Random Culture

Video and E-Commerce: Knicker Picker

Is it true that underwear could be at the forefront of technology? Knicker Picker is a great example of a company using video as a part of e-commerce. There are a few folks who've been experimenting with this, and I believe it's a harbinger of the future. As video production costs decrease, why wouldn't you have video of your inventory rather than a static image?

Visit the Knicker Picker Dressing Room.

Video and eCommerce: Cicatriz

A couple days ago, I posted about eBay's move into video and the prospect of seeing more ecommerce sites utilizing video. Well, today I ran across a boutique clothing shop called Cicatriz, that's doing a great job utilizing video on their ecommerce site... and it's a cool site at that.

Visit www.cicatriz.se to check it out.

Gucci: Web 2.0 Redesign

Flash is basically a staple for high-end fashion websites. This is because the "cool" factor flash provides is one of the most important goals many fashion brands have for their website. Gucci, however, is shaking things up a bit. They've redesigned Gucci.com to retain the "cool" animations and effects, but they haven't used a lick of Flash, it's all Javascript and Ajax. Interesting to see the types of "cool" transitions and dynamic behaviors that aren't solely the domain of Flash.

Link via Adverblog.

Google Checkout Video

Google has officially launched Google Checkout. Watch the video below to get the lowdown on how it works.

Universal Pictures' Big Mistake

Just last week, I was griping about Apple's indication that they might charge $10 for a movie download... That was nothing. News is now circulating that Universal Pictures will have movies available for download in the UK at a whopping $35.

I'm speechless.

Why the high price tag? According to this CNN article, it looks like that $35 price gets you a download of the movie for a laptop, one for a portable device and a DVD in the mail. The initial batch of movies available is limited to around 30, including titles like "The Bourne Supremacy", "Nanny McPhee" and "Bridget Jones Diary."

I'm not convinced that people are going to find this worth the money. You can buy "The Bourne Supremacy" DVD on Amazon for $13.99, and have everything Universal is offering. And when you look at that price point, I still think $9.99 is too much to pay for a movie on iTunes.

Come on Universal... just give Apple a call.

Yub: Rhymes with Shrub

How do you combine social networking & shopping? Apparently, Yub.com thinks they have the answer. They've essentially taken the online "mall" concept and added social networking, product reviews and money back incentives....

Then they mixed it up with some stereotypical marketing speak, and viola!

You can even feel the nausea when reading about their name... According to their website, Yub is "buy spelled backwards, an apt name since we’re turning buying inside out by facilitating buying thru-friends and real people. Instead of buying what the stores tell you to buy, and then becoming a consumer, we flip it, allowing you to hear what the consumers say before you buy. Yub is also an acronym for our core user—the Young Urban Buyer."

Damn, that's sexy, out of the box, paradigm-shifting thinking...

Link via Signal vs. Noise.

Cost per Click: $666

There are many ways that PPC search engine advertising can be used. Former Enron CEO Kenneth Lay shows us how it can be used as an advocacy tool. According to this article in the Houston Chronicle, Kenneth Lay's legal team is running PPC search engine ads that drive users to a website that's attempting to form public opinion.

Link via John Battelle.

Froogle Product Reviews

In order to improve the service, Froogle has added product reviews to its results. You can read the CNET article here, and check out the functionality by visiting the Froogle site.