Mel Carson: Blog, Reviews & Photos on Tech, Taste & Travel » Microsoft

Video: IAB Rising Stars–Filmstrip, Pushdown, Billboard & Sidekick

Mel Carson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:49:53 +0000

One minute and fifty-four seconds of yummy rich media goodness, showcasing the IAB Rising Stars and some fabulous executions on MSN including the Filmstrip, Pushdown, Billboard and Sidekick.

Great to see there’s more on the way too!

Can’t see the video? Click Here!

Video Interview: Sir Martin Sorrell on Mobile & Advertising Budgets

Mel Carson — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:58:39 +0000

Fulfilled a career ambition this week and got 5 minutes with the charming CEO of WPP, Sir Martin Sorrell at CES 2012 in Las Vegas.

In this little shimmy, we chat about advertising spend and where marketers should be concentrating their budgets, and he talks about mobile being the big bet for the near future.

Allow me to keep beaming for a little while longer!

Future of Productivity Vision Video by Microsoft

Mel Carson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:15:52 +0000

In case you were wondering what the future looks like……..

Jaron Lanier at Advertising Week’s IAB MIXX Conference

Mel Carson — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:52:12 +0000

Had the great fortune to interview Jaron earlier this year.

He’s going to be at Advertising Week in NYC next month where I hope to catch up with him again.

Watch this 90 second video to see what he has in store for the advertising folk at the world’s largest gathering!

And be prepared for stories of Maggie’s first flight, as she’ll be coming too…..

Ford Focus UK IAB Film Strip Ad

Mel Carson — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:58:51 +0000

Quick 1 min video to share as the Microsoft Advertising UK team aired the 1st IAB Film Strip Ad on MSN yesterday with Ford Focus.

This ad format has cause quite a positive stir in the industry because of its innovation around engagement and interactivity.

It also won an award!

What do you think? Seen any other good examples of online advertising recently?

Can’t see the video? Click here!

I’m Writing a Book!

Mel Carson — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:53:31 +0000

I was a terrible tease on Twitter and Facebook yesterday but can now share that I am writing a book!

Through an incredible set of events and connections – which include a paradise island, a Mayfair dinner, my first ever interview and a pint of Tribute in SW London – I’m co-authoring a book on digital advertising, marketing, search and social media with Professor Paul Springer of Ads to Icons fame.

Published through Kogan Page in the UK, US and Asia, it’ll be a collection of stories about people in the digital industry that have done ground-breaking things to help shape it and propel it forward.

There are some very good books out there about products and services, and there are some very good books on theory and best practice. Our writing will engage with, and expose the thinking and the stories behind those people who helped conceptualize those products and services, and who were the first minds to start mapping out the theories and online institutions that make digital what it is today.

That was the news.

I’m incredibly privileged to be working with Paul and Kogan Page and we’ll have updates on the name and when and where you can pick up a copy of the book very soon…..

P.S. Follow Pioneers of Digital on Twitter.

Social Media Infographic on MSN Word-of-Mouth

Mel Carson — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:16:08 +0000

So this is the longest post I’ve ever written!

Above is a snazzy infographic our US team designed to demonstrate how “social” the MSN audience is.

In advertising world dominated by the buzz around social media, and budgets drifting that way from “traditional” digital channels, it’s important to show that stalwarts like MSN still have the necessary clout to start and prolong word-of-mouth discussion about consumer products and services.

Read the blog post here where you can get our social media/word-of-mouth research paper.

New Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse

Mel Carson — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:45:18 +0000

I’ve been charting the development of Microsoft hardware for while now.
First there was the Arc Mouse, then the Arc Keyboard, then the Arc Touch Mouse.

Now the team have released the Explorer Touch Mouse!

Described as “sleek and sassy”, the blurb goes:

“With the ability to Touch, Flick, Click and Go – you’ll quickly realize the power harnessed in your fingertips! And with 4-way touch scrolling, BlueTrack Technology, 18+ month battery life and 5 customizable buttons, the real question becomes – What colour should I get?”

$49 gets you one….

Kudo Tsunoda Interview on Xbox 360 and Kinect at Cannes Lions 2011

Mel Carson — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 22:07:42 +0000

Got to spend 8 minutes with the creative director for Xbox 360 – Kudo Tsunoda – at Cannes Lions 2011 this week.

Quite a force in person – I’d sneaked into watch his session rehearsal – and quite the demoer, Kudo has a presence and articulation quite unlike anyone I’ve ever met.

Check out us talking about Kinect, why it’s sold so well, and listen to the advice he gives to creatives on how to get the most from the Xbox platform.

Video………PLAY!

Video: Jess Greenwood from Contagious Magazine on 365 Marketing

Mel Carson — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 07:46:23 +0000

Just loved getting a few minutes with Jess Greenwood from Contagious Mag at Imagine 2011.

She talks a lot of sense, especially about the move from 360 to 365 marketing thanks to digital and social media.