Spring Awakening

Spring Awakening is a Tony Award-winning rock musical with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater. I think it's great! It makes you think and feel!

Useful links:
www.springawakening.com
www.duncansheik.com
www.newyorker.com/online/video/conference/2008/sheik

Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum's Jewelry Gallery

The Victoria & Albert Museum announces the opening of the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery on May 24, 2008. Don't miss it!

Useful link:
www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/jewel_archive/index.html

The Powers To Lead

The Powers to Lead by Joseph S. Nye is an interesting book on the theory of leadership + the concept of hard + soft power = smart power. A must-read.

Useful links:
www.hks.harvard.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/joseph-nye
www.project-syndicate.org/contributor/422

The Transforming Travel Industry

According to the UNWTO, international tourist arrivals grew by 6% last year, to 900m. The total has gone up by almost 100m in two years. Last year the Middle East welcomed 13% more international tourists, or 46m in all. Arrivals in Asia and the Pacific were up by 10%, to 185m—with much of the extra travel coming from elsewhere in the region. Africa saw an increase of 8%, to 44m. This year, the UNWTO predicts, growth of international tourism will be fastest in Asia and the Pacific.
http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?source=hptextfeature&story_id=11374574

Negative effects: political violence + environment.
Positive effects: emerging economies with more spending power will be unwilling to give up flying or driving.

The amazing thing is many in the emerging economies are more interested in growth than environmental issues. A few companies on the other hand with green conscience are trying to be proactive and I hope to see more companies joining hands to save the environment.

Useful links:
www.world-tourism.org
www.wttc.travel
www.travelport.com/CarbonTracker
www.carlson.com
www.thomascook.com
www.marriott.com
www.mckinsey.com
www.amadeus.com

Climate Solutions

Climate Solutions: A Citizen's Guide by Peter Barnes is an interesting book on global warming + the impact + solutions.

Useful link:
www.capanddividend.org

I think it's a great reference book.

Best Startups In North America For 2008

The best startups in North America for 2008 is listed @
http://www.redherring.com/Home/24253

Marche Du Film

The Marché du Film is the business counterpart of the Cannes Film Festival and the largest film market (estimated one billion euros) in the world, and Cannes is the place to go to learn the ropes of the trade.

Useful links:
www.marchedufilm.com
www.festival-cannes.fr
www.ifc.com
www.network18online.com
www.emaximmedia.com

Car Talk

Tom and Ray Magliozzi, the stars of public radio's Car Talk make their TV debut in a new cartoon series, Click & Clack's As The Wrench Turns, which debuts in primetime on PBS in July, 2008.

Useful links:
www.cartalk.com
www.pbs.org

Don't miss it!