Great news. Qatar will be setting up a solar power project that would cost around 1 billion dollars. I think it is time that this region should rethink the future of energy and its impact to the environment. Now with the plans to have a shared power grid between the GCC countries, I feel that each needs to find its renewable source and utilize it. Would it hurt to have wind generators, geothermal plants, and dare I say it nuclear power plants? A big thank you for Copenhagen for taking the initiative in the world’s environmental issues. And a big praise for Qatar and UAE’s Masdar City for setting an example for its oil rich neighbors in investing in renewable (clean) energy …and create new jobs while they are at it.
Reference: http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm?id=ZAWYA20100107034803&l=034800100107&zawyaemailmarketing
Filed under: Branding, Crisis Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Sociology, World
“There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it.” -Dale Carnegie
It caught me by surprise last night when they have inaugurated the Burj Dubai Khalifa. When it comes to renaming the tallest building in world, I believe it to be an ingenious move from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ruler of Dubai. As we all know that Dubai wasn’t in the best shape during the recession and the neighboring emirate Abu Dhabi came to its aide. What better way to express one’s gratitude other than renaming a record-breaking (828 meter) building and the new symbol of a country after the ruler of Abu Dhabi. I am sure Sheikh Khalifa would appreciate it also.
Even though my line of work requires a multitasking maverick, I still say multitasking is a myth (the only two things i can do simultaneously in the office is drink my coffee and read the papers). I have stumbled upon a sexy site that I want to share with my readers. Akhtaboot.com (Akhtaboot is Arabic for octopus) is a Jordanian careers site that offers services from finding a job, networking, joining new communities to exploring new opportunities. Having a brand that reflects its unique selling proposition in being a multi-faceted career portal, is what I would call smart. Well the octopus alone in many culture is an archetype for multitasking due to its 8 arms (tentacles). It made perfect sense. Basically they made the site friendly with their mascot, an office octopus cartoon sometimes with a goatee.
Reference: http://www.akhtaboot.com
Filed under: Advertising, Marketing, Packaging, Retail Industry, consumer guide
I am a huge fan of window displays and store design. A moment of truth with the brand takes place, and a chance to make an impression. If you have been to London, I am sure you have paid Selfridges a visit and seen its window displays. Knowing that the prices are marked up from other outlets, customers still pour in. There is a high premium on presentation. I am going to take the plane back to Kuwait; in the center of the 360 Mall where coffee enthusiasts are seduced by the Nespresso store: A Nestle brand of high-end espresso machines and variety of coffee bean capsules. What caught my eye was something I have seen in other places but appreciated in that particular place. LCD screen that replays the TV ads of the product being sold. Storyboard: George Clooney walks in a Nespresso store (like the one I was in) buys an espresso machine and when he leaves the store, scene cuts to him walking the staircase to heaven where John Malkovich is at the door waiting. George says “see it’s not my time” and John (as St. Peters) makes a deal looking at George’s new espresso machine. They negotiate and next thing you know, George walks back in to the store and miss the falling piano that was about to kill him. I loved that ad. The point of my post is having that TV commercial at the store communicates the visitors the value-add of its products and positions its brand – a transactional sensationalism.
I thought it was crazy combining a shampoo, shower gel and shaving cream all in one but I feel Nivea has pulled it off. The Nivea Active 3 shower gel is something I could sure use after my workout. What really impressed me about this product is its marketing. NIVEA made an interesting TV ad that communicated its swiss-army-knife utility.
Storyboard: guy turns-on the shower, starts shampooing his hair, lathers himself, takes a razor blade and starts shaving (his face as well as his chest, controversial in some cultures but I won’t judge) and once he leaves the shower he gets carried away and almost applies the shower gel on to his toothbrush. Funny. Memorable. Effective.
Reference: http://www.niveaformenusa.com/products/shower_and_body_care/active3.html
As a child I had a fear of buttons -no joke- it took me ages to for me to wear polos then later buttoned shirts. While growing up this childhood fear made me find the comfort zone in fashion category known as “smart casual”. All the parties I get invited to where I am not aware of dress code (casual – formal spectrum), I end up wearing either the national Kuwaiti apparel dishdasha or I would just wear blazer with jeans. Other than being involved with a fashionista or hiring a visual consultant, I found the solution: Details Men’s Style Manual. This book says it all, what goes with what, which items to buy and basically how to look stunning with out overdoing it.
I find it very original that there is a cartoon that teaches kids on how to invest and manage their finances. Warren Buffet has an animated show called the Secret Millionaires Club. The idea reminds me what Robert Kiyosaki says in his best selling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad that financial intelligence isn’t taught in schools but at home. I would love to watch the first season.
I have hit my 2 year mark with my current employer and now I need a career shift in to something a bit more sexy. This also mean I need to start marketing myself to any prospective entities, and since I am thinking of Marketing (right now it seems like it is the hardest department to get in to) I need to do a make over. And no I am not going shopping for clothes nor I am going to put on some make up. There’s this book that I am reading that really hits the spot. It’s called The CV Book. Call me a freak but I think it is an interesting read. In my current job I work closely with recruiters and I do get to see a variety of CV’s since we share one office printer, I feel that this is the punch that everyone needs if they want to get shortlisted. Right now I am holding off all CV sending until I am done with the last chapter. Wish me luck 
.
Prior to its reveal, Wataniya’s Wink* campaign started out with a teaser outdoor campaign where you would have pictures of young adults (usually two) winking. The act of winking in itself can be open to interpretations based on context such as ‘Don’t worry, I got you covered’ , ‘I was just kidding’, ‘just go with the flow’ or it can be something a bit more flirtatious, and I am thinking that famous line from Friends “Hoow you dooin?” no one does it better than Joey. The curtain reveal of the Wink campaign included a TV commercial where you would have two girls (which my friend thought it was creepy) in a clothing store deciding what to get by just winking. There is another commercial with two guys playing video games. That is fine since guys in general aren’t as talkative but with the girls I feel that the storyboard needs to be revised and there should be a script.
*Wink is mobile phone line package that caters to the teenagers/young adults market.
Filed under: Corporate Social Responsibility, Good Samaritan, Green, Kuwait-Based, Public Relations
I have found out today about the Alternative Energy Applications’ event taking place this week. I am thrilled Kuwait Society of Engineers are being proactive with our dependence to fossil fuels, however something is annoying me in their communications.
The slogan that was used is “Option or Necessity? ضرورة ام خيار؟”, which is accurate not to assume that everyone understands the damages from carbon fuel emissions. I still feel that we should be pass that stage, we shouldn’t be wondering if it is an option and be more assertive with it. The ad as you can find below, is designed with emotional intelligence: children faces from different ethnicity and with the main copy that reads طاقة آمنة لمستقبل مشرق translates to Safer power source for a shining future. I have personally used this approach in the 350 walk, where I would go to parents and let them recognize that outdoor playgrounds are a thing of the past. Alternative energy is a necessity.
This ad was taken from today’s Alwatan newspaper page 27.
