Is That A Good Idea?

Sharing in a big way

By CHRISTINA LOW

Marriage proposals and weddings are no longer a private affair these days, as couples take a step further, by making their special day known to all.

Early this year Malaysians saw how an accounts executive proposed to his girlfriend with a RM14,000 diamond ring via a huge billboard advertisement placed along the Damansara- Puchong Highway (LDP) in Kelana Jaya.

This time around Parisign general manager Henry Tan decides to take the expensive step by displaying his wedding photos at bus shelters around Kuala Lumpur.

The 25-year-old does not only want to share the pictures with the public but also want to be remembered as the couple they saw at bus shelters.

Of the 16: A bus shelter in Jalan P.Ramlee sporting the couple’s wedding photos.

Tan has placed his wedding photos at 16 bus shelters in the city centre, at a cost of about RM150,000. But he has no regrets.

The idea came to him after a holiday in Monaco two years ago when he saw how a French man proposed to his girlfriend using outdoor advertisements at strategic locations in the city.

“When I saw it, I told myself that I too would come up with such a creative idea when I find my soul mate,” said Tan, whose family supported the idea.

Why bus shelters?

Tan said he had a special interest in bus shelters after the company put him in charge of designing such shelters in various parts of Kuala Lumpur.

However, Tan’s wife Cherry, had no inkling of the plans her husband had up his sleeves, including accompanying workers to paste the pictures at the shelters before he heads to work in the morning.

Cherry said she never dreamt that she would one day be the talk of town this way.

Act of love: Tan cleaning one of the photo boards of his wife before it was fixed at a bus shelter. He thinks nothing of accompanying workers to paste the pictures at the shelters before he heads to work in the morning.

“I have always admired girls whose boyfriends go to such lengths to propose,” said the 22-year-old, who only found out about her husband’s project when her friends told her that they had seen her wedding pictures at bus shelters.

“I am surprised and happy about it,” said Cherry.

Tan said it was a surprise present for his wife and also to share with Malaysians just how important repetition was in advertisements.

“When they have seen enough of us then it would have marked that our message has been successful.

“We encourage couples and families to do the same for any occasion, be it weddings, birthdays or just to wish someone well,” said Tan.

Okay I understand that people with too much money would spend in something totally unnecessary but eye-catching ideas to grab people’s attention. But do you want to know my comments in this bus-stop idea?

I don’t mean to be rude and to nose in other people’s decision or even being judgemental… but being a Marketing Executive, I have learnt many things about advertising areas. Bus stop, is one of the big NO-NO!

Why? Imagine having your wedding placed at the bus stop areas. Fine, you’ll get to SHOW OFF your love to your wife. But wait… wait for 1 or 2 days later… and with the publicity by the newspaper… your face will be vandalised with beard, moustache, black teeth, mole, and even writings saying “I’m with stupid”!

That place is where most students and potential vandals hang around to wait for the bus! With a simple permanent marker pen or a liquid paper, one can do much damage on the highly-paid advertisement at the bus stop.

This is MALAYSIA where vandals are famous for their ‘artwork’!

I give credit to the person who advertise on a billboard earlier this year to propose to a girl. Now that is more feasible and properly placed! EVERYONE can see that.

Bus stop?

NOT A GOOD IDEA!

Anyway, congratulations to the happily married couple! Maybe you should question your advertising agency as to why they didn’t give proper suggestions for advertising ideas.

*No offence*

Petronas Commercial 2008: Brava to Ken Wong!

Remember my previous post about the latest upcoming Petronas 2008 commercial by Ken Wong Woon Kian? I finally manage to watched the commercial during the Chinese New Year and it was really heart-melting. Seeing the Chinese boy not knowing what to draw when the teacher gave an assignment to draw a picture of family reunion. It was even more sad to see the boy giving a fake smile as he waves goodbye to his friends who were taking a ride or walking home with their parents (maybe looking forward for a reunion dinner).

As he hugged his Indian care-taker as a sign of sadness knowing that he has no family reunion dinner to attend, I almost teared feeling so sorry for him. Then, they walked home of which turned out to be the home for orphanage.

I guess it is very important to remember of our family and to never forget the important part of the Chinese New Year tradition, Family Reunion Dinner.

Think about it my Malaysian friends, during the Chinese New Year season, we get to see numerous advertisement that consistently remind us about Family Reunion dinner. Just like Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas, every of these important festive season has a meaning behind it.

FAMILY.

It is also important to remember of the poor, unfortunate and the orphans during these seasons. Hey even if we are not able to head out to any orphanage place to have a fun time with those who are needy, it is never wrong to atleast donate some of your angpow money to those who REALLY need the money.

Remember, family is always the very first in our lives. Even more than ourselves. Family is worth more than anything valuable or precious in this world.

Nosy Relationship?

I just have to let this out. So bear with me… 

I got a call from a friend, Joseph (not his real name) who just came back from Australia for a study break. It was not at all difficult to recognise his distinguish British-slang voice. Being playful, I asked “Who’s this?”

We caught up with alot of updates over the phone until at one point he was telling me about another friend, Mark (not his real name) being angry with him.

I was thinking in my mind, “Oh no… what did you do this time”

See, he has a knack or an impulsive habit of trying to get into other people’s life and just out ot being overly nice, he would ‘council’ or ‘advice’ people what to do as though he’s somebody’s parents or God. By understanding the global human nature of AVOIDING these kind of people and getting totally offended, unless and only unless one seeks for proper advice.

Joseph, with his bad habit of being nosy and not realising how bad it is, he offended MArk badly.

Why?

See, Mark had a major crush in a girl whom they both know. When Joseph found out about this, he deliberately went to meet up with this girl and thought he can do some ‘investigating’ to find out whether she’s the right one for Mark.

*Take note… they are not even best friends.. just FRIENDS. Besides.. even if they are, one should always ask for permission if he or she can meet up and get to know that person better.

Not only Mark was angry, he was intense furious! That is because Joseph not only secretly met up with the girl to ‘investigate’, after he was done ‘investigating’, he went to tell Mark what he had done and started advicing/preaching/whatever you can name it… to Mark that she is not the right one for him.

I mean, who does he think he is? I was rather pissed off too when I heard that because I never like anyone being nosy in my relationship as well! Joseph was not at least bit guilty of what he had done. In fact, he sort of blame Mark for being angry over his ‘nice-ness’.

I wanted to blow up right through the phone but I took a deep breathe and said “I have many to comment but don’t want to get involve in this. It is only between you two and you both should settle it unless either one of you need my comments and help.”

Period.