W hat we’re reading in (spooky) graphic design and marketing
As Halloween week begins, it’s a time to reflect on the spooky things in life. Ghosts and ghouls? Masked killers? Demonic possessions? Not quite… this week, what we’re reading in graphic design and marketing features far spookier real world happenings. Be prepared!
Powerful Ads Use Real Google Searches to Show the Scope of Sexism Worldwide | ADWEEK
This haunting ad campaign uses Google’s predictive search feature (which compiles its suggestions by way of frequently typed queries) to highlight sexism across the globe. Know what’s even scarier? The comments outraged about this ad campaign and article, because it dares to point out sexism. Yikes.
Instagram as a Growing Business | Instagram Blog
Seeing as this article comes from the horse’s mouth, the verbiage is all in friendly-marketing-bright-side-speak, but the bottom line is this: Instagram is getting ads. Soon, instead of scrolling through your feed to only see pictures you’ve opted in for, you’ll also start seeing branded content. Perhaps Instagram should be dressing up as Spamagram this Halloween – just don’t expect it to take off the costume afterward…
Adobe Network Attacked, User Information Compromised | IGN
Earlier this month, Adobe reported they were hacked on a massive scale: “We also believe the attackers removed from our systems certain information relating to 2.9 million Adobe customers, including customer names, encrypted credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates, and other information relating to customer orders.” Considering Adobe’s controversial decision to move its future software releases entirely to the cloud, a security breach of this level doesn’t particularly inspire confidence for anyone on the fence about that upgrade. Scary indeed!
One Misread Tweet Leads to Spike in Oil Price | Mashable
Think 140 characters isn’t enough to inspire fear? Think again. When the Israeli Defense Forces tweeted about an airstrike which happened 40 years ago, oil traders panicked and shocked prices upward by $1 a barrel. If there was any doubt as to the power and influence social media can have, articles like this ought to dispel that notion pretty fast.
Obamacare website: 6 biggest contractors receive more than $200 million | CNN Money
In news that made web developers across the world quake in terror (or rage), it was revealed that the top six contractors responsible for the infamously broken Affordable Care Act website were paid more than $200 million for their work. We’re pretty sure we could have happily delivered a far better website for a fraction of that price – but hey – it’s a mad, scary world out there.
Alright, enough with reality – it’s just too spooky. Have fun Halloween plans or costumes? Connect with us on Facebook – we’d love to hear from you!
Gary works from his apartment in Portland as Zbra Studios’ Senior SEO Strategist (mostly in pajamas, with a cat or two nibbling at his leg). Those in web3 may known him as weary (or vvveary, give or take a “v”), where he works in the moonlight hours on the core team of the MetaArchitects HUB.
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