Premium, Pepsi and Pepé

Snow, wind and rain might have been lashing Contagious’ London HQ over the past week, but while we’ve been snowed in, we’ve been busing mining gems. This week, try not to get depressed by hideous potential merger between Ticketmaster (spit, spit) and Live Nation. The deal could see gig tickets going on sale with no flat fee, in a sort of legalised online scalping system where only the highest bidder (and the two entertainment monoliths) will win. http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/02/would-a-ticketm.html We’re not usually ones to rant, but seriously. The last thing the music industry needs right now, after years of decline followed by delicate equilibrium, is another finger in the eye to the people who actually want to enjoy their product. And while we’re on it, Ticketmaster’s TicketsNow site in which tickets go to the highest bidder (despite having been registered as sold out elsewhere) is an utter con. What an awful service. Move along, people. There are no redeeming features to see here. According to the article, Ticketmaster is currently under investigation for scamming paying customers out of Springsteen tickets for just not paying enough. A word to Senator Charles Schumer, leading the probe into this horrendous organisation’s dirty dealings: you have our full support. Warming our cockles is Nike’s demonstration of the potential of ‘Hotspot’ technology with an ad featuring perma-tanned Portuguese striker Ronaldo that allows users to click on and buy Nike products worn by the footballer on screen. View the spot here http://coull.com/labs/nike/manu_large/ and read more here http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article5598872.ece

For respite from the British weather, we popped over to Paris to see Citroen’s new 'affordable premium' DS3 concept. The first of three cars that Citroen promises will be in showrooms by 2012 is clearly taking on BMW's Mini. Project manager/awarding winning car designer Mark Lloyd told Contagious that the DS3 has 'the style and quality of a Mini at a lower price'. Read more here http://jalopnik.com/5148356/citron-ds-inside-concept-the-first-glimpse-of-a-new-citron Saturday Night Live has been crafting ads for Pepsi that look like sketches from the show but run during commercial breaks, not to mention the Super Bowl. Blurring editorial and advertising boundaries, debate continues to rage on Madison and Vine (http://adage.com/madisonandvine/article?article_id=134349). The irreverent spots can be seen here www.youtube.com/watch?v=636mA8KYkiI. Skype-type service JaJah has launched a service which turns the iPod touch into a functioning mobile handset. The service uses WiFi hotspots and VoIP meaning you need to be within range of a wireless network. Once the app’s been downloaded from the Apple Apps all that’s needed is a microphone headset. www.slashphone.com/jajah-turns-ipod-touch-into-an-iphone-064463 Sky’s new HD set comes with a programming guide claiming that watching TV helps combat depression (note ambiguous wording). Codswallop from the same school of unfounded wittering as ‘Doctor’ Gillian McKeith, and a risky claim to make in these litigious times. Time to rethink, Sky? www.techdigest.tv/2009/02/literally_insan.html Courtesy of @bengoldacre, the Guardian’s Bad Science columnist. Well worth a Twitter
And, talking of Twitter, we love love LOVE the random appearances of Mad Men characters throughout the site. This is the kind of hyper reality that would make Baudrillard take a moment. Just try writing tweets about the series and see who follows you. It's been happening for a while, but The Guardian tells all here: www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/feb/07/mad-men-twitter And in case Valentine’s Day is about to take you by surprise, what about some treats from 50 Cent’s new range of guy make up? Hmmmm. Via Trendhunter www.trendhunter.com/trends/male-makeup-50-cent-faces-up-to-fading-image And how could loved ones not be impressed with a Jamie Cullum Valentine Viral? http://valentines.jamiecullum.com. Or express your love with the help of lovable skunk Pepé Le Pew, via Atmosphere BBDO in the US for AT&T. http://pepe.att.com/.And if you’re having doubts, why not take Bjorn Bjorg’s branded utility option which offers a a break up test via a series of online videos? If you do decide to ditch your partner, the site also provides a selection of handy SMS ‘it’s over’ messages. www.bjornborg.com/en/Missions/Loveforall/BreakUp/ Check out this wonderful film on the Birth of the Internet… apparently one day, homes will have computers! www.techcrunch.com/2009/01/29/you-need-to-see-this-video/ via Duncan Dunlop at www.oodle.co.uk