Was browsing the UK Government’s National Statistics website the other evening (don’t ask) and happened across a nice example of information graphics. In this single diagram one can glean:

1. Male and Female differences
2. Actual numbers involved on both axis
3. Historical fluctuations and ‘baby boom’ years (bulge at 40 = 1960′s)
4. A sharp ‘baby boom’ spike at 60 from returning WW2 veterans
5. Low fertility phases in mid-late 1970′s and late 80′s an 90′s (narrowing)
6. Higher female life expectancy after age 75
7. Higher male mortality during the WW2 causes skewing past 60
8. It’s downhill form 45!

All in one simple diagram!

I did my degree in Graphic Information Design (at Falmouth University) and it forms the backbone of much of my marketing and kids thinking today. Namely, “WHO is the audience? WHAT is the message? And HOW do you get the message across in the most succinct way?”. You need a real audience understanding, a clearly defined message and highly targeted execution. A great discipline to carry though any piece of work, from games to adverts.

Just noticed that our Mr. Men Pinball game has just re-appeared in the “Hot Games” top 6 on the Miniclip homepage. Considering this game has been around for about 2 years now, that’s fantastic! Not sure of the figures as they’re probably also a little guarded, but I’d expect it to be somewhere up near 40 million game plays by now. Amazing when you consider the population of the UK is about 65 million

That’s the power of a good advergame. Equate that to a traditional media spend on say, Yahoo or the Google Ad Network and the ‘cost per click’ or ‘cost per engavement’ is very impressive on Miniclip or similar gaming sites. People actually spent more time playing the Mr. Men game then the length of an TV episode of the Mr. Men Show! Click through to the Mr. Men Show site was similarly impressive. Double figures where the usual industry average for a click through on a banner is maybe 1.4%.

Obviously, advergames are one of my pet passions and I’ve made a few games before so this is kinda big news yet a big ‘I always told you so!’ moment. I’ll post something more useful in the near future but fo now, enjoy the pinball!

Note the little square bottom right. That’s cool.

My job may be digital but I love nothing more than being up to my elbows in spanners and oily rags. “Come the Revolution” every bloke should know how to strip an engine, do an oil change and reset the cam timings… right?

Thanks to the guys on the forum at Real Classic I managed to unstick the clutch of my new plaything, a 1988 Harris Matchless G80 (the one with electric start and twing front discs). Those who know me would know this is not my usualy taste in bikes, but it was entrusted to me by a sadly departed ‘old boy’, so I’m giving it a good home in his honour.

So, like a kid with a new toy, I couldn’t wait for the new clutch case gasket to arrive so I assembled it anyway just to ride it up the road and back (yes I know the sprocket cover is still off). Very cool sound. Nice ‘fut, fut, fut’ from the 500cc Rotax single. Lots of people stopped and chatted. Annoyingly, I’ve got to take it all apart again to fit the new gasket, but at least I know the drill now. Will take some photos of the procedure to help any other poor soul doing battle with a Rotax 504 E strip down.

Anyhoo, a few pics to show you what it looks like…

Spent a couple of hours making our voices felt this evening in a mass demonstration against Westminster Council’s decision to charge bikes for free parking. They are the only council in the country, possibly the world and unfortunately, it’s all about money. It’s not so much the parking fee but also the over-zealous way they enforce it. Very grubby business but that’s Westminster Council for you.

It was an amazing event, really well run by NoToBikeParkingFees, MAG and the BMF to name but a few. There was a great atmosphere, the police were great and the public were very supportive (if not a little stunned at 1000 bikes revving and beeping their way past Parliament).

Of course, we’re all assuming the council didn’t give a second thought to the wishes of it’s subjects and will force through the bill. However, I feel this is just the start. And what a noisy, slightly smokey and passionate start it was. Axe the Tax indeed!

Spotted this example of how NOT to package a kids plush (Peppa Pig) while out shopping with my kids. Bonkers. All the wrong messages. I can only assume it was an in-store ‘upgrade’ and not an official design (judging by the example in the background). Poor thing.