TECNOLOGY
- TidalTV is the newest entry into the online TV category, offering on-demand programming in a user-friendly format that mimics the look and feel of watching a real television. TidalTV offers both branded entertainment and news from the likes of Vogue, Dow Jones and Sports Illustrated and regular TV shows from channels such as CBS, National Geographic and Food Network.
- Facebook gifts used to be graphical images (e.g. flowers, a cocktail, etc.) users sent their friends, but now, the popular gifting application will offer online gifts with real-world value. With a beta launch slated for mid-July, Facebook users will be able to send coupon codes (10% - 20% discounts for select products) and sample offers to their friends through the "Gifts with Benefits" application. 1% of the revenue generated will go to the nonprofit alliance One Percent for the Planet. An estimated 200 million virtual gifts will be given via Facebook within the next year.
ENVIRONMENT
- Drivers Ed classes across the country are going green. Today's young drivers are not only schooled on the rules of the road, they're also taught "eco-driving" skills - techniques to improve fuel efficiency and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. A few of the basics:
o Turn off air conditioning when possible. It can increase fuel consumption by 10% - 14%
o Take bike racks off the roof when not in use. They create drag and increase fuel
consumption. Also, for the same reason, keep windows closed if you are traveling
over 40 MPH.
o Keep tires properly inflated.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
- People are talking about Drank, a new "anti-energy" drinkmarketed as the "extreme relation beverage." Drank, a carbonated, grape-flavored drinkinfused with melatonin, rose hips and valerian root, is currently sold in liquor stores and convenience stores throughout the south.
FASHION & RETAIL
- Targetrecently announced its latestguest designer collaborations, a handbag collectionfrom British designer Anya Hindmarch and a footwear collectionfrom Sigerson Morrison, both available October 12th through December 26th. This is the sixth handbagcollection and the third footwear collectionin a series of limited-time-only designer accessories collections at Target.
- Hot Topic, the music and pop culture inspired clothing and accessories chain, is launching a digital music store called ShockHound this August. The site will sell MP3s from both major and independent labels at the standard rate of $0.99 per song and $9.99 per album. ShockHound will also publish articles and video content put together by an editorial staff, as well as offer several social networking features.
- More than 1,000 aspiring designers created original outfits forvirtual world characters in The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway contest. One winner was chosen bythe H&M design team in Stockholm, Swedento bring his virtual outfit to life and sell it at select H&M locations beginning July 31st. The winning design, a black-and-white striped, scoop-neck dress, wasdesigned by Beau Fornillos, an American interior design student.
TRAVEL & TOURISM
- The U.S. National Park Service recently announced a proposal to add a luxury hotel to Alcatraz Island, home to one of America's most notorious federal prisons. Over 1.5 million people take ferries to visit the prison cellblock every year, making it San Francisco's second most popular tourist attraction (behind the city's cable cars). Guests would stay in Building 64, the former guardhouse, and have access to parts of the 12-acre island that are typically closed to the public, including wildlife areas and the prison theater.
MARKETING/ADVERTISING/PR
- Searsis teaming up with MTV to produce a back-to-school moviein its latest attempt toattract a younger, more trend-conscious customer. "The American Mall,"an 87-minute film shot in a Utah Sears store, was produced by the team responsible for the High School Musical series. The movie's main characterswear Sears clothes and will appear in Sears' back-to-schooladvertisements and circulars.The movie airs on MTV August 11th and the DVD and soundtrack will be sold at Sears stores.
- NameThis is a new crowdsourcing site designed to provide a quick way for innovators to find a market-ready name for their company, product or service. Those in need of a name begin by posting a request for help and paying $99.00. Members of the community have 48 hours to suggest names or just vote for their favorites. At the end of the 48 hours, the top three choices are selected as the winners. Of the fee paid, $80 is distributed to those who contributed to the winners.
MEDIA
- Modern Luxury Media, the largest publisher of city magazines in the U.S., will launch Manhattan this September on a bi-monthly publishing schedule. The luxury lifestyle publicationwill caterto affluent and influential residents of New York City and the Tri-State region. Each issue willfeature fashion, art, design, architecture, real estate andcelebrity stories.
- Vogue Living will not publish a scheduled second issue this year. The Vogue shelter spin-off published a spring issue and had planned to produce a fall one. A Vogue spokesperson blames the current ad climate and insists a spring 2009 issue is still under consideration. Vogue Living, described as a special interest publication without a definitive regular frequency, has had three issues in total since its 2006 debut.
- Hearst Magazines will fold Quick & Simple after its July 29th issue. Rapidly rising paper prices contributed to the decision to shutter the three-year-old title. The brand will continue online at QuickandSimple.com.
