In a meeting recently, there were two sides. On one, nine adults (or more). On the other, was me. Alone.
I was easily five years younger than the youngest chap from their side and clearly looked upon by them as this foreign kid from a foreign background with foreign ideas. After presenting and responding to questions, I got what I was there for. Not quite nervous, I was beginning to be curious about how this was going to end.
We ended up shaking hands at the doorstep outside, as everyone in the whole building were assembling at the front due to a fire that triggered the alarm.
In relation to War Room, I remember all the things that I usually do or need to do, or happens when a (self inflicted) project is nearing a deadline. But I had forgotten the two things comes with it, that happens consciously every single time.
Lack of an appetite. Inability to fall asleep. Stay asleep.
On 31st August, Random Alpahabets will be having two things. The new t-shirt launch and a flashmob esque project.
RA+D : The two t-shirts in support of Eco Knights and PRIDE Foundation (launched July 2008) are practicaly sold out. The two new designs will be in support of KL Gymnastics Association and SPCA. It is a project RA has in collaboration with restaurant chain Delicious.
MTP : Imagine decorating the interior of your house for a birthday party you’re throwing for a friend. RA plans to do the same thing, but inside a public operational train in Kuala Lumpur as Happy Birthday Malaysia. Merdeka Train Party will be open to the public to participate. Invitations coming soon.
After many weeks of laying the groundwork for both projects, today my bedroom which is also my office (not a good idea), will also act as the War Room. I’ve never had to prepare and tackle two things of this scale on the same day. As always, I put up the white board. Before I start scribbling plans from my wretched mind on it, here is.
.
.
*The stick on the left, is the same ‘spear’ that I used for the pillow fight RA organised in April 2009.
One of the elements of the union between a man and a woman, is the exclusivity that they share.
If a man can greet his female friends in a certain manner, it bothers me that he can’t greet his partner differently, if not in a way that is more specially indicative. Not only it’s a clear illustration as to their union, but as sign of respect to it.
The more distintive they behave to each as oppose to the people around them, may not be an absolute gauge as to the relationship that they share, but it counts nevertheless.
Earlier this year, there was a massive brilliantly executed and documented flashmob in Antwerp(en), Belgium.
So well done was that flashmob, that very few realise the commercial element/presence in it (other than the people of Belgium and the Netherlands I suppose). It was done to promote a Dutch version of the BBC (UK) series – “In Search of Maria“ (op zoek naar maria) produced by Belgian commercial network VTM. The VTM logo was flashed at the end of the youtube video, one that most around the world aren’t familiar with and that it was in Flemish/Dutch language.
.
In certain instances, the moment brand placement is conspicuous, the video chance to not go viral, for two reasons:
it gives the psychological impression to someone that it is just another television commercial (but on internet).
that, the trend setting influential opinion leader demographic might as a portion of them tend to take the view that the stunt was a sell out one, hence making them not want to talk about it.
This is an obstacle I face when dealing with advertising agencies and clients when I am approached to execute an idea of a similar concept for them. Their lack of comprehending the nature of how it works. This will lead not necessarily to a poor return of investment for them, but for me to manage their expectation. The outcome might be fairly well, but as they expected something epic, my credibility within the business will be affected and hence future business opportunities with other entities.
As far as the public is concerned, they want to see it happen, if not be part of it. What everyone must realise is that to pull of something like this, requires a lot of time, energy, coordination and most importantly, money. It can be done with much less money, but it will take maybe twice as long to plan and lay the groundwork (that is) if I am to find the right crowd who will do it (right), AND for free.
Nov 2007: New section of the Antwerp train station. I had arrived from Eindhoven the previous day and was about to leave for Brussels. Many thanks to the Busseniers, and other friends in Antwerp, for their hospitality, which made me come back another again two days later.
