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Her passing is a huge loss to the film and advertising industry. Not just in terms of her capability and creativity as a remarkable film-maker and creative executive director but also in terms of her ability to stir the hearts of many in the most thought-provoking and childlike honesty.
Here’s an earlier (it was so recent!) post about her work that touched my heart.
This ad from Evian caused a stir in the internet world recently (viewed 3.8 million times on YouTube alone in the past week, according to Telegraph.com.uk).
I thought it was creepy. I have a feeling that this ad may be against our public policy (Discouraging child birth!) and that is probably why we’ve yet to see it on our local channels. Very disturbing.
SbR’s opinion and review on iNo Mobile is valued (assuming they will continue doing so after this post) by Foresight Technologies (owner of iNo Mobile).
I was utterly surprised to see SbR’s review on Foresight Technologies website. It was flattering to know that our review is taken seriously. However, as a good reviewer one has to present the most honest and objective reviews to his/her audience.
So here’s my follow up review.
After-sale Service Review:
The phone was faulty right after purchase and I was furious. Adding to my misery, their service centre wasn’t at the most convenient location.
However, to my surprise, their service staff was sincere, apologetic and really understanding. In the most efficient manner possible, they replaced my phone without any questioning and had it checked and tested on the spot. [I couldn’t bear to display my usual consumer-from-hell-look after meeting their staff.]
After-sale Product Review:
My granny loves it! iNo Mobile is easy to use, fuss free and extremely elderly friendly. My granny even bought a pouch to protect it! The once technology-fearing/detesting granny actually likes her phone this time round.
Key Learning:
When service failure occurs, this is the only opportunity to convert a wrathful consumer into a loyal-potentially repeat consumer.
You must be wondering what my previous blog entry is all about. It’s actually a small competition (organized by Singtel and Nuffnang) I took part together with Cheng Wei out of boredom. Our motivations? The top winner gets to bring home a MacBook and $200 cash prize! The other prize wasn’t too shabby either!
1st Prize: MacBook + $200 Cash
2nd Prize: IPod Touch
3rd Prize: $500 worth of SingTel Shop vouchers
Consolation Prizes: 16 x $50 Cash
Let’s all unite in prayers for my winning! HAHA.
[Photo Credit: Mr Smiley, our guest writer]
With the durian season hitting Singapore in a fury, it is hard not to spot these royalties in our tiny island. BUT the best durians are still the untainted ones, the ones growing in a pure, natural environment, untouched by evil pesticides and innocent sounding grow-durian-grow chemicals, the “Kampong” durian. To get your hands on these delicacies, one has to brave through the woods, fight off mosquitoes and snakes, and stay awake throughout the night. If only internet connection is available along Upper Changi Road where durian trees can be found, those mosquitoes killing hours could have been “constructively” used in youtube.
“Live Life Online Anywhere with SingTel BroadBand on Mobile Youth Plan! Visit www.singtel.com/youth for details.”
I’ve been trying to find a mobile phone for my granny for ages. But the products in the market are just not elderly friendly! This statement holds true until the launch of iNo Mobile on 11 June 2009 by Foresight Technologies (a Singapore company!). After seeing the report on ST, we got one for my granny!
What I love (or what I think my granny will love)!
- HUGE Buttons (at least 3 times the size of normal mobile phone buttons)
- No Frill Phone (No camera, radio, random programs to confuse and terrorize my granny.)
- SOS Button (Send emergency calls and text messages to four pre-programmed numbers)
I must say, Foresight Technologies is a company who taps on the growing trend of aging population. Now, we just need to introduce this new gadget to my granny who belongs to the technology-fearing generation.
Most of you guys should have seen the latest TV Commercial ad by Heineken. It was hilarious and very close to a woman/man’s heart. But have you seen the ad by Bavaria. It was not just amusing but also very intelligent. I love it when marketers tap on the opportunity given in their circumstances and react swiftly to their competitors.
The Original Ad
The Spoof Version
I came across this website and found their business model rather interesting. It is a site which gives out free samples (cosmetics, skincare etc) to consumers.
The logic is simple.
Consumers are always curious if a certain products work for them and would very much prefer to try them out before they purchase them.
Companies believe their products are damn good and once consumers try them, they will eventually buy them.
Fr3b (sampling hub) acts as a middlemen by getting all the samples from the companies and passing them on to their consumers while making money through advertisement revenue.
The catch? Consumers got to pay a nominal postage fee ($1.60 – $2.40) for their freebies and write reviews for the samples they got.
So how do you start?
(1) Register for an account. List your skin, hair, eye etc characteristics for a better sample match.
(2) Click sample gallery and grab up to 4 samples using the points given to you (6 points to start off with, each sample cost 2 points).
(3) Contribute to the delivery fee
(4) Wait patiently for the samples
(5) Try the samples and write a review to earn more points for future redemption
Out of curiosity, I’ve decided to register an account and started grabbing some samples.
(1) Nexcare Non Exposure Tapes
SbR: Wondering if these tapes are stronger and better than the ones I currently used (Hollywood Tapes). If they are I might jolly well use this since it is cheaper!
Leveraging on 3M’s strength in adhesive technology, Nexcare introduces an all-new ultra-thin film that you can use as a cosmetic aid to avoid those embarrassing moments and look good in your outfit effortlessly! Unlike ordinary tapes that may give you a ‘visible bump’ on your clothing, 3M Nexcare Non Exposure tapes are transparent, ultra-thin and can be used on both clothing to clothing and clothing to skin without causing discomfort. It holds on strongly, even during perspiration yet gentle enough for use on sensitive skin.
Sample set includes : 1 Retail Pack of Nexcare Non-Exposure Tapes (24 Strips)
(2) Eucerin Mattifying Sun Fluid SPF50
SbR: I guess this will come in handy when I go for a swim or cycle.
Attributes:
- Very high (UVA/UVB) Protection – EU Compliant.
- Non Greasy Texture
- Water Resistant
- Non-shiny skin tone
- Protects from sun-induced skin ageing and pigment spots
- Skin compatibility clinically confirmed – even in acne patients.
Sample set includes : 1 Product Card / 1 Trial Tube of Eucerin Mattifying Sun Fluid SPF 50+ / 1 $5 Voucher
I will let you know how these products fare once I get my hands on them! HAHA. Meanwhile, if you are interested in this website. Here’s the link.
Audi: Your move, BMW.
BMW: Checkmate.
I applaud the marketer behind this idea. Gosh. It must be a hot summer and these people are trying to make it even hotter. HAH.
So, if there is a similar “which male celebrity would you like to see on the end of a stick” poll, who would that be?
Many women would admit wanting to put their lips to James Bond star Daniel Craig’s sculpted torso. And this summer they can almost realise their dream – with ice lollies shaped like the 007 actor. An ice cream company created the purple ‘licence to chill’ smoothie after asking more than 1,000 women which male celebrity they would like to see on the end of a stick.
- Licence to chill: Ice lolly shaped like James Bond star Daniel Craig goes on sale, By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
I recently came across this cute print ad from SPCA Singapore.
Together. 1.2.3. Awwwww.
[Credit: http://capable.deviantart.com/art/Just-in-Case-50370669]
Last weekend, I was at Mustafa to hunt for “The Perfect Traveling Companion” on a splendid journey with me to Seoul.
The Perfect Criteria
Budget: $150
Appearance: Decent Colour
Material: Hard casing
Size: Medium
Wheel: Four wheel 360 rotation
The trustworthy looking Mustafa uncle recommended a companion which matched my criteria perfectly.
Budget: $147 $88
Appearance: Dark Grey
Material: Hard casing
Size: Medium
Wheel: Four wheel 360 rotation
Wow, it seemed almost God send. Except… for the fact that the brand – “President” – is unheard of.
Being a true blue marketer and a brand whore, I was a little apprehensive of the recommended brand “President”. Mustafa uncle assured me that “President” is an established brand and it is actually Japanese. Ah. Japanese. It must be decent.
See. The marketing theory explained that when consumers have little/no knowledge of the brand, they look at extrinsic cues such as price or country of origins to evaluate its quality. Hmm. But according to my marketing sixth sense, “President” sounded too much like an Indonesian brand (just like “President” cup noodle). With a tight budget and a trusting heart, I ignored my superior-innate-marketing ability and picked “President” as my traveling companion.
A few days later, I googled and found out that “President” is a freaking indo brand! That Mustafa uncle is a liar. Hmph.
“President Luggage roots date back to 1970 when, as Continental Plastic, started in the luggage and travelware industry, manufacturing a small range of hard-shell luggage under the brand name “President” in Indonesia.
President Luggage began exporting in 1987 to a few neighbouring Asian countries. Ever since, exports have constituted a significant part of President Luggage business. “
From: http://president-luggage.com/about.php
Why do they name a building with a decent architectural design “Cityvibe”, worst still “金满地” which is loosely translated as “Gold all over the floor”?
This is almost as disturbing and vulgar as naming say Obama’s Portuguese water dog “Bush”.
This article demonstrated the importance of the role of a marketer. The marketing concepts we learn in school is applicable to ALL industry and that includes the world’s oldest profession.
[Credits: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_366452.html]
German sex industry hit
The Straits Times, 21 April 2009
BERLIN – IT DID not take long for the world financial crisis to affect the world’s oldest profession in Germany.
In one of the few countries where prostitution is legal, and unusually transparent, the industry has responded with an economic stimulus package of its own: modern marketing tools, rebates and gimmicks to boost falling demand.
Some brothels have cut prices or added free promotions while others have introduced all-inclusive flat-rate fees. Free shuttle buses, discounts for seniors and taxi drivers, as well as ‘day passes’ [O_o] are among marketing strategies designed to keep business going.
‘Times are tough for us too,’ said Karin Ahrens, who manages the ‘Yes, Sir’ brothel in Hanover. She told Reuters revenue had dropped by 30 percent at her establishment [lol] while turnover had fallen by as much as 50 per cent at other clubs.
‘We’re definitely feeling the crisis. Clients are being tight with their money. They’re afraid. You can’t charge for the extras any more and there is pressure to cut prices. Everyone wants a deal. Special promotions are essential these days. [-_-]‘
Germany has about 400,000 professional prostitutes. Official figures do not distinguish between the sexes and the number of male prostitutes is not known, but they account for a small fraction of the total and are treated the same under the law.
In 2002, new legislation allowed prostitutes to advertise and to enter into formal labour contracts. It opened the way for them to obtain health insurance, previously refused if they listed their true profession.
Annual revenues are about 14 billion euros (S$27.1 billion), according to an estimate by the Verdi services union. Taxes on prostitution are an important source of income for some cities.
Prostitution is also legal and regulated in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Greece, Turkey and in some parts of Australia, and the U.S. state of Nevada.
In other countries, such as Luxembourg, Latvia, Denmark, Belgium and Finland, it is legal but brothels and pimping are not.– REUTERS
Yasmin Ahmad is brilliant. Yes. Many know her only recently as the critically-acclaimed film director behind the funeral ad for Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) while others may have already seen her ads for PETRONAS in Malaysia. I particularly love this. Our children are colour blind and we should definitely keep them that way.
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