The Not-So-Secret Adidas Phone

Well, the problem with Top Secret is that it always ends up as an oxymoron. First of all, by claiming it’s Top Secret, you create an air of excitement, which would - sooner or later - make someone squeal.

A good example would be the Adidas phone. Honestly, this is a very good concept. If you’re sporty and a techie combined, this phone would really rock your world. It’s an Adidas and a Samsung combined. Now, you may have some reservations about the quality or whatnot of these 2 giants, but hey - they were first. Unless of course, if Nike just does it before them, or worse, better.

Yes, the World Wide Web is full of shit, hoax, and my all-time favorite, scandals. And so, unless if you are gullible, you’d rather get a better source for this so-called plan aside from Google. And so, lo and behold, I got a confirmation from one of Samsung Philippines’ top honcho. He/she informed me about it. I really didn’t ask about it, because like duh, I’m not gonna buy one. But since he/she is just so giddy over the concept, he/she just had to blurt it out. With matching kindat, he/she not only authenticated the rumors, he/she even preempted the activities revolving around the launch.

So do you wanna know something Top Secret? Impossible is nothing if everyone’s invited.

The Rise and Fall of Chikka

Chikka almost had it big. Operating as the first-ever SMS-capable messenger system, it had a solid base of almost 90-milliom tetx-crazy Filipinos as its foundation. However, due to the ups and downs of being in the dynamic world of competition, Chikka has lost its first attempt to really make it big. Remember the IPO talks? After all the buzz, what in the world happened, huh? The question is, will there really be a rebound?

Sure, Chikka has still grown. More downloads, more versions, more traffic. (And oh, the Web 2.0 messenger bit is also fun, but I don’t think it’s working. And uhm, iPods galore? I’m not too fond with the ways Chikka execute contests and raffles. Hehehe. ~ updated 06 June 2008)  Unfortunately though, competition has become more intense that the single-identifying characteristic about Chikka is now a part of many bigger websites such as Yahoo! Don’t forget local telcos who took a big chunk out of the need to use Chikka with the introduction of Sun Cellualr and its unlimimted texting scheme. Spawning copycats such as Globe’s Unlimitxt (now Unlitxt), people are now less affected with having to spend 1 peso per text just to keep in touch.

Moreover, why would anyone even want to use Chikka now especially when it has 2 of the worst business models ever in the eyes of the consumer?

1. Maximum SMS per day – Like duh? Sun, Globe, and Smart are almost giving SMS for free nowadays (compared to yesteryears) and you guys still think people are gonna stand up to your SMS limits?
2. The Hidden Charges – Yeah, yeah. It’s not the user who actually pays for it but theb sucker who texted right back to the Chikka message bearing the company’s scheming revenue-generating codes. Can you imagine how many people got pissed off when they found out they ran out of load thanks to Chikka? I’ve had my own share and believe me, they really thought of Chikka as evil.

I think right now, Chikka has no choice but to overhaul their business model. Sooner or later, they’re gonna feel the blow. They have to strart reinventing before it is too late. No questions asked, they have to offer SMS for free. Now how do they earn if they have to say goodbye to that generous P2.50 per SMS charge?

I have some nifty ideas, but I won’t squeal. With all the millions Chikka, or should I say Dennis Mendiola (Wow! I never expected this to happen but it seems tides have changed within Chikka as reported last 04 June 2008 by the Philippine Star regarding the removal of Dennis Mendiola as CEO (read as fired!?) ~ updated 06 June 2008), has earned ever since it launched its very unstable version way back in early 2000, I bet they can afford to hire an expert marketing man to come join their force and save the day!

Is it still Chikka country? Fortunately or unfortunately, it is still a yes, for now.

Tradeport? Who cares?

If you’re still one of those guys who love reading magazine ads even though some are just a load of crap, you would have noticed those really pointless Tradeport ads. Nevermind that the trade name “Tradeport” so lacks creativity or how they seem to lack insight regarding how to properly make an e-commerce site, especially one catered to Filipinos.

What I am really flustered about is the fact that these guys seem to be okay with wasting money with every print ad they send out. I don’t know. Maybe they think a bit of witticism would get them somewhere, but honestly it does not. You guys are so far from the likes of IslandRose.net or even SureSeats.com. Sure, SureSeats.com has an unfair advantage because it is in cahoots with the Ayala-clan, but still, they are really, honestly better than you guys! Cut down on your choices and offer a specific range of products. Offer Filipinos something you guys can only offer. This is the same why more focused e-commerce sites like SureSeats.com and Load.com.ph will undoubtedly survive.

As for the print ads, try something less tacky or corny. Use texts or a more direct-to-the-point explanation of what Tradeport is and what it can do for you. Don’t use comparisons especially not with a brick-and-mortar store. I know you are trying to emphasize convenience, but dude, we are not Americans. We’d rather walk the hundred miles just to save a small amout of money out of a shoe purchase or something. This is for the same reason I will never approve the proposal of those 3 lame e-commerce sites who would like to sell the products I’m handling on-line. Remove the 10% additional charge for shipping/handling. Convenience, my ass. The World Wide Web may be a continuous dimension, but you’re still in the Philippines, so better understand the local flavor, brother!

Or why not try the Yehey! approach. I bet we all agree that Yehey!, if not already dead, is already past its prime. But how come its traffic is still commendable for a website no one really uses anymore? Well, aside from the sneaky tactic of forming an alliance with smaller websites (but with more supportive core users), Yehey! has used a very simple advertising campaign of just reminding people of its URL. It doesn’t tell people what the site is all about, but it does inform you that it is a website, which is the very underlying strategy most websites should have. Take people on-line first. If you don’t get them on-line, there’s no point asking them for something more. Now, don’t tell me Yehey! can just do something simple like that because it is already established, because honestly, they are not. Ask some not-so techie guy and chances are they don’t know this website ever existed.

But then again, these tips are not enough to guarantee your site 100% success. I have 2 more observations that I would never discuss on-line because I will use those valuable resources for my own benefit. Sooner or later, I will be launching my own e-commerce site. And by far, I believe even after a year from now, that e-commerce site would still have arrived just in time.

Pocari What?

I watched the last full screening for Ratatouille at Greenbelt 3 last Monday to relieve some stress from work. I expected a rat. Then, I got this:

Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat.

Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat.

Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat. Pocari Sweat.

Fuckers. This is one of the reasons I hate advertising. Cutesy stuff. Ineffective. People from Otsuka, better get a refund. Unless, of course, if that ad was totally the marketing department’s mindbreaking idea.