Welcome to People's Park
A newsletter that helps you keep up with and make sense of China going forward.
Hello world,
Welcome to People's Park, the newsletter that helps you keep up with and make sense of China—a sort of "China cheat sheet," if you will.
I'm Frank Ye, founder of Brands Without Borders, a digital marketing and brand consultancy. Our mission is to break down borders for brands, helping them thrive in an increasingly globalized market—with a focus on China (for now).
China is both my vocation and my avocation. Every day, as we help our clients achieve their goals in the world's second-largest market, we process a wealth of information about China. While some of this information may not be directly relevant to our client projects, it often provides valuable perspectives that can make this complex market a bit easier to navigate.
We didn't want this knowledge to go to waste. Hence, People's Park.
Why "People's Park," you ask?
Picture this: a bustling park in Shanghai where grandmas practice tai chi by day and square dance by night, where matchmakers try to set up reluctant singles (and their families), and where business deals are discussed among quick-paced, suited-up businesspeople taking a shortcut from one million-yuan deal to the next.
That's the vibe we're going for—a lively mix of culture, commerce, and maybe a dash of chaos. In almost every city in China, there's a People's Park. It's like a stage where the entire Chinese society performs. This kinda captures the essence of what we want to share with this newsletter.
Why should I subscribe to a/another newsletter about China?
There's no need to emphasize China's importance in today's global economy. While many excellent newsletters and publications already exist, I believe the unique background of me and my team—spanning journalism, anthropology, marketing, e-commerce and branding—offers a fresh perspective. We’d love to contribute to the conversation.
We hope to offer some more nuanced—and commercially, culturally and socially minded instead of politically motivated—observation and insights, so that you, the dear reader, may find opportunities, understandings and most importantly, hope, in such a time when uncertainties, hostilities and questions abound.
What to expect from People’s Park?
We will send a short newsletter on Monday and a longer, somewhat more opinionated analysis on Thursday.
China in Brief (Mondays): Your weekly shot of "What in the world is happening in China?" Espresso-sized news bites and market updates, with a focus on the marketing industry in China.
China in Depth (Thursdays): We dive deep into one story of China. It can be a business trend, a cultural phenomenon, a step-by-step guide to a trending social platform, or our take on a social event.
What goal this newsletter is trying to achieve?
Knowledge: We aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information about China, enabling you to make informed decisions for your business.
Perspective: We strive to offer fresh viewpoints on China that go beyond mainstream media coverage, helping you spot opportunities ahead of the curve.
Insight: We hope you'll gain unique insights from this knowledge and these perspectives, allowing you to understand China in more nuanced ways that are relevant to your personal interests and business objectives.
How much is it going to cost me to subscribe?
Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zilch. It's completely free for everyone.
How can I be in touch?
Email us at hello@bwb.agency or you can find us on social media. And keep an eye on this space because we’re launching our Discord community pretty soon.
Ready to dive in?
Hit that subscribe button.
Thanks for coming along on the ride.
Frank Ye, editor of People’s Park