The World's Leading Designers to Convene in Hong Kong to Discuss Emerging Strategies, Opportunities and Trends in Global Branding and Design
HONG KONG, Aug. 29 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- IDP, a leading global branding and design network of over 400 professionals in 18 countries, today announced that Hong Kong has been selected as the venue for its 2007 annual conference scheduled to take place during the week of September 24-28, 2007.
As one of the most significant events on the international design calendar, leading designers, practitioners and experts from the field of branding and design will convene in the city next month to attend the meeting, which will focus on "Health, Wellness and the Role of Design." Attendees will include designers from six continents.
Featuring keynote speakers, site visits and knowledge and innovation sharing sessions, highlights will include discussions on international product and service trends in the health and wellness area, and the role of branding and design in creating, extending and sustaining these propositions.
In addition, the forum will take an in-depth look at the balance between global and local branding, and how advances in design innovation, packaging and technology processes can contribute to improving the physical and spiritual well-being of consumers, as well as the viability of the brands they purchase.
Commenting on the event, Mr. Craig Briggs, Managing Director of Desgrippes Gobe, IDP's Hong Kong member organization and the organizers of the 2007 annual meeting, remarked that the group's first ever conference in Asia comes at a crucial time.
"Aside from strong business sentiment and economic growth throughout the region, there is also a growing appreciation amongst Asian consumers to seek health and wellness solutions as a counterbalance to the hectic pace of progress and change. Consumers desire new ideas and new solutions to achieve this healthy balance."
According to Mr. Briggs, the rationale behind highlighting "Health, Wellness and the Role of Design" as the theme for this year's conference derives from the global mega-trend and a growing emphasis towards healthier lifestyles.
He comments, "Given this trend, companies in the health and wellness industry such as food, beverage and pharmaceutical companies, spa operators, hotels, and holistic and organic service providers, are challenged to brand their products in a way that ensures that health benefits stand out and are at the forefront of customer's minds.
"At the same time, everyday products that are not technically in the 'health and wellness' industry are taking advantage of the same trend. There is a convergence occurring all with the consumer as the winner. Ultimately, this creates a unique opportunity in terms of how health and wellness products, and related services, are positioned, packaged, presented and promoted."
Furthermore, Mr. Briggs notes that the every day consumer, in general, does not have a natural affinity for healthy products or items that are considered good for them. He points out, "In fact, it is not uncommon for consumers to consider such products to be not as appealing, too costly, or for food or beverage products to be not as 'tasty' as alternative brands.
"Regardless of this, customers do, however, want to know that a product is healthy," continues Mr. Briggs. "For brand marketers, we therefore need to identify and package other points of differentiation that are related more tightly to the values, essence and personality of the brand and the benefits, emotional and functional, of the product or service.
"It is a global trend and brand owners in Asia and worldwide need to understand the trends, the innovations, and respond to meet the market. Design plays a critical role in educating and motivating acceptance and purchase," Mr. Briggs concluded.
About Desgrippes Gobe
Desgrippes Gobe is a leading design and brand consultancy with offices worldwide in Paris, New York, Brussels, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul. Since its founding in 1971, Desgrippes Gobe has been a pioneer in developing branding solutions for companies across many industries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. We have created powerful and successful emotional brand identity programmes, as well as packaging, environmental and digital branding solutions that support our clients' business objectives and enhance their brand strength.
About International Design Partnership (IDP)
Created in 1994 by U.S.-based design and innovation firm, laga, international design partnership(R) is a global marketing and design resource of over 400 professionals in 18 countries offering multidisciplinary, collective expertise in identity and packaging design; brand and product innovation; research and positioning; new media and integrated communications; and industrial and retail design.
Media Contact
Issued by JEM Worldwide on behalf of Desgrippes Gobe.
For more information, please contact:
JEM Worldwide Ltd.
Janet Middlemiss
Tel: +852-2857-3832
Fax: +852-2840-1284
Email: janet@jemworldwide.com
