the world beyond recruiting

Happy Avatar Day. Today is the day that James Cameron’s Avatar most likely surpasses Titanic as the top grossing film of all time. Proving that technology really is taking over our lives. It now dominates movies, too. I know Avatar is the first movie I’ve ever liked, strictly because of the effects. Digital effects are never supposed to be the star of a film–or so I thought–but that’s the case for Avatar.

I’ll be interested to see what James Cameron will do around 2019 to top this. Maybe he’ll create the first film experience where local actors in costumes are hired to come out of the screen and interact with the crowd during the film. Theaters across the country, and worldwide, will spend thousands installing new IMAX movie screens with doors in them… But until that day, I guess we’ll have to watch this outdated 3D stuff.

• The Hurt Locker has been voted best film by the Producers Guild of America. Really glad to see this film getting the praise it deserves.
• As mentioned, Avatar, with an estimated $1.841 billion in worldwide boxoffice, is expected to pass Titanic as the top grossing film of all time.
• Conan O’Brien’s final Tonight Show aired on Friday. In case you didn’t see it, here it is on Hulu.
• Speaking of Hulu, Nielsen is preparing a system to include all ad-supported online TV watching in their ratings.
  
• AdAge: Why This $3 Million Baby Is Back on the Super Bowl
• Jeff and Erin are getting married!!! Who are Jeff and Erin? I have no idea, but their Hollywood blockbuster trailer-style “save the date” video is fairly epic. I kind of want to crash their wedding…but I’ll probably be busy on 10/09/10.
• In a somewhat uncomfortable situation, the “Pants on the Ground” guy performed a private show for the Minnesota Vikings. (The Vikings are on the ground after blowing that game against the Saints. At least, Favre is.)
• And, did you hear the White House has it’s own iPhone app? Press Secretary Robert Gibbs loves it!

Brian Laesch has compiled these links for Eleventh Hour’s “beyond the world of recruiting” blog.

The high-quality video-hosting Hulu is always good for catching up on your favorite TV shows like The Office or Family Guy, but it’s especially useful for catching classic holiday-themed material. For example, here is the classic “alternate ending” of It’s a Wonderful Life from the Dana Carvey era on Saturday Night Live:

Or how about the entire “A Charlie Brown Christmas” here:

See what I mean? And those are just the tip of the iceberg. I have no idea what it’s like to watch “drama” on Hulu, but I’m sure there are some more serious holiday classics on the site as well.

And if you are looking for something a little more contemporary, here is last night’s “A Very Gilly Christmas” from SNL:

I don’t exactly understand the “Gilly” character. Maybe SNL just wanted to feature Kristin Wiig since she’s hilarious…but it’s pretty weird. Whatever though, the show features great holiday-related skits from throughout SNL’s history. It further drives home my whole “great place for the holidays” thing. But I will say, I hope you have a better, actual physical place to go for the holidays, and that it involves family and good friends. Hulu is better visited with loved ones. Trust me.

Brian Laesch wishes you and yours a Happy Hulu-stimulated holiday season.

Welcome back to Around the Creative World. “We’re like fire and ice, taking over the whole world.” Today is Tuesday, December 8th, 2009.

I kind of feel like Conan O’Brien doing a monologue right now. Why? Because, unlike some past “shows,” I know today’s list of links is good. Not that others have been bad…but, I’m especially excited about today’s crop of URLs.

As Diddy always says, annoyingly, on Twitter, “LET’S GO PEOPLE!!!!”

• Let’s start this morning off right with a little Rhianna featuring Shy Ronnie. (I can’t believe how sick this track is, bro.)
• That’s not doing it for you? OK, watch this new UPS White Board ad while I find a better link.
• Oh. Here it is… Complete episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 are now streaming on Hulu. Merry Christmas.
• The United States government has deployed Lil Wayne to Mexico to battle Mexican drug cartels. Operation “Weezy F. Baby” is in full effect. Nancy Reagan must be so proud.
• NBC Universal’s Jeff Zucker praises the Comcast deal. (I didn’t really read this article. I just wanted to namedrop Jeff Zucker.)
• Twilight’s rein at the top over? Somewhere a fake vampire teen is crying…but The Blind Side has taken over the top spot at the box office. Yes! Jocks win again!
• AdvertisingAge: Google Goes After Social-Network Search With Facebook, MySpace
• JetBlue releases a holiday gift guide “for those times when you’re not on JetBlue.” I need one of those “knee jockeys”…for real.
• Quenton Tarantino is featured in a random commercial for Japan’s Softbank here.
• American kids love Paraguay’s Pulp Cola! (Even though I think this actor is 33.)
• North American Breweries is planning to display the world’s largest beers at their headquarters in Rochester, NY. (Is Tuesday morning too early to be thinking about beer?)
• Anybody else notice the cool Popeye logo on Google today? For that matter, does anyone in the world have a day where they don’t use Google?
• Russell Simmons and Global Grind have acquired CelebrityTweet. I’m guessing that the name Russell Simmons is what makes this acquisition a story.
• On that note,  I leave you with the latest effort from the newly-signed Def Jam artist (not really) Shy Ronnie. (Yes, again.)

Brian Laesch will someday retire from the link-compiling game. But until that day, he’s known as the “Best Link Compiler Alive.”

In an attempt to celebrate the end of the week, here is what I like to call a “viral buzz.” It may be a term that is a little too…”markety”…but it definitely describes what I am going for.

This is another Andy Samberg/Lonely Island/SNL effort, now featured on FunnyOrDie.com. (I’m trying to drop as many names as possible.) The ending isn’t supposed to make sense. I didn’t like the initially, but it’s grown on me since the rest of the video is funny. At the least, the song and video are catchy. You’ve gotta hand it to Andy Samberg/Lonely Island/SNL. They definitely make things that stick in your brain, for some reason.

“I’m not part of your system, I’m an adult.”

Truer words have never been spoken. This song is so deep that I don’t even know how to explain how deep it is. It’s mad deep. And if you don’t like this blog, I don’t care. Throw your laptop on the ground to get back at me. I’m not part of your blogosphere system, I’m an adult.

Brian Laesch is an adult.

Welcome back to Around the Creative World. Today is 9/29/09. I really should have done that 9.9.9 joke this week. 9.29.09 works better than 9.23.09. Oh well. Live and learn. The next time one of these unique dates comes around, I’ll be ready to poke fun at the next preceding date that is best served for the purpose of a marketing phenomena to sell movies, etc. But for now…here are some links from around the creative worlds of advertising, marketing, entertainment, the Internet and more…

• AdAge: Can Twitter Rake in the Ads to Justify $1 Billion Valuation? If CNN’s Rick Sanchez has anything to say about it! You can bet your fotos del dia on it.
• Burger joint Red Robin has had some success on Facebook. (Disclosure: I was moved to post this link due to a craving for Red Robin.)
• Secret Service is investigating a Facebook poll regarding Obama. I won’t even repeat the question, but it’s horrible. What is wrong with people?
• Here’s a cool new Gillette commercial featuring Atlanta Falcons’ Quarterback Matt Ryan. So glad that football is back. (What? Is Week 4 too late to say that?)
• Are you ready for live CNN video news feeds via your iPhone? I know I am…but first I need the iPhone.
• Here’s a weird/very creative way to visualize just how fast Comcast High-Speed Internet with PowerBoost is.
• Apparently, I’m the only one who finds this Apple Store love song annoying. BrandFreak likes it, and it has a high rating on YouTube. It’s making me feel like I’m 60 years old, wondering what’s wrong with the youth today. Oh well. Gotta go tend the garden. I’ll be right back.
• OK, I’m back from tending the garden. Speaking of gardening, Australia would not let me into their country if I really was. Good thing I just made that up for the purpose of illustrating that I’m feeling older.
• Google Wave invitations (100,000) start going out tomorrow. Is it time for the next big shift in the technological plates that make up the Internet? Is this like a reverse-Pangaea effect? Am I getting too cute with this link? My bad.
• Here is the entire pilot episode for The Cleveland Show on Hulu. I haven’t watched it yet, but I’m a fan of the Family Guy, and my brother interviewed to be a production assistant on this show, so I figured it was worth posting.
• Have I mentioned that Eleventh Hour is on Twitter?

Brian Laesch has written for 11thr, The Rundown, BrianLaesch.com and a desktop folder full of scripted material that nobody will read.

Over the last couple weeks, Eleventh Hour has been flipping channels on our tube in hopes of finding some new primetime shows to invest our quality time in.  The ones that hit our radar may need a little more convincing after only an episode or two but a couple new comedies have some promise.  11thr is also excited for the return of a couple classic comedies making their return to our DVR lists.  Below are the shows we are connecting with.  See if you agree?

Newbees:

• Modern Family has a similar Arrested Development feel; pushing the envelope of family interaction.  It’s ok because it YOUR FAMILY, right?  A zany, dry comedy is right up 11thr’s alley.  Hulu allows you to check out the pilot and other tidbits from the show.

• Community is another half hour comedy starring Joel McHale with some guidance from Chevy Chase.  With a diverse cast and some over the top characters, Community may have landed something here.  Spanish class led by Senor Chang, played by Ken Jeong (The Hangover, Knocked Up) highlighted last night’s episode.  Check out the La Biblioteca rap from Abed and Troy.
• Cougartown is the latest effort from Courtney Cox to maintain a career on TV.  Although advertisements can be seen on almost every street corner in the greater Los Angeles area, I’m unsure how long the cougar-hype will last.  The premise is very current with those being divorced being back on the prawl along with the issue of beauty and aging.  It remains to be seen if Cox and crew can keep the viewers clawing for more. Here’s the pilot thanks to ABC.com.

Oldies But Goodies:

• It’s Always Sunny in Philadephia is back for season 5 and still up to the same ‘ol high jinks.  The gang attempted to see the Grand Canyon on last nights episode, with little luck.  If you’ve seen the show you know laughs come with the package.  If you haven’t seen the show, what are you waiting for?  The entire cast will be at the Hollywood Palladium this evening for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The Nightman Cometh Live.
• The Office is still one of the top primetime comedy running.  Dunder Mifflin is getting an addition to the family this season along with Michael sharing management duties.  Hulu is again the place to be to see all your season 6 episodes along with past Office installments.
• Curb Your Enthusiam and Larry David are ready for their biggest season yet.  The 7th season has Larry coping with his separation from his wife and trying to swing a Seinfeld reunion show.  The cast of Seinfeld will be apart of Curb for a 4 episode run which is sure to cause a ruckus for former Seifeld followers.

Overall original TV is back and 11thr is tuning in.  We’ll see in a couple weeks if the newbees continue to stick with our oldie favorites.

Matt Suttner needed to take advantage of Hulu more often after seeing the bottomless list of free episode of current and classic TV.

Happy Monday from Eleventh Hour (a boutique agency specializing in the recruitment of skilled personnel).  As per usual, I’ve decided to provide some interesting links from around the “creative world.”  This pretty much encompasses advertising, marketing, entertainment, social media and anything else I find interesting.

You ready?  OK.

• The characters from Mike Tyson’s Punchout (minus Mike Tyson) are back, including Little Mac, for the Nintendo Wii.
• McDonald’s massive McCafe marketing blitz includes a “roadblack” on Hulu.  You know…because annoyances sell.
• Speaking of online ad interruptions, ShortTail Media’s D30 will soon be beta-testing traditional spots between web pages.
• Kool-Aid Man is back! In your face, Soda!
• Slap Chop remix may salvage the career of Vince Shlomi (the ShamWow guy).  Seriously, this remix is sick.  If I don’t hear it in a club soon, I’ll be disappointed.
• TBS wonders if you remember Borat.
• Did you know that tiny poor people live under the seats in your cars?  Yeah, it’s weird.  I had no idea.  Oh yeah…they also welcome the idea of a single McDonald’s french fry falling into their world.
• AdFreak’s Tweetfreak is up and running.  The amount of websites that expand upon the “Twitter experience” blows my mind…and makes me want to get out of the house more.
• Coca-Cola releases summer-themed cans.
• Current released another Twitter-themed video.  This one is about the celebrities on Twitter.  Again, after I saw this, I felt like getting out of the house more.
• CNN: “Standup comedy enters Twitter era” Me: “My head is going to explode.”

Brian Laesch can be found @blaesch.  Eleventh Hour can be found @11thr.

It has been announced that The Walt Disney Company has agreed to join NBC Universal, FOX Entertainment Group (News Corp.) and Providence Equity in a collective partnership with Hulu.

Hulu, known for their online commercial supported streaming video of TV shows and movies, will now be showing shows and movies from networks such as ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel, Soapnet, Comedy Central, PBS, USA Network, Bravo, Fuel TV, FX, Speed Channel, Sci Fi, Sundance, E!, G4, Versus, and Oxygen.

“From our landmark iTunes deal to our pioneering decision to stream ad-supported shows on our ABC.com player, Disney has sought to meet the constantly evolving viewing habits of our consumers,” Robert A. Iger, Disney’s president and chief executive, said in a statement. “Today’s Hulu announcement is the next extremely important step in that ongoing journey.”

The biggest reason for the move is for Disney to reach an audience that isn’t coming to their own site.  Hulu offers a whole new audience of viewers.

Eleventh Hour has also learned that Disney will also obtain three seats on the Hulu board.

The question now is when CBS will jump on board with Hulu.

Matt Suttner thinks Hulu will soon take over the world as depicted in their Super Bowl ad.

Matt is right. I am upset about that Bulls blowout in Game 3. Then, I was really happy after Game 4. And now, I’m depressed again after Game 5. That’s the funny thing about the NBA Playoffs; your perspective on the series, and your team, can change after each game. Which has absolutely nothing to do with these links, other than signaling the type of mood I’m in while posting them.

• Has Twitter reached it’s limit? It’s definitely lost it’s street cred.
• Swine Flu is not helping Mexico’s tourism industry. No brainer here…
• Online ad effectiveness depends on the time of day, says Emma Hall of AdAge.
• Creativity’s current Top 5. It made me want to go to a nightclub. How will it affect you!?
• You hear the one about General Mills recruiting bloggers? No joke.
• eMarketer says “Blogs Are Now Mainstream.” Duh. Brian Williams was talking about our blog on NBC Nightly News last night. (Not true…but it would be a lot cooler if he was.)
• A heroic/disgusting shampoo ad.
• The “slanket” gets free product placement on 30 Rock. Tina Fey, please check out our blog and mention it in the series finale. Thank you.
• Folgers advertising campaigns are past their prime.
• Follow Eleventh Hour on Twitter.
• AOL and Time Warner are breaking up. It’s hard to do.
• Now you can watch TV on Hulu with your Facebook or Myspace friends. This is really cool…but no replacement for watching a show with live friends.

Brian Laesch will be rooting for the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.

Today is the second to last day in March.  Where is time going?  Seriously, how is it almost April?

I’m not complaining about the Spring weather, but, man, time is flying.  And I’m not even having that much fun.

• Bess Bonewits of AdAge believes the new Kevin Garnett G2 ad is insensitive to unemployed.  I don’t agree.
• How to Make Your Online Video Go Viral
• Boston Market goes for the funny.  (I’m posting this because I’m really hungry and it’s almost lunch time.)
• New Hulu ad features Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane as an alien too.
• Bob Knight, Rick Pitino, Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski do the Risky Business thing for Guitar Hero.  File this under the I did not see this one coming category.
• Foreign ads featuring the likeness of President Obama continue to break current U.S. political correctness standards
• Follow 11thr on Twitter.  It’s awesome.
• The ShamWow guy gets arrested. It’s that easy!
• Vending machines are going green. Save the planet with CornNuts.
  
• The freaky, old, dancing Six Flags guy is back!
• Will YouTube become more like Hulu?
• Could Facebook rival PayPal?
• How would you like a doctor to operate on you who was trained through Second Life?  Hmm…

Brian Laesch believes these links will be of interest.