20april2007 Friday

Eyes were on the clock at 08:00

Rattling thru GulfNews...
1. Dubai Creek link to sea approved..will be completed by 2010.
2. Larry King: still going strong after 50 years... 40,000 interview... 7 marriages, 5 children-of age range from 50 to 06

Book:
The Wizard of Menlo Park: HOW THOMAS ALVA EDISON INVENTED THE MODERN WORLD WORLD.-By Randall Stross, Crown Publishers, $24.95
Reviewed by Tim Rutten (Gulf News):
Tittle: Iconic Inventor - entrepreneur
Tomas Edison was a shrewd genius who transformed himself from tinkerer to celebrity sage.... the book does a meticulous job of charting Edison's well-documented journey from peniless you telegrapher to interenational technical celebrity and, as a journalist himself, Stross does an adroit job ofshowing how Edison used his era's nascent popular press and magazines.... however, whatever his other achievements, for example, Edison was utternly conventional in his prejudices, which were common to his time and class....
Ford was then the country's most successful businessman and quite at home with his newfound friend's lack of commercial acumen. In fact, he once described Edison as "the world's worst businessman", a mann who " knows almost nothing about business".

Business:
1.India's Essar Global announces plan to buy out Minnesota Steel - Minnesota Steel which plans a $1.6 billion mining and steel making facility on northern Minnesota's iron range, is being bought out by India's Essar Global Ltd...Essat Global is an internatioal conglomerate with operations in steel, energy, communications, shipping and construction, with projected revenues of $10billion this fiscal year.
2. UAE residents to pay tax on capital gains in India - .. the change in the tax status will reduce the investment flows to India through the UAE as those entities prefering capital gains will opt fo jurisdiction such as Mauritius.
Advertising:
will be posted shortly... today.

19april2007thursday

Eyes were on the clock at 06:02

Details will be posted soon



News

HD: Sun poised to light up Tecom's real estate projects (GulfNews)

Tecom Investment is considering making a foray into solar energy to furnish electricity to its real estate projects, a top official said yesterday..

* The amazing factor here is,when UAE's electricity is oil based, and it's self-sufficient, they are thinking not to waste what they have and to make use of the sun light.... great!

Readers' column (Gulf News)

Free Publicity: The Gere-Shiplpa incident appears as though they both have rehearsed it well in advance. It is a publicity stunt! by Ms Claude, AUH


Advertising:
1. Home Centre: (e+ Magazine)***

HD: Fashion for your home.

Baseline: The complete home experience.

*** Home centre ads always tend to personify its products.. good concept, They have taken curtain cloth and a wooden stand..minimal colours, photography could have been better.. good retouching,

2. Samsung LCD TV ( GN FPage)***

HD: Imagine a revolutionary black screen designed to enhance beauty

Copy: Imagine the new Samsung Full HD LCD TV that allows you to experience the latest innovations i ul HD. Its revolutionary super clear panel give syou blacker blacks wihich means richer, truer color fo an unrivaled TV experience. With the uncompramising design and technlogy of the new Samsung Full HD LCD TV, it's not that hard to imagine.. to learn more, visit www.smsung.com/hdtv

*** Normally most of the LCD TV ads are of reality based imageries..kind of make beliefs... This ad also of the same category but I like the execution and a twist given to the most abused visual route, which makes it a different ad... atleast a relief for a while... good.

3. Areej - Beauty Extravaganza(GN-F pg)*

HD: A stroke of beauty

Copy: Over 90 exclusive offers.

All offers exclusive to Areej. Certain brands are avaiabe at selected stores only. Offers valid from 19 to 10 May 2007 or while stores last.
*Is this ad appealing? when we consider the socio-psychographic elements of the region. But I like the 'Beauty extravaganza' unit.

4. (a)Omniyat (GN-fpg)*

HD: I see my family in London everyday.

* This ad doesnt go with earlier imageris of the same campaign.. which were fabulous.. Also there's small a mistake in the art direction. She is looking straight and caress the boy of the family as all of them coming off the ball. But the ball is not in the same line .. and the boy is not on the right side.. wrong angle.

4. (b) Dunhill (GN Hpg)**

Limited Edition pack

** Earlier ad was of Red. This is much nicer and detailed.

5.


6.



7.

Outdoor - Display Unit

Location: Dubai Media City, CNN building, near the lift.

18april2007wednesday

Eyes were on clock at 06:02

Details will be posted in the evening...

News (Gulf News)
UAE unveils development plan

" A balanced diet for sustainable growth" -from a Great Leader with a great vision.. It says everything..

Excerpts: The budget for educationhas increased anually over for the past 20 years or more accompanied with several plans, projects, sugestion, plicies and promises. Yet, the outcome has constantly been weakening.....If funds spent by higher education were effiencently used by the preuniversity education programmes, students would be able to save two years in which they could be productive..... It is very easy to impose Emiratisation.. but what would we gain if we did not provide our youth with the best knowledge, skill and expertise to commensurate with these jobs?...I have read te reports of the justice and safety ministerial team and did field trips to the courts and the ministry of justice. I was surprised and expressed my utmost dissatisfaction with what I read and saw. WE will not allow this to continue.... Medical sicens are advancing at a very fast pace, while we have doctors who have not updated their knowledge or attended a singel medical conference in 20 years..... We have to change the code of ethics of doctors, nurses and laws hospitals. We have to design new laws and regulations that ensure the implementation of best prictices.
Advertising
1. BOSS - Hugo Boss **



2. Pure Gold (GulfNews-Half page)**

HD: Wishing you pure success this Akshaya Tridiya

Copy: Free

A git coucher worth AED 500 and perfume bottle, on every purchase of gold jewellery worth AED 1499.

** This treatment of visual has been used by.. I think pure Gold only for their calendar two years back.

3. Ford Edge (Gulf News Half page)***

HD: Can you feel it?

Copy: It's like making up on a Friday

wondering what to do

One minute and filling up on gas

the next. So randonm the road.

your friends and the hum of the engine.

just the stuf you dream

about when you're growing up

*** Green background.. funky execution, target segment - its for those youngsters who have an 'edge'.. motivational?

4. CREDIT SUISSE (GulfNews Half page)*

HD: Some think innovation

We think investment.

Copy: We look at things from a different perspective - for the benefit of our clients. By building on our experience and expertise to spot future trends, we help out clients realize new opportunities. This has been out ambtition since 1856. For detailed information please contact us in Dubai..

Thinking new perspectves

* Clean corporate layout, good execution, but very childish concept.

Outdoor

1. Luna Milk***

(location: Near Al Mulla Plasa, Dubai)

Simple..with fare OTS value.. memory hook for housewives.

17april2007tuesday

Eyes were on the Clock at 06:02

(Due to some technical problems, tuesday's details could not post yesterday. It will be done by wednesday evening, 18april 2007)


Rattling thru Gulf News...

1. Bloggers' column in Gulf News:


2. Photographic Exhibition being held in Dubai. http://www.photoworld-dubai.com

Advertising:

1. Fono- Sony Ericsson**

HD: I 'luv' stylish music

Copy: Music now comes in a new look...

What happens when the retail company and a brand joined together to do an ad? adverse effect here.. Fono wants to add it's bright green along with Sony ericsson's orange; as a result an ad was generated with insoluble colours-green and red. In a way Fono is right, otherwise if they use only the brand colour, it might look like their competitor's ad...right?

2. Omniyat Proerties *** (Full page ad)

HD: My apartment downloads my favourite movies

iEntertainment @ The Pad - the most technologically advanced building in the world.

Staying at the Pad is like coming home to the stars everyday. iEntertaintment at The Pad turns every room into a concert hall. As a resident you will ave access to a central server and cn take your pick from an extensive collectio of music, karaoke and videos. Superior soud enhancement and life-size projections will bring them to life on our walls and right across your home.

The Pad is the home of the future as conceived by Omniyat Properties to meet the lifestyle demands of today's young executive. iFeatures at The Pad will give you a lifestyle that's most comfortale, conveient and futuristic. Technology built into The PAd will save you time, money and worry. It will holistically cover all our needs from staying connected and in touch to being healthy and enertained.

You can enjoy this exciting new lifestyle in your studio, 1 or 2 bedrom apartment or loft at The Pad. Finance is available through.

To life the utre at the world's most advanced buildin or for more details, call...

Omniyat Properties - Live the futre.

*** Omniyat has created an identity with its visual and perspectivess.. The brand recognition at a glance.. and postioned on top.

3. Lacnor Tomato Paste ** (Half Page ad)

HD: Presenting the perfect ingredient for quality cooking

Copy: New stylish pack . Thick and rich in taste.

** Rich look.. Photography could have been better.. the vegetables are not cleaned properly. Expect this on outdoor in the offing

4. *** This ad has been running for more than 3 weeks... different


5. Another teaser full page

Outdoor:


Details will be posted soon.....

16april2007monday

eyes were on the clock at 06.02

A Bird's eye view: Cartier ad of Love has appeared as a solace - HSBC 6per cent ad, Bridgestone tyre, Dunhill, Iris (repeat)

1. Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. for young business leaders.(Second ad of the campaign.. 1st ad was posted on 11april2007)***

1st ad:

HD: Because the entrepreneurial spirit is the basis of success.

Copy: I have always enjoyed nature. As I grew older so did my passion for gardening. SME helped me realize my dream, but not without a lot of hardwork and dedication on my part. Since then, Al Jowder Flowers has gained major clients and conracts for which I am proud. I earned it, will you?

www.aljowadedflowers.com

www.aljowader.com

2nd Ad:

We helped Khalid Al Jowader's ideas become reality

Copy: SME is for UAE nations with dedications and a dream. Without ambition and hard work, success would only be good luck. At SME we provide the framework for success through training, advice, knowledge and other development oriented initiatives. Together we can make your dreams a reality. Build your succes with SME.

*** The comment has already been made. The success factor of this country is hidden in the above paragraph.. ambition and hardwork of the leaders... with a futuristic vision.

2. Blancpain Watches (Rivoli)*

HD: Blancpain. A tradition of innovation. Since 1735.

Copy: Creating the fascinating illusion of a complex mechanism apparently floating on air, this "Leman Tourbillion Grande Date" treats admires to a perfect view of the flying tourbillion carriage. Framing this complication, the unique Blancpain patented gem-setting system iluminates the dial with a sparkling radiating motif made up of 194 diamonds. This piece expresses a truly spectacular encounter between Haute Horlogerie and HAute Joaillerie.

RIVOLI

In style. In store.

* I don't know whether it was intentional or not- the metallic part of the watch has been intricately touched up to bring out the opulence, but the leather strap part was neglected.

3. Internation Design Forum* (27-29 MAy 2007, Madinat Jumeirah, Conference Hall))

HD: Industrial Design, Urban Design and Creativity in the Arab World.

Copy:

"We have built more than all of our previous generations together, but somehow we don't seem to register on the same scales. We do not leave pyramids." - Rem Koolhaas, Architect.

"We must start to think of this world as one with no boundaries, no disparities, no violence, no greed, no prejudices, just one beautyul HUMAN seamlessly designed global paradise. Make Design not War." Karim Rashid, Designer

* An informative ad.

eyes...OFF at 12:50

15april2007sunday

Eyes were on Lord Krishna at 05.30

Today is Vishu..

Vishu is one of the important festivals of Kerala. It comes in the month of April usually on the 14th, but this year it's on 15th, today. According to the traditional Malayalam calendar, it is the 1st day of Malayalam month Medam which is the astronomical New Year. Traditional rituals are followed to bring in another year of prosperity.

'Kani-Kanal' is the main event of the day. The night before Vishu, the mistress of the house prepare the Kani. In a big pot, coconuts, a gold ornament, a new cloth, fruits, cereals and Konna (cassia fistula) flower is kept. Behind the pot a mirror and the garlanded deity of Krishna is kept. Around the deity, lighted lamps will be arranged. Early morning on the Vishu day, the master of the house sees the Kani and then the rest of the family follows. Children's are brought blind folded from their beds to where the Kani is kept. The elder in the family give money to the youngsters (Vishu kaineetam) and bless them. It is believed that the Kani we see and its good tidings will stay with you till the year ends. In Kerala, the Kani in the temples of Guruvayur, Ambalapuzha and Sabarimala are famous. Special pujas are held in these temples where the people go to worship and pray for a prosperous New Year.

The families then celebrate the day with joyous abandon by bursting fire crackers. The feast or the 'sadya' is prepared by the women of the household and the whole family sits down to enjoy the vishu lunch together.
___________________I Wish you all a happy Vishu.

details soon...

Business:
Arabs may spend $20b on global real estate in 2007:

Arab inverstors could spend $20b acquiring global real estate this year, an increase of more than 60 per cent on 2006, a leading property market expert said.... Compared with 2005, there was a decline in the flow of funds into the US market... partly it is in reaction to the atmosphere surrounding the afermath of 9/11... On a per capita basis, there is no greater region other than the Gulf providing capital to real estate in the world.

Advertising:

1. Albarari (Gulfnews wrap with a quote of Khalil Jibran)****

1st page: "The sun gathered up her skirts... leaving the green gardens to the subtle light pouring from the smoon"-Khalil Jibran

inside: Al Barari... "It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary." - Paulo Coetho

Al Baraari ...passionfor life.

2. ADCB***

HD: For amzing rewards, 'Just Dip the Chip!'

Copy: There is more to the incredible new ADCB 'Chip' Credit card than meets the eye. Every new ADCB 'chip Credit card comes with a generous new high-tech 'chip' that gives you perosnalised rewards at hundreds of selected shops, restaurants and other outlets.....

ADCB - Our Vision. Your Future.

*** This ad has been running for long... but with it's innovative style of thinking.. the mind patterns that eventually cracked the idea ..all that makes this ad something special. But the layout and execution could have been better..

3. Bridgestone***

HD: (Formula1 Fact) In the time it takes you to finish reading this heaadline, a well-practiced pit crew can change all foru Bridgestone tyres on a Formula 1 car.

That was about 10 seconds, now try reading it faster.
*** This is in connection with Bahrain F1 which flags off today. The ad gives the momentom... easily register in the minds of people about the speed and acceleration, by making them read faster.

4. Dunhill*

100 years - Limited edition pack

Copy: To celebrate out 100th Anniversay, the House of DUNHIL ofers you our colourfully signed Limited Edition packs - with exactly the same blend, taste and range that you used to. Our current range of distingtive tastes is the latest of over 33,000 personalised tobacco blends created by the House of DUNHILL for our clients since 1907

DUNHILL - Perfectionists in tobacco.

* It printed on a standard News print, which somehow failed to deliver the impact.

eyes...OFF at 12.30

14april2007saturday

eyes were on the clock at 7.00

News: (Gulfnews)



1. Mums could be dads soon... Bone marrow breakthrough may allow women to produce sperm. (This news hits the front page of Gulfnews today)

Business: (Gulfnews)
1. Motorola roadshow gets into 'wicked mode'
Company is creating an image of itself greared towards the lucrative youth market...accompanying advertising showd glamourous female models and scruffy male models acting outrageously cool with their new headsets.... In the ME, Motorola has come to number two position from four. "Targeting the youth market makes a lot of sense" -Simon Baker, a mobile phoe analyst.
2. Samsung suffers surprise 15% drop in first-quarter earnings. (predicts more price presure to come... The weak result at the chips unit overshadowed by recovery int he company's mobile phone business drivern by a new focuson medium and lower-end models



Advertising

1. Kenneth Cole (GulfNews)***

HD: Identity theft is on the rise... is your worth stealing?

*** simply awesome

2. Tanmiyat Group - 'The court' (GN)***

HD: Freedom to create your own space

Copy: At the heights, we belive people are the business.

Our spacious floor plans give you the flexibility to make the best out of every spuare meter. You ar ree to create the ideal environment for your business to flourish. 'The court'; by Tanmiyat Group in Dubai's Business Bay offersall kinds of services and facilities for you business to reach exceptional heights, so you can achieve your ofers all kinds of serves and facilites for you business to reach exceptional heights, so ou can achieve you goals faster

*** Good concept and perfectly balanced visual.

3. 3M Auto center (GN)**

HD: So advanced. It turns Sun into moon.

Copy: New 3M Crystalline Automotive Films turns blazing sunlight into a cool, pleasing ambience that feels like moonlight. Never before has ay automovie widow film achieved such extraordinary levesl of protection from the sun....

** Its a small 20x3 col ad. The visual is of sun partly seen through the car window, where the sun looks like a moon through the glass. Nice concept

4. THE one(Communicate Magazine) ****

**** The 'ONE' .....it's pleasure to see all ads together..... Great Campaign. Art direction and photography, outstanding.

13april2007friday

Eyes were on the clock at 8.30



Business:
1. UAE ranked 22nd largest exporter.
2. Nestle buys Gerber
...Nestle SA wil buy US based food giant Gerber from Novartis for $5.5 billion in cash, becoming the world' biggest food company.

Research:
Camel + Ilama = Cama (Gulf News weekend pg 31) by Rania Habib
Dubai Camel Reproduction Centre 'is narrowing the gene pool to produce better animals'

Dr. Lulu Skidmore ( Scientific Drector) .. "I think camesl are fascinating for their biological adaptation to the cliate and it's exciting to learn about them"... After obtaingn a degree in animal science from Londo Unicity and a phD in camel resproduction from Cambridge, Dr. Skidmore was asked to head the centre....The cntre specialises in camel reproduction, artificial insemination, hybrid breeding, embryo transferes and semen freezing. Dr ad the team at the camel centre are currently woring on embryo splitting, to produce identical twins, and embryo transer fo racing cames.... we are narowing the gene pool, and just producing better animals. Scientists have done this with cattle to produce better meat and better milk. We're not doing anything too wierd, it's just assisted reproduction

Advertising:
1. Today Gulfnews came with wrap of Revital, a vitalising medcine from Rambaxy.

2. Axe ****

HD: The Axe Effect.
Deodorant for men.


**** Freedom 'sharpens' creativity... Great.
(This ad of Axe has been selected by Communicate Magazine for their research based article titled as " Misters are doing it for themselves". The Middle East has the potential to become a hot-bed of metrsexuality, research shows. But male grooming brands have failed to overcome Arab consumers' fear of emarrassment.)

3. Thierry Mugler - Ice Men *****

Apart from the visual beauty, is there anything special for this ad? Yes, It's been written as a key-number at the right bottom-The photographer: Thierry Mugler - the brand(man) itself.

Outdoor:

Ariel ***** (appeared in Communicate Magazine)
Satchi & Satchi, Dubai, which handles Practer & Gamble's Ariel in Middle East and North Africa, ran this "Super Soft" outdoor ad as 10 special billboards n Morocco.
***** I wish I had done this... great concept for an outdoor.

12april2007thursday

Eyes were on on at 06:02


Business:

Knowledge Economy: This can be read in line with yesterday's(Please Check yesterday's post) Govt's motivational ad.

This is the last article in Gulf News's three-part series on Dubai's knowledge economy. The first part discussed ho to create a world-class economy by ttracting elite workers. Part two focussed on th erole of education. Here it explores how a knowledge economy can promote the growth of enrepreneurship.

INVESTING IN TALENT - Dr. Rod Monger( Business professio at the American University in Dubai- for GulfNews)

If the UAE apparently has all the ingredeints for encouraging entrepreneurship, what is left to see results is to create the challenge and the need for them

Excerpts: Dubai has initiatives like the DIC and Duiotech that promise future support for research an develpment....Additionally there is Nohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders which works mainly with small and medium enterprises, but also encourages entrepreneurship...

London based Global entrepreneurship Monitor, which tracks global entrepreneurial activity worldwide notes that the UAE's expected jo growth is very strong, but the early-stage entrepreneurial activity in the UAE is among the lowest in the participating nations....

Venture Capital- money to be precised... The US has 70 percent of the world's venture capitalists. Companies they have funded (Google, Intel, Microsoft, and eBay among others) account for almost 10 % of US economic activity

Combine liberal amounts of technology, entrepreneurs, capital and sunshine. Add one university. Stir vigorously.


Advertising (Appeared in GulfNews)

1. Nissan (Free Insurance for pickups)***

HD: FREE INSURANCE

Copy: Get free insurance for an entire year with every Nissan Pickup!

The 2007 Nissan Pickup comes fully loaded with 160 horsepower, a 22.2kg-M high torque engine, a unique steel bumper and superior service from Arabian Automobiles. Add to that, one year's free insurance and it's guaranteed to take the load of your mind.

*** Very good concept.. penetrates into the right target segment. Good photography with natural lighting, but the man on the right, is not looking natural.. is he? no...I think the proportion is fine.

2. SAAB *



3. UAE Govt Ad

HD: The United Arab Emirates

1st in the Arab World in Economic Competitieness and Internatioal Transparency

Copy: United Arab Emirates is the most competitive economy among the advanced countries in the Arab wold according to 'The Arab world competiivenes Report 2007' released by the world Economic Forum. Sound economic management has contributed to stabilizing the macroeconomic environment performance.

Moreover, the United Arab Emirates has ranked the 1st as the country ost committed to Transparency standards in the Arab World. The oganization employs for its ranking a number of important criteria, such as the degree of commitment of state institutions and in paticular its legal apparatus to transparency criteria and to the degree of abidance to the standards of tenders or public sector projects

..and pioneering continues

4. Symbiosis International University ***

HD: Executives for global economy.

Sub: Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, India's premier business school, presents learning programs that equip executives to rule the corporate jungle.

Copy: In today's competitive business world,it is necessory for executives to stay abreast of the best management knowldege and practices. The SIBM18-moth EMBA program is a ......

*** Its a nice idea of showing a tiger with tie in the corporate business 'jungle'. But the layout lacks balance. it could have been done much better just by pumping the visual.

5. KAYA Skin Clinic **

HD: Hair loss knows no gender..nor do we.

Copy:

Introducing Kaya Hair Loss Prevetion for men & Women

Our advanced haircare technology and one-on-one consulataion with the in-house expert dermatologist provide olistic hair loss solutions. walk in today to reclaim your crowning glory.

**The idea is of two pillows, written 'his' and 'hers' on them. Lost hairs on the pillow. Even though the ad appeard on a GNP (Glossy news print) sheet, this ad somehow fails to give the impact. Nevertheless, Kaya clinic normally use 'soft tones' since it's target segment is predominately women. But here, they claim no gender... should have made use of that opportunity atleast!

6. Up.. (4 ad Campaign 10x8)**
HD: Inspiring futures.

Ads came in the consecutive pages. The idea is of a contour of the Dubai cityscape which ends with different idea segmented charactors like career,sport, family, children with headlines Inspiring futures, Challenging Limits, Building Excellence, Raising Standards respectively.

Copy:

UP Open Day

Union Properties invites you to a celebration of innovation, motivation and attention to detail, spaing 20 years o growth in synergy with Dubai.

*** The idea of ciyscape outline which eventually form the subject is good. but here when it comes horizontally in 10x8 column, with single weak orange tone and relatively dominating white space, gets lost ad's attention in the newspaper page layout.

OUTDOOR

1. POKKA Juice*
Location: King Faizal Street, Sharjah
HD. Pick up your flavour.