Vancouver Police Social Media Campaign to reduce texting while driving

Just came across a nice campaign by Vancouver Police Dept (VPD) about texting while driving called #StupidCombos on Twitter - Few ads given below

What's a stupid combination? Don't text&drive! ...#StupidCombos pic.twitter.com/hOD28d3m8O
— C2SKY (@ScrappyDoo69) September 18, 2013

Its amazing to see how law and order using Social Media creatively for such a cause because back home 90% of police haven't heard of what Twitter is.  

And the winner gets a free Police ride along - can you imagine?

Best bank for international students in Canada

More on banking after my most popular posts about -
Personal Banking in Sri Lanka : Whats the best bank for you?
Best Credit Card in Sri Lanka - Whats best for you?

But this time on Canadian banks!

There are many banks in Canada - CIBC, BMO, Nova Scotia, HSBC, RBC just to name a few. Basics about Canadian banks when compared to other countries/Sri Lanka

• Canadian banks charge fees depending on the no.of transactions you make. 
• Banking in Canada is very much online - its called paperless. some banks charge you for pass books/statements
• Credit rating is everything in Canada
• Interest rates are super low for savings 

After arriving in Canada with a student, she immediately needed a bank account for money transfers.etc. We researched online and found many attractive offers for those new to Canada. First we went to a bank who advertised "Credit cards for new immigrants" but the small print said that it was for PR holders only.

After a few more days of bank visits we found Nova Scotia having a back to school offer of movies for how much you use money in your account.(Sounds like a trap) But this was an attractive offer since spending from credit card is actually beneficial in Canada since it improves your credit rating if you pay on time. And earning scene movie points is actually worth than other cash back credit card offers because most cash backs are limited to maximum $10 and thats also when you spend more than $1000 a month.

Student package in Nova Scotia has unlimited transactions at 0 cost. Best part of the offer was that they offer credit cards for international students with a substantial limit. This is key for a graduate student as it can help your credit rating for future money needs. And the paperless/online banking facility at Scotia bank offers automated credit card payments which makes sure you pay on time.


You need an appointment to open a bank account at Scotia bank and it can take up to 1-1 and half hours - quite lenghty buy very much detailed. The banking officer (Shelley - at North Rd & Austin Branch) was very friendly and knowledgable. Another reason for choosing Scotia was its branch coverage. There is even a branch at the university premises!

Overall - unlimited free transactions, scene movie offer & credit card facility makes Scotia bank - the best for an international student (From what we've experienced so far). Are you from Canada? which bank do you recommend? If you are a new student to Canada - comment below with questions.      

Android Mobile OS new version co-branded Kit Kat

(Update below) Im back to making memes also. Was exposed to a lot of negativity about Google naming the next Android Kit Kat instead of Key Lime Pie. More postings were from Sri Lanka than Canada - or im following too little Canadians.

 In my opinion its a great idea and whoever thought of this must be rewarded for the possilbities it has opened for both Android and Kit Kat brands.

Update : That awesome moment when your meme has over 1700 shares, and over 9000 9GAG ups!

Back to blogging - Selecting a mobile phone company in Canada

So after a dramatic period of my wedding, honeymoon, homecoming (Lots of learnings - lots of "coming up" blogposts") and a relocation to Canada - im back on blogging.

Its like only the 2nd week in Canada for me. and we still didn't buy a phone connection - waiting for all the offers. Unlike in Sri Lanka - there are many mobile networks to select from and its very complicated. But after a few site visits - figured out most carriers are budget networks of the big players.

So its basically
Main network - Budget/Youth targeted network
Bell - Virgin Mobile
Rogers - Fido
Telus - Koodo

And there are small players such as Wind, Mobilicity.etc but you can never be sure of their coverage since Canada is a large country. So its good to stick to the 1st three.

In facevalue - all main networks charges the same and all budget networks charge similarly. Unlike in Sri Lanka - its still little expensive. For e.g. CLI is still charged seperately, there is an outgoing/incoming call limit.etc.

Phone prices are relatively much cheaper in Canada. And many carriers offer free phones when you sign up for a longterm contract. But when you compare with smaller players phone prices, you are ending up paying for the phone price anyways.

For e.g. I came across this Virgin Mobile S3 offer - they give you the S3 free for a $65 a month plan. And WIND offers S3 for $320 with $33 a month plan. So in Virgin you are actually paying extra $769 unless you pay for the phone upfront. Are you from Canada? what advise can you give?  (And guess its a time to wirte some posts on "Tips for international students in Canada"...)

Buying a Samsung Tablet PC in Sri Lanka

Had an expedition around Colombo yesterday looking for a good tablet PC for my cousin bro. We were looking for a tab that can do business functions (For e.g. Organizing, Note taking.etc). Was focused on Samsung since they are the market leader.

Below are the learnings...

JKOA
John Keells is the official dealer for Samsung in Sri Lanka.Their showroom is about 100m towards Slave Island from JAIC Hilton. They have only the models that Samsung Sri Lanka has introduced to the market. For e.g. They had only Note 8, Tab 2 7 inches and 10.1 inches. Their prices are not flexible. The salesman sounded knowledgable but not very friendly.
The main selling ppint of JKOA is that they undertake all the repairs of locally sold Samsung units. They claimed only they will repair and they dont accept internationally bought ones.

The Phone Company
Also claims they are an offical Samsung dealer. They undertake all repairs of units they sell. They also had only the Samsung introduced models. But their prices were little negotiatable than JKOA. The salesman was both knowledgable and friendly.

TABZ
I was thinking what a cool concept it will be to approach this niche  segment - tablet market only till i heard their prices. was totally dissapointed. Who in their right mind will buy for Rs.10,000 added prices? The sales girl didn't sound like an expert which is a key for selling electronics.  The plus was that you have lot of selection here because they have tabs from all vendors unlike the above two.

Mitsu Mobile

Had seen their ads every week on HitAd and happened to rarely recognize their shop on Galle Road. The prices are really low - about 15-20k lower - and they guarantee that they will repair during the warranty period.  The sales was friendly but was too ignorant to give the answers, maybe knowing they are the cheapest.

What are the good places to buy a tab in Sri Lanka? Or is it worth bringing down thru someone? Feel free to comment below about what you know/what you think?

Review of Amity Lite & the potential for entertainment industry in suburbs

I had always wanted check Amity Lite from the day it was opened. I was held up by the fact of not having a good movie at Amity Lite, But was lucky to watch Man of Steel there last weekend.

Review -

Location : If you live southern Colombo - its closeby. This means its closer to anyone around Maharagama, Kottawa, Homagama, Nugegoda, Boralesgamuwa and even Pitakotte, Udahamulla areas.

Parking : There is ample parking and parking is very accessible unlike the Savoy parking where you need to drive along a tiny road where hardly two vehicles can pass by. They charged only Rs.50 for the 2 - 3 hours we were there. So its cost effective as well.

Logistics : Screen : Its a basic projector screen. Wasn't perfectly aligned, But was ok. Sounds were ok. AC : They switched on the AC only when movie started, so it was uncomfortable in the beginning.

Pricing - Is very competitive. Its only Rs.200 (Online booking Rs.215), when compared to over 400 at MC and other theaters. This is a huge factor as it saves a lot when compared to a saving from a visit to MC (Transport).

I went for a Saturday night show and it was fully packed. The key learning is that there's a massive increase in potential for entertainment industry such as movie theaters, leisure parks, circuses, carnivals.etc in the suburbs in the post-war era. An average leisure center can be a thriving business in these suburban areas in and around Colombo. 

Social Media Spoilers as a Marketing Tool : Lesson from Game of Thrones Red Wedding

I had this in mind while doing a project on "Marketing TV content in the Smart TV" era. But realized the full potential only when the fans who hasn't watched the episode were reacting angrily over fans who posted spoilers of what it seemed the best episode of Game of Thrones so far.

A major plot twist happens in the 9th Episode of the current Game of Thrones 3rd season. The HBO telecast for U.S. is on Sundays 9:00 pm which is around 6.30-7am here in Sri Lanka. Few gets to watch it in the morning in Sri Lanka but the fans in US and Europe started posting comments, sharing memes about the brutal episode on Facebook, Twitter and every other place. Few reactions given below (Infact my blogpost was triggereby Himalkks below tweet)

CAN YOU INCONSIDERATE ASSHOLES STOP TWEETING GAME OF THRONES SPOILERS FOR FUCK'S SAKE?! Thank you.
— Himal Kotelawala (@himalkk) June 3, 2013

This started angry reactions from those who haven't seen. And even by Thursday there was a conflict between those who have seen the episode vs those who still have not .

Spoilers of this week's episode are freakin everywhere. I HAVEN'T WATCHED IT!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrr, STOP IT...... #GameOfThrones
— Yarden Jamir (@iamyarden) June 6, 2013

Many TV shows are badly effected by online piracy. Revenue lost because of pirates are massive in numbers. What im proposing is for TV show/movie producers to use social media spoilers strategically to
increase sales from revenue generating channels such as free to air TV, TV apps or Cable TV by helping  reduce online piracy of motion picture entertainment content. More hype - More people watch on TV!

If you have examined carefully, you would have noticed HBO and AMC are actively promoting their TV shows posting spoilers immediately after the shows. Once they post on their social media profiles - Even those who have seen the episodes are encouraged to share. This goes viral, increasing viewers by making the viewers feel left out till they watch what happens. One of my colleagues who watches GoT in the weekend was compelled to watch the show day after because of the red wedding hype containing lot of spoilers.

Do you think "spoilers" can be used to make more money for producers? Feel free to leave your comments below...