Asian Consumer Intellegence

Nissan will add noise to its new electric car, the Leaf, to make it sound like cars in the cult movie Blade Runner. The sound makes the cars safer, so pedestrians can hear them coming, but will also act as a powerful marketing too, making the vehicles instantly recognizable, even if they are out of sight. i.e “That sounds like a socially responsible, trend-forward driver!”
[pinktext IDEA POTENTIAL:] Nissan has taken what was a dull safety problem and turned it into a fascinating opportunity to brand the leaf as a futuristic vehicle that will garner interest from anyone it passes. A true lesson in sensory marketing.
Nissan Leaf, due for release in Japan/US/Europe in 2010. http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com

A collaboration between a Suntory coffee brand and product designer Amadana takes Japanese gifts-with-purchase up a class.
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Among the flavor palette of new beverages released for the Japanese summer is Limon & Nada, a Minute Maid import that promises a taste of “pressure-free” Mediterranean living.
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UCC releases its third collaboration in 10 years with one of Japan’s most popular manga series.
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The new ILOHAS bottled water from Coca-Cola Japan cuts down on packaging and creates a new disposal ritual to make consumers feel good about going “green”.
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An aggressive collaboration shows salarymen how to make time for two seemingly unrelated products that will support their busy work lives.
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As Japan’s experience in the 1990s shows, prolonged periods of slow economic growth make consumers rethink their spending priorities. They also force businesses to innovate.
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