SEAN TINER

(Shepard Fairey by Tiner ) No hanging chad here. Shepard Fairey is the visual artist of year. (Obama by Fairey) Throughout the year Fairey's iconic portrait of Obama has solidified his reputation as a prominent 21st-century artist. From having the portrait featured on the cover of Time to posted on millions of social networking profiles, Shepard's portrait of Obama has been viewed all over the world. Ironically, it was the public that previously helped Fairey rise to prominence in the art community over twenty years ago. While attending RISD in Providence, RI, Fairey started posting images of Andre the Giant around North Eastern communities. Fairey dubbed the campaign an "experiment in phenomenology." Interest in the experiment grew and soon Fairey's admirers were posting images of Andre the Gian t on billboards, walls, and behind crosswalk signs. (Andre the Giant, source: globalgraphica.com ) As more images of Andre the Giant were posted throughout the world

The Persistence of Memory, Salvador Dali, 1931 Volkswagen Polo Blue Motion, Advertising Agency: DDB, Berlin, Germany, 2008 "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done there is nothing new under the sun" (ECC 1:9 RSV) Volkswagen's new Polo Blue Motion advertisement illustrates how using use nostalgia can engage target audiences into a marketing campaign. In 1931, Salvador Dali painted The Persistence of Memory , one of his most famous surrealistic works. The painting is one of Dali's most recognized works and is frequently referenced and parodied in contemporary culture. Over 75 years after Dali painted the masterpiece, Volkswagen has parodied the painting with its "Absurdly low consumption" tagline and surreal creative concept. As the global marketplace moves further into economic uncertainty, it will be interesting if more companies incorporate artistic masterpieces into marketing promotions. According to an article in th

From my family to yours, Wishing you a Happy New 2009! Fight On ! Another year is finishing and I'm amazed how fast this one went. 5 Memorable Moments from 2008: 5) Faces Series. From meeting Perez Hilton in Los Angeles, CA to Greg Verdino in Cambridge, MA, my portrait series has opened diverse doors for me. (Soul Cole, KLAS FM Radio DJ) (Perez Hilton, Media Blogger) (Leone Barezzi, Couture Designer) (Greg Verdino, Social Media Strategist) 4) Surfer Magazine. In March, I was invited to attend Rick Iron's 40th birthday party in Carlsbad, CA. Prior to the party, I visited Irons at his office in San Juan Capistrano. (Rick Irons, Publisher of Surfer Magazine) At the time of my visit, Surfer was writing an article about the Trestles Toll Road initiative. While I was discussing the proposal with Irons, I showed him an aerial photograph I captured of Trestles. Irons really enjoyed the photograph and purchased it for the magazine. It was always a big goal of mine to have a photogr

Enjoy a creative holiday commercial from AKQA. "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Stockings were hung by the chimney with care, as the microwaves' thrum was filling the air." -AKQA

Last weekend, I attended the Imaginary Foundation Art Show at Suru in Los Angeles, CA. I really enjoyed seeing some of the company's original paintings on display. The paintings are created by artist Nick Philip who is regarded as pioneering the surreal Photoshop aesthetic. In an era of logo dominance, Philip is relying upon his art to speak as the main marketing element for the Imaginary Foundation . In addition to his paintings, Phillips had the Cosmic Drummer preform a drum solo outside the exhibit. It provided a comical sidebar to the abstract imagery of Phillip's designs. I first discovered the Imaginary Foundation line at a small clothing boutique near the end of 2006. I was really impressed by the company's strong use and range of color. While most competitors offer silk-screened t-shirts that typically offer one to four colors, Imaginary Foundation's t-shirts offer 8 to 20 shades of color. The company is really utilizing new technology to offer customers un

(Gemma Louise Ward by Tiner ) (Nana Ichikawa by Tiner ) (Anna B Barros by Tiner )

Last Sunday, Pete Carroll was featured on 60 Minutes . The program highlighted how Carroll spends his free time life coaching inner-city youth. Carroll's A Better LA supports inner-city youth, provides encouragement, and renews validation in hopes and dreams. Recently, Validation , a 16-minute short film, was streamed on YouTube and features a charismatic parking attendant giving positive compliments to everyday people. From managers to photographers, the attendant renews hope and happiness in the average person. As schedules become demanding, it's easy to become absorbed in daily routines and forget to acknowledge the positive qualities of others. The holiday season allows us to reflect on the year and appreciate the impact that family and friends make in our lives. From gifts to holiday cards, constant reminders of appreciation are traditionally sent to acknowledge a core group of friends. As the year concludes, take a moment to acknowledge someone outside your immediate gro

Constantly pushing the envelope, Rémi Gaillard's latest prank brings Nintendo's Mario Kart Video Game to life.

"The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy." -The Dali Lama As the stock market continues to fluctuate and the financial crisis continues to affect different sectors of the global economy, it is important to create marketing campaigns that positively inspire. Consumers want to connect to campaigns that motivate and illuminant on happier qualities in life. A brand can choose to remind consumers about the economic crisis and instill fear or it can make consumers feel happy and that they are part of something bigger then themselves. The Stand by Me video illustrates how different street performers can unite and be part of a global project. As the media continually reminds us of global problems, it's refreshing when a song or marketing campaign can positively in

(LA Coliseum (C) Tiner ) Congratulations to the USC Trojans for capturing their 7th consecutive PAC 10 football title and clinching a trip to the 2009 Rose Bowl.

One of my favorite brands, The Imaginary Foundation , is hosting I Dream, Therefore I Become , a fun night of art and music. "Drop by if you're near Los Angeles on the evening of Saturday, Dec 13th. Music supplied by LA's DJ Nitedog, Darkhorse of Radio 360 and a special one-time live performance by the 'Cosmic Drummer.' The fun starts at 7PM and the event will be held @ Suru (7662 Melrose Ave, LA, CA 90046)."

(Newport Beach (C) Tiner) Enjoy an aerial perspective of Newport Beach, CA for December's complimentary desktop. This limited-edition photograph is available for purchase at Gary's in Fashion Island (401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660).

Andy Warhol opened society’s eyes with portrait art, but I desire to revolutionize portraiture for the new millennium. Today, I produced 100 Portraits: A Creative Journey , a free eBook that is an artistic reflection of the past ten months. As you browse through the 100 portraits I created of people from various backgrounds, I hope you enjoy the unique perspectives and energy that I try to convey in each composition. Feel free to share this eBook and use the artwork for your own inspiration. Tiner's 100 Portraits Publish at Scribd or explore others: General Art Culture artwork celebrities 100 Portraits Order of Appearance Adriana Suvari, model Agyness Deyn, model Angelina Jolie, actress Andy Warhol, artist Amber Lee Ettinger, model Ann Handley, blogger Anne Vyalitsyna, model Barbara Stoyanoff, model Bebe Durbidge, surfer Bob Marley, musician Albert Einstein, inventor Brandie Moses, model Bree Condon, model Breann

Join the party with Adidas' new ad campaign.

Ready! Set! ...Go! The holiday season officially kicks off tomorrow. The shuffle of family, friends and activities can often feel like we are strategically balancing bricks on our head. No matter the amount of activity, it's important to focus on the memories we are creating and to balance one brick at a time.

(Reflection by Tiner)

In November's issue of Vogue (Paris), photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin capture a unique perspective of Eniko Mihalik, a twenty-year old supermodel. In the photo spread, Mihalik is portrayed as a 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 year-old, thanks the talent of make-up artist Lisa Butler. Similar to Dove's evolution campaign, the photo spread highlights how manipulative marketers can be to create campaigns that emotionally appeal, but may not be an accurate reflection of reality. 10 years old: 20 years old: 30 years old: 40 years old: 50 years old: 60 years old:

Recycle Content? From Jay-Z remixing the Beatles’ White Album to Eminem reediting Elton John lyrics, recycling content is a strategy that has paid large dividends for the hip-hop industry. Similar to musicians remixing songs with their own lyrics and musical beats, reediting existing popular movies allows brands to produce hits without implementing new creative strategies. Nokia's new N96 advertisement juxtaposes an old Bruce Lee movie with ping pong players and highlights how YouTube can successfully be leveraged as marketing channel for product launches. Thanks to the movie's creative use of recycling content, Nokia's advertisement has already received over 680,000 views in 5 days. Although it's difficult to measure the direct sales from the commercial, the creative movie encourages gatekeepers to feature it on their blogs. Now that marketing success would even give Forrest Gump a run for his ping pong paddle.

(Coastal Relaxation (C) Tiner )

(Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (C) Tiner )

As companies reduce marketing budgets to survive in the current economic climate, creative marketing strategies are being utilized to create awareness and attention for products and services. Toshiba's new television commercial illustrates how ordinary people (not celebrities) can be creatively incorporated into a campaign. The advertisement focuses on the body as form and creatively engages the viewer through unique perspective and unusual choreography. In the years and months ahead, not all companies will continue to have rock star marketing budgets, but brands can continue to receive significant attention for their products by implementing unique, creative concepts.

Do you cash in your chips or parlay them into another hand? Last Friday, Bob Geldof was paid $65,000 USD to give an anti-poverty speech in Melbourne, Australia. Does it send the the wrong message to personally profit from an event that is supposed to alleviate poverty and balance inequality? Sometimes it's better to volunteer your time in the long run, then to take money when it's on the table. Yes, your bank account may be smaller in the short term, but paying-it-forward will help to establish your personal brand for the long term and probably encourage more events to seek your talents. Imagine how different the headlines would be, if Geldof donated the money he earned last week to charity?

(Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, CA (C) Tiner )

Shopping for shoes? Visit Zappos . Need a movie? Visit Netflix. Window browse? Well, Amazon now has that covered. Continuing to innovate, Amazon.com recently launched Windowshop , an interactive store that allows consumers to casually browse bestselling novels, movies and video games. The site streams live audio clips of books and clips of movies and games. Each week new products debut on the site, which keep consumers regularly visiting for updates. Windowshop's innovative experience encourages gatekeepers to write about the site and feature it on websites, blogs and social media profiles. As the internet becomes more interactive and the amount of websites continually grows, unique presentation becomes more important, especially for startups. Unique presentation encourages gatekeepers, including bloggers and social media users, to write about the site and share it with their friends. Earlier this year, 200 Nipples , an apparel website offering limited edition t-shirts, debuted and

As the work week begins and it's back to the office to earn more dollars, enjoy this creative short depicting one of nature's seven deadly sins.

The fun continues with this new Guitar Hero commercial featuring Heidi Klum.

( Nagi Noda Hair Style, photo credit: Cappello ) ( Nagi Noda Hair Style, photo credit: Cappello ) Nagi Noda , a Japanese artist and film director, created unique animal style hairstyles for a photoshot with Kenneth Capello . From dogs to giraffes to monkeys, Noda's creative concepts prevent split ends and push the imagination to a higher level. As consumers continually become numb to traditional forms of advertising and marketers brainstorm new creative concepts, the human body will continue to offer an expressive canvas for innovative design and expression.

(2008 Tessa Tape Advertisement: George Bush) "Are you going to ask that question with shades on? For the viewers there’s no sun." George W. Bush, addressing a blind reporter during a press conference. (2008 Tessa Tape Advertisement: Hugo Chavez) "I am not a populist. I am a democrat." Hugo Chávez, rebutting criticism of the press. Earlier this year, Tesa, a multinational industry and crafts company, created controversial advertisements that featured global leaders with the company's tape over their mouths. The advertisements highlight how juxtaposing a simple campaign tagline, "The world needs a tape like this," with a shocking visual can create waves of awareness for a product or service. With billions of websites and over 250 million social networking profiles and blogs, it is difficult to create advertisements that stand out and capture a viewer's attention. Frequently, it is rewarding to create shockvertisments that highlight a product's

(Greg Verdino by Tiner) If you are interested in learning more about the marketing advantages of social media, Greg Verdino recently posted 4 & 20 Blog Posts , a free ebook that highlights several poignant case studies. In the ebook, Verdino draws upon blog entries from his two-year old marketing blog . (Tiner & Verdino) Earlier in September, I met Verdino at the Inbound Marketing Summit in Cambridge, MA. Similar to his lecture at the conference, 4 & 20 Blog Posts does an excellent job highlighting contemporary social media case studies that are applicable to any brand.

The election is over and today both parties may be in need of some rest and relaxation. Although The Poseidon Mystery Island is scheduled to open in 2010, the world’s first underwater hotel promises to offer the ultimate vacation experience for travelers from all political backgrounds. When complete, the 1.1 million square foot resort will be submerged 40 feet underwater and positioned along a 5,000 acre coral lagoon near Fiji. As consumers continually look for new experiences, it's important to offer one-of-a-kind experiences that motivate people to open their wallets, no matter the condition of the economy.

(Barack Obama by Tiner) This is a long post that highlights how social media and charisma influenced this year's election. If. If you want skip it, vote , and enjoy a free coffee , go ahead. In 1961, John F. Kennedy Jr., thirty-fifth President of the United States, eloquently remarked “…in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.” Hope is a metaphoric building block that can motivate individuals of different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to construct tangible bridges of lasting change. Hope inspires people to set aside personal differences and implement policies that benefit mankind. More than forty-year years after JFK Jr.’s remark, hope continues to be a major political topic as Barack Obama, a United States Senator from Illinois and presidential nominee of the Democratic Party, leverages the theme’s fundamental strength to unite Americans throughout the 2008 United State

If you need one extra motivator to go vote today, Starbucks is giving away a free cup of coffee to voters. From Gillette mailing a free razor to men on their 18th Birthday to Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day, product giveaways strategically enhance a brand's value proposition to consumers. The key is to select a poignant date that resonates with your target audience.

(November 2008 Desktop (C) Tiner) "To me the sea is a continual miracle; The fishes that swim--the rocks--the motion of the waves--the ships, with men in them, What stranger miracles are there?" -- Walt Whitman excerpt from "Miracles" 1856

(Thrill the World, San Francisco) Trick or Thrill? Earlier this year, Michael Jackson released Thriller 25 , a 25th Anniversary reissue of the world's best selling album Thriller . Maybe Jackson needed to increase album sales to refinance Neverland Ranch, but this week his album inspired Thrill The World , the world's largest reenactment of the Thriller dance. A few days ago, over 4,000 fans from ten different countries participated in Thrill the World , which broke the existing Guinness World Record for the most simultaneous participants of Thriller . From discussions on national radio shows to Thriller dance videos featured on ESPN , Thrill the World c reated substantial free PR for Jackson and the commemorative album. The abundance of free press highlights the importance of adding planned shock to future marketing campaigns. News outlets are constantly searching for timely stories that are unique and unprecedented. Thrill the World' s timely occurrence during the week

The creators of 5 Friends just released another film highlighting the importance of voting. Unlike the original 5 Friends PSA that did not feature unknown people, the new PSA combines everyday civilians with A-list celebrities. The combination creates awareness for voter registration while reiterating the importance of civic responsibility.

(Apple Computer's Think Different Commercial) "History teaches everything including the future." -Lamartine When you are creating your next marketing campaign, don't be afraid to incorporate historical elements to resonate with your target audience. Incorporating a familiar reference increases likability and engagement in the promoted product or service. Although the historical figure's achievements may directly relate to your product or service, consumers will identify their revered accomplishments with your brand.

( John Furrier by Tiner) ( Darren Rowse by Tiner) ( Amanda Congdon by Tiner)