BMW 1 Series M Coupe.

The One may not be the one. But the M One is definitely THE One ;)

Incredible Sparks.

This last quarter of 2010 has been incredibly busy for Sparks. Amidst from flying around and running in and out of meetings, this is by far the busiest period of my attachment with Dentsu Utama to date. Seriously, I kinda miss my life a little. But then again, the satisfaction that's been resulted from such chaotic period is also immensely encouraging. I guess you can't have everything, can you?

But just for awhile, I really need to slow down and take a break. You must be wondering, didn't I just got back from France? Yeah, like a decade ago. I'm not sure if I enjoyed it as much as I should have because I couldn't let go of work and most of the time I was busy checking mails or having conference calls. To be honest with you, that really sucked. I was there, but I wasn't there. It really really sucked. BUT, what can I say. What you've got to do, you've got to do. So no complains, but still. As a statement of fact - that really sucked.

So, now I'm planning for a short break in February. It's gonna be a really short trip but I bet it's gonna be a really awesome, breezy and balmy one. No letting the cat out of the bag. I'll let Cat share the experience with you when the time comes.

So, just one more week and it's the moment we've all been waiting and slogging for. The 2010 KL Motorshow week. I can't wait for the first launch day because I believe it will truly be a spectacular experience - witnessing all the bits and pieces of your blood, sweat and tears coming together in full glory. I'll be there for almost every day from 4 to 10pm. Yes, I'll be giving out brochures, wiping iPads, giving away goodies, etc. Ha! If I ain't value for money, show me another Planner who would be caught dead doing that! But it's okay, this project is as close to me as every other one, what is a couple of days standing stiff for 6 hours right? Right. Everyone else in the team will be doing that too. I so wish I could make my boss stand with me. Cause I know the previous one will. Yes, there's bitterness in there. But that's another chapter altogether.

Haih... oh Sparks Sparks... what for art thou. Why for art thou doing this? Well, what can I say. It comes in a package. Sweet things sometimes come with bitterness, and you've got to swallow them whole. And swallow them whole I will!

Anyway, come look me up if you're there too. Come shake my hands and introduce yourself. Come exchange name cards and see if we could create a worthy partnership. Or just simply come and be a kind companion. Come and give me tips on how to improve my blog, or even my job. Come hire me ;) Well, in any case, I'll see you there!

New Concept M by Honda launched in Malaysia.

Something that was planned very carefully for almost a year, taking into consideration of what a true blue Honda fan would enjoy, balanced by affordability.

Honda new Concept M rolled out yesterday, and it's opened for booking now. Seriously, very limited units available.

Dreams that move me...

We should feel, every time we create... E.V.E.R.Y.T.I.M.E.

The difference between good and great.

"Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see."
- Arthur Schopenhauer

The question is can you take being perceived as delusional until you're proven right?

Contagious case study: The colour of money.

Read it in ADOI this month's issue on page 65 (funny, I just realised that the pagination stops at 64).

This month's case study feature, titled 'Colour of Money' is about the greening of consumerism and how global consumers are breaking into segments. It's very similar to what we have done to increase sustainable advocacy in mass consumerism in Malaysia. And it's also interesting to note some segments that are covered by GfK Roper Consulting but were not visible when we completed our local study. Hmm, it really gives us an idea on how to improve The Green Chronicles to further distill insights, should we run it again. And I seriously think we should run it again next year. Inspired ;) Now I just need funding. Solutions, solutions, solutions. Hmm.

Dentsu Utama looking for an entrepreneurial copywriter.

Creative zest is a given, but an entrepreneurial mind is of great asset :) Please send an email to sueanne [at] dentsutama [dot] com [dot] my if you're interested or have someone to recommend. Looking forward to working with you ;)

Sparks' own leaky cauldron.

This type of situation calls for a bit of magic... Hmm...What spell haven't I use yet...

Book: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi.

This book is the author's recollection of her childhood - how she received unconventional education from her school, Tomoe Gakuen. How she was taught priceless life values through experience instead of conventional learning by memorizing and spitting out facts. A blessing in disguise since she was expelled from her school due to her 'weird' manner. Very endearing.

I can't remember how I got this book. One of those many boring waiting times in Narita must have prompted me to get this book. Never got to read it until of late, where I found myself reading this to sleep every night. In a good way.

Borrow it from Sparks Open Library Project.

Dentsu Utama wins Honda 2-wheeler new product launch.

Something closer to home :)

Our colleague wrote a really touching email which solicited the most responses from the entire agency when announcing this win. I must admit, it brought back some memories - fond and less-than-fond ones - and it was a tough tough tough journey. But I'm glad we pulled through.

To those who have left us but were part of this journey, here's three toasts to you guys. I promise the real drinks will flow very soon.

Dentsu Sustainability Solutions Unit.

We announced the arrival of a new IP platform 2 weeks ago during our regional meeting. Though this is not new to Dentsu Inc, which of course already has many established divisions with regards to sustainable initiatives and expertise, the announcement of such platform is in line with our vision of providing a sustainable future for all, from a regional perspective.

Striking equilibrium between economic profitability and environment sustainability may seem impossibly idealistic, but important to note that it is not an impossible feat. Looking forward to implementing practical strategic plans as well as inspiring our partners to innovate the world out of its current problems.

Wish us well and wish us luck ;)

The new BMW X3.

You can have it all. You can show utility visually without copy.

What makes my day?

A lot of laughter with my favourite people!

WHAT MAKES YOUR DAY? from Napatsawan Chirayukool on Vimeo.

Shallow shallots should be shot (now say it 5 times).

Read in TimeOut KL last month's issue.

What do you think will put an end to abandoned babies?

a) Baby cots where mothers can leave their babies anonymously (MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, The Malaysian Insider, Aug 24 2010)

b) Banning porn (Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin, The Star Online, Aug 17 2010)

c) Abolishing Valentine's Day and New Year's celebrations (PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan, The Star Online, Aug 19 2010)

d) Introducing sex education at a secondary school level

The percentage of vote breaks down as per:

a) 31%

b) 8%

c) 4%

d) 57%

Don't be shock. We, Malaysians have a great sense of humor. We label countries like Japan where pornography is acceptable to its culture, a modern day Sodom. We think countries like the rest of the world which celebrate Valentine's Day and New Year are equivalent to Gomorrah. And on 'parking' baby cots for easy 'dumping', don't even get me started... I wish these 'high ranking' people would consider thinking before they comment to avoid looking shallow and give us another reason to vote for people who have foresight or at least, understand simple root cause analysis.

To create or not to create a 'viral' video?

Creating a video that can potentially be viral is like planning for the unplanned. My question is, how important is it for an online video to feature key elements of what conventional advertising video ads carry? Virgin posted a time-lapse video (not sure if it was commissioned by them) which shows one of their fleets taking on a new design and look. Interesting in a documentary form but doesn't say anything more. But it gets shared. What do you think?

Virgin Atlantic plane livery time-lapse movie from johnson banks on Vimeo.

Dentsu Asia won regional Apple account.

This will be a good springboard for us to further advance our digital innovation capabilities. On a separate but relevant note...

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Apple & The Dentsu Group Bring iAds to Japan

TOKYO and CUPERTINO, California—November 9, 2010—Apple® and The Dentsu Group today announced a partnership to expand Apple’s iAd℠ mobile advertising network to Japan in early 2011. Dentsu will be responsible for the selling and creative execution of iAds in Japan, and Apple will host, target and deliver the iAds to its iPhone® and iPod touch® users. iAd was launched in the US in July and has emerged as a powerful new way for leading brands to reach the tens of millions of iPhone and iPod touch users, while providing a significant new revenue stream for developers.

“After an incredibly successful launch in the US where we’ve already doubled the number of brands on the network, we’re excited to bring iAd to Japan,” said Andy Miller, Apple’s vice president of iAd. “Dentsu is one of the world’s most prestigious advertising agencies, making them an ideal partner for iAds in Japan.”

“We’re thrilled to be joining with Apple to introduce such a powerful new ad platform in Japan,” said Ryuichi Mori, Senior Executive Vice President, Dentsu Inc. “Mobile advertising is Japan’s fastest-growing platform and iAd’s rich media experience and engaged audience of iPhone and iPod touch users make it uniquely positioned to capture mobile’s full potential for advertisers and developers.”

Dentsu subsidiary cyber communications, inc. (cci) will provide one-stop services for iAd in Japan including creative production and media planning.

iAd, which is built into iOS 4, lets users stay within their current app while engaging with an ad, even while watching a video, playing a game or using in-ad purchase to download an app or buy iTunes® content.

Developers who join the iAd Network can easily incorporate a variety of advertising formats into their apps. Developers will receive an industry-standard 60 percent of the iAd Network revenue, which is paid via iTunes Connect. Developers can visit developer.apple.com/iad to join the iAd Network, or to learn more about the iAd platform.

Founded in 1901, Dentsu Inc. has held the position of world’s top brand agency for almost 40 years. Based in Tokyo, Dentsu offers national, multinational and global clients the most comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services through its unique “Integrated Communication Design” approach. Active worldwide in sports marketing and the production of movies, anime and other entertainment content, the Dentsu Group has more than 6,000 clients and close to 20,000 employees worldwide.

cci, established in 1996 as a subsidiary of Dentsu Inc., has led the growth of Japan’s online advertising market as a total interactive, one-stop marketing service company that provides internet advertising services including media planning, ad serving technology, ad creative service and market analysis.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Press Contacts:
Tom Neumayr
Apple
tneumayr@apple.com
(408) 974-1972

Shunsaku Kannan
The Dentsu Group
s.kannan@dentsu.co.jp
+81 3 6216 8041

WWF (panda, not wrestling) x Dentsu for Coral Triangle.

It's finally confirmed and safe to break the news :) Today our dear new partners will be representing Dentsu to pitch a strategic proposal for Coral Triangle 2011 campaign to their regional Marketing Directors in Shanghai. We send Dentsu power from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and all over the world.

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Dentsu Asia Network has been appointed as WWF’s marketing communications agency network for their Coral Triangle campaign after a two-way pitch against BBDO.

As part of the Dentsu Asia Network, offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Phillipines and Japan will each play a significant role in driving a 360 integrated communications strategy to support the awareness campaign for WWF.

The upcoming campaign aims to raise public awareness on the distressing issues affecting the Coral Triangle, one of the world’s most important and vibrant marine eco-systems. Located in the waters off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-leste, the Coral Triangle is home to 76% of the world’s coral species, sustaining the lives of more than 120 million people in that area.

The recent appointment by WWF leverages on the strength of Dentsu’s network in this region which allows for insights to thrive and local engagements to foster. The campaign came at a favourable time after Dentsu formed a regional action team to address sustainability communication challenges internally and for businesses in the Asian market. For more than two years, the wheels of change have been put into motion through a spectrum of research with Dentsu’s Green Chronicles and injecting sustainable solutions into its diverse marketing initiatives.

Dentsu’s commitment to environmental activities has been recognized by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan when it became the first company in the Japanese advertising industry to receive the “Eco-First” certification. Various group-wide efforts since then have been established to actively promote Dentsu’s environmental agenda to employees, clients and suppliers globally.

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Hip hip hooray! 2011 - The year of sea - Gear up, you urban sailors! Looking forward to produce some great digital ideas ;)