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New & Noteworthy

Categorically Speaking

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Founded in 2008, ecopop is an idea farm that

lives at the intersection of ecology and pop

culture. We create, market, advise, and co-own

brands that make a positive global impact.

Design

Behold, some of the most innovative ideas as they relate to ecology, pop culture & positive change.

Meet Mable: A Modular Magazine Table System By ecopop x Thomas Crisp.

January 5th, 2012 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

Mable was born out of the simple observation that some people, namely those working in creative industries, have way more magazines than space. Table tops and shelves become cluttered and nearby floorspace end up looking a lot like periodical stalagmites at a hoarders convention.

We set out to solve this problem by creating a modern table system that can both store and show off a large number of magazines while still providing a useable table top.

Made from sustainable bamboo, Mable a single table unit that can be added to, arranged, and used as a small to large coffee table or end table. The number of magazines used, as well as the magazine cover graphics, allow you to create and recreate its overall shape and personality every time an issue is added or removed.

Mable was slated to release in 2011. The furniture manufacturer, retailer, and distributor has since gone out of business. While we wait out her fate, you can catch us in our lobby reading a magazine on architecture.




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Posted in: Design   Home & garden

SHIFT 7 Presentation: How A Peanut Butter Cup Can Change The World.

November 18th, 2011 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

This is a reading of the 5-minute slide presentation I gave at the SHIFT 7 event on 11/17/11, an event to inform, inspire and engage peers, clients and students about sustainable design thinking and practices. It’s basically the follow up to one of our earlier posts. Let’s keep the discussion going.

Click here to view video. 

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Posted in: Advertising & branding   Design   Fashion   Food & beverage   Health & beauty   Lifestyle   Media   Noteworthy

Select Artist Prints From ecopop And Collaborators Now Available At Buy Olympia.

November 13th, 2011 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

We heart Land in Portland, Oregon not only for carrying some of our limited edition prints in their super rad retail store/gallery and online at Buy Olympia but also because they turn us on to so many great artists.

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Posted in: Arts & culture   Design

Take Your Favorite Thing. Replace All The Bad With Good. Now That’s A Business Opportunity.

September 6th, 2011 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

“Think of your favorite peanut butter cup. Next, magnify that feeling by a gazillion – that’s ours. Nuts? Yes. Crazy? No. Just imagine when I take the best tasting organic peanut butter in the world and delicately place it into the high quality organic and fair-trade chocolate available. Yup. Peanut Butter Cup Perfection!”

The copywriter pretty much nailed it when he wrote the description on the home-compostable package of Justin’s Organic Peanut Butter Cups. Sure, we’ve tried other natural peanut butter cups before and they just didn’t compare to the mainstream favorite, which is what we also imagine everyone does. Calling out this human truth like the copywriter did so well makes us feel like Justin’s really understands us and our quest for healthier yet sadly limited alternatives. But this isn’t all that Justin’s “gets”. In fact, Justin’s manages to successfully compete with, and beat, the candy giant on so many levels, making it our new favorite ecopop brand, or brand that successfully mergers ecology with pop culture.
Read More »

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Posted in: Advertising & branding   Design   Food & beverage

You’re Soaking In It: Don’t Act Green. Be Green. Act Pop.

January 28th, 2011 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (1)

Segregation is alive and well in the media and in the grocery store.

There are websites, magazines, TV shows, and even TV channels devoted to the eco lifestyle. And there are mainstream media outlets that devote special columns, issues, episodes, and entire weeks to green themes.

Similarly, there are retail stores that specialize in sustainable goods and there are others that might have a small section. In the grocery store, for example, green brands are often quarantined to the heath food aisle, or a specialty store altogether.

If you ask us, this is not the most efficient way to change the way people make and buy things. Instead all brands and branded content, ecological and not, must live side-by-side in order for consumers to compare and businesses to compete. And let’s not forget the importance of discovery and the element of surprise.
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Posted in: Advertising & branding   Design   Noteworthy

Products We Wish Were Sustainable But Aren’t.

December 30th, 2010 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

Whether you are a conscious consumer looking for something with a little more pop, or a cool hunter looking for a little less granola crunch, it’s not easy finding stuff out there that satisfies both lifestyle needs.

For entrepreneurs and businesses, this is a huge opportunity to create and drive up demand for sustainable alternatives as well as profit from doing good business.

For consumers, now is the perfect time to influence and impact this new shift in corporate responsibility and have your wish list granted.

We have a few products we like but might marry if they changed their ways or someone created an alternative. One of these products is Shoe Goo, an adhesive and sealant designed to make worn out shoes, and other items, last longer. However, it’s not exactly non-toxic.

While one of you whips up and markets a batch that is, we’d like to hear about your favorite products that you wish were made more responsibly. Your wish just might come true.

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Posted in: Design

You Can Have Your Business Card Back.

December 28th, 2010 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (1)

A new business means new business cards. And even though our last business wasn’t exactly responsible, our business cards proved our innovation without having to say it. As the unconventional brand communications agency with the unconventional agency name of 86 the onions, we chose to have an unconventional business card. One that not only referenced the restaurant world our name came from, but one that had more than one use. They say you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, but given the success of our silly little moist towelette/business card, we beg to differ.
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Posted in: Design   Noteworthy