Imagethief has previously ranted about Chinese photo opp cliches in this space (and for the sake of completeness, here too). That's why I was interested to spot a photograph on Xinhua today of a joint Microsoft-Lenovo event. Here it is:

PR and event companies in China move in herds. This includes my own agency, which did not work on this particular event. The pouring of ink into a massive ice sculpture is the PR photo-opp cliche du jour. I know this because I've seen it cross my desk in proposals twice recently.

I think this photo-opp would have been much more interesting with any of the following simple modifications:

• If a frozen theme is desired, have the photo-opp involve the lowering of the most senior executive present into a vat of liquid nitrogen and then, at the celebratory moment, shatter his frozen body by having a supermodel strike it with a ten-pound sledgehammer (or, alternatively, a bottle of champagne).
• Instead some miscellaneous red liquid, fill the letters in the ice mold with actual blood drawn from a lucky audience member. Against their will if needs be.
• Use nitroglycerin as the decanted liquid. Then invite circus midgets to jump up and down on the ice block until explodes.
• Carve the letters out of a block of sodium and then use water as the liquid. (If you don't know why this would make a good photo opp, review your high school chemistry.)
• Make it look like "innovation" is what is carved into the block, but when you pour in the liquid, have it reveal a hidden profanity. Won't be audience be amused by all the executives stranding behind an enormous block of ice that reads "FUCK".

I got more. Honestly, I don't know where the ideas come from. I should do this for a living.

Note: Sincere apologies to any friends of mine in the industry who actually worked on this event. If it makes you feel any better, Imagethief has been guilty of worse.