Posts Tagged ‘The Gardens Mall’

In 1969, April 22nd was designated Earth Day to celebrate and conserve the earth. Today, Earth Day eco-activities are celebrated by more than 5,000 environmental groups from more than 180 countries with the purpose of educating the public on the importance of trees as part of the earth’s natural ecosystem.

In the spirit of Earth Day, this year Estee Lauder Companies Malaysia (ELC) in partnership with Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall organised a month-long campaign, themed “Beautiful Earth” to reduce the use of one-time plastic and paper bags, raise monies to rehabilitate the mangrove forests in Kuala Selangor and educate the public on the importance of mangrove swamps and why they need rescuing.

From June 1st till July 4th, an educational roadshow was held at Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall while all ELC counters and stores in both malls ran “A Bag For A Tree” fundraiser. For every RM25 donated towards the campaign, a Beautiful Earth reusable bag was given away. RM87,054.45 was raised, and it allowed ELC, Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall to purchase 3,482 saplings, of which 1700 were planted on August 5th and the remaining 1782 to be planted before the end of the year in collaboration with the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) who celebrates their 70th anniversary in conservation this year.

On the bright and early morning of August 5th, 120 staff, family members, friends and business partners of ELC, The Gardens Mall and Mid Valley Megamall together with members of the media and a like-minded customer, gathered at Kuala Selangor Nature Park to witness the presentation of a cheque for RM87,054.45 by Mr. Loo Kai Nan, Managing Director of Estee Lauder Companies Malaysia and Mr. Daniel Yong, Executive Director of Mid Valley Megamall to Ms. Elena Koshy, Corporate Partnerships Manager MNS.

After a hearty breakfast and an introduction to “Taman Alam” (Nature Park) and a briefing on the do’s and the don’ts while in the Park and while planting, the group of 120 donned rubber boots and made their way to the planting site which was approximately fifteen minutes away from the entrance of the Park. All along the way, being accompanied by resident monkeys.

After much slipping and sliding through grounds made water-logged by the recent rains, the group equipped themselves with makeshift hoes formed from fallen tree branches, raffia strings and saplings and got down to work! Due to the rains, hoeing was easy. However, keeping themselves from sinking into the soggy mud was not! Many got so engrossed in hoeing, planting and tying each sapling to slim bamboo sticks to keep them from floating away in high tide, that they did not realise they had slowly but surely been sucked deep into the mud. Many had to leave their boots behind as they were impossible to pull out!

After almost two hours of non-top labour, the group of 120 managed to complete planting the targeted 1700 trees! Then it was to the boardwalk for their reward, a breathtaking view of the Kuala Selangor bay, a couple of vipers (snakes) and migratory kites.

Mr. Loo Kai Nan said, “Trees and forests are being cleared every day and this has had a huge impact on our environment, ecosystem and food source. Tree planting is one of the simplest acts all of us can do to help preserve Mother Earth.” That about says it all for the Estee Lauder Companies, Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall.

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) is the oldest and largest non-governmental environmental organization in Malaysia. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, MNS was established in 1940 by a group of naturalists in Malaya to record and exchange information on the diverse nature found in Malaya. Today, the MNS has a membership strength of just under 4,000 Malaysians and non-Malaysian supporters, over 28,000 student members via the KelabPencinta Alam program, and staff strength of about 35.

MNS has become an established institution with a recognized role of working closely with government to ensure that the conservation voice and perspective is heard during planning and decision making especially I regard to conservation policy. It has also been active in biodiversity research, conservation and environmental education during this time.

MNS recently received 2 prestigious awards for its work and contributions towards conserving Malaysia’s natural heritage i.e. the Merdeka Award 2008 and the Birdlife International Partner Award 2008.

Additional information can be obtained at http://www.mns.org.my

Beautiful Earth is the Estee Lauder Companies Malaysia’s second environmental campaign. Last year, the cosmetics group lobbied for recycling bins to be placed in one of the city’s busiest malls, the Mid Valley Megamall. Positioned on Level 4, where the cinemas are located, the bins and a showcase display of an “ideal environment” made out of recycled papers and boards served to encourage shoppers to separate their trash.

Being in the beauty business, the Estee Lauder Companies see it as their corporate duty to not only provide beauty solutions but to continue to help “Beautify the Earth”. This year, Estee Lauder Companies partner The Gardens Mall and Mid Valley Megamall in a month-long campaign to:

• Reduce use of one-time plastic bags and paper bags
• Raise monies to rehabilitate the mangrove forests in Kuala Selangor

Educate the public on the importance of our unique mangrove forests and why they need rescuing.

According to the Malaysian Nature Society, Malaysia’s mangrove forests are part of a vital ecosystem. Like those in Kuala Selangor they are in danger of being wiped out due to illegal land farming. As a result, we will lose habitats for migratory birds and marine life. To the human population, it means pollution of our water source, coastal line erosion and land subsidence.

Can’t we simply wait for the trees to grow back?
With a rapidly declining wildlife population, pollination lags behind destruction. The only hope the forest has is rehabilitation via replanting. And this requires corporate and individual sponsorships. At RM25 a sapling.

In the face of this dire situation, the Estee Lauder Companies, The Gardens Mall and Mid Valley City have pledged their time and efforts, throughout the month of June, towards this cause. Come shopping with any of the brands under the Estee Lauder group within the Mid Valley City and you can contribute in one or more of the following ways:

Donate RM25 to plant a tree and be rewarded with the Beautiful Earth reusable shopping bag! In this joint-effort, the Estee Lauder Companies, Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall will be donating 100% of proceeds to the Malaysian Nature Society. So yes, please help us to rehabilitate our mangrove swamps and save our ecosystems.

For every RM25, a tree will be planted on your behalf. What’s interesting is that all donors will be invited to the tree-planting at Kuala Selangor Nature Park on August 5, 2010. Joining them will be the staff of Estee Lauder Companies, Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall!

Donations can be made at the brands’ following counters and stores in Mid Valley City throughout the month of June:

• Aramis/DKNY/Sean John/Tommy Hilfiger/Lab Series counters in Metrojaya Mid Valley Megamall, Jusco Mid Valley Megamall, Robinsons The Gardens.

• Bobbi Brown counter in Isetan The Gardens and Bobbi Brown store in Lot G-088, Ground Floor, Mid Valley Megamall.

• Clinique counters in Metrojaya Mid Valley Megamall, Jusco Mid Valley Megamall and Isetan The Gardens.

• Estee Lauder counters in Metrojaya Mid Valley Megamall, Jusco Mid Valley Megamall and Isetan The Gardens.

• Good Skin Labs kiosk, Lot FK-01, 1st floor Mid Valley Megamall.

• La Mer counter in Metrojaya Mid Valley Megamall.

• MAC Mid Valley, Lot G-092, Ground Floor Mid Valley Megamall.

• Origins counter in Metrojaya Mid Valley Megamall and Lot F-225, 1st Floor, The Gardens Mall.

• And at the Beautiful Earth Roadshow in Mid Valley Megamall (Starbucks entrance) and The Gardens Mall (Ground Floor).

Stylish, cheery, practical, the Beautiful Earth reusable bag is perfect for the eco-chic gal’s weekend mall trawling, trips to the supermart and surprise “No Plastic Bag” days. Made to fit more than a week’s supply of cornflakes, instant noodles and a pair of heels, the bag folds into a little pouch for convenience. Needing more than one? Buying a gift for a friend? This is it. The Beautiful Earth reusable bag.

Learn more about Malaysia’s unique mangrove forests at the Beautiful Earth educational roadshow in Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall throughout June.

American Idol fans in Malaysia brace yourselves! American Idol reigning winner and chartbuster, Kris Allen, arrives at our shores today, thanks to STAR World, home of American Idol in Asia.

Kris Allen is the first American Idol winner to visit Kuala Lumpur in association with ASTRO Life, Hitz.FM, The Gardens Mall and Mid Valley Megamall. During his ‘Kris Allen Live in KL’ showcase, fans will finally get to witness the touching performances and soulful hits of this huge talent, live! Owing to the outstanding popularity of American Idol, what better way to treat fans than with a live appearance from its reigning star – piano-tinkling, guitar-rocking hero that the world.

Fans first discovered Kris Allen on American Idol and have since followed him on an awesome journey leading to the release of a self-titled album and hit song ‘Live Like We’re Dying’. This self-titled album features some of the biggest and best pop producers such as Greg Kurstin (Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Lily Allen), Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Pink, Natasha Bedingfield) and Toby Gad (Fergie, Beyonce), to name a few. Kris has writing credits on 9 of the 13 tracks on the album, including one solo credit for “Red Guitar”, a song that he wrote prior to participating in American Idol. The 1st single “Live Like We’re Dying” is written by Irish band The Script with Andrew Frampton & Steve Kipner. The album also includes a newly-recorded version of “Heartless” (Kanye West), which was covered by Allen during his run on American Idol, as a bonus track. Other collaborations on the album are with Train’s Pat Monahan on “The Truth”, The Fray’s Joe King on “Alright With Me” and Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman on “Lifetime”.

Bringing Kris Allen to KL follows STAR World’s huge success in TV ratings this year as per the 20th and 27th January 2010 rating reports released by A G B Nielsen Malaysia recently. Thanks to the airing of American Idol Season 9 and the introduction of award-winning popular series Glee to its programming line-up, STAR World has out-performed all other established English general entertainment cable channels.

Basil Chua, Territory Director, Malaysia, FOX International Channels Asia, “Bringing Kris Allen LIVE in KL is our way of thanking our loyal American Idol fans on STAR World on ASTRO Channel 711. We are now the No. 1 primetime channel for upscale and affluent viewers who love some of the world’s best American shows – our strong audience growth over the years is testament. American Idol is a prime example of how we leverage on our global programming to bring high-rated live events to ASTRO subscribers in Malaysia. Thank you Malaysia for watching STAR WORLD and stay tuned!”

Says Agnes Rozario, Vice President of Content Management Group, ASTRO, ““The live appearance of Kris Allen in Malaysia is in keeping to ASTRO’s value proposition of enriching lives. American Idol is one of the world’s biggest reality TV shows, and the show’s fans in Malaysia, get to see it first on ASTRO Channel 711. Today ASTRO is almost in 50% of Malaysian homes, which means that close to 14 million viewers in Malaysia can enjoy world class entertainment, education and information including live sports. ASTRO is happy that its strong relationship with global channel partners like STAR World brings American Idol on both the TV screens as well as on ground.”

“We are very pleased to collaborate with STAR World, ASTRO and HITZ.fm to become the venue partners for the event “Kris Allen Live In KL” and we certainly look forward to such opportunities again in the near future,” says Daniel Yong, Executive Director, Mid Valley City.

To discover more talent, watch the latest season of American Idol Season 9, aired first on STAR World (ASTRO Channel 711) every Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm (direct via satellite) and 8pm (Primetime Encore); Thursday & Friday at 12am (Late-Night Encore), 7am, 1pm; Saturday & Sunday at 12pm, 8pm, 12am.