…and it does not look like it will be any time soon. Not with such a sad smiley face.

The music biz is in the slump, as we all know. The ever so accessible, sharable and convenient, yet often illegal, and prior to official release leaking MP3 created a new and challenging environment for bands and their marketers. One that is mainly fought by shutting down music sharing sites and fan posts as well as promoting live acts and merchandise while upping ticket prices. Not an option if you are the ‘it’ band of the moment, like the - maybe as of today still Indie rockers - ‘Of Montreal‘, who launched their new release titled ‘Skeletal Lamping Collection’ 4 days ago in several innovative ways. Next to the digital download, the (extremely ‘cutting edge’ packaged) CD, as well as the LP, the ‘album’ can be purchased in these four formats: Wall Decals, Button-set, Tote Bags & T-Shirts.

All these unconventional items include a cool car-freshener-lookalike that features a download code of the MP3’s. A smart way to get fans to collect one - or all - and to offer merchandise before actual live dates. Also an innovative way of creating a more personal and artistic ‘brand atmosphere’ for the band, as well as making a statement of re-inventing how music can be published, packaged and monetized, while making fans ecstatic and creating a buzz.
Thanks to our ex subleasee and current client (we are currently working on a re-design of their web site), the ever so wonderful pals at blik, for sending over samples of the wall decals, which you can, among other items from the series, view below.

For another in-depth write up, as well as the band’s thoughts and imagery of all pieces of the release-bundle, go to pitchfork, where I found the photos.

A great viral promotion for a font software.

Thanks to Bobby for the heads-up.

Always inspired by seeing designers come up with new and unique solutions to age-old tasks, which are often labeled as being boring or mundane, like designing a lamp. Some might say ‘It’s all been done before’ and some opt out to just try a bit harder. This blog post my designer Julia found today shall serve as inspiration to all young designers to try harder and invent, or at least to re-invent.

(11.17 Addition: Just had to add this series of ‘dog lamps’ I found today to the mix.)

…via my super design team in Germany. They made me super. Super viral idea, mainly because of the added benefit: A point of sale is included. A special Kodak moment indeed.