KUALA LUMPUR | “PICK UP” DRINK COASTER

This was our drink coaster a little while ago at a bar in KL.
Interesting….

BANGKOK | WORLD’S BIGGEST BILLBOARD

Bangkok = the city of huge billboards.
The highway from the city center to the Bkk airport is lined with large billboards. However, the last turn before entering the airport is lined with what is probably the worlds biggest billboard. Samsung has owned it for the past year (not any more as of last week) and has for the past year very graciously welcomed me to/and from Bkk – since this is the first and last thing one see’s when coming/going from Bangkok.

I’ve tried to estimate the size, and my very conservative guess is at about 15 cars in length.
I guess at least you can see it also very clearly when landing/taking off.

HONG KONG | RECESSION IS OVER!

These pics were taken a few days ago in Hong Kong (on a random afternoon) outside the Chanel, Gucci and LV stores. note: These stores were not having sales.

People are out shopping! Signs that the recession is fading.
…this looks like the old days in Japan where people spent so much on luxury goods, that there was always a line.

GLOBAL | SEX SELLS?

Is it pure coincidence that my “Thailand Ikea Table Ad” post is day-in and day-out the most clicked post? ….or total proof that sex sells?

THAILAND | INSIGHT ON THAI SOCIETY

A while back I wrote about how the simple act of observing how people act on an escalator in Japan – can give you a very accurate insight on how Japanese society is.

Well, in Thailand the simple act of observing people while they wait for the subway, gives a clear indication of how people are; Clean. Orderly. Attentive to details. Respectful of their surrounding in public spaces. Respectful of their neighbors. Reserved (most of the time). Great at service.

This is also reflected through their architecture style; design style; fashion style; …etc

(side note: why can’t a subway ride (hello NYC!) always be as enjoyable as it is here??)

JAPAN | CO-BRANDING GONE MAD?

I’m not sure how I feel about this…..  Windows 7 and a 7 burger Whopper!

This looks like one of those classic examples of co-branding gone wild! ….(but it’s getting people to talk!)

I wonder which fast food chain Apple would co-brand with? hmmmmmmmm

GLOBAL | STRIPPED DOWN ABSOLUT VODKA

Absolut has just released a “naked” version of their iconic Vodka bottle since “in an Absolut world, there are no labels”.

Naked = No visual identity on it…no label….no logo….

Well, the label is the bottle!

Years and years of consistent advertising have allowed Absolut to create an icon out of its bottle (a la Coca Cola) and therefore no identity is needed. It is rare to find a brand that can be stripped down bare bones, and yet still be totally recognizable. …I guess constantly reinforcing “the product” in advertising does work at creating an icon after all.

Absolut states that this was done to communicate the fact that no matter what’s on the outside, it’s what is inside that really matters. … I think its just a good PR tactic (but i’m not a Vodka drinker so coulnd’t tell you

Anyhow, it is already a collectors item…so, well done!

ITALY | LIQUOR BRANDS LISTEN UP!

While in Firenze a month ago, I noticed that alcohol level testing machines have been installed in the city parking lots.

That’s great! – since Italy is one of the countries with the highest traffic accident death rates. …and since finally the law has been getting stricter and the fines heftier if you get caught drink and driving (we’ll, not in big trouble like in the US, but still stricter than before)

However, it costs 1 Euro to do the test. Most people won’t have a problem paying for the test…since i’m assuming 1 Euro is a good investment if it can save you a couple of hundred Euro fine-and your life. But i’m sure many will just say forget about it.

To make the initiative even better…. liquor brands listen up!!  How about “sponsoring” all the alcohol test machines around the city (or country)…promoting safe drinking and driving??? Seems like a no brainer to me. Can’t get a more direct channel to actually deliver your message. And i’m sure it will be quite cost effective too.

HONG KONG | JAL & ANA PERFECT CUSTOMER SERVICE

The other day while flying out to Shanghai from Hong Kong, I witnessed something that one usually only experiences in Japan!

The ground staff servicing the JAL and ANA flights; lined up, waved to the pilots and passengers on the plane and gave a final bow of respect – sending off the plane in perfect Japanese style.

That is what I call impeccable customer service and attention to detail.

In Japan every plane is “sent off” this way. In the rest of the world (especially in the US ) you are sent off with a big middle finger

As always, if one wants to learn about customer service – they need to go to Japan and/or learn from Japanese brands.

Idea! ..for a brand such as JetBlue

It will cost you nothing ($0) to have your ground staff do something so subtle, yet so distinctive and pleasing (im not saying to necessarily wave and bow). It will certainly differentiate you and make you even more human than you already are. It works. Your passengers will leave with a smile every time.

CHINA | BIKE SEAT BAR STOOLS

Just sat on these a few weeks ago in Shanghai. Quite a cool idea for a bar stool….but don’t think I would like to sit on those for too long!