MIDDLE EAST
40 THE BLOTTER
23 November 2008
HAPPY TO OBLIGE YOU’D BETTER NOT POUT, I’M TELLING YOU… OH
In this week’s issue, you’ll be
Quality
From our international spotter:
well aware, we address the A lack of snow and log-fires may drrain the Christmas chtmas cheereer
issue of whether the doom- from anyone, but surely Australians caan’t be son’t be so
laden tales of global financial bereft of festive inspiration that they deserveserve
meltdown might not be just this woeful press release? “Out of ideas fas for last
the thing to provide regional minute gifts? WD-40 can fix that,” gushes theshes the
journos with an excuse to up title. “This Christmas why not choose the giftthe gift
their game (p10). The COO that keeps on giving, WD-40 the multipur-pur-
of Lowe, Ricardo Ruecker, pose lubricant trusted by professionalsls
tells us that a publication’s worldwide.”
success—in terms of ad Pity the poor antipodeans. While thehe
sales—depends on “reach northern hemisphere feasts on roast
and quality content”. turkey and flaming plum pudding
Media Week, you’ll be by a twinkling fir tree, those far to
disturbed to hear, is a niche the south get a backpacker-infested
publication. Apparently your beach, some raw prawns, and “a can ofof
average Joe isn’t impatiently WD-40... the perfect solution for any emptyempty
awaiting news of ROI and
Christmas stocking.”
CPMs with bated breath on the broadsheets and lifestyle deliver. With a little help from
a Sunday morning, so it’s mags on reach. our friends. And so without
hard for us to compete with But quality? That we can further ado… SLOPPY COPY
Online recruitment service AllArabia is, it’s promotional blurb
informs us, “the largest in the Middle East because we proved to be
different!” Tremendous.
YOU’D BETTER WATCH OUT, YOU’D BETTER NOT… OH
Just how different is illustrated by this image, sent out in an email
The most heartless email subject line we’ve ever seen crossed our inboxes last week. Those with easily
shot recently. Clever, creative, cool. Certainly not what you’d expect.
melted hearts should look away now.
“CANCELLED—Christmas for Children with Special Needs at Al Noor”
The story behind it is even more heartbreaking, if that’s possible. Volunteer in Dubai had set up a
Xmas time treat for the kids at Al Noor Centre for Children with Special Needs, which—according to Vol-
unteer in Dubai leader Lola—has now been spiked due to “unreasonable demands made by the centre,
and an impossible and unfair ultimatum…”
Not the best brand message for the festive season
COMMUNICATIONS CLICHÉ CORNER
Sadly, though, they’re someone else’s creativity, cleverness and
cool. Specifically a German online recruitment company called
jobsintown.de. The cunning stunt was completed with some subtle
Photoshopping of the AllArabia logo. See?
Stupid, eh? What kind of regional professional is going to be at-
tracted by a company that rips off other people’s creative ideas with
some amateurish image tampering?
QUIZ WEEK
You’ll see most of these logos
on any given day. Hands up
who gets nine for nine.
en Davidson, Heinek y e e, Harl s, Googl other arner Br er, Canon, W v e d, Unil er Car t s: Michelin, Siemens, Mas er Answ
www.mediaweekme.com
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