“The View on International Advertising From a Chinese City Without Any - Advertising Age” plus 3 more |
- The View on International Advertising From a Chinese City Without Any - Advertising Age
- State gathering online bios for veterans - Register-Herald
- Obama taps Hollywood headliners - Politico.com
- Where will the O'Neill CWC Canada winner be from ? - Surfers Village
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| The View on International Advertising From a Chinese City Without Any - Advertising Age Posted: 02 Nov 2009 07:52 PM PST Nanning, Host of Industry Festival, Has No Starbucks or McDonald's but It Does Have a WalmartNANNING, China (AdAge.com) -- Imagine going three days without seeing a McDonald's or a Starbucks. Welcome to Nanning, the capital of Guangxi province, the site of the 16th China International Advertising Festival (CIAF) and, ironically, nearly virgin territory for international advertisers. Nanning has "potential to establish a more global presence," said John Hegarty, chairman and creative director of Bartle Bogle Hegarty, and one of the festival's keynote speakers. Apart from a Walmart and a handful of European and Japanese car dealerships on the outskirts of town, Nanning residents have little firsthand experience with the retailers and consumer brands that have saturated China's most sophisticated cities. Instead, they slurp noodles in dai pai dongs, pick up groceries in neighborhood wet markets and shop for household goods from mom-and-pop shops. These scenes would not be uncommon in Shanghai or Beijing -- but the absence of foreign brands in Nanning is a clear indication that China continues to hold enormous potential for multinationals as they move from the country's so-called first-tier markets into smaller towns and cities. (As usual in China, "small" is a relative term. Nanning has almost 7 million residents, making it nearly the size of New York City.) The three-day festival bears little resemblance to Western festivals such as the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival or even prominent Asian events such as Thailand's AdFest. CIAF attracts more than 30,000 people, most of whom are attending a massive exhibition for local firms involved in broadcasting, production and printing, including about 2,000 visitors who are paid delegates attending forums on creativity, internet advertising and auto marketing. "The opening ceremony felt like the Olympics for an advertising festival, it was quite a surprising event. The crush at the door was almost terrifying. It's the broadest sense of advertising from print equipment to marketing and advertising and government officials, a testament to China's growing economy," said Rob Belgiovane, founding partner and exec creative director of Belgiovane Williams Mackay in Sydney, and another keynote speaker. Historically, the event only attracted Chinese agencies, provincial firms working with local brands -- yet still accounting for approximately 80% of the ad industry's total billings in China. During the last few years, the festival's government organizers, the China Ad Association, has reached out to the Western community. Today, a handful of foreigners, usually speakers such as Mr. Hegarty, take part in a one-day international creative forum. "Bland advertising never offends anyone or pleases anyone," warned the BBH founder during his presentation. "The thing I notice more than anything else [about Chinese advertising] is enthusiasm. I think that's natural when you look at the nation and see what's happening in China today. There is a sense that anything can be done and that needs to be held on to. You can always tell a nation by its advertising. [But] sometimes you fall in love with a technique rather than an idea." Multinational agencies have also started turning up at the festival to take part in the event's numerous awards shows, namely the Chinese Effectiveness Awards. This year, BBH was one of the top winners, picking up gold awards for Minute Maid and Mentos ads, a silver for a Johnnie Walker ad and a gold media award, also for Mentos. Omnicom agencies also did well. BBDO Worldwide won best of show and the best idea award for General Electric Co.'s 2008 Olympic Games campaign, plus a silver for Visa's Olympic advertising. DDB Group won awards for ads for Johnson & Johnson (bronze, Clean & Clear), PepsiCo (bronze, Gatorade) McDonald's Corp. (bronze, Taobao.com promotion) and Chinese dairy provider Yili Group (silver, Yili Milk). TBWA Worldwide won a gold for a McDonald's campaign and a bronze for a Unicef ad. JWT picked up a silver award for a Bosch Home Appliances corporate-image campaign, and bronze awards for Ford Motor Co.'s Fiesta launch campaign and Yili ads. The WPP agency's Newsun Guangzhou joint venture won a gold award for a Wildlife Conservation Society campaign. Bizarrely, there is also a popular Chinese Elements awards show, which rewards ads that draw on China's heritage and culture, one of the events that makes the China Ad Festival such a unique event. Held every fall in a different city, the organizers have not confirmed the location of next year's festival, although it is likely to be held in Hong Kong. Hopefully moving to a market with more Western influence won't take away the CIAF's value as a window into the mainland. "You get to see a side of the industry here that you don't see in Shanghai and Beijing. You get more of a grassroots feel for what's going on in China," said Hong Kong-based Sandy Burns, managing partner, China of Red Spider, who also attended last year's festival in Hefei, China. "You get a fresh perspective of the work and the people. It's a good experience." This content has passed through fivefilters.org. | ||||
| State gathering online bios for veterans - Register-Herald Posted: 02 Nov 2009 07:30 PM PST | Published: November 02, 2009 09:06 pm State gathering online bios for veterans CHARLESTON (AP) — They live on through names engraved in granite, but a memorial dedicated to the West Virginia men and women who died in military service during major 20th century wars reveals nothing of their personal stories. A self-taught artist, the cover girl of a nursing booklet and an All-American center in football are among those who sacrificed their lives. State archives and history officials hope to collect more of those kinds of details as they work to develop online biographies for all 11,427 soldiers whose names are carved in the West Virginia Veterans Memorial. The research began about five years ago, and as of last week the state had 47 biographies completed and three more nearly ready. Lately, efforts have been focused on re-carving names on the Veterans Memorial to correct errors and add missing names. That project recently was completed, so staff members of the state Division of Culture and History plan to put more time into the biography work and are seeking the public's help. "We just want families to know we are doing this and we welcome any information they might have," Veterans Memorial Assistant Constance Baston said. "It means a lot to them." Childhood friends and surviving veterans also may be good sources of information for the biographies, which recognize West Virginia soldiers who died either in combat or from accidents or disease during periods of recognized conflict in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. State archives officials inherited files of information about those veterans in 1998. Some files included names of family members, but others had very little information. Some veterans were unmarried. Others had no siblings. Many names were pulled from casualty lists. "It can be difficult to track," said Joe Geiger, the acting director of archives and history. While there is enough information about many veterans to write short biographies now, archives officials want to go further in remembering who each person was. Archives officials are seeking photos of soldiers in uniform, family photos and school pictures. Other materials could include medals, articles and letters, as well as information about student activities or athletics. "Those biographies are very sensory," Baston said. Capt. James Fields Mayenschein of Malden and Pvt. James Junior George of Belington were among those who gave their lives during World War II. Because of information passed on by family members, those who read their names also can learn that George was involved with the Civilian Conservation Corps and that Mayenschein played football and rode a motorcycle. The U.S. War Department wrote that George was killed in action in 1945 near Schelden, Germany, and a fellow Barbour County soldier wrote that George was said to have been "a brave kid and a good soldier," his biography said. Because of a misunderstanding regarding another soldier named James George, family members initially thought he was coming home. But George's sister, Juanita Kyle of Belington, said she remembers her father returning from the coal mines after a co-worker received a letter from his son telling him about George's death. "It's important that people around us know that our brothers and sisters and husbands and fathers have given their life for their country," Kyle said. "It's important for the generations to come to know the sacrifice that has been put there for them." Mayenschein was married and had two children, including Patricia Duncan of Belle. Duncan was just a baby when her father died in 1945 at Iwo Jima. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for saving his company while in combat, and one of his men wrote about "how much we liked our Captain, how we admired his courage and leadership," his biography said. Families, friends and veterans who have information can set up appointments with archives officials and bring their materials to the state Culture Center, where researchers can take photos or make copies and hand those original materials right back to them, Geiger said. Archives and history officials have developed a form to collect information about veterans that includes nicknames, family members' names, education, extracurricular activities, prewar jobs, marriage and children, duty assignments, death and burial. Biographies already on display can be found at the division's Web site, www.wvculture.org/history/wvmemory/vets/vetbios.html. "They gave up the life they had at the time and the life they could have had," Baston said. "They had plans and they had a family. We just don't want them to be forgotten." Information from: Charleston Daily Mail, http://www.dailymail.com 
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| Obama taps Hollywood headliners - Politico.com Posted: 02 Nov 2009 08:13 PM PST Anne Luzzatto, who served as Obama-Biden Transition Team review lead for the National Endowment for the Arts. She has also served as Vice President for Meetings, Council on Foreign Relations. During the administration of President Clinton she served as Special Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Press Secretary and Assistant US Trade Representative for Public Affairs.
Yo-Yo Ma, a cellist and 2001 National Medal of Arts recipient, maintains a balance between his engagements as a soloist with orchestras throughout the world and his recital and chamber music activities. He has recorded more than 75 albums, won 16 Grammy Awards, and serves as the Artistic Director of the Silk Road Project.
Liz Manne, an independent film producer and consultant. Formerly an executive with Sundance Channel, co-founder of Fine Line Features, and consultant to HBO Films, Ms. Manne has helped shepherd more than 100 independent films to diverse audiences. Ms. Manne is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Thom Mayne, founder of Morphosis Architects, co-founder of the Southern California Institute of Architecture and Distinguished Professor at UCLA Architecture and Urban Design, where he extensively researches and publishes on contemporary urbanism. Recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, Mr. Mayne's architectural projects include the San Francisco Federal Building, the Cooper Union academic building in Manhattan, Phare Tower in Paris, and the FLOAT House – an affordable, sustainable, and pre-fabricated housing prototype in New Orleans.
Edward Norton, a two-time Academy Award-nominated actor, producer, and director. He is also engaged in social and environmental issues, serving on the Board of Enterprise Community Partners, National Landscape Conservation Foundation, Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, and Signature Theater Company.
Sarah Jessica Parker, an award-winning actress and producer, having won four Golden Globe Awards, two Emmy Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. She is on the board of the New York City Ballet and she also serves as a UNICEF Representative for the Performing Arts and Goodwill Ambassador for the United States.
Andy Spahn, President of Andy Spahn & Associates, an entertainment industry based consulting firm that specializes in public affairs, strategic philanthropy and communications. Prior to founding his company, he was the Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications for DreamWorks. He has spent more than 25 years in national politics and the non-profit world and is a founding board member of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Jill Cooper Udall, a lawyer and former Officer of Cultural Affairs for the State of New Mexico. She currently works with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. Ms. Udall also sits on the Board of Visitors and Governors for St. John's College, and the Boards of Directors for Ford's Theatre, Santa Fe Conservation Trust, and the Meridian International Center. Reginald Van Lee, an Executive Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton. He is a published author and serves as the Chair of the Board of the Evidence Dance Company, Chair of the Board of the New York International Ballet Competition, Trustee and Treasurer of the Studio Museum in Harlem and Vice-Chair of the Board of the Washington Performing Arts Society. Agnes Varis, founder and President of Agvar Chemicals and Modavar Pharmaceuticals. She is actively involved in the arts community, donating the Agnes Varis Performance Stage to Jazz at Lincoln Center, sponsoring children's programs at the Metropolitan Opera, underwriting a senior citizen orchestra multi-seat program at the Metropolitan Opera, and underwriting the Jazz Foundation of America's national educational children's Jazz In School Program, which employs unemployed elderly jazz musicians. This content has passed through fivefilters.org. | ||||
| Where will the O'Neill CWC Canada winner be from ? - Surfers Village Posted: 02 Nov 2009 08:27 PM PST |
NSSA Southeast Conference CELEBRATES VETERANS DAY 2009 WITH FREE SURF MOVIE, Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 November, 2009 : - - In the spirit of giving back to our surfing community and to honor our Veterans and Surfers, the NSSA Southeast Conference is pleased to host the first ever FreeSurfMovie Night in Indian River and Brevard Counties, FL. Between the Lines is a documentary style film by Ty Ponder, Scott Bass and Troy Page about surfing during the Vietnam war. Keeping the giving going, these guys graciously agreed to screen the film at no cost to our movie fans. Also featured is a special short film featuring Hurricane Bill presented by ESM Magazine.
What's your take on this? New Survey: Map Surfing's future More USA/Cen Amer. surfing news available here NSSA Events - Surfersvillage | |||
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McDonalds have been in Nanning for over 6 years. There are numerous branches across the city.
Also international brands such as Pizza Hut and KFC have held a strong presence in the city for a number of years.
The picture you have painted is far from the truth. Nanning has expanded at such a rate of knots over the last 10 years that it's now very difficult to keep up to date on what is happening and where.
International brands such as Marriott Hotels have opened up, while on the retail front Nike, Reebok, Hugo Boss, Armani, Rolex, Lexus, BMW, Porsche, et al, are now commonplace in every new mall and showroom that opens.
With the China-ASEAN FTA's official launch in 2010 this city has been a priority for central government's plans in China's South. There is huge potential for foreign companies, but it has to be the right match. The level of 'commercial education' is still low, so investment in that area is key. Helping to educate the buyers is best achieved through advertising that has been shaped to fit. Advertising based on extensive local research. The mindsets here are very different from other cities, as is the case over all of China. There will always been the common denominators, but China does differ in that attitudes vary from not just province to province but from city to city.
In my experience foreign companies stroll into China's 2nd and 3rd tier cities thinking it will be easy pickings, displaying a lack of respect, which in turn reflects on their own lack of intelligence, and then quickly find themselves heading home with their tails between their legs.
This article briefly touched upon a key element of advertising in China: enthusiasm. People really respond to ads here, and they are very much based on humour and heritage. Patriotic, almost propagandistic at times, it permeates everyday life from plasma screen TV's on rickety old public buses, to sales posters every 100 yards on a mile long stretch of road. It's inventive at times in the ways they find to utilize space , but the methods still differ wildly from those of the western world. Is that a bad thing? No. I don't think it is.
It provides those wishing to penetrate this massive market with the opportunity to be instantly attractive and effective. The emerging middle classes are ready, willing, and able to meet with new opportunities, as they want to make changes to their life to deal with what they see as the rapidly changing face of China.
This is a land of fearless consumers, and for those who are smart enough, aware enough of the physical investment required (open offices here!), and fearless enough to compete with the powerful local agencies, then great rewards await.
Nanning is a good example of where foreign money should be working. Get to know it.