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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.

Media

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

Three Business Ideas That Are Good For Something, Like Changing The World.

January 2nd, 2012 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

One of our favorite ad agencies, Mono, created an innovative campaign for Branson’s Virgin Unite to help put an end to homelessness.

“Do Whatever It Takes” is a website initiative that harnesses the power of wacky internet videos and combines it with charitable fundraising sites like FirstGiving. Anyone can make a pledge to do virtually anything, like drinking a gallon of milk in under an hour, for a set amount of money the individual determines, say $100. The online community then contributes to their fund and, if their goal is reached, the pledger does their “whatever” and the raised money gets donated to a homeless philanthropy.

Inspired.

We’d now like to triple dog dare you to think even broader than homelessness or even bigger than Virgin Unite. In fact, last year, ecopop had two similar ideas that could be stand-alone social ventures that anyone is welcome to do with or without us.
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Posted in: Advertising & branding   Lifestyle   Media   Noteworthy   Technology

Here’s A Fresh Mobile/Web App Idea Brewed Especially For Starbucks.

December 30th, 2011 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

That guy in front of you at Starbucks is in need of a designer. You’re a designer. That woman that you see every morning thinks your cute but is too shy to let you know. Until now.

Introducing “Seen at Starbucks”, a mobile/web app concept from ecopop that provides the perfect opportunity to make meaningful connections with those whom you regularly see at your local Starbucks. Those interested in participating would be able to create a brief profile with a photo and contact preference, i.e. business, friendship, or dating. Using geolocation technology, participants could opt-in to see which community members are in-store and interested in getting to know one another a little better.

If you like this idea, please vote for it on My Starbucks Idea. If not, well, we’re always making more.

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Posted in: Food & beverage   Lifestyle   Media   Technology

From Adweek to IdeaMensch. A Three Year Evolution Of ecopop.

November 22nd, 2011 | Posted By Chad Rea | Comments (0)

There’s been a renewed interest in ecopop lately and I am both humbled and grateful. Thank you. A couple of recent product launches, speaking engagements, and interviews, including the one that appears on IdeaMensch.com today, has lead me to reflect on just how far ecopop has come since I shut down my brand communications agency, 86 the onions. (Bye 86 the onions, Hello ecopop! on Adland.tv)

Even before I 86ed my childhood dream of starting my own agency there were hints of ecopop already bubbling up. There was the agency-initiated homeless outreach campaign, ProjectHello.com, and the industry speaking engagement that followed. (Rea Promotes ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ by Adweek Staff on Adweek.com) There was the time we sent an intern on his bike 1,400 miles for a cup of coffee. (A Long Ride For A Cup of Coffee by Tim Nudd on Adweek.com) And there was even the time when we promoted reuse through a series of viral web films featuring an 89-year old DJ grandma. (Mountain Dew: elixir for the ages By Catharine P. Taylor on Adweek.com)
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Posted in: Advertising & branding   Media   Noteworthy

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

Mother Nature As Media.

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

As an advertiser, we’re constantly looking for new ways to reach consumers in a responsible way. Like many green marketers, we imagine this to be a reoccurring challenge: How does one promote themselves without leaving an ecological footprint on the planet?

Some constructive brands choose to advertise in magazines and on billboards and use other destructive media. Others have chosen to stop creating traditional marketing materials all together and put more effort into things like word-of-mouth, PR, or electronic formats. Then there are those who split the fence, using a combination of materials like recycled paper, even though these also take up additional resources as well as contain toxic remnants.

What you chose to do is your own personal choice. And, while some options are arguably better than others, everyone is still trying to figure this green thing out. We feel you.

We’ve collected a few innovative examples that will hopefully inspire you to think of more relevant solutions to your own communication objectives. Enjoy.

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Posted in: Media   Noteworthy