The hard work is over .. and all the Loerie finalists have been announced.
Last week Thursday the digital panel met at The Grand Daddy hotel to cast their votes. This year the Loerie committee entered the digital age with the procedure by introducing electronic judging. Each jury member received an iTouch device (basically an iPod Touch – but there was very little time to listen to music) with a Loerie App that logged onto the voting site. Each finalist was then reviewed and the votes were cast (in private).
I was concerned that we would not have time to get through all 101 entries, but Andrew Human runs a tight ship. By 5:15pm we were ready for cocktails. Kudu’s must go to the panel this year for keeping the atmosphere professional, mature and with much needed humour.
I look forward to seeing the results on 24 September in Cape Town.
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With the aid of a loop pedal, a harmonica, beat-boxing skills and a syrupy voice, Dave Ferguson is a veritable one-man band. His live shows are rapidly becoming legendary, and every performance is different, with each track been made piece by piece in real time.
We had the pleasure of rocking to Dave last night right here at the Patrol HQ. We first caught a glimpse of the talented bluesman at the Design Indaba in February and we’ve been hooked since. In fact we’ve done our utmost to grab a CD but apparently he doesn’t have one. You’ve got to catch this man live.
For those of you who have not witnessed his live act check this out:
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I had the honour of answering a few questions from the team behind 10and5 this week. It was great because it gave me the opportunity to climb on board the DeLorean and take a look at what I’ve been through. We’ve come a long way us digital plebs … yes indeed. Could we finally be on the brink of something truly great? I’d like to think so.
We get into this as well as talent, agencies and a bit about that Windhoek thing.
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We’re thrilled to have our dedicated patrol team expand yet again with the introduction of Umar, who’s recently joined the ranks to bring some much-needed Flash skills on board.
This morning we provided him with the necessary SpacePatrolCar Survival Manual, a set of headphones (he’s gonna need em) and dozens of red metallic balloons to say welcome aboard. We’re pretty chuffed.
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The idea is so simple you’re going to wonder why it hasn’t been done before: a virtual run club.
Imagine running whenever it suited you and at your own pace … but still enjoy the motivation you get from comparing your performance with others. You can now. With the soon-to-launch Adidas Virtual Run Club.
How it Works
It’s very simple. All you need to do is (a) join a club, (b) start your own … or (c) run alone. Then upload your distance and time after each run.
Join a Club: Browse from the existing list and decide on one that appeals to you. The Club does not necessarily have to be in your area. You may join as many clubs as you wish and at any time. Each time you upload a run, the information will be added to the group distance, time and pace statistics of all the Clubs you belong to.
Start a Club: Decide on a name for your Club and add a short description. It will then be added to the list for other Run Club members to browse and join. If you have family and friends that also enjoy running we suggest you notify them and ask them to become members. Each time you capture a run it will be added to your club total.
Run Alone: Each run you upload will be added to you personal overall total. No other Run Club member’s will have access to your personal performance data. Although, you will not be able to compare your own performance against those of the group, which is a pity, because the real benefit lies in comparing performance.
The Virtual Run Club let’s you run your way and still be part of the team.
Hit the road. Then share it.
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Answer: It’s Carrotmob.
Carrotmob is a method of activism that leverages consumer power to make the most socially-responsible business practices also the most profitable choices. Businesses compete with one another to see who can do the most good, and then a big mob of consumers buys products in order to reward whichever business made the strongest commitment to improve the world. It’s the opposite of a boycott.
Imagine that. Go Green. Get Greenbacks. What a fabulous idea! We wish we had thought of this. In fact I believe we should all plan an event in our area. What do you say?
We’ve been truly inspired recently at the annual International Design Indaba. An event which celebrates the human creative spirit as much as it suggests we should all self-reflect and realise that we are an amazing design. Yes. WE are the most incredible design.
Nothing can put this observation more perfectly than this clip … recently posted on Matthew Buckland‘s site.
Feeling the pressure of not knowing what the hell is going on? Trying to co-ordinate your news feeds from Google, Alerts, Facebook status and Twitter? Us too. We asked Futureman.
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Why you should consider becoming a patrolman.
Because you’re smart. You’re passionate about designing and building breathtakingly beautiful online marketing campaigns that bring real returns for our clients. And because you want to work in a place with people just like you. A place where we wear our common sense, not suit and ties. Where you get a really big monitor. Or two. And where you wake up in the morning excited to go to work because you live in Cape Town.
Come hang you hat with us. And rock it hard.
How to apply:
Send us an email at info@spacepatrolcar.com. Tell us why you’re next in line to wear the badge. And remember we’re human beings and not a recruitment agency so don’t bore us to tears with your standard cover letter and dry CV. We want it straight up.
Positions Available
.Net Developer
Job Outputs
• The design and development of campaign-related customer databases
• Finding new and innovative ways of improving the user experience through front-end scripting
• Work with designers to find unique ways of using and displaying collected data
• The development of Admin consoles, Content Management and reporting systems for campaign websites
• The development of social media components – email interfaces, Facebook apps, sharing mechanisms
• Adhere to well-crafted pixel perfect design set forth by Snr Design Director
Skills and Competencies
• ASP.net 2.0 (C#)
• (X)HTML
• JavaScript (incl. AJAX)
• CSS
• XML
• Microsoft SQL Server 2000 / 2005
• Microsoft Access
• MySQL Server
• Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005
• Microsoft Visual Studio .Net 2005 / 2008
• Macromedia Dreamweaver
• Macromedia Fireworks
• Ability to work well and contribute within a creative environment essential
Qualifications and Experience
• 2 / 3 + years web development experience
• Formal Degree / Diploma not essential – Experience and portfolio must be strong
• Willing to work in an energetic ‘start-up like’ environment with a small team
• You believe your most exciting work is yet to come
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Flash / Interaction Developer
Job Outputs
• Develop a clean codebase of ActionScript-driven Flash with programmatic motion at the core
• Interface with back-end programming team to implement web applications
• Maintain high standards when creating wireframes, architecture diagrams and prototypes (documenting development solutions and system architectures neatly and clearly for team members and clients)
• Adhere to well crafted pixel-perfect design set forth by Snr Design Director
• Work closely with Designers and Programmers to solve technical and usability issues and execute solutions
• Understand new Flash (and mobile) technologies and recommend where and how to implement them
• Understand consistent user experience across various devices and platforms
• Assist in the creation and execution of the interaction development process and standards
Skills and Competencies
• Actionscript 2.0 / 3.0 / building reusable and well-structured classes and design patterns
• Understanding and execution of OOP
• Solid data integration knowledge (via Webservices, XML, XPath, SQL …)
• Show ability to extend core functionality of Flash via classes
• Insatiable curiosity; intrigued by the fusion of technology and design
• Working knowledge of Flash CS3, Flexbuilder, AIR, Papervision 3D
• Mobile application experience would be a bonus
Qualifications and Experience
• 4 + years digital experience
• Degree / diploma not necessary – Experience and portfolio needs to speak for itself
• Advantages: experience in digital agency or advertising field, front-end design skills
• Willing to work in an energetic ‘start-up like’ environment
• You believe your best work is yet to come
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Let’s hear from you.
Shoo. What a year 2008 has been.
How did it get so late so soon?
It’s night before it’s afternoon.
December is here before it’s June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
Dr. Seuss
Mostly, we’re glad we’re not bankers. And secondly … we’re grateful that we get to do what we do: create. It’s like a license to thrill. Even our brothers and sisters at 24.com peer into our messy, noisy, chaotic corner and ask if they can join in the fun. “Of course!” we say … we have a deadline looming and need all the help we can get. Oh it’s great to be in this game. Even when the rest of the world seems bleak … no … especially when the rest of the world is bleak, it’s creativity, resourcefulness and entrepreneurship that’s needed. And that’s what we enjoy doing.
We’ve had a great year and thanks to all our clients who have been brave with our ideas we salute you. Viva 2009! Viva!
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