(Hong Kong, 12 April 2007) Octopus Cards Limited (Octopus) has launched a new
television commercial featuring the red-white-and-blue nylon
bag as a symbol of the Hong Kong spirit, underscoring Octopus'
continuous efforts to grow and innovate together with Hong
Kong people over the past decade. With “Octopus – Hong Kong
Spirit” as its theme, the commercial shows a variety of applications
of the red-white-and-blue icon in daily life.
In a light-hearted manner, the TV ad highlights the popularity
and multi-functionality of the red-white-and blue material
across many aspects of Hong Kong people's lives. For example,
it can be used to make shelters during rainstorms, or durable
carriage bags for goods. It has even become a classic design
icon in modern arts and design with increasing popularity
while it has also made a mark in overseas arts exhibitions
in recent years. It conveys the message that Octopus shares
with Hong Kong people the common spirit of perseverance,
flexibility and adaptability.
Ms Prudence Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Holdings Limited, said,
“Industriousness, efficiency and innovativeness are the common
strengths of Octopus and the red-white-and-blue icon. These
attributes echo the Hong Kong spirit and are significant
to their continuous growth and increasing acceptance in Hong
Kong, making it an integral part of everyday life. Not only
do they bring convenience to the people of Hong Kong, they
have also grown from being local creations to becoming internationally
well-known brands.”
Since 2001, designer Mr Stanley Wong
has incorporated the red-white-and-blue pattern as a motif
into his series of cultural posters, photography and installation
arts to epitomize the Hong Kong spirit. As the director of
this TV commercial, Mr Wong has made a skillful connection
between the red-white-and-blue, Octopus, and the Hong Kong
spirit to highlight Octopus' popularity, speed, flexibility
and adaptability as a companion of growth to Hong Kong people
over the past decade. The advertisement appears on TVB's
Jade Channel and Cable TV.
About Octopus
Launched in 1997, Hong Kong's Octopus
is the world's leading and most extensive smartcard payment
system, with over 440 service providers across different
businesses including public transport, parking, retail, vending
and kiosks, schools, leisure facilities and access control
for residential and commercial buildings. Merchants and Octopus
holders embrace Octopus for both its simplicity and convenience.
Today, 14.7 million Octopus cards are in circulation, and
the system handles over 10 million transactions a day, with
daily transaction value exceeding HK$78 million.
In recent years, Octopus has started
to export its unique experience and technology overseas,
offering consultancy services and holding workshops for parties
from different parts of the world.
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| 1. The red-white-and-blue icon is everywhere in Hong Kong |
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| 2. The red-white-and-blue symbolizes the Hong Kong spirit |
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