communications, Inc. and Associate Adjunct Professor of Marketing Ira Mayer invited me to join you in this virtual experience.

I always enjoy talking about generating digital media buzz and traditional media coverage by leveraging the latest shinny new digital marketing toys integrated in to a digital marketing strategy such as:

For the student that asked me for my thoughts regarding content aggregation and trusted sources, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. As I discussed, everyday I create a daily newspaper around the topic of 2D QR codes with the content sourced from those that I follow on my @uSCANme. It takes me ZERO time. And, ZERO expense. Somehow, Paper.li’s algorithms do a great job in determining which stories get “published” and which stories get “front page” play: essentially a managing editor’s roll of determining the “news” and my choice of whom to follow being the “trusted sources.” While paper.li doesn’t print the entire story (you can click to see the full, original story); is that fair use of intellectual property? Newspaper should embrace paper.li: not run from it. My vision: at the very least, at the end of every newspaper story is a link to a Paper.li newspaper that follows the hashtag on that topic. (Much easier and interesting to reach than a text only Tweets from search.twitter.com. [I wrote more about computational journalism in my blog post titled: Georgia Tech FutureMedia Fest 2010: an Awesome Interactive Mash-Up of Experts: Ideas; Trends; And New (Disruptive & Innovative) Media Technologies.

New York University

For the student that asked about (potentially) being overwhelmed with information and how to filter it, I recommend reading I Live in the Future & Here’s How It Works: Why Your World, Work, and Brain Are Being Creatively Disrupted by The New York Times Lead Writer and Technology Reporter for the Times Bit Blog Nick Bilton. (And, yes, if you click on the book link to buy the book from Amazon, GREAT! will earn at least four percent as an Amazon Associate. We talked about the importance of being transparent.)

For the student that downloaded the free Augmented Reality Layar browser app your iPhone; thank you for helping demonstrate how Augmented Reality might work – such as a company offering coupons in space in front of their store – to those in the know – to bring you inside the store. I encourage you to see what geo-tagged tweets, YouTube videos and flickr photos you can find in a Starbucks before your next class – which will focus on Augmented Reality. Here’s a story about Uninvited DIY Exhibition at MoMA NYC (10/8/10) using Augmented Reality. How might you apply Augmented Reality to your company’s business?

Regarding our discussion about SMS codes used together with QR codes, here is an example for Lionsgate for its upcoming movie, For Colored Girls. [SMS doesn't generate media coverage: QR Codes do.]

As you develop marketing plans – or provide your Agency with direction – I encourage you to write a creative brief (sample): a written plan that includes the objectives; strategies, brand essence, tone, timing, budget and assets available to help you hit the target with your promotion (rather than beginning with a tactic such as we need to do a foursquare promotion). [Our GREAT! CMT Dukes of Hazzard Institute $100,000 Dream Job Search buzz marketing campaign was a (hugh) success – single highest rated day, week, month every in the history of CMT at the time – because our CMT Client ignited our ideation with a well-written creative brief (and was willing to take a risk that the idea would generate the media coverage, web coverage and word-of-mouth buzz that GREAT! visualized would happen (and it did).

While I've been a guest speaker at Georgia State University about starting, owning and managing my Agency, GREAT!, and I worked with Emory University students on their ideation: Thinking for a Living class project, your NYU class was my first university classroom experience via SKYPE Video. I suspect we will see many working professionals "drop in" to talk about a topic now that the technology needed to do this in becoming ubiquitous and makes it easy to "travel" to class (particularly from a distance city). [While we're out it, may be the students and faculty should attended remotely too!] Imagine the possibilities when we focus on building fiber to the home instead of paved highways. Even more of us will commute to school and work from home: without leaving our home.

Two additional thoughts I did not get to express during our classroom video chat:

  1. Get Mobilize: If you don’t have a smartphone and Apple iPad, invest in your future – now. To appreciate where the world of digital entertainment marketing is going, you need to integrate these tools mobile tools in your daily life. When you use the free Flipboard app to view Facebook on your iPad, you’ll have an Ah-Ha moment about creating experiences that leverage what is unique to the platform.
  2. Video. Video. Video. More people will use the internet and web (apps) to watch video than read text. For example, my passion is fashion and glamour photography. If you are thinking of engaging me as a photographer, do you want to read quotes of what models say about me, or watch this composite video of model ’shout-outs’ for me? I would expect LinkedIn to offer video references. Amazon already accepts consumer video reviews. Now is the time to start gathering video shout-outs to promote your brand (you)! And, your business!

And, the nice think about visiting with you in your New York University classroom on Cooper Square in New York City – via SKYPE Video – from Atlanta, I could still make it to a three hour Argentine tango class on time. Don’t look for me on Dancing With The Stars! (And, for this Friday night’s Halloween tango dance (Milonga), my wife wants me to go as Miss America: wearing the crown and sash left over from a GREAT! CMT Miss America promotion. No pictures please!)

Wishing you success in your NYU Digital Entertainment, Media and Advertising class – and integrating and implementing your digital strategy at work.

Thanks again from your fellow digital native (though I am in a digital immigrant body) – Dan.

Short URL For This Story

  • http://j.mp/NYUVisitViaSKYPE

Disclosure: I received no compensation for participating in this NYU class

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