Creative Collaboration

I am all about having big corporations open up to the public and other academia outlets in order to promote or to create awareness about their new products. In Big Firms Eye 'Open Innovation' for Ideas it discusses how IBM has opened their new product Blue Gene to scientists. It is benefitting IBM to find out more uses for their product AND it is benefitting scientists who may have trouble getting resources or their research out to the public. I think it's always a great idea to be boundary stretchers and reach out to different areas to think of new and innovative ideas.

For example, in Nike's New Public Design Studio consumers actually go to Niketown in NYC to design and create their own custom made sneakers. It brings online fascination of "DIY" things to hands on reality. It is a wonderful idea especially because who knows how Nike is benefitting from all of these new color pallets and fresh new designs. Plus, think of the publicity! As a PR major, think about the possibility on hooking these consumers for life because they feel like they are a part of the design.

An interesting fact, when applying for a job at Vitamin Water they ask you if you were to create a new flavor what would it be and what would you call it. Think about how many applications they receive and how many new ideas they get everyday...

BRILLIANT!