Mosaic of China 英语脱口秀

When you live overseas, in some ways you take a leap into a new identity. You need to figure out how to fit into a new culture, while remaining true to your authentic self. Well, it's exactly the same story when your brand goes overseas. And when introducing your brand overseas, it's important to get the name right.
Vladimir Djurovic is an expert in this field, since he and his team at LABBRAND create Chinese names for Western brands. And it's a fascinating process that requires a basket of skills including linguistics, branding, trademarks, consulting, and semiotics. If you want to know why the Chinese for Marvel is 漫威 [Mànwēi], and LinkedIn is 领英 [Lǐngyīng], tune in to hear from the man who helped name them!

This version of the podcast has been designed for listeners in China. If listening outside of China, it is better to subscribe to the global version:

If there's one thing on which almost everyone can agree, it's on China's capacity to surprise. No matter whether you're a China outsider or someone who's been living here for decades, there will always be something to make you stop in your tracks. And this is just as much the case for Chinese people as it is for non-Chinese.

Today's special compilation episode from Season 1of the podcast is an anthology of all the things that still surprise the guests about life in China. And listening to these answers together can remind us to keep that attitude of wonder in our lives. So what would be the thing that surprises *you* the most about life in China? Please contribute to the communities on WeChat, Instagram and Facebook.

Spending over a decade being a Tour Manager in China for international bands has taken this week's guest, Abe Deyo, to many destinations. In our discussion, we discuss some of his favourites, as well as his experiences on tour and his opinions on music tastes in the Chinese indie scene.

I tried to elicit some nefarious stories of the rock and role lifestyle out of Abe, but I promise that our chat remained family friendly. Well.. for the most part.

Abe Deyo’s object: His camera. Which was the reason he got into tour management in the first place.

Abe Deyo’s favourite WeChat sticker [1]: this Christian Bale kissy-face monstrosity...(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Abe Deyo’s favourite WeChat sticker [2]: this sluglike caricature of himself and his wife. (Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Abe Deyo: He works at Adapt, the Emerging Artists arm of Live Nation.

Abe Deyo: Some photos he took on a variety of tours around China, taken from his Instagram account, @abramdeyo.

Abe Deyo: Postiljonen, a Scandinavian band whose fan base he has helped to grow in China.

Abe Deyo: Higher Brothers, a Chinese rap group that may break out into the mainstream in China.

Abe Deyo: Luoyang by day; Luoyang by night.

Abe Deyo’s favourite China fact: There are 102 cities in China with over a population of over 1 million people.

Abe Deyo’s favourite word or phrase in Chinese: 牛逼 (Niúbī - Awesome). In writing, it’s often stylised as 牛B.

One of Abe Deyo’s favourite places to visit in China: The Wudang Mountains (武当山).

Abe Deyo’s favourite place to hang out: Uptown Records n' Beer, otherwise known as RnB.

Abe Deyo’s favourite song to sing at KTV (karaoke): S.H.E by Super Star.

Abe Deyo’s favourite China-related information sources: QQ Music (QQ音乐), NetEase (网易) and Douban (豆瓣).

Abe Deyo’s selfie with Oscar.

It's time to reflect on the end of the year, and the end of the decade. So as you’re listening to Simon Manetti reflect on his last 10 years of choices and chances in China, take a moment to think about the forces that brought you to where you are today. Some of you might look back on your decade as a series of rational and linear decisions. Well congratulations to you. Personally I relate more to Simon: some rational decision; a few irrational ones thrown in; and otherwise a combination of luck, fate and opportunism.
Thank you to Simon for being so open, eloquent, and... relatable.

Simon Manetti’s object: A plain old lamp.

Simon Manetti’s favourite WeChat sticker [1]: a dancing baby.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Simon Manetti’s favourite WeChat sticker [2]: a triumphant baby.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Simon Manetti’s favourite WeChat sticker [3]: a surprised baby.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Simon Manetti’s favourite place to visit in China: Hong Kong (香港).

One of Simon Manetti’s favourite places to hang out: Alimentari.

Simon Manetti’s favourite song to sing at KTV (karaoke): Bee Gees, Stayin’ Alive.

Simon Manetti’s favourite China-related information sources: China Tech Investor and China Tech Talk, from Technode.

Simon Manetti’s selfie with Oscar.

Simon Manetti: He bought his lamp at one of the Friendship Stores in Beijing.

Simon Manetti: One of his motorcycle trips to Miyun (密云), outside Beijing (北京).

Simon Manetti: When he lived in Ningbo, he would travel to Shanghai via Hangzhou. These days there is a bridge directly over the Bay of Hangzhou.

Simon Manetti: When he worked in the factory in Ningbo, his clients include the actors Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Simon Manetti: When he worked in the factory in Ningbo, he lived off 炒鸡蛋西红柿 (Chǎojīdàn xīhóngshì), the standard Chinese dish of eggs and tomatoes.