The BFG Spin on all things digital,

social, and creative - or otherwise blogworthy.

Giphy—The New Gif Library

Posted by Kristina DeVega on May 23, 2013

Giphy is a new search engine specifically made for none other than GIFS. Simple, organized and straightforward, the site displays items in a grid pattern with gifs only animating when hovered over. The site offers a wide range of hashtags from emotions to reactions to television shows and  more. Users can also discover new gifs by browsing by different categories.

What's interesting about Giphy is that the site attributes gif creators with their artwork. Most gif creators get lost in the shuffle of reblogs and the copy and pasting of URLs, but Giphy will supply the original creator's URL when sharing on different social networks like Twitter, Facebook and of course Tumblr.

By attributing the creators, gifs have become framed more as an art medium more than just clips of television shows or just weird awesomeness. The art and design section has some amazing gifs that I wouldn't have discovered otherwise.

It's no news that gifs are popular and are being frequently used in various ways on the web, so finally having a public gif library seems a bit overdue. Nonetheless, I welcome Giphy. While our internet culture is quickly changing how we communicate, these digital libraries of hashtags and now gifs are becoming more of a resource and a window into how we think. 

 

 
 
Tags: giphy, gif,
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Dove’s “Real Women Sketches” Video Focuses on Ideas, Not Products

Posted by Kristina DeVega on April 25, 2013

"Imagine a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety." 

In Dove's latest campaign, women describe themselves to an artist who then proceeds to sketch them. The artist then listens to strangers describe the same women and sketches their drawings. The end result is two sketches that speak volumes about self-criticism and how women see themselves. It's a simple project stripped from the bells and whistles and sends a clear message that hits the core of Dove's mission statement.

Dove does a wonderful job at championing a bigger idea rather than the simple ask for purchasing products. From its commercials to its website, the brand places emphasis on celebrating female empowerment and finding self-confidence.

The "Dove Real Women Sketches" video was uploaded in mid-April and, as of today, reached over 25 million views. The video's message resonates to a larger audience because it focuses on bigger ideas, which makes it instantly sharable. It even sparked a humorous male-centric parody.

In the case of Dove's latest YouTube sensation, selling products was secondary to its overall goal to inspire women. Sometimes the loudest brand messaging is not when the brand is talking about its products but about its beliefs. 

 
 
Tags: youtube, dove,
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Try On Your Dream Engagement Ring At Home

Posted by Brian Brunskill on April 04, 2013

Skip the obnoxious sales people. Avoid the risk of being caught "planning" by a friend or close family member at your local shopping mall.

Ocappi, a new online jewelry store, allows people to shop for and try on their dream engagement rings in the privacy of their own home, free of charge and hassle. Much like the Warby Parker business model, there is no obligation to purchase and free shipping both ways. 

Their "One&Only Try-On Service" allows the consumer to add up to six replica rings (set with cubic zirconium stones) to their order and check out at no charge. The six replica rings will then be shipped directly to the consumer, allowing five days to try on and play dress up with. There is a pre-paid return label included in the package to send them back, at no cost. Discrete, convenient and free.

It will be interesting to see if Ocappi can successfully shift the typical jewelry shopping experience using this e-commerce model of no-hassle trial and convenience.

What more could a possible-bride-to-be ask for when making what could be one of the most important jewelry purchases of her life?

---via PSFK.

 
 
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Meet Grumblr - “Monstropolis transplant. MU Sophomore. Self-diagnosed coffee addict.”

Posted by Kristina DeVega on March 29, 2013

Last December, "Monsters University" released another transmedia marketing effort by way of a Tumblr Blog called The Grumblr.  

Quietly creating content for the past three months, the Tumblr is written by Grumblr, a student at Monsters University. The blogger writes blog posts that are so wonderfully crafted in the voice of a college sophomore that every detail is a nice nod to the social network and fellow Tumblr users.

The last time I saw a film taking advantage of Tumblr is "Hunger Games"'s Capitol Couture fashion editorial, and while that was an excellent example of transmedia  advertising, The Grumblr hones in on assimilating itself in the Tumblr community --The Grumblr relies less on imagery and more on the youthful culture of the network.

Not to discredit any of the artfully-crafted image posts, but the blog's content plays up the writer's point of view versus leaking content from the film. The blogger indulges in homemade memes, and he posts Instagram-like images with clever hashtags that mirrors real Tumblr users (I defintiely used some of his tags back in my college days). What's unique about The Grumblr is that the storyteller isn't telling the the movie''s main characters' story but his story within that world.

The Grumblr makes the Pixar's universe richer and bigger. Parody is one thing that takes the cake in Pixar's transmedia marketing. Much like its university website, Pixar's Tumblr blog is well-written and is so detailed that its websites become an experience of itself. 

 
 
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Tech Tuesday: Manpacks

Posted by Hal Thomas on March 26, 2013

WSAV: News, Weather, and Sports for Savannah, GA

Manpacks is like Netflix for men's underwear, except that you don't have to return anything once you've used it. Because that would be awkward.​

The logic behind Manpacks is simple. Take items that men need to replace regularly—personal care, razors, socks, underwear—and create a service that results in one less thing guys have to remember. It also helps that guys tend to be somewhat brand loyal to most of the items that Manpacks offers, things the average guy doesn't want to spend a lot of time thinking about.

Manpacks also has the best return policy of all time.

​Manpacks, because you're too old for your mom to still be buying your underwear.

 
 
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