IDEAS EXPO’s CREATIVITY video shoot

I’d like to believe Ideas Expo is one organisation that strives to encourage creativity in Botswana. I got a chance to hang out with them on Saturday at Thapong Visual  Art Studios. This is where they were shooting a video on “Creativity” to build momentum for their upcoming conference.

It was really fun, I go to meet a lot of interesting people in the creatives’ sector, I embarrassed myself in the videos, and I saw a lot of superb art pieces. Thapong, perfect location for such an event! Well, the plan was just to get different young people who are in some way contributing towards building creativity in Botswana and get them to talk about “Creativity in Botswana”. We had a writer, a social media guru, a dancer/theatre person, a video developer, etc. And all these people are our very own countrymen. I got to represent the bloggers. Not very confident about what I said but I’m confident the video guy will remove my most embarrassing takes. I’m more of a behind-the-scenes type of girl. Anyway we’ll see.

One thing that puzzles me, and I’m sure puzzles you too, is why would they choose me? I mean I’m just a lil ol blogger. All I did was take my love for advertising and share it with the world (or country, since the following is yet to increase). I love this saying, “everyone can make a difference, no matter how small a role you play”. To me being creative is about letting your mind loose and not being afraid of what people might say. Ok I’m lying, I AM afraid that people might slay me for writing about their adverts, or criticize me for writing a crappy review, but I still do it anyway...Why? Because those are my thoughts and I can’t help but be me!

All I’m saying is don’t be afraid of being you. No matter how weird, abnormal, or unconventional you and they rest of the country may think your idea is. So you like to go around collecting rubbish and building stuff with it, so you are a guy who loves to wear tights and twirl around in circles to the rhythm of the samba, so you love to spend the whole day in your room cutting up adverts from the magazines and sticking them in your scrapbook.

Yes i understand that life is tough and you've got to pay the bills. Put on that suite and go sign a bunch of boring documents at that Bank, Govt office or insuarance company. But dont let your creative side die. Be you. Be different. Be creative.

Ba tlaa bua, ba tlaa lapa! Thats one thing IDEAS EXPO taught me.

 

This is a link to more photos in the IDEAS EXPO facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.483000178393200.130404.213076915385529&type=3

Ideas Expo 2012 Conference

DATE: 21- 22 July 2012

FEE: P500 for both days
        P300 student price

VENUE: University of Botswana, Faculty of Business

For more info: Call 72444416, visit IdeasExpo facebook page, & follow them on twitter @IdeasExpoBW

ATTENTION GRABBER!

Along Old Lobatse Rd

I would like to commend this company for going out of their way to stand out. I don’t know who these people are but I think they deserve an award of some sort. I heard President Ian is giving out awards for excellence. Well Mr President, these are your people.

 

 

If you live in Gaborone and you haven’t already seen this setup it means you haven’t used that old Lobatse road in a month or so. Its not hard to miss. This is obviously an events and decor company that decided to use alternative ways of gaining recognition. Your conventional radio and newspaper adverts are so expensive that small companies like this one just cannot afford. So everyday, these people wake up early in the morning to setup the most fabulously decorated tables in a place that everybody might see. The street! Now who else has thought of that?! 

 

 

In advertising you have to go against the norm. Go out of your way to be different because all the attention goes to “different”. Almost everytime I pass by, someone in the taxi has to say something about that setup. They have to, kana you’ll be sitting there in the car at the traffic lights waiting for the green light. You have no choice but to look. Most talk about how beautiful the setup is, some just wonder if the events company isn’t afraid their stuff will get stolen. I just tell them, do you see that airtime and sweets lady sitting over there? she’s guarding these things. They definitely have security measures in place. They probably paying her like P100 per month. You see, simple ideas can save you a lot of costs, and gain you a lot of recognition, and customers!

GO random-events-and-decor-company-that’s-not-so-random-anymore GO!! You guys are doing a great job.

But I suggest you get a sign that has you company name and number so its easier for people to call in and stuff.

My Star: Publicity Stunt or is Sid going Loco

Botswana’s local music show My Star has been in everybody’s lips these past few weeks thanks to one of its judges, SID. First of all Sid has always been the centre of attraction when it comes to My Star shows. The talent has not been that...enticing. From the beginning, when the show was still called “Pop Star” Sid was regarded as the “Simon” of the show. He terrified contestants and shocked the audience with his comments and even made others cry. He kept everybody on their toes. Yes, the show was not to write home about, but it was a local show and we loved it. Gradually the show became boring, Sid lost his touch, he started saying nice things, he started smiling, and therefore people started losing interest. The show adopted its new identity- “Botswana’s local comedy show”.

Now it seems they have found a new way of gaining back that attention: Publicity Stunt! This is a planned event/situation designed to attract the public's attention to the event's organizers or their cause. A few weeks ago Sid came into the show with one long pinky nail painted in bright red. When I first saw it I was taken aback a little. Started thinking is Sid trying to make some kind of fashion statement that im not aware of? The following week he had painted 3 of his nails different colours (Heedu! di smarties). This time me and im sure everyone who was watching that show that day could not dzeal!  The only logical thing to do then was to call other people to come watch the show with you.  At that point I started thinking, is this niggar trying to “come out” on the show? Is he having a midlife crisis?! What the hell is going on?!! I went straight to tweeter only to find out that the topic is SID SID SID #MyStar, #ComedyShow. The following day at the office the topic is My Star. But what I did not know was this was only the beginning! The Sundays after that one have been nothing but an adventure. Now those who dont normally watch the show set their clocks to Sunday 6:30!  Even the audience that we see on TV has doubled!

A lot has been said about this sudden change of appearance. This is what some people had to say about it on twitter,

Someone from Lapologa Mag- “Its official! Mascom has found a comedic way 4people to pay attention to its brand #mystar. And its working. Hope they paying Sid alotta $$”

One of our local hip hop artists- “@SidFmStation just Gaga'd Botswana's audience, provoking a response with what seems to be a social psychology experiment *grabs popcorn*”

Fellow tweeple- “ #Deathby Nigerian-Magician @SidFmStation hahaha... #MyStar”

Asked to comment, this is what Sid had to say about his new look- “@ChawaShoe it was not inspired by anything in particular, I just found myself doing it...”

But what does that say about the show? Most people regard it as an outrage and should not be entertained. But some people (like me) think its a great attempt to gain the much needed attention for the show. However I also believe this is very bad for Sid’s own reputation (But thata story for another day). We will never know if this was planned by the producers of the show, or if the sponsors (Mascom) approved it, because those behind these stunts never reveal the truth. It has become an international trend for celebrities to create negative publicity stunts to attract attention. E.g. Janet Jackson and her boob, Kim Kardashian, Miley Syrus, Paris Hilton sex tapes e.t.c.

Yes more people will watch the show, but how many will actually vote? That’s the question! Well let me tell you a story about my experience. I have two friends. They both HATE My Star. With a passion. But ever since these escapades have been happening they have been watching the show religiously. Mind you, they only watched to see Sid. Now they both have favourites among the singers in the show. And yesterday one of them voted. Twice! Now isn’t that two more votes gained by the show? I rest my case.

The Making Of Guardian TV Ad

I recently got to be part of a team from Pristine Mag (local online magazine) who were invited to see the making of Botswana Guardian TV advert. And me being the advert finatic that i am could not wait! Ne ke segetswe kafa lefureng, as some would say.

Spent the whole day with the crew, asked questions, took a few photographs as you can see. I even wrote bout my experience, you can check it out here----->>  http://pristinemag.com/the-making-of-botswana-guardian-newspaper-tv-advert 

Now im waiting for the final cut advert to show on TV so i can write a review on it. Because i know how you guys just love my reviews. :) Watch this space!!