It’s easy to spot James Packer, the Co-Chairman of Melco Crown Entertainment, even among a crowd of Westerners. He’s what Australian sports commentators would call ‘a big unit’.
News reaches Asian Gaming Intelligence however that at the City of Dreams gala opening at Cotai on Monday some local press photographers did indeed fail for a second or two to catch on to Mr Packer’s presence. AGI is pretty sure it wasn’t shyness that prevented the local lensmen and women from mobbing Mr Packer at that moment.
Macau and Hong Kong media snappers are not noted for their reticence, frequently standing up to take pictures during the entire length of a press conference. This in turn often forces the reporters several rows back to stand up to strain to see the action, leading the other guests in turn to get on their feet to see over them, until the entire proceedings looks more like a pop concert than a corporate announcement.
The answer to the mystery of the brief non-recognition of Mr Packer is probably context. The locals don’t see Mr Packer in the flesh as often as do the Australian reporters. As the former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic amply demonstrated, if you want to go unnoticed, go where people are least expecting to see you.
