Weekly
Digest
#22
The Wall Street Journal wrote, “If brevity is the soul of wit, then The Webby Awards might be the wittiest show of all time,” and we’re inclined to agree. The best of the internet has been nominated in various categories, for anything from animated shorts to long-form reporting, and the masses will crown the winners. Voting is open through April 19, so cast your ballots for your favorites. Here are our top picks:
Comedy: This Is a Generic Millennial Ad
In a follow-up to This Is a Generic Brand Video, stock footage platform Dissolve released this spot-on spoof demonstrating what the “perfect” millennial ad entails.
Experimental & Weird: Downtown Records -- Live Looper
This clever execution from BBDO New York turns Facebook Live’s delay into an experimental music video to promote The Academic’s new single, “Bear Claws.”
Live Experiences: In Real Life
Monica Lewinsky used her platform to bring this PSA about online bullying to life. It’s got What Would You Do? vibes with modern-day themes and a whole lot of heart.
Animation: Happiness
You wouldn’t think something with such a joyous name would actually be an acute commentary on modern life. Follow along on this journey towards finding “happiness” in a dystopian world.
Fashion: Models Talk
The New York Times brings us an intimate look at the realities of working in an industry that demands perfection. The video dives into ageism, racism, and the impact of projecting idealistic standards of beauty…and that’s just the beginning.
Brand Strategy: Open Gallery
Premium bottled water producer LIFEWTR gave female artists the opportunity to design their labels. But upon uncovering a staggering statistic - that 51% of today’s visual artists are women, but works by women make up less than 5% of permanent collections - they decided to go one step further with this activation. We love brands who use their platform for social good and this is an excellent example.
Digital Campaigns: Netflix & Spotify collaborate on Stranger Things
Everyone’s favorite binging platform and music streaming service came together for this Stranger Things digital activation. Choose your favorite jams from a list and the site will output a character-themed playlist based on your listening habits.
Viral: A-Z of Music by i-D
Sponsored by Marc Jacobs, this music video takes us through practically every genre in one epic compilation. Twenty-six artists came together to create this educational supertrack.
From factory lines to office cubicles, work life has evolved drastically to keep up with the ever-changing professional world. Today, people are seeking more than just monetary compensation or a safe working environment. We want comfort, physically and emotionally.
Companies are listening and starting to offer everything from pet insurance to flexible hours to attract top candidates. And while those are enticing perks for full-time office dwellers, troves of talent are choosing the ultimate professional flexibility and going freelance. So what about them? The entrepreneurs, startuppers, and digital nomads… a fun workplace is great but only for those who actually work in one.
Enter coworking. It’s by no means a new phenomenon; shared office spaces have been cropping up around the world’s major metropoles for years. Now, it seems there’s one to suit every personality. Looking for mobility? WeWork has locations across the world. Want to pay as you go? Naked Hub has you covered.
But for many independents, the ideal “workplace” is about more than unlimited coffee and wifi. If giving up the comforts of home, the goal is to share more than just space and commodities, it’s to share ideas. With such dynamic professionals working next to each other, the collaboration is all but guaranteed, right? Unfortunately, that’s one of the criticisms of coworking - there’s just not enough “co.” Despite events and cocktail hours, the attempts at fostering collaboration can feel forced in such a transient environment.
This is all part of a larger conversation about lifestyle, work, and how we blend the two in a digital age. Variations like themed spaces for women, advertising, or even atypical locations have all attempted to crack the code, but there are fundamental limitations to the coworking model. Longer commutes, limited space, and financial considerations…so what’s next? Perhaps members-only home coworking networks, like Quilt in L.A., are the winning combination for today’s new workforce.
Photo credits: webbyawards.com (top post) and Patrick Tomasso (bottom post)