Chinese think Apple is crazy: Apple’s splash-resistant ad goes viral for wrong reasons
At the start of July, Apple published a splash ad (one that appears on screen for a few seconds when an app is launched) on major social media platforms in China including Weibo, Bilibili.com, and 携程 Ctrip.com. The ad featured a man holding an iPhone to his ear in the drenching rain. and the short […]
FILA asks Chinese who are today’s idols
On June 28th, FILA’s new campaign 《对话》 (Conversation) and its Weibo hashtag #一个时代的偶像# (#The Idols of Our Time) was released and soon became a hot topic. By 5th July, this topic was read 460+ million times and discussed 456,000+ times (including 155,000+ posts with the hashtag). With this ad, the brand celebrated its 110th-anniversary using […]
Price discrepancies in China: What drives some product prices up and others down?
When comparing prices in China to Western countries there are often unexpected differences. As the cost of living in China is relatively low, one would expect the prices of products to be lower, but that is not always the case. Price discrepancies in China do not only offer opportunities to leverage those differences but it […]
How foreign cosmetics and skincare brands in China can succeed: China Paradigm transcript #123 with Jean-Philippe Benoist
GED localizes and establishes foreign cosmetics and skincare brands in China. Currently, GED is partnering with about 20 cosmetics brands. Having initially started with offline channels and distribution with SEPHORA, they are now focusing on digital online sales and marketing channels such as RED, WeChat, Weibo, Bilibili, TikTok, Tmall, JD, VIPshop, and others. Their target […]
Digital advertising in China, using simple platforms to engage Chinese customers: China Paradigm transcript #121 with Jie Zhang
Founded AdChina in 2015, AdChina.io provides a SaaS-based solution allowing foreign companies to do digital advertising in China across many local platforms. They received their first round of VC investment in 2019. Founder Jie Zhang’s educational experience was at Fudan University, where he studied physics. His previous work experience includes 10 years working for Huawei, […]
Australian CEO and founder of Shanghai content production studio: China Paradigm transcript #118 with Rodney Evans
Today’s episode features Rodney Evans. He is the founder and CEO of Central Studios Shanghai. Rodney has been in China since 2005. He founded his Shanghai content production studio in 2009. They mostly cover production and post-production in photography and video, used as marketing content for brands in China. Central Studios Shanghai has a 1,000 […]
A guide to product packaging sizes in China
China’s retail industry looked promising in the first quarter; the retail sales of consumer goods excluding automobiles was 3,155.4 billion yuan (USD 492.2 billion) in March, a 34.2% increase from last year. This gives a positive outlook for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) companies as consumption rebounds in China. However, the rising competition intensity and changing consumer […]
A Beijing company designing and building high-end electric motorbikes in China: China Paradigm transcript #115 with Nathan Siy
Nathan Siy has created a motorbike company in China. Prior to building a motorbike company in China, he did electric motorbike tours in Beijing. In 2014 he founded his company, Evoke Motorcycles, he designs and manufactures electric motorbikes in China. He aims to become the market leader in electric motorbikes in China. Listen to the […]
An interview with an authority on sustainability in fashion in China: China Paradigm transcript #114 with Hong Zheng
Hong Zheng is the founder of Adventi Communication and GREENEXT. Founded in 2004, Adventi Communication has been engaged in communications for luxury fashion brands, helping international labels develop marketing strategies in China. Since 2004 they have worked on 15 International Exhibitions, worked with over 70 international brands in the luxury sector, and led more than […]
AYAYI: The first metahuman in China has already made an “offline appearance” at Guerlain’s event
The first metahuman AYAYI (super realistic digital human) was created by RM Inc. (燃麦科技) earlier this year. AYAYI made her first appearance on Red on May 20th, 2021, the Chinese version of Valentine’s Day. As of July 1st, AYAYI’s first笔记 (note) launched on Red has won 95,000+ likes, 13,000+ favorites, and 2+ million reads. All […]
NEIWAI X MANNER: Two Shanghai brands set the summer mood together
On April 18, two Shanghai brands NEIWAI (内外), the lingerie brand, together with MANNER, a coffee shop chain, announced the joint collaboration “NEIWAI x MANNER Special Tunning Series.” First, they launched a new series of matcha drinks. This series includes three products: Ice Matcha Latte (冰抹茶拿铁), Hot Matcha Latte (热抹茶拿铁) and Wizard of Oz (绿野仙踪) […]
Thinking about registering a local entity in China? Start out by developing your business
The Chinese market is one of the most sought-after places to do business, thanks in part to China’s enormous size, large population and steady economic growth. Yet, there are many rules to starting a business in China. First of all, companies entering China must define their corporate structure. The company’s structure will impact numerous parameters, […]