Fabulous Freaks of 2019

How was your first week back at work? If you're still in a daze and trying to remember how to do your job then welcome to my third annual brain-dump of all the smart, weird and wonderful stuff that I stumbled across over the past 12 months.

Here's the most interesting scrolling you'll do all day. Enjoy!

1. Shutterstock – Be on Fyre

Thanks to Netflix, this time last year you couldn't fail but revel in the Fyre Festival fiasco. It became a tipping point for wider cynicism of influencer culture, made a loveable anti-hero of Andy King and proved that pigs could swim. It also led to many a meme. But no one did it better than Shutterstock, who amplified their take on it brilliantly well with this accompanying blog post.

2. Mailchimp Presents

Mailchimp Presents is the 'full English' of value-added content – and what a discovery. Shirley Manson interviews musicians about the song that changed everything for them, scripted comedies such as Taking Stock steal an imaginative lead from bad stock photography, Second Act reveals unlikely entrepreneurs who took the plunge and Unlikely Business Lessons does what it says on the tin. Well played, Mailchimp. In offering up the perfect mix of Information, Entertainment, Inspiration and Education, you've just redefined the branded content hub.

3. YSL Beauty Station in the desert

It could be described as the most superficial and garish gas station ever built. It may be a shameless monument to Instagram culture. But who doesn't want to chance upon an unexpected oasis in the desert? And to Coachella's commuters it was just that. Seemingly taking their lead from Elmgreen & Dragset's Prada Marfa, YSL planted this poseur's paradise aside Route 111 en route to the Coachella Festival. Featuring a tour bus, giant lipstick sign, heart-shaped balloons, convertible cars, neon pink gas pumps and make-up vending machines with on expert beauty advice on hand. Straight out of the Beats by Dre ambush manual for unofficial sponsors.

4. Donald Glover X Adidas

Let's talk about Airdrop. Everything I've ever received through Airdrop has either clogged up my camera roll or made itself instantaneously anonymous. But the powers of Airdrop took an interesting turn at Coachella this year, as a new way to announce a sneaker drop. Attendees were randomly selected to receive a photo from Donald Glover. The lucky iPhone users who trustingly tapped “Accept” were rewarded with a coupon for a free pair of sneakers from his peculiar Adidas collaboration, valid for just 60 minutes. Somebody, somewhere must have presented a deck asserting that Android users just don't go to Coachella ;)

5. WeTransfer – Please leave

"Stuck online, inhaling content, wasting time" – a choice quote from this meta-marketing push by WeTransfer. It's enough to put you off the rest of this article. Seriously though, a smart exercise in showing self-awareness by a brand (without trying too hard)

6. IKEA – Real Life Series

A great piece of culture-hacking from IKEA last year, inspiring customers to make their own living room as iconic as famous sets from cult TV shows. Recreated entirely using IKEA furniture and products, there's Stranger Things, The Simpsons and Friends for real families to enjoy. Here's the full set.

7. New York Times magazine

I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it. A typographic treat designed by Ben Grandgrenett.

8. Toy Story 4

Can you imagine pitching this? It wouldn't live beyond the first internal meeting in most cases. Meanwhile, in Japan... a superb stunt in the true spirit of Toy Story.

9. Vimeo

I was served this YouTube pre-roll ad by Vimeo last year and I'd just like to congratulate whoever is responsible.

10. Ronald Rael's Teeter Totter Wall

One of the most inspiring statements of 2019 was the Teeter Totter Wall created by Ronald Rael, installed at the US/Mexico border. A vivid reminder that whatever actions take place on one side affect the other. That we remain connected no matter what obstacles we face. That freedom can transcend absolutism. Here's more in Rael's own words.

11. Smith & Wollensky

Some refreshing OOH from the streets of New York for heritage steakhouse chain Smith & Wollensky, by Walrus NYC. Known for never changing their ways, the chain cleverly used traditional media to lampoon social media. As Walrus say themselves "If you post something interesting, people tend to notice"

12. Trailmaps.co.uk

Personalisation but not as you know it. With trailmaps.co,uk you can immortalise your personal best run or ride by uploading and printing your Strava/Garmin data. A sweet idea.

13. Modern Love on Prime

Rom-Coms are really (like, really) not my genre. But in Modern Love I think I've found a real breath of fresh air. It features stars from Mad Men, Ozark and Homeland as well as Dev Patel, Anne Hathaway, Catherine Keener and Andy Garcia in short and punchy plots. All based on real stories printed in a New York Times weekly column, there's something for him, her, they and them.

14. Cameo.com

I'm not too sure how I feel about cameo.com, but it stood out as a what-will-they-think-of-next moment. Easy money for the talent and a great surprise for those hard to buy for friends and family – what's not to like? Snoop Dogg on the phone for $750 anyone?

15. The Helsinki Tourist Board (?)

One of my favourite things from 2019.

16. WePresent by WeTransfer

In total contradiction to the the WeTransfer 'Please leave' campaign (see 5. above) I discovered the tremendous WePresent blog. Championing 'Unexpected tales of creativity', it was an interview with Arianne Phillips (costume designer for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) that first caught my eye with its brilliant BTS photography, insights and sketches. In the same mould as Mailchimp Presents, here's another brand leading the way for content creation for 2020.

17. Pivot Podcast

All hail the best industry podcast of 2019, the Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway. I've become an avid fanboy of this bi-weekly, no holds barred, hot-take on the state of tech. Kara and Scott are a formidable double act with a penchant for accurate predictions, forecasting the demise of WeWork and Nike's entrance into the subscription space last year. Gangster listening, as Scott would say.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or Stitcher

Have a great 2020. (Here's the lists from 2017 and 2018 if you're hungry for more)