Pour Le Caprice de Natahlie...

Photo:Joesbox

This week you will be stuck in a traffic jam when coming to Beirut for your work, it is not a big deal  you will be late and maybe you will be fired, if you have exams in your university I guess you have to drop your course, and if you are very sick I suggest you to sleep in the hospital for maybe three days or you will die on the road … because a very talented Lebanese is making a fashion show for a CAUSE on the very busy bridge of Beirut, ( Enou chou feya)?!

Arabicity

Ayman Baalbaki-"Destination X" Photo:Joesbox

"Arabicity" is a great exhibition of painting photography and media held in Beirut Exhibition center. You will discover great works of six Arab Artsists: Basel Abbas & Ruanne Abou-Rahme, Chant Avedissian, Ayman Baalbaki, Fathi Hassan, and Raeda Saadeh, what I like the most is  Ayman Baalbaki work. The theme of his creative work was the  impact of Lebanon’s long civil war, a destroyed cityscapes, snipers and checkpoints, flowers are found amongst the ruins as well …

Arabicity will travel to other major international destinations, including Moscow and Brussels.  From September 22 – October 31st, it will be at the Beirut Exhibition Center, where the show will be expanded from six artists to nine.Don't miss it!

I ♥ Beirut

Yesterday when archiving some files I find a nice writing about the most beautiful city in the world Beirut, this is an answer for everyone wondering why he is in love with this great city, unfortunately I don’t know the writer hope you can help me … Enjoy it

“I love Beirut for its opposites. I love Beirut because I see a girl in a Mini skirt and her sister in a Tchador. I love Beirut because it is neither West nor East it is both. I love Beirut because one can party till 6 in the morning and not realize that it is tuesday morning. I loveBeirut because Beirut is live as if they are going to die tomorrow and party as if they are going to live forever.
I love Beirut because I can be swimming in the morning and 30 minutes later I’m on the slopes skiing or doing after ski. I love Beirut because I have never seen the sun this strong anywhere in the world.
I love Beirut because I can see 6,000 years of history. I love Beirut because Christians and Muslims are living an understanding and do not need to have Christian Muslim understanding classes. I love Beirut because every Beiruti has a political opinion and will share it with you even if you could care less about his and you want to share yours with him. I love Beirut for all the conspiracy theories and how many people actually believe them.
I love Beirut because any night I can find a friend to go out with. I love Beirut because I do not need to call my friends to go and see them at their houses I just stop by.
I love Beirut because as soon as I arrive at one of my friends houses his mom takes me to the kitchen & becomes the spokesperson of the refrigerator.
I love Beirut because one can smell gardenia , and jasmine.
I love Beirut because strawberries taste like strawberries & fruits taste like fruits.
I love Beirut because the food is so good that one gains so many pounds even if she tries to lose .
I love Beirut because although the Lebanese women at times look alike as some did their surgeries at the same plastic surgeon they are the most elegant women I have ever seen.
I love Beirut because when I go out at night I don’t know at which women to look at as each one is gorgeous in her own way.
I love Beirut because everyone knows me by name.
I love Beirut because I don’t have to explain myself. I love Beirut because of the traffic jams and the people you meet because of them.
I love Beirut because of the noise pollution from cars honking.
I love Beirut for the spirituality of the people wether Muslim or Christian. I love Beirut because I’m the first to call my Muslim friends on Ramadan and they are the first to call me on Easter.
I love Beirut because on May 1st I see Muslims visiting Harissa (Virgin Mary) just like I see Christians.
I love Beirut because we can differentiate between a Jew and an Israeli.
I love Beirut because on the 22nd of every month I see Muslims going to St.Charbel and believing that a miracle will happen.
I love Beirut because women look like as if they are out of a Vogue magazine. I love Beirut because you eat to live and live to eat. I love Beirut because one leaves one cafe to go to another and one does this all day.
I love Beirut because all the Lebanese living outside want to come back and the Lebanese who are in Lebanon envy the ones who are living abroad not realizing what it means to live away from Beirut.
I love Beirut because a girl or a guy can easily tell you I just had a couple of Lexo or Xanax as if they just had a chewing gum. I love Beirut because for every Lebanese we have a singer. I love Beirut because the Lebanese star singers sing in nightclubs.
I love Beirut because women go into the swimming pool with full make up.
I love Beirut because guys go in with their cigars.
I love Beirut because it has been destroyed 7 times in History and has risen. I love Beirut because since 1975 the Beirutis have withstood the PLO, Syrians, and the Israelis. I love Beirut because the Beirutis will not accept anyone to occupy them and rule over them. I love Beirut because we feel that it is better to die on our feet than to live on our knees.
I love Beirut because each street is a two ways street even if it is a one way officially. I love Beirut because one can park anywhere and not get a ticket. I love Beirut because one can go as fast as his speedometer.
I love Beirut because MEA lands there. I love Beirut because on MEA we can clap in unison when we are about to land. I love Beirut not because it is my city , but because it is the city of EveryOne. I love Beirut because it welcomes every exile freethinker,independent mind of the Arab world.
I love Beirut because we have hundreds of newspapers and our press is finally Free. I love Beirut because most Arabs dreams of coming to Beirut and wishes his capital was more like Beirut.
I love Beirut because when I explain Beirut to my Western friends, my friends see the passion of Beirut in my eyes. I love Beirut because there is so much misconception about Beirut in the media and in the minds of people who have never visited.
I love Beirut because when I tell my friends that I’m going to Beirut they tell me can you take me with you.
I love Beirut because we argue over who is going to pay the bill at a restaurant as everyone wants to pay it. I love Beirut because although many complain about “not making enough money” everyone is living.
I love Beirut because if I do the cross before I start driving the person next to me does not ask me if I fear that I’m going to get into a car accident but instead does his cross as well.
I love Beirut because we accept our differences as we disagree with each other. I love Beirut because it serves as a beacon of freedom to the rest of the Arab world. I love Beirut because to praphrase what Gibran said about Lebanon ” Had Beirut not been my city I would have chosen it to be.” I love Beirut because there is no city like it.
I love Beirut because even if Beirut is being destroyed you are still beautiful and will remain beautiful no matter how disfigured you are. I love Beirut because you are always on my mind.
I love Beirut for no reason. I love Beirut for all the reasons of the “world.”

Meeting The Diva

Finally I got my ticket to watch the best concert of this year, Fairuz concert. Fairuz will be singing in 2 concerts in Beirut on Thursday 7 & Friday 8 October 2010, at Biel at 8:30PM.The concerts will also be accompanied by the launching of Fairuz's new album, written and composed by Ziad Rahbani, in the Lebanese market. Tickets prices vary between 45.000 LBP and 375.000 LBP but they sold out all the 45000 LBP tickets .Today tickets starting 180000 LBP are available as everyone is hungry to that great concert, so hurry up!!!

But i was disappointed when reading the Rules and regulations

No cameras No Mobile Phone, No video recording devices allowed at the venue... the promoters don't want your pictures being offered for sale - which, by the way, would be considered copyright/trademark infringement...:

Anyway i will leave my camera and phone home  enjoy the concert , meeting the Diva and meeting  90% of Lebanese people! see you there :O)

Joe's Box in Beirut

Joe's box is featured in Beirut, Beirut.com is an extensive online guide to all things related to the city we love, including events, businesses, news, and entertainment.Thank you so much for featuring my Blog:O)

Seal Secret!

I am a big fan of seal, today i am crazy about the new  Secret,  a brand new music video! His powerful voice is great on this track . “Secret” is the lead single from the upcoming album Seal 6: Commitment being released on September 28th. It is no  secret that i will  play this song all day long!

Ad Men

I got hooked on the TV show Mad Men. The show brings the early 1960s to life the work of  the marketing and advertising industry … In this show you realize that after  a long time nothing has changed: the process of understanding your audience, demographics target, evaluating the effectiveness of the media choices... you discover that the reason why people “buy” is the same  now and back in 60’s and they will always be the same…what changed everything is technology. But on the other hand you discover how the Ad agencies were more in control  without asking the permission of the public, a naive public who easily believed whatever was written in an ad and buy your product. 

 Louis Vuiton  inspired by Mad Men to make his new campaign for the fall and winter season 2010

How many friends you know?

I just found out this nice link, a site called "How many friends do you know", where you are tested to show how many of your Facebook "friends" you  know.it is great for people with over 500 friends, do you really know all those people or just your adding numbers to your page? find out here.

Say NO to the destruction of our Heritage .

The destruction of Beirut’s old houses is a loss of our identity, and destroying it means the loss of a whole architectural heritage.

·         Join in a symbolic march from Gemmayze to Mar Mikhael

·         Meeting Point: Gouraud Street entrance

·         Saturday 25 September from 18:00 till 19:00

·         Say no to the destruction of our heritage

·         Yes for the protection of our traditional houses

Teta Latifa Vs Roger Federer [ 1- 0 ]

Who doesn't know the cute old lady Teta Latifa,  of course you remember her on the famous Taanayel TVC in 2008 when she was stuck at Montreal customs because of the dozen jars of Taanayel Farms labneh she has brought in her luggage for her expatriate grandsonThis ad was released in 2008 by Leo burnett and  the Art director Omar Boustany.

You can click [HERE] to watch the video

Today i spotted the copycat of that campaign but this time in Usa.Lindt USA is running a television and online advertising campaign featuring Lindt Global Brand Ambassador and Swiss tennis star Roger Federer.

You can click [HERE] to watch the video

The new TV spot “Airport” follows Federer through an airport security screening in Paris. The commercial takes a comical turn when two female security agents find it nearly impossible to resist Federer and the Lindor Truffles he is traveling with. The ad culminates with the security agents taste testing the Lindor Truffles, ultimately confiscating them for further “investigation.”

The Federer campaign was developed at Gotham Inc, New York.

Filming was shot by director David Grey via Les Télécréateurs, Paris, with director of photography director of photography Steven Pettiteville.

In this ad we realized that creativity is not a "western" concept ...Well i have to say  Teta Latifa beat Federer and his sponsors  [1-0 ]  :O) Bravo teta

A loyal Reader.

When u have a blog you know that a number of readers are following your posts, that can  keep you motivated to post frequently , but unfortunately you don't know all your readers unless they comment on a post or when u meet them in a special occasions and they talk about your blog  ... that makes you feel good but what makes you happier is when you know there is a loyal reader always following every post you write and mentioned your blog for the third time in  Communicate magazine ...Well here you know that your blog is damn good! I would like to thank that person and communicate magazine for reading my blog I really appreciate it .

Joe’s box does it again. This anonymous blogger specializes in nailing copycats, and this one kills two birds with one stone: two ads scamming the same concept simultaneously. “It is a coincidence?” the blogger wonders. You can read my post  The Naked Truth. N.B: I am not Anonymous

 Fellow Lebanese Bloggers featured in the magazine:

•  Schizolax-10mg:  One Upon A time in Beirut
• Snapshot scenes: “A” Sukleen story 
• The Maniachis: Nokia Developers Forum: Opportunities for developers     
• The Identity Chef : “Displaying Ramadan” – Guest Post by Gabriel Ghali 
• Plus961: Ramadan Kareem

" Where Are You" ?

Design: Joesbox©

Where are you?  A question that everyone ask on a phone conversation. Today there is a web site that answers your question and more…

What is Foursquare?

Foursquare is a social network that allow you to share your location with your friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter by checking in from your phone, for example every time you are in a restaurant you can write a message or your opinion about that place, the service or the food,  you will share your experience with all your friends and  people who will visit that place will read your opinion. Who have the most check in for the same place get the Mayor badge.

Foursquare for business:

Foursquare is so important for your business, you can register your business at foursquare.com when you will be listed, people can check in and comment on your operation, in general users are not shy specially in Lebanon about telling the world what they think about your business… If they have a valid criticism they will help you to make the change. You will be updated on what your consumers think about your business on daily basic, and it is a free advertising every time they check in. You can reward the Mayor of your place with special gift or maybe an additional discount...

 Lebanese early adopter are using this service frequently even if they are home but very few businesses in Lebanon are using it, maybe they don't have any idea about it or they prefer some old marketing tools to communicate with the customers, hope that will change soon. By the way i am here Where are you?

“A Must Have” For spoiled Kids Only!

Do you think your car is so expensive, your electronic gadgets, or your apartment ?  You will change your mind, because some  kids in the world have the most expensive toy  sleeping in their beds for  85.000$ ! Yes you are reading very well eighty five thousand dollar.

This Teddy bear is  made of gold blond silk mohair with gold fibers, eyes made of 2 deep blue sapphires (each approx 6 carat) and 40flawless rhinestones, mouth and nose made of 24 carat fine gold jointed, stuffed with wood shavings. Jubilee made of 24 carat fine gold. The German teddy bear company, Steiff is responsible for the production many expensive collectible bears and also the most expensive teddy bear ever made. The Steiff company claims to have made the world’s first teddy bear and is has made this golden bear to commemorate its 125th anniversary.

Once Upon A Time...

Marketers lie to consumers because consumers demand it. Marketers tell the stories, and consumers believe them. Some marketers do it well. Others are pretty bad at it. Sometimes the stories help people get more done, enjoy life more and live longer……
Consumers are used to telling stories to themselves and telling stories to each other, and it is just natural to buy stuff from someone who’s telling us a story. People can’t handle the truth…

 This is the case of the of Ksara wine, every season they spend a huge amount of money to position their brands and influence buyers , I guess you have seen the different great billboards on the Lebanese roads different scenes Slice of Life  telling different great stories, the advertising objective here is to target a young audiences and I guess Ksara and H&C Leo Burnett did it very well!

Next time, when buying your bottle of wine, I am sure you will end up choosing ksara bottle,

Don’t ask me why ? I told you the story….

                                                                                     The End...