MOBILE
HOMELESS
Going mobile takes on new meaning when it refers to the homeless, but
Google is helping the itinerant population in San Francisco feel more
grounded. Project Homeless Connect is providing free local phone numbers
and voicemail services to those without a roof over their heads. The
voicemail carries no stigma, no sense of temporariness, no special code
or 800 number — it’s just a regular number owned by the user.
The numbers will be distributed by shelters and agencies to let homeless
citizens record an outgoing greeting and check messages from any phone.
One aim of the program is to aid the homeless in rejoining the working
world, as digits are a necessity for job applications. (source: Iconoculture).
DIY WINE BLENDING
Fusebox is a wine blending kit, containing everything you need to explore
how some of the world’s greatest wines are blended. Six 375 mL
bottles of blending wine from some of Napa's finest vineyards; one 375
mL bottle of Mystery Wine; one graduated cylinder and 4 pipettes; four
wine evaluation cards; four tasting place mats; recipe cards, a vinography
aroma card and a corkscrew. Using the kit, wine enthusiasts can try
to re-create classic Cabernet blends or invent their own; they can also
test their discernment skills on the included Mystery Wine by playing
the “Guess the Mystery Blend” online game at fuseboxwine.com.
(source: Springwise).
MUSICAL
SPIRIT
Groove Armada have become the latest pop act to break out of the record
company mould by signing a one-year music deal with alcoholic drinks
firm Bacardi-Martini. The British dance music duo, who recently parted
ways with Sony BMG's Jive Records label, will release music via the
Bacardi brand and play live at Barcardi-branded events. As part of the
recording contract, the first involving a band and a drinks brand, Bacardi
will fund the production of a four-track EP, which will be released
digitally and in hard-copy format. The agreement also allows Bacardi
to commission tracks for use in advertising and other promotional campaigns.
(source: Brand Republic).
REUSABLE ENVELOPES
Some 81 billion return envelopes are sent through the US mail each year
in credit-card statements, utility bills and other direct mailings,
at an estimated cost of 1 billion pounds in greenhouse gas emissions
and more than 71 trillion BTUs of energy. Eliminate some of those by
using reusable envelopes instead, and it could make a big difference
to the environment. That’s the thinking behind ecoEnvelopes, who
aim to eliminate the use of reply envelopes from corporate America.
Its alternative: a line of reusable envelopes that simply zip open,
allowing users to insert their response or payment and seal them up
again just like a regular envelope. Founded back in 2002, ecoEnvelopes
worked for years to perfect the design of its envelopes and obtain the
US Postal Service’s approval—which it now has. ecoEnvelopes
work seamlessly with existing insertion and postal processing equipment,
and are manufactured exclusively on certified papers from managed forests,
with up to 100% post-consumer recycled content. And whereas "eco"
options in general often cost more than traditional solutions, companies
that use ecoEnvelopes instead of two separate envelopes save between
15 and 45% on envelope and related mailing costs. They also enjoy direct
mail response rates as high as 8%. (source: Coolbusinessideas).
