Life in the slow lane

THE SLOW MOVEMENT IS EXPANDING ITS INFLUENCE TO NEW HORIZONS

Slow Parties: Meeting for beers and then pounding Red Bull at the local bodega to resist the temptation of returning to bed isn't always worth it. And so it is with open arms and a huge sigh of relief that many are welcoming the slow party movement. Dinner parties are being held with greater frequency, and guests are now being invited over in the afternoon to take part in the meal preparation, thus extending the social gathering into a full-day affair. No longer justquick spaghetti banquets, the new chic dinner party is paying great attention to detail. So whether that means dressing up, cooking three or four courses, or lingering longer with snifters of brandy, the party is prolonged. And with so many anti-energy drinks coming to market , we have a feeling it won't be long before the latest chill pill is found in a cocktail: Drank Martini, anyone?

X marks the spot

BRANDS ARE TAPPING INTO CONSUMERS' THIRST FOR EXPERIENCES WITH SCAVENGER HUNTS THAT BRIDGE THE DIGITAL AND REAL WORLDS

Scavenger hunts have a way of letting loose the inner ten-year-old in all of us. Marketers have taken note of how much we love to decipher mysteries in pursuit of prizes and are creating branded scavenger hunts where we can really let loose:

Levi's Go Forth : Levi's is inviting denim-lovers across the continent to dig into the brand's (fictional) history and come out with some real treasure. Those interested in going for the gold - in this case, a $100,000 prize, as well as a matched charitable donation - can enter this digital scavenger hunt that not only lives online, but also leads participants on real world adventures during their hot pursuit of the grand prize. Cyber puzzles provide clues to those clever enough to solve them.

Samsung Photo Scavenger Hunt : These days it's almost as if things don't really exist until someone has snapped a photo of it and uploaded it online. Samsung is embracing our shutter-happy culture with a photo scavenger hunt. All participants have to do to win the booty (aka a Samsung DualView) is submit three of the five items on the Hunt list, which runs the gamut from 'an item that means happiness to you' to 'your favorite brunch spot.'

Red Bull Stash : Have you ever been walking around town thinking you could use a quick jolt of energy, inspiration, or even wings? If the answer is yes, then you can thank the good folks of Red Bull, because the caffeine purveyors have hidden entire cases of Red Bull Energy Shots around the country for the sleep-deprived. To find them, you simply enter your zipcode to receive geo-targeted clues that lead you to the nearest stash. Hunters should be prepared to get their hands dirty though, as free doesn't come without a price. In this case, the need to dig around in air vents, trees and gardens to find the loot. But hey, it beats waiting in line at a convenience store.