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    • Hans Ebert
      • 4 days ago
      • 5 min read

    Wherefore art thou Creativity, Hong Kong?


    The photo above with its come together influenced slogan is, at least on the surface, an ungrammatical confusing piece of communications- or, possibly, against all odds, something deep, meaningful and inspiring. What exactly does “We and Us” REALLY mean? Hmmmmm?

    While letting the wordsmiths and blacksmiths ponder the meaning behind this, speaking with a friend last night about Hong Kong’s purported “influencers”, the question was, what exactly makes someone one of these? More importantly, the chat was about how in Hong Kong, creating something doesn’t really happen organically. There’s first a need to try and second-guess what might be approved. Thinking about this, there’s something fascinating to drift off and daydream that creativity in this city might be being made in some middle kingdom in the Lost And Found, where all kinds of young artists congregate and create without following rules and not regurgitating what’s already come and gone. Unfortunately, creative work in Hong Kong is often not given the wings to fly and, in so doing, create a vibrant independent artists community. There’s always something holding things back. In the Eighties and Nineties, advertising in Hong Kong had its own “Mad Men” with work that could hold its own with anything from anywhere in the world. There was of course talent from Hong Kong and also veteran Directors of Photography from the UK like Ronnie Maarsz, Joe Bruton and others who had worked on classic films like “Lawrence Of Arabia”. For a few years, Hong Kong was home to Bob Freeman, former official photographer for the Beatles who worked on at least three commercials for me. We might not have known it at the time, but just being around them and hearing their stories influenced some of us a helluva lot. Produced for brands like Puma, Solvil et Titus, and especially the documentaries Director Louis Ng and his company Film Factory produced for the Hong Kong Tourism Board, was work that won just about every international advertising award. This was good for the individuals involved and also for the reputation and image of Hong Kong.


    It was a short, powerful burst of creative energy that inspired many. For one reason or another, especially the China market opening up and clients paying big money for commercials that appealed to its consumers, standards dropped and that initial burst of creativity was short lived. Money talks all languages. During these times, and earlier, there was no need for “influencers”. There was no social media, no need for Mr Wikipedia nor Mrs Google. Mobile phones were the size of bowling balls and the only App one knew might have been a kid living down the road. The technology was never the idea. Music, commercials, films, they came from the heart, mind, real life experiences and imagination that never has any boundaries. It’s this gift of imagination that brought Jim Henson’s rainbow connection together. No one questioned things like how a frog and pig could get along, the close relationship between Bert and Ernie and why Big Bird was yellow. It was diversity without it being crammed down one’s throat.

    Whether in advertising or film or music, or whatever that had yet to happen, there was always work and successes by others to inspire and move things forward- and not be bogged down with analytics and algorithms, crypto cryptics, the metaverse and other buzzwords.

    It was the work from artists as diverse as Steven Spielberg, Jim Henson, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan and Miles Davis to Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, Fellini, Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese and David Bailey that helped to inspire many and break down walls. Creativity wasn’t “push button simple”. It came outta nowhere and one often knew instinctively when it entered the system. Though in 2009, the Hong Kong government made a song and dance about a “worldwide search” for a creative guru to lead the newly formed CreateHK, this was empty squawk box talk.

    This promise came from the ubiquitous Duncan Pescod, below, the somewhat controversial head of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority who was finally forced to resign in 2020 from this post.

    In 2014, Dunc had been awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star for “contributions in the areas of economy and trade, communications and technology” yada yada yada. Funny how Hong Kong often works. As for CreateHK, someone from another government department- the unknown Jerry Liu- quietly became its leader and kept the title until a couple of years ago when he strapped on his golden parachute and flew off into retirement. His legacy? Possibly this YouTube video.

    This white elephant, meanwhile, is allowed to plod along under a new leader and still funded by taxpayers’ money with few knowing how CreateHK works and bothering to question its relevance to the Hong Kong -and the city’s creative community. There’s a thick veil of bullsh*t around it which surely goes against its name- CreateHK. CreateHK? How? Where? When? Who? Curiouser and curiouser, Alice.

    Could Hong Kong ever be a creative hub and wonderland? In time, perhaps, and by first paying some dues. It’s become way too easy, for instance, to be labelled an “influencer”, and which often means mediocrity being promoted and a lowering of standards.

    There’s also the belief by many that the online world and the real world exist under two different sets of rules and systems. The fact is that everything has to first and foremost have do with real talent that sets it apart as opposed to subscribing to the same school of thought and that herd instinct landing everyone in the same Canto Pop cow patch. If it’s not one thing, it’s an udder...

    For some reason, those on the fringes and with no curriculum vitae seem to think that hashtags and “views”, streams and tapping into online communities for help trumps the creative product. This is all too often when clear headed thinking goes AWOL and MIA. It’s not unlike falling for click bait and answering things like whether hot dogs should be eaten with mayo and mango chutney and bothering to name all the places where one has lived.

    As for “creative content” that’s often mentioned as something to fill a void in any marketing plan though the end result only shows a lack of an idea. It’s a patchwork quilt job. This is probably another reason why standards have been lowered with mediocrity allowed in and everyone pretty much being an expert on everything. In Hong Kong, we have now come down to “We and Us” and a new chapter in its history. This is happening when the Lockdown Years have affected the attention span of many around the world. There’s a drip feed of bibs and bobs, ticks and toks and nothing much of any substance. Hopefully, this has to do with the world needing time to get itself together and become more selective and exclusive instead of inhaling clutter.

    It might not seem like it, but there’s no time like the present for “We and Us” to look at creating work that will help fast track the battered image of Hong Kong as we wait to see what the city comes up with to attract tourism. No one is going to take Hong Kong seriously because of a rather quizzical rah rah slogan- and copycat ideas from other countries. The city needs the right global partners with whom to work and see what each can bring to the table to create The Big Picture. Very little can replace individual strengths and effective teamwork coming together to make this happen. This is the excitement that lies ahead. This is the type of motivation needed to make good things happen.

    #hongkong #creativity #createhk #marketing #originalthinking #teamwork #inspiration #motivation #results #bigpicture

    • Blog
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    • Hans Ebert
      • May 9
      • 3 min read

    Could Hong Kong have finally turned the corner towards a brighter future?

    It was good to hear from friends over the weekend that they had a great time having lunch on Lamma Island whereas others visited one of my favourite restaurants- Guru in Lower Elgin Street- and enjoyed some of our favourite dishes.


    They were happy, they were relieved that various restrictions are gradually being phased out, and though still far away from living with Covid without masks like so many other countries, it’s a small victory worth celebrating.

    Sure, I can hear the naysayers and understand the reticence to partake in a Land Of A Thousand Dances led by Funky Town at Dusk Till Town.


    ‘Live’ music is still silenced, and let’s put this down to those who have invested heavily in restaurants and bars seeing how years of various states of lockdown might have affected the lifestyles of some or many.

    Could we need time to regain our social skills and communicate with more than four people? Are we too used to being in bed by 10pm? Are we still having nights of restless sleep?


    Only The Shadow knows for sure and even he is only second guessing.


    Despite businessman Allan Zeman’s recent Kumbaya Moment when he embraced the first speech of new Chief Executive John Lee, Hong Kong is not “back”.


    There’s some lengthy therapy to go through before getting there.


    Other than how to attract tourism, what somehow needs to happen is to have those in Hong Kong weaned off from constantly sipping from that half empty cuppa yum cha.


    This is the reason that drove me and others outta our home that is Hong Kong.


    It became impossible to listen to the constant updates on updates about new restrictions, the number of deaths, the latest cases, playing Simon Says with a contradictory and totally inept housewife Chief Executive, and those around us speaking nonstop Covidatitis.


    For the moment, Hong Kong appears to be heading towards some form of normalcy. Appears.

    Keeping up appearances is one of the reasons Hong Kong tripped over itself. It became as phoney as keeping up with the Kardashians, but no one was minding the store and the big bad genie escaped.


    There’d been too much trust placed on the usual suspects way past their Use By dates and still doing everything possible to hold onto their respective power bases.


    This has nothing to do with the Hong Kong Security Bill or siding with those who were given a clear path to batter an entire city into submission


    This has to do with not rolling over and once again listening to Kindergarten Cops in charge of various industries- the fat cat businessmen calling all the shots when, like those career politicians, they’ve been shooting blanks for years.


    We’re adults. We have our own beliefs and it’s our job to look after our home.

    How? By respecting its past and helping to find its future built on empathy, integrity and with no hypocrisy and strategic alarmists.


    Another thing: Now that we have seen fact from fiction, there’s a need to question things to do with everyday life without fear.


    Hopefully-and soon- this can be done through the healing power of music which still remains something disposable to those who can change things around.


    Perhaps some have been backing the wrong horse...


    Very simply put, Hong Kong needs to bring good times back and make things Ok La for those still in the city without the big bucks and designer lifestyles.


    It’s not much to ask la.


    #hongkong #bringinggoodtimesback #okayla #johnlee #chiefexecutive #music

    • Blog
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    • Hans Ebert
      • May 6
      • 3 min read

    Robbie Dolan and The Voice: Why Irish eyes are smiling...

    https://www.balls.ie/horse-racing/robbie-dolan-voice-australia-508787


    It was quite interesting to sit back and listen to Ric McIntosh, The Voice Of The ‘Bool, doing what he does best, and has been doing for years, and then watching Jockey Robbie Dolan on The Voice singing in front of coaches and judges that include Rita Ora and Keith Urban.

    The appearance of the Irish born and Sydney based Robbie Dolan on the popular television singing competition has taken the pretty much “elite/one dimensional” horse racing world, at least in Australia, into the mainstream consciousness.

    The question is now what and how does one keep the momentum going and be more than fifteen minutes of fame?


    For years, racing executives have been talking about those “younger people” as if they’re some strange species.

    They’re only strange to those who don’t understand them and believe that that they can be indoctrinated into the gambling driven world of horse racing, something that has its fair share of enemies in show business where celebrities have a helluva lot of clout with sponsors because of their fan appeal.

    Let’s not forget Taylor Swift giving the Melbourne Cup the flick at the last minute when her millions of “Swifties” objected to her appearance.


    https://junkee.com/taylor-swift-melbourne-cup-cancel/222684


    Wheeled in as her replacement were, I think, Snoop Dogg and quasi celeb Paris Jackson, both of whom would appear anywhere for the opening of an envelope and for not too much coin.


    What about Robbie Dolan? Depends on how serious he is about his singing career, even if he doesn’t win The Voice Australia.


    Often, this is a blessing in disguise.


    Like heavily choreographed and researched singing television karaoke competitions, these shows are for either a very young or middle aged audience and which is why most of the songs chosen are often fairly pedestrian.


    As when singing karaoke, there’s a need for audiences to know/recognise the songs. It’s why there are extremely few television competition shows for songwriters and featuring original material. The few that there have been disappeared after a couple of seasons.


    When with one of the majors and the official music partner with one of these singing competitions, we would dread having to record an album with winning contestants as their popularity was very largely dependent on the television exposure received.


    It was a seasonal thing and not unlike running a smooth sausage factory.


    In an ideal world, if Robbie Dolan were to record a duet with James Bay who wrote “Let It Go”, the song he first covered on The Voice, terrific.

    The odds of that happening are slim plus the return on time and investment would be some PR.


    What might be worth exploring is something like a monthly Robbie Dolan Special with guests.

    Could he pull off being host? Why not? This would give him enough time to spend with his young family and continue to keep race riding.


    Robbie Dolan has open the door for those “younger people” to take a second look at horse racing and see if it’s something that might possibly interest them.


    Reaching this questioning market cannot be done by old school racing executives.

    It’s got to be worked on by those with experience in the entertainment world and understand how to obtain the most out of social media and which can lead to sponsorship opportunities.


    Robbie Dolan has a helluva lot going for him- he’s personable, young and has a voice.


    Let him enjoy this current ride, see what happens next and take it from there.


    • Blog
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