Strategy is the Art
of Embracing
the Unknown

25A0 is unicode for black square and a research office at the intersection of strategy, aesthetics, and technology.

We conduct commissioned and self-initiated ventures and projects, partnering with clients that are driven by curiosity, vision, and impact.

Ventures

Strategic Foresight

Deutsche Telekom AG

Europes biggest telco wanted to identify emerging trends at the intersection of art and technology. We conduct seminars, a podcast, and a publication exploring weak signals in art and tech.

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Brand Strategy / Portfolio Integration

Carlsberg

Carlsberg acquired the German beer brand Wernesgrüner. We help to maintain the brand’s local authenticity while preventing brand cannibalization within the existing portfolio.

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Brand Strategy / Organizational Development

Schmitt + Sohn

Schmitt + Sohn, a family owned enterprise in its 6th generation, needs to update its brand. We develop the strategic framework and install a new department.

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Strategic Narrative / Award Logic

Polyton

POLYTON is a new platform and music award to highlight the social impact of pop music. We create the strategic narrative and the participatory award mechanism.

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Systemic Change

European Commission

The “Agents of Transformation” project bridges the gap between the next generation in arts and design and European policy making. We connect students with high-level decision-makers in politics and industry.

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Brand Strategy

Volkswagen Group

The biggest automaker in the world converges the separate software divisions from its brand portfolio in a new companywide department. We develop the strategic framework with a focus on employer branding.

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Employer Branding Strategy

Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric reshapes its employer value proposition in the DACH region. We provide the strategic direction and create alignment across the board.

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Organizational Transformation

Reeperbahn Festival

The leading international music festival evolves from an annual event series to a holistic music platform. We develop and implement the strategic framework for this transformation.

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Growth Strategy

Krautreporter

A young online publisher with an industry-leading business model faced challenges in user acquisition and retention. We developed a purpose-driven loyalty strategy that led to sustainable growth.

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Brand Strategy

TD Reply

A marketing innovation consultancy transforms its business model and service portfolio. We develop a purpose-driven new brand identity and restructure their service offerings.

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Journal

Interface Critique

Interface Critique is an academic platform, that facilitates trans-disciplinary dialogues about human-computer interaction.

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Partners

 

If you want to know more or request a case study, please get in touch:

hello@25a0.com

Cases

Deutsche Telekom AG

Task

The objective was to create an innovative platform that leverages the interplay between art and technology to identify and interpret weak signals, which are early indicators of emerging trends and potential societal changes. This initiative aimed to foster a new strategic foresight approach through seminars, public events, and multimedia content, ultimately culminating in a pocketbook publication.

Challenge

Innovative Approach
Developing a novel strategic foresight method that combines art and technology to detect weak signals.

High-Level Collaboration
Securing support and involvement from senior leadership at Deutsche Telekom AG, particularly Claudia Nemat, the board member for Technology and Innovation.

Comprehensive Engagement
Conducting effective seminars and public events that involve a diverse range of students and high-level experts from various fields.

Effective Dissemination
Creating a tangible and impactful output that can be distributed internationally to share the findings and insights generated by the initiative.

Project Presentation at the T-Gallery, Bonn
Weak Signals, T-Gallery, Bonn, 16.11.2023.
Booklaunch in Berlin at BHRX

Approach

Strategic Support
Board Member Claudia Nemat provided vital support for the initiative, highlighting its importance and aligning it with Deutsche Telekom AG’s vision for innovation and societal impact.

Exploratory Seminars
Two seminal courses, “Art and Technology: A Research Network” and “Weak Signals: New Narratives in Art and Technology,” were conducted by Professors Lukas Feireiss and Dr. Florian Hadler at the Berlin University of the Arts. These seminars encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration and critical examination of art and technology’s role in society.

Public Engagement
The initiative included two public events and several podcast episodes that explored the relationships between art, science, and technology. These platforms provided opportunities for students and the public to engage with high-level experts, including artists, theorists, and practitioners.

Comprehensive Publication
A pocketbook, designed by Studio Yukiko and published by Spector Books, was produced. This book acts as a glossary of new terminologies and neologisms, presenting human-written and AI-generated texts in a flat-hierarchical manner. It employs a cut-up technique to combine ideas, texts, and images, creating a rich, hypertextual resource filled with hyperlinks and references.

Booklaunch in Berlin at BHRX

Solution

Innovative Educational Framework
The seminars incorporated experimental teaching methods that blended traditional academic learning with practical, hands-on experiences. Students from various disciplines, including architecture, fine arts, design, and philosophy, participated, making the learning experience rich and diverse.

Interdisciplinary Network
The project fostered an extensive network of professionals and academics. High-profile guests such as Cem A., Sénamé Koffi Agbodjinou, and Aram Bartholl contributed their expertise, offering students a broad spectrum of perspectives on art and technology.

Digital and Physical Outputs
The initiative produced a series of podcasts and public events that engaged a wider audience, while the pocketbook served as a lasting, physical manifestation of the project’s insights and discoveries. The book’s playful design and content structure encouraged critical thinking and exploration of new narratives.

Strategic Foresight through Art
By combining art and technology, the initiative developed a new method of strategic foresight. This approach allowed for the identification of weak signals that could inform and inspire future societal developments.

Outcome

The Art and Technology initiative successfully integrated experimental approaches to strategic foresight with high-level academic and industry collaboration. The support from Claudia Nemat and Deutsche Telekom AG was crucial in ensuring the project’s impact and reach. The seminars, public events, podcasts, and pocketbook not only engaged and educated participants but also provided a valuable resource for understanding and navigating the complexities of modern society through the lens of art and technology.

Claudia Nemat’s endorsement encapsulates the project’s success:

“With Weak Signals we are offering more than a book. We are presenting inspiration to guide us through the exciting maze of technology, art, and its impact on society. It invites you to think critically, question, explore, celebrate, create, and dream. We hope it will inspire you, as it has inspired us, and compel you to tune in to the whispers of change, to help us shape our collective future.”

Next Case

Carlsberg