I've always been fascinated by small spaces and the way that people organize themselves in them.
It's interesting to see how people squeeze and prioritize when organizing their weekend base camp. What's got to be within arms reach? What has to get locked in the car before we leave the campsite?
We're working to spread the @brandaroo twitter feed to as many people as possible, so if you aren't following us and would like to, do it up.
The reason we're talking about @modcloth is because they let us know about a contest they're promoting and running at Bonnaroo.
It's called ModCloth's Hide and Chic Contest. They're hiding totes full of Modcloth stuff all over the country, and they'll have someone hiding totes at the Roo as well.
Maggie at Modcloth sent us this info...
"Our graphic designer, Mara, will be hiding three totes stuffed with ModCloth goodies on Thurs, Friday and Sat of the festival. She will be tweeting clues and pics from our Twitter account @modcloth. We will be posting a blog and sending a newsletter to our customers about the contest on Weds, June 10. We will also be tweeting about the contest to promote it."
Pretty cool use of technology and a neat reason for fans of modcloth who will be at the Roo to follow their tweets during the show. We'd love to hear how it goes Modcloth!
If your brand is doing something cool at the Roo- reach out, we'd love to share with our ever growing audience of brand nerds!
I touched on the black market and it's parallel to the (seemingly oblivious) legal market last week. These two entities operate concurrently- after all, they are both pulling from the same ever-shrinking wad of cash in your pockets.
Unfortunately, the hiss and pop of overinflated balloons is common to the soundtrack of the night time camping area of most festivals.
"This year Clean Vibes will be introducing the Clean Vibes' Trading Post. An adaptation of the annual recycling raffle, the Trading Post will accept cans and bottles that can be redeemed for immediate rewards. The cans and bottles become a currency of sort, and the more recycling you collect, the more valuable items you can "purchase." Bring your cans and bottles to any of the Campground Pods or to the Trading Post in Planet Roo, and "cash them in."
"Items available for trade include CDs from a variety of artists, an autographed Metallica drum head, Widespread Panic merchandise, autographed posters from Pearl Jam, Umphrey's McGee, and Robert Plant and Allison Krauss and recycled SoleUnited shoes from Crocs. The person who trades in the most recycling throughout the weekend will receive 2 tickets to next years event!"
We've received a couple of emails and tweets from people asking if we had a master list of cell phone charging stations, wifi spots, or other tech services at the roo...We don't, but we're working to start one.
"Fuse invites you to stop by the Fuse Barn and unleash your inner rock star by taking the stage in front of a live rock band, karaoke style. Or test your music trivia IQ by competing against all of your friends in the Fuse Game Show for a chance to win some really cool prizes. Stick around for special artist visits as you groove to the sights and sounds of our resident video DJ or take a break from the sun in the air-conditioned lounge seating. Need to charge your cell phone? Well drop your phone off at the cell phone charging station; while you’re re-charging, update your facebook status, twitter or check your email from our computer lounge. Get in on all the excitement as Fuse broadcasts live throughout the festival as the official TV partner of Bonnaroo."
What is your point of view on creative ways of seeding your brand into new communities with limited investment? Check the poll to the right- is the movie poster wrapped RV a cheaters way into branding at a festival or a cunning way to seed your message within a transiet community?Can we measure the value of this pic being seen by, say 100,000 people?(it's a wire photo) What if only 1 in 50 made the connection of the the star logo to Rockstar?
This year, there is a new partner sponsor at Bonnaroo, Bungaloo.
"Also Rock the Earth is calling on all Bonnaroo attendees to bring their old, unwanted mobile phones to the Rock the Earth booth for redemption. Each person bringing a phone will receive 20% Off future Musictoday purchases, AND each phone is worth one entry into the on-site sweepstakes drawing for cool prizes."
Last week, we talked about Relix, who will be selling annual subscriptions for $19.74 to honor the year they started publication.
I found this pic from a few years ago. The AT&T blueroom let you link up, burn discs, and spend some time in the shade. Anything like this going on this year AT&T or Bonnaroo folk?
I rarely think about the Coleman brand. I often think about camping and playing in the woods, but Coleman isn't in my top of mind for outdoor brands.I saw the new Coleman advertising work- "The original social networking site." I really like the strategy of the work and I think the throwback "Wonder Years"-esque art direction and Sam Elliot voice over make a great nostalgic plea to spend more time in front of a fire than a TV.
We're curious to see if Coleman does anything cool at the Broo this year. Will they have a store space? Anything guerrilla in the lot?
Quick. Think Fast. In the years past at Bonnaroo, who has sponsored the air conditioned, always popular comedy tent? Comedy Central? Correct!
"Clif Bars had two booths around Roo promoting their Two Mile Challenge, and over the course of 2-3 days, the four of us picked up easily 2 dozen bars, 3 shirts, and a bunch of stickers. Thanks, Clif! "The photo above was found on the Bonnaroo Pool on flicker. I can't find any info about Clif being at the Roo this year. They had a cool program set up to buy renewable energy credits in 2006. Anyone know if they'll be there this year?
As more and more photos of our lives make their way online, I'm struck by h
ow much posturing and preening we do to document the brands and experiences we associate ourselves with.
As the worldwide communal pool of tagged pics grows larger and larger, brands that can make themselves tag-worthy (essential, memorable, or central to the scene) of a picture, will have a steady stream of ethnographic quality, user centric pics that can inspire their marketing, product development, or even where they connect with their users.
Found a really good review of the xbox 07 booth from joystiq while I was googling. Alisha Karabinus did a great write up about the first year xbox was at the Roo. 
We think it’s great that State Farm has made an effort to engage a new generation of insurance buyers, who often have better awareness of Geico Cavemen or Aflac Ducks than the classic "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there" jingle.
I wrote last week about State Farm's sponsorship of the Scratch DJ Academy in Centeroo. Since then we’ve been thinking about what tangible service or product State Farm could give me at Bonnaroo, to connect with us in a real and memorable way.
When one makes a trip, whether its to a festival in the summer or tailgating in the fall, or just traveling for a few days,their car is often the only island of control a person can keep. When that control is upset because of a dead battery, the keys getting locked in the car, a flat tire, or being stuck in the mud, it can make you feel helpless.
Over the years, I’ve seen many types of people come to the rescue of motorists in need at the Roo. They ranged from genuinely nice people who wanted to help you, to hustlers with tow trucks; working to milk every dollar they could from you.
What I haven’t seen are roving bands of State Farm clad mechanics driving around and offering these basic services for free- to both State farm and non State Farm members. They could offer a limited edition “State Farm saved my ass at the Roo” t-shirt, keep tally of how many people they helped, and set a goal to help even more the following year. If you have done this, and we missed it, please shout and let us know- we want to give credit where credit is due.
We think this is a big missed opportunity for State Farm. Don’t teach us how to scratch, come out to the lot and save our ass when we need it. You’ll be a much better hero, and we’ll tell more people…we promise.
Music. Camping. Drinking. Porta Potties. Drugs.
They've grown tremendously and filled a void in the festival business- "Clean Vibes is a company formed and dedicated to responsible on-site waste management of outdoor festivals and events. Our mission is to actively encourage and promote recycling, composting and proper waste disposal. We hope to educate and inspire a new generation of responsible stewards. Our goal is to divert waste from landfills by increasing the amount of material that is recycled and composted, thereby greatly reducing the ecological footprint of outdoor festivals and events."
On the history section of their website, they list past festivals they've worked, and also list the amount of waste composted, recycled, and diverted from a landfill. It's a powerful way to measure the impact that the Clean Vibes brand has on the scene and brings immeasurable returns to festival promoters who work to minimize the impact that they have on their environments.
"In 2002, Clean Vibes became involved in the first annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Through our annual involvement in this event, Clean Vibes has helped Bonnaroo become recognized as a leader in greening large outdoor festivals. Our collective greening efforts were recognized in 2007 when Bonnaroo received the “Greener Festival Award” from A Greener Festival and in 2008 when Bonnaroo received Greener Festival’s OUTSTANDING Greener Festival Award"
Whole Foods is a brand partner this year at Bonnaroo. Unlike several brands we'll cover- Wholefoods is making an effort to connect with people before the Roo.
According to Joystiq, the new tracks to be released next week for Rock Band will include Roo artists....
