Facebook vs MySpace - The Social Networking Showdown

I’m probably overstating this, but personal experience, compounded by a recent adweek article has me asking, is MySpace going to go the way of friendster? While I’m still a members of all 3 sites and MySpace is the site I and most others are primarily using, it seems as if some of the features which made MySpace so much friendlier and more desirable than friendster, and which basically led to a mass exodus from friendster are falling victim to the corporate behemoth of NewsCorp. Facebook’s clean, uncluttered interface seems to exude the exact opposite of NewsCorp’s ringtone offering, adpacked MySpace pages.

In an age where the user has over and over shown himself to be king MySpace’s moves like the blocking of the popular Photobucket application, which they later bought, are protectionist and profit centric. While MySpace delivers a purely pay to play stance, Facebook is keeping both advertisers and users happy through being more open to and actually inviting developers and advertisers to build applications relevant and useful to their users. This open environment full of non-invasive, seamlessly integrated, user appropriate content ensures not only viral spreading of such applications, but constant innovation in them, and by that constant relevance.

www.facebook.com
www.myspace.com
http://www.adweek.com/aw/magazine/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003593201

Transformers Marketing - Optimash Prime

Alright, besides obviously getting the idea from the picture, you can see why this is a must have. All I can say is how masterfully exploitative of Hasbro, combining 2 of our most loved childhood memories into an explosive nostalgia fest. They don’t stop there either, tugging on my camp sensitive heartstrings with the following amazing copy…

The wacky potato is up to his usual antics, this time disguised as the fearless AUTOBOTS leader! He and his faction of taters are battling the evil DECEPTICONS. Starchy situations call for a quick change – from truck to robot! No ordinary fries, these are POTATOES IN DISGUISE!

Mix and match all the pieces to create all sorts of wacky looks! Potato body comes with mix and match OPTIMASH PRIME and potato parts.

Remember, you don’t have to play with it. There is no reason anyone has to catch you sitting on the floor surrounded by Potato Head parts and PlayDoh sobbing about how you didn’t have toys to play with when you were little. On the other hand, there is no reason to keep it in a pristinely preserved box high up on a shelf a la The 40 Year Old Virgin. While I’m still trying to figure out the happy medium for its place in my life run out and get one and maybe you can give me a bit of advice about how it might best work for me.

Optimash Prime
http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ps_results&product_id=19670

Peter Cullen IS Optimus Prime

The power of the consumer or maybe this time the fanboy once again shows itself in casting choices for the new Transformers movie. No, I’m not talking legions of Holes fans rooting for Shia LeBouf or a grassroots college movement pushing for a leading role for FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World hottie, Megan Fox, but a whole different sort of casting…that of the voice of Optimus Prime. While Megatron’s voice acting comes courtesy of all around Hollywood big-time bad guy Hugo Weaving of Matrix fame, Transformers cartoon fans wouldn’t stand for Michael Bay’s likely Hollywoodization of Optimus Prime.

In what I think is a pretty amazing move, and a testament to fan power, legions of Transformers fans rallied for Peter Cullen, the original voice of Optimus Prime, since Transformers was only a twinkle in Michael Bay and Spielberg’s eyes. This legendary voice actor has touched all of us 80s kids, voicing K.A.R.R. in Knight Rider, as well as several G.I. Joe characters. In addition, Cullen also served as narrator for Voltron and voiced several characters in GoBots a series I remember little about except for the fact that the one toy I had from the series was a crappy robot named Nugget who could turn into a gold nugget. While I suppose that’s what you get when your mom shops for toys at Odd Job that’s a whole different story. Anyhow, kudos to fanpower, Peter Cullen, a legend in my book, and the power of nostalgia in general. Look for Transformers in theatres everywhere July 3rd.

www.transformersmovie.com

Coat of Arms

Brian Procell and Naghman Chaudry’s Coat of Arms, which opened May 4th, and aims to be the premier location for high end fitted caps in New York is looking pretty damn good. The 400 square foot retail space is brought to life by 70’s vintage flocked demask wallpaper, Ralph Lauren Studio Purple paint and mahogany shelving with brass accents. Stepping into the finished store after watching it literally being built from the ground up was nothing short of amazing. What originally was literally a dusty ass, raw all white space has become nothing short of a template for a high-end end urban menswear boutique.

The store plans to carry its own brand of custom fitted caps as well as a mix of street wear and fashion brands such as WESC, Eriffs, Secret Destiny, Evisu, Freemont and Subscript. In addition they will stock 80’s deadstock Starter, The North Face, and Obermeyer jackets and a selection of collectible toys. As well, they will also soon be acquiring some extensive vintage collections of Polo Sport USA. If you haven’t checked this store out yet, put it on your to do list and go holler at Brian or Naghman next time you’re stomping around the LES.

COAT OF ARMS
43 Clinton St (Between Stanton & Rivington)
New York, NY
Hours: 11am - 8pm, 7 days a week

More information can be found at
www.coatofarms.com

Coat of Arms Opening

This past Friday my boy, Brian Procell, feted the opening of his and partner Naghman Chaudry, Subscript founder and Triple Five Soul designer’s new store, Coat of Arms.

It started off with a champagne reception for press and industry from 7-9pm at the store then the afterparty kicked off down the block at 9pm at BARAMUNDI. The event was sponsored by WORSHIP WORTHY, KID ROBOT, TOKION, SINGHA BEER, KANGOL, KETEL ONE VODKA and STRICTLY FITTEDS and if this doesn’t give you any idea let me tell you, it was super hot. Unfortunately this extended to the temperature at the afterparty and I had to bounce after a while due to loss of a dangerous amount of body fluids.