Japan – JCB and The Bicester Collection expand their partnership to offer more luxury shopping opportunities for Asian travellers

JCB and The Bicester Collection expand their partnership to offer more luxury shopping opportunities for Asian travellers

The partnership expansion strengthens acceptance opportunities for JCB’s 156 million cardmembers worldwide across eight luxury shopping Villages

TOKYO and LONDON, Feb 20, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – JCB International Co, Ltd, the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co, Ltd, and Value Retail, creator and operator of The Bicester Collection, today announced the expansion of their partnership for another two years, following the success of the initial three-year partnership. This offering will be available in eight luxury shopping destinations across Europe. With the increase in international travel, the extension of this collaboration provides new growth opportunities.

In line with JCB’s commitment to expand card acceptance across Europe, the partnership initiated in April 2019 has played a pivotal role in fostering growth. Beginning with JCB Card acceptance at boutiques in Bicester Village (London) and La Vallée Village (Paris), JCB Card acceptance has progressively extended to additional Villages across Europe. Over the past two years, this collaboration has resulted in an impressive 51% YoY growth in spending by JCB Cardmembers at The Bicester Collection (as of June 2023). Better still, JCB Card acceptance has expanded to an additional shopping destination, Maasmechelen Village (Brussels).

In addition to increased acceptance opportunities for cardmembers, this collaboration will offer more special promotions and savings for valuable JCB Cardmembers. The luxury Villages’ brand partners stand to gain from increased spending by Cardmembers from the Asia-Pacific region into Europe, notably from top-spending countries and territories such as Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines and South Korea. In addition, emerging countries and territories such as India, Vietnam, Laos, and Bahrain, characterised by a commendable uptick in spending, present a promising avenue for brands to explore new revenue streams. This partnership, therefore, serves as a strategic conduit for brands to engage with the valuable clientele that JCB Cardmembers represent, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.

Ray Shinzawa, Managing Director, JCB International (Europe) Ltd, said: “Our partnership with The Bicester Collection has been a great success over several years and we are thrilled to extend it for another two years. This expansion allows us to continue to offer our valuable cardmembers exclusive benefits and increased spending opportunities at luxury shopping destinations across Europe.”

Graham Stanford, Director of Partnerships, B2B, The Bicester Collection said: “We are delighted to support our brand partners further through the expansion of our partnership with JCB and its 156 million cardmembers. At The Bicester Collection we are committed to providing magical experiences for our guests, numbering 46 million in 2023 and whom we welcome from all corners of the world. As international travel grows, we look forward to serving more JCB Cardmembers and to creating ever-more memorable experiences for them on their travels in Europe.”

About JCB

JCB is a major global payments brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 46 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 156 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/

About The Bicester Collection

The Bicester Collection is a family of 11 distinctive shopping destinations in Europe and China defined by extraordinary experiences while offering remarkable value. The Collection, created and operated by Value Retail, brings together the world’s most discerning guests and the world’s most renowned brands – often for the first time – on a journey of discovery. The Villages are located close to some of Europe and China’s most celebrated cities: London, Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, Shanghai and Suzhou. Collectively home to more than 1,300 boutiques, The Bicester Collection offers guests an ever-evolving curation of fashion and lifestyle brands, world-famous restaurants, exciting pop-ups, and imaginative art installations throughout the year. Discover more at www.TheBicesterCollection.com

MEDIA CONTACTS:

JCB International (Europe) Ltd.
Diana Lee: dlee@jcbeurope.eu 

JCB (Head Office in Japan)
Ayaka Nakajima: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp 

The Bicester Collection
Press@ValueRetail.com

Hong Kong – LCQ10: Collection and display of Hong Kong’s pop culture

LCQ10: Collection and display of Hong Kong’s pop culture

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     Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Leung and a reply by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, in the Legislative Council today (January 24):
 
Question:
 
     The Chief Executive proposed in the 2022 Policy Address to explore the feasibility of setting up a Pop Culture Centre in the long term, while the Government also indicated earlier on that it will consult this Council and various stakeholders on the overall planning and future development of museums in Hong Kong. Regarding the collection and display of Hong Kong’s pop culture, will the Government inform this Council:
 
(1) of the respective overall attendances, incomes and expenses of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Hong Kong Film Archive (“the Archive”) in the past five years;
 
(2) of the number of exhibitions (excluding permanent exhibitions) on Hong Kong’s pop culture held in various museums under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in the past five years, as well as the respective contents and attendances of such exhibitions;
 
(3) of the scope of study, progress and timetable in respect of the setting up of the Pop Culture Centre;
 
(4) as there are many views that the Archive can hardly serve as a cultural landmark due to its inconvenient location and the lack of cultural ambience in its vicinity, whether the authorities will, in tandem with the review of the overall planning of museums, consider relocating the Archive to a place where arts and cultural facilities abound or consider merging the Archive with the Pop Culture Centre, with a view to scaling up synergy and strengthening the promotion of Hong Kong films; and
 
(5) whether the authorities have explored with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority the feasibility of siting the Pop Culture Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District, and drawn reference from the experience of constructing the Hong Kong Palace Museum in order to expedite the establishment of the Pop Culture Centre, thereby building a new cultural tourist attraction and promoting the development of the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong; if not, of the reasons for that?
 
Reply:
 
President,
      
     The unique pop culture of Hong Kong is an important brand of Hong Kong’s culture. As announced in the 2022 Policy Address, the Government will consider the possibility of setting up a “Pop Culture Centre” as a local cultural landmark and a tourist attraction in the long run. This will appeal to different groups of audience including the younger generation and tourists, and step up the promotion of Hong Kong’s pop culture.
 
     Our reply to the five parts of the question is as follows:
 
(1) The overall attendance, revenue and expenditure of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) and Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) in the past 5 years (2018-19 to 2022-23) are tabulated as follows:

HKHM

  2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
Attendance 660 506
 
538 610
 
94 243
 
326 427
 
450 561
 
Revenue
($ million)
2.99 3.72 0.57 1.11 1.61
Expenditure
($ million)
133.24
 
145.44
 
156.91
 
164.70
 
128.08
 

HKFA

  2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
Attendance 145 490
 
106 203
 
21 205
 
44 497
 
64 354
 
Revenue
($ million)
0.72 0.55 0.19 0.39 0.62
Expenditure
($ million)
72.85 67.33 77.27 92.05 95.25

 
(2) Details of exhibitions related to Hong Kong’s film, television and pop culture held at the HKFA and the HKHM under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in the past 5 years (2018-19 to 2022-23) are tabulated as follows:

Exhibition title Date Venue Number of participants
2018-19
Their Glory Days March 30 to July 15, 2018
 
HKFA 22 630
Hand in Hand with Film — the Silent Translator
 
June 23 to July 8, 2018 HKFA 2 694
One Plus One Equals More than Two: Comedy Duos of Hong Kong Cinema
 
July 27 to October 1, 2018 HKFA 14 195
Leung Sing-por.The Silhouette on Stage and Silver Screen
 
August 3 to October 29, 2018 HKFA 11 387
90 Years of Public Service Broadcasting in Hong Kong
 
November 7, 2018 to February 25, 2019 HKHM 195 230
Cityscape in Sight and Sound
 
February 1 to May 5, 2019 HKFA 19 380
2019-20
Invisible Perception — Film Scores and Sound Effects
 
May 24 to August 25, 2019 HKFA 12 626
Law Yim-hing, Ambassador of Alluring Beauty Retrospective Exhibition
 
June 7 to August 30, 2019 HKFA 5 708
Celebrating Inheritance and Integration — 10th Anniversary of Inscription of Cantonese Opera onto Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Exhibition
 
September 6 to December 1, 2019 HKFA 22 458
Multifarious Arrays of Weaponry in Hong Kong Cinema
 
December 13, 2019 to May 31, 2020 HKFA 7 876
2020-21
A Different Brilliance — The D & B Story
 
June 12, 2020 to February 21, 2021 HKFA 9 123
The Civil-Military Buffoon of a Thousand Faces ─ The Artistic Career of Ma Si-tsang
 
 
 
July 3 to December 18, 2020 HKFA 1 756
2021-22
Acquisition Diary: 20 Milestones in 20 Years
 
May 21, 2021 to June 29, 2022 HKFA 14 657
Out of the Past — From the Tai Ping Treasure Trove
(Programme celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Film Archive)
 
May 28 to October 17, 2021 HKFA 14 991
Tales of the Film Stills November 5, 2021 to July 3, 2022
 
HKFA 7 902
2022-23
More Brilliance, Still Different — The D & B Story Redux
 
July 29, 2022 to February 12, 2023 HKFA 15 486
Exhibition of “The Queen of Huadan – Celebrating the Stage and Screen Career of Fong Yim-fun”
 
July 29, 2022 to January 13, 2023 HKFA 13 108
Tango Between Images — Hong Kong Films & Comics
(Programme of Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival)
 
February 24 to October 8, 2023 HKFA 26 712
Miss You Much Leslie Exhibition
(Programme of Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival)
March 29 to October 9, 2023
 
HKHM 370 716

 
     Three pop culture-related exhibitions were held in the HKHM this year (2023-24), namely, “Out of Thin Air: Hong Kong Film Arts & Costumes Exhibition”, “Bruce Lee: a Timeless Classic” and “Timeless Diva: Anita Mui”, whereas two were held in the HKFA this year, namely, “Farewell to My Concubine Poster Exhibition (Overseas Versions)” and “Cinderella and Her Qipao”. Details of the relevant exhibitions tabulated as follows:

Exhibition title Date Venue Number of participants
2023-24
Out of Thin Air: Hong Kong Film Arts & Costumes Exhibition
(Programme of Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival)
 
May 3 to September 4, 2023
 
HKHM 69 891
Bruce Lee: a Timeless Classic July 12 to December 4, 2023
 
HKHM 168 334
Farewell to My Concubine Poster Exhibition (Overseas Versions)
(Programme of Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival)
 
October 4 to December 30, 2023 HKFA 21 512
Cinderella and Her Qipao
(Programme of Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival)
 
November 3, 2023 to May 5, 2024 HKFA 8 207
(up to December 31, 2023)
Timeless Diva: Anita Mui December 23, 2023 to September 2, 2024
 
HKHM 19 031
(up to December 31, 2023)

(3) At present, the Government is conducting long-term planning for the essential facilities of the “Pop Culture Centre” in terms of the location and site area. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB) is working closely with the Development Bureau (DEVB) and other relevant departments/organisations (including the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA)) to explore and identify the optimal site.
 
     At the same time, we are also in discussion and consultation with various stakeholders, including expert advisers, on matters related to the long-term planning of the “Pop Culture Centre”, such as its choice of site, facilities, curatorial approach and exhibition contents etc, with a view to formulating appropriate plans for developing it into a landmark for local pop culture and a tourist attraction.
      
     In the short term, we plan to reserve a designated gallery in the HKHM for holding exhibitions and extension activities on pop culture so as to expand the collaboration network and build up the collections on pop culture.
 
(4) The HKFA’s major role and functions are to collect and conserve Hong Kong films and relevant materials, which include conducting researches, publishing, organising regular retrospective screenings, exhibitions and seminars etc, thereby enhancing public’s interest in film appreciation and understanding of film history. On the other hand, the “Pop Culture Centre” aims to promote Hong Kong’s pop culture, appeal to a diversified audience including the younger generation and tourists, and stimulate the vitality of the younger generation by showcasing different aspects of Hong Kong’s pop culture. Notwithstanding their functional differences, the HKFA will co-ordinate with the “Pop Culture Centre” in terms of collections and exhibition contents in the future so as to achieve better synergy.
 
     The Government is currently reviewing the overall planning of museums and consulting relevant parties. We welcome suggestions on exhibition themes, contents and collections of the “Pop Culture Centre” from stakeholders for our further study and consideration.
 
(5) As stated in part (3) of the reply, at present, the Government is conducting long-term planning for the essential facilities of the “Pop Culture Centre” in terms of the location and site area. The CSTB is working closely with the DEVB and other relevant departments/organisations (including the WKCDA) to explore and identify the optimal site. The Government remains open to all possible options.

“DISCLAIMERVILLE” …A collection of some very scary disclaimers in everyday Advertising

Enclosed is a compilation of some very common and very scary disclaimers that might make you think twice about buying some of those products

SAN MATEO, Calif.Oct. 24, 2023PRLog — WELCOME TO “DISCLAIMERVILLE”

Copyright 2023, by an Advertising Executive named Robert Barrows

It was another fine day in

Disclaimerville, and here are some

interesting takes on some of the disclaimers

in some of the advertising I saw and heard today…

FIRST…let it be known that

Terms and Conditions Apply…

AND… YOUR PRICE MAY VARY

AND…Before you buy….

keep in mind that

Past Performance is not a

guide to future performance!

And of course…this ad is

For Entertainment Purposes Only.

And, keep in mind that it may also be…

Sponsored Content,

or, a message from

A paid, non-attorney spokesperson,

Or…a paid celebrity endorser.

AND FOR SOME OF THE MEDICAL ADS

I SAW TODAY (while they were showing videos

of families at picnics having fun)…

I heard some side effects like…

Strokes, Heart Attacks and Deaths have occurred…

This product is Not Recommended for Children…

And…when I went to a drug store

to look for some toenail fungus medicine,

there was a disclaimer on all of

the over-the-counter boxes of toenail

medicines I saw that actually said

“Not effective on nails.”

And then, on some toy ads…it said

Products may contain small parts

considered to be choking hazards…

So, please take this ad

For information and educational purposes only…

and of course…

Use at your own risk!

And, on a lighter note, from part of a

poem by an Advertising Executive

named Robert Barrows…

at least there was one disclaimer I could laugh to…

“If condition persists, consult a physician…

if boredom sets in, change your position.”

SO…WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE

(or most fearful) advertising and product disclaimers?

YOU CAN ADD YOUR DISCLAIMERS HERE…

…but be careful not to step on the toes of some of your past, present, and future clients, and be careful not to betray

any of your clients, bosses

and co-workers, too…

(In short…”Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”)

SO…IS THIS WHAT WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH

FOR REAL TRUTH IN ADVERTISING?

I guess it’s always been Caveat Emptor…

and I guess it’s just another fine day

in Disclaimerville.

(Add your favorite disclaimers here)…

###

People can see some more of my poetry in two books I wrote called “Crazy Robert’s Poems and Potential Song Lyrics” and “Crazy Robert’s More Great Poems and Potential Song Lyrics” that they can download for a dollar each on Amazon.

PLUS, there are also several things that media companies can do with this poem that could help generate tremendous new advertising revenues.

For more information, contact Robert Barrows at R.M. Barrows, Inc. Advertising and Public Relations.

Hong Kong – Coin Collection Programme

Coin Collection Programme

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (August 9) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of August 28, 2023 up to November 5, 2023. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
      
     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to July 31, 2023, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1,102,000 transactions, collecting 873 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,363 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
      
     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts’ own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
      
     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
      
     The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time, and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.

Hong Kong – Coin Collection Programme

Coin Collection Programme

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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (March 16) announced a new service schedule of the two “Coin Carts” under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of March 27, 2023 up to June 11, 2023. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
      
     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to February 28, 2023, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 047 000 transactions, collecting 833 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,291 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
      
     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts’ own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public, and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
      
     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap & Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
      
     The HKMA will review the Programme from time and time, and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.