Creativitity

Salsa animation que bueno!

2010-03-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

“And Then There Was Salsa” from Frito Lay Dips on Vimeo.

New York City Opera and E.V. White | Partnership Marketing at Its Finest

2009-11-19T12:34:00.000-08:00

On Friday, November 6, I went to the public viewing of the "exploding couture" hanging exhibit (press release) by artist E.V. Day at the New York City Opera's renovated David H. Koch Theater.

This was partnership-marketing at its finest.

Someone with the Opera saw an E.V. Day exhibit in a gallery and inquired at the gallery if the artist would be interested in partnering with them on pieces for their lobby. She was, and was given access to the Opera's massive costume collection. She created the pieces (which are for sale) which will hang in the lobby of the opera for the Fall and Spring seasons.

The costumes cost the artist and the opera nothing, since they were already created and paid for. Since the artist is being given this gigantic gallery (the opera lobby) to show (and potentially sell) her work, I'd assume she was not paid; the opera got an art exhibit for free.

The opera gets an exhibit, something to look at in the lobby, for free.

The artist gets exposure for almost an entire year in front of a well-heeled crowd (except me and all the people who sit with me in the peasants section).

This is partnership marketing. I made that term up. The concept is new to me so I am fascinated with it.

Also...

The opera held a free public viewing. They served free wine and snacks, got to chat up the artist (I think she was there) and got to meet a gallery rep. They also got to page through the opera's season brochure. I attended, drank some wine, saw some art and left with tickets to two shows. Score one for the opera!
More Mark: Press | Email | FaceBook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube | Website | Flickr

Female bodybuilders are the drag queen of of hetero women

2009-11-15T14:47:00.001-08:00

(Source: FreeWilliamsburg) Its universally accepted that female bodybuilders, like drag queens, are an interest we are fascinated or repulsed by, depending on the amount of make up and bronzer. This video features older tanned muscle women posing and bumping like they're in on the joke, which makes it more fun to watch. I don't like the song.

Business cards sell Orlando with photos

2009-11-10T05:06:00.000-08:00

Thomas Thorspecken of Analogue Artist Digital World at Taco Truck Taste Test #2 | July 28, 2009

Seth Kubersky of the Orlando Weekly (who wrote this great article about Taco Truck Taste Test) and Genevieve Barnard of Voci Dance at Taco Truck Taste Test #3 | August 22, 2009

Brendan O'Connor and Jeremy Seghers (producer of the best show at Fringe 2009) MOOM #2 | July 24, 2009 | The next MOOM is November 20, 2009

Terry Olson with the City of Orlando and Adam Natale, Director of Membership for Fractured Atlas, at Adam's presentation about Fractured Atlas at Maitland Art Center | August 25, 2009

Emma Kruch of United Arts at Mobile Art Show #1 | August 5, 2009

Twitter's new retweet | Thumbs down

2009-11-10T04:46:00.001-08:00

Tried the new re-tweet feature. Great if you don't desire to add/adjust the content of what you're retweeting, which for me is never the case. When retweeting, I usually change the link, add a new link, add an @ person or shorten the tweet to be more succinct so others can more easily retweet it. So, this tool doesn't work for me. You're not an RSS feed. Don't auto-retweet.

Bergdorf Goodman windows | October

2009-10-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Bike guy

2009-10-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

There's a festival going on (I forgot the name) that is doing stuff all around 14 street in NYC. Here's one "event" I happened to walk by. No idea what he was doing, but I liked it.

Dick Chicken pizza and Mister Burns

2009-10-02T10:27:00.001-07:00

Specials | Free tacos on the High Line

2009-10-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

On October 1, 2009, I was 15 minutes early for the 4pm-8pm presentation of Specials at the High Line underneath The Standard Hotel: I had a 6pm movie to catch at Lincoln Center. So I got my free taco, took some photos, got excited about the polaroids on a ring and began my travel back to the subway and up to Lincoln Center for what turned out to be an awful movie: To Die Like a Man. I wish I would have stayed at the High Line. I was told about "Specials" by Orlando-based performance artist Brian Feldman. They did "Specials" in September, but I missed it that night. I am glad I caught it this time. View the slideshow bigger

I like this | it sounds like Rehab

2009-09-22T17:49:00.001-07:00

She took a risk

2009-09-13T22:56:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: They removed the video. It was of Lady Gaga doing a performance at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards aka The VMAs. She ends up with blood on her face hanging by a rope.

Postcard booklet | NEAT!

2009-08-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

I bought this for three bucks in Kissimmee, Florida. I thought it was compact, informative and neat. Its going in the "inspiration" folder.

Poster for Cafe Grumpy's Art Show

2009-08-13T20:20:00.001-07:00

Poster for Cafe Grumpy's Art Show, originally uploaded by TapIt Water.

Glenn Close in our ad

2009-08-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

This is an ad I designed for my culture blog, The Daily City, that appeared in the program for the summer play here in Orlando, War of the Worlds. That photo of Glen was taken at Enzian Theatre by our staff photographer Denna Eramo. She's awesome.

Business cards for Mobile Art Show

2009-07-05T17:03:00.000-07:00

I have this hobby where I blog about Orlando. I am taking it to the streets now with a project called Mobile Art Show.

Target tosses my salad request

2009-06-20T09:52:00.001-07:00

I like writing about larger non-local businesses on The Daily City if I can do it in my own voice and the story is interesting to me. So a few weeks ago I found these salads at the new-ish SoDo Super Target that were almost high-end, but priced cheap. I wrote up a post and emailed Target to see if I could shoot some video inside their store about the salads. They said no. See below.

Dana Nelson and Ted Murphy

2009-06-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

I received the email below from Dana Nelson at SS|PR asking if I'd like to speak with her client, Ted Murphy, about the topic of social media.

I promote you on Facebook, you pay me

2009-06-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

I am a fan of "W Magazine" on Facebook. (facebook.com/markbaratelli, W Mag on Facebook) Their account posts very infrequently, so when I see a piece they post, I go check it out. Today I liked the subject they posted about so much, I shared it on my Facebook Feed.

I should get paid for that.

I deserve a cent or a half-cent or some kind of online credit towards something. Maybe Facebook sets this up for "W Magazine." If I, a user of Facebook, re-post an advertiser's content, I should get paid. And if I am a good user (aka I only post stuff I like and I think my friends would like) then I should get paid more.

Soda machine dress

2009-05-18T09:25:00.001-07:00

Trends via TrendHunter.com.

Bar Fight- Spa Sparkling Water

2009-05-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

(Source)

Wraping paper dresses in Bristol

2009-05-16T06:29:00.001-07:00

Night time window shopping in Bristol, originally uploaded by millyme.

Listen to Marketing over Coffee

2009-05-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

I am a regular listener to Marketing Over Coffee because it consistently gives you solid takeaways every episode. Give it a listen.

Starbucks releases Via

2009-05-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

I signed up to receive Starbucks emails, so I got a sample of Via mailed to me maybe a month or two ago. I didn't try it. Then yesterday I saw it in a Starbucks for the first time while I was visiting Chicago.

Instant coffee. I wonder how it will do. Seems to go against the "back to basics" effort they were going for awhile ago.

I like the in-store display. The human-size cut-outs have the little packet of Via in their pockets, showing you bluntly what its function is: coffee on the go. And I like the water bottle with the little pocket for the little packet of Via.

Chicago public art: bridge sign

2009-05-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

I caught this shitty photo of some cool public art hanging on a fence bordering a road. I was riding by Chicago (to get to Rosemont) and saw this. It's a bunch of cool-colored signs. I forget what they said, but the look of the piece as a whole was neat. Does anyone know what this is and who did it?

Whintey Focus video series

2009-05-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

"Whitney Focus, launched in Spring 2008, is an ongoing series of original video programming produced by the Whitney. These short videos feature interviews with artists and curators, offering a unique and up-close view of Whitney exhibitions and programs." Watch them all

Creative Commons CEO Joi Ito

2009-05-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

"People want to pay to express themselves, not to consume."
This is so ME. The above is a quote from Creative Commons CEO Joi Ito taken from an interview on The Independent's Big Think.

Photo and video rules at Clinton Library

2009-04-26T23:19:00.000-07:00

Visited the Clinton Presidential Library (my photos) and saw this right when you pass through security. Very specific and helpful

Putting a poodle into a snow jacket

2009-04-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

I ask myself "Why would someone film this?" And then I watch it. It's the random things.

Don't give to homeless. Give to the orange box.

2009-04-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

Seen in Little Rock, Arkansas 4-23-09

Seen in Little Rock, Arkansas 4-23-09

Go Green- by lighting up the night

2009-04-25T22:10:00.001-07:00

This building in Little Rock, Arkansas wants to go green, so it leaves these lights on all night. Hmmm...

Magazine dispenser that takes credit cards?

2009-04-25T13:47:00.001-07:00

I walked by this in Little Rock Arkansas April 23, 2009. Never seen one before. Have you?

Book of Lists on CD- Why?

2009-04-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

Miller Davis, Inc. of Salisbury, North Carolina ranks eighth in the Charlotte Business Journal’s Book of Lists, Top Advertising and Marketing Agencies, for 2009. The Book of Lists, described by the Business Journal as an essential tool for doing business in the Charlotte region, was published in the April 3 issue and is available on CD.

ON CD? Wow. Is it 1995?

Street Sign Advertising

2009-04-19T19:00:00.001-07:00

I saw this street sign in Easton, Pennsylvania April 18, 2009, with what basically amounted to directional ads atop it. Is the a new revenue stream for cities and states?

Doritos equals Taco Bell

2009-03-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

I saw this flavor of Doritos for the first time March 27, 2009. To me, it's Doritos trying to align itself with Taco Bell's late-night young adult audience. I think its awesome. Great idea!

Hearst E-Reader launching via E-Ink

2009-03-01T15:51:00.000-08:00

Hearst, owner of several magazines and newspapers, is launching a flexible screen e-reader for it's publishers to brand and sell, built on the technology culled from a company it invested in ten years ago, E Ink, a "Cambridge, Mass.-based startup spun out of research at MIT." I wonder if it will someday include touchscreen capabilities, like the displays E Ink just revealed to the public. Watch it in action

Grafitti: The rich and powerful piss on us

2009-01-22T15:12:00.001-08:00

Graffiti, The Rich and Powerful, originally uploaded by purplemattfish.

Everyone wants to be a rich white woman

2009-01-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

New Dior ad by Sofia Coppola (Source)

Best Viral Videos of 2008: compilation

2009-01-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

The Best VIral Videos Of 2008 Montage - watch more funny videos

Mashup: Nick Jr and Lil Jon

2008-12-05T16:47:00.000-08:00

Crush and 7-Up flavored pound cake?

2008-11-25T13:24:00.000-08:00

Found: Crush and 7-Up flavored pound cake in a 7-11 in Colorado Springs, Colorado November 24, 2008. How does this brand extension benefit either party?

Hungry?

2008-11-24T14:08:00.001-08:00

020506_16531.jpg, originally uploaded by jolenesugarbaker.

Angelina Jolie: a one-man PR Firm

2008-11-21T14:12:00.001-08:00

Great article about self-PR and Angelina Jolie.

Tranny in Single Ladies not Beyonce

2008-11-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

So here is a timeline of the Single Ladies meme, tranny and all:

1. "Mexican Breakast", choreograhy by Bob Fossee. I'd never seen this until I saw the "Walk It Out" video. I doubt anyone had except die-hard Fosse and musical theatre fans.

2. "Walk it Out" Mash-Up. We all saw this a long time ago. So funny. Then months passed.

3. The Single Ladies video pops up, with Mexican Breakfast moves. (!!!) Not only that, the video is spectacular in itself. I also noticed that choreography resembled drag queen tranny moves. It's later revealed by Bossip that the woman on the left is (a) a tranny and (b) the choreographer. Mmhmm! The video also has a Wikipedia entry.

4. The Mash-Up. Not important, but funny.

5. The fan video. He'd later go on to appeared on The Bonnie Hunt show. More fan videos.

6. The SNL parody (11-15-08) featuring Justin Timberlake & Andy Samburg (of "D*** in a Box" fame). If this link no longer works, the LA Times gives the reason why: music clearance.

PUT A RING ON IT ...KATY PERRY

11-28-08: Katy Perry posts her own take.

Live Beyonce, no Tranny, Nov 26. Photos

On the Ellen show 11-25-08

When Proust asks, you answer

2008-11-21T12:12:00.001-08:00

Answer the Proust Questionaire and tell me something about yourself.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

What is your greatest fear?

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Which living person do you most admire?

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

What is your greatest extravagance?

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

On what occasion do you lie?

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

What is your greatest regret?

What is your current state of mind?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

What is your most treasured possession?

Where would you like to live?

What is your favorite occupation?

What is your most marked characteristic?

What is the quality you most like in a man?

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Who are your favorite writers?

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Who are your heroes in real life?

What is it that you most dislike?

What is your motto?

Belkin wire: awesome

2008-11-12T16:22:00.000-08:00

This Belkin PC-to-Mac wire, on the surface, looks like an inspirational example of a company seeing an opportunity and creating a product (and revenue) from audience need. Awesome.

Vote however you like

2008-11-05T09:19:00.000-08:00

This gave me chills. I love it.

Anderson and the Holograms

2008-11-05T09:13:00.001-08:00

He's interviewing a hologram

Movement added to static sign

2008-11-02T20:22:00.000-08:00

Look what a restaurant did with a photo frame. so creative.

Tranny in Beyonce Single Ladies video

2008-10-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

Teen Vogue Holiday Haute Spot

2008-10-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

Teen Vogue is doing a pop up shop at a New Jersey mall, an effort where advertisers in the magazine get product placement in the shop for free, so long as they have purchased ad space in the mag.

Girls can explore the wares that the mall offers, then be escorted to the shops where those wares can be purchased. And who are they escorted by? The sales folks at those shops.

Wow.

“They’re at that age where they’re very impressionable and aspirational,” Laura McEwen, the publisher of Teen Vogue, said of the magazine’s readers. “They want contact.”

First of all, Ewww. I think I just got doused with sleazy marketing talk. Second of all, isn't every human BEING impressionable and aspirational? If they weren't, then why would there be products, services and publications for every age group?

But mainly, Ewww. To talk about young teen girls as "impressionable and aspirational" is just gross, you know? Gross as in it's gross coming from someone (McEwen) who profits from that impressionable-ism and aspirational-ishness.

The physical marketing arm of the magazine, I'm sorry, Haute Spot, will be open Nov. 28 through Dec. 26 at the Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey.

Sit or Squat

2008-10-27T23:10:00.000-07:00

Sit or Squat is a website that tells you where bathrooms are. If you walk a lot (photowalking, site-seeing) or just live in a city with walking built into your day, this is an excellent resource and perfect for your phone.

The Birth:
Sit or Squat was born on October of 2007 as a silly little personal blog. In September of 2008 it became something bigger, much bigger.

The Story:
The act of relieving oneself is somewhat an artform. It is rarely talked about yet we do it everyday. If we are home, most of us feel comfortable enough that the process doesn't even faze us. However, the real dilemma comes when our personal space is not our personal space. This dilemma is commonly known as, public restroom. A few drops on a toilet seat can set off red alerts to one person while another may not even blink an eye. We've all got different taste and where we put our bare bottoms can certainly be a priority.

Sitorsquat.com is a site that is dedicated to telling you where the closest place to relieve yourself is and whether or not that place is worth even sitting or squatting (or standing) at. We all find ourselves needing a public restroom every once in a while, whether it's walking down a city block or driving on a highway with a few whining kids in the backseat. This application is designed to be viewed either on your computer or your mobile device.* It functions worldwide as it is based on Google Maps. The toilets on Sit or Squat are submitted by anyone The site can be personalized for each member based on their needs and preferences. A member is also able to create a list of their favorite toilets as well as share them with their friends. As time goes by and more data is recorded, the site will continue to get more accurate in ratings as well as more options in places to go. We all need to relieve ourselves everyday, so the chances of it being somewhere other than your home are pretty high. So for that reason alone, we bring you sitorsuat.com.

Chuck = Suck

2008-10-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

So last night I sit down to watch some Hulu. The episode of The Office called Office Aid blew me away. Such good writing, editing and true, true TRUE characters. I mean, yes, they're wonky wacky, but they are not doing charicatures. They make these absurd characters believable.

And then tonight, I watch an episode of Chuck called Chuck Vs The Cougars. Like night and day. The actors are good, but they are being directed to do horrible, horrible things. The plot of the episode was good, but the dialogue is God-awful.

And, I tried to embed the "The Office" episode, but I was unable to get the embed code copied. Anyone else have this problem?

Text to speech for newspaper sites: my dream

2008-10-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Check this out: a text-to-speech player and download right above the article. Love it. This is how I want to read the paper in the future: through text-to-speech, but via itunes. Like, I wanna subscribe to "Section A" of the New York Times, and each morning load my ipod up with the articles from that section.

Mobile version of PerezHilton.com

2008-10-22T08:13:00.001-07:00

I am very hapy to report you can now read Perez Hilton without the obnoxious ads and the pink background. Presenting the mobile version of the site. It's like google reader but zippier.

Dunkin Doughnuts beat Starbucks

2008-10-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

During my morning visit to Dunkin Doughnuts, I noticed these two signs pointing to dunkinbeatstarbucks.com. I found the basics about the testing in their press release on the site:

An independent taste test of coffee drinkers across ten major U.S. markets shows a significant majority of participants preferred Dunkin' Donuts coffee over Starbucks.

A&G Research, Inc., under the counsel of claims test advisor Al Ossip, conducted the taste test in May and June in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and Starbucks' home turf, Seattle. 476 adults, each of whom had consumed regular, hot brewed coffee within the past week, participated in this double-blind taste test. For the test, A&G Research used fresh packaged coffee purchased in each brand's stores, tested each brand's most popular flavor (Dunkin' Donuts Original Blend versus Starbucks House Blend), brewed the coffee using equipment recommended by each brand and served it black.

A&G says that the study results clearly indicate a preference for Dunkin' Donuts:

* Among all participants, 54.2% preferred Dunkin' Donuts coffee, compared to 39.3% who chose Starbucks. 6.3% expressed no preference.
* Of those participants who did have a preference, 58% favored Dunkin' Donuts coffee, versus 42% for Starbucks.

Sarah Palin poster: NYC

2008-10-20T17:31:00.001-07:00

Sarah Palin poster: NYC, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

Wow. Scarry.

Mark Baratelli radio interview: 91.5 WPRK

2008-10-20T07:09:00.001-07:00

Logan Donahoo, host of a radio show on WPRK 91.5 called "This Complete Breakfast," invited me to come on the show for an interview.

-Download the mp3
-Listen to all my radio interviews

I was on Skype in New York City and he was patching me into the WPRK set-up in Orlando, Florida. The interview took place at 7am on October 20, 2008.

We discuss my background in theatre, SAK, Improv Cabaret, the tour I am going on in November

David Charles, Seinfeld and Absolutely Fabulous

2008-10-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

(I'm writing this on the "M" train while riding across the Williamsburg Bridge.)

While listening to an October 17th episode of Fresh Air (with the yummily-named host, Terry Gross), I heard the interview with David Charles, a former writer on Seinfeld. He said something, well many things, of note. But one I particularly took to heart was this. He said when the Seinfeld team was cworking on Seinfeld, they didn't know the rules of sit-coms, so they could break them without knowing it. Love that.

This interview also reminded me that when I first saw a Seinfeld episode, I thought the quick cuts and jumps from plot to plot were similar to what people were complaining about in the short-attention-span types of entertainment. So I didn't like it at first. I thought it was the MTV-ing of sit-coms.

Another example of my stupidity? Ok.

When I first saw "Ab Fab," the only thing I could see was a show romanticizing drug and alcohol use and meanness. Now, I'm completely embarassed by that. But, I think its funny so I share it.

Maverick: McCain and Palin are smokin'

2008-10-17T10:15:00.001-07:00

Maverick: McCain and Palin are smokin', originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

The McCain and Palin marketing machine now has a hold of my brain. The first thought I had when I saw this sign was "McCain." Makes me want to start smoking. That's what a maverick would do.

NYTimes: photo slider makes me do cartwheels

2008-10-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

AAAAUGH!! NYTimes does it again. Look at this incredible thingy: a slider on a photo allowing readers to compare two photos. No arrows, no links. It's all inside one picture window. It's like a child's toy. I bow down to the creatives behind all the cool bells and whistles they keep coming up with. I want the NYTimes to design my house. One teeny request: make these cool things embeddable.

TMZ videos get roasted

2008-10-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

This is funny. Source

Sometimes I feel like this

2008-10-14T22:24:00.001-07:00

fuck-your-blog, originally uploaded by Heather Fink.

Beyonce: Single Ladies and Walk it Out: save video

2008-10-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

In this stunning new Beyonce video, there are OBVIOUS choreography nods to the fab "Walk it Out" mash up video. And how about product placement? Giving her own denim line a shout out: "...in my Dereion Jeans..." Also, I wonder if having Beyonce (a) shot mostly from far away and (b) in a bathing suit-style outfit were employed to hide her obvious gi-normous weight gain. Her legs are giant. I know that sounds mean, but I'm just wondering. And finally, the choreography is a mix of the mash-up's Fosse, Broadway and flat-out drag queen. Love it and think it in itself is worthy of praise. I think the video is stunning. Source

The original

Beyonce

The original plus Beyonce mashup

CNN ad: 2008 7-Election coffee cup

2008-10-14T08:08:00.001-07:00

CNN ad: 2008 7-Election coffee cup, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

Is CNN sponsoring this whole 7-11 7-Election campaign? This is the first time I've seen these branded coffee-huggers. CNN should make a Good sheet-like printed piece for 7-11 coffee buyer set. Random thought. But, if CNN thinks their audience is buying coffee at 7-11, why not go even further and give them some content with their coffee?

Poster Boy: ripping up the Subway

2008-10-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

Oct 3, 2008 New York Magazine article: "Slice and Dice: One man’s vandalism is another’s political art. Just ask Poster Boy, the Matisse of subway-ad mash-ups." Other links: IllegalBillboards.org, PublicAdCampaign.com

Spirit stand-alone movie poster

2008-10-09T07:53:00.001-07:00

Photo_082108_002, originally uploaded by jenvargas.

New Yorker Hotel at night

2008-10-09T05:51:00.000-07:00

I took this a couple weeks ago. I dunno. I just like it.

Subway poster Vandalism Art

2008-10-09T05:50:00.001-07:00

Subway poster Vandalism Art, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

This guy's face is so creepy. He's got in-train signs as well. Just as creepy. I like the laser eye treatment he got here. Not because he looks creepy, though. Creepy people don't innately deserve laser eye treatment. Unless it relieves them of near-sightedness or some other stigma.

Banksy: Animal Social Commentary

2008-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

I walked past this on October 5, 2008 in the West Village in New York City and flipped out. You have to check these videos I filmed out. The exhibit/guerilla art installation is unreal. If anyone knows the artist(s)'s name(s), please alert me.

UPDATE 10-9-08: Who: It's Banksy! Where: 89 Seventh Avenue South (near Bleecker Street) in Greenwich Village.

UPDATE 10-9-08: Website

The scene from the sidewalk

The chicken window

Nuggets up-close

The dolphin in a tuna net ride

The rabbit window

The leopard window

The security cam bird window

Sick Tweety Bird inside shop

Nytimes.com streams debates

2008-10-02T21:55:00.001-07:00

Watching the vp debates on nytimes.com on the laptop, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

I was watching the debates tonight, live streaming on nytimes.com's homepage (full screen) and it hit me: wow. This is soooo cool. The not-owning-a-tv-but-watching-live-tv-content thing, not the debate.

Election 7-11 coffee machine signage

2008-10-02T21:52:00.001-07:00

Election 7-11 coffee machine signage, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

I just wish it directed you to the branded election cups, or mentioned them. Or had them in the photo.

Sarah Jessica Parker copies Mariah Carey: big hair

2008-09-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

I just saw the cover of the "extended version" dvd of the Sex and the City movie (which uses a photo like the one above) and was like, um, that's Mariah hair from the very first Divas Live concert on VH1. Am I right?

Photo Sources: MovieMarketingMadness.com, MariahDaily.com

7-11 Obama McCain coffee cups

2008-09-28T08:49:00.001-07:00

Found these Sept 23,2008 and forgot to blog them. I am doing so now after reading about Pulse of Orlando finding them this morning.

Google Popularity checker

2008-09-26T20:34:00.001-07:00

Google Popularity checker, originally uploaded by whiteafrican.

This photo is so funny because I was just debating quantity vs quality in google results two days ago. What does the number of google results really matter today when so much of my content, anyway, is taken to other sites (without my knowledge) and many of the results are self-created? (my blogs, my flickr page, my twitter, etc). Is an article about me more valuable than a link to my blog?

What would the machine that compares the quality of google results between two people look like?

Branding New York City: Miriam Greenberg and Willy Wong

2008-09-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

September 24, 2008: I attended "an evening on New York City branding campaigns of past and present." (All my photos) Miriam Greenberg, author of “Branding New York City: How a City in Crisis was Sold to the World” interviewed Willy Wong from NYC & Company, the City of New York’s official marketing organization. She also spoke about campaigns from the 1970s and 80s. "They will look into the politics of urban representation and the role of branding in urban redevelopment." It was held at the Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day School (240 Second Avenue, btwn 14 and 15 st.) Source: Bustler.net

Willy Wong is the current (and very first) Creative Director for NYC & Company, the City of New York’s official marketing organization.

Miriam Greenberg and Willy Wong

That chunky logo! Wong said it was a "window."

Art promoting NYC placed in other cities/countries

Miriam Greenberg, reading from her book, and Willy Wong

The creed of NYC and Co, sort of.

Candace Bushnell: One Fifth Avenue signing

2008-09-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 22, 2008: I attended a reading, signing and Q&A given at the Union Square (NYC) Barnes & Noble with Candace Bushnell, author of "Sex and the City," "Lipstick Jungle" and her latest book from which she read, "One Fifth Avenue." The event lasted one hour with Bushnell reading the first page of "One Fifth Avenue," answering about five audience questions and signing any of her three books patrons brought to her.

I ended up buying "One Fifth Avenue" and having it signed for Mammatelli (my Mom). Here are some photos and video from the night below. All of these are property of me and cannot be used without permission. Click here for more.

Introduction

Candace Bushnell

The new book: One Fifth Avenue

Kate and I with the books we bought.

Audience question

Bushnell seating herself for the book signing
after the reading and Q&A

The audience: house right

The audience: house left

Wow: Veng

2008-09-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Veng (the artist) is from Staten Island and writes with Robots Will Kill. (Source: The Mongrel)

Hair salon called Blow

2008-09-23T21:50:00.001-07:00

Hair salon called "blow", originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

Pop Burger and Pop Lounge

2008-09-23T21:46:00.001-07:00

Interior of Pop Burger, 14th St and 9th ave, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

14th St and 9th ave
Photo Credit: Mark Baratelli

Pop Lounge: midtown
Photo Credit: Mark Baratelli

Great sign: Billy's Bakery

2008-09-23T21:45:00.001-07:00

Billy's Bakery, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

New York City

7-11 Obama McCain coffee cups

2008-09-23T19:56:00.001-07:00

7-11 Obama McCain coffee cups, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

Good Sheet: Starbucks' new lil newspaper

2008-09-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

Issue one of The Good Sheet at Starbucks

Waterfalls of NYC

2008-09-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn Bridge
(Photo Credit: Mark Baratelli)

Brooklyn Bridge
(Photo Credit: Mark Baratelli)

Brooklyn Bridge: video
(Credit: Mark Baratelli)

Pier 35, Front view
(Photo Credit: Mark Baratelli)

Pier 35, Front view: video
(Credit: Mark Baratelli)

Pier 35, Back view: video
(Credit: Mark Baratelli)

Street Art: Central Park

2008-09-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

Street Art: Central Park
(Video Credit: Mar Baratelli)

Be-Street.com

2008-09-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

Get your own - Open publication

This is the widget for a great magazine I just discovered called be-street.com. It's in French and all about street culture, fashion and music, all of which about I know nothing. But I love the way you interact with the pages of the magazine. I suggest a glance and lay with the magnifier and page turning.

I wish there was a widget creator that allowed you to make a page like this by just uplloading jpgs to it and embedding it on a page. Is there?

Dexter: magazine coverboy

2008-09-12T05:23:00.001-07:00

Dexter: magazine coverboy, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

There's a bus ad too with four different mock mag covers. Have to get a shot of that before it disappears.

More turf on walls

2008-09-12T05:22:00.001-07:00

More turf, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

...this time on a bus shelter. Texture is cool. What other textures could you use outdoors in this manner?

American Apparel: porn shop

2008-09-12T05:21:00.001-07:00

American Apparel: shop window in Chelsea, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

No it's not a porn shop. It's a window display by American Apparel in Chelsea, NYC. They're the Starbucks of over-priced cotton products.

Oh pleeeeeeeease.

2008-09-12T05:19:00.001-07:00

Oh pleeeeeeeease., originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

I hate advertising sometimes.

The Metropolitan Opera goes Myley

2008-09-10T21:01:00.001-07:00

Awesome!!!, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

I LOVE this idea of a live event broadcast live in a movie theatre. Bringing culture to the cowpokes. The Met goes Myley Cyrus: taking your content and putting it into another medium for more profit. Love it. (I know this Met program started before Myley Cyrus fyi).

Shop Ralph Lauren from your cell

2008-09-10T20:53:00.001-07:00

Shop this store frm your cell. , originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

New York City

They sell flatware, y'all

2008-09-10T20:51:00.001-07:00

They sell flatware, y'all., originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

NYC Window display. Simple and not stupid.

Stupid awesome.

2008-09-10T20:50:00.001-07:00

Stupidly simple, originally uploaded by Mark_Baratelli.

Tag line? Stupid. Turf on a wall? Awesome.

Lifetime: the adult Disney Channel?

2008-09-08T04:08:00.001-07:00

9-7-08: (4 minutes, 57 seconds) Lifetime could create an adult version of the Miley Cyrus model with a tv show featuring either (a) a male singer who then releases albums and tours or (b) a magazine writer who then writes actual columns in the magazines owned by one of the parent companies of Lifetime: Hearst. (Creativitity_9-7-08)

Will Starbucks do great with Good?

2008-09-08T03:55:00.000-07:00

Starbucks will be papering it's locations with a folded one-sheet newspaper called the "Good Sheet," which will "not (b) sending a message that “you should vote this way or that way, not in a way that says you should vote Democratic or Republican, but simply in a way that says get involved, be informed,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the chief executive of Good."

It will be "a folded piece of newsprint that presents information and statistics in a big graphic. The sheet on health care, for example, gives a history of government health care programs, statistics about health care spending, and suggestions about solutions, including notes on those that John McCain and Barack Obama endorse."

I think Starbucks will suffer greatly for this. Republicans will use Starbucks as a way to differentiate people they disagree with, creating a "Starbucks-type" for it's followers to hate. Their brand will suffer and they will be boycotted in the heartland because these sheets WILL have a liberal bias.

Here's my favorite part:

The Good sheet features one advertiser an issue, which covers the cost of the sheet; Starbucks has not paid Good for the sheets.

It's my guess that this is the same business set-up the new Banana Republic Maga-cata-zine-logue has: the store gets the content, the advertiser foots the bill.

Politics and Celebrity Gossip: similar

2008-09-08T03:48:00.000-07:00

This is the first year I've observed politics. I avoid it. It always seemed over my head and out of my realm of understanding. But this year year, I have podcasts and long walks in Queens. So, I am not getting into politics. My reaction? It's just like celebrity gossip, which I devour and have steadily since 2005 and "Pink is the New Blog" came into my life. Looks like the editor of Us Weekly agrees in this New York Times article.

"Janice Min, the editor of Us Weekly, argued that politicians were fair game.

'This is an election where personality is getting sold, oftentimes far ahead of platform, and that personal interest in the candidates has definitely crossed over into the pop-culture arena,” Ms. Min said. “I think that after so many years where people decried the interest in celebrity as a distraction from real issues, I’ve definitely noticed the worlds converging.'"

Mark Baratelli: Press

2008-09-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

5-21-07 AdRants: "This guy uses viral dissemination to push his improv cabaret act. We're trying to decide what to say about this besides "Hrm. Very earnest." But no, we can't think of anything."

Click here to view Acting Press

Nespresso cup spills digital details

2008-09-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

OMG OMG OMG OMG (source)

Olympic rings give the finger

2008-09-02T05:36:00.000-07:00

Poster for a party in NYC
Photo Credit: Mark Baratelli

New York Times interactive piece rocks

2008-08-31T12:17:00.000-07:00

You have to take a look at this interactive piece done by the NYTimes showing what's happened to each house in one neighborhood in Nee Orleans since the rebuilding efforts began. I know the subject matter is somber but I really want to point out how smart I think this piece is. The map puts the houses in spatial context and the roll-over tells you what's happened to each house.