Recently we had a nice launch party with a lot of the people who worked for us in the last months to celebrate the go-live of our new version. One more time thanks to all who made this possible, we love you! Now we fix the last bugs, then we finally let the world [...]
Von unserer Praktikantin Stefka: Am 09. August war es endlich soweit: eine ausgiebige Feier auf geräumiger Terrasse in gemütlicher Grillatmosphäre. Markus und seine reizende Familie, sowie Freunde, Kollegen und Nachbarn feiern das Projekt earthfaves und die baldige Fertigstellung der innovativen Plattform.
Zur Zubereitung kulinarischer Köstlichkeiten, wie Lammrücken, Kanninchenspiessen, Schweinefilet und den sehr beliebten Merguez-Würstchen wurde ein handgefertigter, echt saarländischer Schwenker verwendet, der für einigen Qualm sorgte. In der schönen Umgebung der Terrasse inmitten von spielenden Kindern, wurden anfängliche Schüchternheiten schnell über Bord geworfen und man unterhielt sich angeregt in einer großen Runde.
Nachdem das letzte Stück Grillgut an den Mann (Daniel) gebracht wurde, konnte der Gastgeber zur Präsentation des Projektes earthfaves übergehen. Im hinteren Teil des Wohnzimmers wurden mithilfe eines Beamers die verschiedenen Bereiche auf der Web-Seite aufgezeigt und unterschiedliche Funktionen getestet. Die Demo auf Firefox lief sehr gut und die begeisterten Gäste legten ihre ersten earthfaves an, d.h. ihnen bekannte, schöne oder beliebte Plätze weltweit. Dies konnte entweder ein gutes Restaurant, ein gemütliches Hotel, der beste Strand zum Surfen oder auch einfach ein Berggipfel sein.
Währenddessen machten sich einige der Gäste über das aufgetischte Kuchenbuffet her oder genossen die kühle Abendluft bei einem Glas Rasteau auf der Terrasse. Alles in allem war sowohl die Präsentation, als auch der gesamte Abend sehr gelungen und die Vorfreude auf den Tag X, den Geh-Online-Tag, ist weiterhin ungebrochen... Hier ein paar Eindrücke:
You know, if our wanna-be interns know at least one cool underground artist, they get the job. 
Here are some videos as background info to Alex’s post:
M.I.A. (from her first indie album – she rocks!)
Santogold (very major-label like already)
New Young Pony Club (I like them a lot, too!)
You won’t believe it, but Barrett is getting married to his beloved Caroline from Sweden, this Friday in Heidelberg (yes, in the hometown of the Swedish queen Silvia, what a great omen!)! I will post a nice picture, stay tuned. For now, check this pic from Barrett and myself at my wedding party two years ago – we had fun!
Cheers
Markus
If earth (and earthfaves) is not enough, go on a space trip and listen to the The Robot Scientists’ futuristic Italo electro disco mixes called “Musica da Batticuore” (Heartbeat Music) on their radio station. Just hit the “Play” button:
The press feedback was great so far, “Warp 10 Magazine” wrote: “Shimmering mixes of hypnotic Italian electro disco gems, many from the early 80s. Cool, sexy, futuristic, timeless. The ultimate soundtrack for trips into space. Don’t forget your silver suit.”
Enjoy and tell your friends. And buy vinyl! And make friends with them at myspace, brand new: The Robot Scientists at myspace!
Friends, if you have nothing to do this Saturday and if you happen to be in Berlin, go and check out our marketing/design mastermind Olli spinning hot stuff in the “Monarch” in Kreuzberg! He is going to rock the house with his krautdubstepitalodisconewwaveindierock live mix – together with his friend Carsten as “The Boom Boom Dollar Brothers”. Check out Olli and Markus in one of their favorite record stores, Das Drehmoment in Berlin – Prenzlauer Berg – they are djing for more than 15 years now.
Hmm, my last entry was too long ago…how embarrassing. And no, my New Year’s resolution isn’t to make sure the blog is updated every couple of days…although, I will try. I guess I don’t have to write a 500 word essay every time…
So, where were we? Ah yes, the World Travel Market 2007. It was, in a surprisingly small way, a success. The weeks leading into the event, I really didn’t know what to expect at all. I thought, “it will be two guys running around at the world’s second largest travel event with a heavy stack of brochures in their hands, trying to explain what earthfaves is, how it works, and why travel bureaus, tour operators, and other travel-related businesses should be psyched about it.”
My preconceived notions were not so badly preconceived at all, except for the brochures – they weren’t just a heavy stack; they were more like lead bricks – and we didn’t even use them all at the event! Markus and I decided to stick together and pitch earthfaves as a team – our personal styles are quite different, to say the least, and I think we complemented each other well when “pitching” earthfaves. Our team effort usually resulted in me randomly running up to people without reservation, chatting them up for a couple of minutes about the uses of the site and how “cool it is” and then Markus smoothly sliding into the conversation with his obvious knowledge of the travel industry and our platform. Barrett lead in, Markus lead out. Lots of fun, and lots of positive response.
We connected with travel bureaus from around 50 different countries. Many were interested in the platform, but I have to say, in this business seeing is believing — and because the site wasn’t live, it took more time to explain the earthfaves concept. No matter, we did a good job getting solid contacts and since the event, we’ve had a many countries follow-up and ask us how the site is coming along. The Republic of Malawi and Brunei were among the first to contact us, which I thought was completely cool – and their reps at WTM were also completely cool!
How are we coming along, you ask? Well, our travel custom search engine is live! You can access it here: http://www.earthfaves.com/travel-search-engine/
Let me know what you think. Personally, I think it rocks…good job Markus, Daniel, and Tim!!
