Bangkok

This video was made by Jacob, a student at ISB. It is about V-Day, but wasn’t designed specifically for Carrotmob. Jacob is now working with me to modify the video for Carrotmob, but enjoy this for now. Note the actual # was 1397 supporters; not 500.

Does the Carrotmob method work?    You be the judge.

Yesterday, on Feb 20th the long awaited V-Day took place. This was the day Villa (Nichada) decided to ban plastic bags for good. Customers are now encouraged to bring their own bags or buy a reusable bag at the store. The goal of Carrotmob is to show business that customers will support this decision. Carrotmob’s goal was to have at least 500 people attend the event. If you were there you saw all the booths from sponsors, Green Panthers (student eco group), Carrotmob; live bands; celebrities and more. The event was lively and crowded. The out-of-season downpour of rain didn’t help, but the support was still strong.

Support came from strangers driving all the way in from downtown Bangkok. One lady took 90+ minutes to get there to make her point. Another was visiting from China to see friends, but made and effort to come out to support. As well, the Nichada Thani community were there in large numbers. This is important since in the long run they are the ones shopping at Villa on a more permanent basis.

Okay, so let’s get down to it. Was it a success? Here are the numbers.

We wanted at least 500 supporters. Instead we got 1397 shoppers! The owner was very happy and said he wanted to do this for about 15 year, but couldn’t get the support to do it, but we have found a way. He wants to meet again soon to see how to expand this. 7-11 VIP came out to support and also said they are looking at what they can do. I hope to meet with them soon too. Other businesses were intrigued by Carrotmob and how it can affect change so things might develop there too.

Asian Oasis donated bags for Carrotmob to sell and also a raffle prize (cruise on the Mehkala or a weekend at Lisu Lodge in Chiang Mai). The winner of the prize is Linda Kennan.

Big thank you to all of the performers, Dale for taking care of the music and performers, June from Villa for organizing V-Day, owners of Villa for being very supportive of this move and so easy to work with, Bettina and Sharka for being caring parents who wanted to make this happen.  Finally, thank you to all who showed up to make the Carrotmob concept work.  Villa has just become the first store to convert from using to plastic shopping bags to banning it.

Whao, i’m excited!

Actually it is a map to International School Bangkok (ISB).  Villa is just 50-100m to the left of ISB, just past the Starbucks.  Find ISB, go  left and you can’t miss it. See you there.

Trying to figure out what this is all about?  I can’t explain it any better than this. I just presented to 500 people at my school.  This should explain it all, so if your friends don’t understand… you know where to send them.  It’s good for all ages too.

The following celebrities will be at V-day.  Come meet them and customize your own bag with them.

Vipavee Asawanon วิภาวี อัศวนนท์

Wantita Liwchaloemwong วันฑิตา ลิ่วเฉลิมวงศ์

Paulleen Teng พอลลีน เต็ง

Wanporn Posayanon วรรณพร โปษยานนท์

Sopit Poosanakhom โสพิศ ภูสนาคม

After a great meeting with Villa yesterday I am feeling confident that V-Day will be a success. Villa has been working hard to put up shelf talkers in their store and promote their cause.

The concept is to have supporters just show up and shop, however, V-Day has stepped up a level. We now will have a stage with live bands, such as Rhashomon (ราโชมอน), Dale Ethridge, Robert “one man” Johnson, and more. Coke will have an environmental exhibit, Carrotmob and Green Panthers will have a booth.  There will be some activities, such as customize your bag with a celebrity, as well as, prizes.  Villa will also offer points for people with their own bag.  I should also mention TWIST is next door and they are very eco friendly with smoothie cups and straws made with plastic from plants, and recycled napkins.  Carry your own bag and have a receipt from Villa and get a special deal from TWIST as well.

See you all on Feb 20. 10:00 – 15:00.

For directions click here.  Villa is just to the left of ISB school.

As V-Day gets closer we are stepping up our efforts to let more and more know what is happening.  Yesterday the Bangkok Post featured our efforts to ban plastic bags in Thailand on the front page of their business section.  See full article here.

Please spread the word and get people to attend this event.  Print this poster.

The moment where we have to step up to the plate and put our money where our mouth, has been set.  February 20th (V-Day), from 10:00 am – 3:00pm, Villa Market (in Nichada Thani) will launch its campaign (V-CARE) to stop using plastic shopping bags in its Nichada Thani store.  This store alone gives out 500,000 bags a year and this will finally come to an end as they switch to selling reusable cloth bags.  We hope this will be the first step to many stores doing the same, but that success really depends on your commitment to this day.

My commitment to Villa in order for them to consider this idea of banning plastic bags was to gather enough customer support to make them realize people want this.  Villa wanted to do this, but were very concerned with customer backlash.  I convinced them it would be just the opposite and using the Carrotmob model, we would show up in mass to support this cause.  So this is where I need YOU… ALL of YOU!  I need to ensure that we have a strong commitment from at least 1000 people to show up on V-Day Feb. 20th at Villa to shop.  That’s it really.  Just show up and buy your groceries.  By doing this you are showing support.  I will invite all kinds of media to attend so the more people attending, the more likely the media will give its support and the easier it will be to get more businesses to follow.

We always tell businesses that actions speak louder than words.  Well, now I am saying that to you.  This event could be the start of a growing movement where consumers use their power to make change.  Put your words into action and join us on Feb. 20th.  Invite friends to attend as well.

I am currently planning the event with Villa to come up with various ideas on the day.  The ideas are not set yet, but so far this is what I have suggested.  Feel free to suggest more:

– Receiving points for bringing your own cloth bag.

– Purchase of ‘__’ baht and receive a free cloth bag.

– Prize (maybe a grocery voucher) for person traveling the furthest to support this cause.  (yes, I know it is not eco friendly to travel so far for groceries, but in this 1 time case it is actually needed; you will probably be interviewed on TV too).

– Best Carrotmob costume

– Possibly live bands playing in the parking lot

– Any other ideas you have?

Sign up on Facebook Events if attending.  If you don’t have a Facebook account, just leave a message here if you are coming.  I need accurate numbers for the day.

Where is Villa in Nichada Thani? It is just to the left of International School Bangkok (ISB).  Follow this map to ISB and just turn left, you won’t miss it.  It is also written in Thai and English.