peggy,
we are much more independent than you think.Do not forget that even when miloshivic gaves his order he was not obeyed in kosovo,so believe me when i tell you that we obey bruxelles only because we have the same objectives.And we do not have any problem in obeing bruxelles because that where we want to go and we do hope and work to have european rules be applied in kosovo too.
"you can keep your 19 century vision of kosovo,created by your intellectuals..You just will be more surprised and astonished by our progress when you will wake up.
Just as you were with our struggle for independance.you take it as a joke but we did it! And just as we did it yersterday, we will do it today and make kosovo a good place to be,despite your vain tentative to block it."
(lili, 28 October 2009 09:37)
What exactly did you do?
You are not independent and never will be. You will be either supervised by the west or Serbia. No independence for you.
If you consider what you have now as some sort of achievement then it is you who will end up surprised.
Your Thaci takes orders from Brussels. He is told when to think and what to think.
The only thing I am surprised about is that you have not noticed that yet.
me why didn't Serbia take advantage of the prior choices of Albanians, but they created an environment for the hard liners to come to power, (although I think Thaci is not a hard liner but I will give you that)?
(Denis, 28 October 2009 16:04)
It is not about being harliner or not, it is about being a criminal.., I guess you understand the difference..., and yes I regret Rugova, he had a lot of respect that thaci can only dream of!
Do you see now the connection as to why nobody, at least in Switzerland, wants to return to kosovo, am not even talking about the desastrous economical situation, just ask your friends how much they "loved" thaci while is was living in Lausanne and what they had to do, then maybe you will understand.
And again as the role of some german part of switzerland during WWII I condemn it and certainly would never accept the fact to hear that we had no choice...
cheers
but you would rather blame the serbs to excuse the albanians for teaming up with the nazis.
Am I surprised, certainly not, and it is not the 10 of millions that will be wasted in publicity that will make a lot of us change our minds on criminals like thaci and co and neither it will convince the 99.99% of k-a living in Switzerland to return to an illegal country!
(The Swiss, 28 October 2009 00:01)
I would most certanly will excuse the Albanians. Apparently you have no knowledge of the situation. Albanians did not join the Germans because they believed in Nazism, or they had an economic interest in it like maybe Swiss did, or because they hated the Jews, in contrary Jewish people were saved in almost 100% of the cases from German persecution in albanian populated areas....Albanians (although not all of them) joined the Nazis in the name of self-preservation.
You speak out of principles and ideology - about doing the right thing (i.e joining the Nazis was bad) which yes, sounds beautiful and very convinient, but Albanians did not have that luxury, because if they didn't serve their interest they would have been annihilated. Milosevic and Serbs proved it to be true all the way up to the end of 20th century.
Yes Thaci & Co. was not the best choice, and you know very well it was not the first choice of the K-Alb, Rugova was, but picking Thaci worked with the Serbs didn't it? Thaci did in 1 year what Rugova didn't in 10. Now you tell me why didn't Serbia take advantage of the prior choices of Albanians, but they created an environment for the hard liners to come to power, (although I think Thaci is not a hard liner but I will give you that)?
Riddle me this. What country had the largest foreign voulnteer army in history?
Perhaps if you opened your mind you would see that Europe is taking a turn to the right and the old lies that the communists told us
are having less and less of an effect.
You comment reminded me of one particularly unpleasant aspect of the Bosnian war, that of Germans, Austrians and others coming to Bosnia for the weekend for a 'little bit of soldering' and 'sniper practice'. The irony being that the ones who were wounded on this kind of 'war tourism' refused medical treatment there because it was no way near as good as back home.
Post like the one from Milan full of hate towards fellow European citizens of different ethic background are the ones that brought wars to Balkans and these are done just becuase these other fellow Europeans think different. This is not that that nice and not that productive. This kind of mentality belongs to Milosevic journalism and SPS.
(Olf, 28 October 2009 08:52)
If any separatists and terrorists will steal 15% of Your country with Western approval - You will be too very hate.
Those in the west far enough away (US) can't afford to travel because their economies are a 'basket case'. Those near enough for whom it is economically viable, know better.
Poor timing (except for Thaci) & a waste of money.
Come to the magical land of 'Kosova' and view herds of polar bears meandering and sweeping majestically on the plains below the Sar Plannina. Come to 'Kosova', sit in the many bars and strip clubs and gaze in excitement as the topless Moldovan exotic dancer mesmerises you while feeling the exhileration from the many halucegenic drugs that are freely available. Come to 'Kosova' and taste our world renowned wines and fishes. Come to 'Kosova' and view our wonderful, historical mystical ancient Byzantine - Illyrian churches. Come to 'Kosova' and talk to our young people who never work and wander carefree all day long in our wonderful utopian society. Come to 'Kosova', learn how to shoot, make bombs and go hunt the local Serbs in the peace and tranquility of the afternoon with your guides Ramush, Hashim and Agim.
Choose Life, Choose 'Kosova'. (cue the cheesy music and smiles).
'Come to Kosovo. Relax in our bars and cafes where you can get anything you want at the right price. During the day go on Serb Safari where we will escort you into the wild Serbian countryside. You can desecrate graves, through grenades at children, beat up and murder old people as they sleep. Where else in the world can you behave like an animal and not have to face a court of law. Get a free Ceku or Thaci T-shirt if you book before the ICJ Verdict'
Hey, who is the blond looker in it?! Must have been shipped from Sweden (with a nice pay check naturally).
This would be laughable if it's not another day in the battle for Kosovo. You Albanians might fool somebody in the world far away but we know your true face...and it ain't pretty!
You should try to convince us, your first neighbour about your Europeaness not the Maldivans or Kazaks.
Pure waste of money, but then you are so good at it, practicing for 50 years under Tito.
Wahey
to serbs:
trying hard to promote your 19century propaganda about albanians is your goal,but you should remind that we are living in the 21 century and should remind that many many people have come to kosovo and knew better than most of you who never have been there what we are!
The progress in kosovo are evident at every corner:we have done more in ten years than during all serbian rules and when your serbian compatriots from kosovo coming back here are astonished with the change..we go ahead,despite your vain tentative to block us.
you can keep your 19 century vision of kosovo,created by your intellectuals..You just will be more surprised and astonished by our progress when you will wake up.
Just as you were with our struggle for independance.you take it as a joke but we did it! And just as we did it yersterday, we will do it today and make kosovo a good place to be,despite your vain tentative to block it.
Am I the only one that wonder how much of these 5.7 millions of the EU taxpayers money that went back as a kickback to Thaci & Co?
Surely such a bad movie couldn't cost 5.7 millions to make, more like .7 and the rest 5 millions, where did they went? Ohh, I heard that Thaci is buying a new Rolls Royce these days.....
Post like the one from Milan full of hate towards fellow European citizens of different ethic background are the ones that brought wars to Balkans and these are done just becuase these other fellow Europeans think different. This is not that that nice and not that productive. This kind of mentality belongs to Milosevic journalism and SPS.
Is this true ???I mean common are they going to show how Kosovo is stolen land from Serbia and all the burned churches?many europeans are aware where the crime comes from in eastern Europe,bottom line no one will buy into these propagnda videos they should of invested the money in fighting their mafia. I wonder if they will show the yellowhouse? and the burned down Serbian homes?
Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova, see beautiful buildings and museums in Prishtina and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!
(Arrsim, 27 October 2009 13:38)
PR firms aren't a bad idea for Serbia either, especially for tourist. Getting a strong lobby in g7 nations would help get Serbia's view more widely accepted.
I like the promo very much, even when I would have put more emphasize on Kosovo's mountains. But the idea to put the young age of this people in the center is excellent.
for them apparently. Another one is being trialed for some of the worse crimes against humanity since WWII. Well maybe that will help you with your reputation ... good luck.
(Denis, 27 October 2009 19:05)
Short memory denis, very short memory, were you not the one who accused us of teaming up/helping the germans during the WWII and robing the jews..., you see the difference between you and me is that I strongly condemn some conivence that indeed was existing with some german part of switzerland and the reich during the WWII, but you would rather blame the serbs to excuse the albanians for teaming up with the nazis.
Am I surprised, certainly not, and it is not the 10 of millions that will be wasted in publicity that will make a lot of us change our minds on criminals like thaci and co and neither it will convince the 99.99% of k-a living in Switzerland to return to an illegal country!
Albanian man kept two daughters chained for 22 years
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/printer_1509670.php
Pristina (dpa) - A 70-year-old Albanian man kept his two daughters chained for 22 years, saying they were mentally ill and aggressive, local media reported Tuesday.
'They were both ill, and I kept them in chains to keep them from running away,' the man told local media. 'I have fed them and washed them, but I had no time to go and look for them if they ran away,' he said.
The two women, aged 38 and 47, were living in a small room with only a blanket on the floor. Media reported that the older sister had her left foot chained, while the younger one had both her hands in chains.
If you watch the video carefully (especially the first scene), it looks like these people a making coffins and then joining them up to create this imaginary "Kosova". Well, all I can say is RIP "Kosova" and what a waste of money.
Serbian youth should wake up and face the reality built on the fundaments of the past. This is something different from what RTS was lounching for decades. After all Kosovo youth does look as any other youth (without tails and horns).I belive that this campaigne will help the world realise what Kosovo realy is.
Good luck to Kosovo in its way toward EU.
As far as Serbia is concerned,let people judge themselves and keep polititians away from reality.
All this money to spare when there is a 70%+ unemployment rate in Kosovo. What about those poor albanians who drowned crossing into Hungary the other day? Maybe if they'd waited a little and seen the ad then they would have been convinced to stay in the Original(TM) Land of Milk and Honey!
Meanwhile in the real world, official propaganda outfit Balkan Insight has just published this piece:
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/23192/
EBU: Kosovo's RTK is "Media Arm" of PM
There was never any freedom for any non-kosovo Albanians, but now, no freedom for kosovo albanians either. Genius..
The double meaning of youngest Europeans, the intentional absence of any Albanian symbols in the youth. If you look at it, it is all young beautiful people except older people who stand and watch. The old making way for the new is the message.
-----------------------------
Yeah, it's a feelgood commercial alright, and obviously the audience is not intended to be Serbian. Sometimes, I wonder whether Serbs really like to feel good about things at all.
"either publish this comment or delete MikeC comment."
(nikshala, 27 October 2009 16:56)
You're lucky that B92 publishes many comments which are inflamatory like the one about a final solution for Serbs.
There is a site which will gladly publish your comments but is very tough on anyone esle who dares to critsize "Kosova". Roberto and some others can tell you about it as they comment there. They get things off their chest there that they cannot here so feel free to join them if you are not happy here.
So, Albanians joinded Hitler to protect themselves from Serbs. Is this your idea of self defence?
"To create an ethnically pure Shqiptar Kosovo, which Albanian called “Kosova”, the Shqiptari (Albanians) launched a widescale campaigns of ethnic cleansing and genocide."
http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/albanian-nazi-troops-in-ww2-launched-a-wide-spread-terror-against-kosovo-serbs/
"Bedri Pejani, the Muslim leader of the Albanian National Committee, called for the extermination of Orthodox Serbian Christians in Kosovo-Metohija"
http://www.kosovo.net/hist2.html
I have now watched the promo. Seems I was spot on but really, there wasn’t any other positive (or real to some) possibilities. It is subtly well thought out. The double meaning of youngest Europeans, the intentional absence of any Albanian symbols in the youth. If you look at it, it is all young beautiful people except older people who stand and watch. The old making way for the new is the message.
So we can all laugh but I think it is quite a powerful image that will attract more than images of history. Don’t be in any doubt; this is part, but not all, of the battle. Of course most on here understand that different and negative images of Kosovo could be shown and the real question for Serbia is how it will counter this.
Or am I mistaken that these comments are for constructive discussion but are the sole purpose of mud slinging both ways? Good god, we are arguing about history again and this promo has just side stepped all of that.
You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.
Albanians may attempt to distract the world from drug running, organ harvesting, murder and terrosism but your average Joe Q. Public recognizes this absurdity.
You seem to have a short memory! What ever reputation Serbs have it can't be worse then the one of those who became Hitlers allies during WW2. And if I am not mistaken Albanians, Croats and Bosnian muslims joined forcec with the Nazis.
I wonder who has a darker past? Serbs or Albanians/Croats/muslims
(MikeC, 27 October 2009 17:48)
Ohh without a doubt. Serbia not Nazi germany was their worse enemy. Many nations joined the germans during the WWII, but Albanians and other nations did it to protect themselves from Serbs.
They suffered gravely from Serbia in the early 20th century, Serbia's crime in the beginning of 20 centuries upon Albanians and other nations are some of the most brutal ones on the account.
Serbian forces were on the Albanian Adriatic coast in 1913, and they did not arrive there peacefully, nor they left in such a way? I can bring you here 100 links with quotes of foreign historians talking about Serbia's terror and brutality in northern Albania.
Another war criminal arrived today in Serbia, a safe haven for them apparently. Another one is being trialed for some of the worse crimes against humanity since WWII. Well maybe that will help you with your reputation ... good luck.
Thanks to Duplexclick for linking the video. I finally saw it, but there was really nothing much to say about it. $5.7 million spent on a 60 minute ad that leaves more to the imagination than real life? Money poorly allocated if you ask me. The Croatian ads run on CNN last year that tried to pass itself off as an affordable Italy were actually better.
Interesting though how parts of Kosovo Province were pieced together like puzzle parts. A little premature including lands north of the Ibar, and we may have to dismantle more parts after November 15.
The ad was nicely sterilized of any ethnicity too. Just like a European marketing firm to show that there may be the illusion of multiethnicity in this work in progress. Can't tell who's Albanian, and who's the paid actor to be the token Serb. But it uses the Serbian name to promote an Albanian-led entity.
All over the map if you ask me, and it promotes very little.
I didn’t know that. I’ve never seen any material promoting Serbia in the UK. That together with promotions on other places in Europe would, in my opinion, be worthwhile. Serbia still has a very bad, in part unfair, image. PR affects everything, including politics. From a narrower view, think of what Serbia has to offer from a vibrant and unique capital to stunning mountains and planes for summer and winter sports. All that with incredible hospitality, good value, delicious organic produce and heart attack inducing sumptuous grilled meats. The more people that experience that the more will have to challenge their prejudices about Serbs.
Winston,
This PR is not aimed at people in the Balkans. I think promoting that image, rightly or wrongly, will enhance and promote the perception of a newly created country. In the last year it has been Serbia that has been enhancing its image and perceptions have changed quite a bit I think. Is it value for money for people in Kosovo? – well I suppose it depends where you sit.
MikeC,
You totally missed my point. I am not saying Kosovo is any of those things. I am saying that is the image they want to present. Image and PR puts people in power. Getting the right PR can make all the difference.
Nikos,
“I” won’t be showing anything in a promo campaign.
"What will not go away is the criminal reputation that Serbs will leave behind in history and their leader Milosevic also known as "the Butcher of the Balkans".
Denis
All those who know the truth know that Serbs were not to blame for the Balkan wars.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5860186121153047571&hl=en#
You seem to have a short memory! What ever reputation Serbs have it can't be worse then the one of those who became Hitlers allies during WW2. And if I am not mistaken Albanians, Croats and Bosnian muslims joined forcec with the Nazis.
I wonder who has a darker past? Serbs or Albanians/Croats/muslims
The ad is pathetic. It shows a bridge, a river, and then a bunch of people doing nothing that represents anything to do with tourism. Why not show the garbage flooding the rivers, the sides of highways, and fields? They could go to Strpce, Zubin Potok or Zvecan to show non-littered areas though I suppose...
I liked it. It sends a strong message.
Serbs posters:
your messages were expected and counted for.
for those that are full of hate towards Ablanians, I suggest you focus on your own image. Serbias image in thw world is known do I need to remind anyone.
In case that reminder is needed visit website of Hague tribunal to find out.
@ Arsin
You're better than Saachi&Saachi - and it comes for free: you invented even the beginning of Christianity before Isus Hristos. Before your comment I believed only in your polar bears.
@ Pejroni
Of course it's good to help a friend in dire financial needs, especially when the help comes in Euros, Saachi needs them. But I think it would have been even better to reward the "grateful" Albanians who destroyed those vehicles belonging to EULEX. Only them, because all the millions of the international aid would not suffice to reward all the Albanians systematically destroying Serbian property and Serbian cultural heritage monuments.
I don't understand why B92 didn't publish my comment.
If you are allowing MikeC to label albanians with words like - durgs, organ trafficing, refugees etc etc.
All I stated was that it is wrong to label and prejudice any nation based on news report.
If we do that, the same could be said when someone hears the word serb or Serbia: "Milosevic, Srebrenica, massacres, war crimes, butcher of Balkans etc etc.'
either publish this comment or delete MikeC comment.
Clever - I was expecting all those big yellow pieces to end up spelling out "Newborn." It's always a good idea to turn the expected upside down. Personally, I liked the shot of the guy floating his piece down the river best.
"and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people **many centuries before Christ**!
(Arrsim)
-- Are you even paying attention to what you write or does this actually pass as history in Albanian schools? Will we be watching a promo ad, or a Borat clip?
As for reputation, hehe, a you are comparing one year old Kosovo to the aging Serbia. Dont you not think that the will of that people got it this far, made Serbia change names and constitutions, governments and a new political ruling.
Becouse of Kosovo you had to apologise to the world many times, from the embassys till the recent ultra nationalist coup d'etat.
And all that time Kosovo has moved on, and you have not been able to get an inch inside it in any constructive way.
But anyway even if your hero milosecic walked in Kosovo i dont think he would recognise it, he would cry in shame on how he couldnt keep it down on its knees.
(troika melb, 27 October 2009 13:45)
The will of the people had nothing to do with it.Bombs and terror is what you have to be proud of.God bless Kosmet.The nazis gave it to you once before and serbia got it back.We'll just wait for you to implode.
Interesting to see you folks jumping from your chairs, forgetting that Serbia has a propaganda program in place against Kosovo and Albanians. What should offend you is that such program was implemented, and still is, to be directed at the Serb audience.
You speak as you just came from Mars. It is not Albanians but poverty that creates crime, but Italians had a bad reputation as well 50 years ago. So it will go away.
What will not go away is the criminal reputation that Serbs will leave behind in history and their leader Milosevic also known as "the Butcher of the Balkans".
When it comes to bad reputation Serbia is way worse.
But yes, Kosovo should move on. Serbia can cry me a river about how it is not happy with what K-Alb are doing.
Kosovo must isolate the conflict in north, and focus on it's economy and state builidng. Once these are achieved Serbia can do nothing any more. Well they can always write letters of protests.
This is just a promo for tourism, so dont worry much. It will help Thaci attract FDIs in order to reduce unemployment.
FYI: Kosovo is already internationally recognised, and there will be no money spend in that direction.
BTW, Kosovo/Dardania has long and rich history, spreading as north as Kragujevac, but this advert will be just an intro, focusing only up to Zvecan...more to come in the near future.
Wonderful idea! You can start by showing all of the ancient Serbian Monasteries and churches. Then you can talk about how Serbia let you into Kosovo to flee your dictatorship government in Albania. Perhaps then you can end the commericial with a catchy line such as "Come to Kosovo Serbia! As long as we're here, your visit will be timeless!" just like when an Albanian stole Bush's watch during a friendly handshake. Keep up the good work Serbian Albanians.
This is not going to change the situation on the ground my friends. It is just scraping the barrel for this failed experiment.
We didn't get any new recognitions after these so-called politicans went to the UN and this is just wasted money that could have helped many people in the province.
One stupid decision follows the next so it's time to give up this myth and face reality. Kosovo's independence is irreversibly blocked and the temporary institutions are proving themselves more incompetent by the day.
"youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural....
You can laugh at it or you can learn from it."
Irnbru
I will not laugh because I am offended that you say multicultural. If it was, then what is NATO doing there protecting minorities when they go to the market, Serbian graveyards wouldn't be vandalized, churches wouldn't be destroyed and need protection 24/7 etc etc.
If that's what you call multicultural then I feel sorry for you?
Imbru, I will laugh at these commercials. Everyone, and I mean everyone, in the Balkans knows what the Albanians are about. You can try and sell your beans to the world that does not you, but, for us that do, it will be a good laugh. Would it not have been better for the Kosovo government to spend the money they get from foreign governments on improving the lives of their citizens, before they all leave, and Kosovo is nothing but a land full of senior citizens? Work on improving living conditions for all, Pristina, and the image will take care of itself.
Arrsim
"and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!"
Arrsim
how is it possible for a church to be build before the birth of christ and subsequently christian faith? so you are saying here that albanians were building christian monasteries and churches before Christ.. oooook!
Arrsim
'Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova'
Arsim
Who will really wanna come? to do what?
Irnbru
"I'll hazard a guess that the PR will not have an albanian theme - youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural will likely be the "image""
Irnbru
will you show on the promo campaign the destroyed cemeteries and churches and the barb wired serb neighborhoods? Let them see how "tolerant" and "multiethnic" and "multicultural" Kosovo really is.
All the peaceful Serbs seem to wish Kosovo good luck in developing it seams. Their peaceful and democratic "fight" seam to involve deformation slander and propaganda. Such a great view from some "europeans" who are represented at the UN.
Keep going boys, Kosovo could never ever have great frinds like you.
And mike i am not sure who those "persons" are that you ask, but i suspect you hang with monothinkers. Remember that if all the people say the same thing, nobody says anything at all.
As for reputation, hehe, a you are comparing one year old Kosovo to the aging Serbia. Dont you not think that the will of that people got it this far, made Serbia change names and constitutions, governments and a new political ruling.
Becouse of Kosovo you had to apologise to the world many times, from the embassys till the recent ultra nationalist coup d'etat.
And all that time Kosovo has moved on, and you have not been able to get an inch inside it in any constructive way.
But anyway even if your hero milosecic walked in Kosovo i dont think he would recognise it, he would cry in shame on how he couldnt keep it down on its knees.
Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova, see beautiful buildings and museums in Prishtina and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!
“EUR 5,7mn“ What a waste of money. 60% unemployment hungry children, lawlessness, blackest whole in Europe, and these Kosovo politicians are wasting hard to come by money on impossible dream.
"It is not easy to erase the image people have of albanians"
I'll hazard a guess that the PR will not have an albanian theme - youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural will likely be the "image".
Ha ha ha! K-albs have gone Hollywood, or more likely Bollywood. I guess the albanians were successful at using media and tricking the world during the war. They actually think this will work too. The West has called your bluff!
It is not easy to erase the image people have of albanians. Ask a person what he thinks of when he hears the word "Albanian"? He/she will probably say; chaos, refugees, drugs, pyramid scam, human trafficking etc. Its better to use the money provinding food and shelter for the hundreds of thousands of poor and unfortunate Kosovars still trapped in this black hole of Europe.
The best way to promote something is by reputation. Frankly, albanians don't have a very good one.
Hopefully no company in Serbia, and certainly no government body, will now work with Saatchi. I they are happy to take Pristina's money then let them pay the price here.
BBR Saatchi & Saatchi won a tender worth EUR 5,7mn to promote "the state of Kosovo" a few months ago, and they expect that the campaign will last for two years.
This would almost be comical, if it wasn't so disgusting. Where did the 5.7 million euros come from- the people of Kosovo??? And don't you think that most K-Albs would need the money more than Saatchi & Saachi??? And what is the purpose of this ridiculous ad campaign- to portray illegal independence, or a 67% unemployment rate, or your biggest exports- heroin and scrap metal??? Wake up world- the Kosovo criminals are trying to legitimize themselves before the world- and perhaps to show the ICJ how pigs look with lipstick!!!
Ha ha ha! K-albs have gone Hollywood, or more likely Bollywood. I guess the albanians were successful at using media and tricking the world during the war. They actually think this will work too. The West has called your bluff!
It is not easy to erase the image people have of albanians. Ask a person what he thinks of when he hears the word "Albanian"? He/she will probably say; chaos, refugees, drugs, pyramid scam, human trafficking etc. Its better to use the money provinding food and shelter for the hundreds of thousands of poor and unfortunate Kosovars still trapped in this black hole of Europe.
The best way to promote something is by reputation. Frankly, albanians don't have a very good one.
BBR Saatchi & Saatchi won a tender worth EUR 5,7mn to promote "the state of Kosovo" a few months ago, and they expect that the campaign will last for two years.
This would almost be comical, if it wasn't so disgusting. Where did the 5.7 million euros come from- the people of Kosovo??? And don't you think that most K-Albs would need the money more than Saatchi & Saachi??? And what is the purpose of this ridiculous ad campaign- to portray illegal independence, or a 67% unemployment rate, or your biggest exports- heroin and scrap metal??? Wake up world- the Kosovo criminals are trying to legitimize themselves before the world- and perhaps to show the ICJ how pigs look with lipstick!!!
Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova, see beautiful buildings and museums in Prishtina and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!
Hopefully no company in Serbia, and certainly no government body, will now work with Saatchi. I they are happy to take Pristina's money then let them pay the price here.
“EUR 5,7mn“ What a waste of money. 60% unemployment hungry children, lawlessness, blackest whole in Europe, and these Kosovo politicians are wasting hard to come by money on impossible dream.
Wonderful idea! You can start by showing all of the ancient Serbian Monasteries and churches. Then you can talk about how Serbia let you into Kosovo to flee your dictatorship government in Albania. Perhaps then you can end the commericial with a catchy line such as "Come to Kosovo Serbia! As long as we're here, your visit will be timeless!" just like when an Albanian stole Bush's watch during a friendly handshake. Keep up the good work Serbian Albanians.
You speak as you just came from Mars. It is not Albanians but poverty that creates crime, but Italians had a bad reputation as well 50 years ago. So it will go away.
What will not go away is the criminal reputation that Serbs will leave behind in history and their leader Milosevic also known as "the Butcher of the Balkans".
When it comes to bad reputation Serbia is way worse.
But yes, Kosovo should move on. Serbia can cry me a river about how it is not happy with what K-Alb are doing.
Kosovo must isolate the conflict in north, and focus on it's economy and state builidng. Once these are achieved Serbia can do nothing any more. Well they can always write letters of protests.
I don't understand why B92 didn't publish my comment.
If you are allowing MikeC to label albanians with words like - durgs, organ trafficing, refugees etc etc.
All I stated was that it is wrong to label and prejudice any nation based on news report.
If we do that, the same could be said when someone hears the word serb or Serbia: "Milosevic, Srebrenica, massacres, war crimes, butcher of Balkans etc etc.'
either publish this comment or delete MikeC comment.
All the peaceful Serbs seem to wish Kosovo good luck in developing it seams. Their peaceful and democratic "fight" seam to involve deformation slander and propaganda. Such a great view from some "europeans" who are represented at the UN.
Keep going boys, Kosovo could never ever have great frinds like you.
And mike i am not sure who those "persons" are that you ask, but i suspect you hang with monothinkers. Remember that if all the people say the same thing, nobody says anything at all.
As for reputation, hehe, a you are comparing one year old Kosovo to the aging Serbia. Dont you not think that the will of that people got it this far, made Serbia change names and constitutions, governments and a new political ruling.
Becouse of Kosovo you had to apologise to the world many times, from the embassys till the recent ultra nationalist coup d'etat.
And all that time Kosovo has moved on, and you have not been able to get an inch inside it in any constructive way.
But anyway even if your hero milosecic walked in Kosovo i dont think he would recognise it, he would cry in shame on how he couldnt keep it down on its knees.
"It is not easy to erase the image people have of albanians"
I'll hazard a guess that the PR will not have an albanian theme - youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural will likely be the "image".
I liked it. It sends a strong message.
Serbs posters:
your messages were expected and counted for.
for those that are full of hate towards Ablanians, I suggest you focus on your own image. Serbias image in thw world is known do I need to remind anyone.
In case that reminder is needed visit website of Hague tribunal to find out.
"and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people **many centuries before Christ**!
(Arrsim)
-- Are you even paying attention to what you write or does this actually pass as history in Albanian schools? Will we be watching a promo ad, or a Borat clip?
"youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural....
You can laugh at it or you can learn from it."
Irnbru
I will not laugh because I am offended that you say multicultural. If it was, then what is NATO doing there protecting minorities when they go to the market, Serbian graveyards wouldn't be vandalized, churches wouldn't be destroyed and need protection 24/7 etc etc.
If that's what you call multicultural then I feel sorry for you?
You seem to have a short memory! What ever reputation Serbs have it can't be worse then the one of those who became Hitlers allies during WW2. And if I am not mistaken Albanians, Croats and Bosnian muslims joined forcec with the Nazis.
I wonder who has a darker past? Serbs or Albanians/Croats/muslims
(MikeC, 27 October 2009 17:48)
Ohh without a doubt. Serbia not Nazi germany was their worse enemy. Many nations joined the germans during the WWII, but Albanians and other nations did it to protect themselves from Serbs.
They suffered gravely from Serbia in the early 20th century, Serbia's crime in the beginning of 20 centuries upon Albanians and other nations are some of the most brutal ones on the account.
Serbian forces were on the Albanian Adriatic coast in 1913, and they did not arrive there peacefully, nor they left in such a way? I can bring you here 100 links with quotes of foreign historians talking about Serbia's terror and brutality in northern Albania.
Another war criminal arrived today in Serbia, a safe haven for them apparently. Another one is being trialed for some of the worse crimes against humanity since WWII. Well maybe that will help you with your reputation ... good luck.
Imbru, I will laugh at these commercials. Everyone, and I mean everyone, in the Balkans knows what the Albanians are about. You can try and sell your beans to the world that does not you, but, for us that do, it will be a good laugh. Would it not have been better for the Kosovo government to spend the money they get from foreign governments on improving the lives of their citizens, before they all leave, and Kosovo is nothing but a land full of senior citizens? Work on improving living conditions for all, Pristina, and the image will take care of itself.
The ad is pathetic. It shows a bridge, a river, and then a bunch of people doing nothing that represents anything to do with tourism. Why not show the garbage flooding the rivers, the sides of highways, and fields? They could go to Strpce, Zubin Potok or Zvecan to show non-littered areas though I suppose...
As for reputation, hehe, a you are comparing one year old Kosovo to the aging Serbia. Dont you not think that the will of that people got it this far, made Serbia change names and constitutions, governments and a new political ruling.
Becouse of Kosovo you had to apologise to the world many times, from the embassys till the recent ultra nationalist coup d'etat.
And all that time Kosovo has moved on, and you have not been able to get an inch inside it in any constructive way.
But anyway even if your hero milosecic walked in Kosovo i dont think he would recognise it, he would cry in shame on how he couldnt keep it down on its knees.
(troika melb, 27 October 2009 13:45)
The will of the people had nothing to do with it.Bombs and terror is what you have to be proud of.God bless Kosmet.The nazis gave it to you once before and serbia got it back.We'll just wait for you to implode.
"either publish this comment or delete MikeC comment."
(nikshala, 27 October 2009 16:56)
You're lucky that B92 publishes many comments which are inflamatory like the one about a final solution for Serbs.
There is a site which will gladly publish your comments but is very tough on anyone esle who dares to critsize "Kosova". Roberto and some others can tell you about it as they comment there. They get things off their chest there that they cannot here so feel free to join them if you are not happy here.
Come to the magical land of 'Kosova' and view herds of polar bears meandering and sweeping majestically on the plains below the Sar Plannina. Come to 'Kosova', sit in the many bars and strip clubs and gaze in excitement as the topless Moldovan exotic dancer mesmerises you while feeling the exhileration from the many halucegenic drugs that are freely available. Come to 'Kosova' and taste our world renowned wines and fishes. Come to 'Kosova' and view our wonderful, historical mystical ancient Byzantine - Illyrian churches. Come to 'Kosova' and talk to our young people who never work and wander carefree all day long in our wonderful utopian society. Come to 'Kosova', learn how to shoot, make bombs and go hunt the local Serbs in the peace and tranquility of the afternoon with your guides Ramush, Hashim and Agim.
Choose Life, Choose 'Kosova'. (cue the cheesy music and smiles).
This is just a promo for tourism, so dont worry much. It will help Thaci attract FDIs in order to reduce unemployment.
FYI: Kosovo is already internationally recognised, and there will be no money spend in that direction.
BTW, Kosovo/Dardania has long and rich history, spreading as north as Kragujevac, but this advert will be just an intro, focusing only up to Zvecan...more to come in the near future.
Interesting to see you folks jumping from your chairs, forgetting that Serbia has a propaganda program in place against Kosovo and Albanians. What should offend you is that such program was implemented, and still is, to be directed at the Serb audience.
"What will not go away is the criminal reputation that Serbs will leave behind in history and their leader Milosevic also known as "the Butcher of the Balkans".
Denis
All those who know the truth know that Serbs were not to blame for the Balkan wars.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5860186121153047571&hl=en#
You seem to have a short memory! What ever reputation Serbs have it can't be worse then the one of those who became Hitlers allies during WW2. And if I am not mistaken Albanians, Croats and Bosnian muslims joined forcec with the Nazis.
I wonder who has a darker past? Serbs or Albanians/Croats/muslims
This is not going to change the situation on the ground my friends. It is just scraping the barrel for this failed experiment.
We didn't get any new recognitions after these so-called politicans went to the UN and this is just wasted money that could have helped many people in the province.
One stupid decision follows the next so it's time to give up this myth and face reality. Kosovo's independence is irreversibly blocked and the temporary institutions are proving themselves more incompetent by the day.
The double meaning of youngest Europeans, the intentional absence of any Albanian symbols in the youth. If you look at it, it is all young beautiful people except older people who stand and watch. The old making way for the new is the message.
-----------------------------
Yeah, it's a feelgood commercial alright, and obviously the audience is not intended to be Serbian. Sometimes, I wonder whether Serbs really like to feel good about things at all.
Clever - I was expecting all those big yellow pieces to end up spelling out "Newborn." It's always a good idea to turn the expected upside down. Personally, I liked the shot of the guy floating his piece down the river best.
Arrsim
"and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!"
Arrsim
how is it possible for a church to be build before the birth of christ and subsequently christian faith? so you are saying here that albanians were building christian monasteries and churches before Christ.. oooook!
Arrsim
'Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova'
Arsim
Who will really wanna come? to do what?
Irnbru
"I'll hazard a guess that the PR will not have an albanian theme - youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural will likely be the "image""
Irnbru
will you show on the promo campaign the destroyed cemeteries and churches and the barb wired serb neighborhoods? Let them see how "tolerant" and "multiethnic" and "multicultural" Kosovo really is.
Thanks to Duplexclick for linking the video. I finally saw it, but there was really nothing much to say about it. $5.7 million spent on a 60 minute ad that leaves more to the imagination than real life? Money poorly allocated if you ask me. The Croatian ads run on CNN last year that tried to pass itself off as an affordable Italy were actually better.
Interesting though how parts of Kosovo Province were pieced together like puzzle parts. A little premature including lands north of the Ibar, and we may have to dismantle more parts after November 15.
The ad was nicely sterilized of any ethnicity too. Just like a European marketing firm to show that there may be the illusion of multiethnicity in this work in progress. Can't tell who's Albanian, and who's the paid actor to be the token Serb. But it uses the Serbian name to promote an Albanian-led entity.
All over the map if you ask me, and it promotes very little.
'Come to Kosovo. Relax in our bars and cafes where you can get anything you want at the right price. During the day go on Serb Safari where we will escort you into the wild Serbian countryside. You can desecrate graves, through grenades at children, beat up and murder old people as they sleep. Where else in the world can you behave like an animal and not have to face a court of law. Get a free Ceku or Thaci T-shirt if you book before the ICJ Verdict'
You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.
Albanians may attempt to distract the world from drug running, organ harvesting, murder and terrosism but your average Joe Q. Public recognizes this absurdity.
I have now watched the promo. Seems I was spot on but really, there wasn’t any other positive (or real to some) possibilities. It is subtly well thought out. The double meaning of youngest Europeans, the intentional absence of any Albanian symbols in the youth. If you look at it, it is all young beautiful people except older people who stand and watch. The old making way for the new is the message.
So we can all laugh but I think it is quite a powerful image that will attract more than images of history. Don’t be in any doubt; this is part, but not all, of the battle. Of course most on here understand that different and negative images of Kosovo could be shown and the real question for Serbia is how it will counter this.
Or am I mistaken that these comments are for constructive discussion but are the sole purpose of mud slinging both ways? Good god, we are arguing about history again and this promo has just side stepped all of that.
Hey, who is the blond looker in it?! Must have been shipped from Sweden (with a nice pay check naturally).
This would be laughable if it's not another day in the battle for Kosovo. You Albanians might fool somebody in the world far away but we know your true face...and it ain't pretty!
You should try to convince us, your first neighbour about your Europeaness not the Maldivans or Kazaks.
Pure waste of money, but then you are so good at it, practicing for 50 years under Tito.
Wahey
So, Albanians joinded Hitler to protect themselves from Serbs. Is this your idea of self defence?
"To create an ethnically pure Shqiptar Kosovo, which Albanian called “Kosova”, the Shqiptari (Albanians) launched a widescale campaigns of ethnic cleansing and genocide."
http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/albanian-nazi-troops-in-ww2-launched-a-wide-spread-terror-against-kosovo-serbs/
"Bedri Pejani, the Muslim leader of the Albanian National Committee, called for the extermination of Orthodox Serbian Christians in Kosovo-Metohija"
http://www.kosovo.net/hist2.html
Serbian youth should wake up and face the reality built on the fundaments of the past. This is something different from what RTS was lounching for decades. After all Kosovo youth does look as any other youth (without tails and horns).I belive that this campaigne will help the world realise what Kosovo realy is.
Good luck to Kosovo in its way toward EU.
As far as Serbia is concerned,let people judge themselves and keep polititians away from reality.
@ Arsin
You're better than Saachi&Saachi - and it comes for free: you invented even the beginning of Christianity before Isus Hristos. Before your comment I believed only in your polar bears.
@ Pejroni
Of course it's good to help a friend in dire financial needs, especially when the help comes in Euros, Saachi needs them. But I think it would have been even better to reward the "grateful" Albanians who destroyed those vehicles belonging to EULEX. Only them, because all the millions of the international aid would not suffice to reward all the Albanians systematically destroying Serbian property and Serbian cultural heritage monuments.
to serbs:
trying hard to promote your 19century propaganda about albanians is your goal,but you should remind that we are living in the 21 century and should remind that many many people have come to kosovo and knew better than most of you who never have been there what we are!
The progress in kosovo are evident at every corner:we have done more in ten years than during all serbian rules and when your serbian compatriots from kosovo coming back here are astonished with the change..we go ahead,despite your vain tentative to block us.
you can keep your 19 century vision of kosovo,created by your intellectuals..You just will be more surprised and astonished by our progress when you will wake up.
Just as you were with our struggle for independance.you take it as a joke but we did it! And just as we did it yersterday, we will do it today and make kosovo a good place to be,despite your vain tentative to block it.
for them apparently. Another one is being trialed for some of the worse crimes against humanity since WWII. Well maybe that will help you with your reputation ... good luck.
(Denis, 27 October 2009 19:05)
Short memory denis, very short memory, were you not the one who accused us of teaming up/helping the germans during the WWII and robing the jews..., you see the difference between you and me is that I strongly condemn some conivence that indeed was existing with some german part of switzerland and the reich during the WWII, but you would rather blame the serbs to excuse the albanians for teaming up with the nazis.
Am I surprised, certainly not, and it is not the 10 of millions that will be wasted in publicity that will make a lot of us change our minds on criminals like thaci and co and neither it will convince the 99.99% of k-a living in Switzerland to return to an illegal country!
Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova, see beautiful buildings and museums in Prishtina and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!
(Arrsim, 27 October 2009 13:38)
All this money to spare when there is a 70%+ unemployment rate in Kosovo. What about those poor albanians who drowned crossing into Hungary the other day? Maybe if they'd waited a little and seen the ad then they would have been convinced to stay in the Original(TM) Land of Milk and Honey!
Meanwhile in the real world, official propaganda outfit Balkan Insight has just published this piece:
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/23192/
EBU: Kosovo's RTK is "Media Arm" of PM
There was never any freedom for any non-kosovo Albanians, but now, no freedom for kosovo albanians either. Genius..
Is this true ???I mean common are they going to show how Kosovo is stolen land from Serbia and all the burned churches?many europeans are aware where the crime comes from in eastern Europe,bottom line no one will buy into these propagnda videos they should of invested the money in fighting their mafia. I wonder if they will show the yellowhouse? and the burned down Serbian homes?
Those in the west far enough away (US) can't afford to travel because their economies are a 'basket case'. Those near enough for whom it is economically viable, know better.
Poor timing (except for Thaci) & a waste of money.
Albanian man kept two daughters chained for 22 years
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/printer_1509670.php
Pristina (dpa) - A 70-year-old Albanian man kept his two daughters chained for 22 years, saying they were mentally ill and aggressive, local media reported Tuesday.
'They were both ill, and I kept them in chains to keep them from running away,' the man told local media. 'I have fed them and washed them, but I had no time to go and look for them if they ran away,' he said.
The two women, aged 38 and 47, were living in a small room with only a blanket on the floor. Media reported that the older sister had her left foot chained, while the younger one had both her hands in chains.
I like the promo very much, even when I would have put more emphasize on Kosovo's mountains. But the idea to put the young age of this people in the center is excellent.
but you would rather blame the serbs to excuse the albanians for teaming up with the nazis.
Am I surprised, certainly not, and it is not the 10 of millions that will be wasted in publicity that will make a lot of us change our minds on criminals like thaci and co and neither it will convince the 99.99% of k-a living in Switzerland to return to an illegal country!
(The Swiss, 28 October 2009 00:01)
I would most certanly will excuse the Albanians. Apparently you have no knowledge of the situation. Albanians did not join the Germans because they believed in Nazism, or they had an economic interest in it like maybe Swiss did, or because they hated the Jews, in contrary Jewish people were saved in almost 100% of the cases from German persecution in albanian populated areas....Albanians (although not all of them) joined the Nazis in the name of self-preservation.
You speak out of principles and ideology - about doing the right thing (i.e joining the Nazis was bad) which yes, sounds beautiful and very convinient, but Albanians did not have that luxury, because if they didn't serve their interest they would have been annihilated. Milosevic and Serbs proved it to be true all the way up to the end of 20th century.
Yes Thaci & Co. was not the best choice, and you know very well it was not the first choice of the K-Alb, Rugova was, but picking Thaci worked with the Serbs didn't it? Thaci did in 1 year what Rugova didn't in 10. Now you tell me why didn't Serbia take advantage of the prior choices of Albanians, but they created an environment for the hard liners to come to power, (although I think Thaci is not a hard liner but I will give you that)?
Am I the only one that wonder how much of these 5.7 millions of the EU taxpayers money that went back as a kickback to Thaci & Co?
Surely such a bad movie couldn't cost 5.7 millions to make, more like .7 and the rest 5 millions, where did they went? Ohh, I heard that Thaci is buying a new Rolls Royce these days.....
Post like the one from Milan full of hate towards fellow European citizens of different ethic background are the ones that brought wars to Balkans and these are done just becuase these other fellow Europeans think different. This is not that that nice and not that productive. This kind of mentality belongs to Milosevic journalism and SPS.
(Olf, 28 October 2009 08:52)
If any separatists and terrorists will steal 15% of Your country with Western approval - You will be too very hate.
You comment reminded me of one particularly unpleasant aspect of the Bosnian war, that of Germans, Austrians and others coming to Bosnia for the weekend for a 'little bit of soldering' and 'sniper practice'. The irony being that the ones who were wounded on this kind of 'war tourism' refused medical treatment there because it was no way near as good as back home.
If you watch the video carefully (especially the first scene), it looks like these people a making coffins and then joining them up to create this imaginary "Kosova". Well, all I can say is RIP "Kosova" and what a waste of money.
Post like the one from Milan full of hate towards fellow European citizens of different ethic background are the ones that brought wars to Balkans and these are done just becuase these other fellow Europeans think different. This is not that that nice and not that productive. This kind of mentality belongs to Milosevic journalism and SPS.
PR firms aren't a bad idea for Serbia either, especially for tourist. Getting a strong lobby in g7 nations would help get Serbia's view more widely accepted.
me why didn't Serbia take advantage of the prior choices of Albanians, but they created an environment for the hard liners to come to power, (although I think Thaci is not a hard liner but I will give you that)?
(Denis, 28 October 2009 16:04)
It is not about being harliner or not, it is about being a criminal.., I guess you understand the difference..., and yes I regret Rugova, he had a lot of respect that thaci can only dream of!
Do you see now the connection as to why nobody, at least in Switzerland, wants to return to kosovo, am not even talking about the desastrous economical situation, just ask your friends how much they "loved" thaci while is was living in Lausanne and what they had to do, then maybe you will understand.
And again as the role of some german part of switzerland during WWII I condemn it and certainly would never accept the fact to hear that we had no choice...
cheers
I didn’t know that. I’ve never seen any material promoting Serbia in the UK. That together with promotions on other places in Europe would, in my opinion, be worthwhile. Serbia still has a very bad, in part unfair, image. PR affects everything, including politics. From a narrower view, think of what Serbia has to offer from a vibrant and unique capital to stunning mountains and planes for summer and winter sports. All that with incredible hospitality, good value, delicious organic produce and heart attack inducing sumptuous grilled meats. The more people that experience that the more will have to challenge their prejudices about Serbs.
Winston,
This PR is not aimed at people in the Balkans. I think promoting that image, rightly or wrongly, will enhance and promote the perception of a newly created country. In the last year it has been Serbia that has been enhancing its image and perceptions have changed quite a bit I think. Is it value for money for people in Kosovo? – well I suppose it depends where you sit.
MikeC,
You totally missed my point. I am not saying Kosovo is any of those things. I am saying that is the image they want to present. Image and PR puts people in power. Getting the right PR can make all the difference.
Nikos,
“I” won’t be showing anything in a promo campaign.
"you can keep your 19 century vision of kosovo,created by your intellectuals..You just will be more surprised and astonished by our progress when you will wake up.
Just as you were with our struggle for independance.you take it as a joke but we did it! And just as we did it yersterday, we will do it today and make kosovo a good place to be,despite your vain tentative to block it."
(lili, 28 October 2009 09:37)
What exactly did you do?
You are not independent and never will be. You will be either supervised by the west or Serbia. No independence for you.
If you consider what you have now as some sort of achievement then it is you who will end up surprised.
Your Thaci takes orders from Brussels. He is told when to think and what to think.
The only thing I am surprised about is that you have not noticed that yet.
peggy,
we are much more independent than you think.Do not forget that even when miloshivic gaves his order he was not obeyed in kosovo,so believe me when i tell you that we obey bruxelles only because we have the same objectives.And we do not have any problem in obeing bruxelles because that where we want to go and we do hope and work to have european rules be applied in kosovo too.
Riddle me this. What country had the largest foreign voulnteer army in history?
Perhaps if you opened your mind you would see that Europe is taking a turn to the right and the old lies that the communists told us
are having less and less of an effect.
Ha ha ha! K-albs have gone Hollywood, or more likely Bollywood. I guess the albanians were successful at using media and tricking the world during the war. They actually think this will work too. The West has called your bluff!
It is not easy to erase the image people have of albanians. Ask a person what he thinks of when he hears the word "Albanian"? He/she will probably say; chaos, refugees, drugs, pyramid scam, human trafficking etc. Its better to use the money provinding food and shelter for the hundreds of thousands of poor and unfortunate Kosovars still trapped in this black hole of Europe.
The best way to promote something is by reputation. Frankly, albanians don't have a very good one.
BBR Saatchi & Saatchi won a tender worth EUR 5,7mn to promote "the state of Kosovo" a few months ago, and they expect that the campaign will last for two years.
This would almost be comical, if it wasn't so disgusting. Where did the 5.7 million euros come from- the people of Kosovo??? And don't you think that most K-Albs would need the money more than Saatchi & Saachi??? And what is the purpose of this ridiculous ad campaign- to portray illegal independence, or a 67% unemployment rate, or your biggest exports- heroin and scrap metal??? Wake up world- the Kosovo criminals are trying to legitimize themselves before the world- and perhaps to show the ICJ how pigs look with lipstick!!!
“EUR 5,7mn“ What a waste of money. 60% unemployment hungry children, lawlessness, blackest whole in Europe, and these Kosovo politicians are wasting hard to come by money on impossible dream.
Hopefully no company in Serbia, and certainly no government body, will now work with Saatchi. I they are happy to take Pristina's money then let them pay the price here.
Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova, see beautiful buildings and museums in Prishtina and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!
The ad is pathetic. It shows a bridge, a river, and then a bunch of people doing nothing that represents anything to do with tourism. Why not show the garbage flooding the rivers, the sides of highways, and fields? They could go to Strpce, Zubin Potok or Zvecan to show non-littered areas though I suppose...
This is just a promo for tourism, so dont worry much. It will help Thaci attract FDIs in order to reduce unemployment.
FYI: Kosovo is already internationally recognised, and there will be no money spend in that direction.
BTW, Kosovo/Dardania has long and rich history, spreading as north as Kragujevac, but this advert will be just an intro, focusing only up to Zvecan...more to come in the near future.
Wonderful idea! You can start by showing all of the ancient Serbian Monasteries and churches. Then you can talk about how Serbia let you into Kosovo to flee your dictatorship government in Albania. Perhaps then you can end the commericial with a catchy line such as "Come to Kosovo Serbia! As long as we're here, your visit will be timeless!" just like when an Albanian stole Bush's watch during a friendly handshake. Keep up the good work Serbian Albanians.
You speak as you just came from Mars. It is not Albanians but poverty that creates crime, but Italians had a bad reputation as well 50 years ago. So it will go away.
What will not go away is the criminal reputation that Serbs will leave behind in history and their leader Milosevic also known as "the Butcher of the Balkans".
When it comes to bad reputation Serbia is way worse.
But yes, Kosovo should move on. Serbia can cry me a river about how it is not happy with what K-Alb are doing.
Kosovo must isolate the conflict in north, and focus on it's economy and state builidng. Once these are achieved Serbia can do nothing any more. Well they can always write letters of protests.
All the peaceful Serbs seem to wish Kosovo good luck in developing it seams. Their peaceful and democratic "fight" seam to involve deformation slander and propaganda. Such a great view from some "europeans" who are represented at the UN.
Keep going boys, Kosovo could never ever have great frinds like you.
And mike i am not sure who those "persons" are that you ask, but i suspect you hang with monothinkers. Remember that if all the people say the same thing, nobody says anything at all.
As for reputation, hehe, a you are comparing one year old Kosovo to the aging Serbia. Dont you not think that the will of that people got it this far, made Serbia change names and constitutions, governments and a new political ruling.
Becouse of Kosovo you had to apologise to the world many times, from the embassys till the recent ultra nationalist coup d'etat.
And all that time Kosovo has moved on, and you have not been able to get an inch inside it in any constructive way.
But anyway even if your hero milosecic walked in Kosovo i dont think he would recognise it, he would cry in shame on how he couldnt keep it down on its knees.
Imbru, I will laugh at these commercials. Everyone, and I mean everyone, in the Balkans knows what the Albanians are about. You can try and sell your beans to the world that does not you, but, for us that do, it will be a good laugh. Would it not have been better for the Kosovo government to spend the money they get from foreign governments on improving the lives of their citizens, before they all leave, and Kosovo is nothing but a land full of senior citizens? Work on improving living conditions for all, Pristina, and the image will take care of itself.
I liked it. It sends a strong message.
Serbs posters:
your messages were expected and counted for.
for those that are full of hate towards Ablanians, I suggest you focus on your own image. Serbias image in thw world is known do I need to remind anyone.
In case that reminder is needed visit website of Hague tribunal to find out.
"It is not easy to erase the image people have of albanians"
I'll hazard a guess that the PR will not have an albanian theme - youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural will likely be the "image".
"What will not go away is the criminal reputation that Serbs will leave behind in history and their leader Milosevic also known as "the Butcher of the Balkans".
Denis
All those who know the truth know that Serbs were not to blame for the Balkan wars.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5860186121153047571&hl=en#
You seem to have a short memory! What ever reputation Serbs have it can't be worse then the one of those who became Hitlers allies during WW2. And if I am not mistaken Albanians, Croats and Bosnian muslims joined forcec with the Nazis.
I wonder who has a darker past? Serbs or Albanians/Croats/muslims
You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.
Albanians may attempt to distract the world from drug running, organ harvesting, murder and terrosism but your average Joe Q. Public recognizes this absurdity.
Albanian man kept two daughters chained for 22 years
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/printer_1509670.php
Pristina (dpa) - A 70-year-old Albanian man kept his two daughters chained for 22 years, saying they were mentally ill and aggressive, local media reported Tuesday.
'They were both ill, and I kept them in chains to keep them from running away,' the man told local media. 'I have fed them and washed them, but I had no time to go and look for them if they ran away,' he said.
The two women, aged 38 and 47, were living in a small room with only a blanket on the floor. Media reported that the older sister had her left foot chained, while the younger one had both her hands in chains.
"and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people **many centuries before Christ**!
(Arrsim)
-- Are you even paying attention to what you write or does this actually pass as history in Albanian schools? Will we be watching a promo ad, or a Borat clip?
Serbian youth should wake up and face the reality built on the fundaments of the past. This is something different from what RTS was lounching for decades. After all Kosovo youth does look as any other youth (without tails and horns).I belive that this campaigne will help the world realise what Kosovo realy is.
Good luck to Kosovo in its way toward EU.
As far as Serbia is concerned,let people judge themselves and keep polititians away from reality.
"youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural....
You can laugh at it or you can learn from it."
Irnbru
I will not laugh because I am offended that you say multicultural. If it was, then what is NATO doing there protecting minorities when they go to the market, Serbian graveyards wouldn't be vandalized, churches wouldn't be destroyed and need protection 24/7 etc etc.
If that's what you call multicultural then I feel sorry for you?
As for reputation, hehe, a you are comparing one year old Kosovo to the aging Serbia. Dont you not think that the will of that people got it this far, made Serbia change names and constitutions, governments and a new political ruling.
Becouse of Kosovo you had to apologise to the world many times, from the embassys till the recent ultra nationalist coup d'etat.
And all that time Kosovo has moved on, and you have not been able to get an inch inside it in any constructive way.
But anyway even if your hero milosecic walked in Kosovo i dont think he would recognise it, he would cry in shame on how he couldnt keep it down on its knees.
(troika melb, 27 October 2009 13:45)
The will of the people had nothing to do with it.Bombs and terror is what you have to be proud of.God bless Kosmet.The nazis gave it to you once before and serbia got it back.We'll just wait for you to implode.
If you watch the video carefully (especially the first scene), it looks like these people a making coffins and then joining them up to create this imaginary "Kosova". Well, all I can say is RIP "Kosova" and what a waste of money.
This is not going to change the situation on the ground my friends. It is just scraping the barrel for this failed experiment.
We didn't get any new recognitions after these so-called politicans went to the UN and this is just wasted money that could have helped many people in the province.
One stupid decision follows the next so it's time to give up this myth and face reality. Kosovo's independence is irreversibly blocked and the temporary institutions are proving themselves more incompetent by the day.
You seem to have a short memory! What ever reputation Serbs have it can't be worse then the one of those who became Hitlers allies during WW2. And if I am not mistaken Albanians, Croats and Bosnian muslims joined forcec with the Nazis.
I wonder who has a darker past? Serbs or Albanians/Croats/muslims
(MikeC, 27 October 2009 17:48)
Ohh without a doubt. Serbia not Nazi germany was their worse enemy. Many nations joined the germans during the WWII, but Albanians and other nations did it to protect themselves from Serbs.
They suffered gravely from Serbia in the early 20th century, Serbia's crime in the beginning of 20 centuries upon Albanians and other nations are some of the most brutal ones on the account.
Serbian forces were on the Albanian Adriatic coast in 1913, and they did not arrive there peacefully, nor they left in such a way? I can bring you here 100 links with quotes of foreign historians talking about Serbia's terror and brutality in northern Albania.
Another war criminal arrived today in Serbia, a safe haven for them apparently. Another one is being trialed for some of the worse crimes against humanity since WWII. Well maybe that will help you with your reputation ... good luck.
So, Albanians joinded Hitler to protect themselves from Serbs. Is this your idea of self defence?
"To create an ethnically pure Shqiptar Kosovo, which Albanian called “Kosova”, the Shqiptari (Albanians) launched a widescale campaigns of ethnic cleansing and genocide."
http://vatopaidi.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/albanian-nazi-troops-in-ww2-launched-a-wide-spread-terror-against-kosovo-serbs/
"Bedri Pejani, the Muslim leader of the Albanian National Committee, called for the extermination of Orthodox Serbian Christians in Kosovo-Metohija"
http://www.kosovo.net/hist2.html
Arrsim
"and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!"
Arrsim
how is it possible for a church to be build before the birth of christ and subsequently christian faith? so you are saying here that albanians were building christian monasteries and churches before Christ.. oooook!
Arrsim
'Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova'
Arsim
Who will really wanna come? to do what?
Irnbru
"I'll hazard a guess that the PR will not have an albanian theme - youngest newest country in europe, tolerant, multi cultural will likely be the "image""
Irnbru
will you show on the promo campaign the destroyed cemeteries and churches and the barb wired serb neighborhoods? Let them see how "tolerant" and "multiethnic" and "multicultural" Kosovo really is.
"either publish this comment or delete MikeC comment."
(nikshala, 27 October 2009 16:56)
You're lucky that B92 publishes many comments which are inflamatory like the one about a final solution for Serbs.
There is a site which will gladly publish your comments but is very tough on anyone esle who dares to critsize "Kosova". Roberto and some others can tell you about it as they comment there. They get things off their chest there that they cannot here so feel free to join them if you are not happy here.
@ Arsin
You're better than Saachi&Saachi - and it comes for free: you invented even the beginning of Christianity before Isus Hristos. Before your comment I believed only in your polar bears.
@ Pejroni
Of course it's good to help a friend in dire financial needs, especially when the help comes in Euros, Saachi needs them. But I think it would have been even better to reward the "grateful" Albanians who destroyed those vehicles belonging to EULEX. Only them, because all the millions of the international aid would not suffice to reward all the Albanians systematically destroying Serbian property and Serbian cultural heritage monuments.
The double meaning of youngest Europeans, the intentional absence of any Albanian symbols in the youth. If you look at it, it is all young beautiful people except older people who stand and watch. The old making way for the new is the message.
-----------------------------
Yeah, it's a feelgood commercial alright, and obviously the audience is not intended to be Serbian. Sometimes, I wonder whether Serbs really like to feel good about things at all.
Post like the one from Milan full of hate towards fellow European citizens of different ethic background are the ones that brought wars to Balkans and these are done just becuase these other fellow Europeans think different. This is not that that nice and not that productive. This kind of mentality belongs to Milosevic journalism and SPS.
to serbs:
trying hard to promote your 19century propaganda about albanians is your goal,but you should remind that we are living in the 21 century and should remind that many many people have come to kosovo and knew better than most of you who never have been there what we are!
The progress in kosovo are evident at every corner:we have done more in ten years than during all serbian rules and when your serbian compatriots from kosovo coming back here are astonished with the change..we go ahead,despite your vain tentative to block us.
you can keep your 19 century vision of kosovo,created by your intellectuals..You just will be more surprised and astonished by our progress when you will wake up.
Just as you were with our struggle for independance.you take it as a joke but we did it! And just as we did it yersterday, we will do it today and make kosovo a good place to be,despite your vain tentative to block it.
I don't understand why B92 didn't publish my comment.
If you are allowing MikeC to label albanians with words like - durgs, organ trafficing, refugees etc etc.
All I stated was that it is wrong to label and prejudice any nation based on news report.
If we do that, the same could be said when someone hears the word serb or Serbia: "Milosevic, Srebrenica, massacres, war crimes, butcher of Balkans etc etc.'
either publish this comment or delete MikeC comment.
for them apparently. Another one is being trialed for some of the worse crimes against humanity since WWII. Well maybe that will help you with your reputation ... good luck.
(Denis, 27 October 2009 19:05)
Short memory denis, very short memory, were you not the one who accused us of teaming up/helping the germans during the WWII and robing the jews..., you see the difference between you and me is that I strongly condemn some conivence that indeed was existing with some german part of switzerland and the reich during the WWII, but you would rather blame the serbs to excuse the albanians for teaming up with the nazis.
Am I surprised, certainly not, and it is not the 10 of millions that will be wasted in publicity that will make a lot of us change our minds on criminals like thaci and co and neither it will convince the 99.99% of k-a living in Switzerland to return to an illegal country!
Clever - I was expecting all those big yellow pieces to end up spelling out "Newborn." It's always a good idea to turn the expected upside down. Personally, I liked the shot of the guy floating his piece down the river best.
Come to the magical land of 'Kosova' and view herds of polar bears meandering and sweeping majestically on the plains below the Sar Plannina. Come to 'Kosova', sit in the many bars and strip clubs and gaze in excitement as the topless Moldovan exotic dancer mesmerises you while feeling the exhileration from the many halucegenic drugs that are freely available. Come to 'Kosova' and taste our world renowned wines and fishes. Come to 'Kosova' and view our wonderful, historical mystical ancient Byzantine - Illyrian churches. Come to 'Kosova' and talk to our young people who never work and wander carefree all day long in our wonderful utopian society. Come to 'Kosova', learn how to shoot, make bombs and go hunt the local Serbs in the peace and tranquility of the afternoon with your guides Ramush, Hashim and Agim.
Choose Life, Choose 'Kosova'. (cue the cheesy music and smiles).
Interesting to see you folks jumping from your chairs, forgetting that Serbia has a propaganda program in place against Kosovo and Albanians. What should offend you is that such program was implemented, and still is, to be directed at the Serb audience.
Those in the west far enough away (US) can't afford to travel because their economies are a 'basket case'. Those near enough for whom it is economically viable, know better.
Poor timing (except for Thaci) & a waste of money.
but you would rather blame the serbs to excuse the albanians for teaming up with the nazis.
Am I surprised, certainly not, and it is not the 10 of millions that will be wasted in publicity that will make a lot of us change our minds on criminals like thaci and co and neither it will convince the 99.99% of k-a living in Switzerland to return to an illegal country!
(The Swiss, 28 October 2009 00:01)
I would most certanly will excuse the Albanians. Apparently you have no knowledge of the situation. Albanians did not join the Germans because they believed in Nazism, or they had an economic interest in it like maybe Swiss did, or because they hated the Jews, in contrary Jewish people were saved in almost 100% of the cases from German persecution in albanian populated areas....Albanians (although not all of them) joined the Nazis in the name of self-preservation.
You speak out of principles and ideology - about doing the right thing (i.e joining the Nazis was bad) which yes, sounds beautiful and very convinient, but Albanians did not have that luxury, because if they didn't serve their interest they would have been annihilated. Milosevic and Serbs proved it to be true all the way up to the end of 20th century.
Yes Thaci & Co. was not the best choice, and you know very well it was not the first choice of the K-Alb, Rugova was, but picking Thaci worked with the Serbs didn't it? Thaci did in 1 year what Rugova didn't in 10. Now you tell me why didn't Serbia take advantage of the prior choices of Albanians, but they created an environment for the hard liners to come to power, (although I think Thaci is not a hard liner but I will give you that)?
Thanks to Duplexclick for linking the video. I finally saw it, but there was really nothing much to say about it. $5.7 million spent on a 60 minute ad that leaves more to the imagination than real life? Money poorly allocated if you ask me. The Croatian ads run on CNN last year that tried to pass itself off as an affordable Italy were actually better.
Interesting though how parts of Kosovo Province were pieced together like puzzle parts. A little premature including lands north of the Ibar, and we may have to dismantle more parts after November 15.
The ad was nicely sterilized of any ethnicity too. Just like a European marketing firm to show that there may be the illusion of multiethnicity in this work in progress. Can't tell who's Albanian, and who's the paid actor to be the token Serb. But it uses the Serbian name to promote an Albanian-led entity.
All over the map if you ask me, and it promotes very little.
All this money to spare when there is a 70%+ unemployment rate in Kosovo. What about those poor albanians who drowned crossing into Hungary the other day? Maybe if they'd waited a little and seen the ad then they would have been convinced to stay in the Original(TM) Land of Milk and Honey!
Meanwhile in the real world, official propaganda outfit Balkan Insight has just published this piece:
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/23192/
EBU: Kosovo's RTK is "Media Arm" of PM
There was never any freedom for any non-kosovo Albanians, but now, no freedom for kosovo albanians either. Genius..
Is this true ???I mean common are they going to show how Kosovo is stolen land from Serbia and all the burned churches?many europeans are aware where the crime comes from in eastern Europe,bottom line no one will buy into these propagnda videos they should of invested the money in fighting their mafia. I wonder if they will show the yellowhouse? and the burned down Serbian homes?
Hey, who is the blond looker in it?! Must have been shipped from Sweden (with a nice pay check naturally).
This would be laughable if it's not another day in the battle for Kosovo. You Albanians might fool somebody in the world far away but we know your true face...and it ain't pretty!
You should try to convince us, your first neighbour about your Europeaness not the Maldivans or Kazaks.
Pure waste of money, but then you are so good at it, practicing for 50 years under Tito.
Wahey
'Come to Kosovo. Relax in our bars and cafes where you can get anything you want at the right price. During the day go on Serb Safari where we will escort you into the wild Serbian countryside. You can desecrate graves, through grenades at children, beat up and murder old people as they sleep. Where else in the world can you behave like an animal and not have to face a court of law. Get a free Ceku or Thaci T-shirt if you book before the ICJ Verdict'
Am I the only one that wonder how much of these 5.7 millions of the EU taxpayers money that went back as a kickback to Thaci & Co?
Surely such a bad movie couldn't cost 5.7 millions to make, more like .7 and the rest 5 millions, where did they went? Ohh, I heard that Thaci is buying a new Rolls Royce these days.....
I have now watched the promo. Seems I was spot on but really, there wasn’t any other positive (or real to some) possibilities. It is subtly well thought out. The double meaning of youngest Europeans, the intentional absence of any Albanian symbols in the youth. If you look at it, it is all young beautiful people except older people who stand and watch. The old making way for the new is the message.
So we can all laugh but I think it is quite a powerful image that will attract more than images of history. Don’t be in any doubt; this is part, but not all, of the battle. Of course most on here understand that different and negative images of Kosovo could be shown and the real question for Serbia is how it will counter this.
Or am I mistaken that these comments are for constructive discussion but are the sole purpose of mud slinging both ways? Good god, we are arguing about history again and this promo has just side stepped all of that.
Now you will see very many foreign tourist come to Kosova, see beautiful buildings and museums in Prishtina and visit old church and monasteries built by autochthonous Albanian people many centuries before Christ!
(Arrsim, 27 October 2009 13:38)
I didn’t know that. I’ve never seen any material promoting Serbia in the UK. That together with promotions on other places in Europe would, in my opinion, be worthwhile. Serbia still has a very bad, in part unfair, image. PR affects everything, including politics. From a narrower view, think of what Serbia has to offer from a vibrant and unique capital to stunning mountains and planes for summer and winter sports. All that with incredible hospitality, good value, delicious organic produce and heart attack inducing sumptuous grilled meats. The more people that experience that the more will have to challenge their prejudices about Serbs.
Winston,
This PR is not aimed at people in the Balkans. I think promoting that image, rightly or wrongly, will enhance and promote the perception of a newly created country. In the last year it has been Serbia that has been enhancing its image and perceptions have changed quite a bit I think. Is it value for money for people in Kosovo? – well I suppose it depends where you sit.
MikeC,
You totally missed my point. I am not saying Kosovo is any of those things. I am saying that is the image they want to present. Image and PR puts people in power. Getting the right PR can make all the difference.
Nikos,
“I” won’t be showing anything in a promo campaign.
I like the promo very much, even when I would have put more emphasize on Kosovo's mountains. But the idea to put the young age of this people in the center is excellent.
"you can keep your 19 century vision of kosovo,created by your intellectuals..You just will be more surprised and astonished by our progress when you will wake up.
Just as you were with our struggle for independance.you take it as a joke but we did it! And just as we did it yersterday, we will do it today and make kosovo a good place to be,despite your vain tentative to block it."
(lili, 28 October 2009 09:37)
What exactly did you do?
You are not independent and never will be. You will be either supervised by the west or Serbia. No independence for you.
If you consider what you have now as some sort of achievement then it is you who will end up surprised.
Your Thaci takes orders from Brussels. He is told when to think and what to think.
The only thing I am surprised about is that you have not noticed that yet.
Post like the one from Milan full of hate towards fellow European citizens of different ethic background are the ones that brought wars to Balkans and these are done just becuase these other fellow Europeans think different. This is not that that nice and not that productive. This kind of mentality belongs to Milosevic journalism and SPS.
(Olf, 28 October 2009 08:52)
If any separatists and terrorists will steal 15% of Your country with Western approval - You will be too very hate.
peggy,
we are much more independent than you think.Do not forget that even when miloshivic gaves his order he was not obeyed in kosovo,so believe me when i tell you that we obey bruxelles only because we have the same objectives.And we do not have any problem in obeing bruxelles because that where we want to go and we do hope and work to have european rules be applied in kosovo too.
You comment reminded me of one particularly unpleasant aspect of the Bosnian war, that of Germans, Austrians and others coming to Bosnia for the weekend for a 'little bit of soldering' and 'sniper practice'. The irony being that the ones who were wounded on this kind of 'war tourism' refused medical treatment there because it was no way near as good as back home.
Riddle me this. What country had the largest foreign voulnteer army in history?
Perhaps if you opened your mind you would see that Europe is taking a turn to the right and the old lies that the communists told us
are having less and less of an effect.
me why didn't Serbia take advantage of the prior choices of Albanians, but they created an environment for the hard liners to come to power, (although I think Thaci is not a hard liner but I will give you that)?
(Denis, 28 October 2009 16:04)
It is not about being harliner or not, it is about being a criminal.., I guess you understand the difference..., and yes I regret Rugova, he had a lot of respect that thaci can only dream of!
Do you see now the connection as to why nobody, at least in Switzerland, wants to return to kosovo, am not even talking about the desastrous economical situation, just ask your friends how much they "loved" thaci while is was living in Lausanne and what they had to do, then maybe you will understand.
And again as the role of some german part of switzerland during WWII I condemn it and certainly would never accept the fact to hear that we had no choice...
cheers
PR firms aren't a bad idea for Serbia either, especially for tourist. Getting a strong lobby in g7 nations would help get Serbia's view more widely accepted.
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