Digital Extras

MAJALAH digital interaktif, meski tergolong baru, ternyata cepat menarik perhatian. Berbagai studi menunjukkan bahwa platform baru ini mempunyai berbagai kelebihan, baik dari sisi pembaca maupun pengiklan, jika dibandingkan dengan media yang lain. Setidaknya itulah kesimpulan yang diperoleh Josh Gordon, pendiri Smarter Media Sales, dalam sebuah survei yang bertajuk The Case of Advertising in Interactive Digital Magazines.

Survei ini melibatkan 5.612 kuesioner yang diambil dari pelanggan majalah-majalah digital: Grand, HipCompass Escapes, HorseLink, Outside Go!, PopSci Genius Guide, Premier Guitar, VIVmag, dan Winding Road. Sponsor survei ini adalah Nxtbook Media and VIVmag dari kelompok publisher Zinio.

Menurut survei tersebut, 70 persen pembaca tidak merasa terganggu dengan adanya iklan yang muncul di majalah digital interaktif ketimbang di website. Selebihnya, 30 persen masih menerima gangguan iklan display di website.

Jika website menghasilkan lebih banyak impressions, maka edisi digital memberikan pembaca sebuah pengalaman yang menarik. Julian Lloyd Evans, managing director periklanan Dennis Publishing (juga publisher majalah online Monkey) menuturkan bahwa secara rata-rata, majalah interaktif dilihat pembaca sekitar 20-30 menit, sementara iklan di website dilirik pembaca tak lebih dari 8-9 menit.

Sebanyak 71 persen responden mengatakan bahwa iklan di edisi digital mempunyai tingkat gangguan yang lebih sedikit ketimbang di website – bahkan 79 persen mengatakan iklan di media digital lebih kredibel.

Lebih rinci tentang iklan display di majalah digital jika dibandingkan dengan iklan banner di website, sebagian besar mengatakan: sedikit gangguan (71%), mudah dibaca (80%), lebih otoritatif (78%), lebih kredibel (79%), lebih dipercaya (79%), lebih menarik (82%), dan lebih informatif (81%).

Survei tersebut juga mendapatkan bahwa responden iklan di majalah digital lebih menarik dan helpful dibanding di media elektronik yang lain, yakni: majalah digital (63,2%), 
televisi (53,8%), 
radio (34,8%), 
email (22,4%), 
email newsletters (20,6%), 
website banner ads (16,4%), website pop-up ads (2,3%), dan ponsel (1,9%).

Menurut survei tersebut, 82 persen responden mengatakan bahwa lebih menarik membaca di majalah digital ketimbang di halaman website dengan konten yang sama. Secara keseluruhan, pembaca memilih majalah digital di atas website, karena bisa mengeksplorasi digital extras, seperti video, foto yang lebih banyak, slide shows, audio, dan 
flash animation. Bagaimana dengan Anda? (Burhan Abe)

Sumber: MALE Magazine edisi 42 http://male.detik.com

Rasa Restaurant

International Cuisine and Authentic Asian Specialties

Jakarta - InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza is delighted to unveil its new restaurant following the completion of an aesthetic refurbishment project. This was carried out over the course of several months to minimize guest disturbance.

The newly renamed Rasa, which means taste in the Indonesian language, replaces Java as the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant. It is a contemporary space featuring elaborate columns and artistic wall panels in a refreshing interpretation of local design. Stylish seating options extend out to a terraced environment with relaxing views over the swimming pool.

Mr. Rommy Ardian, the owner of Kalandara Design Studio is the architect responsible for designing Rasa Restaurant’s decor. With a modern, simple, clean and luxury concept, the restaurant is influenced by traditional Javanese touches seen in the lattice panel, in which Javanese Batik patterns are adopted as well as from carvings incorporated in the columns which are taken from Indonesian traditional architecture.

Most of the material used in the restaurant is from Sungkai wood. The large reception table is crafted and designed using recycled wood while inside the family sized long wooden table features custom glass color bullets enhancing its overall design.

Rasa incorporates an open-plan kitchen with live cooking stations for a greater interaction between guests and our team of creative chefs. An island kitchen, as central focus point of the restaurant, was created using white marble elements.

As the Executive Chef for InterContinental Jakarta Midplaza, Chef Gary Palm has gone above and beyond by creating a menu that is focused on using only fresh ingredients which are prepared a la minute by his talented culinary staff. Among his favorites, Chef Gary and his team recommend Rasa duck tacos, Lontong kari ayam, Sanma with garlic bulbs, red chilli and corriander, BBQ wagyu beef InterContinental and last but not least a warm triple chocolate brownie.

Rasa restaurant is defined by its daily buffet of international cuisine and authentic Asian specialties displayed with a modern twist. There is a distinct emphasis on market-fresh ingredients, seasonal delicacies and themed dining events in accordance to the holiday calendar. The menu has anticipated the various culinary preferences from its International guests with dishes cooked to order from a hot wok, open grill and tandoor oven. A Japanese counter prepares sushi, sashimi and other bite-sized luxuries. Local cuisine is highlighted with favourite dishes from around the Indonesian archipelago.

Buffet selections are rotated on a regular basis and on any given day guests can expect food items from the West as well as India, China, South East Asia and beyond. High-end meats and seafood choices include wagyu beef, lamb chops, veal, red snapper, salmon, seabass and more. All this is complemented by separate stations for fresh juices, appetizers, soups, homebaked breads, croissants along with a separate salad as well as dessert bars. The knowledgeable service staff guides the guests through the buffet and assists the guests with their choices.

In addition to Rasa, the Pool Bar has also been given a brand new look and this laid-back outdoor area comes to life as a family-friendly extension of Rasa restaurant hosting a lavish BBQ, part of Rasa’s famous dinners as well as Sunday brunch. Guests are welcome to come and join a fun party ambience by the pool with summer-inspired cocktails and upbeat lounge music. Appetites are satisfied with a high quality selection of assorted meats and seafood specialties grilled to perfection accompanied by simple salads and sweet treats.

A special international pool menu was created among which both the InterContinental club sandwich as well as 10.5 oz Dallas Wagyu beef burger are favorites and not to be missed.

The Pool Bar also provides an alternative spot for nightly events during the week and is the perfect setting for informal corporate gatherings of a social kind. Meeting delegates can unwind in comfort at the end of the business day over casual drinks and a BBQ by the pool.

“This refurbishment represents an exciting new era at InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza and elevates our range of culinary services. Rasa has adopted a market-fresh approach to all-day dining with an impressive selection of dishes that transcend cultural boundaries. And families will certainly enjoy their weekends now more than ever at the Pool Bar. The hotel proudly caters to the needs of everyone from in-house guests and apartment residents to business executives, city socialites and parents with children,” says General Manager, Mr. Hendrik Eising.

Idul Fitri 1434 H

To err is human. To forgive, divine. – Alexander Pope.

Itulah salah satu brodcast yang masuk ke BlackBerry saya sehubungan dengan datangnya Idul Fitri 1434 H. Sangat indah dan puitis.

Memang, menjelang Lebaran dan beberapa hari sesudahnya tentu, banyak BBM ucapan Idul Fitri disertai dengan permohonan maaf lahir dan batin. Tak sedikit  yang puitis, tapi banyak juga yang lucu. Baik kreasi sendiri maupun copas (copy & paste) dari orang lain.

Tapi apa pun, sungguh sangat menyenangkan bisa terkoneksi dengan sanak, saudara, teman, atau kolega via mobile technology. Beranjangsana dan bersilaturahmi memang tidak selalu bertemu langsung secara fisik. Keberadaan ponsel dan komputer – terutama via media sosial, justru semakin memperkuat konektivitas antar manusia tanpa ada halangan jarak dan waktu.

Tapi yang jelas, bagi umat Islam di Indonesia, Idul Fitri adalah hari raya utama, momen penting setahun sekali untuk berkumpul kembali bersama keluarga dan saling bermaaf-maafan.

Momen Idul Fitri, hanya di Indonesia, sering ditandai dengan adanya mudik, pulang ke kampung halaman setelah bekerja setahun penuh di Jakarta dan kota-kota besar lainnya.  Budaya mudik rakyat Indonesia boleh jadi mirip dengan yang terjadi pada orang-orang Amerika menjelang Thanks Giving Day. Semua orang merasakan dorongan kuat untuk bertemu keluarga mereka masing-masing. Dalam suasana keakraban dan kekeluargaan itu hikmah Idul Fitri (juga  Thanks Giving Day) dapat dirasakan secara mendalam.

Idul Fitri, demikian isi ceramah para kyai, identik dengan kebahagiaan dan kemenangan, karena telah menunaikan ibadah puasa sebulan penuh. Dinamakan Idul Fitri, karena manusia pada hari ini kembali ke fithrah, laksana seorang bayi yang baru keluar dari rahim yang tidak mempunyai salah dan dosa.

Dan, momen Idul Fitri ini akan sempurna tatkala terhapusnya dosa manusia kepada Sang Khalik diikuti dengan terhapusnya dosa kita kepada sesama manusia, yakni dengan jalan memohon maaf dan memaafkan orang lain.

Selamat Idul Fitri 1434 H.  Minal aidin wal faizin. Mohon maaf lahir dan batin.

Burhan Abe