May 21, 2008

Rice Plastic Chopsticks

In America, we make pens and coffe mugs from corn plastic, while in Japan, the eco-friendlly products craze has manifested itself in the form of rice plastic chopsticks. The reusable chopsticks are 35% rice (which is specifically "unusuable" rice due to expiration or damage), and they make a great alternative to using disposable chopsticks all the time. (via Trends in Japan)

Posted by mark at 10:44 AM. Permalink: Rice Plastic Chopsticks | Comments (0)

May 7, 2008

The Icevertising Cometh

It seems like only yesterday that someone invented foamvertising using modified snow blowing machines, and now the new icevertising age is about to begin. Below is a new device that can make perfectly spherical ice cubes without time-consuming manual chipping. Basically, you can take a regular ice cube, put it in the mold and it melts into a perfect sphere, or soon I imagine, an icy logo. The machine exists because in Japan, serious connoisseurs of drinks on the rocks prefer spheres because, having less surface area, they melt more slowly.

More info at Trends in Japan, where they said this: "Contrary to what you might think, bartenders in Japan consistently take home top honors at global competitions, not because of their flashy antics or strange new concoctions but because there is an intense devotion to making simply the best drink, of which perfect ice is an obvious component."

Posted by mark at 3:38 PM. Permalink: The Icevertising Cometh | Comments (0)

March 3, 2008

Pepsi Bearbrick Promotion

I'm not sure what bearbricks are exactly, but I know they're popular in Japan and probably other places, and that they're some kind of little toy figurines that look like bears. I also know that Pepsi is using them as a giveaway in Japan. And they're cute.

Posted by mark at 2:24 PM. Permalink: Pepsi Bearbrick Promotion | Comments (0)

February 29, 2008

Next Stop: Logo Pickles!

Square watermelons? Old news. Heart-shaped cucumbers? Now that's noteworthy! Because, like me, you surely must know more, they are apparently grown by a co-op of nine women in Chiba, which is a Japanese prefecture just outside of Tokyo where my grandma lives. And, while square watermelons are practical (they can be boxed and shipped more easily than round ones), these are better because they're just more fun. Logo pickles can't be that far off. (via Trends in Japan)

Posted by mark at 9:17 AM. Permalink: Next Stop: Logo Pickles! | Comments (0)

December 20, 2007

More Urban Camouflage

Here's another entry into our urban camouflage series. This awesome backpack folds out to turn an average schoolchild into a fire extinguisher box. This would actually be a cool backpack even if you weren't a kid and weren't afraid of criminals.

Posted by mark at 8:47 AM. Permalink: More Urban Camouflage | Comments (0)

December 15, 2007

Giant Plastic Tongue Promo

There's nothing like a giant plastic tongue promotion to generate brand awareness for a new toothbrush with integrated tongue brush. The train stations of Tokyo have served as a testing ground for other unique promotions in the past as well. (via Trends in Japan)

Posted by mark at 11:27 AM. Permalink: Giant Plastic Tongue Promo | Comments (0)

November 18, 2007

Human Vending Machine

As a follow up on the urban camouflage clothing that allows you to transform into a vending machine when faced with danger, here's a human vending machine promotion, also from Japan. The perfect thing to go along with your tissue giveaways and giant daikon outfit!

Posted by mark at 5:25 PM. Permalink: Human Vending Machine | Comments (0)

January 17, 2007

Tissue Giveaways: Japan's Top Promotional Product

If you've never been to Japan, you probably wouldn't guess that promotional tissues are far and away the most popular promotional product in the land of the rising sun. In all my years of living in the US (32 if you're counting, I am not) I don't think I've ever been given a packet of promotional tissues. In Tokyo, you'd be hard pressed to make the same statement after about five minutes. Why? I can't tell you, because I don't know. I can tell you this: as much as I love America, we are the ones missing the boat when it comes to free tissues. Think about it next time you enter a store or come out of a subway station: Would it be better if there was someone there handing you a free pack of tissues? Still not convinced? What if that someone was Santa?

Posted by mark at 8:59 PM. Permalink: Tissue Giveaways: Japan's Top Promotional Product | Comments (0)

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