Is Your Website Ready?

An interesting read from our one of our digital marketing partners Teresa Sperti of Digital Marketing Lab, about how to get more from your online presence:

Many Australian retailers are beginning to realise the importance of the web as a distribution channel and lucrative revenue stream. Only a few organisations are currently benefiting from an early adopter advantage in the online marketplace whilst the masses are still in the starting blocks paralysed by their lack of website investment. Hitwise research confirmed this trend in August 2008 when it highlighted that in the Australian marketplace pure play online businesses are streaks ahead of the competition in the online space.

The Facts - Online Consumer Spending in Australia - If your organisation is yet to be convinced by the opportunity, the following statistics demonstrate the value of an online distribution channel; Australian shoppers spent an average of $1,097 buying products online in 2008, with the forecast for 2009 set to defy the offline recessionary trends. Despite the current economic conditions, online spending in Australia is set to increase by 12 percent in 2009. According to IBIS World, online retailing is forecasted to be $15.8 billion in Australia. In 2006, online retailing was $11 billion - which equates to 44% growth in 3 years.

To read the full article log onto Digital Marketing Lab

Art with explosive consequences

Check out the amazing work of Spanish artist Alicia Martin and New Yorker Rosemarie Fiore.

Alicia uses old books to create stunning installations reminiscent of waterfalls and landslides. We love the metaphor of words tumbling over themselves.

And Rosemarie, who uses live fireworks to generate little explosions of extraordinary colour, creates collages at once carefully composed and dictated by chance. Like life, really.

(Above) Alicia Martin: Streaming Books Installations

(Above) Rosemarie Fiore - Firework Drawings

Things that floated our boat this month:

1. A neat piece of UK architecture, animal wall by London designer Gitta Gschwendtner the geometric wall incorporates 1,000 nest boxes for birds and bats.

2. Relaxing afternoon at Monselvat* listening to beautiful sounds of acclaimed piano trio – Seraphim Trio

3. A pre-dinner drink at Fitzroy’s new gem Cutler & Co

4. Interview with iconic Melbourne street artist Miso - Design Files

1. (above) Animal Wall

2. (above) * Monselvat is a European style artist's colony established in the 1940's the grounds are filled with unique and distinctive buildings and gardens, they hosts a variety of concerts, exhibitions and functions. Open to the public 7 day's a week

3. (above) Cutler & Co - 55-57 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy 3056

4. (above) Street art by Miso - Photographs & interview via: The design files

Georges Mora Foundation makes a fine fellow out of innovative Australian artist

While I never had the privilege of meeting pre-eminent art dealer and restaurateur Georges Mora, his influence is still felt at the sharper end of the contemporary cultural mix .

His many exhibitions showcased artists of local and international standing, and he was a key player in many of the innovations and the drive in the art and cultural scene from the 1950s until his death in 1992. From all accounts, He believed in the power of ideas and supported artists of all ages in their attempts to express their ideas and individuality through their chosen medium.

With Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE as Patron, The Georges Mora Foundation (GMF) was established to perpetuate Georges' guiding hand in supporting the importance of new thinking and emergence of energetic Australian artists. I have just been asked to join the Board. I am excited about being part of and contributing to the work of this important cultural organisation.

Melbourne artist, Philip Brophy has just received the 2009 Georges Mora Foundation Fellowship entitling him to a one year artist in residence program in Paris.

Philip Brophy is an artist with an extensive and accomplished history of art projects across film, video, sound, installation and performance. Check out some of his work at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3nMe9UJgj

Written by Darren - photographs by Nigel Buessts

TED - Ideas worth sharing

We stumbled upon TED recently - a website devoted to sharing ideas from some of the world's best thinkers such as Al Gore, Sir Richard Branson among others by video for free. Their raison d'être is a good one:

"We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and
each other."

If you're stuck on your quest to change the world...or if you're simply in need for some inspiration, it's worth a browse.

www.ted.com