The following is a guest post I wrote on the lovely blog Brandcurve.com
Next month, all eyes will be on Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Olympics are a time for the nations of the world, in spite of their differences and animosities, to come together in the celebration of sport. While sport is still [...]

// a tale of Britain, China, brands & branding, design, national identities, politics
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There’s no shortage of superstitions in the world, especially in the world of sports and in the developing world. It’s no surprise then that the designer of the Beijing Olympic Mascots is taking heat for his cuddling little characters are being blamed for causing last month’s Earthquake.
The mascots are said to be five harbingers of [...]

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Proving once again that everything is made in China, it has emerged that the banned flags of Tibet are actually manufactured in Chinese factories! I read it on the BBC, although it sounds like something The Onion would come up with. Do I need to really say anything else?

This story also reminds me of the [...]

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Say Hello to HiPhone. No, not from Apple, but 1.3 Billion Chinese can’t tell the difference.

In the ongoing series of Chinese knock-off brands, we find a clone of Apple’s popular iPhone. With a similar product design and interface, it’s actually a good copy. While the name may be strikingly similar, I suspect the ‘experience’ doesn’t [...]

// a tale of China, brands & branding, computers & gadgets, national identities
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By now the Chinese are master artisans in the craft of knocking off well-established brands. But this time around, we’re voyaging beyond the realm of sneakers and handbags and hitting the road in style.
Check out this brilliant collection of auto company knock-off logos, almost entirely from China.
C’mon China, you’ve got the Olympics coming up, don’t [...]

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A traditional Chinese cafe has opened in the Forbidden City where a Starbucks had been. The Starbucks was forced to close from the torrent of protests and accusations of “tarnishing the historical site.”
BBC tells the story of how the Starbucks had been a sore spot for the Chinese since it opened in 2000.
Of course this [...]

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T-shirts aren’t usually a source of profound thought, but they are often a source of wit. Here’s one that turned up recently online. I haven’t heard this saying before, but you might have.

Religious connotations aside, this is a great example of how nations and countries have a public perception that is so universal and unquestioned. [...]

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