What's a little shaker to do?Mr. Salty looks for love in more places:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdP45YMfIhI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0-IHSWn9yU
Maybe he can work at Hollister
Retail sales are expected to grow about 2.5% this year according to the National Retail Federation and a bunch of other researchers and pundits. Last year was minus 2.5%. (source: Marketing Daily, 1/28/10)
Pop yourself happy
Bubble wrap celebrates its 50th. The inventor was inspired by clouds which seemed to cushion the jostling of the small plane he was in. Not only does it keep stuff from breaking, but a psychological study find that the popping sound reduces stress and leaves the popper feeling less tired. KO your tension here http://www.bubblewrapfun.com/assets/games/bubblePop.html (source: NYTimes, 1/25/10)
One-buck Chucks
Adidas is planning to produce sneakers that sell for 1 euro. The shoes will debut in Bangladesh. It's a marketing double play: Invest in good publicity in developed markets today and brand integration in developing markets for higher-priced sales tomorrow. (source: Trendwatching)
Holy cogitating polyphletics, Batman!
To test the problem-solving ability of slime mold, Japanese scientists challenged one to recreate a super-efficient human system, the Tokyo railway. They placed 36 pieces of food (white specs) where the region's cities are and plopped the mold (yellow spec) in Tokyo's place, then waited to see how it would build its feeding tubes. Instead of the many years humans needed to perfect the system, old slimy managed the task in just 26 hours. And the pattern was nearly identical to the human version. (source: Science, 1/25/10)
The Whopper hangover
Burger King is trying out a new concept, an adult Happy Meal of sorts - a Whopper and a beer from A-B or MillerCoors for $7.99. If all goes well with its debut in South Beach, the Whopper Bar will roll out in NY, LA, and LV. (source: USA Today, 1/22/10)
Can't beat ‘em, buy ‘em
The Humane Society has purchased an undisclosed amount of stock in Dominos, the world's #2 pizza maker. Their hope is to change from the inside how the pigs and chickens the chain uses in their food are treated before they become pepperoni and hot wings. (source: Pizza Marketplace, 1/25/10)
Whew, dodged another one
Statistically, the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year. British behavioral scientists developed a mathematical formula taking into account weather, debt, monthly salary, time since Christmas, time since failed quit attempt, low motivation levels, and the need to take action...and presto change-o, by that day (1/18 this year), we're kicking ourselves for spending too much money on presents, not following through with our New Year's resolutions, and counting the days til the next holiday. So cheer up, the worst is over. (source: MSNBC via Ashley. Tx.)
Coupons a-leaping
The finally tally for 2009 is +27%. This is the first time in 17 years that coupon use grew. (source: Marketing Daily, 1/26/10)
Service
A JetBlue passenger at JFK tweeted that he thought he'd left his sunglasses at a security gate. Shortly, somebody from JetBlue located him, though alas not the specs, to let him know they'd checked it out. (source: The Consumerist, 127/10)
Origami app
Map Squared has employed some nifty geometry to lick the awkwardness of paper maps. Any way you open it, you get all the detail without all the fuss. They started with London; masochists clearly. Photo's boring, design solution's genius. More folding details http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/cliff-kuang/design-innovation/very-low-tech-zoomable-map
(source: Fast Company via Coolhunting.com via Ryan Haigh. Tx.)
Same ole same ole
Last year food and beverage new product launches dropped 30% due to the economy and just too many existing products in some categories. Side dishes, like veggie steam bags, were one of the few categories that grew (16%). (source: QSR/Mintel, 1/26/10)
Wheeeeee
Base jumper and all-around crazy man Felix Baumgartner will attempt to break the world parachuting record by jumping from a balloon at least 120,000 feet. He expects to also break the sound barrier. A pressure suit should keep him from swelling up and blacking out. Stay tuned for views from the helmet cam. Sponsored by Red Bull, of course http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8475288.stm (source: BBC, 1/22/10)
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