Ideas, Money & Art

As Long as You're Stuck in an Airport You Might as Well Sing

Simple Idea, Perfect Execution

Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

Here is the inspiration:

Reading a newspaper, I saw a picture of birds on the electric wires. I cut out the photo and decided to make a song, using the exact location of the birds as notes (no Photoshop edit). I knew it wasn't the most original idea in the universe. I was just curious to hear what melody the birds were creating.

I sent the music to the photographer, Paulo Pinto, who I Googled on the internet. He told his editor, who told a reporter and the story ended up as an interview in the very same newspaper.

Here I've posted a short video made with the photo, the music and the score (composed by the birds).

Music made with Logic.

Video made with After Effects.

The newspaper story about my work (O Estado de São Paulo): tinyurl.com/l4qdbg

I Love This

This is brilliant. It reminds me of one of my favorite iPhone apps from Brian Eno. 

The video below is the one I created. I am particularly fond of the balloons.

Check it out when you have a minute and make your own music. It beats reading Perez.

Google Now with More Caffeine

Google is updating their search algorithm. Check out this site to see if you're affected. 

Compare Google Website

So True

Andy’s Answers: 3 people you should be earning love from every day

By Andy Sernovitz on August 11, 2009 

Who are you worried about earning the respect, the recommendation, and the all-out love from every day? If you’re just focused on one or two groups, you’re missing out on some excellent word-of-mouth opportunities.

Who to focus on:

• Your customers. Every single day, you’ll be rewarded by focusing on making friends out of customers. Earning their love means free advertising, forever.

• Your employees. The best companies in the world are driven by the relentless love and passion of their employees. When your staff loves and believes in what they do, you can do anything.

• Your competitors. No business can solve every problem for every customer — they’re always referring folks to other companies they believe in. What have you done to encourage competitors to send them your way?

IMA 

Jeff Conlon is the co-founder and CEO of IMA Interactive, an online agency located in the San Francisco Bay Area. IMA Interactive provides website design, online video production and search engine marketing services to a variety of industries both locally and nationally. 

You Aren't Crazy, You're Just an Entrepreneur

Recently I had the unique opportunity to reflect on being an entrepreneur. I had the option to go in another direction. I was given an out from the daily stresses, pains and headaches of owning your own business. But when push came to shove (and this is part of a larger, more complicated story) I didn't want to give up the helm. Because with the stress, pain and headaches comes the joy, freedom and pride that comes from doing it on your own. 

I have spoken to a lot of people about entrepreneurship since we started IMA in 2004 and most of them say the same thing, "wow, I really respect that you went out on your own."  I usually reply that I didn't know any better and that if they think it's for them they should do it as well. There are no hard and fast rules, no road maps to ensure success. You just have to try (and be willing to fail, which is OK). I realize this isn't for everyone but for those that have "it" inside them it is well worth the risk. And if you still think you might be crazy, or your spouse or family does, then take a look at this article. It's aptly titled, You Aren't Crazy, You're Just an Entrepreneur.

You can find it here

IMA 

Jeff Conlon is the co-founder and CEO of IMA Interactive, an online agency located in the San Francisco Bay Area. IMA Interactive provides website design, online video production and search engine marketing services to a variety of industries both locally and nationally. 

Horizontal Email in the Morning

There is an article in the NY Times today about a rising new trend in Internet usage. It seems that people are waking up and hopping online before teeth are brushed or coffee is brewed. I have to admit that I am in this category. Ever since I started using my iPhone as a clock radio I wake up and check email lying in bed. I find that it actually kick starts my brain and helps me get up. I don't know if it makes me more productive or less of a human being in touch with the natural world around me. Jury is still out on that one. 

IMA

Jeff Conlon is the co-founder and CEO of IMA Interactive, an online agency located in the San Francisco Bay Area. IMA Interactive provides website design, online video production and search engine marketing services to a variety of industries both locally and nationally. 

Take a Hard Look at Your Print Advertising

There are rumors swirling that the San Francisco Chronicle  is on the verge of collapse. As someone who grew up reading the Sporting Green (when it was actually green) and Herb Caen it is hard to believe. However, as the owner of an agency focused on online advertising it is all too easy to believe. 

These stats from today's Wall Street Journal are the reason. The newspapers old school classified business cannot compete with search engine advertising (especially Google's Pay Per Click program). If you own a newspaper the numbers are very discouraging. It isn't even close.

In the first six months of the program, Ms. Bouthillet says, the search-engine ads delivered 5,250 applicants, at an average cost of $4. By contrast, Baylor paid an average of $30 for each of the 3,125 applicants who came via job boards, and $750 each for the 215 applicants who replied to a newspaper or magazine ad.

As a result, Ms. Bouthillet says Baylor has reduced spending on job boards and print ads. . . . 

Hopefully the newspapers can find a new business model in time. 

IMA

Jeff Conlon is the co-founder and CEO of IMA Interactive, an online agency located in the San Francisco Bay Area. IMA Interactive provides website design, online video production and search engine marketing services to a variety of industries both locally and nationally. 

 

Play Your iPhone

Your iPhone is now an instrument. I don't know what else to say.

Ocarina 

And David Pogue from the NYT loves  it (as do the folks in the video playing Stairway to Heaven).

IMA

Jeff Conlon is the co-founder and CEO of IMA Interactive, an online agency located in the San Francisco Bay Area. IMA Interactive provides website design, online video production and search engine marketing services to a variety of industries both locally and nationally. 

Convergence Arrives, then Stumbles (so long Hulu)

A few weeks ago I wrote about Boxee and how it finally nailed the 'convergence' thing. Today I woke to find that Hulu has asked to be removed from the Boxee interface. Hulu CEO Jason Kilar posted this painful blog post  yesterday. Read the post. You will see a man brought to LA to create a 21st century platform for the TV and Movie titans of Hollywood. A man who succeeded in that mission. A man who has been hailed in the New York Times and who guided Hulu to its vicory as website of the year in 2008. A man who is being forced by his Hollywood masters to end a relationship that does nothing but help his company. Convergence 10 years late...this is why. The content companies are working from fear and are attempting to control something that cannot be controlled. They are bitching about piracy while simultaneously making it more difficult to watch their content (unless you organize your life around a specific half an hour each week when you must be planted on your couch). Reading Mr. Kilar's post is difficult. You can see the handcuffs. From the little I have read about the man he doesn't seem like the type to stay handcuffed for long. If he leaves, maybe Hulu can hire Gil Amelio.

IMA Interactive

Jeff Conlon is the co-founder and CEO of IMA Interactive, an online agency located in the San Francisco Bay Area. IMA Interactive provides website design, online video production and search engine marketing services to a variety of industries both locally and nationally.