Cool Sh*t - Foo Fighters, Nike Training Squad, Absolut Vodka, Eco Robots, Mercedes-Benz and more...
Cool Sh*t - Foo Fighters, Nike Training Squad, Absolut Vodka, Eco Robots, Mercedes-Benz and more...
Vol. 37
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#1 – The Foo Fighters reveal their new drummer in style. RIP Taylor Hawkins (I really felt this one!). The funny livestream featured cameos from Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee and Tool’s Danny Carey (who I was hoping was the real one), each teasing the possibility that they were the new drummer, until finally, it was revealed that Josh Freese (Guns N’ Roses, A Perfect Circle, NIN, Weezer etc.) would be the one laying block rockin’ beats. There are few bands that have the right balance of humour and humility to be able to pull this off and it was done in excellent fashion. I can’t remember ever seeing a reveal moment like this in the music industry for a new band member…?
#2 – The 2023 The Daily Aus x Nike Training Squad. “Nike and TDA are on a mission to establish a national collective of young female and gender-diverse sports journalists. Even though women make up roughly 50% of all journalists in Australia, only 10% of sports journalists identify as female. Let’s change that. The two-month Training Squad program will help five ambitious female or gender-diverse journalists aged 18-35 accelerate their careers in Australian sports journalism.” I love the grassroots nature of this program, which identifies an existing opportunity to drive change and builds a platform from which to do so. The candidate requirements are spot on too i.e., people who are already displaying some level of passion and commitment… “We'd love to hear from a female journalist or creator aged 18-35 who has already taken some steps towards their dream of being a sports reporter by covering sport on their own blog, social page or publication. They've experimented with video or audio, love being on the sidelines chasing a story and are ready to take the leap into the media industry. They can still be studying - that's totally ok!” Initiatives like this are just one reason why Nike continue to be one of my top 5 brands for best-in-class community building, brand marketing and communications.
#3 – Absolut Vodka tests recyclable paper-based bottles. It’s no secret that sustainability is permeating almost every industry, so it’s no surprise that Absolut are experimenting further in this space too. Obviously, their glass bottles are already recyclable, so it begs the question why? “Having a “fully bio-based bottle” will be something that will further reduce their CO2 emissions and will also make their liquor lighter in terms of weight and packaging” So it’s potentially a win win for the business and its customers, many of whom demand that their favourite brands align with their own environmentally friendly values. Above all else, this product actually looks good. Swedish design…
#4 – This robot is helping to reforest the Amazon. “Helping the Junglekeepers automate seed-planting in the nonprofit's remote lab, a tedious process that before was done by human hands. Because the robot can move faster than a person, she's able to plant seeds in an area the size of two soccer fields per day, which frees the nonprofit workers up to do the human-oriented work of educating the local population and patrolling for illegal loggers.” Now, if only they could upgrade YuMi to be like Robocop, she could also do the patrolling, while the workers have a cuppa and put their feet up for a bit… It’s great to see so many projects focused on how robotics can be used to solve real world problems. The increased coupling of that technology with AI will undoubtedly spin up unprecedented innovation.
#5 – Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven. I’m not much of a car guy but damn this looks fresh! I love the way leaders in the automotive industry use concept vehicles as a brand positioning opportunity. It reminds me a little of my time living in Seoul, working with Hyundai and visiting their MOTORSTUDIO, which delivered elements featuring a futuristic '“concept” automotive experience. I can’t think of many industry sectors that uses that strategy to the same affect… Even the website design is beautiful. The language is so (mis)leading too “the world’s first”, “the future of luxury”, “leads the way” etc. IT’S A CONCEPT! And yet I still love it…
If you have a curious mind, follow these links into the unknown…
I discovered East London’s Hak Baker by way of the All City Substack. His track ‘DOOLALLY’ makes it onto the Cool Sh*t Spotify playlist this week.
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…