Chikapappi

I was “blessed” enough to get two tickets to attend the opening of the AdEaters Night sponsored by ZAIN at the Avenues Movie theater yesterday and I have to tell ya, maan oh man I had so much fun <– I guess you figured out by now that this is coming out of my mouth with a sarcastic tone!

I was reluctant to go a couple of hours prior to the event but by massive demand, I had to give in and make an entrance and again I found myself standing in a corner or sitting behind a partition quiet and not mingling as I usually do. Dysfunctional personality! When I have to be social I go completely numb and stay quiet, seriously even my pictures show if I am “in” or not. Having said that, I know that my pictures in magazines will suck big time but what the heck – the actual me is much prettier in nature (yes, I managed to build up some self esteem).

I will be very professional and give my humble straight opinion on the event in order to avoid stirring up hate comments and negative feedback here so bare with me:

The venue:

It makes perfect sense to have this event running in a movie theater since they are screening the ads movie, which by the way was totally ignored by me – but when you organize such an event that supposedly includes media, media production houses and other marketing related business, one would at least think out of the box and sincerely get the creative juices running!

1. The place was small, it was crowded – I mean there was no place for us to sit properly or stand comfortably. I was thinking if next year they’d have it in an open area and build like a cool stage with projectors and screens so people would at least get to watch even if they weren’t standing in the first row without having to squeeze in; Think of it! like in a camp or something or even sa7et el 3alam in a tent like they always do with national festivities. This year the space allocated to the event was smaller actually than the year before (As I was informed).

The special effects, lighting & music preparations:

1. Dark – Dim lighting  (but they can’t help it since it’s in a movie theater)

2. Lazer action reminded me of some rave party although I like the ZAIN name / logo flashing on the ceiling

3. SMOKE was a killer!!! jammed people, tiny area with that much smoke! wrong combination

4. Music was nice but all of a sudden, some young boys started moving their bodies and when the presenter spoke, we could barely hear her – so mic. issue or maybe not enough speakers!?

5. MUSIC TOO LOUD

6. I think the DJ should have had an island – sort of  base to be stationed there in the center and that would have created enough space for the attendees to actually follow the “magic show”

Booths / Stands organization:

I mentioned above that the area was small enough to maintain a certain amount of people each day, I found the booths arrangements particularly annoying; Actually it seemed like they were randomly set to restraint free movement within the venue .. left and right scattered, people standing behind a counter handing out freebies or let’s say, some people actually going there to simply pick up those freebies :$ I came out empty handed – thank you- ya3ny 3aib! el mohem, people took shampoo :p while others ended up with brochures in a bag lol or a stress ball because yes people we do need those! I think they kept the good stuff for certain people *scratches head* or maybe not!

Edo was a hit! Sushi for everyone!

Free popcorn and cotton candy for all! I had one CC cone :p I just remembered

:p

Mr. DJ

Activities & agenda:

Tell you my true honest opinion, it seemed like they were confused! We were asking about the  show timing, there was a lot of “mingling” which is a waste of time and I will tell you why later on besides the most important fact that there wasn’t an agenda available to know what was going on / where and when instead of announcing it ya3ny!

Who decided to have  A TATTOO station included in such an event!?!

Or a “magic show” that we barely heard -  saw  anything from!

Overall impression:

1. We’ve all seen ads but the coverage in terms of collateral for the event is an important fact, brochure on the event – its origin or even an agenda printed just for people at least to know what to expect. I know that we can visit [ THIS HERE ] and be self educated but wouldn’t it be “crazy” as the website says and add madness to the event which is funky in nature?! I for one didn’t know what the whole thing was about and even after inquiring from people all I got is this “They show ads in the cinema” ! So awareness building in a country like Kuwait which is opening up to media is very vital. Why not have a separate website linked to the original one and have it printed on the tickets? Why not have an archive of pics and videos from this event in Kuwait uploaded for people to watch, I mean those who didn’t get the chance to attend in person (Not enough tickets printed – sold out or wasta kicking in for those who get them for free)! Go international!

We have groups on FB for everything, why not this event which is only supposed to be informatory – pics, sponsors, clips.. etc

2. Too much food in there! People started trashing their paper plates, leaving them all around and sushi on the floor! leish!? why not a seating area designed for dinner after the showing?! ya 3ammi it’s a MEDIA event! Ok feed our tummies bas I was so excited to go see crazy! Crazy starting from the layout, booths, program .. everything ya know! Even the booths were very regular – close to poor I would say – (yes I am harsh I know bas it’s constructive criticism)

3.Again the booths! Umm.. shampoo?! Donuts?! Ok, sponsors = money I get it bas what’s the point of having a stall similar to ones at co-ops to hand out bottles or drinks? I go to an event specifically to a booth to inquire about services and learn more – like if some agencies displayed their work – portfolio – creations there, it would have been perfect! At least as an executive I can go discuss business relations, get the point!?  Also, dividing them into actives would have been much more convenient, so el faj3aneen stay in one corner :p

4. I don’t get the accurate meaning of the term “mingle” at this event! I mean I saw people that I deal with – meet every couple of months that’s besides the fact that every single person working in the media field in Kuwait  knows the other! lol so it’s like “Hi, what did you last night after you left the restaurant?!” – put that aside, lobbying is great to observe in such circumstances :) I basically handed business cards to those I already know and passed on a couple of “hi” looks and head nods

5. Media event, media event, MEDIA EVENT! You know what I would have loved to take from this experience?! A damn folder containing a brief or a CD including the film – let’s assume I pay KD 5, which is nothing to the majority right!? I watch the movie there.. aaaand thennnn! I don’t know if this is the responsibility of  the local organizer – main sponsor or if there are restrictions from the original company? and don’t tell me I go watch it from there – CUSTOMIZE PEOPLE! ok, SELL THE CD at least!

6. Data Collection?! Besides IPSOS who are conducting their own survey, why isn’t there like an information center – simple bowl for people to drop their cards so in the future I have their details for invites, special news or something?!

7. Venue Venue Venue!Imagine if this takes place in a cultural place and they’d have a traditional Kuwaiti dance – band – the whole nine yards to merge the media with the culture of this country? I know agencies here suffer to pitch in new, creative and modern ideas that Arabs are still not used to but why not give it a try by making such an effort? Not all are bedazzled by the amount of smoke and food!

8. Sorry for mentioning this but a couple of guys from agencies I know came in before the show – got their share of goodies (or they think) and just left?! Diminish the importance of this event further more will ya! I say it again, I am happy that this market is acknowledging the hard impact of media on businesses now and it’s a responsibilities on the agencies here to stand up and show them clients “who’s the man” opposite of just being a mere implementer

I have many ideas for this (fund raisers – charity) plus the event management  free tips :p but I will conclude this post by saying it was good enough for me to connect with those whom I’ve met at some point of my career, I came to know that the DJ Special Events provided is one cool dude and Head & Shoulders have a new Men Anti Dandruff shampoo line :p lol

Excuse my honesty and the remarks of a perfectionist but be certain that I have at least asked and observed a couple of individuals with the exact same feedback on the first night (Pls don’t hunt me down, I am nice) . Wonder what will happen today?!

[ UPDATE ]:

[ Skinny Bumble Bee ] also has something to say about her opinion and impression on the show

Always almost there. That’s Kuwaitis Moto in my opinion to everything.

In today’s case “The ADeaters “ kuwait wasn’t even close to almost there let alone a successful event. Missing the details can ruin the whole point. And that’s exactly what happened. The Random seating and the Clapping instrument were the highlight of an annoying night. And who the hell breaks after

6 Ads? Or were they 10, I actually forgot because it was so friggin boring. Although I must say the Lebanese ARZ Tree AD was the best. And the fact the show started at 8 after running credits and

Company logos for at least 20 minutes who runs credit at a beginning of show?!

Today’s Music:

Rio Da Silve Feat. Cassanda [ TOUCH ME ]

I forgot! I loved 4 Films poster on the stand! It’s their cycle of work – client handling

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