ongoing baby trend

This is actually just an update on something I mentioned a while ago. I wrote about a little tag that train lines were giving out to pregnant women so that they could subtly make others aware of their pregnancy and maybe be offered a seat. PingMag have now done a piece that goes into a bit more into detail. The above images, taken from PingMag’s post, are a couple of the designs that were also submitted to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for the project. And in case you forgot, the chosen design looks like this:

betsy lyons: the sequel

She’s back! In a great action packed sequel ad. For those who are not familiar with Betsy, see previous post  here.

For those who know all about armpit-sniffing Betsy go here (stage6.divx.com).

sweet campaign

Any guesses what this bizarre ad campaign involving a 5 ft, vertical, bleached slug-type alien, and his two more humanoid and mustached daughters, is about?

Yes! You’re absolutely right. Couldn’t have been more obvious. This is a campaign for Treha (or trehalose), a sweetener derived from fungi. This image was taken from www.treha.jp and if look at the background, there are images of foods that contain Treha.

I know that I am missing the big point somewhere, but I have no idea why Treha chose this to promote a sweetener, or why they look like that (the mustache and monobrow thing…). But the whole campaign is definitely amusing.

If you go to the web site, a little ufo flies across the screen, and if you click the ufo you are asked “Do you like Treha?” Try clicking “no.”

The web site gives information on trehalose and showcases the TV ads for Treha (hit “CM” button, second from the left at the bottom of the page), which involve the alien father (slug-type) and his two daughters explaining the sweetener to humans during different situations.

Very weird, especially as I think this is not a product that ordinary consumers can just go out and buy, but rather something found in other products.

extending the nutty pink tentacle

These images were taken from www.arigatou3.com, which was blogged by the Pink Tentacle (via Japan Gizmodo), who is possible the best blogger on odd Japanese techy stuff I’ve ever seen.

So I can’t take any credit for this really, please go the Pink Tentacle for more detailed info. Just going to say that they are laser-engraved edible “meishi” or business cards, and that I just had to mention them. Oh and that you should probably RSS Pink Tentacle…

uniqlo’s great robotic distraction

Saw this on Octopus dropkick (octopusdropkick.net) and just had to share! The dancing is so good it totally distracts from the fact the clothing is not so great. It’s just impossible not to watch it at least three times on the trot!

For more Uniqlomixer stuff and auditions for the current uniqlock campaign go here uniqlomixer or here www.uniqlo.jp/uniqlock

Gonna watch it again and find someone else to tell…

freebies, well almost

Samplelab! in Jingumae, Tokyo, (images from samplelab.jp) is the brainchild of the marketing and promotional company Mel Posunetto.
It’s not open yet, so I haven’t had a chance to check it out, but it appears to be an event space that will showcase new products and offer free samples to the public, while collecting consumer marketing information. The web site says it will include electrical goods, cosmetics, food and drink products plus mail-order goods.

People will probably have to fill out questionnaires while there and it costs 300 yen to register plus 1000 yen a year for membership — so it’s not exactly free, but then people who like to shop must have money…

my hashi, my heart

“My Hashi, My Heart” (www.my-hashi.jp — where these images have been taken from) is a campaign to encourage people to carry their own chopsticks instead of using the free unenvironmentally friendly waribashi (disposable chopsticks) that are given at convenience stores and restaurants.

The chopsticks they sell come in 30 different “traditional Japanese” colors and can be bought individually (you don’t have to have a matching pair and you can replace one if it gets lost or broken). They already have various Japanese celebrities endorsing them and they are now being sold in Natural Lawson near the bento boxes and lunch foods.

marathon blog 10, to T or not to T

It took me a while, but I finally made it to Uniqlo’s UT store, the revamped Harajuku branch. All T-shirts are sold in plastic tubs and designs are displayed on racks inside the store. It looks cool, but to be honest, I only found one T-shirt that I actually liked out of the hundreds there. And, someone has to say it, I guess they weren’t thinking of being particularly environmentally friendly…

marathon blog 9, shampoo service?

This a screenshot from www.tonic-air.jp, which is a novel way of advertising Sunstar tonic shampoo.

The site takes you on a virtual business-class flight, where a pretty flight attendant offers you a “shampoo” service. Choose one of three shampoos, then she leans over and scrubs you head. When she’s done, she gets you a towel to dry off.

The virtual flight also has a inflight movie, safety instructions, etc., each of which humorously gives you some information about Sunstar tonic.

marathon blog 2, real super heroes

Quite a while ago, there was an emergency services parade in Tokyo. Reminded me of the Prince Pickles affair. But these ones look less like they are on acid.