Spreading random happiness - what a refreshing idea

Thanks to Cool Hunting for the tip about a groovy new site experience called You Look Great Today.

It's an incredibly simple concept: use one of the "thumbs up" visuals available on the site (see photo) to turn a run of the mill photo opp of someone into an endorsement of their hair, eyes, or overall attitude and appearance. Post the photo to the site to get others' opinions, and vote on their submissions. Digg/Facebook what you like, etc. (there's a full range of the usual content distribution options).

The creator of this concept is The Happy Corp; I can't exactly tell what The Happy Corp is (where is easier, Broome Street in NYC), but here's what they say they do: "Improving gross national happiness through the invention, management, and maintenance of progressive brands and ideas." (note to self: what a great positioning for an agency)

Happy Corp says YLGT is "dedicated to finding and capturing greatness in the wild." But what I found most interesting about this concept is the random positiveness of it:

Observe greatness. We often forget to tell our friends how bright they shine, let alone total strangers. Bedroom eyes, perfect smiles, clean hair, and sweet outfits. Together we decide what looks good. Who looks great today?

The un-self conscious positive energy of this idea really makes me smile. It strikes the right balance between sweetness and simplicity. It's not too too cloying (is the pepto pink too much?), neither is it too involving for either subject or submitter. A simple way to bring some positive energy into your life and others'.

Customer experiences that give people a stimulus (an excuse?) to spread positive energy around are (in my humble opinion) all too rare and particularly relevant in today's times of Wall Street meltdown, subprime mortgage hangover, Iraq debacle, falling dollar, etc. HELLO PEOPLE, time for a little positive energy. Would be a great idea for a brand to co-opt. (Kodak?)

Will be interesting to see how much traffic the concept generates.

Go out there and spread some happy, people!

Comments

[Jeff Flemings - blog editor]

Agree Alec, wondered about that myself. Glad to hear they are aware of the problem and addressing it. Seriously now, how hard would it be do do up a downloadable thumb? HELLO, EASY.

[Alec]

Hold the phone - I just tried to upload a photo and was denied because I need to buy a $6 paper thumb and have it mailed to me first.

Is this the sort of interactive online experience that makes everybody feel good? Maybe. But I'm not about to pay money to a group I don't know, then wait 6 - 14 weeks to find out.

Come on HappyCorp, make it easier to spread the happy!

Here's a comment from their team on the matter (Yes, I had to ask):

"The 6 bucks covers the cost of printing the micro-perf card and shipping, not trying to make any money on the thing that's for sure considering all the time to build it etc. We are in the process of adding downloadable cards, and an app that let's you add the thumb to any image, but they will take some time. A big part of the project / idea is to get people to meet other people, use the card as an ice breaker (have you seen the Orange 32 card "you're a douche"?), and then hit the net (where we all spend so much time now). It's the same with our event series LVHRD, trying to get people to connect in real life and play online.

The print cards are great for us to spread with our business card packs in meetings, at events (which we throw here in NYC), etc while this fun side project grows up over time."

[Jeff Flemings - blog editor]

So funny, I actually thought of you when writing this post, Moglo. We miss you!!

[moglo]

Awesome posting -- I couldn't agree with you more. Ain't nothing better than a little brand placebo effect to begin healing us from the ills of the world. Oh, and did I say you look great today?