Consider this, a bank can only safely loan before it soon runs out of credible borrowers who are willing to service their debt. Fortunately, for bankers, this is the age where commitment to quarterly increases in share prices holds paramount over ethics and preservation of capital. In other words, bankers can turn to creative measures like continual and sophisticated rebundling of debt via credit default swaps and/or lending to borrowers with little or no credit worthiness. Armed with such an arsenal and newfound priorities, a globalised world with interlinked financial markets is the ideal playground to play for maximum returns.
Regardless of the color of our parachutes, we should all be Bankers when we grow up. Why? Never has one profession held the entire world at ransom while amassing great wealth for all its member (ok, maybe just for the upper ranks). Banking has become a profession whereby you are not held accountable for results and given a free rein to exploit the system to the hilt.
What the bankers didn't expect was for the world to come crumbling down. They doubt property prices will ever fall. But household prices fell as the property bubble burst. In an instance, nobody trust anybody and resulted in a global credit crunch. Carry trades crumble overnight. Commodities prices and currencies tanked. Yen surged as investors flee for safe harbor.
Though the dust has yet to settle and markets show little signs of bottoming out, bankers are still congratulating themselves for a job well done. They argued that hindsight is always 20-20 but they could not have been held accountable for such a collapse. Instead they are only responsible for their actions based on what they know when they made their decisions. Hence they have executed their duties to the very best of their abilities and should be rewarded handsomely. In fact, if they were not rewarded well, they will have to leave for greener pastures.
While much has been said about such compensation packages, Nassim Nicholas Taleb summed it up very well in his Financial Times article entitled "How bank bonuses let us all down".
"The incentive system put in place by financial companies has produced the worse possible economic system mankind can imagine: capitalism for the profits and socialism for the losses." Taleb wrote. (Bold by me)
He left this parting advice "No incentive without disincentive. And never trust with your money anyone making a potential bonus."
25 February, 2009
BookExpo America, Los Angeles 2008 [Update 7 (Final)]
There were a total of 12 workshops and seminars on the subject of graphic novels. The state of comics has evolved. Its no longer whether libraries need to stock comics but which comics to stock and how many. Saturday was officially dubbed “Graphic Novel Day.”
Diversity. From attempts to lure in both younger (pre-teen) and older (post-teen and beyond) readers, to changing the formats in which manga is delivered, the industry as a whole is looking to maintain the strong readership that has driven years of rapid growth in the book market. John Cunningham, Diamond Comics Vice President of Sales said he found that in 2006, 11% of all trade paperback sales in the U.S. were graphic novels. “But you can bet that graphic novels were not 11% of the books shelved in most bookstores,” he said, citing the problem of getting more inventory into a dwindling amount of retail shelf space.
Iron Man. The first film released in 2008 to pass the $300 million mark at the domestic US box office. Marvel capitalised on the success and launched a new ongoing series called Invincible Iron Man, by writer Matt Fraction, and a new miniseries Iron Man: Viva Las Vegas by movie director Jon Favreau. Even though the film was rated PG-13 (for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and brief suggestive content) , the comics remain unrated even when they should be Rated R for intense and graphical violence.
Library Classification. Libraries, presently, tend to shelve all the comics together or by age. However it is important to realize the relevance of context.
Publisher Tokyopop (www.tokypop.com/ratings) has established an in-house committee of three. They are tasked to look through their content armed with content indicators to highlight themes of concern, for readers especially parents.
Themes of concern include, language, bullying, violence (intensity and goreness), sex (sexual and non sexual nudity) to substance abuse. There is a general public acceptance of violence and intolerance of sex. Marvel Carnage series are a prime example of bad storylines but popular among kids for its violence. Hence rating systems must be belivable and reliable to work.
BookExpo America, Los Angeles 2008 [Update 6]
How Libraries Buy: Librarians Reveal Their Methods for Collection Development
[Moderator: Nora Rawlinson - Founder, EarlyWord.com, the Publisher/Librarian Connection]
Librarians need to recognize the goals of selection like patron satisfaction. The library system should be able to generate shelf list report to allow close examination of the collection. Staff can then use weeding to fine tune the collection accordingly. Likewise reader recommendations should be reflected in circulation statistics.
SF public libraries (28 branches) & Phoenix City public libraries (16 branches) use the following standards to generate purchase orders; 3 holds for books, 6 holds for media and 10 holds for all other materials.
Circulation. Fiction and audio books continue to attract the highest circulation especially among the commuting adults and seniors. Newspaper databases, however, are not as popular due to their online presence. Online resources like electronic databases remain the best in the provision of 24/7 services and to support an otherwise small print reference collection.
Selection Aids. The panel agrees that a wide array is needed to build any collection, namely,
[Moderator: Nora Rawlinson - Founder, EarlyWord.com, the Publisher/Librarian Connection]
Librarians need to recognize the goals of selection like patron satisfaction. The library system should be able to generate shelf list report to allow close examination of the collection. Staff can then use weeding to fine tune the collection accordingly. Likewise reader recommendations should be reflected in circulation statistics.
SF public libraries (28 branches) & Phoenix City public libraries (16 branches) use the following standards to generate purchase orders; 3 holds for books, 6 holds for media and 10 holds for all other materials.
Circulation. Fiction and audio books continue to attract the highest circulation especially among the commuting adults and seniors. Newspaper databases, however, are not as popular due to their online presence. Online resources like electronic databases remain the best in the provision of 24/7 services and to support an otherwise small print reference collection.
Selection Aids. The panel agrees that a wide array is needed to build any collection, namely,
- International book fairs which showcase different kinds of materials;
- Promote vendor rapport with publishers to establish comprehensiveness so as to allow anticipatory selection before media review. This will further allow selectors to focus on finding independent and new publishers. Librarians must realize that small authors are challenged by distributorship structure and thus need to prove themselves with both circulation and media coverage.
- Tender. Even though awarded, the tender serves as a first stop service point. If the title is not available then selectors should go elsewhere to source for it. Bestsellers only account for 5% of total sales in America. Hence other material can and do matter.
BookExpo America, Los Angeles 2008 [Update 5]
How Travel Guide Publishers Continue to Connect with Travelers -- in Print, Online, and Mobile Platforms
[Moderator: Ensley Eikenburg - Assoc. Dir. Marketing, Frommer's Panelist: David Lytle, Frommers.com; Sarah Winter; Whatsonwhen.com; Tim Jarrell, Fodor's Speaker: Brice Gosnell, Lonely Planet]
The world is becoming ever more accessible with globalisation and greater information flow. The paradox is traveling has become less exotic. The key for content providers is how to continue creating personalized itineraries to make the journey more relevant and hence more exciting.
The new battle is waged between the incorporation of both print and online content. Publishers are honing their websites to target specific interests like elderly and religious. Online content feature travel lists and recommended itineraries while guides books provide in depth information for detailed planning exercises. User generated content via travel forums further enhances available guides with valuable ground experience.
However the common misconception is to assume that electronic content is automatically up to date and by default, the best guide. Online information suffers the same fate as printed guides, they are only as timely as the moment they are published.
Crystal Ball Gazing
The panel introduced the ability to access content via their phones. The development of Web 3.0 will not only allow users the portability of profiles but also dial up the location of recommended restaurants, hotels and places of interest within their vicinity. The panel realized that they must be ready even though consumers have yet to adopt the new technologies. The key is to continue to develop strategies and content even though the final editorial model has yet to be established.
[Moderator: Ensley Eikenburg - Assoc. Dir. Marketing, Frommer's Panelist: David Lytle, Frommers.com; Sarah Winter; Whatsonwhen.com; Tim Jarrell, Fodor's Speaker: Brice Gosnell, Lonely Planet]
The world is becoming ever more accessible with globalisation and greater information flow. The paradox is traveling has become less exotic. The key for content providers is how to continue creating personalized itineraries to make the journey more relevant and hence more exciting.
The new battle is waged between the incorporation of both print and online content. Publishers are honing their websites to target specific interests like elderly and religious. Online content feature travel lists and recommended itineraries while guides books provide in depth information for detailed planning exercises. User generated content via travel forums further enhances available guides with valuable ground experience.
However the common misconception is to assume that electronic content is automatically up to date and by default, the best guide. Online information suffers the same fate as printed guides, they are only as timely as the moment they are published.
Crystal Ball Gazing
The panel introduced the ability to access content via their phones. The development of Web 3.0 will not only allow users the portability of profiles but also dial up the location of recommended restaurants, hotels and places of interest within their vicinity. The panel realized that they must be ready even though consumers have yet to adopt the new technologies. The key is to continue to develop strategies and content even though the final editorial model has yet to be established.
BookExpo America, Los Angeles 2008 [Update 4]
The Future of Reading
[Moderator: Christopher Kenneally –Dir., Author & Creator Relationships, Copyright Clearance Ctr. Panelist: Paul Dry - Publisher, Paul Dry Books; Irene McDermott - - librarian and author, The Librarian's Internet Survival Guide; Randy Testa - VP Education, Walden Pond Press]
“It doesn’t matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don’t read anymore,” he said. “Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don’t read anymore.” – Steve Jobs, New York Times, January 15, 2008
The above statement made by Steve Jobs, a leading visionary in media and music, formed the background for the panel discussion.
Kenneally stressed that The future will always be an unknown, even for gurus like Jobs. Kenneally is assured that we will continue to read to nourish our minds just as we will continue to eat to nourish our stomachs. Hence just as there are different kinds of food (from junk to fine cuisine) to cater to different eaters, there is an equally wide range of reading materials available for different readers. The need, however, is to recognize and know the purpose of one’s reading.
The Greatest Allies
The panel concluded that for reading to have a future, there must be future readers.
[Moderator: Christopher Kenneally –Dir., Author & Creator Relationships, Copyright Clearance Ctr. Panelist: Paul Dry - Publisher, Paul Dry Books; Irene McDermott - - librarian and author, The Librarian's Internet Survival Guide; Randy Testa - VP Education, Walden Pond Press]
“It doesn’t matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don’t read anymore,” he said. “Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don’t read anymore.” – Steve Jobs, New York Times, January 15, 2008
The above statement made by Steve Jobs, a leading visionary in media and music, formed the background for the panel discussion.
Kenneally stressed that The future will always be an unknown, even for gurus like Jobs. Kenneally is assured that we will continue to read to nourish our minds just as we will continue to eat to nourish our stomachs. Hence just as there are different kinds of food (from junk to fine cuisine) to cater to different eaters, there is an equally wide range of reading materials available for different readers. The need, however, is to recognize and know the purpose of one’s reading.
The Greatest Allies
The panel concluded that for reading to have a future, there must be future readers.
- There is a need to create awareness as readers need to know of the reading choices available;
- Authors want to be read and more collaborative relationships should be established to help the creative build readership; and
- Parents are always grateful for any initiatives to introduce or bring their kids back to reading and hence are the greatest allies available.
BookExpo America, Los Angeles 2008 [Update 3]
Upfront & Unscripted Spotlight: Jeff Bezos, CEO, Amazon.com with Chris Anderson, Exec Editor, Wired and author, The Long Tail
This was Jeff Bezos' return to BEA after 8 years. First off I was disappointed that Chris took a very back seat throughout and didnt contribute to the discussion. To set the context, the biggest buzz surrounding Book Expo was
1) Borders to cut $120 million in operating costs and
2) the hype for Scott McCellan’s soldout book, What Happened.
Bezos went on to share his vision for the Kindle reader, i.e., to make every book ever printed in any language available for download in 60 seconds. He revealed that Kindle customers purchase more books by a factor of 2.6 than non-Kindle owners. In June 2008, there are 125,000 Kindle titles available, Kindle sales represent 6% of sales of those same physical books. In July 2008, just one month later, Kindle sales make up over 12% of sales for 130,000 titles.
Presently Amazon is working on developing a Kindle edition for international markets. Chris Anderson asked if the Kindle will change the way people write, Bezos said he would be “startled” if some authors don’t resort to Charles Dickens–type serializations. The Kindle platform has been designed to allow writers to surprise readers. In other words, Bezos is on the impression that the Kindle will function like the extremely popular and profitable mobile phone serializations phenomenon in Japan. Beyond books, Bezos sees downloads to extend to blogs, newspapers, magazines and emails.
Bezos shared that Amazon’s new BookSurge subsidiary will focus on Print-on-demand (POD). Printing POD titles in-house, according to Bezos, makes it easier and cheaper to combine orders in one package, saving time and money for customers. He likened the POD controversy to the one that developed when the company first started selling used books. Amazon studies have shown little cannibalization of new books by selling used titles.
In conclusion, Bezos reiterated the importance of patience and being relentless.
“To achieve, it is necessary for vision to exist and pursue each step ferociously.”
This was Jeff Bezos' return to BEA after 8 years. First off I was disappointed that Chris took a very back seat throughout and didnt contribute to the discussion. To set the context, the biggest buzz surrounding Book Expo was
1) Borders to cut $120 million in operating costs and
2) the hype for Scott McCellan’s soldout book, What Happened.
Bezos capitalised on the second event to emphasis why e-book is the future reading format of choice. He stressed that
- E-books don’t go out of stock
- Readers love to read.
- Anything that makes reading easier is appreciated.
Bezos went on to share his vision for the Kindle reader, i.e., to make every book ever printed in any language available for download in 60 seconds. He revealed that Kindle customers purchase more books by a factor of 2.6 than non-Kindle owners. In June 2008, there are 125,000 Kindle titles available, Kindle sales represent 6% of sales of those same physical books. In July 2008, just one month later, Kindle sales make up over 12% of sales for 130,000 titles.
Presently Amazon is working on developing a Kindle edition for international markets. Chris Anderson asked if the Kindle will change the way people write, Bezos said he would be “startled” if some authors don’t resort to Charles Dickens–type serializations. The Kindle platform has been designed to allow writers to surprise readers. In other words, Bezos is on the impression that the Kindle will function like the extremely popular and profitable mobile phone serializations phenomenon in Japan. Beyond books, Bezos sees downloads to extend to blogs, newspapers, magazines and emails.
Bezos shared that Amazon’s new BookSurge subsidiary will focus on Print-on-demand (POD). Printing POD titles in-house, according to Bezos, makes it easier and cheaper to combine orders in one package, saving time and money for customers. He likened the POD controversy to the one that developed when the company first started selling used books. Amazon studies have shown little cannibalization of new books by selling used titles.
In conclusion, Bezos reiterated the importance of patience and being relentless.
“To achieve, it is necessary for vision to exist and pursue each step ferociously.”
BookExpo America, Los Angeles 2008 [Update 2]
Green Is the New Red, White and Blue
Keynote Speaker: Thomas L. Friedman
Friedman is a Pulitzer winner and author of best sellers like The World is Flat and Lexus and the Olive Tree. The New York Times journalist who has been the strongest supporter of globalisation and its merits gave an arousing speech on his new book and the urgency for a green revolution.
The premise of his new book, Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need A Green Revolution – and how it can renew America, (to be published in Sep’08) is that the country has lost its way in the global arena largely because of bad environmental habits.
“Our challenge is to be innovative in the way we take up the environmental cause." Friedman said, "This is the only way we can make America stronger.” He proposed that the U.S. implement a “Code Green” policy as a means of beginning the process of overhauling its energy policies. Friedman goes on to identify the mega-trends facing the world today as energy poverty, climate change, “petro-dictatorship” and biodiversity loss.
Going Green was the indeed the hot topic of Book Expo with 7 dedicated seminars and workshops. Publishers gave out Recycle bags instead of plastic bags. The media played its part as well due to the rising fuel prices and the great returns from investing in alternative and biofuels.
Keynote Speaker: Thomas L. Friedman
Friedman is a Pulitzer winner and author of best sellers like The World is Flat and Lexus and the Olive Tree. The New York Times journalist who has been the strongest supporter of globalisation and its merits gave an arousing speech on his new book and the urgency for a green revolution.
The premise of his new book, Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need A Green Revolution – and how it can renew America, (to be published in Sep’08) is that the country has lost its way in the global arena largely because of bad environmental habits.
“Our challenge is to be innovative in the way we take up the environmental cause." Friedman said, "This is the only way we can make America stronger.” He proposed that the U.S. implement a “Code Green” policy as a means of beginning the process of overhauling its energy policies. Friedman goes on to identify the mega-trends facing the world today as energy poverty, climate change, “petro-dictatorship” and biodiversity loss.
Going Green was the indeed the hot topic of Book Expo with 7 dedicated seminars and workshops. Publishers gave out Recycle bags instead of plastic bags. The media played its part as well due to the rising fuel prices and the great returns from investing in alternative and biofuels.
BookExpo America, Los Angeles 2008 [Update 1]
The BookExpo was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 29 – June 01, 2008. It is the largest publishing event in North America and the second largest book fair in the world. There were over 2,000 exhibitors with a total registration of 28,494. This was a 22% decline from the 36,112 registrants from New York in 2007. BEA Spokesperson Roger Bilheimer said the decline was due almost entirely to a drop-off in librarian attendance which was down by about 2,000. Roger remarked that the cost of travel and the fact ALA will be held in California in less than a month deter librarians from attending.
“It’s a fair fair,” one publisher said. “that’s what you get when you come to California.” Indeed, Los Angeles is home to Hollywood after all and the fair was graced by celebrities like Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson, Jackie Collins with her big pink bus, Salman Rushdie and even Malaysia's Fengshui Diva Lilian Too showed up.
The recurrent themes from the various seminars and conferences held at the BookExpo are as follows:
“It’s a fair fair,” one publisher said. “that’s what you get when you come to California.” Indeed, Los Angeles is home to Hollywood after all and the fair was graced by celebrities like Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson, Jackie Collins with her big pink bus, Salman Rushdie and even Malaysia's Fengshui Diva Lilian Too showed up.
The recurrent themes from the various seminars and conferences held at the BookExpo are as follows:
- How to make our collections more valuable? and
- How to enhance customer experience?
15 June, 2006
Mr. Galloway Goes to WashingtonUp front, I am against the War in Iraq. It was not a war against WMDs. It was not a war against terrorism. It was a campaign of waste, of lives and of resources. 'Nuff Said.
George Galloway, a newly elected member of the British Parliament, was summoned to Washington, D.C., to appear before a Senate subcommittee that claimed -- without ever communicating with him -- that he had enriched himself through the Iraq oil-for-food program.
"Now I know that standards have slipped in the last few years in Washington, but for a lawyer you are remarkably cavalier with any idea of justice. I am here today but last week you already found me guilty. You traduced my name around the world without ever having asked me a single question, without ever having contacted me, without ever written to me or telephoned me, without any attempt to contact me whatsoever. And you call that justice." [Video]
The full statement is available here. To learn more about George Galloway, check out his web site.
13 June, 2006
Florilegium Imperiale: Botanical Illustrations for Francis I of Austria by H. Walter Lack (ISBN 3791334921)My lecturer used to comment that the Holy Roman Empire was neither Holy nor Roman. Nevertheless being an Emperor does have its advantages. Francis I of Austria, the last monarch to rule over the Holy Roman Empire, was also obsessed with flowers. His Imperial Gardens, where he realized his passion for flowers, remain one of Vienna’s most beloved treasures. In 1791, Francis I commissioned Matthias Schumtzer to paint portraits of every flower in the garden—a project that took more than three decades to complete. Until now, only six of the extant 1,300 paintings have ever been published. This collection features 120 of the most outstanding of Schmutzer’s watercolors. Painted life-size and with extraordinary precision, the flowers range from the exotic to the common. A fascinating text offers biographical information about Francis I, descriptions of the Imperial Gardens in the ruler’s time, and photographs of how they appear today. The 336 page tome measures in 29 X 42 cm and comes inclusive of slipcase. If you have US$165 to spare and delights in botanical art, this is the book to get.
Snacks taste better with MeijiThe gingerbread man has been a marked man ever since Shrek.
Credits
Client: Meiji Milk
Agency: BBDO SIngapore
Creative Director: Francis Wee
Writer: Andrew McKechnie
Art Director: Goh Wee Kim
Photographer: Jonathan Tay
12 June, 2006
The 2005 Creative Rankings by Campaign Brief Asia
Hey, this is Singapore and we love rankings... especially those that celebrates our achievements. The complete ranking consists of 150 agencies.
#1 Ogilvy & Mather Singapore (Sonal Dabral) 1738
#2 BBDO Singapore (Francis Wee) 1287
#3 Dentsu Inc Tokyo (Toshiaki Nozue, Akira Kagami) 1186
#4 BBDO Bangkok (Suthisak Sucharittanonta) 1181
#5 TBWA Singapore (Mark Bamfield) 1178
#6 Saatchi & Saatchi Bangkok (Andy Greenaway) 1177
#7 TBWA Japan (John Merrifield) 1067
#8 Leo Burnett Singapore (Steve Straw) 946
#9 Euro RSCG Flagship Bangkok (Chukiat Jaroensuk) 885
#10 Creative Juice / G1 Bangkok (Thirasak Thanapatanakul) 795
#11 Ogilvy & Mather Bangkok (Korn Tepintatapirak) 775
#12 Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore (Graham Kelly) 677
#13 JWT Bangkok (Pinit Chantaprateep) 599
#14 FCB Singapore (Rob Sherlock) 560
#15 McCann-Erickson Singapore (Ng Tian It) 555
#16 Naga DDB Malaysia (Ted Lim) 536
#17 JWT Malaysia (Edwin Leong) 463
#18 Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia (Daniel Comar) 439
#19 Leo Burnett Bangkok (Praphalrat Tongsiri) 374
#20 Ogilvy & Mather Mumbai (Piyush Pandey) 363
The points system is as follows:
Cannes
Grand Prix 100 (film 150); Gold 60 (film 90); Silver 50 (film 75); Bronze 40 (film 60); Shortlist Single 15 (film 30); Shortlist Campaign 20 (film 40).
D&AD
Gold 100; Silver 60; Silver Nomation 50; Accepted in the Book 30.
The One Show
Best of Show 100; Gold 50 (film 75); Silver 40 (film 60); Bronze 30 (film 50); Finalist 15 (film 20).
Clio
Grand Prix 150; Gold 50 (film 75); Silver 40 (film 60); Bronze 30 (film 50); Finalist in 2005 10 (film 15).
AdFest
Gold 15; Silver 10; Bronze 5.
Asian Advertising Awards
Gold 30; Silver 20; Certificate 10.
The Work
Accepted in annual 12.
Hey, this is Singapore and we love rankings... especially those that celebrates our achievements. The complete ranking consists of 150 agencies.
#1 Ogilvy & Mather Singapore (Sonal Dabral) 1738
#2 BBDO Singapore (Francis Wee) 1287
#3 Dentsu Inc Tokyo (Toshiaki Nozue, Akira Kagami) 1186
#4 BBDO Bangkok (Suthisak Sucharittanonta) 1181
#5 TBWA Singapore (Mark Bamfield) 1178
#6 Saatchi & Saatchi Bangkok (Andy Greenaway) 1177
#7 TBWA Japan (John Merrifield) 1067
#8 Leo Burnett Singapore (Steve Straw) 946
#9 Euro RSCG Flagship Bangkok (Chukiat Jaroensuk) 885
#10 Creative Juice / G1 Bangkok (Thirasak Thanapatanakul) 795
#11 Ogilvy & Mather Bangkok (Korn Tepintatapirak) 775
#12 Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore (Graham Kelly) 677
#13 JWT Bangkok (Pinit Chantaprateep) 599
#14 FCB Singapore (Rob Sherlock) 560
#15 McCann-Erickson Singapore (Ng Tian It) 555
#16 Naga DDB Malaysia (Ted Lim) 536
#17 JWT Malaysia (Edwin Leong) 463
#18 Ogilvy & Mather Malaysia (Daniel Comar) 439
#19 Leo Burnett Bangkok (Praphalrat Tongsiri) 374
#20 Ogilvy & Mather Mumbai (Piyush Pandey) 363
The points system is as follows:
Cannes
Grand Prix 100 (film 150); Gold 60 (film 90); Silver 50 (film 75); Bronze 40 (film 60); Shortlist Single 15 (film 30); Shortlist Campaign 20 (film 40).
D&AD
Gold 100; Silver 60; Silver Nomation 50; Accepted in the Book 30.
The One Show
Best of Show 100; Gold 50 (film 75); Silver 40 (film 60); Bronze 30 (film 50); Finalist 15 (film 20).
Clio
Grand Prix 150; Gold 50 (film 75); Silver 40 (film 60); Bronze 30 (film 50); Finalist in 2005 10 (film 15).
AdFest
Gold 15; Silver 10; Bronze 5.
Asian Advertising Awards
Gold 30; Silver 20; Certificate 10.
The Work
Accepted in annual 12.
Cannes Lions 2006
53rd International Advertising Festival (18-24 June)
39 seminars, 10 workshops, 5000 commercials, 6700 press ads, 4700 outdoor ads, 2200 websites and online ads, 1200 media solutions, 1700 direct marketing entries, 1500 radio entries, 200 Titanium entries, 4 award ceremonies and 2 galas.
This is the world's largest advertising festival, so if you are into creative work , bookmark http://www.canneslions.com/.
53rd International Advertising Festival (18-24 June)
39 seminars, 10 workshops, 5000 commercials, 6700 press ads, 4700 outdoor ads, 2200 websites and online ads, 1200 media solutions, 1700 direct marketing entries, 1500 radio entries, 200 Titanium entries, 4 award ceremonies and 2 galas.
This is the world's largest advertising festival, so if you are into creative work , bookmark http://www.canneslions.com/.
What A Rush! The Tornado Series by Accord Fans
If you ever need a new fan, you can't go wrong with Accord. Created by BBDO Bangkok, writers, Wirat Charoenwiwatchai, Juntiga Nasunee and Suthisak Sucharittanonta with art directors, Aniruth Assawanapanon and Vasan Wangpaitoon, cleverly employed an over the top treatment for the fan's velocity. Writers, Wirat Charoenwiwatchai and Suthisak Sucharittanonta, with art director, Aniruth Assawanapanon, subsequently
wrote an outdoor campaign. Distorted man-made structures were deployed to illustrate the capabilities of Accord Fans.In Campaign Brief Asia's Creative Rankings 2005, BBDO Bangkok came in 4th and Suthisak Sucharittanonta was ranked as the 20th hottest creatives in Asia. Some of BBDO's works include the Richard Gere India VISA ad.
Japan's Twelve Modern Masters of Photography
It is always heart warming to see a gathering of talents, especially when it is for a good cause. The 'Friends of M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation in Tokyo' has initiated a portfolio project in which all proceeds will be used to aid "Mission 2007. Every Village a Knowledge Center" or the establishing of a village knowledge centre in each of the 600,000 villages in India. The "Modern Masters of Photography - Japan" portfolio is a carefully produced 100 limited, individually signed, numbered and boxed set and priced at US$2,500. The exact specifications are available here. The twelve featured photographers include:
It is always heart warming to see a gathering of talents, especially when it is for a good cause. The 'Friends of M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation in Tokyo' has initiated a portfolio project in which all proceeds will be used to aid "Mission 2007. Every Village a Knowledge Center" or the establishing of a village knowledge centre in each of the 600,000 villages in India. The "Modern Masters of Photography - Japan" portfolio is a carefully produced 100 limited, individually signed, numbered and boxed set and priced at US$2,500. The exact specifications are available here. The twelve featured photographers include:
- Masahisa Fuksae
- Eiko Hosoe
- Yasuhiro Ishimoto
- Kikuji Kawada
- Daido Moriyama
- Shigeichi Nagano
- Tadayuki Naito
- Tokihiro Sato
- Toshio Shibata
- Issei Suda
- Yoshihiko Ueda
- Hiroshi Yamazaki
Being There: Harry Benson's Fifty Years of Photojournalism
To quote John Loengard, former picture editor of Life and People, "Harry knows where it is important to go and what it is important to see. What he sees informs us all."
Harry Benson has always been at the right place at the right time. He has photographed all the American presidents from Eisenhower and was just next door to the Twin Towers when the first airplane struck. From Nixon's resignation to the dancing Reagans, the Digital Journalist hosts a online gallery of some of his best works including the famous Beatles pillow fight.[View]
David Friend (Vanity Fair's editor of creative development) wrote of his experience while working with Harry Benson as well as Harry's "Rules of the Road".[View]
#1 Never to get too comfortable on a story. No matter how bleak things seem, they can always get worse.
#2 Go for the center, first.
#3 Keep in fighting trim, Fleet Street style.
#4 You're only as good as your last scrape.
#5 Speed is all.
#6 Minimize your contact with the office.
#7 Worry, worry and worry some more.
#8 Be a lone wolf.
#9 Every story is some version of Star Wars.
#10 Keep it light.
To summarise, Harry Benson knows the exact When, How, Which, Whether, How and When of photojournalism: WHEN a subject is likeliest to let his guard down; WHO within the orbit of a given assignment will soon set him off target, whether deliberately or inadvertently; HOW best to divert the attention of a subject's minder or spouse in order to go in for he kill; WHICH unexpected ally within the enemy camp--or even among his press corps counterparts--will he soon enlist to assist him in his cause; WHETHER the home office, through sheer impatience or panic, ego or inexperience, is on the verge of endangering a story or compromising its legitimacy by misreading the delicate lattice of courtship and intrigue that have set the story in motion in the first place; HOW to defend an iron-clad exclusive against all competitors--and invariable, against devious colleagues; WHEN to turn on the charm.
To quote John Loengard, former picture editor of Life and People, "Harry knows where it is important to go and what it is important to see. What he sees informs us all."
Harry Benson has always been at the right place at the right time. He has photographed all the American presidents from Eisenhower and was just next door to the Twin Towers when the first airplane struck. From Nixon's resignation to the dancing Reagans, the Digital Journalist hosts a online gallery of some of his best works including the famous Beatles pillow fight.[View]
David Friend (Vanity Fair's editor of creative development) wrote of his experience while working with Harry Benson as well as Harry's "Rules of the Road".[View]
#1 Never to get too comfortable on a story. No matter how bleak things seem, they can always get worse.
#2 Go for the center, first.
#3 Keep in fighting trim, Fleet Street style.
#4 You're only as good as your last scrape.
#5 Speed is all.
#6 Minimize your contact with the office.
#7 Worry, worry and worry some more.
#8 Be a lone wolf.
#9 Every story is some version of Star Wars.
#10 Keep it light.
To summarise, Harry Benson knows the exact When, How, Which, Whether, How and When of photojournalism: WHEN a subject is likeliest to let his guard down; WHO within the orbit of a given assignment will soon set him off target, whether deliberately or inadvertently; HOW best to divert the attention of a subject's minder or spouse in order to go in for he kill; WHICH unexpected ally within the enemy camp--or even among his press corps counterparts--will he soon enlist to assist him in his cause; WHETHER the home office, through sheer impatience or panic, ego or inexperience, is on the verge of endangering a story or compromising its legitimacy by misreading the delicate lattice of courtship and intrigue that have set the story in motion in the first place; HOW to defend an iron-clad exclusive against all competitors--and invariable, against devious colleagues; WHEN to turn on the charm.
11 June, 2006
On this Earth: Photographs from East Africa by Nick Brandt (ISBN 0811848655)I first came across Nick Brandt's work in a 2005 Chronicle Books catalog. Amazed by the grace and beauty his photographs bestowed upon the magnificent beasts roaming the vast Africa, I placed an order for a personal copy. Nick's interview and a showcase of 14 images in the November 2005 issue of Lenswork made me ever more eager. Finally, I got my "elephant" book yesterday. Introduced by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, this stunning compilation transports the reader to another realm. One of peace and tranquility. A fast disappearing world where animals remain free and noble.
"I get extremely close to these very wild animals, often within a few feet of them. I don't use telephoto lenses. This is because I want to see as much of the sky and landscape as possible--to see the animals within the context of their environment. That way, the photos become as much about the atmosphere of the place as the animals. And being that close to the animals, I get a real sense of intimate connection to them, to the specific animal in front of me. Sometimes a deliberate feeling that they’re almost presenting themselves for a studio portrait." (Nick Brandt, April 2004)
Nick employed a Pentax 6X7 camera for all his photographs. All negatives were scanned and processed "dry room" using Adobe Photoshop. The magnificent panoramic images of the elephant herd was shot separately and later stitched. This is the perfect gift for all wildlife lovers and a great demonstration that beautiful images need not have color. To view more, kindly visit http://www.nickbrandt.com/.
Think Different(ly) about 1984
During the 1990s, Apple commissoned ad agency, TBWA, to create the Think Different slogan. The one minute black-and-white television commercial was narrated by Richard Dreyfuss and featured footages significant historical people of the past, including Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Branson, John Lennon, R Buckminster Fuller, Thomas Edison, Muhammad Ali, Ted Turner, Maria Callas, Mahatma Gandhi, Amelia Earhart, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Graham, Jim Henson, Frank Lloyd Wright and Pablo Picasso. Despite its ingenuity, the ad was not without controversy. Critics have denounced Apple's exploitative use of historic figures to promote its own brand while supporters see the ad as a tribute. The full text of the ad as follows:
Think Different (View)
Here's to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They're not fond of rules
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,
disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing that you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They invent. They imagine. They heal.
They explore. They create. They inspire.
They push the human race forward.
Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?
We make tools for these kinds of people.
While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.
1984 (View)
Another one of my favorite ads is for the launch of Macintosh. The 1984 ad was only televised once during the half time segment of the Superbowl XVIII on January 22, 1984. It was made and directed by Ridley Scott at a cost of US$1.5 million. The cleverness of the ad was to draw reference to an Orwellian Nineteen Eighty-Four world and suggest then industry giant IBM as Big Brother.
During the 1990s, Apple commissoned ad agency, TBWA, to create the Think Different slogan. The one minute black-and-white television commercial was narrated by Richard Dreyfuss and featured footages significant historical people of the past, including Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Branson, John Lennon, R Buckminster Fuller, Thomas Edison, Muhammad Ali, Ted Turner, Maria Callas, Mahatma Gandhi, Amelia Earhart, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Graham, Jim Henson, Frank Lloyd Wright and Pablo Picasso. Despite its ingenuity, the ad was not without controversy. Critics have denounced Apple's exploitative use of historic figures to promote its own brand while supporters see the ad as a tribute. The full text of the ad as follows:
Think Different (View)
Here's to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They're not fond of rules
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,
disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing that you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They invent. They imagine. They heal.
They explore. They create. They inspire.
They push the human race forward.
Maybe they have to be crazy.
How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written?
Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?
We make tools for these kinds of people.
While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.
1984 (View)
Another one of my favorite ads is for the launch of Macintosh. The 1984 ad was only televised once during the half time segment of the Superbowl XVIII on January 22, 1984. It was made and directed by Ridley Scott at a cost of US$1.5 million. The cleverness of the ad was to draw reference to an Orwellian Nineteen Eighty-Four world and suggest then industry giant IBM as Big Brother.
How to be an Artist
I came across this wonderful text from a workshop some years back. Unfortunately no source was given but thnx to Google, it is a poster from Planet SARK's Classics I Artwork Collection.
I came across this wonderful text from a workshop some years back. Unfortunately no source was given but thnx to Google, it is a poster from Planet SARK's Classics I Artwork Collection.
How to be an Artist
Stay Loose. Learn to watch snails. Plant impossible gardens. Invite someone dangerous to tea. Make little signs that say "Yes!" and post them all over your house. Make friends with freedom and uncertainty. Look forward to dreams. Cry during movies. Swing as high as you can on a swing set, by moonlight. Cultivate moods. Refuse to be responsible. Do it for love. Take lots of naps. Give money away. Do it now. The money will follow. Blieve in magic. Laugh a lot. Celebrate every gorgeous moment. Take moonbaths. Have wild imaginings, transformative dreams, and perfect calm. Draw on the walls. Read everyday. Imagine yourself magic. Giggle with children. Listen to old people. Open up. Dive in. Be Free. Bless yourself. Drive away fear. Play with everything. Entertain your inner child. You are innocent. Build a fort with blankets. Get wet. Hug trees. Write love letters.
You could buy a copy of this wonderful poster here.
Stay Loose. Learn to watch snails. Plant impossible gardens. Invite someone dangerous to tea. Make little signs that say "Yes!" and post them all over your house. Make friends with freedom and uncertainty. Look forward to dreams. Cry during movies. Swing as high as you can on a swing set, by moonlight. Cultivate moods. Refuse to be responsible. Do it for love. Take lots of naps. Give money away. Do it now. The money will follow. Blieve in magic. Laugh a lot. Celebrate every gorgeous moment. Take moonbaths. Have wild imaginings, transformative dreams, and perfect calm. Draw on the walls. Read everyday. Imagine yourself magic. Giggle with children. Listen to old people. Open up. Dive in. Be Free. Bless yourself. Drive away fear. Play with everything. Entertain your inner child. You are innocent. Build a fort with blankets. Get wet. Hug trees. Write love letters.
You could buy a copy of this wonderful poster here.
10 June, 2006
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility This coming December, the ultimate training manual will finally be available. The 176-page Spider-Man Handbook (Quirk Books) complete with step-by-step illustration will touch on essential skills such as How to Deal with a Nightmare Boss and How to Live on a Meager Income. More importantly, the book will emphasize essential super hero skills (such as How to Crawl up a Wall, How to Swing from Building to Building and How to Design and Build a Costume). This instruction manual will definitely benefit all the potential web slingers of the world. A perfect Christmas Day gift for all the Peter Parkers out there.
09 June, 2006
J K Rowling's Da Potter Code (June 2005) The Sun Newspaper sent its reporter to meet the two gunmen who allegedly tried to sell stolen copies of the forthcoming Harry Potter book. The gunmen claimed to have copies for sale at GBP50,000. Police said they arrested a 37-year-old and a 19-year-old. Their names were not released. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is slated for release July 16, 2005 and sold 1.9 million copies during its first four hours on sale.
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