To suggest that the social media responsibilities for what is essentially the window into Malaysia for 800 million Facebook users should be given to a 'data entry clerk' shows a poor understanding of the importance of social media channels in the development of the Malaysia brand.

To suggest that the social media responsibilities for what is essentially the window into Malaysia for 800 million Facebook users should be given to a 'data entry clerk' shows a poor understanding of the importance of social media channels in the development of the Malaysia brand.

Successful destination brands are built on a platform of being human, transparent and responsive. Tourism Malaysia is obviously trying to do this across it's FB platform but it realises it doesn't have the skills to do this inhouse so has outsourced for fees that appear, on the face of it to be around about the industry standard.

Results matter and the iPhone 4S has taken orders for 1,000,000 units. When it was launched, the iPhone 4, a major ugrade took orders for 600,000 units.

Maybe it is the techies and gadget fans who were disapointed. But the expectations of the consumers (who pay the bills) don't seem too affected.

I think Mark and Laura raise a valid point - we were all sitting there with tongues hanging out, waiting for yet another ground breaking offering in the Apple evolution. Sadly for Apple and obviously because of Steve Jobs rapidly worsening health, the promotion of Mr Cook had to be fast tracked and this probably in some way affected our expectations.

But Apple users are forgiving types and Apple has a lot of goodwill credits in the bank with existing users (plus it is getting harder and harder to use other providers because so much of an Apple users life, revolves around using Apple products) who generate most of their profits.

I'm using a first generation hacked iPhone (because when it first came out, us irrelevants in Asia weren't allowed to own the phone legally as Apple hadn't bothered to negatiate terms with Asian carriers). I was hoping for an iPhone 5 but it didn't come so I'll get an iPhone 4s.

The only perception I have is that it is too much trouble to migrate to an android phone and until they invest in frontliners who have the skills to sell an Android phone to me and help me integrate it into my life - the way the apple sales person did 13 years ago when I switched to Apple, I'll continue to use mac kit.

Malaysia is much bigger and more important than DSNR, UMNO and BN.

Citizens of Malaysia voted for the government and gave that government a mandate to rule and represent the people. If 40% of the population didn't vote for the government (and assuming they did vote - if they didn't they should keep quiet) they have to accept that their party lost and get on with working to build a global nation for their children and grand children.

If efforts are made by the government, as part of an integrated, multi pronged brand strategy to improve the image of the country through mass communications, then it should be commended.

If the companies they decide to work with misleads the government then that government must dispense with that company and its services which is exactly what the Malaysian government has done.

What perhaps should be questioned is what FCB promised, why were such seemingly large sums of money paid to FCB and what did FCB use that money for.

I'm surprised that Simon Anholt has chosen to make such damning comments about one tactic that is, I assume part of a larger more integrated and holistic Malaysia country brand strategy.

I'm also surprised at his suggestion that countries can only make themselves more relevant by making themselves more useful as he then reels off a list of predictable issues currently being addressed by many countries.

If you are interested, I've addressed this issue in greater detail here http://brandconsultantasia.wordpress.com/

Bro, you make a compelling point although I think you've highjacked the question somewhat!

What bothers me is that, and this is the bottom line, well educated Malaysians, of all shapes and sizes and ethnic origins, are leaving the country. At the same time, children born to Indonesian labourers and illegal immigrants from the same country, are, I have been reliably informed given citizenship.

There is a general consensus that, if this is true, we will one day be very Bumi but very un Malay and not the brightest lamp in the light shop.

A really, really thought provoking post that has generated some quality comments and conversations. Wouldn't it be great to get all of this talent in a room?!

I kept coming back to this line, "our brand promise needs to be clearly defined, articulated and delivered upon. After all, your brand is the product of consumer expectation."

This is so, so true and the success or failure of the brand is won and lost in these three areas, certainly in the acquisition phase with a particular prospect however, I disagree that a 'single point of failure will cancel the whole thing out'. The beauty of well developed brand that has built itself by delivering on the brand promise is that existing customers are preparred to forgive certain failures (I find myself doing it more and more often with Malaysia Airlines!) if other benefits are acrued.

This is why it is so important for a successful brand to build a relationship with customers that is fluid and able to evolve, and do it on the customers terms. Get that sorted and you will build a profitable brand.

I really enjoy reading your posts!

On the whole, design is still relevent but industry specific and less so in many areas. I believe it also has less importance in the decision making process in terms of the first purchase and less relevance in the development of the relationship and future purchases and therefore the growth of the brand.

As an example, the logos of say adidas and nike are very different but the product is essentially the same. Indeed, it probably comes from the same factory in China, Vietnam or Indonesia.

Whilst I appreciate that communications initiatives will influence whether I go to nike or adidas, if they are both next to each other at the mall, I will visit both. Once in the store, if the experience of purchasing a pair of trainers is far better and more relevant to me and my situation in nike than it is in adidas then I am more likely to purchase nike, irrespective of the design, be it an existing one or a new one.

Brilliant article and sure to stir up some fascinating debate. I hope to respond in more detail later but for now I have an initial question, "Do you think that we should put so much effort into considering our responses to ensure they are consistent & distinct or do you think that the fluid, dynamic nature of twitter allows us to respond to given situations at given times in a manner that is related to the specific client & issue we are engaging with at that time and as such, our message should be that we don't have a message but are simply responding in a very human way?"

I have another slightly unrelated question, "Where/at what stage of the relationship, do we stop engaging with prospects or customers on twitter & take it direct?"

BTW I disagree with the statement "You can't close your ears" My kids do it all the time!