Very rarely I would talk about what I do for living but some how this one really excite me to share how social media revolutionize brand, corporate entity and their human capital, Malaysian Government and Malaysian in general.

At first, it was FOX NEWS blunt mistake that make me jump into my HootSuite & TweetDeck and start my daily monitoring of Social Media.

Somehow someone in FOX NEWS think Saddam Hussein was a Pharaoh, building Pyramid in Babylon land.

On the day of March of the Millions, I was already suck into my iPad and my twitter feed is flowing like a river Nile.

All my keyword started trending and slowly tweet by Malaysian cripple out like a mummy rise from the tombstone.

RT @tedhardy RT if you think @Askairasia and @MAS should fly to Cairo and flew our students back to Malaysia – @azamofficial, Feb 1, 03.40pm

@tonyfernandes please help.. RT @shamhardy RT if you think @Askairasia and @MAS should fly to Cairo and flew our students back to Malaysia – @JRachBarker, Feb 1, 3.41pm

Then it’s slightly turn RED over BLUE and I was a little bit worried…

RT @shamine: Tolong RT. Hey @MAS are you guys not sending planes to Cairo to bring Msians back? Word is @AirAsia is trying to send theirs – @DaphCLPT, Feb 1, 0702pm

After that, come the awakening!

RT @tonyfernandes: Our team working on hw 2 bring our students frm egypt via turkey or iran/Praise God.At least AA doin sumthin. Hello @mas? – @DaphCLPT, Feb 1, 0718pm

PM slow in reacting @MAS not showing a hint of interest.Only @Khairykj @tonyfernandes mentioned AA cud b on its way 2 #Egypt 2 rescue Msians – @Jud9e, Feb 1, 0733pm

BTW, where’s our Foreign Minister? He sud be pushing hard to evacute Malaysians. Force @MAS to use its fleets. – @jailanish, Feb 1, 0806pm

With that, the email trail started to pile up, back and forth within the organisation and I was lucky enough to witness how an organisation spurs hope for all Malaysian!

Malaysia Airlines sending a rescue flight to Cairo, details being worked out – @MAS, Feb 1, 1127pm

The rest after that is history in the making.

The single tweet launch the chain reactions and everyone are on their tiptoes to make sure nothing goes like the Bush and his Kartina’s Super Dome.

For me, to see two corporate entities work hand in hand competitively for sake of humanity to push the boundaries of social media and mass media brand positioning is in class of their own.

Who will get the front page cover, who’ll get the first mention or who’ll get after the comma is Malaysia Airlines to lose, Air Asia to gain for the rest of the week.

To go beyond the surface of media, everybody else in the background within the both organisation who’re involved directly and indirectly in the rescue operations are the one who should get credits here.

It’s not an easy task to pull a rescue mission to take out 1o thousand of citizen from one country to another country which is not its citizen.

I hope everyone see a bigger picture, we as Malaysian – we should be grateful – no matter what political parties we’re in and or supporter to common corporate frenemies in the competitive market – we’ll try to stand together for one common reason – we’re doing it for sake of Malaysian.

Which country would declare public holiday just because winning a sub-regional football cup? Singapore… I doubt so.

Malaysia Boleh!

One think for sure, I’m so happy to contribute my part to save my fellow Malaysian – check out the photo which on all the cover of most local newspapers on 8 Feb 2011.

It’s Malaysian Hospitality.

DiGi got this online greeting for all of Malaysian for our first Malaysia Day!

Everybody love it – Zalif of KRU Berhad so cute in it – its remind me of how effective is Yellow Coverage Fellow (YFC)!

Somehow instead of fighting for slot during Hari Raya, DiGi goes on different marketing strategy and choose for Malaysia Day greeting instead.

Did anyone saw the hugging YCF with the blue bear & MAXIS logo (ball) on local newspaper – that’s cute too!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWOaq0XCBXw

“chak de patte – chak de patte” – We’re all different. But still same-same.

Happy Malaysia Day everyone!

*Check out also the post-ads dance & Zalif’s interview on Quickie TV3

After so much hype on the fairy tales ads by TV3 – one raya ads stand out above the rest.

As a former art director, I think this ads really deliver a right message to MAXIS customers as Aidilfitri greeting message - Hari Raya is a time when people return home to visit their family. In this ads, they show that family is forever, and that it transcends culture and race. Its follow a young Chinese woman as she journeys home to celebrate Hari Raya with her Malay family.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Dw9C2qkBQ

May our bonds never break by MAXIS

But importantly in any marketing investment – what’s commercial message you want to deliver – and MAXIS got one – a subtle warning to their competitors, DiGi and Celcom.

Since the open market for mobile starts last year, any mobile customers can opt to change network providers and still keeping the numbers. Eventho you’re on 012 – you can be DiGi or Celcom customers and I’ve seen many of my friends who opt out – has return back to MAXIS.

From MAXIS to DiGi and Celcom – if you guys didn’t provide a great service to our previous customers – they will find their own way to return to us.

“No matter how far away you were – even you’re no longer with us – after all this years, we closer than ever – forever – will the ties that binds us never break”

So DiGi and Celcom, got it?

[Malay Version] Selagi hayat dikandung badan, tak kan putus tali persaudaraan, tak kan putus tali persaudaraan

*The music really sounds like the finale of LOST

**If you watch closely, you can see Xpax and Digi prepaid pass by and Hotlink just glance thru smiling…

Have you watch the new most memorable (*cough) Aidilfitri TV advertisement/iklan by Media Prima tv channel – TV3.

It’s like adaptation straight from a short story by Hans Christian Andersen – but slightly injected with 1Malaysia propaganda.

It’s just so wrong in many places.

[UPDATED] YouTube video has been removed by Grand Brilliance for copyright issue (hmmm I don’t think advertisement can be claim as copyright items)

Let go frame by frame (to understand the concept)

A boy (Look like Wendy Darling of Peter Pan) alone at home (very poor – coz the roof made of nipah – probably somewhere in Penang) reading a story book (in Jawi if you close up) on the eve of Hari Raya and suddenly the book magically turn the picture of ‘Beca’ into real life thing (Cinderella) and comes the Santa Claus with a kopiah gesturing the boy to join him (probably celebrate Aidilfitri at a better place).

Then the magical sleigh (beca) flying next and above the Penang Bridge, Menara Condong Teluk Intan, KLCC Twin Tower and Jalan Raja Chulan traffic junction – before that, they stop by a few houses and pick other childrens too (Peter Pan again).

Those landmark started to light up when the sleigh passes by – probably to show that ‘kegembiraan‘ celebrating Aidilfitri.

After that, you can see the famous tree of UPM next to the huge moon (It’s the ET scene) – they sort of going to a better place – (from Penang – to Perak – stop in KL – maybe Gunung Ledang?)

Suddenly out of the sky comes the majestic mosque on top of mountain – like the land of Arda of the Elves in the Lord of the Ring trilogy.

Above the hill, family members and the habitant of the land of ‘TV3′ gather together preparing for Hari Raya and there’s flying lotus with bahulu, lampu pelita, the magic ‘ketupat’ and ‘kacau-ing’ dodol inside the big lotus.

It’s end with firework on the sky and everybody happily ever after.

‘Sinari Lebaran – Keindahan Dalam Lebaran’

Syawal menjelma menitik detik-detik riang
Doa dan ampun maaf dipinta
Lebaran ini memberi sinar suci
Ramadan penuh kemuliaan
Kegembiraan, ketenangan, kesabaran menanti lebaran
Kita temui keimanan di Syawal ini
Sinar lebaran dihiasi berwarna warni
Selamat, selamat hari raya
Selamat, selamat hari raya

—–

I didn’t get it!

What’s the essence creative director of this ads want to deliver in the first place (I heard they said it’s like kids fantasy)?

Does he/she want to convey that there are a lot of TV programme during Hari Raya for kids to spend their time in front of tv?

I’m sure TV3 will pulled this out but for a such thing to happen in this country and from a leading TV channel in Malaysia – it’s such a shame for Media Prima corporate comms.

It’s like watching an ads made by someone who didn’t know what Islam is – or religion sensitivity (at least)?

Bottom line is religion celebration is not a fairy tale, guys!

Someone should get fired!

*I do love the song tho – it’s kind of catchy!

>>I don’t make comparison this advert with other religion symbols or practices except fairy tales – so please stop placing any nasty comment – I won’t approve.

I received this newsletter by Malaysia Airlines last week – they have tonne of new thing-y available online at malaysiaairlines.com

Last month, I went to Bali with them – I got a great bargain via their online deals channel – Get-the-Deal – which only cost me MYR300 something for return tickets – I booked it within one before one month of my travel.

You can check out some of the features below:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WUNR2X8n4

Happy Merdeka, Malaysia!

Tiada Buatmu

Kenapa takdir kita diketemukan
Hanya perit yang kau bawa
Tuk ku tanggungkan air mata dilukaimu
Dendam yang kau cari salah kan aku

Kau tak kan ku bencikan
Walau kejam hati mu meragui kasih ku
Tak ku sangka kan akhirnya di sini
Kau yang jua berundur diri

Tiada satu cinta pun kan bersatu
Bila dua hati saling berjauhan
Kau benci diriku
Ku sakiti hatimu
Hidup matiku bukan tuk kau kasihi

Hati ku berhasrat
Hati ku jua berserah
Kiranya dirimu kan kembali
Tiada buatmu

Oleh: wahaza extra

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTKbrevXreI

There’s nothing sweet when I heard your voice saying – I’ll never forget you.

Most of the time people around us would said we’d never make it coz you were mysterious and always wearing blue.

I know how the world feels when you’re not here – it’s like an empty stage and I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m glad you’re back again. Don’t you know that you’re always my joy.

My sweet joy, do always remember me – even when we’re part away.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRFHiBW9RE8

LOST Back!

A few things I noticed

Flash sideways – 2004

1. New flash – flash sideways – kind of alternate timeline
2. Every back story (from flash back) somehow change – Hugo luckiest – the chicken restaurant never hit by asteroid, Locke went to walkabout, Shannon never on the plane.
3. The island with Dharma cabin submerged n a Dharma printed shark  lurking around
4. The Oceanic never crash but somehow it’s kind of odd

Flash sideways – 2007

1. The Swan did blown up – so the hatch exist and built by Dharma in 1977
2. The Losties in 1977 back in 2007
3. Juliet said thru Miles – it’s work – does its mean she manage to reset everything when she smack those Jarhead?

My thought:-

Juliet manage to knock the Jarhead n create a pocket of energy that create the magnetic fields which Desmond have to key-in the NUMBER every 108 minutes.

But the chain of events hasn’t happen yet till the end of this season. Flash sideways 2004 never happen till flash sideways 2007 ends.

This season will be the key event. When Juliet hit the bomb – she manage to make them flashes thru time to 2007. Some event will happen this season that make all the time start back in different path from 1977 in the island and also off the islands. The bomb somehow will explode in 1977 after 2007 happen.

And my prediction flash sideways was not alternate timeline but somehow the original path when Jacob n Flocke (evil John Locke) somehow manage to settle their wars in 2007 after using the Losties as their pawn.

The last supper could means the last gathering they will have in the island. After that it’s the path they will lead begin from the time they supposedly to crash on the Island.

I’m sure Jack hurt himself somewhere around the neck at the end of this season and that’s what you see at the beginning of this episode.

It just so many questions.. an LOST at it best always making me LOST!

At last I got my ‘Tahajjud Cinta’ from Datuk CT before she left for Umrah.

Loving a few song especially track no 6, ‘Ya Rasulullah’, a cover version of Raihan (Zikr) song, written by Abg Abu Bakar Yatim – It remind me of Allahyarham Abg Zarie of Raihan advice to me during my Nasyid time with Nahwan Nur back in 1990′s.

Semoga rohnya ditempatkan di antara orang-orang yang soleh.

Alangkan Indahnya Hidup ini,
Andai Dapat Ku Tatap Wajahmu
Kan Pasti Mengalir Air Mataku
Kerana Pancaran Ketenanganmu

Ya Rasulullah Ya Habiballah
Tak Pernah Ku Tatap Wajahmu
Ya Rasulullah Ya Habiballah
Kami Rindu Padamu

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKyIKr-B8Yk

This Malaysia Ministry of Health No Smoking TVC ads make me think (again and again) to stop smoking;

There’s new spoiler viral – viral – viral – coming out all over the web for LOST Season 6!

[This time their viral marketing goes smarter than just guessing a flashy game - it's involved fan based key person and a comedian]

I’m so eager for January 2010!

Now, the serious part – what’s LA X – It wasn’t “LAX” as the Los Angeles Airport which the plane should landed (instead its crashed on the Island)

After some googling over the Net, I found this following facts that may or may not be related but it always has a LOST biblical oriented facts.

Fact 1 : Acronym

LA X  could be LA 10, which could be 10 person return to LA – but is that too obvious;

Fact 2 : Symbol or Road Sign

LA X as LA 10, which Louisiana Highway 10 (LA 10) is a state highway in south-central Louisiana. It runs from east to west for 250 miles (400 km), beginning near Fort Polk and ending east of Bogalusa.

Does anyone related to Lousiana?

Fact 3 : Chemicals

LA is stand for Lanthanum (La) which its origin name came from the Greek of word lanthaneis (to lie hidden);

Hmmm, to lie hidden for 10 years? 10 people hidden?

Fact 4 : Mathematics

This one, I wasn’t sure what does its mean but I would just attached the image as for reference;

But, as LOST always be – a complex ‘LA X’ could be in the simplest explanation like a flight schedule or notes with written ‘LA’ and a marking ‘X’ next to it;

No matter how, I’m so happy LOST final season is coming soon!

Watch out on August 15th, new viral clue is coming your way at http://damoncarltonandapolarbear.com/dcpb/

For the past one year, global economic meltdown kind of making every single sector  of industry affected and most of the company are taking drastic action by laying off some of their worker to cut company expenses.

And this also goes to our political parties lately, especially among the PKR collation.

First Scene

[Scenario 1]
[Location] Jeff Ooi’s House (probably)
[Act] Jeff Ooi, the DAP’s Jelutong statesman surf over the net and stumble upon Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) website and saw his fellow statesman of PKR’s Mohd Razali Abdullah who is in that Islamic missionary organisation.

[Jeff Ooi to Penang CM] Dia patut kena pecat!

[Scenario 2]
[Location] Office Lim Guan Eng at Komtar
[Act] Islamic NGO representative handing over a memorandum to Penang Chief Minister, DAP’s Lim Guan Eng requesting the Chief Minister to sack Jeff Ooi for making such remarks.

[Groups of Penangite to Penang CM] Kamu patut pecat dia!

[Pause]

Second Scene

[Scenario 1]
[Location] Pejabat MBSA
[Act] Dr Hassan Ali of Selangor PAS give a press conference about the Beer Gate incident which MBSA raid the 7-Eleven outlet in Shah Alam and taken all the alcohol beverage from the store – reason as Beer ban on Muslim populated area. Ronnie Liu of DAP requested all the confiscated beverages to be return back. Dr Hassan Ali was furious since DAP’s Ronnie Liu getting involves in the Islamic regulation matters

[Dr Hasan Ali to Selangor MB] Kamu kena pecat dia!

[Scenario 2]
[Location] Selangor DAP Office
[Act] Tony Pua, the state DAP deputy chairman has requested disciplinary action against Dr Hassan Ali for “unwarranted and unjustified” acts

[Tony Pua to PKR] Dia patut kena pecat!

[The story continues....]

I’m not saying anything but I was wonder, where did Khir Toyo be in this scenario?

[Khir Toyo] Khir Toyo is filling up an application form for a new jobs since by the next 3 years all PKR statesman is all out of jobs because of ‘PECAT’ disciplinary action.

[The End]

The story begin like this…

On Thursday night, a few of Melayu who work and earn our living in the city centre, all gear up for another troublesome two days ahead of us.

There is neither thunderstorm nor tsunami going to hit the city of Kuala Lumpur.

Instead it was a peace gathering by another Melayu NGO (Non-supporting Government Organisation) which largely come from many part of Melayu town all over the country  - to sent a written templated memorandum in Bahasa Melayu with a title ‘ISA Abolishment‘ to the King (also a Melayu too) at the Istana Negara (which previously a Chinese Tycoon Mansion).

This peace rally will start from many parts of the city centre such as Masjid Negara (Muslim’s Melayu prayer place) and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (a shopping haven for Melayu).

By Friday morning, a multiple road block ready on all major roads leading to the city centre. The authority is getting concern about the rally since there no permit was approved.

You can see two or three young graduated Melayu police officers guarded and checking every car passes by. Even a few of Melayu driver who obviously going to city for work have to be check too.

Luckily there is a few highway still empty, heading to the city centre for some smart drivers is still ok. Then by afternoon, an SMS starts to fly around about the warning to avoid coming to KL on Saturday.

To some of Melayu who rather not to get involve in this political playing field have to be wonder again, are this another Melayu Anwar Ibrahim‘s people power get together gathering?

Somehow, it wasn’t their choice but they have to face it the name of other Melayu and this time it was the ‘Internal Security Act’ also famously known as ISA.

News spread, multiple radio station starts to play an announcement about the warning by the IGP Police not to get involved in this ‘illegal’ gathering.

A few FB’s and Twitter’s status slowly starts to popping-up about the traffic chaos marking the anxiety of the event tomorrow and by night time on Friday, back-lock  traffic in the city become bad to worse and start to define itself as totally new meaning of ‘massive traffic jam’ on that Saturday.

Sun do comes up gorgeously that Saturday, some Melayu plan to have family shopping get-together, some Melayu plan to go to work in the city and some Melayu going to city for those plan gathering.

Everybody pack their things and leave their house hopping for a success day ahead of them. Nobody knows their path would collide in the most significant way and that’s what happen on that Saturday.

To cut the story short, all this characters and plot line do get involved later on; there is a Melayu FRU officers, there is a Melayu BAR Council watchdogs, the tear gas, the water cannons, the handcuff exchange hands, the retailers trap in the shopping malls, the marching towards the Istana Negara, the ‘ALLAH MAHA BESAR’ shout and the long stand-still traffic jam.

And the story would end the same way; the police brutality, the anger, the dissatisfaction and the International Press quoting the opposition leaders blaming the government for the failed gathering.

The same old blame game! What a boring story do you think?

Melayu’s story plot-line is always will be like that, it’s the same tone act by same Melayu characters.

Perhaps without knowing we just love to be in the same story again and again.

Like one of the International press news quoted today – Saturday’s rally was less about ISA than to show Anwar’s political strength.

Why haven’t other Melayu wake up and realise his personal agenda or perhaps I’m just the minority one.

Yesterday, I saw a full  page size ads by Air Asia placing a warm gratitude of the late Yasmin Ahmad.

I think it’s another smart brand placement exercise, especially replacing their normal promotional discounted air fares ads which has been running for the last few days.

It’s bad (logically) but it’s nice gesture. Think about it, it’s a such sweet thought of them since nobody ever did before for a filmmaker or creative person except if you’re big tycoon or politician; remember when Badawi becomes PM (can’t remember what year is that) – I was like, can they just give that money  for charity instead (to pay for a full page ads cost would be around something like a cost of one car).

BUT this email marketing I received today by one DVD maker company, make me so angry.

Disrespectful!

It’s such an immoral way of making money out of people death; I think that’s why some Malaysian company are just like scum-bag!

Judge it yourself!

I wasn’t sure the other day to write about the late Teoh Beng Hock but with countless times stumbling upon an entry about him on anyone blog which some – I would just ignore it and some I would spent a time reading it.

Sadly, some of us – love to politicking any speculation and some, love to bang on the racial door.

How pathetic!

However, I just want treat the late Teoh Beng Hock as a 30 years old guy who spend most of his 24/7 around his work as similar with most of us in the early 30s.

Establishing ourselves in this world.

It’s such a crazy world where we live in, working late, plenty of job, demanding boss and probably many more other challenges.

Sadly, most of us wasn’t ready, and I might think the late Teoh Beng Hock was the same – a victim of his career.

Yeah, I know some of us think it was a conspiracy theory – he love his job.

But, I think the greatest lost of a family is loosing a son who so eager to be some where or to be in some place which he would fit in.

Conspiracy Theory is just Hollywood flick – we’re living in the world where there is no right or wrong on this!

I didn’t know him personally and even I didn’t know who he is before the incident so I’ll ignore what he do, what he probably done and who he working with.

The greatest story never told is the late Teoh Beng Hock is just a guy who stuck in currently demanding world of ‘Asia’s Working Enviroment’ and like me and most of us, how many of us being truth to acknowledge we are in the most stressful environment.

We’re no longer a fresh graduate, we’re not leveraging on what we’re earning yet – we’re just living day in and day out.

And that’s the late Teoh Beng Hock, you saw on the photo all over the news; shows he was crying for help to be safe!

Sad – his gone that way or the other way;

I’m pity the guy, especially working in this Malaysian political line – the most challenging career path of all – I’m sure its required integrity, confident, problem solving and many more other skills which some of other bloggers (who very opinionated) don’t have.

To create speculation about his death is just silly – news will basi, anger will subside and election will comes again – nothing will change;

I hope any parents who reading this, might just stop judging or speculate about his death – take your time to look over your son or your daughter;

A cry for help doesn’t mean – “Dad, I need money” – it could be just anything;

And when a coffin is in front of you, it’s not a time to put the blame on anyone else except yourself.