'Dumb Ways To Die' Characters Stay Alive As Plushies.

A marketing move to keep the momentum going for the award winning animated campaign, website and app for Australia's Metro Trains, has spawned a line of plush toys based on the cute characters in the twisted and lovable Dumb Ways To Die.



The public safety campaign, which went viral thanks to a catchy song for its PSA ads, online game and addictive mobile app, took home top honors at Cannes Lions and continues to collect accolades.

Metro is working with McCann Melbourne (the agency who created the characters and initial concept) on developing more content and seeking developers for the next version of its mobile game. "Obviously, if you go down the licensing road, you'll need more content to support it," said Ms. Waymark, Metro's General Manager of Corporate Relations. "We just see this as a way of keeping DWTD alive."



Licensed by California-based company Evolution Management Group and will manufactured by the Commonwealth Toy and Novelty, the plush versions of the characters range in both size (from pocket sized to over 30") and price (from $5.99 - $99).

© Metro Trains Melbourne, Dumb Ways to Die™

Related links:
URL: http://dumbwaystodie.com
Song on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/dumb-ways-to-die-single/id575962249
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/tangerinekitty/tangerine-kitty-dumb-ways-to
GIFs: http://dumbwaystodie.tumblr.com/

Inspired by Hefeweizen, Jelly Belly Introduces DRAFT Beer flavored Jelly Beans.

The following is the press release:
When candy makers at Jelly Belly Candy Company set out to create the world’s first beer flavored jelly bean, the question wasn’t how; it was what. Ale or Lager? Stout? Lambic? Pilsner? In the end, the company opted to pay homage to its German ancestry with a Hefeweizen-inspired ale flavor, and Draft Beer Jelly Belly® jelly beans took shape.



Beer has been a highly-requested flavor by consumers for decades. Jelly Belly is known as much for flavor innovation as perfection. The research and development team wanted to get it just right before announcing the new flavor to the world.



“This took about three years to perfect,” says Ambrose Lee (shown above), research and development manager for Jelly Belly Candy Company. “The recipe includes top secret ingredients, but I can tell you it contains no alcohol.”



The effervescent and crisp flavor is packed in a golden jelly bean with an iridescent finish. Beer connoisseurs will find the flavor profile to be clean with notes of wheat and a touch of sweetness. The aroma is mildly bready. While Draft Beer packs a flavor punch, it is alcohol free.


above: the new Jelly Belly flavor is slightly iridescent in color to emulate real beer.

“Usually the factory has a sweet and fruity aroma, but when we’re making this flavor it’s just like being in an ale house,” says Jeff Brown (shown below), vice president in charge of manufacturing for Jelly Belly Candy Company.



“Anyone who enjoys a good, cold beer will enjoy Draft Beer Jelly Belly beans for the simple fact that it tastes just as you’d imagine,” says Rob Swaigen, vice president of marketing for Jelly Belly Candy Company.

“I love the flavors in a good beer and Jelly Belly has managed to get that from brew to bean in an incredible way,” says Jackie Dodd, beer expert, cookbook author, and the voice behind the popular cooking with craft beer blog The Beeroness. “Jelly Belly found a way to fit 15 pints in the palm of your hand, they deserve an award.”



Draft Beer Jelly Belly beans are a wonderful gift for beer lovers for Father’s Day, birthdays, and even St. Patrick’s Day and Oktoberfest. The new flavor will be available at candy counters throughout the world in early 2014.

The Making Of:


Draft Beer is the latest in a long line of flavor innovations from Jelly Belly Candy Company. The company first created a non-alcoholic gourmet flavor in 1977 with Mai Tai. Since then, more flavors from Blackberry Brandy to Strawberry Daiquiri were developed, inspired by popular cocktails. Over the years, favorite flavors like Piña Colada (1983), Margarita (1995) and Mojito (2010) have helped carve out the Jelly Belly Cocktail Classics® collection of six cocktail flavors.

Flavor innovation doesn’t stop with the Jelly Belly bean flavor itself. Thoughtfully combining Draft Beer with other Jelly Belly bean flavors create “beer cocktail” flavors, a beverage trend among craft beer connoisseurs, including The Beeroness blog:

2 Draft Beer + 1 Peach = Beer Sangria
2 Draft Beer + 1 Red Apple = Beer cider
2 Draft Beer + 1 Lemon Lime + 1 TABASCO® = Michelada



The new flavor will debut at Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco and ISM in Cologne, Germany. The Beeroness will host a Tweet Up at 21st Amendment, 563 Second Street in San Francisco, on January 21 to introduce the new Draft Beer flavor to her beer-loving fans.

Jelly Belly beans contain four calories per bean and are fat free, peanut free, dairy free, gluten free, gelatin free, vegetarian and OU Kosher certified. For information, visit www.jellybelly.com.

Zachary Quinto and Alanis Morissette Design For Kiehl's To Benefit Recycle Across America.

For its fifth Limited Edition Label Art Series for Earth Day, Kiehl’s Since 1851 has partnered with actor Zachary Quinto and musician/actor Alanis Morissette to benefit Recycle Across America.



Each has designed a Limited Edition label, depicting their vision of social responsibility for Kiehl's 4.2 oz. Ultra Facial Cream, which will be available April 20 (that's tomorrow!) in Kiehl’s stores and at Kiehls.com in time for Earth Day.

Alanis Morisette's Design:


Zachary Quinto's Design:


100% of the net proceeds of this series will benefit Recycle Across America™ (RAA), and through this program, Kiehl’s will be donating $50,000 to the organization.

Below are a few videos from Zachary and Alanis, discussing the inspiration for their designs and from RAA's executive Director Mitch Hedlund, sharing their commitment to the environment in their own words.

Zachary Quinto:

Alanis Morissette:

Zachary and Alanis:

Mitch Hedlund:


Make your own:
Show your support by drawing up some Earth Day art of your own for Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream label for a chance to win a year's supply of Kiehl's.

RAA is not-for-profit organization dedicated to delivering society-wide solutions that eliminate public confusion, stimulate the environmental economy and expedite progress, and the funds raised from these labels will be used to create 65,000 standardized recycling labels, which will be donated to K-12 schools nationwide.

Earth Month is also the time to reinforce Kiehl's Recycle and Be Rewarded! in-store recycling program. This ongoing program is available only in Kiehl’s free-standing stores nationwide, and allows their customers to return their empty Kiehl’s bottles, tubes and jars for recycling, in exchange for product. Since 2009, Kiehl’s has recycled over 900,000 bottles! Not only can their customers support recycling with our Limited Edition collection, but they can also recycle at Kiehl’s themselves, and earn complimentary product while doing so!



They'd love for you to share their message of social responsibility — it means the world to them (and you). Join Kiehl’s in their commitment to the environment.



Kiehl's

Sports Imitating Art imitating Life. Cut Through L.A. Is An Art Installation As A Commercial For Nike.

I know this 2 minute film first ran about 6 months ago, but I can't watch it enough. It's more of an art installation than a TV commercial and I just love it, am just fascinated by it and wish I'd been there the day it was shot. If you don't watch sports, you may not have seen it and if you have seen it, watch it again. (A 'Making Of' video is shown at the end of the post).



Filmed in Venice Beach, CA. by director Andreas Nilsson, who has a background is set design, what unfolds is a unique traction story of how CP3 cuts through L.A. in an effort to launch the new Nike CP3.VI shoes from ad agency Weiden + Kennedy.


above: Director Andreas Nilsson on set

The staged installation features a human chain of athletes dressed to look like Paul, each representing a freeze-framed position along the trajectory of one of his notorious journeys down the court. The live installation and shoot took place on the basketball courts of Venice beach on Saturday, September 29th, 2012.






The incredible production featured over 40 performers and a bevy of props ranging from an overturned fruit cart to a flipped bicycle hanging in mid-air to showcase the nimble moves of NBA superstar Chris Paul.






Actors were carefully positioned throughout the installation, several seemingly hanging in mid-air though raised on plexiglass footholds, to demonstrate Chris Paul’s dynamic moves on the court. While mimicking Paul’s moves, the performers gracefully crash through boxes, intercept a woman and the dog she’s walking on a leash, cross through a cartoonist mid-caricature and upturn a fruit cart hanging throughout the performance space as if frozen in a series of ‘bullet time’ moments. The entire installation was captured on camera, directed by Nilsson to be edited as a short film showcasing all aspects of the production.



This video, shot in LA by production company Biscuit Dreamworks, is incredible, especially considering that the director did it all in one take.

The making of/behind the scenes video:


Full Credits
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy
Client: Jordan CP3.VI
Director: Andreas Nilsson
Prod. Co.: Biscuit Filmworks
Creative Director: Andy Ferguson
Creative Director: Brandon Mugar
Copywriter: Alexander Barrett
Art Director: Jed Heuer
Business Affairs Director: Sara Jagielski
Business Affairs Manager: Angel Cielo
EP: Dan Blaney
Brand Strategist: Ben Alter
ECD: Ian Reichenthal
ECD: Scott Vitrone
Head of Content Production: Lora Schulson
Production Company: Biscuit Filmworks
Director: Andreas Nilsson
EP: Colleen O'Donnell
Line Producer: Pete Vitale
Director of Photography: Crille Forsberg
Production Designer: Brock Houghton
Wardrobe Stylist: Shirley Kurata
Managing Director: Shawn Lacy
Production Company: Show Cobra
EP: Kate Susman
Editorial Company: Show Cobra
Editor: Dom Whitworth
Post Producer: Charlie Clark
Post Executive Producer: Kate Susman
Music and Sound Artist: Mike Snow
Producer: Pontus Winnberg

Limited Edition Luxury Headphones in Classic and Carbon, The Aëdle VK-1

Aëdle is a Paris-based audio startup specializing in the manufacturing of high-end headphones. To launch the company they are offering limited quantities of their VK-1(Valkyrie) Headphones Classic Edition (400 units) & Carbon Edition (100 units) available for pre-order to be shipped in February. Introduced to the public at this year's CES Las Vegas, they must have received great feedback because these are already sold out!  But they do plan on having more for future availability around April of this year.



Combining latest audio technologies with traditional craftmanship, the VK-1 embed high-performance titanium-neodymium transducers in a minimalistic designed body entirely made of noble materials. Each of the VK-1 aluminum parts are sculpted one by one in a virgin aluminium ingot. Handsewn genuine lambskin leather for headband and cushions.

Designed in Paris. Assembled in Brittany, France.

VK-1 CLASSIC EDITION:

ABOUT:
VK-1 Classic Edition combine minimalistic and refined design with high-definition custom made titanium transducers. 400 units available for first batch. Shipping in February 2013.

PRICE:
EU Customers: 300 EUR tax included
Non EU Customers: 250 EUR / 325 USD tax excluded

IN THE BOX:
•3.5 mm Aramid fiber coated detachable cable + Microphone
•Additional 3.5 mm Audio Cable
•Aedle Serial Number Metal Card
•Travel Pouch
•Airline adapter + 6.5 mm adapter
•Booklet

VK-1 CARBON LIMITED EDITION

ABOUT:
Black lambskin leather and pure black matte anodization make up the VK-1 Carbon Limited Edition. 100 units only will be made for the first batch. Shipping in February 2013.

PRICE :
EU Customers: 330 EUR tax included
Non EU Customers: 275 EUR / 360 USD tax excluded
More information about Shipping & Taxes in our FAQ Section.

IN THE BOX:
•3.5 mm Aramid fiber coated detachable cable + Microphone
•Additional 3.5 mm Audio Cable
•Aedle Serial Number Metal Card
•Travel Pouch
•Airline adapter + 6.5 mm adapter
•Booklet

Discover the story behind Aëdle in this video below which highlights and introduces their first model, the Aëdle VK-1:


More details and info can be found at their site.

Impressive Co-Branding For The Karl Lagerfeld X Shu Uemura Holiday Collection. From The Videos to The Packaging.

Fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld and Japanese global beauty giant Shu Uemura collaborated on this special Holiday 2012 make-up collection and pulled out all the stops when it came to marketing and branding. The effort is a great example of the importance of consistency in brand imagery, the utilization of social media channels and online influencers as well as various mediums such as videos, print, digital, packaging, etc. Watch and learn.





Initially announced in June of this year, the much anticipated collection has been preceded by numerous press events, articles and blog posts by most every beauty blogger and journalist in the business.


above: Karl Lagerfeld discussing and designing the collection for Shu Uemura

The launch utilized various mediums including a fabulous Saul Bass-inspired teaser video, guerilla marketing in the streets of Paris, a strong social media presence, special events and the design of a sweet little Manga-style Mascot named Mon Shu dressed in Lagerfeld's signature high-collared white shirt and black tie who consistently appears everywhere.



above: Conceived of and drawn by Karl Lagerfeld, she takes a cue from Japanese schoolgirls, whose uniforms Lagerfeld finds impeccable. “They dress a little like me, even if this is more exaggerated,” said the designer.

The Brand Mascot:


In addition to being the star of the videos, Mon Shu appeared during press events as everything from an oversized balloon to small plush dolls and decals that could be applied to fingernails.  She graces all the packaging and even appeared on helium balloons and bags as a form of guerilla marketing:







The Teaser (Birth of Mon Shu) Video:


You can view more wonderful animated videos of Mon Shu as she travels around the world on She Uemera's YouTube channel.

Designing the Collection:
The Paris-based Lagerfeld was in charge of the collection's color selection and the adorable packaging of the nail polishes, false lashes, lipsticks, eye shadows, make-up brushes and more.




The Making Of The Collection video:


The Products and Packaging:











Even the photographs for the accompanying campaign were shot by Karl Lagerfeld.

Social Media Marketing:
In terms of social media marketing, they have been consistent about branding the collection with a YouTube channel that features multiple videos, a presence, giveaways, drawing contests and more have taken place on the Shu Uemera facebook page, and they have a branded twitter page - and many a related tweet.



The Shu Uemura homepage has an interactive section dedicated to the collection as well.

The press release:

She Uemura and Karl Lagerfeld are proud to announce an exceptional collaboration for the holiday collection 2012 under the name of Karl Lagerfeld for shu uemura.

This unique moment of creation has roots in more than 20 years of relationship and mutual admiration between two of the most renowned talents from the worlds of fashion and beauty. With his artful hands and revolutionary vision Mr. Shu Uemura transformed the image of women through make-up, passionately elevating beauty into a true work of art. Karl Lagerfeld’s illustrious career as a master of fashion design, photography and publishing has presented a worldview so unique he has become one of the most influential creators of his time. Both have propelled their crafts into the future with their untiring quests for innovation and beauty.

“I design with shu uemura make-up because other manufacturers do not offer such beautiful colors.” – Karl Lagerfeld

For two decades Karl Lagerfeld has been using shu uemura eye shadows to illustrate his fashion sketches. Now he merges his world with shu uemura’s to create an entire collection in homage to the brand-the color selection and packaging is entirely designed by Karl Lagerfeld who also photographed the visual campaign.

For this holiday collection, the master of beauty and the master of fashion converge, their talent and passion for beauty evoking miracles for the holiday season.

To be launched in November 2012 in the following countries: ASIA: Japan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam / NORTH AMERICA: United States, Canada / EUROPE: France, Italy, United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland / OCEANIA: Australia. Please contact regional shu uemura PR offices for further information.

SHOP FOR THE COLLECTION HERE

A big thanks to the following for some of the additional images used in this post:

Shu Uemera
Chicprofile
Beautezine