Cool Sh*t - Meta, Arby's, Warburtons, Spotify, Nissin and more...
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#1 – Mark Zuckerberg’s first interview in the Metaverse
This 104-minute video podcast is worth every minute. There is no denying that, due to its technical expertise and depth of pockets, Meta is going to be a front-runner in making a ‘Ready Player One’ metaverse vision a reality. It’s just a matter of time. These photo-realistic avatars are mind-boggling. As Lex Fridman (Russian-American computer scientist and podcaster) highlights, the ability to have this depth of experience with loved ones from afar is the biggest sell for me but the possibilities are seemingly limitless. Imagine integrating generative AI to create a virtual environment and you could be sipping sake with your best mate at the top of Mount Fuji in an instant. It’s littered with all sorts of ethical, psychological and societal questions and themes. Throw in AI and there’s so much to explore… Meta’s other recent news announcements are worth a perusal too.
#2 - Arby’s Hike-Thru
I love this campaign from Arby’s. The drive-thru reimagined as a hike-thru. To mark the launch of its new blend of Venison, Elk, and Beef burger, Arby’s set up its most remote store ever, at the top of a mountain trail. A creative way to drive news and generate some interesting social content (cue influencers). The branded hiking merchandise is the icing on the cake… Fallon was the creative agency behind this.
#3 - Warburtons responds to Tweet with classic firey Samuel L Jackson monologue
Credit: Oz Dean, Creative Director at blood
Warburtons is a 147 year old proudly Northern family owned business. They wrap their loaves in paper and are quite distinctive in the UK supermarket. When I moved up to Manchester to go to University, this bread was very much a part of Northern life that was unfamiliar to me (as a Southerner). Until recently the brand played it safe and were conservative when it came to their marketing. This seems to have changed in recent years.
In the ad named ‘Mad about the bread’, Jackson plays the role of Warburtons’ chairman, Jonathan Warburton. Warburton hopes his choice of casting communicates his "furious anger" at people who underestimate his bread.
Jackson addresses a comment made online by a man called Steve, who questions the similarity of Warburtons’ Toastie loaf to its rivals.
The ad was directed by Declan Lowney through Merman and created by Joyful & Triumphant and Freud Communications.
#4 - Spotify will use AI to translate podcasts into other languages
This is a really interesting and noteworthy update from Spotify. A great reference point is how #1 YouTuber Mr Beast grew a global audience by translating his content into multiple languages. You can see how that opportunity applies here, albeit with the production cost being built into the platform, where YouTubers are currently self-funding it. I listen to a lot of podcasts, all in English, which unfortunately gives me a limited view of the world. I’d love to listen to insightful content from countries and cultures I know very little about, like Ukraine, given current events…
#5 - Nissin releases new Gaming Cup Noodle in Japan, with caffeine
Credit: Oz Dean, Creative Director at blood
Back in 1958, Nissin invented Chicken Ramen, the world’s first instant ramen, and in 1971 they wowed the world with Cup Noodle, the world’s first instant ramen sold in a cup.
Today we are at another pivotal moment in the company’s history, with the introduction of the world’s first Gaming Cup Noodle and the world’s first Gaming Curry Meshi. They will contain caffeine, arginine, and niacin. Designed for proper sessions!
As they are yakisoba and curry without soup, gamers don't have to worry about making a mess.
Curry Meshi is a relatively new product from Nissin. Made by pouring boiling water over and waiting five minutes instead of Cup Noodle’s three, it contains a rice-based meal instead of noodles. And “Buff Meshi” is a phrase coined by Nissin specifically for this product, as the word “buff” in the gaming world refers to the improvement of a gamer’s strength in terms of attack power, defence power, resilience, and movement speed within a game.
Both products were released on September 18 in Japan.
The simple act of reading about an act of kindness can also give our love hormone (Oxytocin) levels a boost. So feel the love…
Ex-Doctor Who's art leads bidding in Hertfordshire charity auction ❤️
Pete Hickman is a British-born, New Zealand dweller, and one of my best mates. He is the creator of Speech Act Theory. Their song ‘Harder For Yourself’ makes it into the Cool Sh*t Spotify playlist this week…
Here’s a recent in-studio radio performance too.
ICYMI - Cool Sh*t Vol. 40 - Aphex Twin, Capri Sun, Heinz Ketchup, Psychedelics, Coca-Cola and more...
Cool Sh*t is typically written from the comfort of my own home, here in Sydney, Australia - Gadigal land. Always was, always will be. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present. I extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The views expressed are my own and don’t reflect the views of my employer…