TASPO Sparks Radio Conversation with CScout

Written by: Michael Keferl on June 10, 2009 at 6:39 pm | In DIGITAL LIFE | No Comments

The last time I went on Spark, the CBC Radio show on “technology and culture”, we explored the world of QR Codes. This time, host Nora Young and I talk a bit about TASPO, RFID, and the contactless future of retail.

Unfortunately, Spark decided to edit out my anti-government comments in regards to registration of smokers, but you can’t expect much out of public radio in this regard. For the record, my opposition to government regulation in smoking life has been well documented.

You can listen live today (June 10th) at 10:30 am Toronto time, subscribe to the Spark podcast, or get the mp3 of this episode by visiting their blog. I come in around the 14min mark.

Tags: Press, Press coverage, RFID, Tobacco
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Japan Inc. November - Stars, Stamps, Smart Cards

Written by: Michael Keferl on November 8, 2008 at 10:15 pm | In DIGITAL LIFE | No Comments

The November issue of Japan Inc. is on the shelves, and once again we have our monthly column featuring a roundup of interesting tidbits from the Japanese market. Click below for more:

Tags: Japan Inc., Press
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Japanese Mobile Phone Publishing on ZDF

Written by: Michael Keferl on October 23, 2008 at 11:42 am | In DIGITAL LIFE | 3 Comments

With publishing being forced to enter the digital world, the sudden boom of mobile phone novels in Japan has inspired many in the industry around the globe. We’ve been following this for some time now, and what’s going on shows the power of mobile technology in Japan, but also a culture of creativity that is often overlooked.

German ZDF television recently visited Tokyo to do a piece, and CScout Japan CEO Sven Kilian was asked to give them the rundown on mobile phone publishing from manga to Koizora.

Click below to view online (German only).

Special thanks to Natsuko Kimura, Managing Director of the KDDI DESIGNING STUDIO for letting us shoot the interview in a very suitable location.

Tags: Koizora, Mobile, Mobile Novels, Press, Press coverage, Publishing, ZDF
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Japan Inc. October - Digital Signage, mobile concepts

Written by: Michael Keferl on October 17, 2008 at 10:24 am | In DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, MARKETING IDEAS | No Comments

In the latest issue of Japan Inc. CScout Japan highlights the latest from Japan in the realm of Digital Signage (see the Trendpool for full coverage and reports on this) and the latest concept phones coming out of the dynamic Japanese marketplace.

We already have next month in the pipeline, but feel free to contact us for more information on anything you read in Japan Inc. or on these pages.

Tags: design, Digital Signage, Japan Inc., Mobile, Press
Category: DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, MARKETING IDEAS
Other categories: PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

MINIInternational Magazine Kyoto Mash-Up party

Written by: Michael Keferl on June 9, 2008 at 12:28 pm | In MARKETING IDEAS | 2 Comments

Last weekend CScout Japan teamed up with MINI Japan, Kreative Konzeption, and Metropolis to help put on the Kyoto Mash-Up party at hip event space Sfera, celebrating the latest edition of MINIInternational Magazine.

The stars of the party, of course, were the stars of the magazine, which focused on Kyoto’s booming art/design/music scene. Music was provided by acclaimed Kyoto-based DJ Halfby and DJ Nic Jagger who flew in from Germany for the event.

You’ll have to pick up your own copy to get the full experience, but MINIInternational magazine features a broad cross-section of modern Kyoto from traditional architect Katsumi Yasuda to director Kazushige Togo, and SOUSOU footwear designer Takeshi Wakabayashi. This isn’t the typical “outsider looking in” view of Kyoto, but was written by experts who were either born in Kyoto, or have adopted it as a second home.

Thus far there’s been great coverage of the party/magazine, from press, featured artists, and attendees (See 1, 2, 3, 4) to MINI dealers here.

Stunning papercraft was on display from Eriko Horiki, a featured MINI
International artist.

Kudos to MINI Japan for their support, and Kreative Konzeption and Metropolis for putting together an amazing event with a top-notch guest list. Special thanks to Roland Hagenberg, Yoshihito Sasaguchi, and Yasuyuki Sodeoka for putting together an amazing magazine with their deep expertise on Kyoto.

Of course, many thanks to the artists and guests that came to celebrate together, as well as all of the caterers, Sfera staff and management, and all others involved in making this project a success.

It’s amazing how many people go into making a single party, but we had a great time, and hope everyone else did as well.

To sum up, here’s some more DJ Halfby for your listening pleasure.

Tags: Architecture, Art, Automotive, design, Mini, music, Parties, Press
Category: MARKETING IDEAS
Other categories: DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS