At PSFK Conference NYC, Danielle Sacks (Fast Company) led a thought-provoking discussion about the rise of the “New Idea Agencies” - companies that are thinking outside of the traditional client-agency model and creating their own products, brands, and intellectual property to launch direct to market. The panel, featuring Robbie Vitrano (Trumpet), Carl Johnson (Anomaly), Bart Haney (fuseproject), and Ben Malbon (BBH Labs), explained how their companies’ unique business models evolved and the struggles (and benefits) of agencies becoming their own clients.

Developing IP rather than just messaging is clearly an attractive idea. Why build brands that, ultimately, you have no stake in, when you can create your own products and services, under your own supervision and creative direction instead? Agencies like Anomaly and BBH Zag have created their own brands (Avec Eric and Ila, respectively) and are inventing new ways to partner with (or in some cases supercede) clients to create new, truly collaboratively-built brands.

Great panel + a ton of great information and insight. Watch >

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Clear Magazine (based in Royal Oak, MI) has announced the publication of its first tree-less, 100 percent recyclable magazine. Printed on YUPO® synthetic papers, Clear’s latest issue, themed “fame underground,” premiered at December’s Design Miami/Basel festival, where Clear was also a media partner. This environmentally friendly publication is the brainchild of Clear founder and creative director Emin Kadi. [watch video of Emin showcasing “fame underground”]

“Our goal is to provide readers with stunning presentations of the world’s most interesting and creative artists and events. Our new partnership with Yupo allows us to do so in an environmentally responsible, respectful way. Design Miami/Basel is the perfect occasion to share our green accomplishment,” says publisher Emin Kadi.

Clear’s unique, limited edition “green” solution closes the gap on source reduction and recycling. YUPO® is completely waterproof, stain resistant and very durable. YUPO® papers’ light weight allows significant fuel reduction in shipping and a lower overall carbon footprint. Should one wish to dispose of the issue, it may be placed in a recycling bin with any other plastic items, and it will be fully recycled.

It’s great to see such an amazing innovation in the magazine/publishing industry coming from right here in Royal Oak. Congratulations to the Clear Team! Also be sure to check out the newly relaunched ClearMag.com for the latest issue(s), blog, videos, etc.

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Spotted @ DesignBoom >

kaikai kiki will be participated in design miami for the first time this year. the studio will present a number of decorative and functional object designed by takashi murakami. the works are based on murakami’s art and present his vision of a ‘superflat’ world, in which there is no distinction between high and low cultures. among the items on show are gigantic plush flowerball cushions, carpets, wallpaper, a sofa, and fine jewelry based on murakami’s signature flower motif. rings and charms will also feature the flowers and other well-known kaikai kiki imagery, like the dokuro skull with flower eyes and the kinoko multi-eyed mushroom.

On view @ DesignMiami 12.03.08 - 12.06-08

Visit > kaikai kiki

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Another great video from TED! 

At the 2008 Serious Play conference, designer Tim Brown talks 28 minutes about the powerful relationship between creative thinking and play.
Tim Brown, President and CEO of the multidisciplinary design firm IDEO, tells how we can learn the most from our shortest creators. Kids can inform our outlook on creativity by looking at exploration, building and role playing, as he explained, “forgetting the adult behaviors that are getting in the way our ideas.”

Watch it HERE.

Source > Osocio

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Another Classsic!

A tribe is any group of people, large or small, who are connected to one another, a leader, and an idea. For millions of years, humans have been seeking out tribes, be they religious, ethnic, economic, political, or even musical (think of the Deadheads). It’s our nature.

Now the Internet has eliminated the barriers of geography, cost, and time. All those blogs and social networking sites are helping existing tribes get bigger…. read more.

You can purchase the book here.

Or download the audiobook here for FREE!

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