I know I’ve been missing-in-action from blogosphere & twitterverse! Blame it on the job, Masters exams and projects, church, family & friends, and what little time left for sleep!
Come April, I’m hoping for a little more time again for me, including the time to nurture my love for blogging & writing (Don’t tell – my childhood dream was to be a best-selling author!).
For now, though -glimpses into the life of the girl behind this blog, and the people she loves dearly…
Uni besties! Would never have survived uni without this dude!
An amazing very special friend & mentor - love her to bits! 
Crazy ”growing up” friend who’s seen me at my worst & best but still stuck around – vice versa of course!
What would life be without understanding caring girl BFFs?!
Old girl bestie aka momsie and the naughty little rascal who never fails to make me smile with his incorrigible antics!
Yummy Rose beer with a kindred spirit and dear friend from my Michigan days
Yes, surprise surprise – unlike most Japanese girls, I’m not awesome with snapping pics, oops! Because I usually end up immersing in conversations till I forget about snapping pics!
But here are the few pics I’ve snapped in the past few weeks as a tribute to loved ones, the people who keep us sane in the craziest of times. Priceless.
Filed under: Branding, Inspiration, Uncategorized | Tags: advertising, agency, Branding, cannes, change, communications, connect, creative, ideas, inspiring, marketing, media
Based on my own experience, as well as Bob Greenberg’s Businessweek article ‘An Adman’s Guide to Survival’, Simon Mainwaring’s blog entry on seminars at the Cannes Advertising Festival 2010, and Forrester’s blog entry on its latest report, ‘The Future of Agency Relationships’.
Recently, I had an interesting conversation over dinner with a fellow communications professional on where we saw ourselves 15 years from now.
Me: “You know, I have a vision but I’ve been told by some communications professionals that I’m just a dreamer…”
M: “And what’s that vision?”
Me: “That one day, clients won’t be talking to ad planners about messaging strategy and media planners about amplifying that message. Because they’ll be looking for communications planners who admittedly may be stronger in one area than the other but will still be able to provide holistic counsel encompassing messaging and media decisions – they’re tied together anyway right? And that’s where I want to be, 15 years from now.”
Returning home, I googled (thank God for google!), “Agencies of the future”, and I realized I wasn’t alone either in deliberating on this topic!
Way back in 2005, a ‘Businessweek’ article featuring R/GA CEO Bob Greenberg was discussing it (“An Adman’s Guide to Survival“). And as recent as this year, Cannes Festival seminars centred on this topic (according to adman Simon Mainwaring in his blog entry: “Do ad agencies have a future, and if so what does it look like“), and Forrester Research released a report based on 50 in-depth interviews with marketing leaders titled, “The Future of Agency Relationships“.
Cross hiring between creative & media agencies?
I’ve also noticed that unlike 10 years ago (as I stepped into an ad agency for the first time), when media agencies usually hired media planning professionals, and ad agencies almost always hired ad agency professionals, in recent years – lines are blurring. Ad agencies are beginning to realize the importance of understanding the media landscape and are hiring among ad agency professionals of course, former media planners with their noses to the ground on how best to use media to amplify creative messages. On a similar note, media agencies are starting to hire creative agency professionals with their keen understanding of branding and messaging strategies.
So what do agencies of the future look like?
After enjoying myself reading blog entries and articles by fellow like-minded communications professionals around the globe on the topic of ‘agencies of the future’ and reflecting on my own experiences in both creative and media agencies, here’s my assessment on key characteristics that agencies of the future will possess:
1. People oriented
People oriented? Are you serious? (You’re probably thinking…) That’s an age old adage for all service driven businesses isn’t it? How is that a ‘new characteristic’ specific to agencies of the future?
Agreed – totally agreed, that many agencies have recognised the importance of being people-oriented for a long time.
But, the difference lies in its heightened importance in agencies of the future, as discussed by WPP’s Sir Martin Sorrell and Unilever’s new CMO Keith Weed at the Cannes Debate 2010. In an age of intense competition, not only is there now a war for clients and business, but more critically, there’s also a war for talented and capable people.
*
Afterall, agencies are only as good as the counsel they provide, which essentially depends on the quality of their people. Hence, being people-oriented to retain talented and high performing individuals (as agreed on at the Cannes Debate 2010) has become more vital than ever before.
At the end of the day, as shared by Keith Weed, it’s now a time when clients trust people and not the scale of the agency. Hence, he believed agencies would eventually be evaluated based on their abilities to retain talented individuals whom clients trusted.
Pay packages just aren’t enough anymore, because truly capable people can win that for themselves anywhere, but more importantly, what will keep them in a place are relationships forged, as well as a sense of being appreciated and respected.
2. Daring
“Enlightened trial and error succeeds over the planning of the lone genius.”
Dave Kalley – Founder of IDEO
I couldn’t agreed more with Dave. Take R/GA ‘s fiesty CEO, Bob Greenberg, for instance. When the rest of the market was raving about the “third screen” – mobile in 2005, he was moving onto the next – massive outdoor digital signages. Here we are in 2010, embracing precisely that – the fourth screen. And guess who has the first mover’s advantage of experience from trial & error? The one who dared to try it first, before the rest.
Not surprisingly, R/GA was among the top 10 most innovative companies shortlisted by Fast Company in 2010.
The time has come when things are moving so fast that there simply isn’t a place for the prudent and highly cautious. Of course, even trial and error needs to be enlightened and I’m definitely not advocating running around like headless chickens. But, enlightened trial and error is very different from being completely adverse to change.
‘‘Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.’’ – Apple’s “Think Different” campaign
3. Accountable
Another trend I’ve picked up both from my own experience and the blogs of fellow communications professionals around the globe is a deepening desire among clients for accountability. No, I’m not referring to accountability in terms of billings, but rather – agencies that are as concerned as their clients about how exactly they’re performing, and this applies on various levels.
On one level is a concern for how they’re being perceived in their communities, as clearly manifested in companies’ growing focus on corporate social responsibility and corporate governance. Hence the importance for agencies of the future to become true partners in a shared stewardship of brands. More on this at Simon’s blog. (Simon is an experienced ad man with many years at Wieden and Ogilvy, by the way).
On another level, tracking of both online and offline marketing has also become absolutely vital, as clients are looking for agency partners who can help them in tracking and optimizing the value of their marketing efforts. ‘Conversion tracking’, ‘optimization’ and the likes are finding themselves into most conversations about offline and online marketing.
On a third level, social media is becoming a huge part of our relationships today. Naturally, conversations on service and brands are happening like never before on social media platforms. This presents a wealth of opportunities for brands while at the same time if not managed properly, could also be detrimental to the brand. Therein lies a need for agencies that are accountable architects of a community, on behalf of their clients.
Evaluating if an agency is an agency of the future
In Forrester Research’s 2010 report, “The Future of Agency Relationships”, Forrester provided criteria by which clients can evaluate if their agencies are agencies that will help them forge forward into the future.
So maybe, just maybe – I’m not just a dreamer, afterall. And by the way, the fellow communications professional I was having that conversation with… agreed with me.
Cheers to an exciting future of change and opportunities!
Filed under: Branding, Inspiration, personal | Tags: agencies, agency, Branding, communications, growth, idea, Inspiration, jim taylor, marketing, mec, media, mediaedge, personal, personal growth, rigorous magic, steve hatchers, wpp
Personal Preface – It’s 4:55am on a Sunday morning – the naughty puppy is finally snoring (or rather, wheezing) under my bed, and the parents are sound asleep behind their closed bedroom door.
And, here I am, typing on my laptop, with the appalled realization that I’ve been so caught up with the day-to-day requirements of the job that I’ve forgotten for a while the ‘magic’ at the heart of this vibrant communications industry, which was precisely what I had fallen in love with as a fresh-eyed 17 year old
stumbling into ad world through a summer job. Most communications professionals, I believe, have been at that point in their journeys. Until they realize… hey, where the hell did that sparkle vanish to?!
Walking through the doors of MEC on my first day, I spotted the book ‘Rigorous Magic’ proudly displayed by the entrance. Being the hopelessly curious person that I am, while waiting for my desk to be set up, I reached out for it – ‘How the hell can something as ethereal as magic be rigorous anyway?!’ ’You can keep it you know’, our friendly receptionist quipped from behind me, to which I responded, ‘Really?! Thank you!’ and tucked it into my bag.
Co-written by Jim Taylor and Steve Hatch, brilliant minds within our MEC network, just tonight, when sleep wouldn’t come, I finally found the time to flip through the book, ‘Rigorous Magic’ to discover some interesting ideas about ideas! (Nope, that’s not a typo!)
Summing up the book ‘Rigorous Magic’ in one sentence?
A brilliant yet accessible discussion for all marketers and communications professionals on the world of ‘ideas’ – a realm that most of us have started recognizing as what lies at the core of great marketing and communications plans, but probably find it hard to understand because it seems too ethereal, subjective, emotional and intangible. Like ‘magic’? Yep, like ‘magic’.
Different Types of Ideas
Just into the first two chapters of the book, I’m intrigued to read on by Jim and Steve’s rigorous but enlightening and lively discussion of ‘ideas’.
First they start off by delving into the characteristics of ideas (which I agree with): emotionally engaging, full of energy and media-neutral (i.e. they are flexible enough to be amplified through all forms of media, through the line).
Thereafter, the discussion journeys onto the eight types of ideas:
1. Advertising Ideas
Ideas that lie behind long term above-the line campaigns. Think: the mysterious man with the eye-patch that sold Hathaway shirts.
2. Symbiotic Ideas
Ideas where there is an interplay between the message and the media or context, which serves to reinforce the communication. Think: advertising Rexona (an anti-perspirant deodorant) in a crowded subway full of perspiring, tired, hot and bothered commuters.
3. Activation Ideas
Short-term exciting through-the-line ideas, often with an event or promotion at the heart.
4. Physical platforms
Physical territories for communication such as music, film, sport, etc that resonate with the brand’s target audience. Think: Absolut Vodka ‘owning’ the physical platform of contemporary art
5. Emotional Platforms
Broad emotional or cultural territories. Think: Persil (laundry detergent) ‘owning’ the emotional platform of ‘modern parenting’.
6. Brand Ideas
Ideas based on a brand’s point of view on the world. Similar to ‘emotional platform’ but with a point of view. For instance, Dove’s ‘Real Beauty is Individual’ brand idea that advocates a point of view on beauty, or adapting from the emotional platform of ‘modern parenting’ Persil started off with to develop the brand idea of ‘Dirt is good’ which resounds with a point of view on modern parenting styles.
7. Contextual Framework
This I don’t really get to be honest: Frameworks for understanding an optimal time when and a place where the message can be communicated
8. “Bloody hell that’s brilliant’ Ideas
To be discovered as I read on….
Strategic Ideas vs Executional Ideas
Strategic ideas live upstream and they drive communications consistency over time in an enduring, familiar and yet subtle but powerful way. On the other hand, executional ideas inform execution and implementation, and are easy to express directly through different channels and disciplines.
So which of the 8 ideas fall under strategic ideas and executional ideas respectively? Emotional platforms, brand ideas and physical platforms would fall under strategic ideas while advertising ideas, activation ideas and symbiotic ideas would fall under executional ideas. Of course the ideal relationship between strategic and executional ideas is that executional ideas should grow out of strategic ideas.
Interesting read and definitely helps to make sense of the ethereal and magical world of ‘ideas’ in a rigorous but accessible way.
Ending off on a more personal note, one line in the book jumped out at me that great ideas are often not by a stroke of inspiration but always about hard work invested by a team of dedicated people over time.
On an individual level, it’s a reminder to me about how important it is to keep reading. For many months now, sucked in by the day-to-day demands of the job, I stopped reading which also meant that I stopped being curious. Thankfully, I had brilliant people to learn from. But that’s no excuse to stop reading. Reading is so important for communications professionals, I believe, because it’s a channel through which we can learn from the best, from all around the world. More importantly, reading opens our minds to see the world through a variety of perspectives: vital for creativity and innovation. Great ideas are always about dedication and hard work, isn’t it? Including a dedication towards reading and learning.
In a broader sense, it hit home to me as well that great ideas are almost always developed by a team of dedicated people. Therein lies the absolute importance of team work and communication.
So here’s to 2011: A year of remembering the ‘magic’ behind this vibrant industry: ideas that galvanise people to action, the satisfaction from helping clients meet their objectives, teamwork, relationships and people, and last but not least, constant expansion of the mind through learning from brilliant people, whether are around you or people with a voice through the literature they produce.
Filed under: Inspiration, personal | Tags: career, colin goh, Dream, Inspiration, life, personal, personal development, personal growth, reflection, singaporean dream, woo yen yen
Dreams are the touchstones of our character.
- Henry David Thoreau
Heads up, this is going to be a more personal entry triggered by memorable conversations in the past month with various dear friends (all of whom share one thing in common, I’ve noticed - we’re all rebels of the ‘Singaporean dream’ in one way or another), as well as Colin Goh and Woo Yen Yen’s blog post, ‘Paved with Good Intentions’. (In this post, Colin and Yen Yen share their thoughts on the Singaporean dream, as Singaporeans living overseas in New York.)
So what are your plans – the Singaporean way?
I love my friends very much because in each and everyone of them, I’ve found kindred souls searching for their own definitions of happiness, even if it may not be the Singaporean way.
Growing up, even though I’m half Japanese and half Singaporean, I went through pretty much the whole Singaporean growing up experience. The fight to enter good schools (or we’d be useless burdens to society going nowhere), the countless tuitions for every academic subject under the sun, the fight for leadership positions in extracurricular activities, etc etc.
Through it all, though, all I really wanted was acceptance – the “ooos” and “aahhhss” from peers, parents and family friends, when you finished top in the class, went to a good school, got promoted to a leadership position in extracurricular activities…
That’s probably why the Singaporean dream of achieving accolades and financial success continues to thrive. Many of us can’t help but continue to pursue that Singaporean dream because the price of not doing so is just too frightening – oh, the thought of family and friends being ashamed of us.
To be or not to be, that is the question
Eventually, though, we all need to make that critical decision. Do we continue to pursue that Singaporean dream or do we seek our own definitions of happiness?
Colin Goh and Yen Yen clearly made their respective decisions to pursue their own ‘callings’. It wasn’t a smooth journey all the way, especially in the early days, but the meaning they derived from the pursuit, kept them going, and they’ve never looked back, ever since.
Why not something more stable – the craziness of it all
A recent graduate from Singapore Management University with a First Class Honours, I’ve been asked over and over again… why the communications and media industry? Why not something more stable that pays better, like banking? Why why why? To which my answer is always, ‘Why not? Maybe I like the craziness of it all.’
Eight years ago, a young seventeen year old me who had never been to a single interview in her life, found herself sitting in the gleaming conference room of a worldwide advertising giant, with a quiet, poised and confident brand manager and her ‘client’ -the fiery and sophisticated regional marketing director of a global mega corporation. Together, they almost seemed like Yin and Yang, I remember thinking to myself, ROFL…
Honestly, I was terrified. Questions came my way one after the other, sometimes even concurrently. Too nervous to think through my replies, words just spilt out of my mouth as I tackled one question after the other. It felt like battle, gosh! Walking out of the room, I was prepared to never hear from them again.
Much to my surprise, though, thirty minutes later, while hanging out with friends in town, I received the call – the call that unbeknowst to me then, would ‘change’ my life forever.
If I could help them out for six months during an upcoming campaign, supporting both the brand manager and her client, they would ensure that I gained exposure to the advertising industry, first-hand. I agreed and the rest is history.
In the six months that ensued, for the first time in my life, I saw people working till the wee hours of the morning, heard more curses than I’d ever heard in a lifetime, wondered whether two people adored each other or simply couldn’t stand each other’s guts… One would think I’d swear off the industry forever.
But, for some reason, I was drawn (for the lack of a better word) to the craziness of it all.
No matter how I ‘complained’ about the crazy pace and the difficult people (not all were difficult of course. In fact, I’ve also met some of the nicest and best mentors), I kept going back for more and more.
Admittedly, it hasn’t been a smooth-sailing ride, and there were times when I seriously thought of giving up on the industry altogether, but I’m still here, determined to overcome the challenges, somehow.
It still boils back down to you
Now into my 2nd year working full-time in communications and media, I’ve realized (oh I love such eureka moments) that at the end of the day, it’s not just about the big decisions in your life, but how you live out these decisions. Even in the media industry, where people are expected to be working for the passion, many still engage in the rat race to the top and the fight for awards and promotions.
Essentially, it’s not just about what you’re doing but more importantly, why you’re doing what you’re doing. And if you can’t find the answer to that question, perhaps it’s time to stop and think about it.
Not a rat, please
The last thing I want to be is a rat… and I thank God daily for friends who remind me to question why I’m doing what I’m doing. Perhaps it sounds somewhat bizarre, but what drives me is the burning desire to get to a place in the communications and media industry where I can mentor young talents with a heart for the industry, to be the best they can be. And to drive integration and stronger partnerships across the different facets of communications (e.g. PR and advertising).
Because we only have one life to lead and if we don’t start thinking about why we’re doing what we’re doing and what we want to achieve in this life, before we know it – where did all that time vanish to? Wouldn’t it be sad to find that after so many years, we’re even further from where we want to be?
And perhaps, a life well-led entails defining our own happiness and finding that very happiness we were looking for. Our way.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor RooseveltGo confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau
Filed under: Branding | Tags: advertising, agency, Branding, business, campaign, change, client, communications, integration, marketing, media, Oxygen, Red Bull, Sony Ericsson, stealth marketing, trends
Once upon a time, ask anybody what media was and most of us would probably rattle off the usual few – TV, radio, the worldwide web, and the list was finite at least.
Not that these media channels are not powerful anymore. They definitely are. But perhaps, they’re just not enough anymore, if not now – at least some day in the future.
1) For one, it’s how we’re using them.
Recently, I attended an interesting session by a media owner and one recurring issue kept arising. Many clients and agencies tend to take a ‘one size fits all’ approach for integrated campaigns. One common approach, for instance, is to adapt a TVC (TV commercial) for OOH (out-of-home or outdoor) use and digital.
Of course there are almost always very valid reasons for taking this ‘one size fits all’ approach such as budget constraints or short lead times. Unfortunately, as with most things in life, there’s always a price to pay to every decision.
In doing that, are we wasting the media spend altogether? Because we are not using that media channel optimally? For instance, a 30 second commercial may be well and good for TV, but if the same 30 second commercial were to play in OOH, where you have people’s attention for only 5 – 10 seconds, would the message really get through? In that case, would the OOH spend be wasted? Is this ‘one size fits all’ approach really all that cost efficient, after all?
2) Oh, those defensive consumers!
Traditional media channels have the reach and circulation, which are highly important, for sure, and which continue to drive results. But increasingly, perhaps we have to begin questioning reach figures, because even if the TV set is turned on and the consumer is staring at the screen, does it necessarily mean that the message is getting through to him/ her?
Maybe I’m a difficult consumer (I don’t think I’m alone though) – when commercial time begins, I either run off to grab a drink or I mentally switch off, allowing this barrier in my mind to screen out everything that I see on the screen. My eyes are on the screen but my mind has floated somewhere else… to a conversation I had earlier with someone or to somebody I miss – anything but the commercial before my eyes. 
That’s why I believe that eventually, searching for new media channels in the form of stealth marketing will become increasingly important.
When that happens, your media channel can be that beautiful blonde by the bartop asking you to buy her a particular brand of alcohol or it can be the pile of empty cans in trash cans around the city (yes, Red Bull really did that) or it can be that troupe of actors posing as tourists, asking passers-by to take photos of them using the Sony Ericsson T68i phone or even ice-cream trucks giving out labeled popsicles with information on upcoming broadcasts (Oxygen – the women’s cable network did that).
For more on stealth marketing and alternate ‘media channels’, you can check out the article in Time magazine (‘It’s an Ad, Ad, Ad World’) by Daniel Eisenberg here.
3) But but but… how do we justify the budget?
If you notice the date of Daniel Eisenberg’s article, it goes all the way back to 2002! Yet, even today – it’s not all that often that we witness campaigns using such radically different channels of communications, do we?
Therein lies the problem with using alternate media channels – how are we going to justify the expenditure with results and measures of success? Especially when they are usually incorporated as part of larger media campaigns alongside TV and digital outreach, for instance. How do you know it’s that Red Bull can in the trash can that made the consumer want to buy Red Bull, and not the Red Bull website?
Still, I believe that eventually, as traditional media channels become increasingly cluttered, ‘desperate’ clients and agencies may need to start looking for alternate forms of media – including rubbish in trash cans! The trick behind these alternate media channels is that consumers were not expecting to find messages there and your messages get through more easily because their defenses are down. This calls to question ethical considerations I know (which warrants a separate post altogether.) Gradually, creative measures of success will be developed in line with this trend out of necessity.
When that happens, will we be ready? I hope so!
Till that happens and coming back to the present, Happy National Day! (For my overseas readers, it’s Singapore’s birthday today.) God bless Singapore and all of you!
[Images courtesy of: ignite social media, istock, and izismile.com]
Filed under: personal | Tags: agency, food, friendship, graduation, life, new beginning, personal, perth, planner, reflect, Singapore Management University, smu, travel
Hello!
To kickstart my ‘new’ or rather, revamped blog, I thought I’d share what I’ve been up to this past month – so much has happened I don’t quite know where to begin!
Welcome to the REAL World
For one, I’ve officially graduated from Singapore Management University and our graduation ceremony was at…. the Resorts World Convention Centre! That’s right – right next to the mega casino!
Having worked for a year before the official graduation ceremony, I had initially thought I wouldn’t feel much for the big day, but it ended up being such a memorable day.
I realized how big a place my uni (especially the Communications faculty) has in my heart. Memories aside, I’ve learned so much through the unique SMU pedagogy and dedicated wise professors, some of whom have grown into friends/mentors.
It is my desire and hope that I can contribute back to the awesome Communications faculty in some way – any way. I pray that God will open a way.
Love my SMU besties!
My parents… who over the years have become my lifelong besties too!
My ‘favoritist’ prof who has seen me through both my achievements and silly mistakes, balancing between dispensing advice and giving me the space to fall and learn on my own. Thank God for caring profs!
A dear prof who has made a mark in my life. Always there at critical junctures to give caring and honest advice – what would I do, otherwise?
A dear friend I cherish much! Fellow explorer of new cuisines and an awesomely supportive friend.
Bitch buddeh! XOXO
Best bud of 9 yrs drove down after a looong day to take me out for dinner after the ceremony, thank you!
Golden shower of confetti, hope and dreams!
Beautiful Retreat
One night before the graduation ceremony, I had just flown in from… Perth! It was an amazing trip away from the hustle and bustle of the rat race, to gather the thoughts and re-focus on God. Most of all, in the quiet of the night, I realized I’d been chasing my own tail for a while, trying to be someone else I wasn’t. Hence the new beginnings which I’ll elaborate on in the next para! For now, some pictures from Perth!
And life goes on..
Sweet delights to keep you warm!
Reconnecting with one of my primary school besties – she’s grown into such an amazing lady! Pretty, sweet, bright, and matured – so glad we reconnected!
Feeding is therapeutic… (Yes, I mean that metaphorically as well!)
Sinful melt in the mouth ice cream from Margaret River Chocolate Factory!
New Beginnings
I remember a breakfast chat I once had with my very first boss in my entire career (who has left a mark in my life, for sure). Then I hadn’t given it that much thought but on hindsight, to date – he’s probably the boss who knew me the best. Among other things, we started discussing about his observations of me. I had a ‘smell’ for insights, analysis, opportunities, trends and patterns, I remember him sharing, and I cherished people and relationships, but at the same time, I was more of a thinking and observing kind of person, rather than the whole nine yards, out there kind of person.
Thinking back, he was pretty damn spot on.
Which explains my move in a ‘new’ direction, career-wise. Why the parantheses with the word, ‘new’? Because it’s not completely new in the sense that I’ve always known I wanted to pursue it at some point and yet, I’ve always told myself that I needed more experience in other aspects of communications like servicing, before pursuing it.
Alas, there are many routes to the same destination.
Hence, from a servicing role in TBWA\, I’ve moved to another established global agency I am honored to be part of, to train towards becoming a planner – the thinkers behind communications/media campaigns. Thank God for the opportunity!
What to Expect from this Blog?
Moving forward, personal sharings aside, I’ll be exploring interesting articles or experiences that come my way, not solely from the perspective of advertising anymore, but from a broader examination of media channels on the whole. After all, the industry is gradually moving towards integration, so perhaps it’s time we all took a step back to observe everything from broader perspectives.
Final Tribute
Last but not least – I’ve realized especially during my retreat to Perth how blessed I am in many ways, so I’m ending this maiden entry with a final tribute to a great God who has ceaselessly protected me through a pretty crazy life. Thank You so much. Thank You.
Ok, it’s 318AM! How time flies, which means it’s time to grab some sleep! Nights everybody!
Filed under: personal
Hello my dear readers,
Yes – you’re at the right blog, don’t worry! And no – you haven’t bookmarked the wrong blog. Neither has your internet browser gone wonky. So where the hell have all my previous posts gone to? ‘Ctrl Alt Delete’… zap, all gone!
I deleted them. That’s what happened.
Why in the world did I do that?
Because it’s time to clear the mind and allow new beginnings to gush in.
Afterall, like a wise American writer and businessman, David Wienbaum, once said,
The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings.
More posts to come, I promise! I love this space too much, which means… this blog won’t be ‘brand new’ for long!
Cheers,
Mariko
