A nice global nitiative for Autism charities. Can you live without social media for 1 day?

Organised by Sapient Nitro. Check out the list of charity partners here.

From their site "It's a global initiative to raise funds and awareness for autism charities in over 40 countries. People around the world have been challenged to go without Facebook or Twitter, for one day, on 1 November 2010.

In the month leading up to Communication Shutdown (1 October to 1 November) people can make a donation to receive a CHAPP (charity app) which signals shutdown across their networks."

And here is another nice video (im guessing by Studio Breeder) which contains scary clowns, lesbians and pirates but sadly not scary lesbian pirate clowns.

To help promote that Foxtel is the official broadcaster of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Foxtel are giving everyone a chance to Delhi Themselves. All people have to do is add the Facebook app and it will submit their profile photo to be hand illustrated Indian style. It takes between 12-24hrs for the photos to created but the results have been great so far.

I'm still waiting for my profile pic to be created.

Disclaimer: Campaign by Soap where I work but I (sadly) didn't have anything to do with this one.

You have only a couple of days to see it before it melts so get in quick. The Ice Mission site asks users to text FIRE, WATER or STEAM to break down a large ice block and help raise money for the Auckland City Mission. It's from Publicis Mojo NZ who have been doing some great work lately.

The only downside is when nothing is happening the video is so static and there doesnt seem to be a climax or major payoff at the end.

We're seeing more inventive ways to get people to donate. M&C Saatchi's "Throw us a Bone" was another great example of rewarding people who donate and actually making it fun.

It feels like every week there is another creative use of Youtube or they are releasing a new feature or R&D initiative. While looking for more examples I stumbled onto their global blog which covers most of the interesting Youtube news.

Here is just a few of the recent examples I have been exposed to. There were even more in the blog but these have made there way to me via multiple links, tweets and emails.



Circular Youtube Video for Cadbury by Saatchi Sydney
Such a nice simple twist and the videos play into the viral crowd also. A big loss bot being able to embed though.







Youtube Chrome Fastball




Ridley Scott's Life in a Day

The Vuvuzela Button on most Yotube videos just for the World Cup. (Looking for a "Double Rainbow" button to be added soon)

Guggenheim Museum and Youtube's Play




I love the Youtube Play video by Johnny Kelly

And the best free music player out there is Youtube Disco. You just need to close your eyes :)

What About Facebook?
Compare this splurge on creativity to Facebook which seems to be actively trying to stop agencies and their users having fun with their platform.

Whopper Sacrifice: shutdown
Idea Tag Photo: sorry against the terms of service
Promotions on your wall: Not allowed (unless you spend big and get written approval)

Annoying Dating and Weight Loss Ads: They're still here but the list of banned ads types is growing so thats good.
Beacon & other Privacy Issues: Whoops
Farmville almost lost: Last minute deal keeps Zynga happy
Also with Facebook are spending their time taking features away. After reworking gifts in late 2009 it is now being removed.

Facebook also have a blog but it's a little more dry than Youtubes.

On the upside the "Like" button has been a huge success and I'm also excited for Facebook Credits and it's applications for advertisers and potential to become a global web currency.

It seems to be that recently Facebook has spent most of it's time fighting fires, than actually doing anything interesting with the platform.

Note: I'm not a Facebook hater, just right now I'd rather hang out on "Youtube Party Island" than "Facebook Rule Town".

I love the music to this and the unique animations for each avatar. It's to promote the Android based IS mini computers from Sharp. Seeing this reminds me again about how great Japanese digital work is and this article from Iain Tait on why. Sure it's useless but it's cute and fun which is more than some useless things we see around.