Google Buzz

TechCrunch said, "If Google Wave Is The Future, Google Buzz Is The Present". And that means what exactly? Well I'll assume you've heard of Google Wave. You may not know exactly what Google Wave is or what it can do, but I'll presume you remember everyone going crazy about Wave towards the end of 2009. Well, Google Buzz is the new 'next big thing' from Google.

Before I throw too many words at you, check out Google's video explaining what Buzz is...

I have to agree with TechCrunch on this one. Consider Google. A huge global mega-corp with interests in virtually every part of the modern web, from video hosting (YouTube) to email (Gmail) to image hosting (Picasa) to software/OS (Chrome) to hardware (Nexus One). The big glaring gap in that list, however, is Social Networking. In the grand scheme of things, Google do not have a presence within the hierarchy of favourite Social Media Networking sites. So why not fix that?

And you know what, Google are going to try just that.

Google's latest venture, Google Buzz, is designed to bring together elements of Twitter, Foursquare, Yelp, and Facebook together in one convenient location, accessible by either desktop or mobile. Google Buzz is described as the ultimate feed, a kind of FriendFeed on steroids. Through the "convenience" of your Gmail account, you will now be able to stream your status updates, pictures, links, and videos from your friends. In a similar fashion to Facebook you can then “like” them and comment on them. The service will also suck in feeds from Flickr, Picasa, Google Reader and Twitter. Beyond this, Google Buzz will then also offer the added functionality of making recommendations of feed items that you might like based on friends’ activity.

So if this is all about a "super feed", what's the big deal?

Well, Google want Buzz to be different in one fundamental way: Buzz is about Social Curation. As most of us are probably (painfully) aware, there is just too much content being created to be able to filter through to the stuff that is of real genuine interest. Buzz will do this. When importing content from something like Twitter (import only to begin but Google say the service will eventually allow you to fully manage services like Twitter directly from Buzz), Buzz will filter out content so that you only see the best bits. Admittedly this sounds very controlling and perhaps not of immense value to begin with but Google do promise that the service will be as open as possible.

So what are the downsides to all this?

Well as has been seen with Google Wave, just because something is from Google does it automatically mean it's got universal appeal. Google Wave is a phenomenally powerful tool but it's simply not of use to everyone, and there are plenty of people who will go their whole life without a need for it. Google Buzz is really facing the same problem. Can it be of use to everyone? Because that's really what it's about these days. Niche is just that, niche. And for a company like Google to spend the time and money in development and promotion, they need to have something that we all use/need.

When it comes down to it, for me, it's too early to draw any conclusions. Give me a month of using the service and I'll come back with an educated review.

Google Search - Parisian Love

Love this video shared by Dermot yesterday on Twitter...

Lyons Tea - Secret 'Ingredient'

It's so very true that things come in three's, and so with little surprise I find myself writing about a new tea advertisement just a day after I wrote about two others. The reason I find myself wanting to share this ad is, however, very different to yesterday's post. Tomorrow Lyons Tea will launch their latest campaign. The campaign reveals that ‘talk’ is the secret ‘ingredient’ in its tea. Not only do I think that this makes perfect sense for brand association, but ultimately I think the ad is very good.

The new ‘The Master Blender’ TV ad launches tomorrow, 8th February, with a humorous tongue in cheek story all about the Lyons Master Tea blender and his apprentice. The two characters describe how different types of talk are added to the tea, which results in conversations for all the people who drink it. The campaign shows us the wonka-esque magical tea factory where Lyons create their famous tea. The Master Tea blender and his apprentice are seen in a huge hallway lined with row upon row of specially labelled drawers of tea, each with a different type of talk. For this ad, the Master Tea blender selects ‘Footy Talk’ and proceeds to show his young apprentice how it is added to the tea. With their job done, the ad cuts to a scene of two older women sitting on a couch about to enjoy a nice fresh brew. As they each take a sip the conversation immediately turns to ‘Footie’.

What I particularly like about the new add is the detail that we are shown. For me this is very much on par with Coca-Cola's Open Happiness. Production and performer budgets are clearly miles apart but Lyons still create the same magic. A wonderful sense of 'something more' that you can enjoy as you make and drink a nice cuppa. Serious hat tip to Lyons of this one - well done!

Liz Finlay, Lyons Tea Marketing Manager, commented on the new campaign, “It’s no secret that Irish people are both big talkers and big tea drinkers - the secret is we, at Lyons, have been adding talk to the tea! The talk combined with the best blends of the finest tea makes for the best tasting, conversational cuppa! We’re delighted with our new TV advertisement and we think consumers will find this is just the right blend of fairytale, magic and humour! We’ll be supporting the new campaign with some really exciting activity in store, radio promotions and lots of PR over the coming months, giving Irish people plenty to talk about.”

The campaign is primarily driven through tv, in three executions, with support from three radio ads and a 48-sheet element. The campaign has been created by Rothco with the tv ad directed by Stephen St. Leger. Production was by H2 Films with post-produced by Windmill Lane Pictures.

"I Like Drisco" - Haiti Charity Single

Thought this worth sharing as it's a worthy cause and, lets face it, who doesn't like Brian O'Driscoll?

Check out the charity single, "I Like Drisco", (video on the way apparently) from Johnny Rayge & ITO. All proceeds from sales are going to Haven.

Sex & Tea.... How Odd?

It seems that an odd new trend might be developing, which sees our favourite hot beverage suddenly becoming linked to sex. Both PG Tips and Yorkshire Tea have new ads hitting the small screen that rely on something that I can't imagine being further from a cup of tea in any way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bothered by the subject but I'm not sure I'd want my tea brand linked to sex. It seems like an odd coupling to me (pardon the possible pun there?). Anyways, the ads are live so I'll let you judge for yourself.

PG Tips

Johnny Vegas and his pal Monkey do the Meg Ryan "fake orgasm" scene from 'When Harry Met Sally'. The spot, which was created by Mother, is all about just how excited Monkey gets over his cup of PG Tips when johnny asks him to describe just how good it tastes. The scene is done as an almost 100% imitation. It is set in a cafe very similar to 'When Harry Met Sally' and sees Monkey shouting "Oh yes!", to have a woman at a nearby table tell the waitress: "I'll have what he's having". The ad finishes by asking viewers to find their way to best describe the taste of tea.


Yorkshire Tea

Yorkshire Tea have just launched a new ad for their 'Teatime's Important' campaign. The ad sees a young couple stop what their about to do to enjoy a nice cuppa. The ad, created by Beattie McGuiness Bungay, shows a Yorkshire couple enjoying a very passionate embrace before the young man whispers (in an extremely prominant Yorkshire accent) "would you like a cup of tea?" His counterpart is delighted by the offer and the pair put things on hold to have a cup of Yorkshire Tea before continuing their fun.