Madness is back with a curiously titled new album The Liberty Of Norton Folgate.
The band has always been highly commercial. There was never any doubt that they are highly marketable. It wouldn't surprise me if they hadn't made almost as much money from the use of their tunes in commercials and film soundtracks.
Madness have always been irrepressibly cheerful. Their sense of fun might be just the right thing for recessionary gloom.
Video is, without a doubt, one of the trends that has emerged strongly in recent years. I wanted to show you this clip, not only because I found the content very engaging, but also because it illustrates well how marketers can engage in a richer sense with customers and friends of the brand.
This clip, which promotes a book about illustrations and notebooks (I am currently waiting for my ordered copy to arrive from Amazon.com) is a delight. The author narrates and flips through the pages. His words tumble out like Jack kerouac (listen to Kerouac against terrific images of old New York).
It's lyrical and charming. But it is also low-cost. It had the desired effect on me. I had to have the book.
Are the opportunities for you to use video to promote your business - or even to be your business?
Apps and Hats is a video review of iPhone applications. It is low-fi; combine a living room, two beautiful girls, the oddball twist of stylised costumes and an easy banter and you have a show. It's charm comes from its freewheeling content and the delightful twist of delivering technology in period costume. What's not to love? I'm addicted.
Johnathan Gunston has created a show - just him, a camera and an idea TrafficCafe.tv. Jonathan has generous energy that translates his talents (learned from old school advertising) to a successful business. He is also the leading figure on Twitter in New Zealand.
Finally for now, Jayson Bryant of the The Wine Vault in Auckland's Grey Lynn district also uses the video to promote his business. Once again, no fuss, no frills no blockbuster budget. Just a passion for wine and a desire to communicate.
Big brands should be taking note.