Just begun to read a new book on the history and impact of the iPod called The Perfect Thing by Steven Levy. So far, it's been a good read about the birth of the iPod and its broader impact on culture. But what I find really interesting about it is the way it has been structured to echo the iPod - there are a number of versions of the book where the chapters (except chapter 1) have been randonly shuffled just like arguably the biggest feature on the iPod.
This interested me for two reasons. First, it's a good example of 'brand' behavior - don't just talk about the impact of the shuffle feature, demonstrate it. Second, I find it interesting to see how a traditionally linear media - the book - can be turrned into something more weblike and non-linear. And that's something I think we need to think about more when developing communication. Yes, brands and communications are about story telling but we don't seem to be thinking about how we can make these stories feel more contemporary and non-linear (and less self contained) in nature.
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