The Lightweight Viking Champion of the World

We were super lucky over here at Viking headquarters when the world champion Viking in the Lightweight Division stopped by for a visit... Oh wait, that's not right.

That's our fearless Account Director Jenn rocking one of the title belts we're currently customizing for a client's awards project.

Something that you can't notice in the picture is just how heavy the belts actually are, meaning that only a true warrior could wear it successfully into battle. Good thing for us and for our clients, Jenn didn't even break a sweat...

Up next, she's taking on Brock Lesnar in a UFC title fight. Or maybe it was just the other agencies in a pitch? Either way, my money's on her and the Viking namesake.

It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's A... Washing Machine?

I just finished watching this video on TED by Swedish Global Health Professor Hans Rosling, and let me tell you, that guy is awesome. Not to mention, he very well could be a Viking! (or at least his ancestors might have been)...

While he is not a marketer, and therefore you may question why I bothered to sit through the whole 9:15, I challenge you to watch the video before you judge any further.

http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine.html

He details one of his early childhood memories in the presentation, where he recounts the day that his mother brought home their family's first washing machine and used it for the first time. Rather than strictly pontificating, Professor Rosling captures the audience with his ability to bring this day to life as if you had been there yourself.
The compelling presentation technique (he actually placed and operated a washing machine in the middle of the stage), combined with his unique insight into global health/poverty issues had me hooked nearly immediately.

So for those of you looking to infuse great storytelling with innovative visualization software and rock-solid statistics, check out his TED page as well as his nonprofit organization Gapminder.

And here's the link to the video one more time... I promise you that if you give this video a view, you will not be disappointed.

http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine.html

For now, as the Vikings of old would say: GOboldushauj - “Go bold or go home.”

Gamers Unite

Continuing in our series of bringing you our latest pieces, this is another part of our V@nquish initiative.
Highlighting online gaming and its vast number of uses and applications, this email blast also led to a unique microsite which can be visited by clicking on this link.

http://www.denmarktheagency.com/vanquish/games.html

Please see below for the piece, and feel free to visit the microsite and give our flash game a shot. I'm willing to bet you can't beat my record of 7 rounds.

For now, as the Vikings of old would say: GOboldushauj - “Go bold or go home.”

Social Media Starter Kit

Howdy all,

Wanted to show you all some of the awesome work we Vikings have been busy producing lately...

We began rolling out a new program under codename V@nquish here at Denmark about a month ago. Included in it are various digital solutions to tackle virtually any difficulty your brand is having online.

With this in mind, I'd like to take the opportunity each time we unveil our newest piece to share it with you.

Our most recent undertaking is advertising our Social Media Starter Kit. With three great tools all bundled in one easy and affordable package, we think that the upside for all involved is fantastic.

Check out our email blast below and visit our microsite by clicking on this link.

http://www.denmarktheagency.com/vanquish/socialstarterkit.html

For now, as the Vikings of old would say: GOboldushauj - “Go bold or go home.”

Skittles Does It Again

Interactive Cat - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDlaJlb1ezg&feature=player_embedded

For best results, click this link. Once you do, follow the onscreen instructions.

Skittles is continuing their trend of bizarre, almost surreal advertisements, this time with a series of quasi-interactive viral videos. The screenshot and link above both reference the initial advertisement featuring a cat "licking" your finger, replaced very quickly by a man dressed up as a cat doing the same.

This video was uploaded to YouTube on March 28, 2011, and as of today (April 5, 2011) it already has nearly 2 million views (1,997,079 to be precise) and over 1600 comments.

Other ads in this campaign include an old rollerskating man offering you a ride on his back as you hold your thumb like a hitchhiker would, a girl with a face made of Skittles that you appear to be pointing at as she cries, and a few others.

And while these ads are simply the newest in a line of Skittles advertisements that feature no product descriptions or benefits, they are generating a kind of buzz that is much more valuable in terms of social currency than any other "traditional" ad types could produce.

Check out below for links to the other two videos I've referenced, as well as the link to the Skittles YouTube channel, where you can find the entire collection.

Hitchhiker - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG694oqcpao&feature=relmfu

Skittles Face - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxcaMCgdkZ8&feature=relmfu

Skittles YouTube Channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/skittlespage