Almost exactly two years ago we first wrote about Blurb, a publishing software and services company that brings bookstore-quality publishing to the masses. The San Francisco-based company has been pretty busy since then—publishing nearly 80,000 unique titles in 2007, for example, and doubling in size every three months—and now it's come out with BlurbNation, a way for users to monetize their book-making skills.

Launched at the start of this year, BlurbNation is an independent marketplace within Blurb where those skilled at various aspects of custom book-making and those in need of such skills can find each other. The idea is simple: Some people are very good at making books, while others may have ideas for books but not the time or skills to make them. BlurbNation is a way for those two sides to meet so that the books get made and those with the skills can make some money from them. BlurbNation book makers can provide such services as writing and proofreading copy; designing pages and organizing content; scanning, editing and restoring photos or artwork; or even creating the entire book from cover to cover. To be listed in the BlurbNation Directory, they must meet a set of minimum requirements, including having produced at least two books on Blurb that are publicly available in the Blurb Bookstore, and having a website or blog that promotes and explains their book-making services. They must also have technical proficiency with image-editing and design applications. Once accepted by Blurb, they can be listed in the BlurbNation Directory with a profile and work samples, and they get marketing support from Blurb. Arrangements with clients, including price, are worked out completely independently, however—Blurb doesn’t take a share of any fees.

BlurbNation is a logical next step in the evolution of Blurb's business model, which is focused squarely on enabling the creations of Generation C. It's also a beautiful example of what our sister site trendwatching.com would call a feeder business—one that feeds, and feeds off of, bigger ones. What other ventures out there need to be fed...?

Website: www.blurb.com/blurb_nation
Contact: www.blurb.com/help/general_support

Spotted by: Jono Hey

Gas prices, urban congestion and environmental concerns have brought about a veritable renaissance in bicycle riding, as we've noted before, spawning initiatives like citywide bike-rental schemes and bank-sponsored bike-sharing programs, among others. A trend we haven't yet highlighted, however, is the growing number of urban bike stations.

The most recent example we've spotted just opened in New Zealand. Located in the Britomart in Auckland (a public transport hub), BikeCentral offers bicycling enthusiasts and commuters a welcoming place to park their bikes and transition into the next part of their day. In addition to safe, secure bicycle parking, BikeCentral members have access to private lockers, showers and changing areas. Coffee, fresh food and free wireless internet are also available, as are rental bicycles and an on-site repair service for minor repairs. All-inclusive rates start at NZD 25 per week.

Chicago's McDonald's Cycle Center at Millennium Park, which launched in 2004, is a 16,448-square-foot heated facility that includes free indoor parking for 300 bikes, showers and lockers, bicycle rental and repair, and a café. A monthly membership pass costs USD 20. Finally, on the West Coast, Bikestation is a not-for-profit organization that offers secure bicycle parking and more. Stations in five California cities plus Seattle offer a variety of services including bicycle rentals and repair, showers and lockers as well as 24-hour secure bike parking. Monthly fees are USD 12.

The way things are going, demand for centers like these will only increase. And how a combination of bike stations and shared working spaces? Help consumers reduce their carbon footprints, help the planet, and help yourself to some well-deserved profits!

Website: www.bikecentral.co.nz — www.chicagobikestation.com — www.bikestation.org
Contact: info@bikecentral.co.nz — info@chicagobikestation.com — info@bikestation.org

Spotted by: Roanne Parker

True love may be hard to find, but free love isn't—at least not if you know where to look. The latest sighting: AdPerk, which rewards consumers who view online video advertising with free magazines or discounted subscriptions.

Launched last summer, AdPerk places banners on participating magazines' home pages or other outlets, offering users free issues or a discount in exchange for watching short videos. But unlike pre-roll ads that are limited by the host site, AdPerk lets consumers choose which content they want to watch. Visitors who click on the banners are taken to the AdPerk platform, where they can select the ads they wish to view by mousing over the thumbnails for each and seeing the name of the brand or product, the name of the video and its length. It generally takes between 10 and 30 minutes of viewing to complete an offer, and users can also choose when to watch that content. Once they do watch it, AdPerk requires that they enter a word verification within 30 seconds of the ad’s completion—just to make sure they were paying attention. They can then choose to watch more videos or to come back at a later time by registering with the site.

AdPerk is free for consumers; advertisers pay the cost of the free issues. The site collects only user names and addresses, as necessary to mail the magazines when earned, and it gives marketers detailed metrics and insight by tracking user behavior on the site and subsequent purchases. Popular Science, Good Housekeeping, and Field and Stream are among AdPerk's participating magazines; advertisers in the AdPerk network include Duxiana, LG Electronics, Delta Faucet Company, Disney Mobile and Kleenex.

Barry Soicher, CEO and cofounder of San Francisco-based AdPerk, explains: “It comes down to respect, user choice, benefit and relevance. We engage users at the right time and place and give them the control they’re looking for." In other words, permission-based advertising creates a motivated and willing audience. Anyone want to try arguing with that? (For many more examples of what our sister site trendwatching.com has dubbed free love, check out the free briefing.)

Website: www.adperk.com
Contact: info@adperk.com

Spotted by: Nathan Sarcyk

Honey may be one of a growing number of snobmoddities, as we noted back in 2006, but that doesn't mean it isn't still sometimes a sticky mess. Not so the Honey Drop, a new honey that you can hold in your hand.

Island Abbey Foods, of Prince Edward Island, Canada, has come out with a dried honey drop, equivalent to a teaspoon of the sticky stuff, that you can hold in your hand, drop in your tea or pop in your mouth. Released in January, the drops are made with pure Honibe honey from PEI, with no artificial colouring, flavouring or preservatives. The drops have a shelf life of one year and are available in two flavours: pure honey, or honey and lemon. Pricing is CDN 11.99 for a box of 20, which makes for a very premium alternative to sugar cubes.

Island Abbey Foods, which is a member of 1% for the Planet, is currently looking for retailers, affiliates and resellers for the Honey Drop. Sounds like a sweet proposition!

Website: www.honibe.com
Contact: reseller@honibe.com

Spotted by: NOTCOT

Companies with innovative approaches to staid industries need to move quickly in order to maintain their lead, even after they’ve become firmly established. A good example is Zipcar. The US-based car sharing venture with operations in North America and the UK first appeared on our radar in 2003. Back then, we applauded the company’s disruptive, car-on-demand service that appealed to consumers more interested in using a vehicle than owning it.

A little over four years later, as we detailed last April, a partnership with another industry disruptor—ParkAtMyHouse—made it easier for Zipcar’s customers to find a place to park. (ParkatMyHouse lets homeowners rent their coveted urban parking spaces by the hour or the day.) A few months later we wrote that a new Zipcar service enabled renters with GPS phones to access directions to the nearest car, wherever they happened to be.

And the latest Zipcar news? The company is further broadening its customer base by partnering with AKA, a provider of luxury furnished suites that currently operates nine locations in the US, with one to follow in the UK later this year. Customers of the high-end “pied-à-terre on demand” chain are given a free one-year Zipcar membership (the company’s hourly rates still apply). After applying online, guests can pick up the digital key-card to their Zipcar at the front desk of any AKA property. A smart move, since extended stay guests in big cities are a logical fit for the car sharing service. If there’s a lesson here, it’s that getting out in front of the other guys early is only half the battle—the pressure is always on to improve and innovate.

Website: www.zipcar.com — www.hotelaka.com
Contact: info@zipcar.com — www.hotelaka.com/contact.aspx

Spotted by: RK