Female models at the ongoing Shanghai Bike Expo probably heard of the half-naked woman at IKEA China whose photo became viral on social media that why they also decided to shed half of their clothes at the sport event.
However, they did not go bottomless as the woman at the furniture store did. Instead, they went topless but had their breasts painted so as to provide some cover. The promo women also had long hair to partly shield their chests.
The marketing gimmick worked because they sold a lot of bikes, reported Shanghaiist. In 2015, organizer of the Shanghai Auto Show prohibited half-naked models from the event so guests’ attention would be focused on the vehicles for sale, not on the women’s bodies.
On May 6, another bike exhibition, the 26th edition of China Cycle 2016, opened with focus on the effect of the internet and new technologies on the bicycle industry, reported Bike Europe. The event was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre, also in Shanghai.
Considered the largest bike show on Earth, the event attracts thousands of foreign and local visitors. In 2015, about 150,000 people attended China Cycle, with 11 percent coming from overseas, according to Ma Zhonhchao, chairman of China Bicycle Association which organized the event. Among the participants of the event was Bike Europe.