GE's Smart Grid Shows Grow Interactive's Innovation

GE's Smart Grid microsite is innovative and inspiring. The purpose of the site is to illustrate how GE is transforming the aging grid infrastructure into an efficient, high-performance, energy-saving asset. Not an easy message to get across. But, I think GE does a good job of coming across as cutting edge. The forward thinking website clearly illustrates GE's forward thinking approach to energy. Using flash animation, voiceovers and 3-D renderings as well as interactive gadgets for the user to "make the power grid more efficient," the site makes the information about what a smart grid is and what it does easily digestible.

Probably my favorite part of the entire site is the Smart Grid Augmented Reality. The Smart Grid Augmented Reality makes great use of FLARToolKit and PV3D to create a digital hologram of Smart Grid technology in your hands.

Basically, you print out the Augmented Reality digital hologram, hold it up to your web cam and you have a 3-D universe. Below is a video by OgilvyPR illustrating how the hologram works. It's pretty incredible.



GE's site was designed by Grow Interactive, an award-winning design studio from Norfolk, Virginia. Looking through the company's website, I'm amazed by much of their work. It is exciting and innovative and definitely a great place to get interactive inspiration.

The Arts - Food for Thought

I ran into these PSAs a few days ago for Americans for the Arts. Personally, I think they are brilliant. The PSAs are entertaining and engaging. Each ad resembles a typical food commercial but helps make famous artists into household names. Below are the "Raisin Brahm" and "Van go-gurt" ads. Every time I watch them, I laugh out loud! Sure, they are blatantly mocking Raisin Bran and most yogurt commercials. But, that's what makes them amazing. The PSAs are directed by Marcus McCollum and filmed by Crossroads Films.

Soccer as Inspiration

Today I got an email from a friend of a friend in Washington, DC. He's working for Street Soccer USA. Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) creates grassroots soccer programs around the US to help the homeless and impoverished realize their dreams and goals. They have teams in numerous US cities, including Minneapolis. The program is an offshoot of HELP USA, a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant.

In addition, SSUSA is the official US partner of the Homeless World Cup. And, it looks like I will be going to DC for the Homeless USA Cup:
"As the official US partner of the Homeless World Cup, each year SSUSA host the Homeless USA Cup, where inner city street soccer teams and social service agencies compete for the US Cup. In addition the homeless have the opportunity to be selected to represent the US National Team that represents the US at the Homeless World Cup tournament."

They have a blog with news from each team and their preparation for the Homeless USA Cup.

As a soccer fan and a person interested in human rights, this program sounds really cool! I'm looking forward to becoming involved in the organization.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the role of the communications professional

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the role of the communications professional. Obviously, the main purpose of a communicator is to communicate — about products, clients, whatever we are selling at that point. While we are capable of "selling" whatever product or message we are asked to by our clients or companies, should we? Or, should we really try to only "sell" those ideas, products, etc. that we truly believe in?

I have worked many areas of the communications field for the last eight years and the one thing that has remained consistent is my need to feel a sense of purpose in whatever my client or company is promoting. In some cases, it has been easy to find. For example, any of my work that addresses complex global issues, especially human rights, resonates with me on a very deep level. Of course, that makes a lot of sense since I chose to get a Master's degree in International Relations with a human rights focus.

On the other hand, I definitely have had clients where I didn't connect to their message or product. In some cases, I didn't even agree with what they were doing on an ethical level. In those situations, it has not been easy to find the purpose in the work. However, I have been lucky because it was the great teams, both on the client side and within my company, that turned the situation from a negative into something that was more positive. Sure, I didn't like the basic message, the product or the policies of the client, but I believed in the team members and wanted them to succeed. I wonder how I would have handled it had that not been the case.

Melanie Winn

This past December one of my closest friends, Melanie Winn, passed away unexpectedly. Melanie was someone I always looked up to as an amazing friend, an incredible mother to her son, Tyler, and a devoted wife to her husband, Jeremy. Her loss has been very hard.

In addition to all of that, Melanie was a constant support as I attempted to go through portfolio school. She was encouraging and supportive of my abilities even when I was doubting myself completely.

Melanie worked at Partners+Simons, an advertising agency out of Boston. Today I got a message on Facebook about a meaningful initiative they are doing for her 1-year old son, Tyler. I feel very lucky to have known Melanie and will definitely be participating.

"Melanie Winn, a 10-year P+s'er passed away December 11th. Those of us who have had the pleasure to know Melanie will always remember her for her strength, spirit and kindness.

We have two wonderful initiatives for Tyler Winn, Melanie's 14 month old son.

The Tyler Win Education Fund
We have opened 529 Plan for Tyler. Partners+ simons has kicked off the fund with an initial deposit of $10,000.
Deposits can be made payable to: Tyler Winn Education Fund
Send to: Sovereign Bank, 2 South Station Concourse, Boston, MA 02210, Attention: Tyler Winn Education Fund

Melanie Memories Book
We are creating a book of memories of Melanie for Tyler. Keeping Mel's spirit in our hearts and sharing our memories of her with her son. Share your memories of Mel: the wonderful memories, the sincere memories, and especially the silly memories. Crystal remembers how Mel made her use Purell before letting her hold Tyler. I remember Mel sharing her coveted tiara with Shinlei the day Shinlei became a US Citizen.
Please send your stories and photos to jamie@partnersandsimons.com by 1/16/09.

Please pass this on to anyone who may want to participate."

Oldie but Goody

I may hate or strongly dislike Comcast for a number of reasons (the basic one being they are evil), but I love this commercial:



It was directed by Jim Hosking at Biscuit Filmworks. Jim has also directed the Slim Jim wedding commercial, the Miller Lite chant commercial, and the Emerald Nuts druid commercial. He's clearly the director you want for fun, offbeat campaigns.

Happy New Year

I know it's been a while since I wrote and this one will be short and sweet. I just wanted to wish everyone a happy new year. May this year bring you whatever you truly desire.