Discover beauty where least expected

The famous violinist Joshua Bell played incognito at a metro station in Washington D.C. and hardly anyone had the time to linger and listen during rush hour traffic. This video was uploaded in 2007 but Facebook users are spreading the video now, 5 years later.

Mr. Bell played for 45 minutes and made $32; only two days prior he sold out at a theatre in Boston where the seats went for an average of $100. On their routine way to work only 6 people took the time to stick around and listen. They received a $100 performance without knowing it.

Social media channels live from their fast spreading and up-to-date news. But we cannot forget that the people ‘make’ social media and an incident like this one is timeless and so is the message it delivers.

The experiment was conducted by the Washington Post to get answers to the following questions:
Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

Their conclusion:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

So remember to take a break and just listen and you might perceive beauty where least expected! 

‘You wanna be on top?’- Social media vote on America’s Next Topmodel

The producers of the US reality TV show have understood how crucial social media is. They are making YOU, the viewer, the 4^th judge by including a social media vote into the contest.

The fans not only get to vote, they can submit their own video (here) and a few lucky participants even get to be on TV! The video component is provided by Realtidbits which helps the show to expand their social element.

This marketing strategy aims at increasing viewer engagement, which can also be seen on their social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, where comments and shares on judging day increase rapidly.

It all comes down to the America’s Next Topmodel slogan, and they ‘wanna be on top’. I am sure the other countries, where this show is being produced, will pick up on this strategy and I can’t wait to also submit a video on Germany’s Next Topmodel!

Take a seat, no CHAIR and have a look at Facebooks first ad

The ad agency Wieden + Kennedy (also known for working with Nike) created the advertisement. 

Quite confusing comparisons take place, apparently Facebook is like a CHAIR and other unrelated objects such as doorbells, planes oh yeah and the universe.  

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg states in a news post, “For the first time in our history, we’ve made a brand video to express what our place is on this earth. We believe that the need to open up and connect is what makes us human. It’s what brings us together. It’s what brings meaning to our lives.”

Dear Mr. Zuckerberg, that all sounds like a great concept behind that ad, but why CHAIRS? 

Apparently I am not the only one asking myself this question...

 What do you think? Is Facebook just an empty chair at the table of life? ;)