360 DEGREES Weblog

It’s a testament to your brand name and image when a plurality of consumers are willing to buy your product without even trying it… or even seeing it with their own eyes.

A recent survey of close to 3,000 people found that 35 percent were willing to purchase Apple’s next-gen iPhone when it hits the market.

Altogether, 2,852 consumers responded in the Experian PriceGrabber survey. Of respondents, 7 percent said they’d nab the iPhone 5 within its first week on the market, 14 percent wanted to get it within the first month, and 51 percent said they’d buy the iPhone 5 within its first year of release.

“Our survey data confirms the strong following Apple has built around its iPhone, with more than one-third of consumers planning to upgrade to the latest model only a little over a year following the release of the iPhone 4,” said PriceGrabber general manager Graham Jones, in a press release.

Apple has nearly always had a cult following of loyal users, but in recent years, particularly since the release of the first iPhone, that devotion has spread. Not all may consider themselves “fanboys,” though (and in fact, many will vehemently deny it). The company’s media events are heavily anticipated and product releases are swathed in rumor. Almost two million iPhone 4 devices were sold its opening weekend, and when it hit Verizon, sales records broke in a mere two hours. With such a popular brand, and such a successful line of smartphones, it’s not surprising that people can’t wait to get their hands on an iPhone 5 — even if they don’t know what it looks like yet.

So what makes Apple such a desirable phone manufacturer that consumers are willing to bet on it, sight unseen?

One factor: Apple’s well-curated, well-populated App Store presents consumers with a wide variety of quality apps to choose from. Other app stores still just don’t stack up, either suffering from a lack of content, a lack of profit (for developers), the presence of malware, or sudden app removals.

If you’ve got a problem with an Apple product, Apple’s brick-and-mortar stores offer a convenient, reliable way to get help or get a fix. Apple even has an app for its App Store, so you can easily schedule appointments if, for instance, your iPhone’s home button suddenly quits functioning.

If you’re planning on giving a phone as a gift, according to the PriceGrabber survey, you can’t go wrong with Apple: 69 percent of respondents said they would prefer receiving an iPhone 5 as a gift over other upcoming smartphone models such as the Droid Bionic, Galaxy S II, or BlackBerry Curve.

With all this hype and anticipation, I would not be surprised if iPhone 5 sales end up blowing past sales records out of the water.

Thanks WIRED

Recently, Vodka brand Absolut and Korean Air, the world’s leading in-craft retailer, teamed up to produce the celestial bar in the Korean A380 aircraft.
Absolut retail design division took up the challenge on building a bar in an aircraft for the very first time. The task of including the very basic needs of security and facilities, to a more high end one made them refine their design to create a celestial space of modernity and comfort.
The 4 dimensions in considering for the design included space allotment, technology usage, security issues and the over-arching appeal of the design. Hence, even the brand of Absolut vodka is communicated through very subtle methods such as the Korean carved wooden artifacts which adorn the bar’s counters and wall designs, along with the sophisticated wall-papers prepared with the blue and white theme.
The celestial bar shall have a master mixologist who would be assisting the guests in preparing their drinks, and recommending the best combinations as per taste. On-board, there will be 3 drinks to choose from which include the Elyx- cocktails of premium vodka range from Absolut, the Just add drinks- cocktails prepared with 2 simple ingredients, and the Absolut lab drinks- which will have the expertise of master mixologist Andre Basile Leon.
To enjoy the ambience, the guests will have 3 bars of such kinds to choose from, in reach of the A380 Korean Air flights. While 2 have been placed in the business class, there is only 1 for the 1st class passengers of the airplane. Also, on feature would the duty-free showcase that shall have the most premium products from Absolut. Unfortunately, the price tag for enjoying these finites is not known but will sure embrace all the guests in an ‘intoxicating’ ambience.

It may be their environmental impact that makes most plastic water bottles look ugly, but Evian Lady packaging looks unblemished and beautiful next to its trashy distant cousins.

When you consider the incredible demand for reusable plastic and metal canteens, it’s clear that consumers have become accustomed to carrying containers full of H2O. One may not have her eco flask on her at all times, and in an episode of dehydration, she may be inclined to buy the odd bottle while she’s out.

Designer Kenneth Wong wished to appeal to a precise consumer base: women who are drawn to fashionable things. Evian Lady packaging turns a dull molded flask into a delicately carved diamond-esque vessel which no girl would be ashamed to carry.

Here is the first ad to confirm that Angelina Jolie’s become the new face of Louis Vuitton. This is part of a campaign called “Core Values” shot by Annie Leibovitz following other celebrities such as U2′s Bono, Sean Connery, Keith Richards and Catherine Deneuve. It features the actress sitting on a wooden boat in Cambodia and a beautiful Louis Vuitton over her shoulder. All the money she makes through this will go to charity. Some brands need to start learning a thing or two from these big-hearted ones rather than chase poor, helpless animals.

British luxury sports car maker Aston Martin has latelyannounced to extend its brand license agreement to include internationalproperty developments. The key elements of the distinctive Aston Martin stylewill be now applied to the new property concepts. The three elements thatdefine the Aston martin brand – Power, Beauty and Soul – will be playing amajor role in placing Aston Martin branded developments at the height of the luxuryproperty industry. Alvaro Hidalgo of First Logic said…

Aston Martin has an inherent beauty that stems from a basicrequirement to be streamlined and aerodynamic. It is this design expertise, andan understanding of aesthetics combined with functionality, that willdifferentiate Aston Martin developments. Each Aston Martin property development will be unique. Theproperties will built to suit a selection of first class leisure destinationssuch as marina, beach, ski, golf and polo resorts.

The Aston Martin’s luxuryproperties portfolio worldwide will include villas, apartments, residences,hotels, sports clubs and accompanying exclusive leisure facilities. First Logic, an international property developmentconsultancy, is currently identifying suitable worldwide locations for thisextension to the Aston Martin brand.

And Jimmy Choo has another new owner! The brand’s new owners will be German luxury-goods company Labelux GmbH. The small holding company already owns Swiss shoe brand Bally, the Derek Lam fashion house and British jeweler Solange Azagury-Partridge would have paid quite a high price as the label is reportedly valued between £400 million ($650 million) and £550 million ($880 million). The last known ownership of the brand was held by TowerBrook Capital who owned 83% stake in 2007 for £180 million and Vogue magazine’s editor Tamara Mellon, who held the balance 17% stake> She is said to continue on as the as chief creative officer of the brand.

Coca-Cola took a page from the ‘Go Big Or Go Home’ book to celebrate their 125th anniversary. They hired a company called Obscura Digital to turn all 4 sides of their Atlanta HQ building into a giant 26 story tall projection screen. All in all that amounts to over 200,000 square feet of projection surface. The setup also appears to use multiple projectors on the ground for each side, seamlessly lined up to create one giant animation.

The 2 hour show, which incorporates “transitioning narrative and cinematic pieces” as well as social media elements like photos uploaded to Coca-Cola’s Facebook page, runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in May from 9 to 11pm. And according to the project’s page on the Obscura Digital website, the CO2 footprint of the event “is offset through Georgia’s Valley Wood Carbon Sequestration Project.”

In February this year, a fleet of 100 Rolls-Royce motor cars took to the streets of London to celebrate 100 years of famous Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, which first adorned the Rolls-Royce models in 1911. At that time, we introduced you to some of the most famous Rolls-Royce hood ornaments to date. Now, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the details of a special art commission in honor of the centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

The automaker has commissioned renowned photographer Rankin to capture 100 images inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy. The Spirit of Ecstasy, the famous figurine in the hood of every Rolls-Royce, depicts a woman leaning forward with arms stretched like a bird’s wings. The first two images in the Rankin: Spirit of Ecstasy collection have been revealed now.

For the collection of 100 images, Rankin draws inspiration from the beauty and sensuality of the feminine form. Rankin’s muse is his wife and model Tuuli Shipster. His mages will feature a selection of women of different ages and cultures, evocative of the femininity of the Spirit of Ecstasy. Rankin said…

This is one of the biggest projects I have ever taken on. The images will be a statement about the modern day Rolls-Royce; they will feel fresh, directional and original, while also being beautiful and inspirational.

Rankin: Spirit of Ecstasy will tour across the globe this year. They will present the original portraits at a range of events across the world. Rolls-Royce owners and guests will be invited to a series of exclusive viewings at Rolls-Royce showrooms, with the first one scheduled to take place at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London on May 10.

Unless you’re a design geek or a Coca-Cola fanatic, odds are you don’t realize that the fizzy stuff’s iconic contoured bottle wasn’t released until 1916, over twenty years after it first appeared in bottles. The Original Coca-Cola Hutchinson Bottle (£2, roughly $3) celebrates the drink’s 125th anniversary by bringing it to you in its original bottle, complete with a special anniversary box. Drink up, or don’t — it’s up to you whether you want to be “that guy” with ancient bottles of unopened soda laying around.

Pierre Cardin, the famous fashion designer and probably the most licensed name in the Fashion world is shopping for investors. All of 88 years old, Pierre Cardin wants to sell his business and is asking for €1 billion ($1.46 billion). Fashion insiders are optimistic that this is the right time to sell, but they are not sure of his asking price.