Karthik Srinivasan’s Post

Creative

It's not about whether HK will 'accept' this sense of humor. Humor is a powerful tool that can connect people, but it's not universal. Here’s why humor can vary so widely: 1. Cultural Differences: Each culture has its own norms and values that shape its sense of humor. What's funny in one culture might be puzzling in another. 2. Language Barriers: Jokes often rely on wordplay and idioms, which don’t always translate well. This can make humor lost in translation. 3. Social and Historical Contexts: Humor can be tied to specific events or societal norms. Without the same background, jokes may not resonate. 4. Individual Differences: Personal experiences and personality play a big role. What’s hilarious to one might be offensive or confusing to another. 5. Taboo and Sensitivity: Topics like race, religion, and politics can be sensitive. Different cultures have varying levels of tolerance for these jokes. 6. Cognitive and Perceptual Factors: Humor often hinges on timing, surprise, and incongruity. People's different ways of processing information can affect how they perceive jokes. I am sure that when this ad was created, the ad agency and the tourism board had a specific audience group in mind. If they get the humor, then the campaign was successful. #CulturalDifferences #Humor #Communication #Diversity #GlobalBusiness

A week ago, I commented on this post on LinkedIn on using humor to promote Oslo as a destination. It made me think about humor in events. Humor can be a powerful tool in our arsenal, capable of breaking the ice, fostering connections, and leaving lasting impressions. I witnessed this firsthand in the early 2000s, not long after 9/11, when a client in New York brought Jerry Seinfeld on board to lighten the mood at an event. In those somber times, a touch of comedy made the gathering noticeably brighter, demonstrating the transformative power of well-placed humor. However, as we design our event programs, it's crucial to remember that humor isn't universal. What tickles one person's funny bone might leave another cold – or worse, offended. Read “The Double-Edged Sword of Humor in Event Planning: Why Caution is Key” in the latest edition of the Event Pulse as I drill down into the pros and cons of humor in events. Available now https://lnkd.in/ggJ347um https://lnkd.in/gTMJ_t4y #eventplanning #humor #eventmanagement

OSLO has so many issues.... Forget the Eiffel Tower selfie struggles or the endless lines at the Colosseum. Oslo, the land of Vikings and fjords, has a new tourism campaign so delightfully deadpan, it's practically begging to go viral. This isn't your average travel ad with impossibly happy tourists frolicking through fields. No, Oslo is here to unveil the shocking truth: their city is... dare we say... easy? The ad, masterfully orchestrated by Visit Oslo, features a hilariously disappointed resident complaining about the city's efficiency. The sheer audacity of being able to walk into a museum without a two-hour wait? The horror! They miss the "good old days" when they had to elbow through crowds of tourists., because apparently, convenience is just so darn inconvenient. This self-deprecating humor is a breath of fresh air in the often-saturated travel ad world. Instead of staged perfection, Oslo embraces its accessibility. It's a clever way to create interest, leaving viewers wondering – could a city this uncrowded actually be... enjoyable? The ad's success lies in its ability to connect with viewers on a relatable level. We've all been there, stuck in tourist traps with more selfies than actual sightseeing. Oslo taps into that frustration, then flips the script, making tranquility the new "it" factor. Oslo's campaign is a masterclass in using humor to stand out. Who knew "uncrowded" could be the new sexy? So, ditch the fight for the perfect Instagram shot and consider a city that prioritizes both beauty and ease. After all, your vacation shouldn't feel like a battle royale. #VisitOslo #UncrowdedLuxury #TravelGoals #ByeByeSelfieSticks

What you'll experience on your trip to the capital of Lithuania: desolate Soviet-era neighborhoods, sketchy inhabitants, foul weather and fouler food. Wait, this is a travel ad? Indeed it is, and it's a spot-on piece of satire aimed at flipping Cold War stereotypes on their heads. (While not unprecedented, it's a refreshing departure from glossy marketing in the #travelandtourism category). Check out the work here, part of a significant push from the Go Vilnius tourism bureau and its ad agency BM Boutique. (See also: a cool stunt for Pink Soup Fest!) ADWEEK #marketingandadvertising

This is a masterclass in anti-advertising 👏 This VisitOSLO ad leverages sophisticated humor, an unconventional narrative, and cultural references to deliver an entertaining message, making it stand out in the crowded global tourism sector. Brilliantly, it draws inspiration from Danish-Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier, whose celebrated Oslo Trilogy (including the Oscar-nominated The Worst Person in the World) features an Oslo very similar to the one in the ad. The ad's dry humor has sparked a lot of online buzz, with some hailing it as the 'best tourism ad they've ever seen'. What do you think? #marketing #advertising #tourism

A day in Venice comes with a new price tag. Venice is once again facing the challenge of overtourism, prompting city officials to introduce a €5 entry fee for day-trippers on peak days in an effort to balance visitor access with local livability. But not all residents are on board with the idea. The move has sparked controversy, leading to protests by around 500 people who oppose the fee. Opponents argue that the fee is a violation of the freedom of movement and doubt its effectiveness, considering it too low to stop tourists from coming. On days categorized as “peak” tourism days, visitors are now expected to secure their entry in advance by purchasing a ticket, or they face the risk of fines ranging from €50 to €300. What are your thoughts on Venice’s new entry fee for day visitors?

By now, chances are that you've seen the Olso tourism ad questioning if the Nordic city is in fact "even a city?" Industry colleagues and I have been discussing it since it came out, including just today -- it has been making the rounds in China lately. A sincere congratulations to the VisitOSLO team and all its partners who were behind this. 👏👏👏 Upon further reflection in all these conversations, two things have become clear, whether you like or dislike the ad. 1️⃣ 𝐈𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞. Most locations are not willing to put their blemishes out their like this so plainly. We are certainly asked often to edit out any acknowledgements that something might be less than perfect in a place, even if that's the more compelling angle. But here's the thing -- perfection is boring. People engage with intrigue, imperfection and authenticity. This Oslo ad has that. Honestly, I'm more impressed by the courage than the results. 2️⃣ 𝐈𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 "𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲" 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐬𝐥𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞. Achieving success like this once is a good story. Getting to that level again...and again...to remind people what inspired them the first time is what can elevate a location's perception for the long haul. It's a tall task, but what an opportunity as well. Those are my two takes. If you have been living under a rock in the last month, check out the coverage and ad below. 😉👇

Switzerland or Denmark? New Zealand or Australia? We now delve into the 10 most misattributed flags – those that over 1,000 international travellers mistakenly associated with other countries.   Presented visually, we see striking similarities among some flags, sharing colours, icons, and patterns. Denmark’s flag, with its cross symbol suffers significant misattribution to Switzerland. Likewise, Belgium’s flag, featuring black, yellow, and red, registers the highest misattribution rate to a single country, with three out of ten misidentifiers linking it to Germany.   Nearly a quarter of those who misidentified the New Zealand flag believed it to be Australia's. Conversely, only 5% of those who misattributed the Australian flag thought it to be New Zealand's. A mitigating factor here is likely the discrepancy in country size. This highlights the inherent advantage enjoyed by larger entities, a phenomenon not limited to brands but evidently extending to entire nations.   The nations depicted should tread carefully, avoiding over-reliance on flags alone to improve “brand” linkage in tourism advertising. Monuments, landscapes, notable figures, native wildlife, and even culinary delights might serve as more effective ambassadors.

Bigger brands and bigger countries have one thing in common: an unfair advantage when it comes to misattribution. If your asset or advert doesn't sufficiently look like you, it will most often be misattributed to the larger competitor. We can see it here, with the New Zealand flag being misattributed to Australia, Denmark to Switzerland, Belgium to Germany etc. This plays out in the brand world too and is a paradigm for smaller brands. You need to be even more distinctive and better branded than the category leader who benefits from any confusion and poorly signposted advertising.