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The trillion dollar Iraq war and the outcome of 9-11 have created a mega shift in attitudes. All this is adding nothing but fire to the re-location movements. The grassroots level ethnicity, which provided innovative colors, different languages and foreign accents, are leaving the backroom engines slowly and steadily.
There is already a shortage of a highly qualified force at very economical rate all over the western economies. Immigrants knew then very well when to move in and they know now when to get out.

Currently, there are all kinds of research and studies showing steady decline in population in the west and for the first time, there are clear indicators that American youth will be looking towards Asia for greater opportunities and potentials, unlike their parents who were on the path of glory from the start.

Global Image Re-positioning

In order to shift perceptions en masse, it requires mega shifts of options at the ground level. The world's latest and most advanced grand and luxurious shopping malls are erupting by the thousands in the East. India alone has a middle class larger than the entire population of USA. The land of the 'fakirs and the snake charmers' have an uncontrollable nouvo-consumerism, ready to devour anything that shines. The powerhouse image maker of the past, Hollywood is simply now old and exhausted, while Bollywood is in a $4 billion dollar-per-year frenzy. Paris, the heart and soul of fashion, is for the passé, as there are some 100 new fashion centers that have arisen mostly in Asia. The East is not only replacing formerly western dominated industries, they are adjusting for the latest innovation and technology resulting in far superior and dazzling ideas.

The sunshine days for Eastern iconization are here, corporate image and brand name identities that were only using Western standards are now shifting in a big way to the East. Studies have clearly shown Asia to be the driving force behind branded goods; way over Europe and USA, obviously the wealthy population is far bigger than the west. The movement for creating local Asian brands is picking up heat, using latest tools of the trade and the software that is capable of spinning colors and dazzling graphics that would dwarf any top agency in New York or London. The issues of cyber-branding and corporate images are becoming very real - demanding cutting edge knowledge and very superior sets of skills.

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Naseem Javed, recognized as a world authority on corporate image and global name identities, is a harsh critic of casual and accidental naming. He is a dynamic speaker on corporate image and branding issues, and is also the author of Naming for Power. He founded ABC Namebank International, an image and branding consultancy over 25 years ago. Website: www.abcnamebank.com