Cleaning up Egypt

Barely 10 days since the fall of Hosni Mobarak, people of Egypt have joined hands to clean the city ravaged during the protest march. Henkel and TBWA\RAAD has joined hands to get things clean and back on track. How amazing feat that can be. Henkel is doing this as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiative and not a brand promotion. Highly appreciated.

Hope more brands join hands to bring real meaningful change in Egypt.

Good times indeed

The wave of change has hit the MENA nationals hard. What an amazing time. People power at its best. But I didn't know John R. Bradley, author of Inside Egypt (2008) predicted long ago, a social revolution is about to happen in that region. I haven't read the book yet so I cant say much but it makes me wonder, planners should have the ability to predict changes with precise timelines too. Over throwing regimes vs. over throwing market leader. It's all about the marketplace end of the day. Ability to predict doesn't mean writing trend reports, ability to predict means doing/ implementing tangible social experiments to judge the socio-cultural undercurrents. From precise prediction to visible ripples in the market. Then comes the strike rate of correct prediction.

Makes me ask so many questions about the changes we're going through. People actually haven't come to terms with the chain of events happening around us. Will the MENA/ GCC region create its own currency now? Will GCC truly become an effective Union? Wonder what role will Iran play? What about Turkey and Saudi Arabia? What will be Israel's role in the whole game plan? OMG... things are quiet fucked up.

Ha. Planning is fun.

Victory finally

People of Egypt indeed managed to bring down the regime. All started with this video on Youtube. People responded, people came together and bring down the gov.. Viva la Social Media Revolucion. More to come from the region, as experts are predicting.

Anyways, down with the dictators. Am not a political science expert but I do get an idea that social media will play a big future role in hatching mass gatherings for a common cause, one that will actually bring change. Networking online, offline demonstration - will be the delivery model. Though its been happening since the birth of internet but the difference now is people are demanding absolute transparency. Yesterday might as well be remembered in history as the day of Social Media Enlightenment (a modern version of Age of Enlightenment) and more people from that region will aim to achieve the same goals of freedom, breaking free from poverty, exploitation and social security.

Well, I don't know how democracy will take shape in Egypt but young people has managed to pull it off without much bloodshed and they used technology and social networking to their utmost advantage, against which the govt didn't have a chance. These lessons are applicable to brands and companies too. I want to see what happens to Yemen in particular.

Walk like an Egyptian.

Egypt - The rise of Social Media Revolution (Update)

In less than 1 hour, of me mentioning about the Social Media Revolucion, we indeed have "The Virtual March" on Facebook. Go ahead. Bring a revolution. I mentioned here how Egypt is turning to be a great example of social change using social media, rather a regime change. This is a live event happening around us. I just hope more clients in India start listening to what people are saying in the social media platform, before they go out in the streets screaming, 'Viva La Revolucion.'

On a different note, I was wondering, the Communist Party of India is indeed stupid. They couldn't manage to use social networking and social media to their advantage, both online and offline. Am guessing a similar event about to happen in Kolkata very soon. Or maybe not. Didi ain't transparent either. Anyways. Change will prevail upon the regime. May the force be with you.

Egypt - The rise of Social Media Revolution

The latest developments in Egypt can become the new face of Social Revolution in the ear of Social Media. Surprisingly with several instances of people and society coming together to raise their voice against oppression, corruption and government wrong doings signifies an emerging trend - Social Media influenced Revolution.

Examples like:

• The Red Brigade taking over central business district of Bangkok, Thailand last year.
• Uprising in Tunisia against Ben Ali and people using social media to spread the word.
• The civil unrest in Kyrgyzstan and the spreading the news through social media.
• Suu Kyi's supporters using Social Media to raise awareness of the oppression and her house arrest.
• Thousands of people gathering near The Gateway of India after the 26/11 Mumbai attack coming together after spreading the message on Social Media
• Thousands of people sending Pink Chaddi's (Pink underwear) to RSS & VHP supporters against their inhuman action on Valentine's Day in Bangalore.
• Finally Wikileaks taking on Govt. of the world by releasing tapes and classified documents.

What is the new role of Social Media? Can Social Media become the most important channel when it comes to raising voice against wrong doings? Can Social Media become the platform for Social Revolutions? How will Social Media affect Govt. branding? How will it impact government functioning? Will Social Media finally bring in transparency at every level?

Well, these developments are serious issues with greater impact on the way we live our lifes, the code of conduct for govts., the economic state of affairs, etc. Think over. And please do share your views with me.