International

Is The Ubiquitous "Keep Calm" A Meme Or A Moan?

by Ron Callari

Ever wonder why the World War II British slogan "Keep Calm and Carry On" has surfaced some 70 years later to become today's most ubiquitous meme? Not only has the Internet been cyberventillating variations on the theme online for over a year now, one can find t-shirts and other memorabilia easily accessible for purchase in the real world.

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“Face-Kini” Full Body Bathing Suits Flaunted by Fashionable Chinese Swimmers

by China.new

If Borat's cringe-worthy Man-kini is a perfect example of less being more, than its polar opposite, the “Face-Kini”, must mean more is less. First seen on the beaches of Qingdao in northeastern China, the full-body facehugging suits seem to be catching on among women who seek to preserve their pale skin from the tanning sun.

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Life Light: An Eco-Friendly Lifesaver, Buoy & Emergency Light Concept

by China.new

The “Life Light” is a combination lifesaver ring, marker buoy and emergency light that's powered with renewable energy and a built-in battery. When the sun – and a swimmer in trouble – goes down, the Life Light's LED light goes on, alerting rescuers to its presence.

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From "Shock 'N Awe" to "I Was Here," World Humanitarian Day Evolves

From 9/11 to Shock'N Awe to "I Was Here," World Humanitarian Day Evolves

by Ron Callari

World Humanitarian Day set annually for August 19th was originally designated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who had lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. It's origin was a direct result of a massive bombing attack of Iraq by America and its allies, escalating on March 21, 2003. Known in military parlance as "Shock 'n Awe," and taken from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" (544-496 BC), it's a military doctrine based on the use of overwhelming power to paralyze an adversary's perception of the battlefield and destroy its will to fight back.

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"Wannabe" Movie Debuts On Facebook vs Theaters Starring Academy Award Winner Octavia Spencer?

by Ron Callari

"Wannabe" is a comedy film starring Craig Robert Young, Octavia Spencer, Matt Dallas, Tate Taylor, Adam Huss, written by Craig Robert Young and Richard Keith and directed by Richard Keith. It's being promoted as one of the only films to be released on Facebook. However, while that may be true, if one was to research the movie on the Internet, it is evident this flick was first produced back in 2005?

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The World's Mucho Grande Tweet Flies The Amistoso Cielo

by Ron Callari

Yes, tweets are known for their brevity. 140 characters or less is the constraint Twitter imposes on the Twitterati's bon mots. However if you look closely at their terms of service, they've never restricted the actual size of a tweet, nor how far it could be thrust into space. And this summer, Iberia Airlines has used those loopholes to not only issue the world's biggest tweet but also to show to the world, the skies the limit as to how far a tweet can go.

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Levitating Light Bulb Combines Two Technologies And Works!

by Myra Per-Lee

A 19-year old electrical engineering student at the University of Queensland in Australia has created a levitating light bulb that is not an optical illusion. While it may not look too sexy in this photo, just wait until you see these LevLights floating around your ceiling in designer glass shades.

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Social Media Presence XeeMe.com Presents Life Across All Networks

Social Media Presence Technology XeeMe.com Presents Life Across All Networks

by Ron Callari

XeeMe (pronounced "see me") in its simplest form is an aggregator of one's social networks. The service is an offshoot of Society3, a social media technology and service provider founded by serial entrepreneur Axel Schultze. As a social media solution, XeeMe helps brands and highly connected individuals to organize their social presence while they grow their networks and influence.

Toyota “Spade” Minivan Displays Racy Styling, Insensitive Branding

by Steve Levenstein

Toyota has unconsciously played the race card in naming their new compact two-door minivan, a sporty variant of the Porte MPV called the “Spade”. If you think that's a tad over the line, join the club.

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Social Media Solutions For Casinos Is Better Bet Than Traditional Marketing

Social Media Solutions For Casinos Is A Better Bet Than Traditional Marketing

by Ron Callari

Casinos need to up their game when it comes to rolling the dice on social media's 4 R's - Reputation, Relationships, Recommendations & Reach. While a tad behind the curve, casinos are catching up with the hospitality industry at large with their management of social media initiatives. Today, there are platforms, tools and marketing techniques that can help create a customer experience that can distinguish a casino brand from the pack, while far exceeding traditional marketing results.

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Noodle-Brained Character Promotes Udon, is Japan's First Vegan Zombie

by Steve Levenstein

Got udon on the brain? So does “Udon No”, a really weird character whipped up by tourism promoters from Japan's Kagawa prefecture. The noodle-brained mascot's stated purpose is to ensure thoughts of delicious noodles are always on your mind.

Bumpy Bus Ride? Hold Onto Your Instant Ramen!

by China.new

A “tasteful” ad campaign by a Korean food manufacturer has Chinese commuters holding onto Nong Shim instant cup ramen whether they're hungry or not.

Canned Bacon: Tasty Treat for Today, Tomorrow, and the Day After Tomorrow

by Steve Levenstein

Bacon in a can? Can do! A Japanese food company brings us cooked, thick-cut bacon in convenient, sardine-style cans. Choose from Plain or Honey-Mustard, and buy 'em by the case for your apocalypse shelter and/or zombie fortress.

Lay's Potato Chips to Develop Snacks for the Chinese Market

by China.new

Think globally, eat locally – that's PepsiCo's plan for world potato chip domination in a nutshell. The next battleground is China, where plans are afoot to tailor the multinational corporation's flagship Lay's potato chip brand to better reflect Chinese tastes.

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Hamster Jeans Illustrate the Art of Wearing Expensive Pants

by Steve Levenstein

Is that a hamster on your pocket, or are you just happy to see me? Both, of course, because Hamster Jeans from Japan's Ito Manufacturing feature not one, but two of the cuddly critters painted over the back pockets.

2012 MINI Cooper China Olympic Special Edition is No Green Bean

by China.new

The London Olympics are about to roll and so is a new, special edition MINI Cooper! The 2012 MINI Cooper China Olympic Special Edition is, as you may have guessed, exclusive to China and features a unique gold running track graphic on its roof.

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McRib Gets a Reboot as Japanese Chain Rolls Out the “Ribusando”

by Steve Levenstein

McRib fans, get your appetites to Tokyo! McDonalds' iconic boneless barbecue pork sandwich makes the leap to competing fast food chain Lotteria, gaining lettuce & mayo along the way.

SONY's New Cassette Tapes, Redesigned for the Old Generation

by Steve Levenstein

Dust off that Walkman, Daddy-O! SONY's new series of cassette tapes sports larger text and wider labels designed to appeal to a whole old generation of music fans!

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Shark's Fin Soup to be Banished from Chinese Official Banquets

by China.new

No soup for you! Shark's Fin Soup, a traditional yet controversial Chinese delicacy, is to be phased out of official reception menus. The decision banning shark's fin announced by China's State Council is a long-awaited response to the rising tide of revulsion against conspicuous consumption of a threatened group of species.

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Train Window Smartphone Charger Stand from Genius Cell

by Steve Levenstein

Recreate the joys of a relaxing Japanese train trip while charging your iPhone 3GS/4/4S, Galaxy S/S II, or Xperia Arc smartphone! The Train Window Smartphone Charger Stand from Genius Cell offers a choice of three miniature recreations of real Japanese train compartments, with your smartphone's screen doubling as a picture window.