Imaginative, kid-designed dream cars; hilarious “Coke bottle hacks” hit social media; why younger players aren’t getting into the game of golf; and The Tower of London’s solemn and artistic tribute to Britain’s fallen World War I soldiers. ★
• The 8th Annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest falls smack dab into the category of “marketing and PR I love” because it is well planned and executed, in addition to being creative.
1.) The audiences: It introduces kids worldwide (future prospective car buyers) to the idea that cars can be practical and fun and gets the Toyota brand in front of their parents and other adults who have an interest in the contest, children, art, and/or cars… and who may be current or near-future prospective buyers;
2.) Entries with a potential for short- and long-term impact: The kids’ art and ideas are genuinely amazing and encourage all of us – from designers to drivers – to think about vehicles and how we use them in new and different ways;
3.) A reveal that’s as creative as the entries and easy to share (and share again): Toyota’s special “Dream Car of the Day” site showcases the 90 finalists’ winning designs in the weeks leading up to the award ceremony in Japan.
Each design is represented via a six-second, animated Vine video and short artist’s statement, plus visitors can also see each child’s original art and get a behind-the-scenes peek at the process of adapting the still art into animation.
Using the Vine platform keeps the animations short and shareable, and the project has a strong presence and following on Vine, Twitter, and Facebook.
Even though this contest is an ongoing initiative, I don’t remember them presenting it in such a fun and novel way for its previous incarnations. Be sure to check it out! [Fast Co. Create, Toyota Global: Dream Car Art Contest, Toyota Dream Car of the Day]
• What if your name didn’t make the cut to appear on the “Share a Coke” bottles and cans this summer?* Some enterprising fans turn to social media with their frustration, snarky humor, and Photoshop skills. [Adweek, Share a Coke]
* My name didn’t make the cut, either, and a “virtual bottle” isn’t quite the same thing…
• Why aren’t younger generations playing golf? Multiple articles tackle the question by looking at the Millennial generation as a reference point, but I think the reasons mentioned for this decline affect a significant portion of the under-55 crowd.
A typical round (and the equipment it requires) isn’t a casual expense. These age groups don’t have enough time thanks to school, work and/or multiple jobs. And they often don’t have the disposable income. (That’s so important I’m including it twice.) Plus, if parents can’t afford to play, children often aren’t even exposed to the game as a sports option. “Another Tiger Woods” would also help. [Wall Street Journal (paywall) via HBR Blog Network/The Daily Stat, Forbes, CNBC]
• A large-scale art installation at the Tower of London, titled “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red,” commemorates the 100th anniversary of Britain’s involvement in World War I with ceramic red poppies in the landmark’s dry moat. The first poppy was placed in early August, on the anniversary of the date Britain entered the conflict. The number will grow to 888,246 – one for every British fatality during the war – by the time the final poppy is added on November 11, 2014. [Fast Co.Create, Historic Royal Places: The Tower of London Remembers]
The photos of this work in progress are already striking.