Thai Life Insurance

It's difficult to create an ad knowing that you only have a maximum of 90 seconds to make an impact on the viewer. It's even harder to sustain the same effect throughout the different versions of the ad.

Thai Life Insurance series of TV ads really excelled at leaving an impact. The first time I saw their ad was when they came out with "Daddy" version of the TVC. This was first aired in 2006 - and it still stuck with me to this day.

It's so simple, isn't it? They've captured the essence of family life and how important it is to spend time with those near and dear to you.

There are many other versions within the same ad series, but another one that really stuck with me is the "My Son" version. The first time I saw this ad, I was with a friend. At that time I was living in Bangkok and she came over to my place after work to watch a soap opera (due to traffic, driving home at that hour would mean her missing the soap opera). Anyway, during the commercial break, we were laughing at another ad until this one comes on. We did not know what it would be about but because of the music, and because we've seen the "Daddy" version a gazillion times, we know it has to be another Thai Life Insurance ad. Imagine the change of mood. From LAUGHING so hard we can't breath, to CRYING so hard we can't breath.

Other versions of the series include:

• "Marry Me"
• "My Girl"
• "Grandpa"
• "Grandma"

Enjoy Jakarta 2009

Many countries seem to be promoting their tourism campaign at the moment. Whether it's "Sparkling Korea" or "Awesome Philippines" (which happens to be a joint effort with MTV Asia). Indonesia is another country pushing their tourism industry with "Enjoy Jakarta" as their long running campaign.

Recently I've seen a lot of Enjoy Jakarta TV commercial. The proposition of the ad is that you can do anything and everything in Jakarta, whether you're there to enjoy marine tourism, sports, shopping or dinning. Yes, you can enjoy dinning in Jakarta. At first I thought it was a typo. Then I thought, nahhhh... Jakarta Tourism Board won't let that happen. So I look it up (still thinking that it has to be intentional)... According to dictionary.com: dinning = a loud, confused noise; a continued loud or tumultuous sound; noisy clamor.

So... let me get this straight... if, IF, it was intentional, they're promoting this as one of the reasons to visit Jakarta? Really?? Is there something special about Jakarta noise that I didn't know about?

Anyway, I kept watching and I also learnt that Jakarta is also a destination for great entertaintment. Thinking that it's probably due to my bad eyesight, every other time the ad came on, I stare at the TV to confirm what I have seen. Recently, the version shown on TV doesn't show the script anymore. Maybe they finally spotted the mistake?

So... to prove my point (because, really, no one believed me), I found the Jakarta Official Travel Website. And there it was, in all it's glory, the TVC for the world to see. For the world to learn, just as I had learnt, that Jakarta is a destination for great entertaintment.

Question: don't they have to check these things before they air them? I mean, spend a lot of money on this big campaign, only to have spelling mistakes, not very ideal is it?

update June 29, 2009: I just saw the ad again, and they've amended the spelling mistakes. Hooray for spellcheck!!!

Farah Fawcett dies at age 62

another icon also passed away today. but this one doesn't seem to get as much publicity as the King of Pop. maybe it's because people know she is suffering from cancer, or maybe towards the end of her career, she started to fade away from the scene.

in any case, i still believe she is one of the most iconic personality in the entertainment industry.

Rest In Peace, Farah Fawcett, Charlie's Angel

1947 - 2009

Michael Jackson dies at age 50

this is BIG news.

it gave me the same feeling i got when i first found out about the Tsunami in Asia, Twin Tower incident on 9/11, and Pricess Diana's untimely death. yes, it's that big.

and it's as it should be. he's a big icon in the music industry. i would put him up next to Elvis... or Pavarotti.

he was one of the first (if not THE first) international singer that i listen to. i remember trying to memorize all the words to Heal The World - listening to it over and over again.

Rest In Peace, Michael Jackson, King of Pop

1958 - 2009

Command A (or Ctrl A if you're using a PC)

A friend of mine recently made an error while she was formatting this supposed 'joke' to send to a bunch of friends. I was one of the intended recipients, and I was one who did not get the 'joke' - because what she sent out seemed like a blank page.

A few complains and 'huh?'s later, she told us that it was an error in formatting and that we should highlight all and see what happens.

Ok... so it's probably not the first time this kind of thing happen. And truth be told, it's probably one of the ways some dodgy websites used to hide themselves from spiders. But I never thought of it as invisible ink for the digital age.

I was quite amused. Interesting, no?