The campaign highlights how Canva AI helps remove creative barriers for everyone, from entrepreneurs and educators to office workers and content creators — focusing on everyday creative challenges to show how AI can make designing and communicating ideas faster, easier and more accessible.

At the heart of the campaign is Indonesian singer King Nassar, whose popular song ‘Seperti Mati Lampu’ provides the creative inspiration for the campaign film.

The story follows familiar situations faced by many Indonesians: an employee struggling to finish a presentation, a teacher trying to make lessons more engaging, and a small business owner searching for ways to stand out.

As each character faces a creative block, Nassar appears to symbolically “switch the lights back on,” showcasing how Canva AI can help transform ideas into finished work.

Beyond positioning AI as a replacement for creativity, Canva’s campaign presents it as a creative partner that helps people move from inspiration to execution with greater ease.

Stefanie Herlie, Country Manager for Indonesia at Canva, said the campaign reflects the company’s mission to empower people to create regardless of their experience or skill level.

“Indonesians have always had the ambition – the drive to build something, grow something, be something more,” Herlie shares. “What Canva AI does is match that ambition. It takes the vision people already have and gives them the means to realise it – faster, more confidently, and on their own terms. That is what ‘NyatAIn di Canva’ is really about: ambition, made real.”

The campaign also demonstrates how Canva AI can support different audiences, enabling product managers to turn rough ideas into polished presentations, teachers to quickly create engaging classroom materials using Canva Education, and small business owners to produce professional marketing assets and copy with the help of AI.

The ‘NyatAIn di Canva’ campaign will roll out across television, digital platforms, social media, out-of-home advertising, creator collaborations and community activations throughout Indonesia, including Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya.

Canva said the initiative also supports Indonesia’s growing creative economy, noting that users in the country created more than one billion designs on the platform in 2025, reflecting the increasing role of visual communication across education, business and entrepreneurship.

Alongside the campaign, Canva continues to work with government agencies, educational institutions and business communities to expand access to digital skills and creative technology, reinforcing its commitment to helping more Indonesians create, communicate and bring their ideas to life through AI.

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Under the appointment, BOW will lead international communications efforts for the second edition of the luxury watch event, supporting global media engagement and reinforcing Siam Piwat’s positioning as a leading luxury destination developer.

Scheduled to run from 22 to 27 September 2026, Siam Paragon Bangkok Watch Week will return for its second edition, bringing together leading watchmaking maisons, collectors, and enthusiasts from around the world. 

The event is part of Siam Piwat’s efforts to strengthen Bangkok’s reputation as an emerging hub for watch culture and haute horology in Southeast Asia.

Beyond promoting the event, the partnership aims to position Thailand as a global destination for luxury retail, tourism, and experiential lifestyle offerings.

The Bureau of Wonders, which specializes in luxury, fashion, retail, beauty, hospitality, and lifestyle communications, will collaborate with Siam Piwat on international market outreach and storytelling to expand awareness among global audiences.

Siam Piwat is the developer behind some of Bangkok’s best-known retail destinations, including Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, ICONSIAM, and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok. 

The company has built its reputation around creating experiential retail destinations that blend shopping, culture, and entertainment.

The appointment reflects Siam Piwat’s continued investment in strengthening the international profile of Bangkok Watch Week as it seeks to establish the event as a key fixture on the global luxury watch calendar.

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The appointments reinforce APRW’s position as a communications partner for concerts, festivals, and cultural events across Singapore.

The agency has been appointed by FriedRice Entertainment to lead publicity and media relations for EMPAT Live in Singapore 2026, marking the Singapore debut of the Malaysian vocal quartet. 

Scheduled for September, the concert brings together four of Malaysia’s best-known vocalists for their first performance in the city-state following the show’s success in Kuala Lumpur.

Beyond live music, APRW continues its longstanding partnership with child piano prodigy Mikkel Myer Lee, serving as his official publicity partner since 2021.

The agency recently supported publicity for the third instalment of Lee’s Complete Beethoven Sonata Cycle at the Esplanade Concert Hall, which concluded with a sold-out performance.

“At APRW, we are drawn to artists and experiences that move people, and both EMPAT and Mikkel embody exactly that,” said Cho Pei Lin, Managing Director at APRW. 

“We are proud to be supporting FriedRice Entertainment as their publicity partner to bring EMPAT to Singapore for the very first time.”

The agency has also been reappointed by Singapore River One as the public relations agency for SRF2026, the landmark 10th edition of the Singapore River Festival.

Having previously partnered with the festival in 2022 and 2025, APRW will develop and execute an integrated communications strategy celebrating a decade of the festival while promoting the Singapore River precinct’s next phase of cultural and tourism growth.

“We are honoured to continue our partnership with the Singapore River Festival as it commemorates its landmark 10th edition,” said Julie Chiang, Director at APRW. 

“Alongside our recent client wins, this reflects APRW’s continued focus on delivering communications strategies that are insight-led, culturally relevant and built for impact.”

The latest appointments further expand APRW’s portfolio in entertainment and cultural communications, underscoring the agency’s growing role in bringing live experiences and destination events to audiences across Singapore.

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The initiative will cover Maya-issued prepaid Mastercard and Visa cards, allowing customers to continue making purchases and ATM withdrawals across more than 150 million merchant locations worldwide while reducing the company’s reliance on virgin plastic.

Newly produced cards will carry a “Made from 100% Recycled Plastic” mark on the back, while retaining the same security, durability, and functionality as existing cards.

“The most meaningful sustainability efforts are often the ones that become part of how a business operates,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Group President of Maya and co-founder of Maya Bank. 

“By transitioning our card portfolio to recycled plastic, we’re integrating more responsible practices into products used by our customers every day. It reflects our belief that sustainability should be embedded into how we build and grow our business.”

According to Maya, the rollout forms part of its wider sustainability agenda, which spans financial inclusion, responsible innovation, customer trust, employee wellbeing, and environmental stewardship.

Launched during Philippine Environment Month, the initiative also builds on the company’s existing environmental commitments.

Since 2022, Maya has been monitoring and reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions as part of its long-term sustainability roadmap.

The card transition complements other internal initiatives, including #MayaSWITCH, an employee-led program promoting energy conservation and reducing the use of single-use plastics across its workplaces.

As Maya continues expanding its digital financial ecosystem, the company said it remains focused on embedding responsible practices into its products and operations while creating long-term value for customers and stakeholders.

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The rebrand follows Omnicom Group’s global retirement of the DDB brand and forms part of the broader transformation of DDB Group Philippines into GGC Group Asia, which takes effect on 1 July 2026.

Moving forward as an independent creative agency, Alab MNL said it will continue helping brands navigate an increasingly fragmented communications landscape through creative, integrated, and technology-enabled solutions.

The agency’s new name, derived from the Filipino word “alab” meaning “blaze” or “flame,” reflects its ambition to ignite ideas, conversations, and business growth for its clients.

While the identity has changed, the agency emphasized that its leadership, talent, and client relationships remain intact.

“This transition to Alab MNL is both a continuation and an evolution,” said Vina Henson, Managing Director of Alab MNL. 

“What remains unchanged is our commitment to creative bravery and effectiveness, strategic partnership, and meaningful collaboration with our clients. What’s evolving is how we respond to today’s realities—becoming more agile, more integrated, and more solutions-driven in the way we help brands grow and connect with consumers.”

The rebrand also signals a renewed positioning as brands contend with shifting consumer behavior, platform fragmentation, and growing demand for measurable marketing outcomes.

According to Executive Creative Director Bia Fernandez, Alab MNL aims to combine creativity, human insight, and integrated capabilities to deliver ideas that generate both cultural and commercial impact.

“Alab MNL is excited to help our clients not only capture people’s attention but also build impactful solutions that will shape both their market performance and their cultural impact,” Fernandez said.

Despite the new identity, the agency will continue operating with its existing teams and leadership while maintaining partnerships with clients including PepsiCo, PLDT, RCBC, Isuzu, Cignal, and Aboitiz Power.

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Created as both a digital portfolio and a playful parody, the platform recreates the familiar experience of browsing the Cannes Lions website by allowing visitors to explore campaign categories, shortlisted entries, winners, and case studies before discovering that every featured campaign belongs to GIGIL.

Beyond presenting a conventional agency portfolio, Cannes Bodia turns the showcase into an interactive experience that celebrates creative excellence in a format recognised by marketers and creatives worldwide.

This launch comes as agencies continue to seek more engaging ways to present their work and demonstrate creative capabilities beyond traditional case study websites. 

By combining humour with storytelling, GIGIL hopes to create a memorable website that reflects its creative philosophy while encouraging conversations around award-winning ideas.

Joef Pena, Country Head of GIGIL Phnom Penh, explained that the website was inspired by the significance of Cannes Lions as one of the advertising industry’s highest honours.

“We wanted to create a more engaging way for people to find our work,” said Pena. 

More than showcasing the agency’s portfolio, GIGIL hopes Cannes Bodia will inspire Cambodia’s growing creative community by demonstrating that globally recognised ideas can come from anywhere.

The platform also reinforces GIGIL Phnom Penh’s ambition to help brands develop creative campaigns that deliver both cultural impact and business results, while positioning Cambodia as an emerging creative market within the region.

With Cannes Bodia, GIGIL transforms a traditional agency showcase into an entertaining destination that celebrates creativity, invites exploration, and highlights the potential of Cambodia’s advertising industry on the global stage.

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Released in time for National Cancer Survivor Day, the campaign centers on a short film following Lina, a mother who receives a cancer diagnosis on the same day she gives birth. 

The story explores the emotional and financial realities families face when a parent becomes seriously ill, while underscoring the importance of having health protection in place early.

The campaign comes as cancer remains one of the country’s biggest health challenges. 

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, neoplasms, which include various forms of cancer, are the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, with many cases diagnosed only at later stages.

Beyond raising awareness, AXA highlighted its suite of health insurance offerings designed to support families throughout the care journey. 

These include Global Health Access for international medical coverage, Health Care Access for cashless local medical services, and Health Max Elite, which provides critical illness protection covering more than 150 conditions, from early-stage illnesses to advanced diseases.

The insurer also pointed to its refreshed Emma mobile app, which now offers expanded health management features, including access to mental wellness support, claims tracking, reimbursements, and policy management.

Through the campaign, AXA said it hopes to encourage Filipino families to view health protection as an essential part of preparing for parenthood—ensuring that those who care for others are also protected when they need it most.

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Beyond traditional superhero marketing, the campaign reimagines Supergirl as a relatable character whose quiet confidence and resilience reflect the everyday experiences of Malaysians, an approach that aims to build a stronger emotional connection with a new generation of cinema-goers.

Developed by PHD Malaysia, the campaign transforms familiar spaces and daily routines into brand experiences that reinforce the film’s core message of self-discovery and authenticity.

At the heart of the campaign are various key activations featuring Grab vehicles wrapped with flowing red capes as part of the ‘Everyday Hero’ initiative, recognising the resilience of female Grab drivers while linking their stories to Supergirl’s character.

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The campaign also brings Supergirl into Malaysia’s daily commute through traffic-responsive digital billboards displaying witty local phrases such as “Jam Lagi” (Bad traffic, again!) and “Honk Meh Honk” (Why Honk), using humour to connect with motorists during rush hour.

To further embed the campaign into local culture, Supergirl branding has appeared at mamak restaurants during the football season through tabletop stickers featuring familiar food orders such as “Kurang Manis” and “Ikat Tepi,” allowing the film to become part of everyday conversations without interrupting the viewing experience.

Fans can also experience the campaign through themed matcha pop-up activations at Sunway Pyramid, IOI City Mall, and Gurney Plaza, extending the character’s relaxed personality into immersive retail experiences.

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David Soo, Managing Director of PHD Malaysia, said the campaign reflects a shift away from traditional blockbuster marketing by positioning Supergirl as someone audiences can relate to, rather than an untouchable superhero.

“The new Supergirl represents the nonchalant grit it takes to navigate daily life, and the strategic media rollout bypasses traditional, action-heavy tropes to position the character as a relatable peer navigating everyday frustrations alongside Malaysian audiences,” said Soo. 

“By bringing her chill attitude into local realities, we’ve looked to transform passive ad spaces to build into a cultural connection that speaks to understated girl-power,” added Soo. 

Meanwhile, Moo Hon Mei, Marketing Director at Warner Bros. Malaysia, said the campaign brings the character’s themes of authenticity and resilience into everyday Malaysian life. 

“At its core, Supergirl celebrates self-discovery, resilience, and authenticity—values that strongly resonate with our campaign. Cinema goers will see this new version of Supergirl as fiercely independent, raw, and perfectly imperfect, and this launch celebrates that raw honesty,” said Mei. 

“Partnering with PHD to champion our local female Grab drivers and show up in the realness of everyday Malaysian life, allows us to ground Supergirl’s extraordinary power in the real-world grit and resilience of Malaysian women. The movie and its launch is a reminder to everyone that true strength lies in facing the world exactly as your authentic self would,” added Mei.

Through the integrated campaign, PHD Malaysia and Warner Bros. showcase how global entertainment brands can build stronger local relevance by weaving storytelling into familiar cultural moments and everyday experiences.

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The appointments come as organizations across the region increasingly seek consulting expertise to adapt marketing operations for an evolving digital landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and changing consumer attention.

Both executives will report to Shrey Khetarpal, Head of Consulting at VaynerMedia Asia Pacific.

According to the agency, the expanded consulting team will help clients redesign marketing systems, improve organizational agility, and embed social-first operating models rather than relying solely on creative campaigns.

“At VaynerMedia Consulting, we don’t consult from the sidelines—we build, operate and evolve brands in the real world of marketing,” said Khetarpal. “When we met Hajar and Aga, we shared the same excitement and drive to bridge consumer reality with business impact at the speed of culture.”

Yusof joins the agency after serving as head of digital experience at Naga DDB Tribal, where she spent five years integrating brand and social strategies. 

Her career also includes roles at IPG Mediabrands and GroupM. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she brings more than a decade of agency experience.

“Having spent more than a decade shaping brands through social media, I’m excited to begin a new chapter helping businesses that truly believe in a social-first approach unlock growth across Asia Pacific,” Yusof said.

Meanwhile, Sitarczuk joins after more than 16 years in marketing transformation, digital strategy, and AI implementation across agencies including BBDO Worldwide and VML. 

Most recently, she served as marketing transition lead for L’Oréal SAPMENA, overseeing the centralization of marketing operations. She is based in Singapore.

“Having spent my career embedding with senior leadership teams to design marketing operating models and drive digital and AI transformation, I know firsthand that brands need more than just theoretical advice to navigate today’s landscape,” Sitarczuk said.

VaynerMedia said the appointments reinforce its integrated creative, media, and consulting offering across Asia Pacific.

The agency launched its consulting practice in the United States in 2020 before expanding it to Asia Pacific in 2024. 

The unit offers services ranging from marketing audits and workshops to transformation programs designed to help organizations adopt consumer-centric, social-first operating models in an increasingly AI-powered marketing environment.

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In her new role, Yeo will directly report to CEO Joo Hwan Kim, focusing on strengthening the company’s retail and campaign offering by combining creativity, customer experience and commercial strategy to help clients navigate evolving consumer expectations and drive long-term business growth.

Her appointment comes as brands increasingly seek integrated marketing solutions that bridge physical and digital experiences, requiring agencies to combine strategic thinking with measurable business outcomes.

Yeo brings more than a decade of international experience across Asia Pacific, Europe and Africa, with leadership roles spanning luxury, hospitality, healthcare, experiential marketing and business expansion. Most recently, she served as managing director of MegaGen Implant India, where she led market development and business growth initiatives.

Throughout her career, she has worked across customer experience consulting, experiential marketing and international business development, bringing a cross-industry perspective that extends beyond traditional advertising.

CEO Joo Hwan Kim described Yeo’s appointment as a reflection of the agency’s commitment to bringing diverse expertise into its leadership team.

“What stood out about Yeo was the breadth of experiences she brings from outside the  traditional advertising path, her professional and cultural diversity offers a fresh perspective  that can challenge conventional ways of thinking, inspire new ideas, and help us continue  evolving as an organisation,” said Kim. 

“I believe this diversity will strengthen our capabilities and create new opportunities for Cheil Indonesia,” added Kim.

Commenting on her appointment, Yeo said, “Leadership today is no longer defined by expertise in a single function or  industry. The most valuable perspective often comes from working  across different sectors, cultures, and business environments.”

“These experiences help us  better understand customers, solve complex challenges, and build stronger connections  between brands and people,” added Yeo.

Yeo will directly report to Kim on leading Cheil Indonesia’s retail and campaign business while helping brands create seamless customer journeys that connect creativity, commerce, customer experience, and business performance.

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