I came across this Wii wristband on Gareth Kay's Brand New blog. He received it in the mail together with other brand gadgets from Matter, a box full of interesting stuff. The Matter box is a branding tool that gives people something physical and touchable to attach to a brand. "Giving you something you might like.". I believe we're going more and more to that kind of advertising/branding. Not only in a direct mail context, but also in television commercials, internet, ... There is so much coming our way that eventually we'll just pick out what we really like. For more on this I would like to refer to Russell Davies who also teached me that words can't always explain.

Sony can probably write books about the brilliant colours you get to see on their Sony Bravia televisions, but only some professors would read it. Instead they decided to put some pots of Play-Doh inside the box so people can create their own version of the Rabbit TV commercial. "Complex brands, concepts and ideas are better understood in our hands than on the screen". If you find a material thing that perfectly attaches to your brand's beliefs and values, you might have a little golden nugget in your hands. Just like this rather simple sports wristband for Wii, or what would be a better way to get your Wii message across? As a young planner I really like the idea behind this that planners 'should be making more stuff rather than creating words and traingles in PowerPoint'.

More wonderful brand insights at Brand New
This Matter box also reminds me of the Young Enterprise we had back in high school (2002)