Once again we couldn’t help ourselves but to highlight the exceptional work of geniuses at Google (or rather their advertising agency). All in all this is a fantastic ad; simple, honest and heartfelt. Many can relate to this experience, and it rings true to anyone who has ever explored a new city by looking online. The only thing that we feel brings the ad down is the last couple of searches as if all of life’s journeys ultimately end in two things, marriage and a child (come on, a baby’s laugh? It’s a little cheesy). We personally would have liked the final text be in French, which would have shown off a whole lot more of Google’s actual capacity then trying to leave viewers with a shallow family-friendly ending. We understand the target that this is going after, and despite the end, overall it succeeds brilliantly.

Courtesy of adage.com What marketing campaigns form the last fifty years do you remember the most? Probably only a few, and we bet that most of them are the ones that touched your heart and moved you emotionally. It’s not all about making money, and these campaigns show that the most memorable work is done not for the company, but for the public.

1. American Express Statue of Liberty Restoration (1983): During a three-month period, American Express offered to contribute 1 cent for each card transaction and $1 for each new card issued. The campaign raised $1.7 million to restore the statue and Ellis Island.

2. Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives (1999 to present): Consumers were asked to save and mail in millions of sticky lids to raise 10 cents each to support Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer patient. To date it has raised more than $26 million.

3. Dove Campaign for Real Beauty (2004 to present): Unilever developed the Dove Self-Esteem Fund and hopes to reach 5 million young women with information on positive body image by the end of 2010.

4. 1,000 Playgrounds in 1,000 Days (2005 to 2008): The Home Depot and KaBOOM took employee volunteerism to build great places for kids to play within walking distance of their homes.

5. The Members Project (2007 to 2008): American Express pioneered the use of social media to direct corporate giving and buttressed brand appreciation with this effort. Over two years it gave away $4.5 million, including top winners the Alzheimer’s Association and U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

6. Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity (2004 to 2007): The appliance maker transformed its previously little-known commitment to CSR by providing a refrigerator to each Habitat for Humanity home built in the U.S.

7. Lee National Denim Day (1996 to the present): Lee, a traditonal male brand, embraced the breast cancer cause by empowering consumers to organize workplace drives at which employees contributed $5 for the right to wear jeans to work on the first Friday in October. Over 13 years, the program has raised nearly $75 million for breast cancer research and advocacy.

8. Product (Red) (2006 to the present): With their privately held company, Bono and Bobby Shriver created a cause marketing campaign (RED). They licensed the brand to GAP, Apple, Armani and many other retailers. (RED) has raised more than $140 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

9. Live Strong Bracelet (2004 to present): Nike and Lance Armstrong Foundation first came up with the idea to raise funds and awareness to super cyclist’s cancer by yellow rubber bands.

For more than 10 years Syria has been expanding its production capacities as a premier name in the world of Arabic television dramas. These programs have reached every house in the region and every Arabic channel on TV (some are even broadcasted outside the region). Many people say it is a genre all its own, getting into the hearts of individuals through its light-hearted comedy, historical meaning, and its reflection on life’s daily struggles.

Some of the most successful drama episodes on Arabic TV are produced by Syria Art Production International. The company has produced a number of popular dramas that are familiar to a HUGE regional audience, including shows like “Letters of Love and War”, “Ishtar”, and the six seasons of “Spot Light”. Many say that Spot Light is the most successful Syrian drama comedy ever produced for TV, with a courageous attitude and willingness to deal with different social issues in the Arab world.

If you’ve never seen these shows before, you may be surprised by how much they have in common with the drama shows produced in areas like Hollywood and Bollywood. The most valuable asset in these markets is the professionalism of the actors and actresses, and like in LA or Mumbai, areas like Damascus attract a lot of regional talent.

Although the drama content in these cities may be similar, Syrian TV still lacks the technological advancements that can enhance the quality of the production process. Some have said that government subsidies could help in making the industry a new player comparable to the powerhouses of Egypt and Lebanon, but so far these calls seem to have fallen on deaf ears. DVD sales may be another opportunity to increase regional exposure, and in fact there are a lot of Syrian shows currently sold on DVD in the GCC. Unfortunately many of these are pirated.

Will this industry make the impact it seeks in 2010? The verdict is still out, but let us know what you think by writing us at editor@o2mc.net.

Think you’ve seen it all?  It’s not always the biggest brands that capture our attention, or the largest agencies.  Check out this world’s most popular viral videos of 2009 and see which businesses are making waves in the world of multimedia marketing.  You may be surprised at who made the cut!  Rankings were consolidated by AdAge.com.

1,  Evian Babies “Live Young” (BETC Euro RSCG)
2,  T-Mobile “Life’s for Sharing” (Saatchi & Saatchi; Mediacom)
3,  Microsoft “Xbox/Project Natal” (World Famous)
4,  DC Shoes “Gymkhana Two” (Mad Media)
5,  Nike Basketball “Most Valuable Puppets” (Wieden & Kennedy)
6,  Samsung LED TV “Extreme Sheep LED Art” (The Viral Factory)
7,  NBA “Where Amazing Happens” (Goodby Silverstein & Partners)
8,  Volkswagen “The Fun Theory” (DDB)
9, Microsoft “Megawoosh” (MRM Worldwide, Germany)
10,  Air New Zealand “Nothing to Hide” (.99 Auckland)

Every year millions of people decide “This is the year for me!”  Promises are made and plans are set in place for a new, better you.  Most of these resolutions fade within a month.  Few survive to the see the spring, much less the heat of summer.

So what happens if you slip off the track?  You could just promise to try again next year, or you could take the initiative today and make a resolution for yourself that doesn’t have to compromise!  Here are a few tips to help you make everyday changes for the better.

1. Be realistic in setting your goals.  Even if you are feeling ambitious, realize that you’re only human.  You can’t end war and save the planet all by yourself, and winning a new BMW is largely out of your influence.
2. Have a specific goal in mind.  Want to save the planet?  Start by planting a new tree once a month.  Volunteer your time at a charity organization or community centre.  These are the kinds of goals you should be thinking about; clear and concise.
3. Create a resolution where you can measure your success throughout the year.  People tend to say things like “I’m going to be a better husband/wife”.  What does that mean in terms of new behaviour?  If you can’t evaluate your progress than the whole resolution is worthless.  If you say “I’m going to spend two hours every weekend alone with my husband/wife doing something she enjoys”, that’s a bit more manageable.  Commit to a schedule, a specific activity, or a certain location.  You should feel good about honouring your goals, so make sure you give yourself the chance.
4. Do something worthwhile.  It’s never too late to do something for yourself and the greater good.  Watching two hours of TV instead of three isn’t going to alter your life or anyone else’s.  Think about what you have to offer the world, your passions and hobbies, and what problem in your community you can help solve.
5. Consider alternatives instead of just “quitting”.  This is an extremely valuable lesson in terms of personal psychology.  If you want to quit smoking for instance, all power to you!  What will help you in the long run is if you can say “instead of smoking right when I get up in the morning, I’m going to take a hot bath to relax.”  Instead of lighting up at the office, make it a point to chat with a co-worker you haven’t spoken to that week.  It’s these little alternatives that keep your mind occupied as you wean off of unhealthy practices.

Get all the latest info on the newest innovations within the world of mass media.

Looking at this social media app, you can immediately see the potential for success.  Part GPS-finder and part video game, Foursquare has taken the world by storm as the fastest-growing application in the digital kingdom.  There’s already a Dubai application that has been up and running for months!

Think of foursquare as an “urban mix tape.” The application is specific to the city you are in and is used by downloading the software for free onto your cell phone.  In short, Foursquare helps you make lists of your favorite things to do and lets you share them with friends. Foursquare will keep track of the things you’ve done, help you create To-Do lists and even suggest new experiences to seek out.

By “checking in” around the city, you’ll start finding tips that other users have left behind. After checking-in at a restaurant for example, it’s not uncommon to unlock a tip suggesting the best thing on the menu. Checking-in at a bar will often offer advice on what your next stop should be. Every tip you create is discoverable by other users just by checking-in, and you even earn awards for being an active member!

From golden necklaces to flat screen TVs, Dubai Shopping Festival is without a doubt theworld’s premier shopping event of the year.  Now in its 15th year, DSF 2010 promises to be one of the biggest and grandest in history!  As the festival kicks off, more details are starting to roll in as excitement spreads throughout the city.

It has been announced for instance, that DSF 2010 will be raffling off an incredible 80 cars and Dhs 3 million in cash over the festival period, running from January 28 to February 28.  More than 6,000 retail outlets and nearly 50 malls and shopping centers are estimated to be taking part in the exceptional promotions.  According to event organizers, over 150 international and regional events are being held in the UAE over this period, with activities concentrated in areas like Al Seef, Dhiyafah and Rigga.  Eager consumers are flying in from all corners of the world, and hotels are benefitting from the influx of tourists.

Around three million visitors attended DSF 2009, spending a collective total of nearly Dhs 10 billion!  Both of those numbers were positive gains compared to the year before, and there is no reason to expect a slowdown in 2010.

If you haven’t gone already, it’s time to take advantage of the best deals in the UAE!

Many predicted that the last decade would see the emergence and rise of Asian brands around the world.  These emerging economic powerhouses would change the balance of power from West to East.  This certainly happened in terms of manufacturing, but how has the Asian brand developed on the international stage?

In a recent study for the Financial Times, a number of international brands were profiled in order to map the international development of leading brands.  According to brand experts involved in the survey, brands once needed to dominate the US market to become globally recognized.  That has now changed as larger and larger markets are found in emerging economies like China.   Several food and drink brands from emerging markets were predicted to make an impact on the world stage, including China’s ChangYu, the country’s largest wine producer, and United Spirits, the largest spirits company in India.  Brands like Tata and Sony have already been a part of the international scene for some time.

The real question now is whether Asia products are “better” than their Western rivals?  Tata’s products are proven top of the line, which is why they are preferred the world over.  Japanese brands like Sony are unquestionable leaders in electronic consumer goods.

Some people, like Joseph Baladi, CEO of BrandAsian, remains pessimistic about the opportunities for Asian brands on a global scale. “It’s arguably inappropriate to talk about Asian brands going to the next level - that is, international - when most fail to appeal to Asians within the region who continually demonstrate their preference for Western brands such as Apple’s iPhone, BMW or Nike.”

Even if this is true, Asia’s hunger for Western brands doesn’t necessarily mean that Asian brands are not going international at the same time.  What are your feelings about the rise of Asian brands?  Where do you see the competition coming from in 2010?  Let us know at editor@pr2live.com.

*Quotes collected from sources at MediaAsia

The best new show on Broadway is the swirling chaos of the city itself—and the seats are free! Inspired by technological innovations in cities like London, Hong Kong and Copenhagen, the city of New York has permanently closed five blocks in Times Square to traffic and installed 300 chairs and benches, where thousands of locals now join the tourists every day to experience the city in an entirely new way. Check out the highlights in this latest video produced by AdAge.com.

Blockbuster movies and television series from the Disney media empire will soon be screened free-to-air in the Middle East after a new deal was signed this past month in Dubai. The Disney Company is more than just the Mickey Mouse studio you knew as a kid.  Today, Disney is one of the three largest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world.  The organization owns entities such as ABC television channel, Pixar animation studio, and a host of successful film production houses.

Disney is now partnering with two regional free-to-air channels, Fox Movies and Fox Series, for a period of at least five years. The two free-to-air channels were launched in the past year and are joint ventures between Fox and the Saudi-owned Rotana Group. Rotana is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, the billionaire investor who is a major shareholder of both Disney and News Corporation, which is the parent company of Fox. In the last six months, News Corporation has been eyeing investments in Rotana with some reports putting the figure at 10 – 20%.  This most recent deal saw Rotana pay Dhs 100 million to Disney for the rights to screen its content.

The deal means Fox Movies now has the rights to screen films such as There will be Blood, Up, and The Chronicles of Narnia for the first time on free-to-air TV in the region. Fox Series also has the rights to Lost, Ugly Betty, Private Practice and Desperate Housewives and will air the latest seasons exclusively.

Looking at the television market in the Middle East, pay television channels are accessed by less than 5 per cent of the region’s television viewers! Perhaps this is why the free-to-air market is expanding at such a rapid pace.  Nevertheless, don’t throw away those satellite systems just yet; free-to-air still has a long way to go.