Springwise - Marketing & Advertisingtag:springwise.com,2008-12-18://12009-06-24T13:19:15ZYour daily fix of entrepreneurial ideas.Movable Type Commercial 4.24-enCustom banner ads in 48 hours for $49tag:springwise.com,2009://1.68362009-06-24T13:18:10Z2009-06-24T13:19:15Z As is true in so many business decisions, companies in need of banner ads typically face the choice between creating their own or hiring a professional to create it for them. Many do-it-yourself sites use templates, however—which can result...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/marketing_advertising/pointbanner/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/pointbanner.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>As is true in so many business decisions, companies in need of banner ads typically face the choice between creating their own or hiring a professional to create it for them. Many do-it-yourself sites use templates, however—which can result in a cookie-cutter look—while using professionals can be expensive and time-consuming. Aiming to offer a third alternative, <a href="http://www.pointbanner.com">PointBanner</a> promises custom-created banners in just 48 hours for USD 49.</p>
<p>Customers submit a banner request with New York-based PointBanner in three simple steps: they upload their logo, enter their desired text and URL, and then pick a size. Eschewing templates, the company's design team works on each banner individually, guaranteeing a result for USD 49 within 48 hours. Three free revisions are included for each banner, and an assortment of multi-banner packages are also available with per-banner pricing as low as USD 11. </p>
<p>Much like <a href="http://springwise.com/marketing_advertising/inkd/" class="unbold">Inkd</a>, which offers a third alternative in the realm of graphic (print) design, PointBanner seems like a natural next step in the evolution of web advertising, making professional quality more accessible to all. One to adapt locally—or, more broadly, find another area where the niche between cookie-cutter and professional approaches is currently unfilled, and offer a middle ground of your own!</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.pointbanner.com">www.pointbanner.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="mailto:info@pointbanner.com">info@pointbanner.com</a></p>Foot-pumped power for phones at summer music festivaltag:springwise.com,2009://1.68202009-06-18T13:03:59Z2009-06-18T13:13:44Z For the hordes of people camping out at music festivals this summer, recharging their mobile phones no longer has to be an issue. If they have access to an Orange Power Pump, a minute of physical exercise is all...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://www.springwise.com/eco_sustainability/powerpump/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/powerpump.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>For the hordes of people camping out at music festivals this summer, recharging their mobile phones no longer has to be an issue. If they have access to an <a href="http://web.orange.co.uk/p/web_glastonbury/orange_foot_pump_charger">Orange Power Pump</a>, a minute of physical exercise is all it takes to juice up their phone.</p>
<p>Mobile network operator <a href="http://web.orange.co.uk/p/web_glastonbury/home" class="unbold">Orange</a> has teamed up with renewable energy experts <a href="http://www.gotwind.org" class="unbold">GotWind</a>, who have created a tiny wind turbine that can be hooked up to a standard airbed footpump, enabling users to pump juice back into their phones. The turbine is no bigger than a pack of wet wipes, and can generate enough energy to power 5 minutes of call time in about 60 seconds of foot pumping.<br />
<br />
The Power Pump will make its debut at Glastonbury Festival next week, where Orange will also set up its annual "Chill 'n' Charge" tent, capable of charging up to 600 phones at once. Orange seems to have found its calling in providing alternative sources of energy to phone users at music festivals—last year we featured their <a href="http://www.springwise.com/eco_sustainability/wind_charges_phones_at_glaston/" class="unbold">wind-powered charging station</a> and <a href="http://springwise.com/eco_sustainability/charging_mobile_phones_by_danc/" class="unbold">dance-charger</a>, both of which were also developed by GotWind. Makes sense, of course—music festivals are prime venues for providing so-called <a href="http://trendwatching.com/trends/8trends2008.htm#brandbutlers" class="unbold">brand butler</a> services. By helping out consumers in relevant ways, brands boost their own appeal. </p>
<p>And good thinking on incorporating a standard piece of camping equipment. Lets just hope the chargers will be re-used for other festivals and camping trips; manufacturing alternative power generators is far from green if they're only used once or twice. ;-)</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://web.orange.co.uk/p/web_glastonbury/">web.orange.co.uk/p/web_glastonbury/</a></p>Random acts of kindness for Hyatt's most loyal gueststag:springwise.com,2009://1.68152009-06-16T09:19:00Z2009-06-16T09:19:59Z Members of Hyatt's Gold Passport loyalty program already enjoy numerous benefits when they visit one of the company's hotels. Soon, however, they'll also benefit from a new initiative at the company to deliver random acts of kindness. Hyatt's mission...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://www.springwise.com/tourism_travel/hyattgoldpassport/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/hyattgoldpassport.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>Members of <a href="http://goldpassport.hyatt.com">Hyatt's Gold Passport</a> loyalty program already enjoy numerous benefits when they visit one of the company's hotels. Soon, however, they'll also benefit from a new initiative at the company to deliver random acts of kindness.</p>
<p>Hyatt's mission is to provide what it calls "authentic hospitality," defined—in the words of CEO Mark Hoplamazian—as "making a difference in the lives of the people we touch, including guests, employees and others." As part of a new effort to take better care of its Gold Passport members, the company will soon begin targeting those guests with pleasant surprises designed to delight them during their stay. "We will be empowering hotel employees to perform what we’re calling random acts of generosity," Hoplamazian wrote in <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/hotelcheckin/post/2009/05/67145891/1" class="unbold">a recent blog post</a>. "So, don’t be surprised if Gold Passport picks up your bar tab, comps your massage or treats your family to breakfast. It’s part of bringing authentic hospitality to life and making you feel more than welcome."</p>
<p>Not only does the effort stand a good chance of boosting the authenticity of Hyatt's service delivery, it's also a shining example of the kind of corporate generosity that's increasingly being sought by disillusioned consumers and offered by clued-in brands. (A similar example from our sister site's <a href="http://trendwatching.com/trends/generationg/" class="unbold">briefing on Generation G</a>: Wings, a credit card brand owned by one of Turkey's largest banks, partnered with five upscale restaurants in Istanbul to offer a random selection of lucky cardholders a pleasant surprise. After having dinner at one of the restaurants and paying with their Wings card, the customer was notified that Wings would foot the bill.) Time to start spreading some kindness of your own? (Related: <a href="http://springwise.com/fashion_beauty/clothing_brand_asks_its_wearer/" class="unbold">Clothing brand asks its wearers to be kind</a> — <a href="http://springwise.com/non-profit_social_cause/akoha/" class="unbold">Online game focuses on real-world kindness</a>.)</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://goldpassport.hyatt.com">goldpassport.hyatt.com</a> <br />
Contact: <a href="http://goldpassport.hyatt.com/gp/en/contact_us.jsp">goldpassport.hyatt.com/gp/en/contact_us.jsp</a> <br />
<br />
Spotted by: Judy McRae</p>Parking garages transformed by large-scale adstag:springwise.com,2009://1.68142009-06-15T19:09:10Z2009-06-15T19:09:56Z Parking garages are notorious for being grim and grey affairs, unadorned by any significant form of decoration. That's due largely to fire code regulations, but a new, patented technology now allows large-scale ads to be created on the walls...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://www.springwise.com/marketing_advertising/carspaze/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/carspaze.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>Parking garages are notorious for being grim and grey affairs, unadorned by any significant form of decoration. That's due largely to fire code regulations, but a new, patented technology now allows large-scale ads to be created on the walls of such garages, essentially transforming them into immersive, branded environments.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.carspaze.com">Carspaze</a> has created a new advertising platform for parking-garage walls centered on the ability to digitally print photo-quality images onto specially developed fire retardant materials. Developed three years ago, the process has undergone technical trials and improvements in Germany over the past two years. Now, focusing on garages near retail centers, Carspaze creates branded zones 10 to 20 parking spaces wide bearing advertising on the walls in front of parked cars. Only sustainable materials are used in the production of such advertising, including recycled panels and frames, wheel stops made from crushed rubber tires and lighting units made from recycled fiberglass and plastic. In addition to creating a more cheerful, safer-feeling parking place, the ads have been found both to give consumers a way to remember where they parked their cars and—no doubt as a direct result—to dramatically increase top-of-mind awareness for the brands advertised and boost purchase likelihood. Garage owners, meanwhile, receive revenue for each installation.</p>
<p>We're certainly not advocating the use of advertising on every available patch of public space, but there's no doubt a bright, unified splash of branding can be a welcome improvement over the dimly lit concrete of most garages. Luxembourg-based Carspaze launched in Europe in 2008. In the US, jetBlue is pioneering the concept with installations at two shopping malls (Century City in Los Angeles and Tysons Corner Center in Northern Virginia), and a roll-out in Asia is planned for later this year. Carspaze is actively seeking franchise partners—one to bring to unadorned garage walls near you...?</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.carspaze.com">www.carspaze.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://carspaze.4elbows.com/contact-us">carspaze.4elbows.com/contact-us</a></p>Room at Rancho Bernardo Inn for $19 (bed not included)tag:springwise.com,2009://1.68112009-06-11T02:36:31Z2009-06-11T02:42:53Z No-frills chic hotels have been around for years, offering guests a stylish stay without the bills to match. More recently, hotels and restaurants have been experimenting with pay-what-you-want schemes to attract budget conscious customers. And now San Diego's Rancho...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/tourism_travel/survivorpackage/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/survivorpackage.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://springwise.com/tourism_travel/new_no-frills_chic_hotel_chain/" class="unbold">No-frills chic hotels</a> have been around for years, offering guests a stylish stay without the bills to match. More recently, hotels and restaurants <a href="http://springwise.com/tourism_travel/bencoolen/" class="unbold">have been experimenting with pay-what-you-want schemes</a> to attract budget conscious customers. And now San Diego's <a href="http://www.ranchobernardoinn.com">Rancho Bernardo Inn</a> is taking yet another approach, offering travellers a rather novel pricing model dubbed the Survivor Package. </p>
<p>Rancho Bernardo Inn asks cash-strapped guests "How low will you go?", letting them set their price by excluding the amenities they can live without. The hotel's Survivor Package, valid through June 15th and promoted on Twitter by General Manager John Gates (<a href="http://twitter.com/GMGoneMad" class="unbold">@GMGoneMad</a>), is presented as follows:</p>
<p>Deluxe accommodations with breakfast for two for USD 219 per night. <br />
Or....<br />
• $199 without breakfast<br />
• $179 without honor bar<br />
• $159 without A/C or heat<br />
• $139 without pillows<br />
• $109 without sheets<br />
• $89 without lights<br />
• $59 without linens<br />
• $39 without toiletries<br />
• $19 without bed</p>
<p>No word yet on whether anyone has been willing to pay USD 19 to sleep on the floor, but it definitely makes for an eye-catching price strategy ;-) (Related: <a href="http://springwise.com/tourism_travel/livequalitycheck/" class="unbold">Austrian village asks tourists to set their price</a>.)</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.ranchobernardoinn.com">www.ranchobernardoinn.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="mailto:RanchoBernardoInn@JCResorts.com">RanchoBernardoInn@JCResorts.com</a></p>
<p>Spotted by: Matthew Cua</p>Airline alliance offers free audiobook downloads at airportstag:springwise.com,2009://1.68052009-06-09T19:40:46Z2009-06-09T20:12:13Z Air passengers everywhere may soon be getting a literary boost, thanks to a new offer from the Oneworld alliance. As of June 2009, travellers passing through Brussels, Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino airports can download three audiobooks for free....Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/tourism_travel/oneworldlibrary/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/oneworldlibrary.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>Air passengers everywhere may soon be getting a literary boost, thanks to a new offer from the <a href="http://library.oneworld.com">Oneworld</a> alliance. As of June 2009, travellers passing through Brussels, Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino airports can download three audiobooks for free.</p>
<p>Oneworld, which includes American Airlines, British Airways, JAL and 7 other airlines, offers the service over wifi at the aforementioned airports. Consumers can download audiobooks to their laptops, smartphones andPDAs—any device that connects to the airports' wifi networks. They can pick from forty titles, covering fiction, business, society and travel; available in English, Dutch, French and Italian. And for customers who always get in a forgetful flap at the airport, an email reminder can be requested for the day before the flight, reminding them of the freebies on offer.</p>
<p>The initiative complements Oneworld’s Travel Stations, which enable users to download travel advice and information onto mobile devices, and its Charging Stations, which give gadgets a bit of extra juice. In an unusually inclusive move, all travellers, whether Oneworld customers or not, are invited to make the most of the perks—as Oneworld hopes to be the alliance of choice for the user’s next journey.</p>
<p>It’s a relatively cost-effective way of treating customers, requiring little infrastructure or installation to get up and running. And a great example of what our sister-site trendwatching.com calls <a href="http://www.trendwatching.com/trends/freelove.htm" class="unbold">free love</a>, or the art of (relevantly) giving away stuff to build your brand. (Related: <a href="http://springwise.com/marketing_advertising/photo_update_personalized_in-f/" class="unbold">Personalized in-flight magazines at Heathrow’s Terminal 1</a>.)</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://library.oneworld.com">library.oneworld.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.oneworld.com/ow/contact">www.oneworld.com/ow/contact</a></p>
<p>Spotted by: Raymond Kollau</p>Canon hosts workshops in national parkstag:springwise.com,2009://1.68022009-06-08T13:36:34Z2009-06-08T13:40:32Z Letting photography buffs try its latest cameras in undeniably photogenic settings, Canon has paired up with national parks and conservationists for Canon Photography in the Parks. The programme combines a competition with a series of free photography workshops at...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://www.springwise.com/marketing_advertising/canonparks/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/canonparks.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>Letting photography buffs try its latest cameras in undeniably photogenic settings, Canon has paired up with national parks and conservationists for Canon Photography in the Parks. The programme combines a competition with a series of free photography workshops at four national parks. </p>
<p>Sessions are hosted outdoors twice daily by professional photographers, giving participants the opportunity to try a variety of Canon cameras and lenses. There are also indoor evening workshops that focus on technical aspects of the equipment. Sessions will run at Yosemite in June, the Grand Canyon in July and Yellowstone and Acadia in August. The workshops are designed to be useful both to amateurs and more advanced photographers, and the idea is that those participating in the sessions will submit their photographs to the competition. </p>
<p>By letting potential customers try out cameras in the most relevant setting and helping them build their photography skills, Canon combines two of our favourite, enduring consumer trends: <a href="http://trendwatching.com/trends/TRYVERTISING.htm" class="unbold">tryvertising</a> and <a href="http://trendwatching.com/trends/status-skills.htm" class="unbold">status skills</a>.</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/parks">www.usa.canon.com/parks</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=ContactUsAct">www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=ContactUsAct</a></p>Pay-what-you-want ad agencytag:springwise.com,2009://1.68002009-06-05T15:48:15Z2009-06-09T20:34:47Z If magazines, restaurants and hotels can turn to pay-as-you-want pricing schemes to help them survive the recession, why not an ad agency? Sure enough, Agency Nil offers a variety of freelance branding, media and advertising services without any set...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/marketing_advertising/agencynil/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/agencynil.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>If <a href="http://springwise.com/media_publishing/pay-what-you-want_magazine_sub/" class="unbold">magazines</a>, <a href="http://springwise.com/food_beverage/littlebay/" class="unbold">restaurants</a> and <a href="http://springwise.com/tourism_travel/bencoolen/" class="unbold">hotels</a> can turn to pay-as-you-want pricing schemes to help them survive the recession, why not an ad agency? Sure enough, <a href="http://www.agencynil.com">Agency Nil</a> offers a variety of freelance branding, media and advertising services without any set price, leaving it instead up to clients to decide how much to pay.</p>
<p>Clients begin by submitting a work request form with Agency Nil. Drawing from its pool of recent grads and between-jobs business and advertising professionals, the agency gets the work done by the deadline requested. It's then up to the client to decide how much the work is worth—the only charges required to be paid are those agreed upon ahead of time for travel, proprietary research tools and production. If a client decides not to pay anything, "it's not likely that we will do work for you in the future," Agency Nil explains; then again, "we've yet to have that happen, ever." Revisions and further work are arranged once a client has valued and agreed to pay for the first assignment.</p>
<p>Some industry professionals may protest that starting with a price of zero is sure to devalue the work ad agencies provide—much the way some designers have balked at <a href="http://springwise.com/style_design/crowdsourcing_graphic_design/" class="unbold">efforts to crowdsource graphic design</a>. But Hank Leber, the recent Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter grad who founded Agency Nil, begs to differ: "This isn't about undercutting anyone. It's about supply and demand—honestly, I think this should've happened a long time ago," he explains in the <a href="http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/qa-with-agency-nil-founder-hank-leber.html" class="unbold">AdFreak blog</a>. </p>
<p>"The system has been terribly lopsided for a while now, and I hope this can be the start of a breaking point in the industry on some level. It won't depress the market—the price will still come up and down, and work will get done just the same. Except now, it won't be based on a set amount of hours to fill or stay under, and work can get done for work's sake. For quality's sake. For the client's sake."</p>
<p>How Leber's model evolves over time remains to be seen. Meanwhile, it may just be what it takes to survive—and help countless out-of-work professionals survive—the current economic mess. One to watch, try out or emulate in your own neck of the woods...?</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.agencynil.com">www.agencynil.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="mailto:info@agencynil.com">info@agencynil.com</a> </p>
<p>Spotted by: Chris Rollason</p>Grass with a story: New York Yankees seed and sodtag:springwise.com,2009://1.67852009-06-03T11:33:03Z2009-06-03T11:44:53Z Team-licensed caps, T-shirts and watches may be all very well for the average sports fan, but what of the truly ardent supporter? Working on the assumption that there are enthusiasts out there wishing for bigger and better ways to...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://www.springwise.com/homes_housing/yankeesgrass/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/yankeesgrass.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>Team-licensed caps, T-shirts and watches may be all very well for the average sports fan, but what of the truly ardent supporter? Working on the assumption that there are enthusiasts out there wishing for bigger and better ways to express their passion, <a href="http://www.stadiumassociates.com">Stadium Associates</a> is now giving fans of the New York Yankees a chance to bring nothing less than a piece of the stadium into their own back yard.</p>
<p>Indeed, Yankees fans can now buy grass seed and sod drawn from the very same farm and crops that have supplied Yankee Stadium for the past four decades. The proprietary sports turf—specially grown for the Yankees by DeLea Sod Farms on an 80-acre farm in Southern New Jersey—features the same 100 percent Kentucky Bluegrass used in Yankee Stadium and "grooms easy and stands tough," in the words of Stadium Associates; "you will never feel a stronger connection with the team or the game than with this Authentic MLB product." Yankees Grass Seed is priced starting at USD 14.99 for a 3 oz. bag, and is available both online and through Yankee Stadium, Yankee Clubhouse Stores, and select Home Depot stores in the New York metro area. Yankees Sod is available through New York Home Depot stores as well as DeLea Sod Farms.</p>
<p>Is there any underestimating consumers' enthusiasm for the teams, artists and performers they love? We think not—nor has their fondness for <a href="http://trendwatching.com/trends/statusstories.htm" class="unbold">a good status story</a> and <a href="http://trendwatching.com/trends/stillmadehere.htm" class="unbold">some (still) made here appeal</a> faded at all. For sports teams around the globe, this is one to emulate; for all others: look around you, and be inspired!</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.stadiumassociates.com">www.stadiumassociates.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.stadiumassociates.com/Pages/Contact">www.stadiumassociates.com/Pages/Contact</a> </p>
<p>Spotted by: Judy McRae</p>From shooting bottles to shooting canstag:springwise.com,2009://1.67362009-05-14T12:53:40Z2009-05-14T13:21:46Z Two weeks ago, we covered a smart little business that focuses on doing one thing well, and presenting it in the simplest manner possible: We Shoot Bottles takes pictures of bottles, using straightforward upfront pricing and an easy process....Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/marketing_advertising/weshootcans/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/weshootcans.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>Two weeks ago, we covered a smart little business that focuses on doing one thing well, and presenting it in the simplest manner possible: <a href="http://springwise.com/marketing_advertising/weshootbottles/" class="unbold">We Shoot Bottles</a> takes pictures of bottles, using straightforward upfront pricing and an easy process. A case of beauty in simplicity: any potential customer will immediately understand what the company does and how it might help them. </p>
<p>Due to overwhelming success, the concept's founders have launched a second offshoot: <a href="http://www.weshootcans.com">We Shoot Cans</a>. We won't bother explaining what they do ;-) A third version is in the pipeline. We haven't been told what it will focus on. Boxes...? Jars...? </p>
<p>Since shipping bottles and cans internationally would make the endeavour unnecessarily expensive, opportunities remain for photography studios in other countries. Find a good niche, pick a good name, build a one-page website—with beautifully shot products, of course—and you're off. </p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.weshootcans.com">www.weshootcans.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="mailto:studio@weshootcans.com">studio@weshootcans.com</a></p>Online marketplace for secondhand IKEA furnituretag:springwise.com,2009://1.67342009-05-13T11:50:49Z2009-05-13T12:07:09Z Based—where else?—in Sweden, I LOVE IKEA is a new online marketplace for consumers looking to buy and sell secondhand IKEA furniture. Buyers can search by region and city to find items nearby, or by category: bathroom, kitchen, office, etc....Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/homes_housing/iloveikea/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/iloveikea.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>Based—where else?—in Sweden, <a href="http://www.iloveikea.se">I LOVE IKEA</a> is a new online marketplace for consumers looking to buy and sell secondhand IKEA furniture. </p>
<p>Buyers can search by region and city to find items nearby, or by category: bathroom, kitchen, office, etc. Product descriptions include the usual: photo, price and contact details, but are generally brief—after all, buyers can easily find more information in IKEA's catalogue. Placing ads is free until August 1st. After that, the site will charge sellers a small fee per ad.</p>
<p>On every general classifieds site, from <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites" class="unbold">Craigslist</a> to <a href="http://www.preloved.co.uk" class="unbold">preloved.co.uk</a>, there's an abundance of secondhand IKEA goods on offer. According to I LOVE IKEA, they're included in over 20,000 ads per month in newspapers and online marketplaces. And that's just in Sweden. So it makes sense to create a marketplace dedicated to IKEA's wares, making it easier for consumers to locate items by name or type. I LOVE IKEA isn't affiliated with the object of their affection; as they put it, they're "a tribute to IKEA's amazing range, and a response to recent developments towards a more sustainable society." Following its launch in Sweden, I LOVE IKEA aims to expand to the rest of Europe soon. </p>
<p>Enduringly popular around the world, IKEA will no doubt continue to spawn businesses that offer complementary goods and services. Need more inspiration to start an IKEA 'feeder business' of your own? Check out <a href="http://springwise.com/homes_housing/covering_up_ikea/" class="unbold">slip covers for sofas by Bemz</a>, <a href="http://springwise.com/homes_housing/niche_delivery_biz_brings_ikea/" class="unbold">delivery to Nasheville by ModerNash</a>, <a href="http://springwise.com/homes_housing/grippiks/" class="unbold">decorative adhesives by Grippiks</a> and <a href="http://www.springwise.com/homes_housing/customizing_ikea/" class="unbold">add-ons by Parts of Sweden</a>, all of which have built successful companies on an IKEA foundation. </p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.iloveikea.se">www.iloveikea.se</a><br />
Contact: <a href="mailto:info@iloveikea.se">info@iloveikea.se</a></p>
<p>Spotted by: Robert Olzon</p>Marketplace for ready-made graphic designtag:springwise.com,2009://1.67332009-05-13T08:18:38Z2009-05-13T08:01:55Z The use of crowdsourcing for graphic design is a controversial one, as evidenced by all the debate our stories about SitePoint and crowdSPRING generated when we posted them. A new Seattle-based contender is taking a slightly different approach, however,...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/marketing_advertising/inkd/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/inkd.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>The use of crowdsourcing for graphic design is a controversial one, as evidenced by all the debate our stories about <a href="http://www.springwise.com/style_design/crowdsourcing_graphic_design/" class="unbold">SitePoint</a> and <a href="http://springwise.com/style_design/more_crowdsourced_graphic_desi/" class="unbold">crowdSPRING</a> generated when we posted them. A new Seattle-based contender is taking a slightly different approach, however, by creating a virtual marketplace for ready-made print designs.</p>
<p>More along the lines of <a href="http://springwise.com/marketing_advertising/marketplace_for_unused_brands/" class="unbold">IncSpring</a>, which allows graphic designers to find buyers for unused brand concepts, Seattle-based <a href="http://www.inkd.com">Inkd</a> is a portal where graphic designers can upload and sell their designs to business users who lack the time or resources for a custom consultation, yet want something more attractive and original than the cookie-cutter designs found in their office software. Designers begin by registering with the site for free, selecting a template and uploading their brochure, business card, letterhead or other graphic design. </p>
<p>After review by the Inkd team, designs accepted for inclusion on the site then become available for browsing by business users, who can also search by industry or item type. Buyers can purchase and download the designs they like in a variety of popular formats—including Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop as well as CorelDRAW—and can tweak or customize as needed, even hiring the designer on a freelance basis for help if they want. For each sale, meanwhile, the designer of the item receives a royalty fee of at least 20 percent. Thousands of designs are currently available on the site, with prices ranging from USD 29 for letterhead to USD 99 for a brochure design. A few free designs are also available.</p>
<p>Given the many iterations most designs go through in a custom assignment, it seems likely that pretty much every designer under the sun has some leftovers on hand. Business users, meanwhile, will surely welcome the convenience and affordability of a ready-made approach. It's another win-win for both sides, and—given that the market for business print materials is at least USD 28 billion annually, according to Inkd—that can add up to a lot of joy all around! ;-) </p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.inkd.com">www.inkd.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="mailto:care@inkd.com">care@inkd.com</a> </p>
<p>Spotted by: Miriam Brafman</p>Pics of real haircuts help consumers find a salontag:springwise.com,2009://1.67302009-05-12T13:53:25Z2009-05-13T07:20:54Z People like knowing what they're getting before they open their wallets. For those looking to get a new haircut, MopShots offers an online lookbook of real cuts on real people, with details on the salons that created them. Snapshots...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/fashion_beauty/mopshots/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/mopshots.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>People like knowing what they're getting before they open their wallets. For those looking to get a new haircut, <a href="http://www.mopshots.com">MopShots</a> offers an online lookbook of real cuts on real people, with details on the salons that created them. </p>
<p>Snapshots can be submitted by anyone (including hairstylists showing off their latest work), but not every photo is accepted. Before being featured on MopShots, photos are approved by the website's 'Dictators'—a group of 25 fashion bloggers, stylists and tastemakers. Engaging users as they contribute, and commenting on each cut, the Dictators look for models with character rather than ones cut from a glamour magazine. MopShots stresses that its curators aren’t sponsored by hairdressers or hair product companies. </p>
<p>Each hairstyle has its own page with up to four photos, and lists the name and location of the salon. Styles are searchable by hair colour, type, style, length or salon. The site works both as inspiration for people looking for a new style, as well as those seeking a salon based on its real-world results. Which makes sense, given that the site was created by web veteran Citysearch, which is battling Yelp for domination of the local business search arena. One to copy to other service industries? (Related: <a href="http://springwise.com/tourism_travel/hotel_search_video_completes_t/" class="unbold">Hotel search: video completes the picture</a> — <a href="http://springwise.com/food_beverage/mapping_restaurants_by_photos/" class="unbold">Mapping restaurants by photos of their dishes</a>.)</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.mopshots.com">www.mopshots.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="http://www.mopshots.com/contact">www.mopshots.com/contact</a> </p>
<p>Spotted by: Judy McRae</p>
<p>Update: following Mopshots, Citysearch has launched lookbooks for four other categories: <a href="http://sugarbomber.com/">Sugar Bomber</a> (make sweets, not war), <a href="http://3buckbites.com/">3 Buck Bites</a> (cheap eats for food lovers), <a href="http://luckytoes.com/">Lucky Toes</a> (where'd you get those shoes?) and <a href="http://veggiething.com">Veggie Thing</a> (vegan eats for food lovers).</p>Fans paid for promoting bands' upcoming concertstag:springwise.com,2009://1.67142009-05-05T15:40:18Z2009-05-05T17:50:19Z We've seen several companies already that allow consumers to help sell the music of their favourite bands—with rewards each time they do—and now a new contender out of Australia is giving them a way to promote upcoming concerts as...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://springwise.com/entertainment/posse/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/posse.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>We've seen several companies already that allow consumers to help sell the music of their favourite bands—with rewards each time they do—and now a new contender out of Australia is giving them a way to promote upcoming concerts as well.</p>
<p>Music fans begin by registering for free with <a href="http://www.posse.com">Posse</a> and choosing from among the list of gigs with tickets for sale. They add the ones they like to their personal store and then put the ads or links to those concerts on their MySpace or Facebook pages, in their email signature, or on Twitter or any other website. Each time someone clicks through one of their ads or links and buys a ticket (Ticketmaster handles all sales), the consumer earns a commission of 5 percent, payable 14 days after the event has taken place. Once they've reached a level of AUD 5 or more, they can get paid into their PayPal account. </p>
<p>Currently, Posse is open only to Australian consumers 14 and older, but we're pretty sure members of <a href="http://trendwatching.com/trends/gen-cash.htm" class="unbold">Generation C(ash)</a> in all parts of the world will relish the opportunity to get paid for promoting the bands they already love. Still in beta, Posse says it aims to expand globally "very soon"—one to partner with in your neck of the music-loving woods? (Related: <a href="http://springwise.com/entertainment/an_online_music_store_of_ones/" class="unbold">An online music store of one's own</a> — <a href="http://springwise.com/media_publishing/viral_music_sales_through_widg/" class="unbold">Viral music sales through widgets</a> — <a href="http://springwise.com/entertainment/payout_time_for_sellaband_fans/" class="unbold">Payout time for SellaBand fans</a>.)</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.posse.com">www.posse.com</a> <br />
Contact: <a href="mailto:info@posse.com">info@posse.com</a></p>One-stop-shop for creating viral promotionstag:springwise.com,2009://1.67122009-05-04T17:51:43Z2009-05-04T19:59:16Z Half of all internet users enter online sweepstakes and contests each month, according to Forrester Research, yet few companies have the technical know-how to integrate such promotions with the social networks they're typically advertised on. A California startup aims...Springwisehttp://www.springwise.com<p><a href="http://www.springwise.com/marketing_advertising/wildfire/"><img src="http://www.springwise.com/pix/spotlight/wildfire.jpg" class="spotlight"></a></p>
<p>Half of all internet users enter online sweepstakes and contests each month, according to Forrester Research, yet few companies have the technical know-how to integrate such promotions with the social networks they're typically advertised on. A California startup aims to change all that, however, with a new online service that gives companies an easy way to build interactive promotions that tap into the viral capabilities they need to succeed. </p>
<p>Most social network ads for sweepstakes, contests and giveaways take users off the social network to engage with the promotion, meaning that those promotions can't take advantage of viral features such as friend invites, activity streams and notifications. <a href="http://www.wildfireapp.com">Wildfire</a>'s patent-pending technology aims to solve that problem with a self-service web application that allows corporations, small businesses, marketing agencies, bloggers and nonprofits to easily create their own attractive, branded interactive promotions and simultaneously publish them in multiple social networks. Users begin by creating a branded interactive promotion using Wildfire's easy-to-use software—available promotion formats include sweepstakes, coupon giveaways and user-generated video, photo and essay-based contests. That promotion gets simultaneously published on multiple social networks such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo, as well as on the company's own website. Users can then engage with the promotion via a widget on the company's website or via applications within the social networks; either way, they can invite their friends with a few simple clicks and generate activity feeds that promote the brand around the globe. A <a href="http://www.facebook.com/fbFund" class="unbold">Facebook fbFund</a> winner, Wildfire is currently free but available for use by invitation only; ultimately, fees will start at USD 0.99 per campaign per day. Its technology is hosted on Amazon Web Services' fully scalable EC2 platform; customers so far have included Red Bull, Pepsi and Facebook itself. </p>
<p>Companies that run contests or sweepstakes have twice as many fans on their sponsored social network pages as those that don't, Wildfire says. One to put to work for your own agency, blog or brand?</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.wildfireapp.com">www.wildfireapp.com</a><br />
Contact: <a href="mailto:info@wildfireapp.com">info@wildfireapp.com</a> <br />
<br />
Spotted by: Brandan Holmes</p>
