Dear Pulse Readers,
As an international agency, we are proud to service brands on six continents including APAC – where more than 50% of the world's population lives.
For the past month, BMF executives have been in Asia meeting with our clients in the region, from Japan Airlines to Hong Kong-based Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation. In this edition, we’re sharing inspiration from this incredible trip and all that should be on your radar, as well as cultural insights into marketing during Lunar New Year (derived from experience – check out the campaign creative we developed for W Hotels across APAC this year).
Of course, we’d be remiss to not take time to acknowledge the sadness and grief that has recently transposed in California – and beyond. We encourage you to connect with your loved ones, support communities that are experiencing trauma, and show care to one another, regardless of background, beliefs, or affiliation.
Stay inspired.
Bruce, Brian, Ed + The BMF Team
|
|
|
Pulse Check: Lunar New Year Do's & Don’ts
As we head into the Year of The Rabbit there are plenty of traditions to follow, each aimed at making sure the year ahead is lucky and prosperous. Check out our list of dos and don’ts for your next Lunar New Year and the days ahead. ➔
|
|
The New + The Noteworthy
Everything Worth Doing/Seeing/Getting/Booking
|
|
|
BMF client DarkSide recently received a Time Out Bar Award in Hong Kong for Best Cocktail Programme. The innovative Art of Mahjong menu was chosen by a panel of experts from the bar and lifestyle industry for its creative use of local ingredients, inspired by the traditional Chinese tile-based game. Plan your next sip here. ➔
|
|
|
|
|
Is this the Year of the Water Rabbit or the Year of Kusama? As we highlighted last edition, Kusama’s partnership with Louis Vuitton is a sight to behold. The innovative flagship store installations in Marina Bay Sands Singapore and Tokyo specifically WOWed us during our visit. Plus, her exhibit at M+ is can’t miss. See more here. ➔
|
|
|
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit on Saturday, January 28th from 2-5 PM at Santa Monica Place! Enjoy performances, music and a free family-friendly event under the light of red and gold lanterns. See more here. ➔
|
|
|
When covering APAC you can’t forget about Australia – ESPECIALLY in 2023. Sydney’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – usually one of the biggest celebrations of LGBTQIA+ Pride globally – is set to be bigger and better than ever. Why you might ask? It’s this year’s WorldPride location! Learn more about the festivities here! ➔
|
|
|
|
International art collective teamLab has immersive – and gasp inducing – digital artwork spaces across the globe. Whether you’re exploring Singapore, Japan, or China there is likely a teamLab experience you can plan to visit. To get more details on their various current and upcoming exhibitions in APAC and beyond click here. ➔
|
|
|
Art Basel is making a huge return to Hong Kong March 21st to 25th, with BMF client Rosewood Hong Kong becoming a beacon for activities as an official ABHK hotel partner. Take a peek at the details here and book your room before they’re all taken here. ➔
|
|
|
Music is an important part of Lunar New Year celebrations. Engage with the sounds of culture, history and community from your house by checking out the new Apple campaign featuring a short film “Through the Five Passes” that spotlights the profound and personal influence of the Chinese Opera throughout history. Or, if you’re in NYC, scoop up tickets to the New York Philharmonic’s Lunar New Year Gala, with violinist Ning Feng, erhu virtuoso Yiwen Lu and conductor Long Yu. Buy your tickets here. ➔
|
|
|
|
|
|
With 47 floors and a 360° open-air observation deck, Tokyo’s new landmark Shibuya Scramble Square is the tallest building in the Shibuya area. The property’s Shibuya Sky is one of the most breathtaking skyscraper viewing experiences in Tokyo, so make sure to learn more for yourself here. ➔
|
|
|
Gaggan Anand and his eponymous restaurant are back in the spotlight – and Bangkok! The Chef’s Table star recently announced that he’ll be bringing his food back to Thailand’s buzzing capital city after a stint in Singapore. Try to snag your seat before all the reservations are gone here. ➔
|
|
The Frequency
What We're Listening To Now.
|
|
|
We've been lucky to work stateside with so much incredible international talent, and today the focus is on Japanese rock superstars Radwimps. A band that not only sells out multiple nights at Tokyo Dome, but who have had the incredible honor of scoring all three of Makoto Shinkai's blockbuster films, and are led by a frontman turned television star.
The band's soundtrack for Shinkai's "Suzume" is set to hit in April with the global release of the film. When “Suzume” opened in Japan on Nov. 11, 2022, it was #1 for 3 consecutive weeks and saw 9.39 million tickets sold with a gross of over 12.48 billion Yen at the box office in just over 2 months!
Make sure to keep an eye on Radwimps...IYKYK ➔
|
|
The Destination
Now Departing...
|
|
|
Hong Kong is both exactly what you'd expect and completely surprising. It's a compact, skyscraper-packed city infused with glamor and energy that juts up against green open space – dotted with hiking trails and subtropical flora. Check out our latest Hong Kong travel guide and make the most of your trip to this urban jungle. ➔
|
|
The Sublime
Creators, Innovators, And Cool $#!+ You Should Know About.
|
|
K-Pop fashion has been setting the global trend landscape for years. Don’t believe us, Dior doubled down on this fact and officially announced BTS singer Jimin as its global ambassador. The last time the French brand leveraged the power of K-Pop was when they tapped BlackPink’s Jisoo to fill a similar position. Keep up to date on what’s hot in fashion – and what’s next for Dior – on Jimin’s Instagram here. ➔
|
|
|
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ made headlines this week when the beloved A24 film received 11 Oscar Nominations. Categories include best picture, lead actress (Michelle Yeoh) and supporting actor (Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan). If you haven’t seen it yet – or more likely want to see it again before it sweeps the Academy Awards – you can find it here, here, and here! ➔
|
|
|
Groundbreaking Copenhagen restaurant noma may be closing its doors in 2024 – but it’s not slowing down yet! The renowned culinary institution is taking up a global residency at Ace Hotel Kyoto from March 15 to May 20. Learn more about the iconic pop up here. ➔
|
|
|
Luxury leather brand Braun Büffel turned to Shanghai-based creative studio Spacemen to bring biophilic design principles to the centerpiece of its flagship outlet in Malaysia. The tree-like installation is covered in moss and creates an “abstract oasis” for shoppers to explore the almost otherworldly space. Dig in deeper and get inspired here. ➔
|
|
|
The Japanese island of Naoshima – also often referred to as Art Island – is located in the Seto Inland Sea. It takes its name from the eclectic large-scale sculptures that pepper the lush landscape. Works from Yayoi Kusama to Karel Appel are open to the public and a true experience to behold. Spend the day exploring the juxtaposition of art and nature through the pieces, museums and galleries that Art Island is so renowned for. Get your flight to Japan to visit and learn more here. ➔
|
|
|
M+, Hong Kong's global museum of visual culture is worth visit after visit. This new world-class modern art institution is now open to international travelers with no major entry restrictions. Explore the incredible scope and collection, from the current Beeple exhibition to its cinema programme, in person – or online – here. ➔
|
|
|
Frieze is heading back to Korea for the second year. The international art fair will be held in September – just far enough into the year for you to extend your stay and plan a trip to the newly opened JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa. Situated near Sanbangsan Mountain and Seongsan Sunrise, you’ll experience the perfect balance of nature and city living. Get all the Frieze deets here, and don’t forget to book your stay here. ➔
|
|
|
|
As restrictions are lifted, but tourism is still creeping back to what it once was, we highly suggest beating the crowds and visiting some of APAC’s most renowned destinations. If you’ve ever thought “Hm, I’d really love to visit a historic World Heritage Site” this is your sign to book a ticket to Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Not only is the temple complex the largest religious monument in the world, but it’s drop-your-jaw gorgeous. Find a flight – before it’s too late and you’ll have to elbow your way through the masses again – here. ➔
|
|
The Week In Review
ICYMI...
|
|
Travel
- Asia's Tourist Hotspots Prepare For Boom As China Relaxes COVID Rules ➔
- Can Cambodia Become Southeast Asia’s Sustainable Travel Capital ➔
- Asian Americans In Seattle Use Lunar New Year Traditions As Connection To Heritage, Family ➔
- 10 Of The Best New Luxury Hotels Opening In Asia In 2023 ➔
- The Gigantic Tunnels And Bridges Linking Asia To Europe ➔
Fashion & Beauty
- Why K-Pop Rules Fashion Week ➔
- Why Beauty Brands Are Betting On Collectibles ➔
- The Craziest TikTok Beauty Trends To Come Out Of 2022 ➔
- Why Are So Many Women Wearing Red Eye Makeup? ➔
- Singapore’s Zilingo To Liquidate After Crisis At Fashion Startup ➔
Entertainment
- ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ Leads With 11 Oscar Nominations ➔
- Daniel Dae Kim Says ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Had A ‘Collateral Damage Effect’: Hollywood ‘Wanted More Asian Projects,’ But Only Like The Film ➔
- Randall Park's "Shortcomings" Is the Asian American Story We Desperately Need ➔
- From 'Oldboy' To 'Parasite': 10 Essential Asian Movies Everyone Should Watch ➔
- Oscars: Michelle Yeoh Makes History as First Asian Best Actress Nominee ➔
Technology
- Space Is Going Commercial In Asia, But There’s A Rocky Road Ahead ➔
- Nintendo Is the Apple of Asia ➔
- Saudi Aramco’s Venture Arm Backs Japanese Drone Tech Startup ➔
- Industrial Espionage: How China Sneaks Out America's Technology Secrets ➔
- How Locad Is Powering Asia’s Ecommerce Revolution ➔
Media
- Can Korean Digital Storytelling Platforms Captivate North American And European Audiences? ➔
- Metadream Launches Social App Bondee Across Asia ➔
- Asia Music Streaming Thrives On Mobile, Mini-Subscriptions, Says Study ➔
- Asia-Pacific Social Media Outlook 2023 ➔
- She’s One Of Asia’s Most Googled Celebs And India’s Moral Brigade Can’t Get Enough Of Her ➔
Events
- Inside Indo Warehouse: A Label And Event Series Bringing South Asian Influences To Dance Music ➔
- First UK Festival For East And South-East Asian Writing Announced ➔
- Asia-Pacific Markets Rise As Most Of The Region Observes Lunar New Year Holidays ➔
- Frigid Cold In North Asia Sets Record Low, Snarls Transport ➔
- Clockenflap Returns To Hong Kong In 2023 With Arctic Monkeys, Phoenix And More ➔
|
|
|
|
|
