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We could definitely use a food truck to follow the van. I vote for Krispy Kreme.

I’m thinking this kind of caravan would be strangely appropriate as we approach Graceland next week.

Labels: Day 11, van

posted by darryl ohrt at 12:37 AM 0 Comments

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We have a system while on the road. Photos are taken on the SLR camera. Video is shot. At the end of each day, we each head to our rooms at the Soooper 8, and start working. Photos and video are digitized or uploaded. And Bill and I write the blog posts about the day.

Tonight, I noticed that Ryan's t-shirt of the day post hasn’t been published yet, and start looking for the shot. And then, ummm I see what they shot. Very funny.

So I guess this shot of Ryan will make us more popular with the ladies. Or maybe get Ryan a girlfriend while enjoying the weekend off in Asheville, NC, at Bele Chere. Or have people thinking that Ryan needs more t-shirts for his shirt of the day series. You decide.

Labels: Day 11, photos, tshirtoftheday

posted by darryl ohrt at 12:21 AM 1 Comments

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After leaving Hanes, we rocked across town in Winston-Salem to meet with Mathew and Maria over at CMS, a promotions logistics company. They make coupons work.

Ever wonder what happens to the coupon after it’s redeemed at the register? Think that elves take them through underground tunnels and trade them with a secret society for popular currency? Yeah, something like that.

Anyway, Mathew and Maria took us through a brief tour of promotions logistics - which was pretty awesome.

We also learned how their industry is evolving, and discussed a couple of ideas on how emerging media might help the reinvention. Really cool people who understand branding. We could hang out all day with brand people. Viva branding. And coupons. Check out the rest of today’s pics here.

Labels: Day 11

posted by darryl ohrt at 11:57 PM 1 Comments

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We met some really cool people today. The morning kicked off at Starbucks (typical day), and a skate break for Ryan.

Off to the Hanes headquarters we sped, and met Jonathan and Mr. Intern.

A great introduction to emerging media, and a few ideas were swapped. Great people. We sheepishly gave them our Fruit of the Loom tour t-shirts, and they politely pretended not to notice. I doubt they’ll wear them to the company picnic. Or maybe they’ll wear them proudly and declare it “research.”

Labels: Day 11

posted by darryl ohrt at 11:33 PM 0 Comments

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We just received the best email ever about the Plaid tour from Casey Paquet:

I just wanted to send an official letter of "you kick ass"ness to you and your colleagues for the Plaid Tour. You and I have spoken at length about how interactive agencies seem to be moving toward this dangerous cliff of non sequitur where they are burning through cash doing "new media" stunts and projects that have no real value. I must admit that upon first reading about the idea of a tour I was afraid you were about to embark on a slow trip over that cliff, but I have fortunately been proven completely wrong. Not only is watching the tour addictive, it is clear that you are out there proving to people that there are ways to use technology and the internets to entertain, build brand awareness and create real value. How can a potential client look at what you are doing and not think "holy shit, I'm part of a pitch right now, but I'm not watching a Yawnerpoint slideshow, I'm sticking my head in a van that is a hotspot, being filmed for later upload and experiencing what these guys (and gals) are capable of in real life."

Bravo to you all, I've been sharing the link with as many of the folks I know in the PR/Interactive/Marketing arena and they have all been floored (although in most instances I have to explain some portion of it to them - "no, no, they aren't a band... no, see... no, they aren't doing this for a client.") Your agency is a shining light in the overcrowded pile of suckitude that is modern branding. Don't let the world beat you down, stay golden!

Awesome, Casey. Tour t-shirt is on the way. And suckitude is now the official word of the day.

Labels: bloggers, Day 11

posted by darryl ohrt at 3:35 PM 0 Comments