HONG KONG: WHAT A STRANGE TRIP IT HAS BEEN…
- Hans Ebert
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
In its own weird and controversial way, the HarbourFest event held in Hong Kong in 2003 was far more entertaining and intriguing than what it set out to be- and I was there for the first briefing session. That was enough.
When it comes to entertainment in Hong Kong, one cannot help thinking back to that time and the ambitious event to attract international tourists back to Hong Kong after the crippling SARS crisis.
“WE’RE GOING BACK IN TIME, MARTY!
“Guided” by the Hong Kong government department called InvestHK together with a number of people from the city in very high places, HarbourFest in 2003 was a piece of “prime real estate” that should serve as both a reminder and warning to play within one’s own courtyard with the expertise already in hand.
Where HarbourFest became derailed was when amateurs to the big wide world of entertainment tried to play with the big boys and failed rather miserably.
This was when everything was suddenly seen for what it wasn’t- certain high profile people in business and politics involved in a 2-3 day concert that brought to Hong Kong the Rolling Stones, Prince, Santana, Neil Young, and a second and third tier group of international and local names in music who were said to have been paid six times more than their asking prices.
But why? Does anyone know?
Some involved might have even inadvertently opened Pandora’s box.
These same people are now very possibly watching Pandora’s stepsisters trip over themselves with various paper trails showing how certain things started and with whom and where the buck stops.
Without playing show and tell about exactly how and where all the HarbourFest pieces might have tried to fit, as almost always, there was a Keyser Soze figure lurking in the background.
Brought in from New York, this supposed promoter disappeared along with those gorillas in the mist and where the wrong person was left holding the HarbourFest bag for backing the wrong horses.
Hopefully, we won’t see history repeat itself in a more budget conscious Hong Kong.
Back then, some appeared to be a little smarter and knew when to close bank accounts, close shop and make like the Invisible Man.
They were interesting times and there is apparently a script based on the event floating around about what was and is still referred to as “HarbourFarce”?
To be fair, there was nothing “evil” about HarbourFest- just an example of those times when Greed Is Good was a mantra, Hong Kong was rolling in the shallow end of a pool with plenty of money for the taking, so many helping themselves to what was available and living la vida loca off the fat of the land.
This cautionary tale is that stupid people who believe they’re smart become lost in the ergo of ego and detonate bridges, relationships and all the good they have done.
Making enemies unnecessarily is never smart.
As for the marketing of Hong Kong in today’s economic environment, it’s not going to attract true international tourism with the same tools being used to keep the ageing Hong Kong population happy.
Of COURSE, Hong Kong should look after those who have remained loyal to the city even though, apparently, a new wave of corporate boffins are striking again.
How? Let’s not mention the cold calls still coming in every day and night and how some of these calls are so targeted.
Let’s look at the spanking new Kai Tak Stadium, which, say many, isn’t exactly the Mecca it’s been made out to be.
Apparently, those attending events there aren’t allowed to even bring in water?
Seriously? Think that people, especially the elderly, don’t get dehydrated?
DOES HONG KONG HAVE THE TEAMS WHO KNOW HOW TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE FOR THE GOOD?
The more pertinent question is whether despite the good intentions and solid leadership of chief executive John Lee to keep the city safe and secure, the Hong Kong government and the city’s other organisations have the necessary talent who truly know marketing, have made the time to understand that people make a city, and how only this type of navigation skills lead to success and Happily Ever Afters?
There’s not going to be any change for the good with an oversupply of the same old things being offered to the same old and now older local population.
From the outside looking in, Hong Kong appears to be drowning in the clickbait of old school clutter comprising more and more cultural events, light shows, horse racing, the one-off concerts by Canto Popsters long past their prime and promotions on the goofy side of childishness.
Where is the sustainability of a product based on Hope and Happiness that is Made In Hong Kong for the world?
PRUDENTIAL IN HONG KONG SERVES UP A TERRIFIC ACE!
Apart from the strategy of the Prudential NextGen Aces that is built around tennis and other racquet ball sports like the very much family oriented pickleball, the corporation’s corporate ethos appears to be about inspiring and developing new thinkers who have the vision and inspirational skills to be leaders for a new generation often lost in space.
Prudential achieved this with visits to the city this month by former Champion tennis player Andre Agassi and World Number One Aryana Sablenka.
What they had to say was very positive food for the soul that needs to be communicated to a wider audience which also helps in reshaping the image and product personality of the new and forward thinking Hong Kong.
There has been plenty of talk in Hong Kong by so many different people, but, who was listening and where is the beef?
What has all this networking achieved other than tiresomely rampant self promotion?
There appears to be a chasm when it comes to effective communications everywhere in the world: Bad news travels faster than the trending “6-7” whereas good news stops and starts and goes down the wrong path due to a lack of strategic thinking.
Though having said this, the world is seeing some of this change in the phenomenal success of 34 year old Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim and extremely likeable, charismatic and intelligent leader who has been voted the next major of New York City.
Hong Kong needs a new and powerful and inspiring leadership programme and independent mentors who are in Hong Kong, know what the city can deliver and are ready to work towards passing their knowledge to the next generation.
Count me in and a project of our’s that combines dance, music, exercise, teamwork and a healthy lifestyle.
PARTING SHOT
Born in Ceylon, Hans Ebert is an award winning advertising executive whose powerful campaign to gain the Right Of Abode in the United Kingdom for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong won Gold at the London Advertising Awards.
He also helped launch McDonald’s in Hong Kong, created the Happy Wednesday brand for the HKJC, was part of the team to launch STARTV and MTV in Asia plus ran the International divisions of Universal Music and EMI Music in Asia.
As a journalist, he has interviewed every from Billy Joel, legendary music producer Quincy Jones, and actor Peter Sellers to working on music for David Bowie, Robbie Williams and Gorillaz.
He also coined the term Canto Pop when writing for Billboard magazine.
He has a penchant for women who remind him of Diane Keaton.
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