THE BLOG

12
Jul

Part 2: Choosing the Right Crowdfunding Platform

Posted by / blogposts, Innovation, Ismael Obregon, Technology

We continue on our series on Crowdfunding with insights from Oishii and how to make sense of all the options.

• What are the options for funding your idea(s)? Some top ones include:

Kickstarter – focuses on creative projects and is probably one of the best known crowdfunding portals
Indiegogo — allows a broad range of projects
Fundable – caters to small business startups
FundAGeek – focuses on technology and science-related initiatives
Circleup.com – only available to accredited investors raising the amount that can be raised, and only focused on mid-stage product companies
Rockethub – international portal focused on artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and social leaders
ThrdPlace – a hybrid crowdfunding / crowdsourcing site focused on community development project
Crowdcube – only focuses on equity-based crowdfunding
FundingGarage – car and motorsport-oriented projects

• Which platform is right for you? What do you need to consider?

Your project really should be aligned with the philosophy of the crowdfunding site. For example, creative projects should be on creative-oriented sites while tech projects should be geared towards tech-focused ones. This has to be balanced with how popular the site is and how many people are engaged with the portal. After all, you’re looking to them for the investment. Only reward-based crowdfunding is available in the US today; once regulations are promulgated around equity crowdfunding, you’ll have to choose if reward-based or equity-based incentives are more appropriate for your project.

crowdfunding-photo

09
Jul

America the Brand

Posted by / blogposts, Branding & identity, Uncategorized

Americas-Most-Buzzworthy-Brands

Branding: Your Company Vision & Mission Statements

We’ve posted many conversations about the process of branding—from the how-tos of telling your brand’s story to the mechanics of leading productive brainstorming or strategy sessions in the ideation process. Whether you’re working at a startup or within a branded-orchestrated company, without exception, much of your time and energy is probably devoted to some aspect of a brand development and management.

The two most important elements of a brand are the vision and mission, the “why are you here” and “what do you do.” Do your research and you will find a number of methods and processes to help you craft a vision and mission.

We have our own unique method for envisioning how to frame ideas for these two statements. Use our America: The Brand example as a way to frame your brainstorming materials into a structured vision and mission. Generate ideas and work into content. Plug into the model and see if it works. Is the vision majestic? Is the mission ambition wrapped in a plan? For extra credit, plug in action items. Please share your feedback!

Thanks to Steiner Kierce for his extraordinary help and insight into the brainstorming process.

Client: The United States of America
America: The Brand

Declaration of Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Mission Statement
Constitution
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Action Items
1. Establish justice
2. Insure domestic tranquility
3. Provide common defense
4. Promote general welfare
5. Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity

The key elements to keep in mind as you go through these exercises is that a mission statement describes what your company wants now, while the vision statement describes what your company wants to be in the future.

05
Jul

PromaxBDA: The Conference 2013 Recap In Photos

Posted by / blogposts, Branding & identity, Broadcast, Innovation, Marketing, Sports, Strategy, Technology, Television & Film, Uncategorized

PromaxBDA Elite Member Party, co-sponsored by Oishii

PromaxBDA Elite Party
L – R: Our fabulous rep, Astra Dorf of Astra Reps!, Sterling Hawkins (Oishii Consumer Experience Specialist & Business Development) & Ish Obregon (Oishii President/ Creative Director)

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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA
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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA
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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA
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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA

When Drinks, Hijinks and Photos Mix…
The Oishii-branded photo booth at the Elite Member Party, courtesy of technology partner SOOH Media

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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA

The results!

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The Kid In The Wild

The Oishii Kid leaves his mark around the PromaxBDA Conference, including the opening night party at the Science Center with the Endeavour Space Shuttle, a decadent dinner at Wolfgang Puck at LA Live and a view of Staples Center.

The Kid_Endeavour
The Kid_Wolfgang Puck
The Kid_Staples Center

The Conference

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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA

Keynote with Larry Flynt, interviewed by Cindy Gallop
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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA

Creative Keynote by Gary Baseman
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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA

“State of Design” Talk by STASH’s Stephen Price
PromaxBDA State of Design
Some of the most mind-blowing design & animation work from around the world… makes us inspired to get our hands dirty!

“Beauty Is Embarrassing” Documentary
Wayne White & Ish Obregon
This irreverent documentary, directed by Neil Berkeley, takes us into the brilliant and prolific mind of one of America’s greatest artists / puppeteers / illustrators – not to mention a truly kind and friendly spirit — Wayne White. Here posing with Oishii’s Ish Obregon!

The Awards Show
Hosted by the ever-funny Jay Mohr
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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA

Mark Hamill accepting the Don LaFontaine Legacy Award recognizing his work as a voice actor.
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Photo courtesy of PromaxBDA

21
Jun

Part 1: Crowdfunding Basics

Posted by / blogposts, Innovation

Crowdfunding
Crowd funding or crowdfunding is a term we’ve been hearing a lot lately, especially as it relates to funding new business startups or supporting causes that matter to you. It describes the collective effort of individuals who network and pool their money, usually online, to back efforts initiated by other people or organizations. Essentially, crowdfunding connects “crowds” directly to those who need funds.

So, what are the pros & cons of using crowdfunding? Oishii weighs in:

Pros:
• A low barrier of entry for both entrepreneurs and investors alike.
• A shift to smarter and more creative ideas gaining access to capital; it’s not just the rich getting richer or “who you know”
• More, better ideas are coming to market.

Cons:
• Fraudulent and potentially crazy ideas could be funded
• Investors don’t always have access to proper due diligence to properly understand all the risks associated with the investment
• Entrepreneurs have less skin in the game and investors have little retribution

19
Jun

Promaxbda throws down a dare

Posted by / blogposts, Broadcast, Uncategorized

FLAG

Promaxbda Keynote
Larry Flynt, often vilified for his products, inspires through the strength of his convictions. Reviled by most and shot by a man who believed America needed less freedom and more coercion, we salute the tenacity of those who dare to inspire.

17
Jun

Get Ready for Some Oishii Augmented-Reality Deliciousness at the PromaxBDA Conference!

Posted by / blogposts, Technology

We can’t give away anything just yet… Keeping up with the theme of this year’s PromaxBDA Conference, “Engage,” we put together new and cool technologies to work for us — and to inspire our clients.

To properly prepare for this visual feast, please download the Aurasma app onto your smartphone, get comfortable with it — and see what happens this week.

PromaxBDA Teaser_small

14
Jun

PromaxBDA 2013 Survival Guide

Posted by / blogposts, Branding & Identity, Broadcast, Marketing, Sports, Strategy

Best Places to Eat & Meet:

The New Moon (Chinese) – Famous for their chicken salad
Sugarfish (Japanese)
Bäco Mercat (Spanish, Sandwiches)
Mo-Chica (Peruvian)
Drago Centro (Italian)
Spice the Table (Singaporean, Vietnamese)
Lemonade (American) – Great for a healthy & quick lunch
Spring St. Coffee – Great coffee, though not necessarily a good meeting place
Bottega Louie (Italian, Bakeries) – Lively lunch / dinner spot, but loud atmosphere
Bar AMA (Tex Mex)
Wooden Spoon (Brazilian) – Casual lunch
Spring St. Bar – Drinks
Church & State (French) – Amazing food for dinner
Mignon (Tapas, Drinks)
Haru Ulala (Japanese) – Good for dinner
Wurstkuche – Casual sausage place; good for quick informal lunch

Plan Ahead…Which Sessions Are Worth Attending?

PromaxBDA is not to be missed. But deciding which panel, talk or discussion to attend requires tactical thinking, not to mention logistics and planning. Most of us don’t have the luxury of attending every panel (we certainly wish we could!) because there are meetings to take, lunches to host, and dinners and parties. Here is our strategy for squeezing it all into your busy schedule:

  • Have the right perspective. Think of the many PromaxBDA panels in terms of your process every day. It comes down to numbers, process, people and you.
  • The “State of the Industry” talk is never to be missed. Look for clues about industry changes and anticipate your place in the big picture.
  • Panels about statistics or demographics are more than big data or numbers, they provide insight about audiences; what they like and care about.
  • “How-To” talks focused on the process of generating creative content or design are usually useful for refining your personal creation techniques or learning from others.
  • Talks about entrepreneurship or professional growth are motivating and valuable investments of your time. Take time to consciously pay attention to your passions and career path, are they aligned?

Conference Standards & “Should Sees”:

  • Keynote: A Conversation with Larry Flynt (need we say more?)
  • Headliners
  • State of Design
  • New Best Practices 2013, an annual favorite presented by Lee Hunt
  • Measuring the Binge Viewer: Fad or Future?
  • The Real Mad Men: Renegades of the Golden Age of Advertising
  • Shaken, Not Stirred: 50 Years of Bond
  • Beauty Is Embarrassing: Screening & Discussion
  • Inventing Your Own Next Chapter: Lessons in Entrepreneurship, Risk-Taking & Going Out On Your Own
  • Horror Stories: Nightmare Campaigns & How They Were Turned Around
  • Whichever sessions your boss decides to attend
  • Topics that are farthest removed from what you do

How To Crash A Party

  • Act like you’re supposed to be there
  • Sneak in with a crowd
  • Borrow someone’s wristband
  • Trade a kiss for a wristband
  • Call “their” assistant
  • Say you’re the owner of a high-profile European network
  • Be friendly (or flirt) with the bouncer or whoever is managing the guest list
  • Go in through the fire escape
  • Use “Creative” in your title
  • Say that you’re invited by Robert Gottlieb from FOX

Escape from PromaxBDA: What To See While In Town

  • The Stanley Kubrick Exhibit @ LACMA
  • California Science Center: Here’s your chance to see the new Space Shuttle Endeavor pavilion
  • LA Live, Nokia Theater and Staples Center host many musical acts. Check their websites for a list of featured artists and schedules.

Getting Around

The Conference is located at LA Live, which is the entertainment center of Downtown LA. There are plenty of places to see and eat around here. Just keep in mind that Downtown is not particularly walking-friendly and the blocks are quite long, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

LA Live is also a touristy area, so there will be plenty of taxicabs available or you can catch the Metro Rail or public transportation: http://www.lalive.com/visitor-center/public-transportation

Better yet, keep your eyes peeled for the Oishii-branded van.

Oishii_Flex

 

 

 

07
Jun

The F Word: Live It!

Posted by / blogposts, Innovation

Every day, making mistakes on a project, at a meeting or even in your business is critical for future success. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re probably not taking risks, stretching your limits and pushing yourself or your business beyond what you think is possible. Making mistakes takes you closer to success. In Silicon Valley, this is called calculated risk-taking and it radically disrupts the power of “failure” and makes it into an opportunity for learning.

According to NYT writer Sariska Bansal, many investors look at failure as a positive when making decisions. “If you’re not failing… you’re not considered to be innovative enough…” We agree. So fail “out loud” and fail “forward!”

Innovation-Failure

03
Jun

Innovators Find New Ways To Think

Posted by / blogposts
The Duryea Brothers

The Duryea Brothers

Over a hundred years ago this month, the Duryea brothers built one of the first one-cylinder automobiles. Charles & Frank Duryea were innovators and entrepreneurs, but like so many talented people, they were beat to the market by others. For most of their lives, the Duryea brothers came to resent their lack of fame compared to the veritable Henry Ford.

Amongst themselves, the brothers were also embroiled in a bitter legal battle over who had actually built the first car. The dispute ended only with older brother Charles’ death in 1938. Instead of wasting time and energy on fighting, harboring resentment, and continually defining themselves against their betters, what if they charted a new course, embracing their role as early adopters and finding new ways to apply their skills to new projects and possibilities? Imagine what their passion for innovation could have yielded then?

23
May

Unleashed: Where are you going?

Posted by / blogposts, Featured

Are You Unleashed?

 The strategy and work session could always use more color.  Unleashed is the Oishii way of thinking about thinking. For us, Unleashed in a work session means using the mind productively, creating something tangible and useful. Unleashed means an open mind free from the clutter of judgements, cynicism and anger. Unleashed allows the shapes the unformed intuition and impulse into words. Go wild. Get unleashed…Where are you going?

 

For more #kidinspired and The Kid Unleashed: series at Tumblr

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