Tag: Hong Kong

Hong Kong – The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has launched “The Way I Read SCMP”, a new campaign spotlighting seven prominent Hong Kong figures to highlight the diversity and depth of its readership.

Now in its third iteration, the ‘I Read SCMP’ campaign has brought together 30 influential Hong Kong personalities as brand ambassadors since its inception. For 2025, the latest edition features a fresh group of seven individuals from various sectors—business, art, sport, and food—who share how their engagement with SCMP informs their thinking and daily lives.

Kevin Huang, chief operating officer at SCMP, said, “The South China Morning Post is proudly made in Hong Kong and read by the world. We launched the ‘I Read SCMP’ series, a bold initiative inviting iconic local figures who are avid readers and share SCMP’s values to become ambassadors and rejuvenate its brand among local readers. Today, we proudly have 30 prominent personalities across the city sharing their unique ways of engaging with the SCMP.”

This year’s lineup includes: Amy Lo, chairman of UBS Global Wealth Management Asia and head and chief executive of UBS Hong Kong; Bernard Charnwut Chan, chairman of the M+ Museum; athlete Cecilia Yeung; entrepreneur Lindsay Jang, founder of Yardbird, Ronin, Roti Tori, and Sunday’s Grocery; Nicolas Chow, chairman for Asia at Sotheby’s; multidisciplinary artist Serrini; and Victoria Tang-Owen, founder and creative Director of Victoria Tang Studio.

The social-led campaign continues to explore how SCMP readers interact with its content through curated reading lists and reflections, underscoring themes such as resilience, business insight, and creativity.

In addition to profiling the readers, the campaign extends across SCMP’s proprietary platforms and multiple advertising channels, including out-of-home placements at MTR stations and on trams across Hong Kong Island.

“The Way I Read SCMP” is supported by SCMP Advertising+, the publisher’s integrated marketing solution encompassing creative development, digital and print campaigns, and events.

Paul Phillips, marketing director at SCMP, shared, “In this latest edition of ‘I Read SCMP’, our influential readers share how the SCMP shapes their perspectives and actions throughout their daily lives. The series drives conversation by leveraging the full suite of SCMP Advertising+ offerings, including Morning Studio, Morning Studio Amplified, and SCMP Live, with print and digital advertising across SCMP platforms and beyond—including MTR stations and four trams traversing Hong Kong Island.”

Hong Kong – The Trade Desk has announced an expanded strategic partnership with HOY, a media platform operated by i-CABLE Communications Limited. As part of this collaboration, HOY will enable programmatic trading for its connected TV (CTV) advertising inventory through The Trade Desk. 

The platform will also implement cutting-edge identity and access technologies, including Unified ID 2.0 (UID2) and OpenPath, helping advertisers achieve more efficient and precise advertising outcomes.

As viewer preferences shift rapidly toward on-demand and streaming services, high-quality CTV platforms are seeing accelerated growth. According to Statista, global CTV ad spending is projected to exceed US$38 billion by 20271. This trend is also reflected in Hong Kong. A 2024 survey by the Communications Authority revealed that over 40% of respondents have reduced their consumption of traditional TV in favour of internet-based streaming services.

Felix To Chi Hak, CEO and executive director at i-Cable Communications, said, “Programmatic CTV advertising is a core growth strategy for HOY, while The Trade Desk, a global leader in advertising technology, provides us industry-leading technology and platform capabilities. We’re excited to collaborate with The Trade Desk to enhance the value and utilisation of our inventory, delivering advertisers more effective and precise opportunities to engage with their target audiences.”

Initially developed by The Trade Desk, UID2 is a next-generation identity solution for the open internet. It aims to achieve greater personalisation, balancing consumers’ need for greater transparency and control while preserving the value of relevant advertising. While with fewer intermediaries, OpenPath provides advertisers with a more direct connection to premium digital advertising inventory, enhancing transparency while enabling publishers to maximise revenue. 

Douglas Choy, general manager of inventory partnerships for North Asia at The Trade Desk, commented, “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with HOY and jointly drive the development of Hong Kong’s CTV and open internet ecosystem. As audience behaviour continues to evolve, the Hong Kong CTV programmatic advertising market is poised for unprecedented growth. By enabling programmatic access and implementing solutions like UID2 and OpenPath, HOY is helping to shape a future-ready, high-performance model for the open internet. We look forward to partnering with more premium content platforms like HOY to build a transparent and thriving CTV advertising environment in Hong Kong.” 

HOY has completed the integration of UID2 on its CTV platform, which is now live. OpenPath onboarding is also ready, with deployment to be optimised based on campaign performance. 

Hong Kong – Telehealth platform Noah has partnered with creative agency BBH Singapore to launch a bold new campaign that puts men’s sexual health in the spotlight—using a giant inflatable installation along Hong Kong’s iconic harbourfront.

The installation depicts a pair of oversized inflatable balls being towed by a barge with the message “Men’s health is a big deal,” as seen in footage that appears to have been captured by a passing tourist. The clip drew attention online, especially at a moment when the inflatables align on either side of a skyscraper, prompting amused reactions.

Amid speculation about the stunt’s authenticity, Noah and BBH Singapore have confirmed they were behind the scene—though the spectacle wasn’t physically staged. Instead of using actual inflatables and a barge, the visual was produced with the help of VFX.

While humorous in execution, the campaign tackles a serious issue: the stigma surrounding men’s health conversations in Hong Kong, particularly around sexual health. Research cited by Noah notes that 60% of men avoid discussing such topics due to embarrassment.

Launched during Men’s Health Month, the initiative aims to reduce stigma and encourage men to take a more proactive approach to their mental, physical, and sexual wellbeing.

Gaurav Gursahani, director of marketing at Noah, said, “We built Noah because stigma was louder than solutions when it came to men’s health. No man should feel embarrassed to take care of his health. But in reality, most do. That’s why we partnered with BBH Singapore to develop a campaign that doesn’t whisper about men’s health; it shouts.”

Sascha Kuntze, chief creative officer, BBH Singapore, said: “Sometimes, to get everyone’s attention about a topic everyone shies away from, all you need is… well, you can see it in the stunt.”

Hong Kong – Digital life insurer Blue has launched a new brand campaign that uses humour to depict the simplification of insurance processes through its online platform, while continuing to feature the tagline, “Choose Blue, insurance is that simple.”

The campaign begins with a video advertisement that uses light-hearted scenarios to show how Blue’s digital services aim to make insurance more accessible and less complex for customers.

Two versions of the ad have been released — “Savage Mother-in-law” and “Shy Bestie”. Set around a casual dinner setting, “Savage Mother-in-law” features a series of rapid demands met with witty responses, underscoring the message: “Life is complicated enough — fortunately, insurance doesn’t have to be.”

Meanwhile, “Shy Bestie” offers a tongue-in-cheek take on romantic hesitation, delivering the line, “Love doesn’t always come when you make the first move, but Blue always has you covered,” echoing the insurer’s pitch of offering competitive pricing for life protection.

The ads focus on Blue’s online insurance products, which emphasise flexibility and self-service. The campaign is being rolled out across a mix of channels this month, including television, online platforms, buses, taxis, banners, and social media.

Danny Wu, VP and head of digital & marketing of Blue, said, “We aim to break the traditional barriers of the insurance industry by simplifying complex terms and procedures, giving customers full control over their protection. We believe digitalisation brings simplicity and flexibility that better meets evolving customer needs. With Blue, insurance is no longer complicated — customers can complete the entire application process in as fast as 5 minutes, truly making life simpler.”

Hong Kong – Private members’ club 1880 Hong Kong has reportedly closed its doors less than a year after its high-profile launch, with financial difficulties cited as the primary reason.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the club—an extension of Singapore’s 1880—ceased operations due to cash flow problems and failed fundraising attempts. The venue was located at Two Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay, a commercial property under Swire Properties.

In an internal letter cited by multiple news outlets, founder Marc Nicolson addressed staff directly, expressing regret over the closure. He acknowledged the failure to secure new funding, writing, “I was wrong, and I’m deeply sorry.”

In a separate message to members, Nicolson said that the original Singapore club would continue operations under a new management group. Members of the now-defunct Hong Kong branch would receive a one-year overseas membership as compensation. However, it remains unclear whether refunds will be offered. All memberships and associated privileges have been discontinued.

The SCMP report also noted allegations that 1880 Hong Kong owes back pay to over 100 employees, including kitchen and office staff. The Labour Department has reportedly received requests for assistance from affected workers.

Two former employees, speaking anonymously, claimed they are owed HK$50,000 (US$6,376) and HK$90,000 in unpaid wages, not including severance and annual leave payouts. They said they received only HK$5,000 each in April and were told the rest would follow once new investment had been secured. No further payments have been made, according to their accounts.

No official statements have yet been issued regarding the allegations of unpaid wages or potential legal action.

The club opened on November 8 last year, occupying four floors and featuring event spaces, restaurants, and a gym with spa facilities. It also introduced “1880 SOCIAL”, a lifestyle offering housed in the same location. The Hong Kong outpost was part of a broader expansion, following locations in Singapore and Bali (1880 Brawa).

Hong Kong – Teads has expanded its attention measurement capabilities to Hong Kong and Taiwan through its Teads Ad Manager (TAM) platform, allowing advertisers in both markets to measure audience engagement across premium publisher environments.

The feature, powered by Lumen Research, enables advertisers to track how users interact with creative assets in real time. By activating the “Attention” function, campaigns are automatically tagged with Lumen’s proprietary technology, offering a cookieless and privacy-first way to gauge ad effectiveness — particularly for upper- and mid-funnel branding campaigns.

Since its global rollout, the tool has seen strong adoption as brands seek more accurate metrics beyond standard viewability. It is available at no additional cost within TAM and is designed to integrate easily into campaign setup.

Caroline Hugonenc, SVP research and insights at Teads, shared, “We’re proud to bring Lumen’s attention measurement capabilities to our clients in Hong Kong and Taiwan through Teads Ad Manager. These two markets are vibrant, fast-evolving, and rich with innovation — and now, advertisers here can measure attention seamlessly and at no additional cost. This is a meaningful step in expanding our global attention programme, and we’re looking forward to uncovering actionable insights and building regional best practices in attention-driven advertising. ”

Christopher Maksymuk, managing director for North Asia at Teads, added, “Attention metrics are now a key must-have for brands seeking a transparent picture on which to base their media investment strategy. The introduction of the Teads attention offering in traditional Chinese brings unparalleled ease in gaining deeper insights into local audiences’ behaviours.

He continued, “The Lumen/Teads partnership has proven success over 10,000 campaigns across 30 markets, so I’m extremely excited that this is now available in traditional Chinese and the full power of this product can be leveraged by our local agencies & clients.”

To assess its effectiveness locally, Teads and Lumen tested two ad formats — vertical video and square display — across traditional Chinese publisher sites. Both formats outperformed global norms in Attention Per Mille (APM) and %Viewed metrics. Vertical Video achieved a 48% viewed rate, 50% above the Lumen global norm, and an APM score of 1,682 — 121% above the global average. Static Display also exceeded benchmarks, with a 31% viewed rate and an 11% higher APM than global video norms.

Teads said the findings support the use of vertical formats for greater impact in visually dense environments. The company’s local teams in Hong Kong and Taiwan are working with advertisers on implementation, testing, and optimisation. The attention measurement feature is currently available for branding campaigns only.

Mike Follett, CEO and co-founder of Lumen Research, said, “Vertical video is taking over the internet – it’s everywhere, and it’s great to see Teads’ vertical video solutions perform as strongly in the Chinese market as they do the world over. This study proves that Teads vertical video formats get noticed by more people and for a longer time than equivalent media inventory.”

Hong Kong –Uniplan has appointed Eric Chan as executive creative director of its Hong Kong office, reinforcing the agency’s creative leadership across Greater China.

Effective immediately, Chan will report to Judd Christie, CEO of Uniplan Greater China, and will oversee creative direction for all projects under the Hong Kong office, as well as experience design initiatives across the Greater China region.

“We are thrilled to welcome Eric to Uniplan; his skill set will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our team and expand our offerings beyond that of other traditional brand experience agencies,” Christie commented. 

“Our work encompasses a diverse range of projects, including events, experience centres, retail, exhibitions, immersive content and interactive experiences. Meeting these demands requires an increasingly diverse in-house team of specialists, and we believe Eric’s varied skill set uniquely positions him to lead our award-winning Experience Teams in Hong Kong and Greater China,” he added.

Chan brings over 15 years of international experience spanning advertising, branding, content and product design, and experiential marketing. He has worked with a wide range of global brands, including Alibaba, Google, Genesis, Haier, Mercedes-Benz, and Tencent.

Before joining Uniplan, Chan spent eight years at George P Johnson, where he held creative leadership roles in Singapore and later in Shanghai as Group Creative Director.

Speaking about his new role, Chan shared, “I’m thrilled to join Uniplan at a time when brands are pursuing deeper, more meaningful connections with their audiences. Hong Kong’s dynamic creative energy, combined with our talented local team and Greater China network, positions us perfectly to push boundaries and craft unforgettable brand experiences. Together, we’ll merge innovation with storytelling to create impactful moments at every touchpoint.”

Hong Kong – Moroccan coffee brand Bacha Coffee has opened its first full-concept location in Hong Kong, marking its debut at Harbour City with a flagship offering over 200 varieties of 100% Arabica coffee and traditional coffee service.

Spanning 2,500 square feet and overlooking Victoria Harbour, Bacha Coffee’s new Harbour City flagship brings together three distinct concepts under one roof: a Coffee Boutique, a Coffee Room, and a Takeaway counter. This marks the brand’s first full-scale store in Hong Kong and its most immersive to date in the city.

The Coffee Room—Hong Kong’s first—offers seating for 50 and introduces Bacha Coffee’s signature dining experience, blending its traditional Moroccan roots with modern café culture. Inspired by the original Dar el Bacha in Marrakech, the space is designed to reflect the brand’s heritage, with coffee masters preparing brews using traditional golden gooseneck pots.

While the focus remains on the coffee, the menu includes a selection of all-day dishes and pastries intended to complement the brews. Highlights include Moroccan-style meatballs and a signature club sandwich, alongside daily handcrafted viennoiseries.

The adjacent Coffee Boutique offers beans sold whole or ground to order, along with curated gift sets. A takeaway section allows customers to enjoy coffees to go, served hot or iced, and accompanied by touches such as Chantilly cream and reusable glass straws.

“The Bacha Coffee Room experience is a significant addition to Hong Kong, allowing coffee lovers to immerse themselves in our rich heritage,” said Taha Bouqdib, president and CEO of Bacha Coffee. 

“Our every location and concept around the world bears the DNA of the original location at the Dar el Bacha in Marrakech, complete with intricate decor and elegant furnishings designed to engage the senses, transporting our guests to an era when coffee was served with true reverence. As a key strategic location in our global expansion, we believe this Harbour City venue will become a cherished destination that honours the past while crafting the future for coffee enthusiasts,” Bouqdib continued. 

In 2023, Bacha Coffee launched its inaugural boutique and takeaway experience chain in Hong Kong, located at the IFC mall. The Harbour City launch is part of Bacha Coffee’s broader international expansion, which now includes 32 locations across 12 cities in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In April, the brand opened its first European flagship on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, adding to a global footprint that includes Dubai, Doha, Seoul, Singapore, and Taipei.

Hong Kong – In a move that bridges tradition and innovation, Chinese herbal wellness retailer Hung Fook Tong has teamed up with Nutribite to launch a personalised meal service powered by AI and rooted in traditional Chinese wellness principles.

The new meal service combines AI technology with nutritional science and traditional Chinese wellness principles to deliver personalised healthy meal plans. Users input basic personal information—such as age, height, weight, dietary preferences, and health goals—into the platform. DeepSeek, the AI engine behind Nutribite, then generates customised meal plans that include curated Nutribite meal boxes and Hung Fook Tong wellness products tailored to individual needs. Real-time interactive features allow users to adjust recommendations as needed.

At the centre of the service is a healthier take on the popular “two-dish rice” concept, featuring fresh ingredients and balanced combinations. The offering aims to make personalised nutrition more accessible and convenient for everyday consumption.

Wei Qiang, founder of Nutribite, shared, “Nutribite has been dedicated to driving innovation in data-driven healthy meal management and developing customised healthy meal solutions catering to various scenarios.”

“We are pleased to partner with Hung Fook Tong to integrate elements of traditional Chinese wellness wisdom into our healthy meal offerings, marking an important step in deepening our presence in the healthy catering market. We look forward to a close collaboration that will create more innovative value in the market and reshape the future of healthy eating,” Qiang added.

Customers can order personalised meals through Hung Fook Tong’s “JIKA CLUB” mobile app and collect them at designated locations across its network of over 100 stores in Hong Kong, including outlets at MTR stations. The service runs from 28 April to 31 May 2025, with a 10% discount available during the launch period.

Dr. Ricky Szeto, CEO and executive director of Hung Fook Tong, stated, “As a modern wellness concept food and beverage enterprise, Hung Fook Tong is committed to integrating traditional Chinese herbal wellness wisdom with innovative technology to offer customers high-quality, diverse products and services that meet their various needs for healthy diets.”

“This strategic partnership with Nutribite leverages advanced AI technology to provide customers with a brand-new healthy eating experience, marking a significant breakthrough in the group’s digital transformation. Together, we look forward to creating a new blueprint for healthy eating in the market and injecting new momentum into the group’s development,” he added.

As part of the Omnicom network, Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Hong Kong plays a key role in delivering end-to-end transformational experiences rooted in data, content, and integrated planning, powered by the Omni open operating system. In a fast-moving and competitive market like Hong Kong, OMG continuously adapts by balancing global expertise with local understanding while staying ahead of shifting consumer behaviours and expectations.

But what does it take to lead an agency holding company to success? And how does an executive’s leadership philosophy shape the culture, client partnerships, and long-term business direction?

To explore these questions, we sat down with Derek Yip, chief operating officer of Omnicom Media Group Hong Kong, for our latest Agency Leadership Decoded interview. In this piece, he shares his leadership approach, insights on navigating the Hong Kong media landscape, and the strategies OMG Hong Kong is adopting to stay ahead of the curve.

Empowering leadership for strategic growth

Derek has been with OMG since 2011, beginning his journey as head of buying at OMD Hong Kong. Over the years, he expanded his expertise across investment and trading roles, eventually taking on the role of COO at OMG Hong Kong in 2023.

As a seasoned leader, Derek’s philosophy centres on empowerment, adaptability, and a relentless focus on value creation. This mindset has helped shape a culture at OMG Hong Kong that values collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Derek cultivates a culture that values experimentation and rewards calculated risks, which is crucial in a dynamic market like Hong Kong.

“I believe that great leaders don’t create followers—they inspire teams to take ownership, think creatively, and act decisively,” he shared.

On the client side, this philosophy translates into building deep, strategic partnerships rather than transactional relationships. Derek emphasised that the goal is to truly understand each client’s business, anticipate their needs, and deliver solutions that create measurable impact.

“That’s why we are not just vertically growing OMG HK’s business, but also expanding our business horizontally to enrich our offerings in the areas of performance, content, influencers, data, and research through our different specialised business units,” he added.

Derek’s people-first, value-driven mindset also steers OMG’s broader strategy. Whether it’s adopting emerging technologies or building omnichannel campaigns, he ensures the teams remain agile and aligned to client goals.

“By empowering our teams and aligning their strengths with our clients’ goals, we ensure OMG Hong Kong remains a leader in delivering transformative media solutions,” he said.

Balancing global excellence with local cultural depth

Leading an international agency holding company in a culturally unique market requires a nuanced balance of global thinking and local depth. For OMG Hong Kong, this is a constant pursuit—and one that Derek is committed to achieving.

“Balancing global best practices with local relevance is a cornerstone of our success,” he explained. “We achieve this through a dual-lens approach: leveraging the scale and insights of our global network while embedding a deep understanding of Hong Kong’s cultural, economic, and consumer nuances into everything we do.”

On a global level, Derek shares how OMG Hong Kong draws on proven frameworks, such as data-driven targeting, omnichannel integration, and emerging technologies like AI and programmatic advertising, to ensure strategies meet international standards of excellence.

At the same time, OMG places strong emphasis on cultural fluency and market intimacy. The teams are actively working on various customised projects to help clients uncover local insights and capture new opportunities.

“For instance, our Hong Kong video landscape study, which analyses video viewing habits in Hong Kong, has enabled our clients to understand and contextualise shifts in viewer behaviours,” Derek noted.

“Additionally, our customised AI social listening solution empowers clients to process vast amounts of data, resulting in actionable insights that reflect local customer sentiments, thus helping them prioritise their media buys to reach particular demographics. Furthermore, our recent ‘New Hong Kongers’ research assists clients in uncovering new market opportunities. By combining global rigour with local insights, we deliver work that is both world-class and distinctly reflective of Hong Kong,” he further explained.

Agility by design with impact at speed

At OMG Hong Kong, agility—both in mindset and operations—is deeply embedded in the agency holding company’s DNA, a quality Derek sees as vital to thriving in the city’s fast-paced environment. He shared how this agile approach plays out across three key areas of the business.

“For decision-making, we utilise our proprietary tools, such as the Omni open operating system, to analyse media data and empower our teams to respond swiftly,” he said.

When it comes to talent, Derek believes continuous learning and adaptability are foundational.

“Our people are our greatest asset, so we invest in upskilling programmes that cover key topics from presentation to management skillsets. This ensures our teams can respond to evolving demands,” he continued.

As for campaign execution, Derek highlighted OMG’s test-and-learn mindset—launching minimum viable campaigns to gather insights quickly, then scaling what works.

“This keeps us nimble, ensuring we meet client deadlines and exceed consumer expectations in a market that never slows down,” he added.

Navigating tomorrow’s landscape

As the team goes full steam ahead in the second quarter of 2025, Derek sees three major trends that are shaping agencies’ strategies in Hong Kong: AI-powered personalisation, short-form video, and purpose-led marketing.

He’s confident that OMG Hong Kong is well-positioned to harness these trends for its clients.

“We’re leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning to deliver hyper-targeted campaigns that speak directly to individual preferences, whether through dynamic creative optimisation or tailored e-commerce experiences,” Derek highlighted.

When it comes to short-form video, he shared that OMG Content, Omnicom’s partnership, social, and entertainment division, is focused on producing “snackable, high-impact content that cuts through the noise”—a response to the rising popularity of video formats driven by platforms like Instagram Reels and Xiao Hong Shu, which continue to dominate, particularly among Gen Z and millennials.

Derek also stresses that sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have. Purpose-driven marketing is gaining traction as consumers in Hong Kong demand more from the brands they engage with.

“We have collaborated with our client, L’Oréal, to authentically integrate ESG principles into their narratives using our proprietary tool, OMG Impact. This tool enables us to align client media investments with specific ESG goals, reflecting local values such as community and responsibility,” he explained.

“By staying ahead of these trends, we equip our clients with strategies that are both innovative and impactful,” Derek added.

Thriving in the face of growing competition 

When asked about the biggest challenges and opportunities for agencies in Hong Kong, Derek acknowledged the increasingly competitive nature of the marketing landscape. While this presents clear hurdles, he also sees it as a catalyst for game-changing opportunities.

“The biggest challenge for agencies in Hong Kong will be navigating economic uncertainty and intensified competition. With global brands eyeing the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and local players upping their game, differentiation will be tougher than ever,” he noted.

Still, Derek believes that the rise of regional opportunities and emerging technologies paints a promising picture for the future.

“The GBA’s growth offers a chance to scale campaigns regionally, while advancements in tech, like immersive AR/VR experiences or blockchain for transparency, can redefine how we engage audiences,” he explained.

For the next generation of agency leaders, Derek offers practical guidance: “First, master data—it’s the currency of modern marketing, and those who can turn insights into action will win. Second, stay curious and adaptable; the tools and platforms we use today won’t be the same in five years, so embrace change. Finally, focus on purpose—build teams and campaigns that inspire, not just sell.”

As OMG Hong Kong expands its capabilities and embraces innovation, Derek’s leadership ensures the agency isn’t just keeping pace with change but actively shaping what’s next, continuing to transform experiences.