Want to catch up with what happened in the digital world this week? Our weekly Cheat Sheet fills you in on everything you missed while you scrambled to meet deadlines and put out fires.Read about Chipotle’s newest scarecrow ad, how Wibbitz turns text into video, Virgin Mobile’s Blinkwashing campaign, a 3D scanner for your iPad and Splinter Cell’s companion app.
1. Chipotle’s scarecrow ad goes viralChipotle recently launched a new video — The Scarecrow — that sheds some light on the things that often go on behind the scenes in the fast food industry today. In less than a week, the ad went viral and managed to garner more than 5 million views on YouTube alone. In addition, consumers were able to download a free iOS game that rewarded the user with a Chipotle coupon after he or she earned at least 3 stars on each level. This campaign was very successful in elevating the brand name, but whether or not consumers are eager to purchase more burrito bowls has yet to be determined.
2. Wibbitz turns news articles into video summariesRather than having to read through an entire article, what if you could watch a short video that summarizes it all for you? Wibbitz is a platform that has the ability to transform any article into a one-to-two minute video, while highlighting the key information and integrating any additional content — which may include images, video clips, infographics and voice-overs. Publishers are encouraged to leverage this service and integrate it into their websites to drive dynamic content and enhance the user’s experience by making information easier to digest.
3. Virgin Mobile’s YouTube ads change with a blinkVirgin Mobile launched a Blinkwashing campaign on its YouTube page that allows a user to change an ad with the simple blink of an eye. Once the platform is synced to a user’s webcam, he or she will have control of skipping through a series of 25 video clips. Given the fact that this ad unit is a very unique interactive video, most viewers were inclined to spend more time with the online commercial, making it a pretty effective marketing tool. The Blinkwashing campaign is a very creative and interactive platform that successfully managed to engage consumers in the content and allowed them to learn more about the Virgin brand.
4. Turning an iPad into a 3D scannerWith 3D scanning and modeling, the pricing and mobility aspect for a single device can be very limiting for consumers. Occipital is planning to launch a mobile 3D scanner that can be easily attached to an iPad, turning it into a portable device that can physically scan any item regardless of its size. The company is currently running a campaign on Kickstarter and has nearly quintupled its $100,000 goal. With all the hype that is buzzing around this project, it will be interesting to see the technology shift into mobile adoption as well.
5. Splinter Cell launches a companion appSplinter Cell — a series of action-adventure stealth video games — just released the Spider-Bot companion app for both iOS and Android devices. This free application lets a user battle across 48 different stages while unlocking exclusive items and earning currency, which can then be transferred into their gaming consoles. The app is available on mobile, tablet and desktop and can help players improve their gaming abilities on the go. This second-screen platform provides a unique experience for gamers and creates a richer interaction with its consumers.
