Where is marketing going in the 21st century? - Part 1

The idea of advertising has always irked and interested people in equal amounts. Some people consider it to be a clever way of swindling people whereas other people look to it as an avenue of that demands creativity to be wholly successful and in that case, it is not swindling but rather an intelligent way of selling something. In actuality the answer lies somewhere in between. Yes, people in marketing and advertising have been known to use unethical ways of selling their products but in many and most cases it has been the creativity that really stood out as the element influencing success. In the 1960’s and 1970’s in particular, advertising experienced a golden-era in the United States which stemmed from Madison Avenue, New York City and included many advertising firms in the area competing and coming up with increasingly bold and creative advertising campaigns that have since been known to change the advertising industry forever.

However, the situation of the marketplace has changed drastically in the 21^st century. Gone are the days of advertising on billboards and newspapers. The days where creativity was often the only defining factor needed to get the consumer’s attention. These days, people have limited attention spans due to their over-reliance on technology which makes getting their attention an even tougher task. Studies have shown that most people just change the channel during commercial breaks whereas; no studies are needed to prove the fact that the majority of adolescents don’t even read newspapers anymore. All this makes advertising and marketing all the more difficult which is why digital has emerged as an avenue where marketers have looked to gain the attention of the consumer.

I think it’s wrong to say print media, billboards and television ads have lost their influence completely. That is simply untrue. However, their influence has decreased significantly in modern times especially compared to digital marketing which is on the rise. Why is this though? Besides the obvious reason that consumers should be targeted on the platform they spend most of their free-time on.

Revival of Pakistani Cinema

When we think about the Pakistani cinema today the first thing which comes to our mind that “Is the revival of Pakistani cinema sustainable? “

Our national film makers have altered the face of Pakistani cinema after 2012 but more steps are needed to build up and sustain the credibility of Pakistani cinema and to make the revival sustainable. Pakistan has created more than 20 top rated movies on record since 2015 with three animated movies in the list. Gone are the days where Pakistani movies depicted the low quality and old fashioned stories and scripts. The modern technology in Pakistan promises the full time fascinating and entertaining experience by the replacement of old fashioned cinemas, Theaters with multipurpose Cineplex’s in the major cities of Pakistan. Up till now Cinepax is the largest screen provider in Pakistan with more than 22 screens. The Cinepax situated in Rawalpindi first created the sense of the revival of Pakistani cinema by showing Indian movies at a premium level of experience. There first screening included “Khuda k Liye” which forced the producers of Pakistan to make such films. Moreover they also showed telefilms in their cinemas to grabs more audience attraction.

Till now ARY films are the biggest giants in the production unit of Pakistani cinema which is giving the audience back to back hit movies.

Despite the fact that brands like ARY Films, Geo Films Etc. are probably going to remain a noteworthy piece of the help structure for Pakistani movies (and the accomplishment from this will energize greater interest in film), expanding the quantity of cineplexes and screens is the main feasible approach to guarantee the security of the as of late kicked off neighborhood film industry. This is where the government of Pakistan should be promoting this and should play a positive role.

- Asad Munir

Islamabad Eat 2018

Pakistan’s biggest successful eat festival “Islamabad Eat” was celebrated second time to Islamabad town on the 23rd – 25th November 2018 at Jinnah Convention Center.
 Having float immense achievement a year ago, the celebration was significantly greater and better. Much the same as a year ago.

Islooites managed to kill the boredom by organizing an eventful weekend at the Convention Centre by the name of Islamabad Eat.

It’s being done on the likes of Karachi Eat which has been a huge success in the port city for the last two-three years.

 Bilal who has been managing a tea stall by the name of Chai Junction.His little tea shop is located in Bahria Town, Rawalpindi so he wanted to make a mark in the Islamabad food scene. He told us that The organisers have charged Rs15000 per stall fee for three days and only yesterday I started at 5pm and my sale was Rs30,000, he informed joyfully.

There were more than 25-30 stalls in all and a mix of homemade kitchens, kiosks, five-star hotels and bakery showcase. There was something to eat for everyone. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Dosas, BBQ, Halwa Puri, stall of homemade pasta, food from Hunza, Maki and Saag, smoothies, Italian, burgers so on and so forth.

The food was reasonably priced and nothing was over a price tag if Rs300 on most of the stalls we went to. The arrangement at the venue was superb. There were round tables, neat and clean table tops and jumping castle for kids, art exhibition by Nomad Gallery for art lovers.

Chattha’s was the other stall where one could spot a beeline. Maki Roti and Saag with the Desi Makhan topping, it was lethal.

Islamabad Eat has all the potential to grow every year and bring the food scene of the capital a must visit the event.

- Rafia Shakir

The current nostalgia: the lion king’s remake

The lion king is an American movie produced by Walt Disney animations released initially its first part in 1994. The movie was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, it was produced by Don Hahn. This movie has created a deep relationship with especially the 90’s people. It has created a bridge of powerful attachment with their childhood and Scar in their nightmares. Lion king has taken a place where every child is born so to jump in to the next step of their lives it is really important for them to watch the lion king.

Whenever the early oldies talk about their childhood, the conversation used to indicate that the remake of every movie has took place such as Batman and many more but not the lion king which showed the desire of how much they miss Simba and the cold breeze of timor’s jokes.
Today the lion king’s teaser trailer has been released which evoked the slideshow of memories in to our minds and triggered the amygdala. The trailer investigated that the new film is relative with the original story, although with Simba looking so clear in the trailer, some people are worried that he might jump out of our smart modern boxes. Can you believe that Beyonce is playing the role of Nala, give your opinion how she will ride the role.

Disney confirmed that the movie will be released on July 19th, 2019 in UK and US cinemas. But we haven’t heard confirmation of any new track by Beyonce in this one. The last lion king grossed $968.8 million at the box office. Let’s see whether this one will be able to do the Hakuna matata or will it destroy the original charm. Let’s ROAR for the best.

- Farasat Khan

Themed Cafes in Isloo

I'm one of those girls whose a real foodie. I mean I can't go a day without eating something delicious and snapchatting or instagramming it. Usually both. #YummyInMyTummy. My dream is to become the coolest food-blogger in Pakistan and also win first prize in an art-competition, something I plan to do once I complete my Masters from NUST. But enough about me, let's talk about some amazin' theme restaurants in Isloo you should (or should not) try.

 Cafe Crossbones

So apparently this cafe was supposed to be some horror themed cafe that was supposed to scare the living daylights out of me. LOL! I've seen greater horrors in the kitchen of Kabul Restaurant! 

I liked their ice-cream but I don't know why they were trying to scare people with lame things like skulls, skeletons and masks. How old do these people think we are? 11? 

My friend ordered the chocolate brownie and there were literally two eye-balls in it! Safe to say we won't be visiting again.

King’s Landing Café 

So apparently some nerds were asking me to watch this show called Game of Thrones. I told them to buzz off because I'm not a nerd who has so much free-time on her hands. However, when I went to King's Landing Cafe, I saw these same nerds again! I asked them what are you doing here nerds? They said: Rafia, this cafe is based on the show we were telling you to watch. I reminded them I'm not a nerd and won't be be watching any trendy nerd show about dragons and swords.I live in the real world!

Anyway this is an okay cafe. I liked their cheesecake and nerds said Pasta isn't bad either. They also had a nerdy but cool King chair made of swords. Nerds were referring to it as Iron Drone or Iron Krone or something like that. Don't remember and frankly, don't care!

Cafe I969

Okay so this is a real good eatery that's been around for a few years. Food is delicious, dishes are all traditional Pakistani dishes. #DesiLove. 

And the restaurant ambiance transports you to 1969. 

I wish I was living in 1969 and not 2018. Maybe then I could have gone to Momina Mustehsen's parents and asked them to NEVER let their daughter listen to Ko Ko Korina.

Written by: Rafia Shakir

Game of Thrones Season 8 promises a fitting end

[WARNING: If you have been living under a rock for the past seven years and have not seen Game of Thrones there are SPOILERS ahead.]

So the final season is set to release this April, the last and final season for this amazing show which has showed us that anything can be expected from killing off our favorite characters since season one (Edward Stark) sigh -- till now and how ruthless and ugly these deaths can get, not only that but what is most hurtful yet exciting about this show is the fact they always get you hooked with the characters and series and when you are thinking that “Oh, it might just end happily for this character” GOT is like no, not even in your dreams. So what’s really exciting about this season is that over the past 7 seasons everyone had been fighting for the throne, the power, from killing of the brutal king Joffery, to the amazing yet unexpected Red Wedding, to the point where Arya became no one, and Bran being the three eyed raven, and Sansa finally feeding the horrific Ramsey Bolton to the wolves and Jon Snow (our heart) becoming the King of the north. Every character has grown over the years and each has faced their part of life threatening situations, their characters have developed quite a lot and of course not to forgot the amazing Cerci Lannister’s wild fire bomb which literally wiped out half the characters and yet she felt no remorse. And Petyr Baelish, what he had been doing under everyone’s noses just to gain the power (well, he got what deserved later on)

But it can be seen that all the seasons have showed us the politics, and what power does to a person not only that how people can be ruthless, but the main part is that there always had been the enemy of the north who was beyond the wall have finally crossed the it and is now coming for everyone so at the end, after all those, fights, wars, love, betrayal, drama, excitement, for the throne was it all really worth it? Or not? Because the biggest enemy of all has just arrived and that means more of our favorite characters will be dead soon. Guess we will see that in April 2019 once the final season premieres.

Written by: Sharooq Naeem

Changing trends in fashion

Recent decades have seen the significant changes. Beginning from the glamour business to the method for dressing of a person there have been radical changes. With the start of the 21st century the Fashion Trends have changed exponentially. Characterizing style and making it a combination of the clothing types with the modern and cutting edge look has been the significant switch for the business.

It has been the time when the business of fashion has experienced with most extreme number of movements in regard to the patterns. In spite of the fact that this industry doesn't just deals in clothes yet additionally frill and styling have been a standout amongst the most vital and important focuses that one needs to take care about it. Apparels have constantly won the crown with regards to Fashion. Attire may run from skirts to wraparounds going to shalwar kameez, sarees or whatever one can imagine in his or her life.

Due to the changing demands in the on-going occasions these attire have styled themselves according to the needs of the people. It isn't that important any longer to tie to the regular style of attire. It's anything but a "you have to wear it this way" kind at this point. It relies upon your requirements and desires what you need to continue with. Everything is style today. In spite of the fact that the sort of attire you pick is the main thing you have to focus on.

Taking the greatest charge to characterize this industry life currently has turned out to be commitment to wear the best sort of garments in the market. Attire have assumed control over the whole business and as the present age and generation has gone with the trend to make it an accomplishment and success in the desire of looking the best.

Written by: Asad Munir