Japan has much to teach me ... patience, commitment, the benefits of working within the "process". This is never more apparent than when I'm trying to convince a client to warm up to social media. Most of our clients are market leaders, churning out some of the world's most innovative technology, but when it comes to reaching out to and engaging their various publics they tend to be stuck back in the Cretaceous period.



Why is this? Well, much of it has to do with the structure of… Continue

Hit the Smartphone Showdown last night. Good food, big crowd. Some interesting insights from the panelists, all of whom are iPhone converts. Nothing resolved definitively, but plenty of ideas and opinions raised.



I provide public relations support to docomo and a few other companies in the mobile sector, and one of our team's pet peeves is the term "smartphone" -- Japan's garakei may not be the iPhone, but they're certainly not "dumb". Is there a sell-by date on the term, as Steve… Continue

Mr Cheeky: Say "Cheese!" Perfect!



Mr Suzuki: Anoo ... Do I know you?



Cheeky: Actually, we've just met. Can you hold on a sec? Didja get it yet, Muscle?



The Muscle: Yep. Processing application as we speak ... awaiting confirmation from Trademarks ...



Suzuki: Umm ... sorry to bother you, but ...



The Muscle: Confirmed! Who're we selling this one to?



Cheeky: Dog Food Conglomerate No. 1. They're out of Guangzhou.



The… Continue