MEDIA RELEASE
GREY GROUP ASIA PACIFIC PARTNERS WITH CYRIL TAKAYAMA IN EYE ON GLOBAL ASIANS SEMINAR AT SPIKES ASIA 2010
Nirvik Singh to Talk to Internationally Acclaimed Magician about Magic, Creativity and Inspiration
SINGAPORE, September 6, 2010 – Leading communications company Grey Group Asia Pacific announced today that its inaugural Eye on Global Asians seminar at the Spikes Asia 2010 Advertising Festival will feature internationally acclaimed magician Cyril Takayama.
A pioneer of “street magic”, Takayama is best known in Asia for his irreverent street stunts showcased on television. A highly celebrated and respected performing artist who continues to break boundaries with his imagination, Takayama is also recognised as the world’s first “Cyber Magician” for being the most downloaded magician on the Internet.
At the regional creative advertising festival, Nirvik Singh, Grey Group Asia Pacific Chairman & CEO, will talk to the multiple award-winning magician to find out how his approach to the art of magic is parallel to that of the creative industry.
“The worlds of creativity and magic are more similar than we might think, whether in the areas of searching for inspiration, brainstorming, conceptualising or delivering an outstanding execution. In particular, Cyril’s refreshing connection with people has been integral to his ability to captivate and engage an international audience. In both our businesses, the ability to engage the audience is pivotal for success and hence we are constantly striving to find that compelling platform that is relevant and will deliver positive reaction and action,” Singh said.
Following on Grey Group Asia Pacific’s annual Eye on Asia study, the agency aims to get up close and personal with successful and creative global Asians in its Eye on Global Asians seminar to uncover what drives their passion, their influences and motivations, as well as the trigger points that inspire creativity in them.
Singh added: “We will be tracking thriving Asian-rooted individuals who have made it big globally, to tap into their minds, understand their winning strategies and discover how they have successfully branded themselves on the international stage. Each seminar will be insightful to the advertising, media and marketing industries with topical trends, and we hope to continue to present this Eye on Global Asians seminar in subsequent years.”
Born in America and currently based in Tokyo, Takayama epitomises the 21st century entertainer, straddling both the East and the West, connecting with audiences worldwide in person, online, in feature films and on television, including on Sony Pictures Entertainment Networks Asia’s AXN network.
Grey Group Asia Pacific’s Eye on Global Asians seminar will take place at the Spikes Asia 2010 Advertising Festival on Tuesday, September 21 (5.20pm Singapore time), in the Seminar Room at Suntec City, Singapore. The seminar will be the closing session before the Spikes Asia Awards Ceremony.
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About Grey Group Grey Group ranks among the largest global communications companies and its total offering includes Grey (advertising) and G2 (brand activation). Its parent company is WPP. “Famously Effective Since 1917”, Grey Group serves a blue chip client roster of many of the world’s best known companies. Grey Group is represented in 96 countries, with 432 offices operating in 154 cities. In the Asia Pacific region, Grey Group covers 30 cities in 17 countries. For more information about Grey Group Asia Pacific, visit www.greygroupasiapacific.com.
About Cyril Takayama Born and raised in Los Angeles, California and now based in Tokyo, Japan, Cyril epitomises the 21st century entertainer, straddling both the East and the West and connecting with audiences globally. Fascinated with magic as a small boy, Cyril became a junior member of the “Magic Castle”, an internationally respected magic authority based in Hollywood. Cyril was quickly labelled the world’s first “Cyber Magician” as he gained international popularity by becoming the most downloaded magician on the Internet with over 50 million views on YouTube alone.
In 2007, Cyril was recognised by his peers in the magic community at the 39th Annual Academy of Magical Arts Awards, also known as the “Academy Awards of Magic”. That year, Cyril was voted “Magician of the Year”, putting him in company of past winners including icons such as David Copperfield and Siegfried & Roy.
In the last year, Cyril has travelled to more than 35 cities throughout Japan performing his live shows to sold out audiences and is now preparing his live show tour in Asia.
In February 2009, his 15th Japanese primetime television special aired on leading Japanese broadcaster, Fuji TV, and was among the highest rated programs of the evening. Following on the ratings success, Fuji TV and Cyril are now embarking on his 16th Japanese primetime television special.
In November 2009, in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment Networks Asia’s AXN network, Cyril executive produced and starred in a 3-part English language television special titled “Cyril, Simply Magic”, for the Asian audience. It was a ratings success in the region, and AXN and Cyril are currently preparing for a second series scheduled to air in early 2011.
About the Spikes Asia Advertising Festival, celebrating and inspiring Asia Pacific creativity in advertising. Suntec City, Singapore, 19-21 September 2010.
Building on 23 years of the illustrious Spikes Awards, the Spikes Asia Advertising Festival is the result of a collaboration between the International Advertising Festival, organisers of Cannes Lions, Dubai Lynx and Eurobest, and Haymarket. The Festival provides the region’s growing creative and advertising industry with a platform to network and exchange ideas, bringing together some of the finest creative thinkers from across the region and around the world.
Spikes Asia offers a challenging programme of seminars and workshops focusing on creativity and learning, exhibitions of creative work from Asia Pacific, networking events in the evening and the Spikes Asia award show.
The Awards, judged by leading international and regional creatives, honour the best creative work in the categories of TV/Cinema, Print, Outdoor, Radio, Digital, Integrated, Direct, Sales Promotion, Media, Print Craft, TV/Cinema Craft and Design.
For more information, contact Amanda Benfell, Spikes Asia Advertising Festival PR & Press Manager, Tel: +44 (0)20 7728 4040, [email protected], or visit www.spikes.asia.
Media Contacts Candie Chiong VP, Marketing & Corporate Communications Grey Group Asia Pacific Direct Line: +65 6511 7610 Mobile: +65 9697 3620 Email: [email protected]
Geraldine Wong Senior Manager, Corporate Communications Grey Group Asia Pacific Direct Line: +65 6511 7621 Mobile: +65 9168 2278 Email: [email protected]