Creativity is just the beginning

IBM has recently launched this commercial. The statement IBM is trying to make sends out a tough message to the creative community, clearly distinguishing creativity from innovation. As Tom Peters puts it: "Creativity is the thinking, Innovation is the doing".

Around 2 weeks ago, I blogged about the first session of ArtistWantit, A student project which aims to empower artists to make a living out of their art. The first session tackled Business in Art. Allow me to play with words and turn the title round so as to read "Art in Business".

If the business community is in great need of innovation, and the artist is full of ideas (or rather 'ideating'), isn't the bridge clear?! Artists and Entrepreneurs should join forces on the doing and there you have it...innovation!

Females are outnumbering us online!

It is an accepted fact that our University produces more female graduates than male. It seems, the female majority is also being reflected online. According to eMarketer females make up 51.8% of the US population.

I was curious enough about this statistical snippet that I had to double check it with the local Facebook community. In fact, excluding users who failed to specify their gender details, 52% of users who joined the Malta network so far are female.

A week in print: Press Digest #2

Following the election period, brands got back to work and some which had been absent during election week, started shouting for attention once again. The following post reviews some of the brands featured in the local print and online press.

Dhalia shouted the most this Sunday:
The Great Dhalia Sale featured prominently in the press today. Apart from a full page ad on Classified and other prominent colour ads., Dhalia also distributed a promotional catalogue and launched a dedicated micro-site. BOV is also offering a home loan package for Dhalia’s Great Sale.

Out this week:

The Economic Update
This issue of the Malta Economic Update also included a Property Guide featuring brands such a Tigne Point, Remax, Middle Sea in its advert pages.

Pink
We believe this issue was honored with being the first local publication to feature a Tommy Hilfiger advert for the new store at Baystreet.

Flair
The 14th issue is as colourful as all the previous ones. We got to know about this online store (www.prestigeinteriors.com.mt) from a small coloumn ad. on this magazine:



Others:
Benetton Promotional Magazine, Alfa 147 Ducati Corse Flyer, The Dhalia Sale Catalogue

Coming Soon:
Home Interiors Supplement, 9th April (The Times)

Tommy Hilfiger: 1st ever print ad. in Malta

On Saturday, Pink Magazine featured what is probably the first ever print ad. of the Tommy Hilfiger brand in Malta. We initially thought this should go into the weekly press digest but then again it deserves a blab of its own! Below is the behind the scenes of the shoot.



source: tommy.com

Okaidi open Sliema outlet

This week, clothing brand Okaidi opened its Sliema retail store (behind Magic Kiosk). The opening was also complemented with front page ads on the daily and Sunday newspapers.

onmydesk.com

(personal blab):

Lately I've been wondering what I can do to make my desk (and work space) inspiring and motivational. I will be thinking hard about this over the weekend. In the meantime, you may get an idea of what can be found on the desks of other creatives, designers and artists. Feel free to send photos of your desks/work space.

Press Digest #1

Since BLAB is about media and marketing, one would expect BLAB's own press digest to focus on nothing but the brands that make up the local market! We hope you'll find this digest useful.

Brands that shouted the most this Sunday:
Celebrating its 80th Anniversary, Gasan's automotive brand occupied the front inside full page of today's Sunday Times. Other full-page ads. in this newspaper included Sound Machine and U-BET's Programme. Automotive Brands who opted for a full-page also include BMW, SEAT and Citroen. eWorld and KLIKK both occupied a full-page in The Malta Independent IT Supplement.

Front page ads. featured the Miss Selfridge Mid-Season Sale (Sunday Times), Fino's March Living Room Event (Malta Independent), Credit Europe Bank (MaltaToday and Il-Mument) and HSBC's Home loan ad. (Classified)

Atlas Insurance, Sanex Products, BOV Personal Banking and Home loan occupied the back-page of MaltaToday, Malta Independent, Sunday Times and Classified respectively.

HSBC's Yachting Financing & Leasing advert occupying an innovative 'L-Shape' space definately deserves a BLAB.

Most prominent online banners this Sunday included The Coca-Cola - Idea Casa DreamHome Competition (Maltastar & Di-ve), Credit Europe Bank & AirMalta (TimesofMalta.com), JMFS (Maltarightnow.com).

Brands that got a mention:


CCDK's new fashion collection featured in today's papers in relation to next Tuesday's open-day at TheFashionHouse in Fgura. The open day will also offer free hair, make-up and nail art.

In retail, Tommy Hilfiger announced its first store in Malta. The store will join the long list of international brands and Baystreet Shopping Complex in St. Julian's.

From the branding world, TurqouiseBranding and ANG won Benchmarks Best Telecommunications Brand Award for GO's re-branding exercise.

The Fiat500 is not the only automotive brand to get a mention in this Sunday's motoring sections, yet we particularly like the Fiat500 Optical Mouse, won by 10 lucky attendees at the Fiat500 launch.



Out Today
First Magazine (Malta Independent on Sunday)
FM Magazine (Times of Malta)
Solaris and Bernard's Real Estate Promotional Magazines

Coming Soon
Below are the publication dates of some local magazines:
Pink Magazine, 22nd March (Times of Malta)
Weddings Supplement, 30th March (Sunday Times)
Flair Magazine, 23rd March; and Manic Magazine, 6 April (Malta Independent on Sunday).