tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89606140880005418232024-03-08T02:34:45.105-08:00Social Marketing POVLet the venting begin!Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-75092824525679064312010-05-17T03:11:00.000-07:002010-05-17T03:11:02.404-07:00Ridiculous article paints Middle East in pre-historic light for cell phone usage<a href="http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/science-technology/Cell-Phones-Open-New-Vistas-Middle-East-93079604.html">The article I read on VOA</a><br />
<br />
I simply can't stand it when Western media manipulates its imagery and journalistic (is that what this is?) copy to make the Middle East sound stereotyped and ultra-conservative. <br />
<br />
Read this article and see what I mean.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-61000071653329303772010-05-16T05:38:00.000-07:002010-05-16T05:38:55.378-07:00Facebook Summarized In A Single Picture<a href="http://www.allfacebook.com/2010/03/facebook-summarized-in-a-single-picture/">Facebook Summarized In A Single Picture</a>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-18624216936079624522010-03-17T23:35:00.001-07:002010-03-17T23:41:17.116-07:00Facebook overtakes Google - really?<a href=http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/17/how-facebook-overtook-google-to-be-the-top-spot-on-the-internet/>How Facebook overtook Google to be the top spot on the Internet</a><br />
<br />
Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a><br />
<br />
<br />
I thought this article was best at summing up this phenomenal event that's taken place over the weekend.<br />
<br />
The media will go on and on using superlatives like 'crushed' and 'Facebook wins' and all that, but as a true marketer you have to look at this objectively. <br />
<br />
What happened: Facebook became the most visited 'standalone' site, above Google. By standalone, I mean more people typed in facebook.com into their browsers than 'google.com'. <br />
<br />
This in itself is a phenomenal achievement and will definitely be something the FB guys need to be proud about. <br />
<br />
Now, I'll leave you to the article. Enjoy. Share. Socialize.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-28362435543160155842010-03-16T00:21:00.000-07:002010-03-16T00:21:34.539-07:00Do event companies in the UAE need to be regulated?Do we need a regulatory body for the conferences, exhibitions and events industry in the Middle East?<br />
<br />
Repeatedly in conversations with various professionals in these industries I've constantly been hearing complaints against the same few companies who are breaking every single law - written and ethical - in the way they do business.<br />
<br />
These few - some who've actually been around for a long time, and some fly by night operators who have come into some capital and think 'hey lets open an events company and make some money' - are ruining the market and reputation of this industry for most of us who are actually doing the right thing, both in terms of business quality, quantity, operations and ethics. <br />
<br />
Challenges to a regulatory authority that I can think of at the top of my head would be:<br />
Who heads it?<br />
How will the team comprising it be unbiased, as it would have to consist of ex or current events professionals who would obviously be linked to some events firm?<br />
Under which government authority would they come under?<br />
What role and influence - negative or positive - will DWTC and DICC have on this body?<br />
What sort of penalties will be legislated and who enforces it?<br />
<br />
Pros: <br />
Transparency<br />
Lack of fatigue in the market<br />
Spam control<br />
Quality increase<br />
<br />
Pipe-dream?<br />
<br />
I'd be interested to know the opinion of other event professionals.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-75310328666555396452010-03-15T21:35:00.001-07:002010-03-15T21:37:04.655-07:00The wonderful world of .aeSo in a nutshell, here's a nice story:<br />
<br />
TRA (the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) is faffing about telling everyone with eyes and ears with its bright billboards and in-your-ear radio jingles that .ae is the domain they should consider if they want to have a successful business in the UAE.<br />
<br />
It goes: 'If its in the UAE, its got to be .ae' <br />
<br />
Shiver.<br />
<br />
Anyway, there is a multinational company which uses .ae for its UAE based business, and for the last 5 days, their .ae domain hasn't been working because of a problem at the UAE based ISP. <br />
<br />
So nothing, not one single email or their home domain, is working.<br />
<br />
I wonder, will the ISP pay for the revenue lost?Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-54633239427538317852010-03-15T01:54:00.000-07:002010-03-15T01:54:41.599-07:00The top 5 marketing mistakes of Dubai #4: Stop lying to your staffThere is a culture of self-affirmation which is prevalent in this country and it is at a silly level.<br />
<br />
I am going to be very blunt in this post but someone has to say what all others are thinking: <br />
<br />
<b>Stop awarding each other with 'best xyz' awards which no one else is competing in!</b><br />
<br />
Every year, you hear of Shaikha X winning Humanitarian of the Year type awards from their fellow UAE nationals. <br />
<br />
You'll also hear of the lip-service (which is a silly term to be used in today's innuendo laden English) being given to the oft-touted 'Emiratisation' movement. <br />
<br />
This is the government's attempt at ensuring the local i.e. UAE National working-age adults get jobs in roles across industries in the country. Guess what, it ain't happening. <br />
<br />
<b>Why? Lets look at this closely:</b><br />
<br />
Total UAE population: 6 million<br />
Total UAE Nationals: 990,000 (although this is disputed given the number of older UAE nationals who refuse to divulge information no the number of females in their homes due to cultural norms)<br />
<br />
Lets take away, say, 10% of that number as 'elderly', which leaves us with 891,000.<br />
<br />
Take away 20% of them who are below the legal working age of 18, leaving us with 693,000. <br />
<br />
Now, take away those UAE nationals who have family businesses, and / or are quite well-off enough to not have to work at all. I'll put this number at 5% not wanting to take a shot in the dark by putting a larger percentage, despite us knowing its probably the case. That leaves us with: <br />
<br />
<b>643,500.</b><br />
<br />
The total number of working expatriots in the UAE is approx. 4 million. Even with the most aggressive Nationalisation scheme, this means they would still only be filling less than 20% of the required number because of nothing other than their total local population. <br />
<br />
This doesn't take into account the fact that it seems unfathomable to everyone including UAE nationals that they would want to work in anything other than a job that pays over AED 4,000, which is what a majority of the workforce in the above 4 million earn. <br />
<br />
Without benefits. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I've not sidetracked from my reasoning for this post. There are almost 7 different 'localisation' events. One of them is an event I'm marketing myself as well. <br />
<br />
These events have been around for almost 5 years at the minimum. Yet, every year there seems to be a problem with Nationalisation and the reasons given by different sources all contradict each other. <br />
<br />
However, ONE reason seems to be recurring amongst them all, and has proof to back it up in the form of surveys by reputed firms as well as simple market knowledge and grapevine:<br />
<br />
Emirates don't want to work in low paying jobs of long hours and minimal benefits. <br />
<br />
In other words: no hard work which makes you sweat.<br />
<br />
In more other words: completely the opposite of what the government wants them to do.<br />
<br />
So here we are again: with the complete lack of accepting as fact what the consumer really wants i.e. easy, high paying jobs; true, deserving awards to others in the community than Shaikhas; real, visible embracing of human rights, there is a culture of 'if I advertise X enough, no one will notice the 'y'. <br />
<br />
Bullshit. <br />
<br />
Everyone doesn't just see it, they're smelling it. Around the world. And they're not hesitating speaking it.<br />
<br />
I would safely say this is one of the biggest mistakes Dubai has made, wherein it has assumed that if they have enough money, they can allow for a culture of sedentary lifestyles to become rampant and they'll simply advertise the highlights enough to allow the brightlights to drown out the darker underbelly.<br />
<br />
Lesson: Don't lie to your staff. They have to be convinced that what you're selling is the truth. And it HAS to be the truth. If your property won't be launched for at least a YEAR after the date your salesmen are quoting, put the actual date. Buyers prefer waiting the extra year than finding out later of the delay, and then pulling out, leaving you with nothing instead of something.<br />
<br />
Solution for Dubai: set up accountability and transparent employment laws which are implemented. The sooner your National workforce realises that sweating a bit for a lower pay grade has more rewards than money, the sooner they will start building this country even stronger than the Expats have.<br />
<br />
<b>And this time, a recession won't crush you.</b>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-38483285863027100082010-03-08T07:58:00.001-08:002010-03-08T07:59:53.653-08:00Digital marketing wars between Apple, MS and Google<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2010/tc2010035_101984.htm">The Digital Marketing War between Apple, Microsoft and Google</a><br />
<br />
Brilliantly analysed report. Digital marketing's importance put in a very vendor focused way which should make brands stand up and take notice.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-20664028737802780382010-03-08T05:07:00.001-08:002010-03-08T05:07:14.261-08:00My Love for Blogging<a href=http://www.chrisbrogan.com/my-love-for-blogging/>My Love for Blogging</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-49843905461022773432010-03-07T03:19:00.000-08:002010-03-07T03:19:08.648-08:00The top 5 marketing mistakes of Dubai #3: No one at Dubai Inc. knew what was going onThe left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing.<br />
<br />
Too many times in companies, the lack of communication between marketing and sales teams and even the management has led to disastrous results in terms of consumer satisfaction.<br />
<br />
Marketing copy saying something entirely different to what sales is offering; or the corporate public image is in stark contrast to internal customer services. <br />
<br />
This is the issue that has been the ultimate downfall of Dubai: its PR spin could only last so long.<br />
<br />
While claiming to offer the best, the brightest, the most luxurious and the biggest, Dubai long kept hidden from prying journos its dark underbelly of human rights violations, deplorable living conditions and utter lack of employee rights. <br />
<br />
In a market built, developed and sustained by a workforce never really advertised to the world, soon the bubble of containment had to burst and the spin doctors could do little to control the news in an era of social media, youtube, twitter and WOM. <br />
<br />
Financial Times, The Times of London, BBC, CNN, Bloomberg all featured at some point or the other over '08 and'09 varying footage and news reports of the issues mentioned above, from video evidence of living conditions of the construction labourers who build the glittering skyline of Dubai, to expatriates living in their cars due to being evicted from their apartments by fraudulent or greedy landlords who use the loopholes in a property law already having as many holes as a sponge. <br />
<br />
In the end, people - both within and without - began to mock what they called the facade of Dubai, and now despite its many efforts to regain its lost glory, it will take more than a few 'oil discovered' news stories to allow people to trust it again. <br />
<br />
Lesson: Don't promise something in your marketing unless your entire organisation has been thoroughly informed and trained about the follow-up process once the promise is finally made. A happy customer tells friends how good you are. An upset customer tells everyone he meets. With the social media world we live in, multiply 'everyone he meets' by a few million.<br />
<br />
Solution for Dubai: start telling the truth, albeit smartly. The best brands out there don't sugar coat any ugly truth about their brands, in fact they use that to their advantage with smart marketing. You may not win back all the fans, but you'll start getting new, long term ones.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-78003947582930627652010-03-04T23:59:00.001-08:002010-03-04T23:59:56.754-08:00Racing Airplanes<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/ZlCzCJEwZmY' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/ZlCzCJEwZmY'/></object></p><p>:) Thought I'd make today a little lighter.<br /><br />Awesome XBox advert!</p></div>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-51379395386168837362010-03-02T21:06:00.000-08:002010-03-02T21:06:38.204-08:00Saudi in focus for digital marketing - Emirates Business 24|7<a href="http://www.business24-7.ae/companies-markets/media/saudi-in-focus-for-digital-marketing-2010-03-03-1.63401">Saudi in focus for digital marketing - Emirates Business 24|7</a><br /><br />Click 4.0's effects as seen on Emirates Business 24/7 newspaper this morning.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-4038510607010530552010-03-01T03:31:00.000-08:002010-03-01T05:51:39.602-08:003 Out Of 4 Don't trust their friends<a href="http://adcontrarian.blogspot.com/2010/02/3-out-of-4-dont-trust-their-friends.html">3 Out Of 4 Don</a><br />
<br />
Interesting post.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-27171876159160207462010-03-01T02:56:00.000-08:002010-03-01T02:56:27.298-08:00Facebook and ArabicA few days ago I blogged about my trip to the Facebook Advertising launch with Connect Ads.<br />
<br />
I didn't mention one thing which made me wonder if Facebook really is doing its research. I hope Connect Ads corrects Mark Cowan.<br />
<br />
During the Q&A session, I asked Mark Cowan and Trevor Johnson if they had any case-studies / research and what their plans are for advertising solutions in Arabic, based on the higher end solutions they're offering.<br />
<br />
Mark Cowan's reply made me - and I'm sure many Arabia based marketers in the room - cringe.<br />
<br />
He said given that a majority of Facebook users in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East have profile pages in English, Arabic advertising isn't really going to make a big difference.<br />
<br />
Forgive my French, but WTH!Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-12761307402123424542010-02-28T04:23:00.000-08:002010-02-28T04:23:54.492-08:00The top 5 marketing mistakes of Dubai #2: One way communicationThe dawn of social media has made one thing very clear: <br />
<br />
<b>Communicating with your consumers is a two-way street. </b><br />
<br />
Thing is, it wasn't social media which invented this. Social media simply highlighted it to such an extent that it is now an entire sub-industry in marketing.<br />
<br />
No. The two-way street rule of thumb has been around for ages, and it was known by many names: CRM, service quality, customer feedback, etc. Brands that thrived with making sure this worked for them included Adobe (who listened and communicated actively with their core audience: creators themselves); Fox News (love 'em or hate 'em, they have a strong core audience base); Christian Science Monitor, Wikipedia and others.<br />
<br />
And this is where Dubai failed. It has always been a one-way street. Dubai Inc.'s 'Board of Directors' would say something, and would be convinced that this is what the populace wanted. There has never been any way to give feedback except by 'lip service' links on government portals that used catch phrases like 'we want to hear from you'. <br />
<br />
Yeah right. <br />
<br />
Dubai almost made it happen with the Metro. Brilliant work delivering everything on 9/9/9. Wait...'everything'?<br />
<br />
While promising that word, they instead released a 30% completed network, have delayed phase 2 by a year and a half, and are still struggling. <br />
<br />
How is this a reflection of communication? The biggest consumer base for the metro was and still is Dubai's mainstream population of over 2 million. For 2 years, they waited believing Dubai is finally delivering the goods. And then this. Now Dubai has 2 million or so consumers who never cease sharing the negativity with their families and friends worldwide which could have easily been avoided. <br />
<br />
Dubai doesnt' need bad press more than it has, but it just isn't learning.<br />
<br />
Lesson: Put your mouth where your money is, and your money is in your consumers' pockets. Speak WITH them, don't talk TO them.<br />
<br />
Solution for Dubai: Finish the metro quicker. And then brag about finishing the metro quicker. Highlight what you HAVE completed and make a big deal about it to your residents. They will then do the talking for you.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-46644832881195741852010-02-26T07:19:00.000-08:002010-02-26T07:19:57.943-08:00The top 5 marketing mistakes of DubaiSo someone had to do it. <br />
<br />
You know, I might actually be kicked out of Dubai for this, but on the flip side, I might even be commended.<br />
<br />
Either way, it doesn't really matter. Everyone's thinking it, at some point someone would've said it in public. After Mishaal Al Gergawi's article which I shared in an earlier post, I think its safe to offer constructive criticism.<br />
<br />
So here it is, the top 5 marketing mistakes I think Dubai made. Feel free to comment, and also feel free to provide your own criticism of my 5 choices. If you feel there are others, add them!<br />
<br />
I'll be listing them one a day, just in case I think of something new to add. <br />
<br />
<b>Mistake #1:<br />
Promising something and delivering something else</b><br />
<br />
It all began not at the boom of the property era, not when Emaar promised to deliver the tallest tower in the world and not when Nakheel said it would create not one, but three palm shaped islands in the sea.<br />
<br />
It began with the Dubai Shopping Festival over a decade ago. <br />
<br />
Surprised? Not me. <br />
<br />
I've lived in Dubai for 12 and a half years, and back in the day the DSF was the most awaited event for local residents and tourists from around the world. <br />
<br />
Everyone wanted to win a Lexus a day, a million dollars and a another Lexus the next day! <br />
<br />
But it didn't last. Dubai definitely is a shopping haven, but after doing it for so many years, the DSF hardly registers in anyone's mind worldwide and if it does, no one has the dispensable cash anymore to fly here and then buy here. <br />
<br />
The Global Village has changed location 4 times. AquaFantasia (that water marvel by the Al Rostamani Group), DinoLand and the Bungee Jump are all gone and fondly remembered. People miss that. <br />
<br />
Lesson: Make sure your idea is sustainable, then market it like hell. NOT the other way around. <br />
<br />
Solution for Dubai: Bring back what people loved. You have an existing customer base that feels nostalgic, they WILL return. No one cares about the biggest mall. They care about how you make them feel (thank you Seth Godin).Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-38760709866664656762010-02-26T06:50:00.001-08:002010-02-26T06:50:12.327-08:00Did You Know 4.0<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/6ILQrUrEWe8' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/6ILQrUrEWe8'/></object></p><p>And here it is, the final video upload of today, tying in straight to Click 4.0 - The Digital Marketing Event for the Middle East.<br /><br />www.clickmarketingsummit.com</p></div>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-19974701009198014172010-02-26T06:48:00.001-08:002010-02-26T06:48:27.162-08:00Did You Know 2.0<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/pMcfrLYDm2U' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/pMcfrLYDm2U'/></object></p><p>Video 2 of my sharing blitz...</p></div>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-83876842734744887482010-02-26T06:38:00.001-08:002010-02-26T06:38:31.203-08:00Social Media Revolution<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/sIFYPQjYhv8' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/sIFYPQjYhv8'/></object></p><p>Some people still feel that social media is a fad, a 'new toy' for 'those teenagers', something that'll be gone once the 'next big thing' comes along.<br /><br />Forget it. This IS the next big thing and its now a part of your life, whether you like it or not.<br /><br />My advice? Get with the program. Because even if you want to ignore it, its not going to ignore you.<br /><br />Remember that friend of yours who never wanted to get onto Facebook? He's on there now. How long will it take you?</p></div>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-17195297144909788632010-02-26T06:27:00.000-08:002010-02-26T06:27:58.486-08:00YouTube - Social Media Revolution<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8">YouTube<br /> - Social Media Revolution</a>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-22056307309863415802010-02-24T06:21:00.000-08:002010-02-24T06:21:37.488-08:00Facebook ArabiaSo I was at the launch of Facebook's Arabia advertising presence.<br />
<br />
They've partnered with Connect Ads which is a group that's in partnership with MSN.<br />
<br />
MSN and bing are really going forward with Facebook aren't they? Lets see how Google retaliates.<br />
<br />
Anyway, how it works for Arabia based advertisers and brands is that if they want to advertise on Facebook more than simply buying a banner or side panel, they can contact Connect Ads which is basically going to specialise in offering the different solutions Facebook has.<br />
<br />
And boy, do they have solutions! I loved the case studies Mark Cowan of Facebook was going through, especially the Virgin Airlines, McDonald's, Dove, Starbucks ones.<br />
<br />
Lesson learnt: Facebook is like Steve Jobs - constantly thinking.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-74304383645668744902010-02-23T07:25:00.000-08:002010-02-23T07:25:23.864-08:00Link dot net and facebook doing advertising in the Middle East?Had a lunch meeting today with the marketing director for linkdotnet which is MSN in Arabia. <br />
<br />
They just launched Facebook advertising and the official press launch is tomorrow at Jumeirah Beach Hotel.<br />
<br />
You bet I'm going.<br />
<br />
Mark Cowen's going to be there, definitely going to try and get a minute with him.<br />
<br />
So, Facebook is teaming up with MSN and linkdotnet, while Google launches Buzz and is using Double Click to advance its ads. <br />
<br />
Its going to be messy in Dubai in 2010. Not that it already isn't.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-66470049091129547972010-02-22T07:40:00.000-08:002010-02-22T07:40:47.571-08:00Click 4.0 - Trying to be different?I'm constantly hearing that the region lacks a good digital marketing event that actually delivers.<br />
<br />
Talk about a challenge. <br />
<br />
It'll be interesting to see whether the Middle East's marketers - particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE - take notice of all that's really different and unique and most importantly worth talking about at Click 4.0.<br />
<br />
Calling it 'The Digital Marketing Event for the Middle East' sounds quite arrogant, but then us marketers have only ever been so. <br />
<br />
Flip Media, Spot On PR, Burger King, Jumeirah, Procter & Gamble, HSBC, all talking about digital marketing? <br />
<br />
Trust me, this is only the beginning, things are about to get quite interesting.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-81115927529797168882010-02-21T06:26:00.000-08:002010-02-21T06:26:49.915-08:00Gulf News' columnist takes on Dubai censorship on media<a href="http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/the-world-is-run-by-those-who-show-up-1.585937"></a><br />
<br />
Easily one of the best articles I've read from a marketer's perspective about Dubai. <br />
<br />
We ALL as marketers knew this was coming. Question is, what will we - both expat and Emirati - marketers do about it now that we need to be accountable for it.<br />
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Remember, good marketing is responsible marketing. We owe Dubai.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-81941989240233806332010-02-21T02:04:00.000-08:002010-02-21T02:04:27.466-08:00LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace Coming to Outlook<a href="http://www.switched.com/2010/02/18/linkedin-facebook-and-myspace-coming-to-outlook/">LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace Coming to Outlook</a>Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8960614088000541823.post-1092112838305650272010-02-19T06:58:00.001-08:002010-02-19T06:58:01.632-08:00Rainbowsi was at lamcy plaza this morning. Lamcy is one of the biggest malls in dubai and is quite popular with the middle income bracket of the people.<br />
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While walking through the place a bright red sigh caught my eye. It wasn't the colour of the sign but the words on it that did it:<br />
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75% SOLD <br />
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That intrigued me since its quite rare that a store like this one can be that sold out. The store in question usually sells low cost formal wear but was more famous - notorious? - for its strange coloured tshirts.<br />
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I went for a closer look and the sign then made sense:<br />
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75% (and then in small font) of people love rainbows and that's why clothes in rainbow colours are sold.<br />
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What an awesome way to tell a story.Anthony Permalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09524398189411230289noreply@blogger.com0