Last updated: July 23, 2008
NEWS
Turning plastic into gold
Visa uses Olympics to educate cash-happy Chinese about credit cards
Visa installed ATMs decorated like porcelain vases at Olympic venues, the final leg in a four-year marketing campaign designed to educate Chinese about its brand--and credit cards in general. Use of plastic is growing fast in China, particularly as mainlanders start traveling overseas, but it's still far below western levels.


BREAKING NEWS

Chinese shampoo marketer takes on premium western brands
And other news in Greater China
One of China's leading local shampoo brands is launching a premium haircare line, moving into territory dominated by P&G and Unilever; Heineken appoints Arc; Coke unleashes global Olympic blitz and other breaking news in Greater China.

FAST FACTS
The most popular souvenirs for Asian visitors to Beijing during the Olympics are expected to be Chinese tea, arts and crafts, and clothing. Women are more likely to buy Chinese silk, and men are more likely to buy electronic products. Younger travelers, aged 18-24, are more interested both traditional and modern Chinese memorabilia.
Source: Visa International

Send tips, comments and letters to adagechina@adage.com.



Subscribe to the E-mail   Subscribe to the E-mail

SPOTLIGHT
Apple steps up marketing in Asia
With new stores and iPhone on the way, China is top priority
Within days of launching the iPhone 3G in Asia, Apple appointed Eight Partnership, a Hong Kong-based independent agency, to handle its marketing communications in Asia. It also opened its first flagship store in Beijing (pictured) earlier this month, suggesting the iPhone may soon debut in the China, the world's largest mobile phone market.

PEOPLE
China scholar and photographer Sidney Gamble
P&G family member helped guide the Republic of China
P&G began selling shampoo in modern-day China exactly 20 years ago, but the family's ties to the mainland began a century ago. Sidney Gamble, grandson of P&G's co-founder James Gamble, visited China from 1908 to 1932, documenting his travels in over 3,500 photographs.



EVENTS
What's coming up in Greater China
July 31, 2008 - Search Engine Marketing Workshop
The Park Lane, Hong Kong
www.conferences.com.sg

July 31, 2008 - Branding in China
JW Marriott Hotel, Shanghai
www.chinaeconomicreview.com 
 
October 28-30, 2008 - CASBAA Convention
PopTV Arena, Hong Kong
www.casbaaconvention.com

Select "Read" to see the full list of upcoming events.