Thursday, June 3, 2010

THE TWINKLING THIRD EYE

“In order to be irreplaceable , one must always be different”- Coco Channel
I guess it’s true in every aspect of life, if you want to do something that counts and sets you apart from the rest.. It’s about innovating. Innovation is, the one word that separates the leader from the followers, the trend-setter from the me-toos..In my view, innovation is the difference between stagnation and progress. It is not necessarily about developing something from scratch but even improvising and adding incremental value, whether functional or aesthetic. I believe it’s how standards are set and the envelope is pushed , harder and harder. One great example I can see around me is the Classic brand of cigarettes. For years, they have set standards with multiple innovations , one after the other. India’s first mild,and ultra mild cigarettes all came from the Classic stable. So did Blue Leaf Tobacco blends and the Meteor Filter that added an new sensory appeal to menthol smokes..It also introduced handsome, break-away packaging—flat 10s, round corners, beveled edge packs. For me , what stands out most is Classic Verve Indias’s first slims- a ubecool and classy style statement. These Classic guys are always up-to-speed with cutting edge ideas. They always keep their third eye open.. And it always has a twinkle..

In the groove with rhythm and melodies

I am a sucker for music- with a keen ear for the Western variety. Not so much classical or opera but pop, rock, metal , jazz , reggae , hip-hop … stuff like that Music turns me on in different ways .Shaking a leg to hip-hop or rock in the disc is one way .But what I enjoy most is being with my music in my den, enveloped by the sound from my made –to- order system which I wouldn’t let a soul touch.. With my love for music comes my fad for collecting stuff around it. Cult posters from the iconic Abbey Road album cover, showing the Beatles crossing the zebra, mugs featuring Jim Morrison, the kinf of cool souvenirs you can see in Hard Rock CafĂ©, the world over. That’s why I cherish the special Classic cigarette packs, featuring different genres of popular international music.

My collection includes includes packs featuring metal, alternative, lounge, reggae. As a music lover, Clasic has really grabbed me big time. I love the way they reveal a little about the genre and style with a defining picture. I particularly love the arty way they depict lounge with the spinning vinyl. Then when you open the pack, you are rewarded by well researched nuggets about the music genre’s origins and it’s associations. Way to go Classic. You rock. I look forward to mre gems to fill my den.