I think most of you have seen or known about the Macdonalds monopoly game and I seriously think they have fantastic marketing.

A) The game is fun and the prizes are enticing. As humans we all have the hidden desire to win and to actually do it with not much effort, it's absolutely THRILLING.

B) They made it in such a way that you definitely will be able to win something; either the game tiles or the instant win prizes. This is so that you won't feel that you've wasted your $ and you feel good to be able to 'cheat' Macs of something

C) Their television advertisments are so funny. I actually came to know of the game thinking why are they screaming over Marina Bay and Sentosa Cove in front of a Mac outlet. Haha but now...my bro shouts Marina Bay at random at home, and I will reply Sentosa Cove and both of us will AHHHH!

D) They even extended Mcvalue lunch till the weekends so you'll be able to have an excuse to eat Macdonalds 7 days a week and up your winning chances!

E) The best of it all, they release mass tiles so that you'll just be lacking that very ONE tile from each group. Everybody will have the mentality that 'One more, one more! I only need one more to win so let's eat our way through!' By controlling the amount of winning pieces and across the entire game period, it will drive up their profits.

F) This post just indicate that I am a victim of Macdonalds marketing manager. Damn! It made me ate Mac for the first time after like years! I want to win that i-touch and laptop for my bro! $50000 would also do fine as I can go for SEP without any worries man!

Rawr to Mac's marketing manager!

Oh my this is such a wonderful clip really.
I love it.
http://vimeo.com/4220803

Woohoo for the first time in who knows when I am blogging for 2 days in a row.
Anyway I read this interesting article and thought it would be nice to share it.

http://www.littlespeck.com/informed/2006/CInformed-061012.htm

Future of Singapore
This is a subject of rising concern despite the media's glowing employment figures. By Derek Wee
Oct 12, 2006

When I read the Straits Times article (dated 24 Sep) on PM Lee calling the young to be committed and make a difference to Singapore, I have so much thought about the issue.

I am 35 years old, graduated from University and gainfully employed in a multinational company. But I cannot help but feel insecure over the future of Singapore. Lets face it, it's not uncommon to hear, "when you are above 40, you are over the hill".

The government has been stressing on re-training, skills upgrading and re-adapt. The fact is, no matter how well qualified or adaptable one is, once you hit the magical 40, employers will say, "you are simply too old".

We have been focusing our resources and problem solving on low unskilled labour. But in reality, our managerial positions and skilled labour force are actually fast losing its competitiveness.

I travel around the region frequently for the past 10 years. It didn't take me long to realise how far our neighbours have come over the past decade.

They have quality skilled workers, and are less expensive. When I work with them, their analytical skills are equally good, if not better than us.

It's not new anymore. Taxi drivers are fast becoming "too early to retire, too old to work" segment of the society. I like to talk to taxi drivers whenever I am heading for the airport.

There was this driver. Eloquent and well read. He was an export manager for 12 years with an MNC. Retrenched at 40 years old. He had been searching for a job since his retrenchment.

Although he was willing to lower his pay expectations, employers were not willing to lower their prejudice. He was deemed too old. I wouldn't be surprised if we have another No. 1; having the most highly educated taxi drivers in the world.

On PM Lee calling the young to be committed and make a difference. Look around us. How dedicated can we be to Singapore when we can visualise what's in store for us after we turned 40? Then again, how committed are employers to us? But we can't blame them. They have bottom lines & shareholders' gain to answer to.

Onus is really on the government to revamp the society. A society that is not a pressure cooker. A society that does not mirror so perfectly, what survival of the fittest is.

But a society, where it's people can be committed, do their best and not having to fear whether they will still wake up employed tomorrow. Sadly, Singapore does not offer such luxuries and security anymore.

On the issue of babies. The government encourages us to pro-create. The next generation is essential in sustaining our competitive edge. Then again, the current market condition is such that our future has become uncertain. There is no more joy in having babies anymore; they have become more of a liability. It's really a chicken and egg issue.

Many of my peers, bright and well educated have packed up and left. It's what MM Goh called "quitters". It's sad but true, Singapore no longer is a place where one can hope to work hard their lives and retire graciously. It's really the push factor.

A future is something we sweat it out, build and call our own. Unfortunately, people like me, mid 30's going on 40's, staying put by choice or otherwise, we can't help but feel what lies ahead is really a gamble.

To PM Lee and the Ministers, we are on a different platform. Until you truly understand our insecurity, the future of Singapore to me remains a question mark.
(SPH rejected this letter - From: LocalSin)