This is the most successful global viral interactive film ever. Absolute genius. Click here to check it out and then send it to a friend…

And here’s a taster of what to expect. Great fun and very, very clever.

The creative team at Oi have produced a new SlideRocket presentation for Sansuki – the world’s smallest mobile phone.

While the product may be an illusion the deck showcases some of SlideRocket’s very real features and our extreme SlideRocket presentation building skills, having worked with the software to produce bespoke client presentations for the past year.

View the Sansuki SlideRocket presentation online, or for more about SlideRocket read on…

SlideRocket is a powerful, unique, comprehensive presentation software solution that provides a full suite of features and capabilities to address all facets of the presentation lifecycle – from authoring, collaboration, and review and approval, through publishing, delivery, and management.

It provides users with all the tools they need to create and manage stunning online presentations, share them securely with people across the globe, and measure their effectiveness, in a single, fully-integrated package.

Why is SlideRocket better than normal presentations?

• An integrated, intuitive interface for all phases of the presentation lifecycle, from creation and collaboration, through publishing and delivery
• Rapid import of existing PowerPoint slides, to instantly convert desktop slides into engaging online presentations
• Anytime, anywhere access to online presentations, from any Web-enabled PC or handheld device
• Advanced collaboration capabilities, including version controls, dynamic synchronization, and privacy features, that make it easy for multiple users to work together to create online presentations
• A comprehensive marketplace for purchasing content like themes, stock photography, smart art, data feeds, audio, video, illustrations, animations, and plug-ins
• A library for organizing and storing online presentations, to ensure fast and easy retrieval
• The ability to instantly incorporate data and content from third-party sources
• Unhindered presentation sharing in an intuitive, yet highly secure environment
• The ability to hold Internet meetings, directly from within the SlideRocket environment
• In-depth metrics, such as click-throughs, forwards, and form submissions, that provide complete and accurate assessments of the effectiveness of each online presentation

As one of the UK’s only authorised SlideRocket resellers, and the only company in the Channel Islands using SlideRocket, we have the expertise and experience to advise on the set up of SlideRocket for all your presentations including initial and ongoing design and technical support services. For information please email us with your enquiry.

The latest results in the coveted ‘Superbrands’ survey have just been announced this morning. No massive surprises here at the top with Microsoft and Google again fighting for top spots. Handset manufacturer Blackberry is an interesting new entry in the top 10, going from 42nd place in 2009 up to third reflecting the constant quest for the latest technology, while Sony and Virgin Atlantic have been voted into third and fourth place respectively. Nokia, Bupa, BP and Michelin have all fallen from the top 10. Whilst British Airways appears at 4 despite the latest cabin crew strike threats plaguing it…

Hotel chain Premier Inn, with the ad campaign fronted by Lenny Henry, has taken the biggest climb on the list from 437 to 240th place.  Whilst insurance giant Aviva, which rebranded from Norwich Union last year, is the second highest-grower. No doubt thanks in part to its heavy spending and high profile campaign featuring A-list celebrities like Bruce Willis and Ringo Starr helping take it from 315th place to 144 in the rankings.

The financial services sector has seen more mixed results with investment banks like Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan both losing ground and suffering due to the global recession, dropping 147 and 152 places respectively. Whilst other contentious areas like climate change seems to remain controversial leading the government-backed Carbon Trust to drop some 200+ places.

Consumer Superbrands: 2010 Results

1. Microsoft
2. Rolex
3. Google
4. British Airways
5. BBC
6. Mercedes-Benz
7. Coca-Cola
8. Lego
9. Apple
10. Encyclopaedia Britannica

Business Superbrands: 2010 Results

1. Microsoft
2. Rolls-Royce Group
3. BlackBerry
4. Virgin Atlantic
5. Google
6. London Stock Exchange
7. GlaxoSmithKline
8. British Airways
9. VISA
10. PricewaterhouseCoopers

Superbrands commissions independent research to identify the UK’s strongest brands. Their annual league tables are based on the opinions of marketing experts, business professionals and thousands of British consumers.

There are two surveys: Consumer Superbrands (the UK’s strongest B2C brands) and Business Superbrands (the UK’s strongest B2B brands). The results of both surveys are published annually in February and brands do not pay or apply to be considered.

Superbrands was founded in London in 1995 and are now a global business operating in over 50 countries worldwide.

The Offshore International digital team have won a pitch to develop a bespoke web programme that will enable Guernsey Post bulk mailers to connect online and generate electronic dockets…

Guernsey Post identified a need for this solution in their ongoing strategy to save costs. Oi will be creating a bespoke e-docketing postal system, which will change Guernsey Post’s current paper docket process into a streamlined electronic system allowing bulk mailing customers and Guernsey Post to accurately track and manage postal dockets through a secure login area on www.guernseypost.com. Improved efficiencies and cost savings will be achieved once the project goes live in April.

A further part of the project includes integrating a Down Stream Access system, which connects post sent from Guernsey to the UK with the Royal Mail postal network.

We’re really pleased to have won these major projects, which further demonstrate our track record of building advanced digital solutions for clients.

What a beautiful idea this is. The Design Auction was set up by some tutors and students of Lincoln School of Art & Design back in 2007 as a way to make some cash for their third year graphic design end of year degree show. A few phone-calls and emails later and the great & good of the design world were offering them rare and beautiful bits and pieces of loveliness and gorgousnessness. It’s a simply brilliant idea, a great website and a showcase of some truly ground-breaking bits of design. So grab yer’ mouse, a cup of tea and a pack of Digestives and enjoy…

The Design Auction is run by tutors and students on the BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree course at the Lincoln School of Art & Design to raise funds for the end of year degree show. After the success of last years auction it was of no surprise to hear that other educational institutions had organised their own auctions up and down the country. This year we decided to take the bull by the horns and keep one step ahead of the game. The Design Auction 2009 is more than just about us, it has changed location, it involves more people than ever before and is much more ambitious than last year. We have decided to run the event with the St Bride Printing Library who relies upon donations to carry out its work and keep its doors open. They provide lectures, performances, lessons and activities for all ages and interests and keep the St Bride Printing Library open free of charge. We have decided to donate half of the proceeds of the auction to St Bride and to help us raise as much, if not more than last year, Michael Johnson of johnsonbanks has agreed to bang the gavel.

The Design Auction was conceived in the marble halls of Thomas Parker House in Lincoln back in 2007. Tutors and students Liam Mitchell, Matt Mellor and Faye Morrow pulled together to think of ways to raise funds for the third year graphic design end of year degree show. They initially approached a few designers and illustrators to see if we could get hold of a number of items to auction off. The response was fantastic and so we decided to widen the net and began attracting interest from other designers, illustrators and photographers from all over the world. We ran with the idea of pitching designer against designer, illustrator against illustator, photographer against photographer – what would be worth more – a Brody or a Sagmeister, a Hyland or a Deuchars? Posters were designed and produced, a website constructed, promotional material devised and before we knew it The Design Auction was born.

The event which took place on 9th April 2008 in Lincoln, generated a lot of press from the likes of Creative Review, Design Week, Icon Magazine and blogs from all four corners of the globe. Jonathan Barnbrook was our distinguished rebel auctioneer and along with over 150 lots from over 100 designers, illustrators, photographers, artists, publishers and retailers, helped us raise nearly £7,000 for the third year graphic design end of year degree show. It was a massive success and also helped raise awareness and the profile of our students,the course and it’s location.

If you would like to contribute to The Design Auction please email us at info@designauction.co.uk.

(copy taken from The Design Auction website)

Crazy you might say, but, rainbows are not the only thing I have been spotting out of my window.

At first glance I thought it was the stig with 10 or so ninjas around him stranded on the St Peter Port breakwater of all places. But then after further inspection, (me going down their to see for my self) it was the current formula one driving champion Jenson Button. But what on earth could Jenson Button be doing on Guernsey? I heard it was for some TV advert, but could this all be a cover up? Seems strange to me how they closed off the breakwater the same day a rainbow’s base was formed their don’t you think?

But, another conspiracy theory. Ethan McClean’s car was spotted at the base of one of the rainbows which was situated on the Albert Pier, he admits to having a pair of Ray-Ban’s and a copy of Woman’s Weekly in the glove compartment but denies any knowledge of the pot of gold.

Could this all be a hoax, or is their more to this story.

Feel free to comment and post your opinions, photographic evidence below.

Rainbow between Herm & Guernsey

Jenson Button on the St Peter Port breakwater

(Picture via http://twitpic.com/13rv1l)

Rainbow in St Peter Port harbour

Rainbow on the Albert Pier (Note the double rainbow, the one in the distance is where Jenson Button was spotted & Ethan McCleans car at the base of the front one)

“Why do we care so much about the Creative Brief­, surely it’s the creative work that makes the difference to our clients brands, business and reputations?”

The person who said this didn’t have a long or illustrious career in our industry. So why are we investing so much time in making our Creative Briefs the best they can be, and bringing over a top London agency trainer in the next few weeks to give a two-day workshop for staff and clients on producing and presenting effective briefs?

Better briefs and better briefing create better work which is right first time which makes our clients happier which improves our margins which makes us all ecstatic.

The Brief is a key document for everyone involved in the process of developing creative work. Account handlers, creative teams, producers and project managers, planners, media partners and most importantly our clients. It’s three main purposes are…

To give information – task definition and listing the deliverables.
Secondly, control – a strategic touchstone and a mutual contract.
And finally – inspiration the catalyst for great work.

The Creative brief is the start point for everything in Marcoms. It must be understood, irresistible and ‘un-put-downable’.

It’s the single most important piece of paper in maximising communication effectiveness. A piece of communication, regardless of medium, will almost always be as good as the brief. Experience has shown that the more time, effort and clarity you shovel in at the beginning, the speedier you will harvest the Jewel in the end.

There have been books and books written on the Creative Brief but this is as good a recipe as you’ll need.

1. It should be clear, self-contained and explanatory
2. It should be… well… brief
3. It should be “joined up” and tell the story
4. It should be inspiring
5. Does it work?  Could you write to it?
6. A brief should always be single-minded
7. It should be linked to the business issue
8. It should be based on a consumer insight
9. It should be simple

We’re looking forward to the training session with Paul Burns, formerly Saatchi & Saatchi’s Training and Development Director. He has won more Advertising Training awards in the UK than anyone in the advertising industry, IPA Gold awards in 2006 and 2002 and a Silver in 2004, and has also been recognised with two special awards from the IPA for long-term commitment to training and development and for being the best training director.

The training session promises to be creative and as brief as possible. As Mr Picasso said “Creation is not about how much you add but how much you resist adding”

Offshore International has designed and built a new website for IAG – the specialist fund administrators for Private Equity, Real Estate, Alternative Assets and Listed Corporate Structures with assets under administration of over US$15 billion.

www.iag.co.gg reflects IAG’s aim of providing a skilled team, dedicated to delivering bespoke services that suit the client and investors rather than the procedures of the administrator. Since its formation in 2000, IAG has provided fund administration to a select international client base. IAG is a wholly independent fund administration provider following a successful management buyout from Ashmore Group Plc in 2005.

The project includes creating a new visual identity with design and image guidelines, messages, and application across all internal/external print as well as electronic media. A major part involves the design of a new website for the Guernsey Financial Services Commission working closely with leading Microsoft Sharepoint website developers, Core GB.

Oi has also recently won a separate three-way pitch to produce the prestigious annual report and accounts for the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.

Another nice bit of work from the creative team who once again came out fighting when faced with a tough brief. A simple message delivered in a creative, engaging and persuasive way.  Job done.