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

Tokyo Girls Collection announces a theme for its next edition that encourages girls to shop their way out of the recessionary blues.
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The App Store model gives Japan’s advertising behemoth Dentsu an idea of how to control mobile media.
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Internet search data shows value-hunting Japanese will go to great lengths to find a smart service at the right price.
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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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An instant noodle manufacturer has found a novel way of promote its products through placement in a popular video game, working with the game developers to create a fictitious noodle shop as an integral part of popular game, and then making an instant version of the noodles eaten by characters in the game available at convenience stores.
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Kitson, which operates four boutiques in the LA area, is preparing to launch their first store in Tokyo in March, 2009, with plans to open at least two more in the following 18 months.
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It has become commonplace for trendy young Japanese women to utilize their mobiles for shopping. 87% of the users on their mobile portal “Girls Trendy” have made purchases on their phones in the past, according to Xavel, the company that operates the site.
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Poupee Girl, a fashion social networking site operated by Tokyo-based web firm CyberAgent, has won a devoted and quickly growing base of users since launching in March 2008.
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