the sniffer

 

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In this podcast, Nora Young talks about Redken’s new “advertainment”, a series of Webisodes where urban hipsters go to smaller communities and discover the arts scene there. Nora thinks it’s a good example of where advertising is headed: towards more ‘experience marketing’, and more adventurous advertising to ‘cut through’ all the ad noise out there.

Meanwhile, Cathi Bond has been sniffing out a big trend. From the interest in pre-revolutionary France, to reports we’re in a new ‘gilded age’ to bling and uber-luxury goods, she predicts the return of neo-baroque excess in decor, fashion and lifestyle. What do you think?

 

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In this podcast, Cathi Bond and Nora Young wonder if it’s possible that there are more people around now with psychiatric problems.  Is it the stress of modern life?

Nora also notes, via the Fast Forward blog and Information Week, a new application called Techrigy, designed for real time monitoring of entries in blogs, looking for damaging entries by employees.  Sensible precaution, or is it time for companies to lighten up and realize they can’t control everything?

In a fashion update, Cathi says according to the ever-reliable JC Report, big shirts are back for gals.

 

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In this podcast, Nora Young talks about Andrew Keen, author of The Cult of the Amateur, about the danger that Web 2.0 and user-generated culture is destroying traditional journalism and arts.

Meanwhile, Cathi Bond discusses this New York Times look at architect-designed plans that you can have customized for $10,000. Would you do this for your home?

 

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In this podcast, Cathi Bond discovers “limb lengthening”. It’s a procedure that started as a painful way of treating people with dwarfism, but now, it’s being used by people who just want to be taller…as a cosmetic procedure! Yikes! (via Better Humans)
Meanwhile, Nora Young has had it with that trendy “this is not a plastic bag” back.  Is the smugness of it worth it for the environmental awareness it creates?  And speaking of fetishized objects, this is the company that makes Nora’s new messenger bag (not a paid endorsement, she just likes it!)  And here’s that site to judge your carbon offset.

 

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In this podcast, Cathi Bond talks about this Business Week story on why Universal Music may want to bow out of its deal with Apple’s iTunes.

Meanwhile, Nora Young looks at the Guardian’s view take on the iPhone. It says Vodafone bowed out of supporting the iPhone because Apple wanted a cut of the revenue. What will be the relationship between content and devices as more and more content is delivered to our mobile doohickies?

 

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In today’s podcast, Nora Young talks about Cool Britannia 2.0: why British style is hot, again.  Consider the Paul Smith store in Manhattan, or GQ’s Brit Style photo shoot. The question is: why?

Meanwhile, Cathi Bond tips us off to this New York Times article on the new IT plant. Bamboo has been hot for a while, but now, researchers have found a way to start new stands of bamboo more easily. Is bamboo the new cotton?

And, Pantone is the organization that declares the new “it” colours.  According to them, this Fall, get ready for waves of intense, super-saturated, bright colours.

 

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Today’s trend podcast is environmental chic.

Cathi Bond looks at a new development in Markham, Ontario.  It pushes all the right buttons: it’s LEED standard, mixed use, but Cathi wonders, is it a bit like Stepford?

Meanwhile, if you’ve got a good green idea, consider entering Amsterdam-based Picnic’s Green Challenge prize for ways to help people “effortlessly” reduce their environmental impact (via WIRED).  Nora wonders if its creating two classes: those who can afford to be eco-chic, and those who can’t.  Also mentioned in this podcast: Greenshift, a company making all kinds of smart gear, like drinking cups that are 100% compostible.

Universal Music Group has seen the future of digital music, and it’s one where Apple’s domination is diminished. The music label is balking at renewing a deal that gives Apple (AAPL) unfettered access to Universal’s massive music catalog and limits Universal’s ability to strike exclusive distribution deals with competing download services. Apple hopes the two companies can still hash out a new agreement. “It’s just not true that they have refused to re-sign,” says Apple spokeswoman Katie Cotton. “We’re still in negotiations, and their music is still on iTunes.” 

To read the rest zip over to our friends at Business Week.

 

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In today’s trendwatching podcast, Nora Young notes that as talk turns to the Web becoming a 3D interface, the word “metaverse” is becoming the new meme for the future of the Web.  She looks at this article in Technology Review on “second earth”, the blending of Second Life style worlds with Google Earth style maps of the real world.

Meanwhile, Cathi Bond considers Life Balance software, a life coach programme to keep you on top of your goals. Are we missing something, though, by farming out these things to software rather than professionals…or ourselves?