The Next Generation of CGI Human Representation

Consider that this entire film is presented by a CGI person, this is incredible.



Some of Image Metrics’ other CGI projects, which include work on Grand Theft Auto IV, Devil May Cry 4, and a Gnarls Barkley video featuring an anthropomorphic singing heart.

Bloggers and PR Guys

I was lucky enough to get my name on a list to attend an event I'm really excited about. On the Jan 21st Damien Mullay has organised a get together between a collection of Irish bloggers and a team of PR folk. The event, happening the Edelman offices on Stephen's Green, is a chance for us bloggers to gain a better understanding of what it is PR is trying to achieve, and how it's trying to achieve it, while allowing the PR people to talk to us blog types and find out what it is we do, and why we do it.

Having studied Public Relations myself I think I have a good idea of what Irish PR is doing. However, as a blogger and digital marketer I also know that they're rapidly falling behind the times. PR needs to reinvent itself with a serious amount of time spent focusing on understanding modern social media.

For anyone interested in going along, pop over to Damien's blog and drop him a comment. I'm not sure if all the places are full yet or not, but pop along and have a check.

Sunday Funny - Statoil Ad

I'm not sure if I've ever seen a Statoil ad before, but this is funny stuff. I hope you have a cozy warm Sunday planned!

Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries

First I thought it was a cool loader. Then I realised I'd heard the music before; a fantastic piece of jazz from Kenny Dorham. Then the words started and I was blown away. There's no point in me trying to explain the site - just go and have a look!

For other Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries productions, go here.

Facebook Q4 2008 Changes

The following data was gathered through Facebook's advertising management system. As such these are not confirmed actual figures. The actual numbers may be larger, but this is what Facebook says is available for advertising purposes.

• Q4 2008 saw the total population of Facebook going from 100 million users to 138.6 million (a 27.55% increase)
• With 42 million users the US is still the largest segment of Facebook users (282% greater than the next closest country the UK)
• Italy and Romania gained over 400% in new users, however the US led by total population gain at 9 million new users
• Wiith over 25% each of their total population Facebook users, Norway and Canada are way ahead of everyone
• South Africa was the only country to lose population in Q4
• Macedonia and Oman were new additions to Facebook in Q4 2008

Big thanks to Matt whom I got this information from.

The Short History of Marketing

Alexis here in work sent this around the office - it had to be shared.

Opinion or Fact?

On January 26th the New York court system will be asked to judge the case of Cohen vs. Google. You may or may not know who Liskula Cohen is, but I doubt you have any idea what Skanks in NYC is. For all of (us) those who have managed to live their lives without any awareness of the site, let me explain.

The “Blog” site was created on August 21st 2008, and to date has only had 5 posts. All of these posts were posted on August 21st. There’s a picture forming, right.

The “Blog” details the personal life of Liskula Cohen, and her status as a ‘skank’ in New York. According to one of the posts, the site "would have to say that the first place award for 'Skankiest in NYC' would have to go to Liskula Gentile Cohen”. It goes on to say that she is a "psychotic, lying, whoring ... skank.".

Unfortunately for Ms. Cohen the site has had a seriously negative effect on her career. She stated that her current employers "mentioned the blog and expressed concern about my suitability to serve as a spokesperson and representative for the client's products".

As the site is hosted by Google's Blogger service, Cohen is asking the court to order Google to disclose information including the blogger's name, address, telephone number and email. Google’s policy is to not reveal bloggers' identities without a court order.

The difficulty here is that the court must be convinced that the site is defamatory (i.e. based on fact) and not just a statement of opinion. Should the court decide it is opinion, Ms. Cohen will not have any right to the “Bloggers” information.

Cohen, who in the past appeared on the cover of Australian Vogue, alleges in the complaint that the blog has drawn the attention of other people, including a current client. "These people mentioned the blog and expressed concern about my suitability to serve as a spokesperson and representative for the client's products," she alleges.

Interestingly, a Californian court previously held that calling someone a "skank" was not libel as it's not a factual statement.