Take a look at this brilliant video, done for LG’s Play the Impossible campaign.

I love the way they play around with the landmark. Not to mention the way they use a movement reminiscent of the numerous photographs out there playing with perspective (sun between your fingers anyone?).

The two youngsters are soooo right as Londoners having a bit of fun and I especially like the shy visitor that one of them teases.

Would love to see more of this.

———
Found it: Guardian Viral Video Chart: London’s turning

A lovely surprise this morning in Trafalgar Square. (more…)

I really wish I could use a photograph of John Cleese from Fawlty Towers in this post or some of his memorable lines to the German tourists (you have to watch it if you haven’t even though I can’t imagine anyone has missed it).

I digress.

Visit Britain just published some tips on welcoming overseas visitors to the UK.

Britain’s national tourism agency has extensively revised its markets and trends profiles as part of its campaign to help enhance cultural awareness, avoid misunderstandings and boost UK performance in caring for customers.

I love the fact that the tips have been written by VisitBritain staff, who are natives of the countries featured. It gives a more personal touch to the advice and even though they can never be absolutely true for everyone they can provide a sufficient guide for people to err on the side of safety rather than just outright insult visitors. I would heartily recommend going through the profiles, even if you are a native of the country in question (or especially then) – you’ll find some surprising bits of info! (more…)

A lovely new project for Athens, Greece just launched, THIS IS ATHENS, brought to life by mindworks.

The idea is that the website can become one big photo-stream for Athens, an opportunity for people to share corners of the city that they love.

Having lived my adolescence and early youth in Athens I know how wonderful it can be. It is great that Breathtaking Athens took the initiative.

Being who I am though I couldn’t help ask the difficult question. (more…)

Chip Conley (pic from the Joie De Vivre Press Room)

I watched this really interesting talk on TED by Chip Conley, CEO of Joie De Vivre, about measuring happiness in staff and guests of his company’s hotels.

Conley realised early on in his career that companies tend to base their strategy on what they can measure and not necessarily everything that is important – counting what can be counted instead of counting what counts (I love that word play). Happiness, Conley maintains, is one thing that brings people fulfilment yet is never measured.

Using the example of Bhutan, with its Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Conley goes on to speak about the need for new ways of measurement which will show the rich complexity of a company’s performance and will allow for new ways to connect with customers.

Conley and Joie De Vivre looked for ‘less obvious’ metrics, based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs concept. They did this in an effort to promote a sense of belonging and to ensure that staff and hotel guests felt connected with the company in more ways than one.

Conley says:

(more…)

Image courtesy of Countryside 2010

Countryside 2010 is a two-week showcase of rural activities, events and attractions in South East England that gives a new view of the countryside and how to enjoy it.

Countryside 2010 comes from the Rural Ways Partnership which is coordinated by the Regional Tourist Board, Tourism South East. It is funded by the Rural Development Programme for England. (see all the FAQ)

The idea is that from 29th May to 13th June the website will promote events that organisers choose to submit to the website, with a view to let people know what’s available and what sort of activities are going on in the country. (more…)

SAVE GREECE: Let's all travel this summer to Greece on Facebook

We believe in personal action, in taking control of the situation, in offering what you can to help in times of crisis. This is why we published the SoMaFusion white paper on Policy and Crisis Communications for the Hospitality Sector.

Others out there believe in making a difference as well. Have you heard of the SAVE GREECE Facebook event? Thousands of people and counting are attending this ingenious ‘event’ and are shouting out about it on Facebook. Have you seen it yet? (more…)

I Has An IDEA! 4/52 Uploaded by Paul Glover on 9 Dec 08, 2.46PM BST

Here is one of those insightful blog posts that I just cannot do anything else but recommend them whole-heartedly.

Tom Murphy wrote on how the wide-eyed enthusiasm of the first days of social media is slowly turning into a one-size fits all box with big words and no new stuff to light a spark.

In effect, our social media gurus have left the world of plain speaking and morphed into the same old habits they decried five years ago.

(…)

Stay away from the light social media gurus. Turn back. Remember the old days (oh 3-4 years ago) when you railed against corporate-speak. Turn back. Rediscover your roots.

Stop inventing silly words and trying to add science where it does not belong.

You remind me of my dad.
(via)

It reminds me so much of what we discuss with Manolis whenever we have a chat about a new client who comes to us with words like synergy and social network.

And it brings a smile to my face when that client works with us to do something that truly makes sense and people enjoy using it.

That’s why we like what we do.

cpil a.k.a. Constantin Pilavios is a Greek Film Director, Producer and Animator. On a more personal note he is one of those talents we simply love.

We are helping him make history

If this works, we’ll make history. I want to produce a short film for the web that will be available to everyone and in any form. We need to raise $35000 in 26 days. The film will be called “Fatherly Love”.
(via)

How about you?

One of those “I need to share this” presentations.

Turkish Airlines gave prospective agencies the challenge of getting people talking about the brief process itself – which I think it’s genius. Moving Brand did something similar these days with their brief for the London brand.

I especially like this line:

compatibility between the client and the agency BREEDS SUCCESS

I would love to learn more about the final pitch and the ones that didn’t make it through – but the presentation is interesting as a snapshot of the journey.

It’s very close to what we believe in here at SoMaFusion – how the journey is something we like to share – the travelogue is part of that.

Let me know if you’ve seen more details anywhere (oh, and keep in mind I sadly don’t read Turkish).