Bonjour, Cannes!

So this past week, my awesome (day) job took me to Cannes, France for MIPCOM 2010, the largest TV content marketplace that apparently attracted some 12,500 participants this year. It was my first time at MIP and also, my first visit to the place itself. And to that, I say WOOHOO.

A 12-hour flight from KL took me to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam after which I took another flight to Nice. Check out the view as we approached the city...
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A Euro63-cab ride then took me to Cannes itself. Since the event had already started when I arrived, I dove straight into the action after a quick shower. The hotel was smack right in the middle of town, and after a short walk, there I was at the Palais des Festival, the famous convention centre that also hosts the Cannes Film Festival. You know, the thing that Clooney and co attend almost every year. :)
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After that, it was meetings all day and the gloomy weather limited our outdoor activities. I managed to explore a bit of the magnificent city in the evening on the way to dinner, where I also bumped into some fans. Haha!
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...Dinner was a magnificent spread of seafood, and basically that's the gastronomic-theme for the whole week. That, and heavenly gelato, which I consumed at least twice a day. Suka hati lah ok?
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...The next day it was back to the Palais for more meetings and conferences. The weather was beautiful then and really, I can't think of anywhere else that work could be even more pleasurable :)
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...And oh, in case you're wondering if we bumped into any super-famous people... well, VOILA!
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Gene. Freakin. Simmons. And you know what? He totally exceeded my expectations. I knew he's eloquent and a good businessman and stuff, but the guy really spoke sense and was full of substance when talking about "Building Entertainment Brands". And to that, I stick my tongue out, dude!

......I haven't really waxed lyrical about Cannes itself, but in brief, I can just say that it's one of the most beautiful places I've been to. Have a look lah...

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But wait! I'm not done yet with the bumping into super-famous people!

So at this one party, I was fast getting bored when the guest of honour walked in...
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Yup, that's Sarah Jessica Parker herself, in town to promote her new reality show, "Work of Art". Mesti ramai dah jealous giler. Haha.

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I didn't get to do much sight-seeing tho, but I did have a good look at the beachfront area near the Palais, called La Croisette.

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...It's the place to just hangout, shop at luxury stores, have a panini or two and gawk at topless sunbathers. Alaa, like you wouldn't, you pretentious lot!
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Oh, apart from the seafood and gelato, the whole trip was made sweeter by these delicious little things: MACARONS! They're so good, I don't even have the words for it!
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...And finally, before I left, I just had to take a walk to the Old Quarters and up the hill to Musee de la Castre. From there, you could literally see the whole of Cannes' town centre. Breathtaking.

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Overall, a truly memorable first trip to Cannes and a productive MIPCOM. Then it was off to Paris!

Spreading Some Cheer

Hold your horses, ok? Before I get to those Cannes and Paris posts, let me share this CSR initiative we did on 29th September.

gua Kongsi Kemeriahan Syawal Dengan Mereka Yang Kurang Bernasib Baik

4 OKTOBER 2010: Seringkali kita diingatkan, dalam kemeriahan kita menyambut Syawal bersama keluarga tercinta dan mereka yang tersayang, jangan dilupakan golongan yang kurang bernasib baik.

Setiap tahun sempena ulangtahun gua akan dianjurkan majlis berbuka puasa bersama para media, artis dan anak-anak yatim. Tetapi tahun ini, gua cuba membawa keriangan Syawal kepada lebih ramai anak-anak yang tidak berpeluang menyambut Aidilfitri bersama keluarga tercinta.

Pada 29 September lalu, gua telah mengunjungi anak-anak di wad pediatrik Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya dan Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Taman Megah, di mana selain meluangkan masa bersama mereka, gua juga telah mengedarkan duit raya sebagai melengkapi sambutan Hari Raya Puasa anak-anak ini.

"Dalam keseronokan kita meraikan kehadiran Lebaran bersama keluarga dan teman-teman, adakalanya kita terlupa pada golongan yang kurang bernasib baik," kata Pengurus Besar Jenama, Pengisian dan Pemasaran Alt Media Sdn. Bhd., M. Zulkifli Abdul Jalil.
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"Walaupun sumbangan yang dihulurkan tidaklah seberapa, tetapi diharapkan ia dapat membawa keceriaan kepada mereka. Dan lebih pentingnya, mengingatkan mereka bahawa mereka tidak dilupakan masyarakat."
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... gua dilancarkan pada 11 September 2007. Buat para pembaca yang setia mengikuti perkembangan gua sejak hari pertama penubuhannya, banyak perubahan yang telah dilalui portal hiburan dan gaya hidup ini, baik dari segi susun atur mahupun kandungan.

Pada 6 Ogos lepas, gua menemui pembaca dengan wajah terbarunya yang lebih ranggi, selain menjanjikan satu pengalaman melayar yang lebih mudah dan sistematik.

Ini merupakan pertukaran wajah gua yang ketiga. Sebaik mungkin gua cuba tampil dengan sesuatu yang baru setiap tahun agar sentiasa kelihatan segar dan baru di mata pembaca.

Selain perubahan wajah, banyak yang telah gua capai dalam tempoh tiga tahun ini.

Selepas mencipta sejarah dengan penyiaran drama 'online' pertama negara, Kerana Karina lakonan Marsha, yang menemui pelayar pada 29 Oktober 2007, sudah sembilan buah drama yang disiarkan secara eksklusif di gua sehingga hari ini.

Antaranya, Kerana Karina 2 dan 3, Malaysian Talent.com, Jelma 1 dan 2, Luna Fantasiku, Ceraiya, Mingguan Lelaki dan terbarunya, Dunia Baru Reunion. Lebih membanggakan, Dunia Baru Reunion berjaya meraih 1.55 juta tontonan sepanjang siarannya dari 7 Jun hingga 21 Julai 2010.

Yang pasti, banyak lagi drama ‘online’ akan disajikan khas buat para peminat di masa akan datang. Kini, drama-drama ‘online’ gua serta video terbitan gua TV boleh dinikmati di saluran khas gua di tonton.com.my.

Dari segi ‘editorial’, semestinya kandungan yang lebih eksklusif dan sensasi akan disajikan buat para pembaca yang sentiasa inginkan berita-berita terkini dan terhangat.

Cannes, OK?

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Oh yes, I'm in Cannes, folks. For what? Did I meet any famous people? Am I sick of french loaf now? All these and more, coming soon. Stay tuned!

Media Prima Raya Open House 2010: It's A Winner!

So on Tuesday, Media Prima threw one of its famous Raya open houses for staff and guests, and here's my verdict...

Best. Open House. Ever.

And I really, really mean it.

The theme was "Raya Sepanjang Zaman" which meant that the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s virtually came alive via the booths, our costumes and baju, and the entertainment as well.
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And the best part was, everyone was super sporting and put in their best effort to make it a truly memorable occasion. We even had flash mobs!

I will now let the pictures do the talking...

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Dr. Brady Barr In Da' House!

Yup, this morning on MHI, we had world famous herpetologist Dr. Brady Barr in the house. In town to promote the latest season of Dangerous Encounters on Nat Geo Wild, Dr. Barr and I had a lively chat about some of his more life-threatening experiences including an encounter with a giant phython at the Snake Palace in Bali.
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Dr. Barr is also known for adopting unconventional measures in his efforts to get closer to animals including disguising himself as a hippo just to get a sweat sample off those burly beasts. Check out the video below...
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Only bummer was he couldn't bring over some interesting reptiles to the set as promised. Apparently he injured his hand (bitten by a crocodile, of course) just before coming over to Malaysia and couldn't have possibly handled the animals himself.

Anyway, thanks to the folks at Nat Geo for making the interview possible and thanks to Dr. Barr for his time. Do come back, and please bring some slithery creatures with you next time! :)