HOOQ introduces original content from Globe Studios

Globe Studios and HOOQ have confirmed the release of the first episode of an original series, OTJ: The Missing 8, in the first quarter of 2017.

In contrast to mainstream TV fare, the OTJ series will deliver a cinematic experience that is gritty and fast paced, staying true to its movie origins. The original movie was shown in 2013 at the Cannes Film Festival. Based on Erik Matti’s multi-­­award winning movie OTJ, or On The Job, the six-­­part series marks the first big production created exclusively for an online video service in the region.

The Season 1 premiere follows the story of four people - ­­Sisoy, a corrupt local media man under the payroll of Pedring, the treacherous father of the town's ruling political clan; Pam, a passionate and honest big network investigative journalist from Manila and Roman, a principled hired gun regularly brought out of prison to kill. 

Their paths cross when eight journalists from Sisoy's town are massacred by Roman’s group and buried without a trace a day before Christmas Eve. Pam jumps on the case just as Sisoy discovers his connection to Pedring won't help him find out what happened to his friends. Despite their differences, the two work together to untangle the web of lies, controversy and corruption in a media circus where truth is elusive. 

OTJ: The Missing 8 is co-­­produced by Reality Entertainment the independent film outfit of Matti and Dondon Monteverde in partnership with Globe Studios. Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan says, “Globe Studios’ thrust is to create unique and original content for our customers whether they are at home or on mobile. OTJ is something familiar yet dangerous enough that shows how far we can push the limits of this exciting online medium.”

Globe Studios was launched by the telco last June as its original digital entertainment content arm that focuses on online shorts, subscription video on demand (SVOD) series and feature films among others. The OTJ series is also its first foray into co-­creating premium video-­­on-­­demand content.

“This is HOOQ’s first venture into producing original content, which is a natural alignment to our content strategy of differentiating our content and to play a part in growing the local content industry. HOOQ Originals will enhance our best-­­in-­­market content offering by adding exclusive local movies and TV series that are made for SVOD, and we are very excited about OTJ: The Series,” says Krishnan Rajagopalan, HOOQ Co-­­ Founder and Chief Content Officer.

"Creating a mini-­­series exclusively for a video-­­on-­­demand service like HOOQ allow us to push the limits of this new platform and the explore unique stories and get viewers more immersed in this compelling world we’re building,” said Director/producer Erik Matti.

HOOQ is Asia's first premium video-­­on-­­demand service to launch across the region. It is a joint venture established in January 2015 by Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Brothers. HOOQ currently operates in the Philippines, Thailand, India, Indonesia and Singapore with a population footprint of over 1.7 billion people. 

Interested?

HOOQ will be releasing OTJ: The Missing 8 across markets such as Thailand, India, Indonesia and the Philippines in early 2017. Globe customers can enjoy HOOQ on their mobile and home broadband plans. Subscriptions on mobile start at P149 for 30 days and soon will be available at P59 for seven days. Broadband customers can enjoy HOOQ as a free content add-­­on for six months on plans costing P1,299 and up. 

Interested?

Watch the teaser for the TV series

Watch the teaser for the 2013 movie

Watch Globe Studios’ original programming content 

Adidas Originals champions originality with Born Original fragrance duo

Source: adidas Originals.

Adidas Originals, the streetwear brand, is launching a new fragrance duo for men and women. Born Original offers two dynamic scents, one for men and one for women inspired by the courage to be the wearer's original self.

Born Original captures the energetic, empowering spirit of adidas Originals that’s rooted in individualism, authenticity and imagination. The Born Original fragrances For Him and For Her are an explosive mix of contrasting notes.

Born Original for Her begins with a bright cocktail of bergamot, apricot and orange zest. The top notes burst into a vibrant, candy apple accord. Tantalising tones of coconut, jasmine and tonka beans add an unexpected twist in the finish.

Born Original For Him is a classic oriental remixed with an ambery citrus accord. A fusion of violet leaves and rhubarb adds a green facet, juxtaposed with black pepper and orange oil.

The originality of the fragrance duo is echoed by the bottle designs that blend fluid, organic shapes with rough, industrial elements. Both bottles are made from glass at an intense stage of fusion, creating tactile ripples that give the flacons a dynamic, incomplete look. In contrast, the bottles are sealed with angular industrial-inspired nut collars and pin in rose gold for Her and steel grey for Him. Each is decorated with a strikingly large TREFOIL logo in glossy metallic colors that match the bottles.

Hashtag: #adidasOriginals

Lavotre lets you design your own watch

Source: Lavotre. Bently
Anchor, an original design
from Lavotre.

Sourcing for a unique corporate gift? Try customised watches.

"It was curiosity about how it feels like to make your own watch which led us to where we are today. We thought that was exactly the market was lacking at that time – the ability to personalise your own watches. There are some companies doing it out there, but they do so with a minimum order requirement, or they offer 'couple' watches whose designs lacked the special touch that we were looking for," said Eugene Chow, Brand Manager, Lavotre, who runs the business with his business partner Cheryl Tan, head of sales and operations. 

"We also realised that many people want to make their own watches but do not know how to get started. We offered to help them with the design and basically translating their ideas into reality."

In January this year, Lavotre was established, focusing solely on originally designed, limited edition watches for sale together with a bespoke watch service. "We're unique in our ability to customise your watch face, from the background to the colour, without a minimum order. We pretty much accept all images from photographs to sketches and graphics. It used to be simple graphics designs, but now we have tied up with some illustrators to help our clients with their drawings," Chow said.

Source:
Lavotre.
The Brynn
Black.

The sky is the limit for designs. One customer wanted her teacher's calligraphy as a watch face, and Lavotre replicated the art, for example, Chow said. "All our designs are done in Singapore and our approach is simple, elegant and fun. We also work with various local illustrators to showcase the local flavour/culture – the most prominent being Lee XinLi’s Nonya Kueh* art series. Other than established illustrators, we also do work with students by giving them a platform to launch their ideas and work," he said.

While Lavotre leaves it to customers to decide, they can also recommend designs. For example, Chow recommends Brynn Black for ladies and Bently Anchor for men as watches which are perfect for transitioning from day to night.

Lavotre is careful to limit the number of watches per design however, so not many people will be able to buy a particular design. "Once we hit the pre-set quota, we'll retire the design – we don’t want to walk down Orchard Road to see someone else wearing the same watch."

The collaboration with local illustrator Lee Xinli occurred in July, two months after the company officially registered as a business. In August, Lavotre started selling watch straps and an on-the-spot service to swop straps. Last month, the company launched its own online platform on the Zalora Marketplace, and this month it has two new offerings: a fast-tracked option for watch production, from two weeks to about five days, and gift vouchers.

"All in all, we have grown from a 'blogshop' business model, into carving our own brand name and style. Much of our changes and implementations are due in part to feedback from the ground and support from customers out there. We are always in the process of active listening as we strive to streamline our operations to make it easier for people to find us," Chow said.

Lavotre's watches are 30m water resistant, suitable for handwashing and light dives. They are not recommended for sports however because the straps are usually leather. "Sweat and leather don’t mix well in the long run," Chow explained. 

What's next for Lavotre? The company is planning a fresh look for its website and to make it easier for people to find out how to create their own watches. There will be a giveaway and a hefty discount, as well as Christmas-themed watches, Chow said.

Those looking to own a Lavotre watch, who want to create their own or who are thinking of a partnership opportunity can follow the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shoplavotre to find out about their next event (cash only), or email the company at asklavotre@gmail.com. Lavotre can send a quotation for a corporate order through email, and accepts payments through major credit cards and Internet banking, Chow said. All watches come with a drawstring pouch and optional gift tag. 

*Nonya kueh refers to cakes made to a Peranakan recipe. The Peranakans are Chinese emigrants to parts of Southeast Asia from the 15th to the 17th centuries. More about Peranakan culture can be found in Wikipedia here.