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When I first got wind that Citibank was hosting a weekend fiesta of sorts at Civic Plaza, Ngee Ann City, I admit I was skeptical. On many counts.

Firstly, the riveting logistics. Citibank has never done anything of this magnitude before in Singapore, let alone one that require the teamwork (and cooperation) of almost every department in this 8,000-employee-strong financial institution. Having worked on financial brands previously, I can ensure you that you’d have better luck asking the Pope to do the Cha Cha than to ask all departments in a financial institution to work in synergy and harmony without killing each other.

Secondly, I was told that while there will be games inspired by Citibank’s family of products, there will NOT be any selling. No selling at a financial event? Now that’s a first. Blame it on me being a typical marketer, but I was getting nervous for them Citibankers. What’s the ROI if there isn’t any selling?

It was only at Citibank’s You… Powered by Citi on Saturday when I realized what the returns were. Or rather, WHO the returns were for.

Me. Me, the Citibank customer for the last 5 years.  Oh, how smart. It’s always easier to retain a customer than to try gain a new one.

In the words of Citibank, and I’m shamelessly ripping off their print ad here, “It all starts with you and what’s important to you.” Ah. The No Selling agenda makes sense now. It’s nice to see a brand walk the talk. Some banks like to show that they care by running TV commercials about birthday cakes that don’t exist. Citibank shows it differently. With authenticity.

Lara Croft, I am not.

My gun kena stuck.

Aight. Imma try again.

This must be the first time ever, I see an immaculately beautiful half-naked man at a Citibank event.

It’s amazing how this is actually our first photograph together.

Jill Marie Thomas. A class act to watch out for. I’m glad I got her on Twitter by threatening to cybersquat her account.

They must really like dunking the hunk.

I was with the company of fellow Citibank customers, including my sis Irene and the Blogfather of Singapore, mrbrown. We were each given credits entitling us to a suite of games – from Dunk the Hunk (evidently, my favourite), to Poke the Balloon, and so on. The games were wittedly crafted in such that by playing them, I instinctively understood what the benefits of each product were. For example, did you know that as part of Gourmet Pleasures’ best deal promise, if your Citibank credit card falls short of the discount offered by any of its competitors at a Citibank Gourmet Pleasures restaurant, they would refund you the difference? It’s like Harvey Norman or something. My goldfish memory and I wouldn’t have remembered this if I didn’t play the “dip my hand into two boxes” game.

mrbrown sums it up best with this wicked video. I have a new joke to use now – the healthiest part of the donut is in the middle… the hole. HAHAHA.

For those who wish they were there at the fiesta, fret not. Citibank will be hosting its finale at Plaza Singapura, on 27 March 2010. If you’re a blogger and you’d like an invite, email Ling at ling@fly.com.sg and tell her I sent you.

Meanwhile, enjoy them photos taken that day.

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