Throwing brand standards out the window

Sports gear tailored for a woman: yes!

Sports gear with the team's colors removed and replaced with pink (gasp) or even camo (really?): no.

I'm too nostalgic for the authentic team logo and colors.

The Interactive Web According to Chanel

Planning. Design. Production. From concept to launch, website design and fashion share the same process. These two style driven mediums focus on usability and communicating the brand's unique look and feel. Vibrant websites are born from innovative agencies and dynamic fashion from legendary designers.

Coco Chanel is one designer whose revolutionary style and keen entrepreneurial smarts have shaped the fashion industry and inspired the designs of today. If she were storming 2008 in her bob haircut and little black dress, in the world of the internet, twitter, wikis and blogs, how would her successful business tactics and style philosophy apply to interactive web.

Some may think of fashion as frivolous and web design as just pictures on a monitor. However, both are integral to defining the cultures of the past and influencing the social patterns of tomorrow.

Even though Mademoisele Coco Chanel isn't with us in person, through her simplistic and user centric style, her principles can be found today - even in web design.

Through a series of posts, let's explore this: How do Chanel's quotes/remarks/fashion practices all apply to the interactive web.

No. 1. Leave an Impression. Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.

Chanel was a faithful believer in the importance of personal appearance as a contributing factor in one's professional success. In the few seconds it takes someone to make a first impression, Chanel believed it was important to fill that time with nothing but class and elegance.

Her designs weren't like any other. They captured and owned the viewer's attention. The designs were unique, simple and practical. Just as a clothes rack features numerous clothing articles to choose from, website visitors have hundreds of thousands of sites to choose from. Fill the time visitors will first spend on the site with clear calls to action and pathways to the information you want them to find, or that they're looking for.

Whether a visitor wants to find product information, place an order or contact you, at its first impression, your site should exude impeccable clarity. Let them remember your brand, not an ugly experience they had when visiting the site.


To Be Blogged... No. 2. Be Different.

Jesus Plays Golf

EA Sports has a fantastic response to a consumer's YouTube video.

The Blog Myth

Aren't blogs just sites where people write to complain about stuff?

No mom. They're so much more than that.

It's part of my human nature to share, teach and spread knowledge - or maybe that's my 'oldest child' trait. I got excited about how I could spread my interactive knowledge to my mom. As I watched her thumb through the glossy pages of a magazine, I had an aha moment about how a feedreader could be leveraged as a relevant tool for her. Instead of waiting each month for the zines, I'll open her daily computer habits to include bite size tidbits of inspiration.

So begins my quest to spread inspire the blog skeptics, one mom at a time. She now knows blogs aren't just for complaining. They're for getting french country design inspiration, craft ideas, answering: what's for dinner, and getting up close & personal Martha.

The Difference Between Good vs Great, and a Polenta Recipe That Could Feed a Roman Army

A good restaurant introduces you to new flavors, aromas and combinations. It inspires you to try and make the same dish at home - challenges you to make it even better.

A great restaurant serves magic. It plates mmmmmmmm evoking cuisine. It graces you with flavors that dance on your pallet. These send a signal to your brain that says, what is that, it's delicious, I could never make that, I will definitely come back here for more. A great restaurant introduces you to an addiction.

I've been to good and great food establishments in Portland. I despised Italian food as a kid, but now it's all I think about - foodwise. In case you're fishing for recommendations, Cafe Mingo and now Bar Mingo are pretty great Italian restaurants in my book.

I went to a good Italian place in the Pearl and had good polenta. It was so memorable (sarcasm), that I actually can't even remember what it's called. All I remember, was an introduction to a new way to eat polenta - the food staple of the Roman Army. This meal made me think...hmmm that tasted good, I'm going to make that. But make it even better.

So I'll share my great-fantastic-even better than the restaurant polenta recipe, inspired by a good Italian joint.

1 cup Bob's Red Mill Polenta Mix
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tbsp butter
black pepper - a couple grinds
red pepper flakes - a couple shakes
white wine - a couple splashes
milk - a couple splashes
goat cheese
parmesan cheese
prosciutto slices

Boil water with salt and garlic. Gradually stir in polenta (per Bob: use a tall wooden spoon because the polenta will pop and bubble. True dat Bob). Reduce to a simmer. Sprinkle in black+red pepper. Plop in butter and a little more salt if you feel like it. Stir. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Be mindful it doesn't stick and stir throughout. At about 13 minutes, splash and stir in some wine, and set your oven to broil. When the buzzer sounds, stir in milk. Plate polenta, sprinkle on cheeses and lay prosciutto slices across. Broil for 2-5 minutes. Caution: hot plate. Enjoy. Makes 1 yummy serving plus leftovers for lunch at work.

Jury Duty Bag

The typically bustling 23rd Ave was still. I was up early with the joggers, dog walkers and garbage men. While patiently waiting for the 15 to whisk me off to jury duty, my bag lightly dented my shoulder. It was full, but just light enough to carry. Like Mary Poppins there's all sorts of things I could make appear from the bag - work, knitting, a crossword puzzle, snack, drink, first aid kit.

This was similar to how I pack for a plane ride. If I had to sit for hours on end, I wanted each minute to have the opportunity to be filled with something exciting and productive. But as I lug it all home, even though the contents have remained the same, the bountiful bag feels heavier with each step. I curse myself for going the boyscout route - always be prepared. For what? To be entertained.

Evolution of a Fan

I invite you to take a moment and reflect on when you were seven.

You were probably in the second grade, if that helps ignite your memory.

Now try and remember what you were interested in. What hobbies did you have? What were you excited about?

In the early 1990s the Blazers were two-time Western Conference champs and NBA champion contenders.

The Rose City was infected with Blazer fever – red head bands encircled foreheads, and Busta Bucket blared from radio speakers. I was seven.

During the 1990 playoff game I donned a charcoal grey t-shirt featuring caricatures of Clyde the Glyde pitted against the rockstar for the Pistons, Isaiah Thomas.

I recall being so appreciative when my dad had agreed to purchase the game on cable. I sat on our orange and brown striped sofa wearing this shirt, with my eyes glued to the screen.

My Blazer memorabilia also included trading cards.

A maroon three ringed binder protected my close to complete set of NBA cards of the teams from the early 90s.

From the Atlanta Hawks to the Utah Jazz, the plastic holders were organized alphabetically by team, with a section in the back for the coaches. As a second grader, I had the entire binder memorized.

If you flipped open a page I could name the player or coach (and I know the cards feature the names, but this was a skill done solely by viewing a player’s face). It was my photographic memory in action and probably a unique skill for a seven-year-old girl.

But today I could only tell you two players on the Blazers' team – that is, if you count the injured, 2007 number one draft pick guy who doesn’t play.

Today, I get ticked when Blazers games push their way into the primetime line-up and shows I enjoy are pre-empted.

Flashback to 17 years ago, I used to stage internal protests against the cable company for monopolizing and blacking out the games.

Yet today I struggle to muster up the same passion for the NBA and the Blazers that I had when I was younger.

My adult perspective on the game wonders why some of the players seem to lack a passion for the sport. Perhaps it’s because as an adult I recognize that their daily drive gets muddied with how much they’re getting paid to play the game.

In more recent years, the Blazers have also had some off-the-court fouls that have made it difficult for me to stand by them as a fan.

When I was seven, all I wanted to do was be a part of the team and the experience. I was excited about the Blazers.

Deep down I’ve earmarked a small piece of me to always be a Blazers Believer. But today, when it comes to sports, I’ve been more excited about football. Maybe that’s just because my dad, my sports role model, is now more of a pigskin fan.

Potato/Potato, Tomato/Tomato, Gelato/Gelato

Oh boy do I enjoy collecting punch cards from food establishments. I'm a sucker for buy-10-get-one-free. And I always make a point to proudly fork over my card, and enjoy life's simple pleasure of getting one step closer to filling up a business card, that one day will hold the key to free stuff.

So tonight here I go, bouncing on into my local gelato joint. Order one scoop hazelnut, one scoop coffee. Payment time comes, and I hand over my punch card. But it's not just any punch card, it's one from the other gelato shop on the street. Silly me.

Amidst giggles between my friend and I, the surly cashier gives a glare that instantly makes me think, if I didn't already have my food, he would've spit in it.

If he was a good marketer, he would've laughed it off, grabbed one of their punch cards and said something witty like, tell you what, I'll triple your punches on this purchase, if you continue to fill-up your card here instead of that other place.

I don't have a preference for one shop over the other. But why not give me a reason to (other than the fact that one is 50 feet closer to my apartment).

Real World Relationships

In my quest to heighten my interactive knowledge and explore how brands and companies connect with consumers, there's nothing I enjoy more than tangible examples. But let's set the example bar a notch higher. I had, what I like to call a full circle moment, when I was the example.

During my internet outage outrage, I twittered my frustration about Comcast (via cell). I received a lovely reply from @comcastcares. This means two things:

1. I'm a happier customer. And the next time (if there is a next time) that my service is being finicky, I'll try and think back to the good ole day when Comcast and I became friends on the web.
2. Anyone who has visibility to my tweets and blog will also get to learn all about how fantastic Comcast was (in my experience) at listening and enabling a dialog with a customer via the web.

Ring Ring: I'm Calling From My Bic Mobile

Bic - known for its lighters, razors and pens - is partnering with a European cell phone provider to launch a Bic branded mobile. When I read this, my stream of thought went something like: what, no, why, I wonder if there's a razor somewhere on there, poor cross marketing, does it come in pink?

While the maker of all things disposable is promoting its device as being easy to use, to me this just screams: just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

I hear they're already pre-ordering for the next release: a swiss army knife style device that melds all of Bic's product's functionalities into one. A handheld that can shave, ignite, write, text and talk.

Interactive Mood Mirror

Moodstream by Getty Images: Find inspiration. A site that identifies with just how you feel.

Might be a decent concept to apply to how brands listen to the mood of their customers. Mirror the consumer's slider with relevant and beneficial brand tidbits/products/solutions.

Spectra: Flash Cards Meet Reader

Spectra Visual Newsreader: The format isn't as scanable as my Google Reader. But it has some nice sharing call-outs, and a lovely Wired inspired color palette.

Off the Map

I get the impression that CBS was not looking at a map when planning their 'numerous US cities' Winnebago tour. Apparently nothing fun is going on this summer in the West half of the country.

BIG

A fantastic exercise to get the creative juices flowing and stay young (at heart), is to brainstorm the cool and rad things that as a kid, you couldn't wait to do when you were a grown up.

You Can't See a Logo Under Water Anyways

Nike recently caught my eye when word came that they're encouraging their sponsored swimmers to compete in Speedo suits at the summer Olympics. The track-town native is acknowledging that Speedo's swim gear is superior to theirs.

One goal of sponsorship is for your brand to reach as many eyeballs as possible. And when planned well and relevantly, the right eyeballs. This Olympic Games, Nike will probably receive more glances for standing by its athlete's performance, than it would with their logos submerged in water. Well played.

I'm sure that as soon as the swimmers are dry, on land, or when the top three stand victoriously on the winner's podium, they will be donning their Nike sweat suits.

Never Stop Subscribing

Interactive imitating life. A co-worker had a tiny curvy logo on their shirt. The first thing I thought of when I saw it, sans The North Face: are you wearing an RSS feed branded t-shirt?

Art In The City

I was giddy when the streets of Portland started popping up with lil horses.

A London artist also uses the city street as a canvas:

Little People
Inner City Snail

Brands are also urban artists and buzz generators:
Adidas
Pantene
Friskies

Portland Native

Not only are all the people I've met lately not originally from Portland, but on average they have lived in this fine city for less than six months.

What drove these newbies to relocate to Portland? Well as one gentleman put it, it's because of me. Well, not me personally, but as he pointed out, oh my gosh that's so exciting to meet a Portland native. I haven't met one yet. But you're what has made this place cool, and made others want to move here.

Thanks dude in the bar. I'm glad word of our coolness has spread and reached the far corners of the map. But my actual reply to him had something to do with proposing that we hold the first Thanksgiving between the Portland Natives and the Portland Pilgrims.

Here's what that would look like. We'd all ride our bikes or trimet to Waterfront park. We'd share salmon, VooDoo Donuts and Stumptown coffee over stories about the tram, Portland beer, The Horse Project, and whether we'll get a MLB team. Guests of honor would include Clyde Drexler, Jeff Gianola and Matt Groening. The evening would end with the Decemberists playing us out.

The Portland Pilgrams may leave feeling that they still have unanswered questions about the native hotspots and tips. But that's the true beauty of Portland. It's a great place to explore and make cool memories of your own.

Just remember, the natives were here first.

Sales is Like Ripping Off a Band Aid

You have to work fast, and it may hurt a little during the process. But in the end it wasn't so bad, and you're hopefully left with a healed wound...or a new client.

Have it Your Way

In an attempt to grab a slice of the pizza market, Burger King UK is introducing the Angus Six Pack Meal. Instead of grabbing a greasy piece of pizza, consumers are lured to grab a chunk of juicy beef.

I don't really like to share, but what's not to like? Beef - good. Cheese - good.

Despite the fact that I'll pretty much eat anything, the real flaw about this latest innovation is how backwards BK is approaching breaking into this market segment.

To break into the pizza market, BK shouldn't think, how can we turn our product into a pizza? They need to be thinking about how they can duplicate the pizza experience while leveraging their established brand. In this case, it's not the sharing or delivery part of the pizza experience, but instead the ease of ordering for a group to share while they have it their way.

I'm thinking...customized ordering for 6-12 burgers. Customer is provided personalized mini-burgers on a platter. A tub of fries. A a liter of coke. And a couple of those cute paper crowns.

Side note rant: Their site has usability issues. With Indiana Jones and a big burger circling in my face, it took me too long to find their main nav. How about you let me have the website my way and put that puppy up at the top. I can also click on the mini icons and a slash appears. This mimics the offline experience of how they take an order on the burger's wrapper. But why? What purpose is it serving on the site. I don't see Starbucks having boxes on their site that look like their cup, where I can type in N L.

Twit-Lit

Twitter is like when I'd continuously set my AIM away message.

These were typically clever, sometimes simple and rushed. They came in the form of song, reply to other people and always had a glimpse into my goings on.

Twitter is just like that.

Just as IM and email convos have been transformed into literature, my interactive-social media-publication crystal ball is predicting Twit-Lit.

Twit-lit -noun
1. A book genre that strings together twits and tweets from Twitter in a creative, inspiring, entertaining or meaningful way.

I haven't googled this yet. So if I'm the first to utter this phrase, you heard it here first. If this is as stale as 'Web 2.0', just let me bask in my brief moment of creativity.

No Phonebook or Dictionary.

I don't own a dictionary or keep a phonebook in the house. You might think, how green of me. But really, who needs to take-up room with these two monstrosities when you have the internet. So I thought I'd start using this phrase instead, 'If you googled unselfish in the dictionary, the top search result would be my mom.'

What's For Dinner...

Like the little kid who tugs at their mother's apron and demands to know, MOM what's for dinner?! As an adult I'm always wondering what my next meal will be. I get giddy and excited with anticipation muddling over what sensational tastes will grace my tongue next. But with such excitement, comes great agony. All of that thinking and over analyzing what I will eat, leaves my mind, and plate, empty. Thank goodness for the internet. It can not only provide me with hours of mindless stimulation, but it can read my mind. Yes, the internet can read my mind - I tell it what I'm craving and it will tell me what to have for dinner.

Maybe the internet knows me better than I know myself.

Cookthink.com is a delectable and magical site. Onion, lunch, Greek or feisty, you tell it any type of food, course, cuisine or mood you're in, and faster than you can say abracadabra, it will spit out a recipe and pop-up a lovely photo of the meal/dish/snack/drink related to what you're craving.

This site will come in handy when taming the kid in me that still asks, what's for dinner!?