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We've targeted a handful of companies that we'd really like to stop and say hi to, along the tour route. We've mailed them the first of several announcement postcards about the tour.

If you're not on the list, and we're passing through your state, let us know! We'd love to stop by and spread some Plaid love. We'll likely only have time to make 2 - 4 stops per day, so if you are DEFINITELY needing Plaid action, contact us immediately. (There's only so much brand love to be spread around.)

Labels: tour route

posted by darryl ohrt at 4:33 PM 0 Comments

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The official Plaid Summer of Love t-shirts have been designed. These are for special marketing people that we meet along the way. Sure to be collector's items. Wanna t-shirt? Schedule a Plaid van photo opportunity. Contact me, or our tour director, diana AT thinkplaid.com. We'll deliver.

Labels: van goodies

posted by darryl ohrt at 2:28 PM 4 Comments

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Brian setup the webcam, that will eventually be mounted in the Plaid van. We went with a Logitech camera, and Brian is working out the windshield mounting system.

While on the road, you'll be able to watch our every move. Who's sleeping, who's working, who's staring out the window in a fog. Hopefully at least one person will be attentive, and at the wheel. That's the plan anyway.

Labels: dashboard, van

posted by darryl ohrt at 12:23 AM 0 Comments

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A little more than three weeks before the tires hit the pavement. A sneak peek at what will become our online dashboard for the tour is above.

Rob just completed the work, and Paul's in the process of connecting all of the feeds that will feature live media streams. The van at the top of the page animates, and content will include a live webcam, Twitter, Flicker and blog feeds, and of course webisodes of the daily adventures.

You'll also be able to track our every move - with a GPS/Google maps mashup. NYC to Dallas, watch out!

Labels: dashboard, gps

posted by darryl ohrt at 12:04 PM 2 Comments

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We've settled on a tour route. Looks like we're covering a good part of the country, from Maine to Texas. And quite a few stops in between. Somehow, we ended up with three stops in Tennessee. That's one long-ass state.

We're still working out the exact order of states to visit in the northeast, but the rest looks pretty final:

July 16 New York
July 17 Rhode Island
July 18 NH or Maine
July 19 Massachusetts
July 20 Connecticut

July 23 NJ
July 24 DC area
July 25 Norfolk/VA Beach
July 26 Raleigh, NC
July 27 Winston-Salem, NC

July 30 Knoxville, TN
July 31 Nashville, TN
August 1 Memphis, TN
August 2 Little Rock, AR
August 3 Dallas

If you're located anywhere along this route, and would like us to stop by, please give us a shout. We'd love to get a photo with you, show you the van and maybe even put you in one of the videos documenting the whole escapade. There will likely be some sweet Plaid goodies, too.

Labels: tour route

posted by darryl ohrt at 11:22 PM 2 Comments

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Brian's setup the GPS tracking, so that you can follow the Plaid van on tour. Every step of the way. Keep an eye on us, to make sure we stay on track, stay on schedule, and stay away from casinos.

We'll be incorporating the GPS feed into a Google maps mashup, and it will track the van in real time. Since it's still four weeks until the tour kicks off, Brian's been testing the system on Plaid employee cars. We think he caught someone going to a strip club at lunch the other day.

Can't wait to see this live.

Labels: gps, tour route

posted by darryl ohrt at 11:28 PM 1 Comments