Curators of Sweden

Sweden has a history of being pretty cool with their marketing and branding. They have had some good fun with a few viral videos (or maybe they're just 'videos' now) from Visit Sweden, and have attactive people, which was clever of them. 

Now, they've decided to use Twitter in a pretty unusual and interesting way. For a week at a time, a random Swede will be the curator of their Twitter account, @Sweden (with a thorough disclaimer, naturally). 

"Every week, someone in Sweden is @Sweden: sole ruler of the world’s most democratic Twitter account. For seven days, he or she recommends things to do and places to see, sharing diverse opinions, and ideas along the way. After that, someone else does the same—but differently. Follow all nine million of us. Welcome to Sweden."

It's certainly an interesting idea. It's sparked a lot of Q&As over on Reddit (a couple even seeking genuine advice about moving there), but has of course spawned a lot of nonsense. 

From what I can tell, people are selected on a tipping basis, so the agency behind the idea, Volontaire, has been behind the first few curators, and presumably friends of theirs will be up next and so forth, so at least there is some kind of screening process. 

Interesting idea, of that there is no doubt, but also pretty risky. I love that it shows the face of Sweden, good, bad and ugly, but then again, if I wanted to see that I could just follow a bunch of random Swedes. I'm not sure I'd take quite the same approach as them. I'd like to think that I would try to promote the country at least a little. Maybe the novelty effect is a little too exciting and people just get carried away? 

Provided it's temporary, I can't see too much harm coming out of it. It's a great idea, a daring idea, and a good bit of fun. It's Sweden, for crying out loud. They do stuff the rest of the world think is weird. 

Wrapped in Friendship

Nivea are offering personalised wrapping paper via an app on Facebook. It's a clever idea; pick a friend, choose gift  pack, and then the app will create wrapping paper based on your interactions, e.g. wall posts and photos. Simple and direct. Unlike JCPenney's use of QR codes. 

Deeple - QR Codes Put to Good Use

This is one of those rare occasions where QR codes are actually useful. Simply put, Deeple is a QR code based lost and found service. Put a tag on your keys, your bag, your bike - whatever you want - activate the code, and if you lose it, hopefully someone will find it, scan the code (or head to the website and enter the ID code), and find you. It's simple, it's easy, it's useful. Perfect. 

I have one tag to give away to one lucky person, so first come first served. 

Although the site is only in Danish right now, I have it on good authority that an English version is coming soon.