Brand Ambassador IZ Reloaded! (News Release plus FAQ)

I've mentioned about my blog sponsorship in a post last week but couldn't provide you with more information then but now it's official, so here's the news release:

SAN STREET APPOINTS POPULAR LOCAL BLOGGER IZ RELOADED AS BRAND AMBASSADOR

IZ Reloaded blog used to launch labels Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc in Singapore



Singapore, 23 May 2007 – San Street, a company specializing in streetwear apparel and accessories, with signature labels Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc (ALI), today announces the signing of popular blogger IZ Reloaded as its brand ambassador.

As part of the agreement, the company also becomes the main sponsor of the IZ Reloaded blog. San Street's main sponsorship of IZ Reloaded will include the integration of the San Street and its clothing brands’ logos with the IZ Reloaded masthead, as well as various ad units placed throughout the IZ Reloaded blog.

On shunning traditional marketing avenues for blogs as a launch platform, Sandy Low, Operations Manager for San Street, said, “By embracing the relatively new blogosphere as part of our marketing mix, we reflect San Street’s brand position of being creative and bold. Blog readership is growing at a rapid rate, with blogs fast becoming a powerful marketing platform for niche brands like us, where word of mouth among the right audience is key. This sponsorship and endorsement deal with IZ Reloaded allows us to reach out and communicate to a highly valuable consumer base. We are therefore very pleased to be associated with one of the most popular and best blogs in Singapore to help us in our strategy.”

Low adds that choosing the right blog to be associated with is important. “While there are many popular blogs in Singapore, many of them either run like personal journals and can sometimes carry rather controversial content, or are special-interest blogs about food and other hobbies. We are delighted that IZ Reloaded offers a great mix of news, current affairs and pop culture, but written in a way that is fun and clearly connects with the audience – that is the kind of brand image we want.”



Blogger IZ Reloaded said that bagging the San Street deal is not only a satisfying personal coup for him, but it is a big boost to the local blogging community as a whole. “Commercial endorsement deals have always been the domain of television, movie and sports celebrities, so it is encouraging to know that a company like San Street – with several cool fashion brands under it – has the confidence and foresight to appoint a blogger as its brand ambassador.”

San Street intends to use the deal to promote the Extreme and ALI brands, as well as an upcoming higher end streetwear brand called Zero Hour in June.

About San Street:

San Street, a company that specializes in streetwear apparels and accessories, was founded in 2007. It is the sole distributor for Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc (ALI) in Singapore. Its first outlet known as the Extreme Shop is located in the new My.PlayGround at Suntec City Mall, Level 3.

About IZ Reloaded:

IZ Reloaded covers current news, pop culture, blogs, websites, gadgets, the fascinating and the weird from a Singapore/Asia perspective. The blog is a runner up in both the 2006 Weblog Awards (Best Asia Blog) and the 2004 Asia Blog Awards (Best Singapore Blog) and it is also the first Singapore blog to be syndicated by US company Newstex. His photoblog Katoomba Syndrome is a finalist in 2005, 2006 and 2007 Photobloggies (Best Southeast Asia photoblog) and runner up in the 2004 Asia Blog Awards (Best Asia photoblog).

-ENDS-

I will post a FAQ later today. Thanks to some of my readers who were involved in the FAQ process over the past few days. Will mention names later. Ha!

Update: The FAQ, finally. Thanks to readers GeekGod, Shy, Myra Leong and Mr Big for the questions. Will beg, borrow and steal a t-shirt from my sponsors for you.

Q: How did you get this deal?
A: I happened to date the girl who owns the company. LOL. Ok no. That's not it. Seriously. They were actually looking at several blogs and I was just lucky to be chosen.

Q: So now you are really selling out huh?
A: Technically I've sold out several months ago when I decided to include the Google Adwords in my blog. So selling out a bit more will not do any harm aye, only bring in some more money so that I can go out and party more.

Q: How come I've never heard of San Street and their brands before?
A: Well now you have. San Street is in fact a new company. Before it brought the brands Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc into Singapore only this year, these two brands have been selling well in a neighbouring country. And soon I'm sure they will sell well here too.

Q: So tell us how much are you paid?
A: Well Xiaxue was paid 2 peanuts everytime she wears her sponsor's t-shirts so I would like to think that I'm paid more than 2 peanuts. Ok - 4 peanuts!

Q: You are not the first blogger in Singapore to get this type of endorsement deal?
A: That honour has got to go to Xiaxue. I think she's the first in Asia not just in Singapore. So I guess I'm the second. But mine is better really cause I get to represent 2 brands of clothing line plus another one that is coming soon. Not only T-shirts, but bags, jeans, pants, sweat shirts, caps. I even have a damn nice ladies line too but don't expect me to model them for you people aye.

Q: So do you get to keep their clothes?
A: Ha but of course. As a Brand Ambassador I get to keep my wardrobe full of Extreme and ALI clothes. I even wear them to bed.

Q: Are you really out to take over the world?
A: Shhhsh.

More cool t-shirts for you guys and gals!

I visited San Street at Suntec City on Friday evening to take a look at their latest arrivals.



Above: Zero Hour tees - $32.90, Zero Hour Polo Tees and long sleeves - $35.90, ALI tees - $22.90, ALI jumpers - $47.90, ALI bags with interchangeable cover - $35.90 , Extreme bags - $32.90



Above: Exgal tees - $24.90 and $26.90 (with shiny printing)

San Street informed me that there is a 20% discount when you buy a second T-shirt at its Suntec City and Queensway Shopping Centre outlets. There's also a 20% discount on all bottoms! Selected Exgal polo tees and Exgal tees are at 2 for $35 - only at Suntec. All promotions till 13 October 2007 so go grab yours quick aye. Location of the outlets here.

(Disclosure: I'm the Brand Ambassador for San Street, the distributor of Extreme, Action Ladfigure Inc and Zero Hour in Singapore. San Street is also a main sponsor of this blog.)

Previously:
Zero Hour Jackets and Bags
Zero Hour T-shirts in Singapore
Zero Hour launches in Singapore!
Cool Wallets, Blets and Buckles at San Street
Presenting the San Street Contest Winners

Cool Wallets, Belts and Buckles at San Street

Recently I took some pictures of the wallets, belts and buckles by streetwear brands Extreme, Zero Hour and ALI at San Street's outlet in Suntec City. Here are some of the pics:













There are lots more designs to choose from at San Street's two outlets - Suntec City and Queensway Shopping Centre. Pricing for the wallets range from S$15.90 to S$49.90, the belts range from $45.90 to $65.90 and buckles range from $26.90 to $32.90. Do check 'em out aye.

Disclosure: I am a Brand Ambassador for San Street, the local distributor of Extreme, Action Ladfigure Inc and Zero Hour streetwear brands. San Street is also a main sponsor of this blog.

Related: Presenting the San Street T-Shirt Contest Winners

Presenting the San Street Contest Winners

Yesterday, I had a blast meeting the two winners of the t-shirt contest I held previously. I met them at San Street's Extreme Shop at Suntec City where I presented them with the t-shirts of their choice and then we did a photoshoot.

Congrats firstly to Sailesh...



who wins this cool t-shirt by Action Ladfigure Inc.

And also congrats to the other winner, Zabby...



She wins this lovely t-shirt by Extreme Gal.

Here are both them together, looking all so cool!



Sailesh and me...



I'm wearing a t-shirt from Extreme.

Zabby and me...



More photos from the shoot here.

If you like the t-shirts you see here, do check out San Street. Their main outlet is at Suntec City and the other is at Queensway Shopping Center. Address here.

Disclosure: I'm a Brand Ambassador of San Street, the sole distributor of Extreme, Action Ladfigure and Zero Hour streetwear clothing lines in Singapore. San Street is also a main sponsor of this blog.

Previously:
T-shirt Contest Winners
Contest: Win a free t-shirt!

T-shirt Contest Winners

I'm supposed to announce this sooner but I was too unwell to even think of arranging a suitable date with the winners of the contest held last week for them to collect their t-shirts. Congratulations to both Saileshsux and Zabby. Here's what they won.

Saileshsux won this cool t-shirt! Nice choice dude. I would have chosen that myself. Oh btw, he was so excited (after I sms him), that instead of announcing it on his blog, he boasts about it on forums.hardwarezone. LOL.



And Zabby won herself this pretty t-shirt.



I will personally present them their new t-shirts on Monday. Will have photos of their happy faces to show then.

T-shirts for this contest are courtesy of San Street, the sole distributor of Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc in Singapore and the proud main sponsor of this blog. I'm also San Street's Brand Ambassador.

To those of you who didn't win, I'm sorry. If I own San Street, I would have given all of you free t-shirts. Hehe. But you people can still go down to the Extreme Shop at Suntec City or their new outlet at Queensway Shopping Center to buy one yourself. The address can be found here. Hey, it's still the Great Singapore Sale aye so do check out the cool street wear clothing and accessories that they have and buy, buy, buy.

Contest: Win a Free T-Shirt!

I'm feeling rather generous today so thanks to my kind sponsor San Street, I'm going to give away 2 of the following t-shirts by Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc to one lucky guy and one lucky girl (one t-shirt each).

Simple. Just choose your favourite t-shirt and get it for free!

Girls choose only one of the following:







And Guys choose one:







Then answer three simple questions:

1) IZ Reloaded is the Brand Ambassador for San Street, the sole distributor of Action Ladfigure Inc, Extreme and Zero Hour streetwear clothing lines. True or False?

2) Where is San Street's first outlet known as Extreme Shop located? (Tip check out their website here)

3) Is IZ Reloaded gay? Yes or No?

Just email me with your choice of favourite t-shirt and the above answers to iz2111@hotmail.com. I will choose two winners (a guy and a gal) randomly and announce them on Saturday. Each winner will win the t-shirt that he/she chose. Please don't forget to include your name, your blog address (if any) and your contact number. Contest is only open to those currently in Singapore.

I will personally present the t-shirts to the two lucky winners at the Extreme Shop.

Contest ends tomorrow midnight! So hurry up and email me now!!!


Update: The two lucky guy and gal winners have been announced. Find out here. Thanks to all who participated.

Zero Hour launches in Singapore!

Zero Hour, a high end streetwear brand is finally here in Singapore. Zero Hour was created to bring great value clothing with a fashionable edge that ranges from casual wear to the all important formal suit to men on the high streets. The Zero Hour line includes shirts, t-shirts, caps, bags, pouches, wallets, jeans, jackets and belts. It is distributed in Singapore by San Street.

Being a Brand Ambassador for San Street, I had the opportunity to be the first in Singapore to model the Zero Hour clothes yesterday. See pic above. That's me wearing a Zero Hour tee and jeans.

Zero Hour is available at San Street's three outlets: two at Suntec City and one at Queensway Shopping Centre.

Zero Hour T-shirts in Singapore!

Just a selection of the Zero Hour T-shirts now available in Singapore.











Here's a pic of me modelling the T-shirt pictured second from top.

All Zero Hour T-shirts are priced at S$32.90. You can get them at the new Zero Hour shop by San Street at Suntec City and also at Queensway Shopping Centre. Locations here.

I will post pictures of their jackets and bags tomorrow.

(Disclosure: I'm the Brand Ambassador for San Street, the distributor of ZeroHour, Action Ladfigure Inc and Extreme in Singapore. San Street is also a main sponsor of this blog.)

Dress in style this weekend with Zero Hour

T-shirt and jeans by Zero Hour (more: here and here). Get yours today at San Street (outlets at Suntec City and Queensway Shopping Centre).

(Disclosure: I'm the Brand Ambassador for San Street, the distributor of ZeroHour, Action Ladfigure Inc and Extreme streetwear brands in Singapore. San Street is also a main sponsor of this blog.)

Zero Hour Jackets and Bags!

Yesterday, I posted some photos of the new Zero Hour T-shirts that are now available in Singapore. Today as promised, here are the photos of some of the cool Zero Hour jackets and bags.













Jackets cost S$65.90 each. Leather bags and cloth bags are priced at S$45.90. PVC ones are $35.90.

Check them out and more at the new Zero Hour shop by San Street at Suntec City and also at Queensway Shopping Centre. Locations here.

(Disclosure: I'm the Brand Ambassador for San Street, the distributor of ZeroHour, Action Ladfigure Inc and Extreme in Singapore. San Street is also a main sponsor of this blog.)

Previously: Zero Hour T-shirts in Singapore!

I'm on John Bell's blog!

My brand ambassador and sponsorship deal with streetwear firm San Street, the distributor of Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc here in Singapore, has now been covered by John Bell whom I've been told by Melvin, is the head of global 360° Digital Influence team at Ogilvy PR in the US. Awesome! From Digital Influence Mapping Project:

Rohit has been talking about the idea of miscrosponsorship: having a single, dedicated sponsor and even creating an exchange to match bloggers with sponsors. It is already happening on an individual basis. You see that on Strumpette's blog with her dedicated ads for italiaserv or the lingerie company. But a lot of folks are talking about this including Hugh MacLeod.

Now there's a great example of this as reported by Melvin Yaun out of Singapore. Local lifestyle blogger, I.Z. of IZ Reloaded, has been selected as brand ambassador by the local clothing company San Street...

IZ already features a banner at the top of his site (I hope they improve a bit on that. the boldness of Strumpette's banners is what you are after) and he is blogging about them. he's clear and transparent, which is great.

And he calls me Singapore's lifestyle blogger! Hehe... I like the sound of that. Alrighty, you people go send him some love aye.

The Great Singapore Sale at The Extreme Shop

My sponsor San Street has informed me that during the Great Singapore Sale, you can head over to The Extreme Shop to buy 2 tees for ONLY $30 (selected items) and for the month of June, customers get to enjoy 10% discount for every $100 spent. Now that's a good a deal! Don't you just love the Great Singapore Sale?

The Extreme Shop is located above Carrefour at Suntec City Mall. The exact address is Suntec City Mall, My.PlayGround, #03-027K to 027N.

So, do drop by The Extreme Shop if you are in the vicinity aye and go get yourself some wonderful tees and other streetwear goodies by Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc. Who knows, you might just spot me there too.

Great Singapore Sale: 2 Tees for S$35!!!

Everyone is going shopping nowadays thanks to the Great Singapore Sale. I went down to my sponsor's Extreme Shop recently to check out the promotion that they are having - grab selected two t-shirts by Extreme and/or Action Ladfigure Inc for only S$35!

Here are pictures of some of the lady tees that are on promotion.



And here are the guy tees!



I've been told that they also come in different colours. I did not include all the pictures of the tees on promotion so best is to head down to Extreme Shop at Suntec City Mall, My.PlayGround, #03-027K to 027N to check all of them out. It's located above Carrefour. And tonight, Suntec City will open till midnight so you can do more of your shopping. Yay!!! For those of you who are overseas and want to get your hands on these tees, just write me an email and I will help you guys out aye.

(Disclosure: I'm a Brand Ambassador for San Street, the distributor of Action Ladfigure Inc and Extreme streewear clothing lines in Singapore. San Street is also a main sponsor of my blog.)

Contest Update: Win a Free T-Shirt

Don't forget the contest to win a free t-shirt is still on. Please send your entries to me by midnight tonight. A lucky guy and gal will each win an Extreme or Action Ladfigure Inc t-shirt. Prizes courtesy of my sponsor San Street.

For those of you who are interested to buy the cool streetwear clothing by Extreme and Action Ladfigure Inc, San Street has informed me that they have opened another outlet at Queensway Shopping Center. The unit is #02-40. (Before going up the stairs leading to McDonalds, turn left, 2nd unit on the left.) Their first outlet is at Suntec City.

Brand Ambassador IZ Reloaded part 2

Nice! Anyway my sponsor San Street - the people who pay me so that I can wear cool clothes everyday - have informed me that they are moving their website to a new server. I think cause Singnet sucks. So for the time being, if you want to head to their website, click here and check out that cool banner on the right. Anyway this is my first time looking at the Zero Hour logo. It's so damn cool.

Some of you readers have been asking me if I lost weight. My lovely friend Ju back in Sydney thinks so too.

Ju: What happened to you? I saw the picture of you modeling the cool white T-shirt by your sponsor. You look so thin sweet?

IZ: Singapore hasn't been treating me well.

Ju: Come on. I'm sure you have ladies who feed you pretty well.

IZ: What? Neh. There ain't many Sheilas over here that can cook well you know mate. Anyway I was sick recently and then the dengue I had the last time. Never got back the weight that I lost. I'll try to eat more and carry some weights.

Ju: Poor thing. Maybe you can go get some weight gain company or a gym to sponsor you.

IZ: What a good idea!

Ahem. Are you companies listening?


Previously: Brand Ambassador IZ Reloaded (News Release plus FAQ)

Robert Scoble and IZ Reloaded

I'm no Robert Scoble but to be mentioned in the same story as him is a great honour! From The Daniel Richard Blog:

Bloggers too, are now increasingly being hired by companies to be their Brand Ambassadors.

One thing that is in common for such practice to be accepted by the public is that the companies (and now, bloggers) would disclose the fact that sponsorship deals have been made by both parties and that the individuals are considered a Brand Ambassador, or are being endorsed by the companies and businesses.

Robert Scoble mentioned that he was hired by Microsoft in 2003 and was paid to be associated with them.

Popular Singapore blog (http://izreloaded.blogspot.com) is another great example of as the blogger is now being endorsed with a whole range of apparels by a new local high-street fashion shop San Street.

Both of them did disclose the fact that they are being paid and rewarded by the companies they are associated with, and the readers are happy to be informed of the news.

Related:
Brand Ambassador IZ Reloaded
Interview with PR2.0 Universe.com
I'm on John Bell's Blog

Hardware Zone forumers expose Odex director?

It looks like the "Odex vs Singapore anime fans" saga has taken a new twist. Reader Sailesh (some handsome photos of him here proudly showing off his new Action Ladfigure Inc T-shirt courtesy of San Street) writes to me in an email:

Do you remember the news about this anime distributor called Odex fining people for downloading anime? Even a 9-year-old got caught!

So anyway, some guys at HardwareZone found out that the Odex director, Stephen Sing has actually been bragging and laughing about catching downloaders! A description is here.

And we've pretty much confirmed that xysing is Stephen Sing himself. Such unethical behavior, don't you think? Imagine a police officer catching a criminal and then taunting and laughing at the criminal after that!

The local anime community at HWZ is shocked and angry at his remarks. Those who were called up by Odex said that Mr Sing mentioned that he had 'no choice' when it came to persecuting the downloaders. But from Mr Sing's posts, he actually appears to be enjoying it! We at HWZ are outraged enough to want to spread the word about his remarks.

More proof here. And the HWZ thread is here.

Wow! Great work by those people at the Hardware Zone forums - just like CSI aye. Anyway, even if the allegations above aren't true, I think the whole thing has already become a huge public relations disaster for the people at Odex.

They would have made some easy money from the people that they have sued so far but in the long run, I think they've dug their own grave. I've said it before in my previous post about Odex that the anime community in Singapore is a small and very closely knit one. To piss them off is as good as killing all your customers.

Update: Odex wins suit against Starhub and stands to win millions from anime fans.

Previously: Odex vs Singapore Anime Fans

Interview with The PR 2.0 Universe.com

Recently I gave a super duper exclusive interview to The PR 2.0 Universe.com about my now not so secret plans of ruling the world. Doh! From The PR 2.0 Universe.com:

Q. How do you feel about your blog being labeled “a marketing platform” by San Street?

A. I’m happy with it because it shows that blogs have come of age, and that companies are starting to regard them as an important marketing tool or platform. I’m not saying that every blogger should start pursuing sponsorships, but I think as a blogger and publisher, it is always satisfying to know that you can make a difference – not only to your readers, but also to the companies that want you to help them market their products.

Q. How many brands do you think a blogger can effectively represent at any one point of time?

A. Ha! Well, David Beckham represents quite a few brands doesn’t he? I don’t think there’s any limit for a blogger seriously but he or she must try not to be seen as overselling because having too many ads and other marketing messages on his blog may put off readers. For me personally, three is the optimal number of brands I can represent effectively.

Related:
Brand Ambassador IZ Reloaded (News Release plus FAQ)
Brand Ambassador IZ Reloaded Part 2

This blogger would like to know

Hi guys, gals, uncles and aunties! I would like your help to do the following poll so that I can know my readers better. Just scroll down, just before halfway down, look at the right panel of this blog, below the San Street ad, you will find a small rectangular box which says: This blogger would like to ask. Do me a favour and please answer those simple questions.

1) What is your gender?
2) What is your age?
3) What is your profession?
4) Do you blog?
5) Do you love IZ Reloaded? (ok, I'm joking about this last one)

The whole process will only take less than 30 seconds of your time. Thanks! And please don't leave your answers in the comment section of this post ok.