Starting my 30-minute brain break

Me sitting in my favorite escaping corner/couch. Everyone should have one. 

Today (when I was writing this) was one of those rare days when I found myself with 30 minutes free from work. It probably happens to you as well. You’ve been doing things non-stop, either at work or at home. Your to-do list is never ending. Then suddenly… you have 30 minutes. 

They were not planned. They just happened because a task you deemed complex, turn out to be simpler than expected and therefore you completed it in good time, enough to have this unexpected free time that you don’t know what to do with. 

And it’s not like you don’t have other tasks you could do. In fact, you have so many that you don’t know which one is deserving the honor. 

But this time, instead of going on to cross-off something from my tomorrow’s to-do list, I decided to go sideways. I decided to write. 

The Challenge

My challenge was to write a simple blog post in 30 minutes. Using my version of the Pomodoro Technique. In case you are not familiar with it, it’s a technique that works well for those who get too used to working under pressure. Those who hate “productivity hacks”. Or those who procrastinate when we don’t have much to do, but do it all with high stress levels when we have too much. 

All you need to do is set a timer and focus on completing the task within that time frame. With no distractions of any kind. With no excuses. 

The Outcome

I managed and this is the first post that resulted from it. My new goal is to find this time every week or every other week. Either at home or at work. To take back this therapy of writing which is one of my favorite pastimes, and one of my favorite brain-stress-relieving activities (as ironic as it sounds). 

I closed it, then the next morning -while taking a shower- new blog ideas where showering my mind (see the pun there?). I wrote them down in my phone’s notepad and now I’m ready to keep the creative juices flowing. 

It’s amazing how a little action, a little step back can have such a productive result.  

My hope is that next week I will have something new to share with you. Either in this blog, or in Fina en la Oficina, or in my Linkedin, depending on what fits my inspiration. 

The last challenge was to find the time to actually post this. If you are reading this... I conquered!

5 Things to Learn from Nintendo This Holiday Season

With the release of two new campaign videos on YouTube, Nintendo makes new statements that are worth observing more closely. 



1- Games are clearly not just for kids anymore

We all know that since the invention of the PlayStation and the XBox, gaming stopped being just for kids. The majority of players with real purchasing power are adults, who once were 80's or 90's kids that had the first video games in their hands back then and grew up to become adult players. 

But despite everyone knowing this, commercials about video games were not so openly targeted to these adults. You'd either have commercials where you could actually see the game interface or the new additions to the consoles and how they work, or you would have a mix between settings where kids interact or adults interact.... all these depending on the kind of game or console being pushed. 

This time there's no dissimulation. The first look at the Nintendo Switch Ad does not present a console that is meant for kids to entertain themselves while in the car or after they finish their homework. It is meant for adults to do so. 

As you can see these are all adults playing in the commercial, with no kids group subtly slipped in to make it more diverse. 

2-Pay attention to the ladies playing
For many, many years, the majority of gamers were men. But within the past 5 years, the numbers are getting even. 

Take a look at these stats by istance:

Distribution of computer and video gamers in the United States from 2006 to 2016, by gender

The reasons causing the rise of more female gamers are many, but they are mostly related to the fact that more options are being offered to them, think about the Nintendo Wii's workout options, sports playing options or, my personal faves, the new versions of Mario. Think of all those women who were playing FarmVille and Candy Crush on Facebook and their Mobile phones. 

An article in The Guardian gives them even more predominance: "Cast aside the old stereotype – women are now the majority among games users. But as characters and creators they are still largely absent".

Going back to Nintendo's Switch commercial, the female crowd is clearly being targeted by the brand and that's something that all gaming companies should consider. 

3- It's not about what you play but who you play with, and where

But don't think I'm a "Switch" enthusiast. My first thought when I saw the Nintendo Switch commercial was "these people want you to think that this game is so cool because you can share it and play it with more friends, and take it to all parties. But don't fool me, it still looks like you would be missing out on everything else, because now all you will do is play Nintendo "anywhere, anytime".  

Yeah! I thought all that, and yeah, my boyfriend thought I was very cynical. 

But for some people that works, and that's what they want. Nintendo is giving it to them.

4- Create expectation

This is basic marketing, no need for big explanations. Black Friday is coming, Christmas is coming, but Nintendo is saying "Hey, don't spend all your money there because our game won't be released until next spring". 

So they keep you hooked and on the look, and they'll surely be dropping more commercials like this that we would have to see for 5 more months. 

5- Engage with the Holidays

In case you didn't know, the Pokémon Go app is a huge success around the world, and it's revolutionizing social gaming trends with a very clever use of augmented reality. 

The game, developed by Niantic, keeps surprising those who are paying attention to it. Like me. 

Thanks to my boyfriend, I've been looking closely at everything that has been going on with it. This week, they are having a Pokémon Go Halloween Weekend, meaning that the "spookiest" Pokémon will be available, and they will even go "trick or treating", because the players can collect more candy within this period. 

I know, the video is horrible and I really think Pokémon Go could use a better video maker for these purposes, but the idea is a good example of a well-timed engagement strategy.

Rihanna y Dior: Visión futurista

La cantante y la casa de moda francesa colaboran nuevamente para crear esta nueva colección de lentes de sol, que esta vez llevan el mismísimo nombre de Rihanna. La colección está inspirada en el personaje Geordi La Forge de la legendaria serie Star Trek: The Next Generation. Puedes leer al respecto en Daily Mail. 

Fotos de Just Jared.com

Novedades de la semana: OPI, MAC, Arte de Café y la alfombra de los Premios Soberano

En la alfombra de los Premios Soberano, faltarán mujeres...

Y es que ya fueron anunciados los nombres de quiénes estarán conduciendo la alfombra de los más turbulentos Premios Soberano hasta el momento. Y digo turbulentos, por todos los percances de producción, remodelación del escenario, cambios de fecha e incertidumbre que han tenido que experimentar. 

A la alfombra, "de fuera vendrán"... Quizás porque no quieren dramas con figuras locales, quizás porque quieren darle un aire más internacional, quizás, quizás... Sea cual sea la razón, Acroarte ya anunció que los conductores de la "Alfombra Soberana" este año serán los dominicanos radicados en el extranjero, Mariela Encarnación (CNN en Español) y Tony Dandrades (Univisión). Ambos tienen una gran experiencia como exitosos comunicadores y serán los encargados de recibir a los artistas invitados durante esta noche de gala. 

Mariela Encarnación será la única mujer conduciendo en la alfombra de los Premios Soberano

En cuanto a la parte de moda, las mujeres brillarán por su ausencia, pues los conductores de esta parte serán Francisco Sanchís, Carlos Lamarche, Reading Pantaleón y Manuel Tarrazo. 

¿Qué opinan ustedes?

Update del 26 de mayo a las 9:00 pm: Pues resulta que Nahiony Reyes también formará parte de los conductores de la alfombra a juzgar por una foto que circula en Instagram. Su nombre no figuraba inicialmente en la nota enviada por Acroarte. Parece que se les "escapó". 

Si aún están buscando regalo para las madres, estas otras novedades de la semana les pueden ser una opción...

Arte de Café no. 13: José Morillo

La décimo tercera edición de Arte de Café de Casa Cuesta, tiene como artista al pintor dominicano José Morillo. Se trata de una nueva colección de piezas para la mesa, que incluye platos decorativos, platos de postre, platos de servir, una cafetera, un set de cremera y azucarera, y por supuesto, tazas de café. 

Como siempre, se trata de piezas de edición limitada que honran el arte y la identidad dominicana como parte de la iniciativa del grupo CCN, "Orgullo de mi Tierra". 

Las piezas se encuentran sólo en Casa Cuesta. ¿Bellas no? Esta iniciativa es de las favoritas de mi mamá. 

Eyes on MAC
Son las nuevas paletas de sombras de la popular marca de maquillaje. Diferentes tonos coordinados en paletas de 16 o 9 sombras, ya están disponibles en sus tiendas de Santo Domingo. 

OPI colección Alice Through the Looking Glass

A propósito de la segunda película de Alicia en el País de las Maravillas que se estrena en el país, llega también la colección de esmaltes OPI inspirada en dicho filme. Se trata de 6 tonos de edición limitada, disponibles en laca, Gel Color y formato mini, con la siguiente descripción: 

The I's Have It y Fearlessly Alice, vienen en azul. Oh my Majesty! es un tono más modesto y perlado. I'm Gown for Anything!, un lila perfecto para la temporada. A Mirror Escape, en dorado brillante. Y Having Big Head Day, en rojo clásico. 

December Update: Strengths and Weaknesses of Social Media Managers and other stories...

Which  type of social media manager are you? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why is Forever21 at the top of mind of this generation? Why is social media important for designer Zac Posen?... and more in today's Yanegirl's Week Update.

Which type of social media manager are you?

The topic: An infographic with 7 types of social media managers.

Because, of course, there are many and each one takes a different approach, sometimes without even realizing it. Therefore I found this infographic very interesting to take a look a some of the traits that shape the behavior (and the success) of some social media managers.

The source: Social Media Today
 
What I’m taking notes on: The strengths and weaknesses identified for each one of these characters. Check'em out yourself.


Why is Forever 21 at the top of mind of this generation?

The topic: Why Forever 21 is dominating millennial fashion

Not surprising. I’ve always said it. Being on a budget, if you have taste and sense of style, it doesn’t matter what brand you are wearing but how you’re wearing it. If the clothing meets the purpose, I wouldn’t sacrifice half of my paycheck to get something else. Of course, this is until you become a more conscious buyer, but by that time, you’re someone else’s target, not Forever 21.
 
The source: Business Insider India
 
What I’m taking notes on: <<“Why would a brand that offers low-cost, low-quality apparel rank so high with fashionable teens? The answer might be simple: Forever 21 is targeting a girl who is not yet interested in purchasing quality clothes. She just wants to look good. And when that girl moves on, another crop of girls will enter Forever 21's throes. This cheap, ephemeral fashion doesn't bother this consumer. After all, this consumer is more interested in spending money on technology and experience than apparel, anyway.">>

The Zac Posen strategy

Me as many others, discovered Zac Posen after he designed that Natalie Portman dress he mentions in this article, but really fell in love with his designing skills after his role as a judge in Project Runway. He's a young designer that has made great use of the media and network connections to build his brand. So reading this interview is a must.

The Source: WWD

What I’m taking notes on: <<“So the red carpet helped establish your company. What kind of impact does it have today on your business? Is it a mandate for designers?

Z.P.: It’s very important for the right brand. Not every brand is a glamour brand. Not every red carpet is a glamour moment. For me it’s hugely important. It’s enabled my company to have global visibility and synergies with media. It became an essential building block and in terms financially, it can make a piece a bestseller worldwide.

Z.P.: Social media has evolved the whole game. People are addicted to their phones. You have to think how a piece photographs. The more I grow as a creator; I have to say that I get less worried about that and more focused on the experience of the garment itself. But for the red carpet, it’s essential. There are visceral things that humans react to. There are colors that are emotional, clothing that expresses things about vitality, emotion, sex. You can play with that and it becomes a dialogue. I don’t ever feel pressure to keep up the game because I think having pauses from dressing sometimes creates more anticipation and excitement.>>

Event e-mail marketing tips

The topic: Useful tips to successfully promote events using email campaigns.

This upcoming year I might have the possibility to start exploring the world of event marketing. I've been flirting with a client, so while I seal the deal, I'm saving useful information like tips provided in this article.

The Source: Search Engine Journal

What I’m taking notes on: Creating a timeline for an event e-mail marketing campaign. Types of emails to send prior the event and how to highlight the event main person/speaker/attraction.

Follow me on Twitter @YanerisM to follow-up on more interesting fashion marketing news and articles.