In brief :Colleen Pencil brand back on write track

The brand's comeback is thanks to Hideaki Iguchi, a former employee of the domestically defunct pencil-maker. He has maintained the techniques and traditions of the brand at a factory near Bangkok.

"I hope people in Japan will use our pencils again," said Iguchi, 40.

Along with pencils manufactured by Tombo and Mitsubishi Pencil, Colleen Pencil was renowned for its high quality, but the manufacturer collapsed in 1997, burdened with debts of about 7 billion yen (Bt1.78 billion), due mainly to excessive investment.

Nevertheless, the brand still remains popular among Japanese pencil buffs.  - The Yomiuri Shimbun, Asia News Network

Seven wonders winners

Sky-Hi Network has launched a campaign to find seven lucky members of its radio audience to celebrate its seventh anniversary by joining the New 7 Wonders tour.

Managing director Komsan Chetchotisak said a Bt5-million budget has been set aside for the "Cool Celebration New 7 Wonders" campaign. "This is to thank the audience of FM93 Cool Fahrenheit station, which has been voted the No-1 easy-listening radio station for seven years," he said. In the first six months, the station's advertising revenue expanded 10 per cent over the same period last year.

Asian CSR Awards

Thirty entries from 25 companies in 10 countries have been submitted for the Asian CSR Awards, the winners of which will be announced on Friday.

The Asian CSR Awards recognise and honour companies in Asia and the Pacific for outstanding and innovative projects in corporate social responsibility. The awards will be given in five categories: Best Workplace Practices, Concern for Health, Environmental Excellence, Poverty Alleviation, and Support and Improvement of Education.

The awards coordinator said the entries included a number from Thailand.