Suspenseful Marketing - Verbal Aikado - The discovery of new methods of Meaning

Creating a demand before the INITIAL REVEAL. Anticipation and suspense are effective tools when establishing a buzz for a specific launch. Steve Jobs of Apple embraces suspense on any new product he discusses. Steve Wynn in Las Vegas reinvents the town he re-established using suspense in his reveal of his new properties, and even J.J. Abrams (writer of V Shows Lost & Alias) is now applying the trick to his unnamed monster movie slated for 1.18.08. The true magic is finding a balance between what will be revealed and what information to pull out later.

The movie industry has embraced the method as a tool deemed trailers, TV shows uses the terms cliffhangers. These designed tools are to grasp the audience and unfulfill their insatible needs to understand the bigger picture. The suspense causes angst in not knowing what will happen next and create an emotional response to be prolonged until the next episode. Design and marketing usually have a reveal after the creative process that hardly uses the technique. However could advertising and marketing tools be adept to utilize this method in causing sensationalism or unperceived expectations of a product or service forthcoming? An audience loves to be teased and tested. Only the daring of companies risk their fortunes on suspenseful campaigns so far the products / services and companies leading the pack are in the clients perception leaders of the pack.

- Side bar -

Through a mutual friend, I was introduced to Jon Forrests site on Verbal Aikado (www.verbalaikido.com), a unique subject that will be a fascinating read. I will post more on a creative adaptation of the subject soon. Check back for more details.

-MThree

A Different Approach

The following is very religious and somewhat disturbing to some and it might open a can of worms to others. I merely decided to post the conversation due to the amazing discussions created since its first inception. Also for the record, the following are mere thoughts, not factual, just thoughts that may need exploring..without revealing the subject I will have a disclaimer at the bottom of this blog as well.

“Just a thought, after having a conversation with a friend, we dove into a spiritual conversation about how we could be deceived (so easily) by a prophecy and the so called Mark of the beast. I have put the Bible passage here for you to read,”

Mark of the beast required:
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16-17

The Bible specifically does say, “He deceived them that had received the mark of the beast” (Revelation 19:20). Notice carefully. Those who receive the mark are deceived. Therefore the 666 and the Mark of the Beast must involve some sort of subtle deception. That is, it must not be too obvious or easily noticed. If it were, how could almost the entire world be mislead? Jesus warned us that Satan’s deceptions are so tricky they can “‘deceive, if possible, even the elect’ ” (Matthew 24:24, NKJV).

Does the mark of the beast look nice?
The mark of the beast will look attractive and beautiful. It will please the senses and will excite the admiration of those who see it. Most people who wear it will be proud to have it.

The mark will be plainly visible for all to see. Your friends and family will be able to see if you have received the mark. Your employer can look at you and see the mark. When you go shopping the store clerk will be able to see if you are wearing the mark of the beast.

What could this mark be?
Our conversation was to explore what mark could be easily overlooked or even embraced by all yet be so elegantly deceiving for those whom may not be paying attention? Such a great arguement to explore and discover. What we uncovered however has been stiring up certain circles of influence and has caused a few people to question a theory as more than just that. The original separation of Man and God happened in Genesis, when sin was created by man through eating fruit from a particular tree. The tree of knowledge that bore a particular fruit (apples). How ironic that such a simple symbol could imply so much? Sin/Separation truly a unique perspective from a deceitful point of view. Realize how innocent Apple is. iPods, iPhones, iMacs, iTunes have become more and more popular, useful and to a degree needed daily.

As a designer I love Macs®, I love the technology Apple® has developed, it’s unique and fun and very useful, does this mean that I have beguilled to temptations and I have embraced a sign that I ought not to? A bold question. It becomes more disturbing when you see patrons of the iShuffle wearing their mp3 around their necks close to their hearts. Each device is hand held (possible relationship to the hand) and each device has a number or marking on the piece. Could those innocent music boxes be a sign of the demon? Or is this a figment of a wildly expressive imagination. Your thoughts and comments are welcomed.

Disclaimer: I own an iPod, iShuffle, and many macs for my design firm. I love the iPhone, in no way should the thoughts of this blog mean to discredit or disway you from purchasing or still using any Apple® product. This blog is a merely an artistic expression of thought. What do you think the mark could be?

M3 EXPOSED! - It’s Fun to Mock!

Happy Friday and end of August to all. Summer is becoming a faded memory and fall is almost upon us. I have witnessed Halloween and Christmas material infecting certain stores already. (shocking!) At the end of Summer is usually a good time to re-evaluate the year and see how much on or off course the years projections are. Although this year has been a drastic year of changes and adaptations, relationships and business dealings have been cemented and more fruitful than ever before. This month DesignerID will post an Interview of me that was conducted over several months ago. It will be my official first interview for any publication. I have been so excited that I contacted Brian of Designer ID to send me some files of his ad campaign, because for fun, I wanted to make a joke of a picture photographed by Shane O’Neal of me that I always thought was hilarious. I tweaked with the ad by adding some elements to connect the artwork with the designer and the actual link to my profile – again I just did this for fun, the ad was created as a joke to pay homage to Brian at DesignerID. Now the photo has a life of its own and now its beginning to make waves in the designer PR circles.

It is posted now. Check it out.
http://designburn.typepad.com

I am amazed how having fun poking at oneself can get so much publicity these days. I can relate to Miss Teen South Carolina, aka the “such as” woman. Over 8 million hits later (you tube) everyone knows her as the MapGal, (Caitlin Upton) and how ironic, a select few even paid attention to who won the contest. (Hilary Cruz, Miss Colorado, Miss Teen USA 2007).

My favorite YouTube link on Miss Teen South Carolina:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR75L08SBHo

Her Bio:
http://www.misssouthcarolinausa.com/aboutteentitleholder.html

The irony of why I talk about her is although she blundered on national TV, she also created a hype machine about herself . After – digging deeper into who she is and what she wants to be I discovered she wants to do was rather shocking!!!

She promotes GRAPHIC DESIGN! (Help us all.)

(I’ still chewing on the thought - if this declaration is another challenge for the profession or another opportunity to promote Graphic Design and discount designers as non-intelligent strategists or artists)

Miss South Carolina web site states:
Caitlin is a talented artist with a focus in the area of graphic design. She has received “Star Student” awards in both Photoshop and Advertising Design. She holds a student government office as President of Skills USA. Her career goals include earning a four-year Graphic Design degree. Ultimately Caitlin aspires to create special effects for television and movies.

(personally I think she should venture into modeling more and stand up comedy, she is quite hilarious, maybe The reality show Sunset Tan is looking to challenge the Ollygirls ? )

Enjoy the mockery and the YouTube surfing, and just remember
“even when you fall getting back up can be a great opportunity.” - DM3