Fistfullofhollers

Piers posted an op-ed piece a few weeks ago on AR and the surrounding hype, comparing it to Second Life.  Pointed out in the discussion was that AR is in its infancy stage…where the applications are yet to take full advantage of the technology.  I believe one poster referenced how the first retail Web sites were designed to look just like their brick n’ mortar spaces…and look how much that has changed. 

Just so happened I was catching up on some reading over the weekend and read an interesting article in CommArt.  The article, written by some dude who was obviously very much into AR, gave examples of interesting AR applications and how there is so much room for growth for the tech.  It was pretty cool…but, I had one misgiving…

Will it make us less smart?  I know technology has done wonders for us and is continually making life easier.  But it seems more often than not, technology is freeing up time only to be spent back on technology.  I reference the Subway Finder AR app that was discussed in the article.  While it’s very cool to hold up your phone and see where the nearest subway is…any tourist traveling w a map should be able to do the same.   And I get that the interactive app allows you to sync with train schedules and such…but again…to me, this is basic knowledge that an educated traveler would posses or at least attempt to find out before visiting a city.

Not looking to sound old and out of touch…but as Piers mentioned, is technology simply adding layers or interaction vs adding insight?  big difference. 

anyway, just my thoughts on a Friday as i’ve been up since 4am with a 10-week-old and my mind has been churning on this.  any thoughts are good thoughts…would love to hear yours.

I know this isn’t supposed to be a “corporate” site…but I couldn’t resist sharing this post from our agency blog about a new project we have rolling out the door.  I’m not working on it…and honestly don’t know much about it…so I guess I’m using that as my “excuse” as to why it’s ok to share it here.

http://www.liberateyourbrand.us/blog/work/art-on-the-move/

Saw this in a local biz rag here in town…the International Photography Hall of Fame is moving into one of the abandoned warehouses on Chouteau’s Landing. 

This run down area just south of the Arch has been the target of multiple redevelop plans…from condos to schools to parks.  But as I understand, there is a single owner who for decades was looking for a “winner take all bid” vs selling out building by building. 

If indeed this is the first step in revitalizing a highly visible yet extremely dilapidated part of town, I will be extremely pleased. 

St. Louis has been about five years behind mainstream real estate trends.  During the housing boom, the powers that be couldn’t get out of each others way in developing the Washington Ave Loft District…so by the time much of the developers had wondering living spaces done, the economy was heading into the crapper…as the dozens of “Lofts Available” signs attest.

But this is an interesting step…because it’s a shot in the arm to a growing art community.  The White Flag Project has drawn national attention, and the expansion of the St Louis Art Museum is in the works. 

I could see, say, Webster University pitching a tent down in this area for their photography & visual communication students…and maybe some cheap lofts for artists to work/live/play…

Something to keep an eye on…

as an experiential marketing agency, it wouldn’t be odd for me to be promoting our new tour with Dickies, or the work we’re doing for Major League Baseball who’s bringing the All Star Game to town this summer. 

But what’s making the most news is our digital content develop and management group.  With a history of producing large events & business meetings for clients like Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, John Deere and others, we’ve always had a solid “A/V” squad. 

But as technology evolved, so have we…and are no one of the top providers (create, produce & manage) of digital content in the MidWest.  Our work is seen on digital billboards from Times Square to LA, and is now finding it’s way to Las Vegas and baseball stadiums around the country. 

For more info, check out this post.

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