ESB Meter Reading App

The ESB have just launched a meter reading app for both iPhone and Android. The free app, which is available from today, is the first energy provider app for both iPhone and Android Smartphones and the first app developed by an Irish utility for electricity meter reading submissions.

The app allows customers to submit their electricity meter reading using their phone, effectively making estimated bills a thing of the past and giving them more control over their bills. The app is also capable of managing multiple properties and provides a Useful Contacts section with all the ESB emergency contact numbers at their fingertips.

I for one absolutely love to see utilities embracing technology in this, but also doing so in a way that is genuinely beneficial to their customers. I can think of so many times, especially living in apartments, that your meter reading gets estimated and you wind up hitting a huge bill the following month. I can't imagine any ESB customers who own an iPhone or Android and not downloading this! Get to it...

Haiti: One Year On

It's hard to imagine that the devastation suffered by Haiti was over a year ago. Of course I say 'was' over a year ago but the truth is that the last year has been anything but trouble free as the country tries to rebuild itself. A good friend of mine works for Concern and spoke to me recently about what they're doing in Haiti. From a digital perspective I thought it was really interesting that it’s the first time that an Irish International charity has done anything of note on Facebook so I thought it might be of interest to you folk.

To mark the anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti Concern ran an awareness campaign within Facebook. Concern are the first Irish charity to harness a Facebook homepage takeover, which is driving to a custom tab on their profile. The tab acts as the landing page for visitors that have not previously ‘liked’ Concern and outlines the key areas that Concern and ECHO have been working on. In addition, within the tab they have embedded a campaign specific video that is streamed from their YouTube channel, an interactive Google map that details what has been achieved in each location Concern is working in and twitter feeds from @Concern and staff that are in the field at the moment.

You may also like to take a look at this post from The Boston Globe. The images are absolutely incredible.

This is the Concern 'Haiti One Year On' video:

UpStart – Promoting The Importance of Creativity in Ireland

So what is all this about?

UpStart is a non-profit arts collective which aims to put creativity at the centre of public consciousness during the Irish General Election Campaign in 2011. The whole initiative is about reinterpreting the spaces commonly used for displaying election campaign posters in Dublin City. The objectives of UpStart is to encourage a debate on the role of the arts in this state. To do this they're asking artists to submit work for placement around the city to highlight the importance of creativity and ingenuity when society is in need of direction and solutions, and to emphasise the value of the arts to public life.

Submissions for the project are being sought from the full range of artistic disciplines and the hope is that over 500 submissions will be received from writers and visual artists, photographers, painters and graphic designers. These works will be duplicated and 1,000 pieces will be printed as election size posters and erected throughout Dublin city. They are also accepting works from musicians and film makers which will be hosted and exhibited through their website which will be launched on the day of the electoral poster campaign.

They believe that the future development of the country requires a healthy cultivation of the Arts and want all creative types to get involved with the project to spread the word as much as possible. To do this they made the above animated video to explain what they’re all about. As you'll have already noticed, Stephen Rea kindly did the voice over for them.

UpStart comprises artists and writers from Ireland and abroad and are non-aligned to any political party.

So why not favourite the video, share it to your blog or Facebook page, and remember to mention UpStart to other folk.

Guinness Dark Life (New TV Ad)

Last year Guinness produced a really cool New Year's Eve experience as part of their Guinness 250 campaign (posts here and here). In true epic form Guinness have again produced something new this year. You may have seen the new Guinness ad already in the cinema (where it went live from December 17th) but it won't be seen on tv until this evening when it will be aired in Ireland exclusively. The ad, entitled ‘Dark Life’, is all about Guinness's life and energy from its unique swirls and surges from a settling a pint of Guinness. The ad was shot in various locations including Hong Kong, Columbia and New York.

Speaking about the new ad, Head of Marketing for Guinness, Tanya Clarke said “Guinness is an iconic Irish brand that is celebrated globally and at the heart of our new ad is the idea that there is more life in the dark. Daytime scenes from around the globe are transformed by the coming of a magical liquid which brings on the night. The captivating film connects with consumers across borders and cultures.”

The Ad Storyboard:
From East Village in New York, the liquid swirl continues on a journey of vitality throughout the ad. Dark Life is unveiled as we see people gathering together in anticipation of something exciting. They begin to unite in field where they start to build a bonfire. As the stunning sky comes alive, darkness falls.

Then we see a woman happily sitting on a swing, waiting patiently as the magical liquid darkness appears. Then a couple are seen excitedly running through a field chasing the liquid darkness. We then see a flash of a steel works station on the edge of a remote town. Then quickly it pans to an urban scene where we see a train heading into the striking sky line. From there we are transported back to East Village where the young guy is seen joining his mates in a bar.

As the energy builds we are presented with a bicycle light in Hong Kong, As the camera pans out it reveals hundreds of people cycling with their lights beaming and creating a sense of occasion and togetherness. From there we are taken back to Hong Kong where a beautiful colourful light scene is formed as the day turns into night

As the liquid surge in the sky unveils magical scenes we see people celebrating and enjoying life in the dark. By the bonfire, in a field, on the busy street of Hong, all bringing to life the unique energy of the Guinness surge.

And here's the ad itself:

‘Guinness: Dark Life’

Some interesting facts about the ad:

• The street drummer at start was found on youtube.
• The surge effect was achieved by constructing a special tank into which pieces of wood matching the shape of buildings in the specific shot were placed. Then liquid was injected and shot at very high speed. This replicated the liquid night descending around the buildings.
• Bicycles Scene: 75 cast members were recruited on the street. Streets cannot be closed for filming in Hong Kong, so the ad was shot around the constant busy traffic.
• The New York Fire Department assisted by opening the fire hydrants for shooting the street dancing scene.
• The cornfield shoot was shot through the night and only stopped shooting when dawn light prevented us from continuing.
• The ad was shot on a traditional 35 mm film and Canon 5D. The 5D gave great freedom when shooting on the streets as it is light and easy to transport.
• The skyline shots were all shot from the top of buildings. Over many hours the skylines were captured as darkness fell and these different exposures were then combined in post production.

Production Info:
The music track used in the ad is entitled ’10 mile stereo’ by the band Beach House. The American indie rock duo from Baltimore recently played a sold out gig in Vicar Street. Their third and latest album released this year, received positive critical and commercial reaction. Their track ’10 mile stereo’ was chosen as it “perfectly carries and enhances the magical, uplifting energy of the ad” said Irish International BBDO’s Mark Nutley.

The ad was directed by the award winning French director, Frederic Planchon and was joint production between the Guinness marketing and BBDO teams of both Ireland and Great Britain. Frederic is a prestigious French director, whose work has been recognised globally including the Masters of Advertising, where he won Director of the Year and at Cannes where he picked up a Silver Lion for Jeep Treacherous Terrain. He continues to be a prolific, and much sought after director worldwide.

Frederic Planchon about the new Guinness ad, “The different parts of the ad combine to create an atmospheric arc that starts at the end of a normal working day around the world, and culminates in a New York bar where the surging of a freshly pulled pint mirrors the urgent buzz and anticipation of a New York City night getting underway outside”.

Last Minute Shopping...

As someone who's definitely going to be doing last minute shopping I thought I'd share this...

[Press Release]
Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre has confirmed that it has extended its opening hours due to the challenging weather conditions over the last few days, to allow for some last minute Christmas shopping!

Speaking earlier today, Greg Devitt, Manager, Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre said; “The challenging weather conditions have made it very difficult for people to go about their Christmas shopping, so we have decided to extend our opening hours until 10pm tomorrow, Thursday, 23rd December, to give people the opportunity to do some last minute shopping”.

Footfall to the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre is up 15% when compared to the same week last year, which would suggest that consumers are making a last minute dash to get their Christmas shopping done.

“Dublin City Council has worked very hard overnight to clear the footpaths in the city centre, which has made conditions underfoot much better. We look forward to welcoming last minute shoppers through the doors tomorrow and we will also be opened until 6pm on Christmas Eve”, continued Mr. Devitt.