Tag: APAC

Singapore – Interpublic Group agency Golin has launched DiverSCENTS, a unique fragrance collection celebrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that captures the rich diversity of Golin’s Asian markets.

Created by Golin’s acclaimed Creative Intelligence Unit and DEI Councils, the DiverSCENTS collection is set to debut on July 21st in celebration of Singapore’s Racial Harmony Day. The line features fragrances honouring the cultural essence of Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Beijing.

The collection’s five unique fragrances include: Singapore’s 065 Tropical Fusion, a vibrant blend of orchid, coconut, ylang-ylang, and sandalwood; Shanghai’s 8621 Jade Garden, a mix of white lotus, jasmine, green tea, and plum blossom; Taipei’s 886 Mountain Breeze, capturing the essence of hinoki, oolong tea, and cedarwood; Hong Kong’s 852 Harbour Mist, featuring sea salt, bergamot, peony, and amber; and Beijing’s 8610 Forbidden Blossom, blending ginger, lily, rose, and patchouli.

Fragrance was chosen for its unique ability to evoke memories, emotions, and cultural connections. Just as the senses unite people, DiverSCENTS symbolises harmony and shared experiences, celebrating multicultural collaboration within communities.

DiverSCENTS is the latest of Golin’s DEI-led initiatives in Asia, including the artisanal crafted blends of InclusiviTEA, multicultural employee-authored cookbook RACEipe for Change, and keyboard personalisation workshop DiversiKEYS, honouring cognitive diversity in ways of working. 

Shouvik Prasanna Mukherjee, chief creative officer for APAC at Golin, said, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our lived experiences in Asia and create our unique sense of belonging. Our sense of smell subconsciously influences our emotions, thoughts, and even behaviour. Every spray of DiverSCENTS is meant to be a reminder to appreciate and celebrate the diverse fragrances that signify our multi-faceted communities.”.

Rafidah Rashid, group managing director of Golin Singapore and APAC DEI Council co-lead, added, “Integrating cultural celebration into our DEI strategy catalyses important conversations about the communities in which we live, ultimately fostering inclusive connection and growth.”.

Singapore – Global communications agency Weber Shandwick has appointed Farah Zuber as new vice president and head of communications for Asia-Pacific (APAC), bolstering its regional leadership team.

Zuber brings 14 years of experience in marketing and communications, specialising in designing and activating comprehensive strategies across earned, owned, and paid channels. She has spearheaded multi-market campaigns for companies in APAC, the United States, and the Middle East.

Throughout her career, Zuber has specialised in corporate communications and reputation building across sectors such as technology, finance, and governance. She has collaborated with industry players like Ogilvy Public Relations, ARC Worldwide, and Edelman. Notably, she was the inaugural market leader for SPAG (SPAG FINN Partners) and a key member of the leadership team at Redhill.

Zuber’s strategic appointment underscores the firm’s commitment to strengthening its position in the industry and driving continuous growth across the region. 

In her new role, Zuber will report to Tyler Kim, APAC CEO, and will lead the firm’s strategic integrated communications initiatives across key markets, focusing on a wide range of stakeholders, including external and internal audiences.

Kim said, “Farah’s extensive regional experience in reputation management and her deep understanding of the business landscape are instrumental in driving our next growth phase. Her appointment demonstrates our commitment to delivering greater value to our employees, clients, and partners in the region. We are thrilled to have her with us.” 

Commenting on her appointment, Zuber also shared, “It is exciting and an honour to be part of Weber Shandwick, an agency renowned for delivering value-driven, earned-first work for decades. Additionally, the agency’s culture, which deeply embraces diversity and well-being, is truly refreshing. I strongly believe these two elements—the commitment to the work and to people—are what make a brand successful and meaningful. I look forward to contributing to the agency’s growth moving forward.”

Singapore – Adobe has announced the promotion of Keith Eadie as its new general manager for Asia Pacific (APAC), where he will oversee and drive the company’s business operations across the dynamic market.

Eadie joined the company almost seven years ago through the acquisition of TubeMogul, where he was the chief marketing and strategy officer. At Adobe, he has led several divisions, including Adobe Advertising, Adobe Analytics, and Adobe Sign. 

In 2022, Eadie moved to Singapore to lead international product marketing for Adobe’s Digital Experience business. He most recently served as Adobe’s vice president of digital experience strategy and GTM for APAC and Japan. His expertise combines product and marketing innovation with strong business acumen and a passion for bringing people together to drive growth.

As the new APAC general manager, Eadie will report to Stephen Frieder, chief revenue officer of Adobe Enterprise.

Frieder said, “Keith Eadie is a transformational business leader with a track record of driving success across teams and value to our customers. Under Keith’s leadership, I’m excited to see the APAC region continue to build on its strong growth trajectory.” 

Also speaking on his promotion, Eadie shared, “As the digital economy continues to expand, and in the era of generative AI, business leaders across APAC are looking to deliver next-generation experiences for their customers. I’m excited for the opportunity to lead an exceptional team and to work with our customers and partners to empower them to drive experience-led growth.”

Manila, Philippines – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Mastercard have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote financial inclusion and digital transformation across Asia-Pacific. The agreement reflects both organisations’ common objective of improving financial inclusion by supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and women-owned businesses. It seeks to use digital innovation to promote equitable growth and the adoption of climate-friendly behaviours. 

ADB and Mastercard have committed to working together on projects that will increase financial accessibility, encourage the use of digital payments, and improve digital literacy in marginalised populations. Their main goals include encouraging inclusive economic development and closing the digital divide. To make sure that their cooperative efforts are in line with the main goal of creating a safe and sustainable digital economy, the parties have set guiding principles.

ADB recently granted a US$300m loan to help the Philippines’ financial inclusion aspirations. The loan aims to increase Filipinos’ access to financial services, particularly among underprivileged parts of the community, while simultaneously encouraging economic growth. 

The strategic partnership is a step toward a more inclusive and resilient digital economy in the Asia-Pacific region. ADB and Mastercard aim to create new opportunities, promote long-term growth, and have a lasting impact on future generations by working closely together.

Speaking about the partnership, Simon Calasanz, country manager, Philippines, Mastercard, said, “Mastercard has an extensive history of supporting MSMEs, and is committed to further collaborating with ADB in the Philippines to drive greater financial inclusion, broaden credit access, and ensure a safe and secure digital ecosystem for the evolving landscape.” 

Meanwhile, Suzanne Gaboury, director general of ADB’s private sector operations department, stated, “Financial inclusion is at the heart of ADB’s mission to promote sustainable development. Through this partnership with Mastercard, we are increasing our efforts to expand access to financial services and unlock opportunities for marginalised communities in the Philippines, and across the region.” 

Singapore – VaynerMedia has welcomed Jon Kee as its new head of client partnership for the Asia Pacific region, aiming to strengthen and enhance the agency’s client relationships. 

In his new role, Kee will be pivotal in strengthening and building key partnerships for VaynerMedia, further driving the agency’s integrated offerings and ‘social-at-the-centre’ approach across the region. 

With over two decades of experience in the digital, advertising, media, and entertainment industries, Kee is a seasoned business leader renowned for forging strategic C-level partnerships and spearheading successful sales, business development, and marketing initiatives.

His professional journey took him through dynamic companies such as Disney, Meta, and Yahoo, spanning growth markets across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. 

Tim Lindley, managing director of VaynerMedia Asia Pacific, said, “Jon is a rare find—a seasoned marketer and business leader with a futuristic vision and remarkable humility. He will be a crucial bridge between us and our client partners. These relationships are frequently tested; driving change requires bravery and commitment from our clients and empathy and hard work from our team.” 

He continued, “I am particularly excited about his non-traditional background, as it means that he hasn’t been shaped by conventional advertising agency norms. This allows him to approach the future unencumbered by outdated preconceptions. I have no doubt that Jon’s unique perspective will propel VaynerMedia to new heights across the region.”

Jon assumes his role with immediate effect and reports to Lindley. He will succeed Shrey Khetarpal, who recently took on a new role as head of consulting for Asia Pacific at VaynerMedia. 

“I also want to take a moment to thank Shrey, who has built a brilliant foundation for Jon to build upon. Shrey moves to lead our consulting division and will be a key partner to Jon as we embark on the next stage of our journey,” Lindley added. 

Talking about his appointment, Kee shared, “My two-decade career has always been aligned around digital; it made perfect sense to join a culture that is trailblazing and rewriting marketing with social at its core. The agency’s authentic, people-centric focus and Gary’s visionary leadership in driving accountable business results are truly game-changing. The exciting growth in APAC under the leadership of Tim has been particularly exciting, and I am thrilled to join VaynerMedia Asia Pacific and continue being part of that evolution.”

Singapore – Global marketing and communications group Stagwell has announced the additions of four independent agencies in the Asia Pacific region to its expanding global affiliate network.

These four new affiliate partnerships strengthen Stagwell’s reach in the fast-growing Asia Pacific region, adding additional full-service advertising and design, digital experience, and affiliate marketing capabilities to the network’s suite of client solutions.

Going into detail, the affiliates include Singapore-based design firm Agency, Bangladesh-based dynamic advertising agency Arena Media, Thailand-based digital marketing agency Lodestar Marketing, and China-based digital marketing agency R&D Online Marketing.

Through its global affiliate program, Stagwell aims to provide full-service capabilities worldwide, while ensuring clients receive best-in-class service and solutions tailored to their priority markets.

It is also worth noting that these affiliate additions within APAC come shortly after Stagwell’s affiliate partnerships with Leverate Group from Indonesia, and Octopus&Whale from the Philippines.

Talking about the affiliate partnerships, Lishan Soh, co-founder of Agency, said, “Joining the Stagwell Global Affiliate Network is a thrilling milestone for us. We are eager to collaborate within this family of dynamic companies by adding strategic design as a critical tool for creativity, to generate greater value for our clients and their customers alike.”

Mazharul Chowdhury, group managing director at Arena Media Bangladesh, also mentioned, “We are delighted to join Stagwell’s global network and we are poised to leverage our local expertise and contribute our unique insights to enhance data-driven, culturally-relevant marketing solutions that drive business growth worldwide.”

Jesper Kauth, managing partner at Lodestar Marketing, also added, “This is an extremely exciting partnership for us, giving Lodestar Marketing direct access to companies within Stagwell and vice versa to offer channel support and growth. We look forward to the opportunities to help drive additional revenue for clients within the group.”

Lastly, among the new affiliates, Tony Tang, managing partner at R&D Online Marketing Services, shared, “I am thrilled about our affiliate partnership with Stagwell. This collaboration allows us to leverage Stagwell’s extensive global network and innovative marketing solutions, extending our services within China and beyond. Together with Stagwell, we are committed to driving growth and success for our clients in the international arena.”

Meanwhile, Randy Duax, managing director, Asia-Pacific for Stagwell, commented, “We look forward to adding Agency, Arena Media, Lodestar Marketing and R&D Online Marketing Services’ proven track record and deep local expertise to our Global Affiliate Program. These four affiliates reinforce Stagwell’s commitment to elevating our clients’ businesses with agile, data-driven, and culturally relevant marketing solutions.”

Australia – Creative innovation company R/GA has elevated Ben Miles to the newly established role of chief design officer for APAC, where he will spearhead design innovation across the region.

In his new role, Miles will enhance R/GA’s craftsmanship, strategic thinking, and output to achieve world-class, innovative design across APAC. He will focus on expanding the region’s design disciplines in branding, experience, and communications practices, working closely with multidisciplinary leaders in each market to realise this vision.

Miles previously served as the VP and executive creative director of brand design for APAC. Renowned as a global design leader, he is recognised for driving transformative brand work and fostering a positive company culture while championing impactful ideas rooted in a deep understanding of human behaviour.

At R/GA, Miles has built a diverse and innovative team that includes some of APAC’s top brand, visual, verbal, and strategic designers. They collectively advocated the idea that brands should actively shape culture rather than just exist within it.

Miles’ leadership has been recognised with prestigious awards, and his impact extends to shaping and enhancing brands across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, including notable names like Telstra, Westpac, Powerhouse Museum and City of Sydney, Google, Nike, UOB, SingLife, IGA, Toll, SKY NZ, Foxtel, Cotton On Group, Huffer, Fed Square, Bailey Nelson, ZIG (part of CDG), Timberland, and The Prince Akatoki, as well as numerous startups. 

Speaking on his promotion, Miles said, “I joined R/GA because they intersect design and technology, and through our creative innovation model, design isn’t just visual—it’s a mindset. Design elevates businesses, equipping them with the tools to solve today’s most pressing issues and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. It navigates complexity by strengthening connections across sectors and empowering organisations to reimagine brands in innovative ways. I’m honoured by the trust R/GA has put in me to elevate our capabilities across the region.” 

Meanwhile, Tiffany Rolfe, global chair and global chief creative officer, said, “R/GA was founded on the principles of design and technology, and so this newly created role is especially significant. Ben has proven to be a skilled practitioner and inspiring leader, always designing to create impact for our clients and the world. I look forward to having his infectious passion across even more of our work and teams in APAC.” 

Michael Titshall, CEO of APAC at R/GA, added, “Ben makes the industry, R/GA, and all of us better with his passion, creativity, and innovation. In this unique role, he’ll inject his brand and design expertise, giving R/GA’s clients across the region access to unique creative solutions.” 

Hong Kong – Putting its customers at the forefront, Watsons, the flagship health and beauty brand of AS Watson Group, has committed US$250 million to opening and upgrading 6,000 stores across Asia over the next two years.

Watsons’ investment will enhance over 2,200 O+O (offline plus online) stores across 15 markets in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The company aims to have more than 3,800 newly opened and upgraded O+O stores by the end of 2024.

According to Malina Ngai, group CEO of AS Watson, “As the leading health and beauty retailer in Asia, we’re committed to offering our customers the highest quality range of products at great value, as well as providing them with a very pleasant shopping experience. We constantly hear from our customers about where we can improve, and we work closely with key brands to improve category-specific experiences.”

“Watsons has been at the forefront of revolutionising the in-store environment for customers, and over these two years, we are investing USD 250 million in new store openings and upgrading existing stores across our 15 operating markets. We are opening over 1,200 new stores in 2023–24 and investing in refitting approximately 4,800 stores in the same period. This means 75% of the store portfolio in Asia will provide a more innovative and upgraded experience for our customers,” she added. 

The new and upgraded Watsons stores have been designed to appeal to modern beauty lovers seeking a more exciting shopping experience. 

Recently, Watsons China unveiled ‘Watsons Pink’, featuring a striking pink colour theme throughout the store’s interior, designed to attract and engage young customers. The stores also offer spa services, providing a relaxing experience that allows shoppers to indulge and pamper themselves while they shop.

Additionally, Watsons China has launched a ‘Beauty Playground’ zone in its new concept stores. This innovative area provides a chic, experience-driven makeup space where customers can access professional makeup artists for personalised advice and expertise. It also offers the opportunity to experiment with various looks and explore a wide range of colour cosmetics.

Meanwhile, Watsons Taiwan has reimagined its stores into an aesthetically pleasing space ideal for social media. The chic makeup zone features a lipstick-shaped makeup table and a striking circular pink light box on the ceiling. Additionally, Watsons introduces ‘My Colour Studio’, where customers can undergo seasonal colour analysis to identify their skin tone, eye, and hair colour, helping them discover the perfect colour palette for their clothing, makeup, and hair.

Watsons Malaysia elevates the shopping experience with a focus on fun and engagement. Alongside diverse experiential zones like ‘My Beauty’, ‘Hair Studio’, and ‘Watsons To Go’, they have introduced ‘K-pop Land’, a vibrant area dedicated to K-beauty products. This colourful, Instagram-worthy zone is designed to attract young customers, encouraging them to create memorable moments with friends. Additionally, the newly introduced ‘Kid’s Wonderland’ offers a perfect setting for families to shop together and enjoy quality time with their children.

In addition to enhancing and redefining the beauty experience for its customers, Watsons is also dedicated to expanding and elevating its professional health offerings.

To cater to the increasing demand from health-conscious customers, Watsons has introduced a revitalised shopping experience focused on health products and personalised consultations. In Watsons Hong Kong, the flagship store will include the ‘HealthQ’ health decoding station, where pharmacists, Chinese medicine practitioners, and nutritionists offer tailored health consultations, vaccinations, and assessments to support customers’ wellness journeys.

And in Thailand, Watsons has launched an enhanced health experience with a modern, stylish store design and a wide range of health products. To support customers on their wellness journeys, the store now features a private consultation room where pharmacists offer personalised, professional advice tailored to individual needs.

Ngai explained, “Watsons understands that simply providing the best products is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of our customers. We’re committed to continuous expansion and innovation, offering the best O+O customer experience. Watsons will always strive to inspire our 100 million loyal members to ‘Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great’ with us.” 

Tokyo, Japan – Hakuhodo KEY3, the web3 business production venture under Hakuhodo Inc., has announced its partnership with PONT Inc., SmartMedia Technologies (SMT), and other global web3 technology companies to form the new loyalty program ‘Loyalty X’. 

Loyalty X’s establishment is rooted in the problem that only a few companies have managed to create programs that genuinely drive true engagement with their customers. Current loyalty programs face several challenges, such as providing only generic experiences, lacking unique value, offering primarily monetary value, and operating within the closed ecosystems of a single company.

This new corporate alliance between Hakuhodo KEY3 and other global web3 tech companies is set to provide revolutionary loyalty programs utilising web3 technology across the Asia region. It aims to address the challenges faced by loyalty programs, harnessing Web3 technology and its features, such as individual ownership of value, enhanced interoperability, and innovative customer experiences.

The web3 companies joining the alliance with Hakuhodo KEY3 are Crossmint, Privy, IYK, CheckIn Caster, beyondClub, SmartMedia Technologies, Cookie3, and Reclaim Protocol. 

By bringing together companies with exceptional and diverse technical expertise, the alliance seeks to deliver loyalty programs that truly engage customers while meeting business needs. Each member company offers specialised solutions tailored to different industries, addressing specific challenges and enriching loyalty program content. Through this collaborative effort, Loyalty X aims to forge deeper, more meaningful, and more effective connections with customers.

Hakuhodo KEY3 will also assume the role of project manager within the alliance, identifying corporate challenges, selecting appropriate solutions, and overseeing the design and progression of projects. Additionally, it will lead creative development initiatives, including customer experience planning and UX/UI design and development, as needed.

Matt Hunt, COO for APAC at SMT, shared, “The Loyalty X Alliance signifies a shift in the approach brands are taking to connect with their customers. It’s about establishing a continuous, immersive experience that goes beyond fleeting promotions. This always-on engagement strategy not only amplifies the potential for brands but also cultivates deeper customer loyalty while providing invaluable insights—in short, a new, more robust CRM channel.”

Singapore – NP Digital, a global digital marketing agency, has announced its agreement to acquire digital agency SearchGuru, expanding its portfolio and market reach in the Asia-Pacific region. 

NP Digital’s acquisition of SearchGuru will accelerate its APAC expansion, drive innovation in digital marketing solutions, and strengthen its market presence in the region.

SearchGuru brings a strong heritage in performance marketing, perfectly aligning with NP Digital’s customer-centric values and culture. With a market-leading reputation and a proven track record of delivering exceptional results for top brands like Club Med, Nespresso, Maybank, and DHL across Asia, SearchGuru will enhance NP Digital’s portfolio by adding in-market SEO, paid media expertise, creative capabilities, and top talent.

The agreement will enable the combined entity to offer a comprehensive suite of performance marketing solutions, from media, creative, and content to CRO and data. By harnessing NP Digital’s robust technology stack and leveraging SearchGuru’s extensive experience in Asian markets, this partnership is poised to deliver exceptional value and ROI to clients in key verticals such as finance, insurance, travel, and beauty.

Furthermore, with offices in high-demand markets such as Australia, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, the acquisition will add an additional 120 digital marketers to its 270-strong APAC team and unlock new opportunities for synergy and market penetration. 

NP Digital’s agreement to acquire SearchGuru underscores its commitment to innovation and expansion in the rapidly evolving landscape of performance marketing in the region.

Dan Kalinski, managing director of APAC at NP Digital, shared, “NP Digital’s agreement to acquire SearchGuru marks an exciting chapter in our journey. We are eager to welcome SearchGuru to the fast-growing NP Digital family. This collaboration strengthens our foothold in the APAC region, affirming our commitment to serving our clients with unparalleled innovation and excellence in performance marketing. By synergizing our expertise, resources, and unwavering dedication, we’re poised to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital marketing landscape and deliver greater value and impact to our clients’ businesses.”

Mike Gullaksen, CEO of NP Digital, further added, “This acquisition reaffirms our commitment to customers by expanding and diversifying our APAC talent and capabilities, better enabling us to support their needs and take advantage of new opportunities around the globe. Integrating SearchGuru into our ecosystem not only expands our industry-leading scale and expertise, but now enhances our ability to empower APAC businesses with cutting-edge digital strategies and measurable results culturally and geographically.”

Also speaking on the acquisition, Larry Lim, CEO of SearchGuru, said, “It’s been an amazing journey growing from a local 4-man agency to a regional player with over 120 specialists while delivering 11 consecutive years of revenue growth in the process. Joining NP Digital will elevate us further to the global stage while simultaneously allowing us to also tap into their vast industry skill set and experience, in-house tools, and established processes.”