CA.LL - California Calling

I'd be very surprised if you haven't seen the 'California - Find Yourself Here' ad that is part of the VisitCalifornia.co.uk. As far as ads go, this may have the most impressive array of stars packed into a mere 30 second ad.

But so what you ask?

Well, California Tourism’s latest campaign has gone live and it's taking that ad to the next level. Introducing a seriously cool prize through a user generated competition mechanic, the campaign looks set to follow in the foot steps of a number of recent UGC campaigns that have proved extremely engaging. So what is this one all about? Check out Adam Buxton explaining exactly what's going on...

So essentially members of the public are being invited to audition for a part in the commercial by uploading videos. All you have to do is explain why you should be chosen to appear in the ad and then it's all down to a public vote. A winner will be selected in March and flown out to California to experience full VIP treatment whilst filming their part in the ad, which will be aired next April.

As well as the microsite and YouTube channel, the campaign is also live on Facebook and Twitter.

What you're really wondering though, is what's the prize? Well, as I said, it's a whooper. Basically it's first-class everything with a full VIP treatment to boot. You and a friend will be given USD$1000 and sent on a whirlwind tour of the Golden State. Full details are here.

Finally then it's just a matter of checking out the competition, so to speak. Here's the videos already uploaded.

Guinness 250: New Year's Eve

Following up on my earlier post, here is last night's live Guinness ad. Absolutely brilliant stuff. Hat tip to Guinness.

Guinness 250: New Year's Eve

I hope to get a video of the live ad up a little later, but for the moment here are some photos.

2009: A Review (Briefly)

I had hoped to write a big post giving a full review of Digitology's 2009 but unfortunately I'm running late to drive up to Carlingford for New Year's Eve, so instead here is a quick review of all of you who visited me in the last year. A huge thanks to each and every one of you who took the time to read some of my ramblings :)

Visitors

• Visitors 39,348
• Unique Visitors 27,150
• Pageviews 55,792
• Average Pageviews 1.42
• Time on Site 2min 12secs
• Total Time on Site 60days 2hrs 45mins 36secs

Visitor System Specifications

• Browsers
• Firefox 53.25%
• Internet Explorer 26.60% (of which 6.7% using version 6.x or below)
• Safari 12.96%
• Chrome 5.20%
• Other 1.99%

Operating Systems

• Windows 67.00%
• Macintosh 21.76%
• Linux 9.47%
• iPhone 0.96%
• Other 0.81%

Screen Resolutions

• 1280x800 20.07%
• 1440x900 17.12%
• 1680x1050 15.96%
• 1280x1024 15.42%
• 1024x768 15.14%
• 1920x1200 3.17%
• 1152x864 1.31%
• 1600x1200 1.31%
• 320x396 1.15%
• Others: width less then 800px 1.57%
• Others: width greater then 800px 6.78%

Flash Version

• 10.x 84.98%
• 9.x 14.76%
• 8.x 0.09%
• 7.x 0.09%
• 6.x 0.07%
• 5.x 0.01%

I hope, whatever you're doing tonight, you have a fantastic New Years Eve and a brilliant 2010.

Guinness 250: New Year's Eve

Two weeks ago I wrote about Guinness's plans for New Years Eve. To mark the end of their 250th Birthday year, Guinness are planning a spectacular live TV ad to be broadcast on RTÉ 1 at 17:59 on New Year’s Eve. Little is known about the ad except that the 60 second event will feature a visual recreation of Arthur’s famous signature in a 'dramatic way'.

Funny thing is, in the last fortnight I've heard so much speculation and talk as to what this will be. Some folk have said it will be trained toucans flying in synchronised formation, while others have suggested a giant artificial cloud in the shape of Arthur's signature. Personally I just don't know what to expect, but I'm definitely excited.

Regardless of what fantastic thing Guinness produce, it's worth remembering that the entire year of celebration hasn't just been about Guinness's 250th Birthday and the famous signing of the 9,000 year lease on the St James’s Gate Brewery. This year saw the establishment of the Arthur Guinness Fund. A fund established as a thank you to the people of Ireland, which will be used to create opportunities for communities throughout Ireland by supporting social entrepreneurs.

You have to admit, that that's pretty decent.

So........ To Arthur!

-----UPDATE-----

I spotted this on RTÉ and thought it was well worth sharing. This is Guinness's 200x200 island placement from it's New Year's Eve advertising campaign. Essentially it just a simple countdown, but how extremely appropriate. Great idea, great execution.