Asia Pacific Archives - Page 10 of 44

If you’re reading this article, you’ve surely already Googled or ChatGPTed, ‘What’s a composable technology architecture?’. You’ve no doubt also been researching SaaS platforms to integrate with the dream of creating an ideal architecture that will solve all your problems and convert all your customers.

While this might sound too good to be true, it’s now within reach with proper planning, thorough research and some common sense. (I’ve spent years both buying and selling software, so I believe I’m qualified to express an opinion on the issue.)

Before diving into the nitty gritty of composing a martech stack, let’s sketch out what ‘composable’ means and how it relates to things such as MACH and Event-driven martech.

What is MACH?
MACH stands for Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless. These four principles can guide organisations in selecting and implementing technology in a way that facilitates flexibility and scalability.

Microservices: Microservices architecture means breaking down applications into smaller, independent services that can be developed, deployed and scaled independently. This approach allows businesses to add or update features without disrupting the entire system.

For instance, if you’re a loyalty platform provider, you might need a system that allows you to add new loyalty programs or features as your business evolves – without overhauling the entire platform.

API-first: An API-first approach means designing software so that APIs are the primary way of interacting with the system. This promotes integration and modularity, allowing different systems to communicate and work together seamlessly. APIs enable you to call on specific components and services as needed, supporting a staged approach to building your tech stack.

Cloud-native: Cloud-native technologies leverage cloud computing frameworks to ensure scalability, flexibility and resilience. Whether you use AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud, the key is that your services are always accessible and can scale according to demand. Cloud-native applications are designed to take advantage of the cloud’s capabilities, offering enhanced performance and reliability.

Headless: Headless architecture separates the back end from the front end, allowing developers to manage content and functionalities independently of the user interface. This means you can update back-end services without affecting the customer-facing parts of your application. In a martech context, headless systems enable you to deliver personalised experiences to customers while maintaining the flexibility to adapt and evolve your back-end systems.

How to go about your due diligence
Now that we’ve defined the MACH principles, let’s cover how to research, assess and buy the most appropriate martech solutions for your organisation.

Step 1: Research
You’ve built a strategy, pitched it to your senior leadership team (SLT), and received approval and a budget. Your first step is, of course, to thoroughly research potential vendors and platforms. You may wish to consult reports from the likes of Forrester and Gartner. Such reports are usually of some value, but you should keep in mind the companies behind these reports may have conflicting financial incentives.

Focus on the four pillars of lifecycle marketing: Acquisition, Data/Analytics, Activation and Retention. For each pillar, identify 3-5 top vendors. Look for vendors that align with your organisation’s strategy and that can deliver the capabilities it needs.

When evaluating vendors, consider the following:

API library: Does the vendor provide a comprehensive API library that allows easy integration with your existing systems?
Event-driven: Can the platform respond to real-time events and trigger actions based on customer behaviour?
Composable: Can the platform be easily integrated and adapted to fit into your overall architecture?
Customer references: Ask for references from customers in your region who have used the platform. This will give you a better understanding of its real-world applications and performance.

Step 2: Assess
Once you have whittled down your shortlist, the next step is to assess vendors’ suitability based on your specific needs and user journeys. Instead of jumping straight into demos, focus on defining the customer experiences you want to achieve. Outline the user journeys critical to your strategy and provide these to the vendors. Ask them to showcase how their solutions can support and enhance these journeys.

A trustworthy vendor will be able to demonstrate their capabilities in the context of your specific use cases. They should be able to provide case studies and examples that show how their technology can solve for each step in the customer journey.

Step 3: Buy
One of the most common mistakes organisations make during the buying process is focusing solely on price without considering the long-term value and alignment with their strategy. Price is important, but it should not be the sole determining factor.

When negotiating with vendors, consider the following:

Scalability: Does the vendor’s pricing model scale with your success? Ensure that the cost structure supports growth and doesn’t become a burden as you expand.
Budget: Does the pricing model fit within your budget constraints? Understand this early in the process to avoid surprises later.
Procurement involvement: Involve your procurement team early in the process. They bring a neutral perspective and can help ensure that the terms of the deal are fair and beneficial for both parties.
IT involvement: Involve your IT team heavily when assessing the technical integrity of the vendor’s solution. In-house staff can help identify potential issues and ensure that the technology aligns with your IT strategy.

Key takeaways
To summarise, here’s the five-step process I recommend if you are planning on buying any martech this financial year:

Define your strategy based on customer journeys: Start with a clear understanding of the customer experiences you want to create and use this to guide your decisions.
Adhere to a set of clear principles: Whether it’s a lifecycle marketing lens or a MACH architecture lens, apply clear principles to your strategy to ensure coherence and alignment.
Take your time: Building a successful martech stack is a long-term investment, so it’s worth investing time and effort in researching, assessing and buying the right solutions. The more you rush the process, the more risk there is you’ll make a suboptimal choice.
Be transparent: Share your vision and requirements with potential vendors. Transparency helps build trust and ensures that both parties are aligned in their goals.
Don’t hesitate to get guidance: If you’re out of your depth, seek guidance from the experts who specialise in this kind of thing. (You’ve undoubtedly got enough on your plate without needing to do a deep dive into the latest developments in martech solutions.)

It’s really not as hard as you think
By following the principles of the MACH architecture and focusing on customer journeys, your organisation can build a martech stack that’s flexible, scalable and future-proof. (Or at least as future-proofed as is feasible.)

Always remember that the goal is to compose a well-orchestrated system that enhances your ability to engage and retain customers. With the right approach, you could well reach a state of ‘martech stack nirvana’ and drive long-term success for your business.

This thought leadership is written by Miles Toolin, Leading Enterprise Solutions APAC at Eagle Eye

Singapore – Customer marketing is undergoing a transformation globally, but the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region presents a unique landscape with its diverse cultures, rapidly evolving economies, and technological advancements. As businesses seek to capitalise on this dynamic environment, understanding the future of customer marketing in APAC becomes crucial.

Moreover, the region is a hotbed for technological innovation, as well as experimenting on other future-proof strategies to enhance customer targeting, automate processes, and improve campaign effectiveness. With the marketing scene also moving towards implementing privacy-centric strategies, the use of first-party data has been more important than ever to personalise the overall customer experience while still adhering to industry standards.

In order to bring more industry insights to marketers about customer marketing, MARKETECH APAC is making its return to Singapore for its inaugural Customer Marketing Asia 2024: Singapore on September 10, 2024 at the Aloft Singapore Novena, and will bring together marketing leaders and innovators in Singapore to discuss the latest trends, strategies, and technologies in customer marketing.

This conference offers a unique opportunity to explore the dynamic landscape of customer marketing in one of Asia’s most technologically advanced and diverse markets. From keynote presentations to panel discussions, fireside chats, and networking sessions—each moment is meticulously curated to fuel each marketer’s curiosity and drive marketing ambition.

Some of the top marketing and industry leaders who will lead the conversation on customer marketing include:

Jonathan Teo, Head of Marketing at Aftershock PC
X.Y. Ng, Head of Marketing at Doctor Anywhere
Jaren Loy, Head, Digital Growth (Grocery) at FairPrice Group
Srivatsa Udupa, Head of Regional Performance Marketing at Grab
Brenda Maderazo, Deputy Director, Marketing – Healthy Lifestyle at Health Promotion Board
Pearlyn Yeo, Head of Marketing & Content at Jetpac Global (Circles)
Snigdha Nandan, Director, Digital Marketing at Mastercard Asia
Asnawi Jufrie, VP & GM at SleekFlow

To learn how to be a part of this conference, click HERE for further details.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joven Barceñas at [email protected].

Meanwhile, please contact Jemo Espartinez at jemo.espartinez@marketech-apac.com for speaking opportunities; and Allea Rabino at allea.rabino@marketech-apac.com for registrations.

Singapore – food and grocery delivery platform foodpanda has expanded its collaboration with beer brand Carlsberg Asia to make Carlsberg’s extensive variety of beverages more accessible to consumers especially during relevant drinking occasions.

The partnership will bring exciting campaigns from both brands, designed to make Carlsberg beers more appealing to consumers.

Carlsberg will also deepen its use of foodpanda’s extensive network of cloud grocery stores through pandamart and its strong ties with retailers via foodpanda shops to make Carlsberg beers easier to access; as part of consumers’ enjoyable memorable moments.

Going into detail, the partnership will be featuring a video campaign with the Liverpool Football Club, exclusive gifts-with-purchase (GwP), such as chilled boxes and colour-changing cups, special promotions and bundles on pandamart and 7-Eleven Singapore, and a responsible drinking campaign to promote safe consumption of alcohol.

Talking about this collaboration, Raphael Zennou, vice president of quick commerce at foodpanda, said, “We know that our consumers love their beer, so we are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with Carlsberg to make sure everyone can enjoy their favourite drinks in the freshest and most satisfying ways possible.”

“Together, we are not only meeting our consumers’ demand for high-quality beer but also enhancing the overall shopping experience with quick and reliable delivery within an hour. In the spirit of Carlsberg, this is Probably The Best Partnership In The World!”, he added.

Meanwhile, Arindam Varanasi, vice president, commercial at Carlsberg Asia, commented, “By leveraging foodpanda’s insight into consumer purchasing habits, innovative logistics and technology solutions, we can ensure our consumers enjoy Carlsberg’s refreshing and high-quality beers with unparalleled convenience.”

“This partnership is a testament to our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our consumers by providing them with a seamless beer purchasing and drinking experience, no matter where they are. Together with foodpanda, we will roll out exciting campaigns and initiatives that will make Carlsberg beers even more accessible and appealing to beer lovers across Asia,” he mentioned.

Australia – Hoozu, an influencer marketing agency and a subsidiary of IZEA Worldwide has announced the acquisition of 26 Talent, an Australian talent management agency. This strategic acquisition strengthens Hoozu’s capabilities and expands its footprint in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, in line with IZEA’s global M&A strategy.

The acquisition of 26 Talent marks a significant milestone in Hoozu’s journey. It reinforces the company’s commitment to growth, expanding its influence and capabilities through strategic mergers and acquisitions. This move is part of a broader strategy to build a diverse and robust portfolio of services and talent that can cater to the evolving needs of brands and creators across the region.

Moreover, with 26 Talent’s strong reputation and innovative approach to talent management, Hoozu is set to enhance its service offerings significantly. The integration will provide clients access to a broader range of influencers, more comprehensive marketing solutions, and cutting-edge strategies that drive engagement and results.

This synergy is also expected to unlock new opportunities for both brands and creators, ensuring that Hoozu remains at the forefront of influencer marketing trends.

“This acquisition is a testament to IZEA’s commitment to growing its presence in the APAC region, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. By integrating 26 Talent’s expertise and network, Hoozu aims to deliver unparalleled influencer marketing solutions, fostering creativity and driving impactful campaigns,” according to a press statement.

As part of the acquisition, the agency will be folded under Huume, Hoozu’s talent representation business. Mikhailla Fitzgerald, founder and CEO of 26 Talent, will lead Huume, reporting directly to Natalie Giddings, CEO of Hoozu, ensuring a smooth transition and integration.

“Joining forces with Hoozu opens up remarkable opportunities for our talent and clients. We are thrilled to become part of a forward-thinking company that shares our commitment to excellence and innovation in influencer marketing,” FItzgerald said.

Meanwhile, Giddings commented, “We are incredibly excited to welcome 26 Talent into the Hoozu family. Their impressive roster of talent and innovative approach to influencer marketing perfectly align with our mission to lead the industry in APAC. This acquisition not only broadens our capabilities but also enhances the value we bring to our clients and creators.”

Singapore – WATATAWA, a WE Communications company, has just recently announced the appointment of Stephen Robertson as managing director, effective immediately.

In his new role, Robertson will now oversee WATATAWA’s day-to-day operations and management of the business, while strengthening the agency’s footprint in Singapore and across Asia-Pacific.

He will be reporting to Nitin Mantri, regional executive managing director at WE Communications APAC.

Robertson succeeds Simon Pangrazio, who has decided to step down after 14 years and has been supporting the leadership transition. He will be leaving the firm on July 5.

“Stephen is a leading strategist, client counsellor, and trusted voice in the industry,” said Mantri. “This succession has been long planned, and under Stephen’s leadership the agency will only continue to evolve, with WATATAWA’s clients in the very best hands.

”Speaking on his own appointment, Robertson said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead WATATAWA and maintain the high bar that Simon has set. It has been a privilege to work closely together over the decade and to develop a business and consulting model that is as relevant to our clients as ever and encourages and engages our people.”

Meanwhile, Kass Sells, CEO, international at WE Communications, commented, “This transition is a passing-of-the-torch moment to the next -generation of leadership and an example of how WE invests in and develops our leaders from within. A long-time business partner to Simon, Stephen is a seasoned communications professional who knows the market, our people and our clients, with a strong vision for the future of WATATAWA.”

Against the backdrop of the post-pandemic recovery, consumers across the Asia Pacific region have been adapting to many challenges: inflation, a cost-of-living crisis, and supply-chain-related instability of product availability, to name a few.

The pandemic has disrupted traditional in-store shopping patterns for three long years, but a recent return to a more ‘normal’ shopping environment has put into focus how much consumers driven online over that time would return to stores.

Amid the current saturated e-commerce landscape, as well as the current climate of economic uncertainty, there is therefore an even greater need for retailers to know how to better engage consumers to gain market share, particularly as consumers recalibrate their spending.

KPMG and GS1’s latest research of 7,000 consumers across 14 markets in the region reflects multiple patterns and expectations among consumer groups, but one over-riding conclusion is clear: The era of seamless commerce has arrived and while both online and offline channels remain popular throughout the region, traditional retail business models are unlikely to meet the expectations of many consumers today. Retailers and brands will have to adapt or face potential consequences of not moving with the market.

From omnichannel to seamless retail

We’re witnessing a third wave of digital disruption in the ever-evolving retail landscape. Previously, multichannel approaches—such as online and brick-and-mortar stores—operated independently within the same retail umbrella. However, the omnichannel era, fuelled by data analytics and AI, has prompted retailers to build bridges across these silos, encouraging collaboration.

Now, with seamless commerce, we’re entering a new evolutionary phase. The seamless commerce approach recognises that consumer interactions span multiple channels, blurring the lines between online and offline. To deliver a truly seamless experience, retailers must adopt an end-to-end perspective, making decisions through a fundamentally different lens. If they don’t deliver a truly seamless experience and don’t adapt their businesses to meet the expectations of the next generation of consumers, they will struggle to survive.

Innovative retailers are striving towards seamless commerce – which recognises a brand’s customer journey across multiple platforms and services, encompassing social media, delivery innovations, apps, websites, automated messaging, and other digital interactions, all seamlessly integrated within traditional physical stores.

The concept of seamless retail was fuelled by the pandemic, where consumers across all generations were driven to shop online, unable to visit physical stores due to movement restrictions. Not only did they head online to purchase food, groceries, and other essential goods, but the migration from working in offices to working from home saw demand in categories such as apparel and home furnishing.

With this shift, seamless commerce – once a differentiator – is now a baseline expectation from consumers; retailers and brands will have to adapt or face potential consequences of not moving with the market.

It’s never a one-size-fits-all in Asia-Pacific

In recent decades, the Asia-Pacific region has been at the forefront of retail transformation, notably in its early and extensive adoption of online platforms which have played a much larger role compared to the rest of the world.

Although COVID has accelerated online shopping across the region, results tell us that consumer habits in terms of how, where, and when they shop remain highly varied. On average, 45% of respondents preferred the ‘omnichannel’ approach, while in a boost for physical-first retailers, relatively few respondents said they could live with only shopping online.

In fact, the e-commerce landscape in the region is marked by a lack of a dominant platform – although various solutions and marketplaces are prevalent in individual markets. There is intense competition among platforms to capture the consumer’s dollar, and these figures identify a wide variety of products and fast, reliable delivery as two of the top three priorities for consumers when choosing a platform.

In terms of desired improvements, competitive pricing ranked as the foremost expectation in Asia-Pacific, cited by 38% of respondents, while promotions and discounts ranked third at 25%, highlighting the need for retailers to implement price strategies that ensure they remain competitive in the market.

Despite these aggregated results, the study reveals that although online is now more important than ever as a retail shopping channel, others such as livestreaming and social shopping are growing at differing rates in many locations. Marketplaces, once at the vanguard of retail transformation, are now coming under attack from new players, including department stores and other multi-brand retailers developing sophisticated, personalised platforms to recover market share they may have lost online.

More notably, a one-size-fits-all retail strategy – if ever it made sense – is becoming less and less meaningful.

How AI is shaping customer experiences and driving sales

With consumer preferences in Asia-Pacific being ever-varied, retailers are embracing AI at an unprecedented speed, resulting in improved customer experiences and increased sales.

In fact, our interviews with senior executives suggest that the adoption of AI by retail enterprises is faster than any previous technology – both at customer-facing points and behind the scenes. Analysis from Stocklytics predicts the generative AI market will hit US$1 trillion in value by 2031, representing a cumulative annual growth rate of 48.05%.

Front-of-house, AI is being used to refine customer experiences in automated chat platforms by developing a better understanding of consumer experiences and behaviour to provide more accurate responses and information.

Responses to customer enquiries can be based on relevant help centre content – directly provided within the conversation, rather than just sharing relevant FAQ responses as is typically done.

Back-of-house, AI has become an indispensable tool in functions such as demand forecasting, supply chain management, and developing marketing content. We have seen how ChatGPT has taken the world by storm, with a user base of more than 180 million people in November 2023.

There is a huge opportunity for AI to help companies understand purchasing trends – sudden spikes or drops in volume, for example – to maintain optimum inventory levels. It can contribute to significant efficiencies in sourcing, shipping, and inventory optimisation by predicting product demand, thereby mitigating issues like out-of-stock inventory or overordering. Currently, such decision-making processes may be delayed or predominantly manual, but the leverage and scalability that AI brings can greatly amplify the output traditionally managed solely by human personnel.

Incorporating seamless commerce strategies for sustainable business growth

Across Asia-Pacific, retailers who limit themselves to one channel face significant risks. Online-only retailers may lack the personal touch and might encounter difficulties in establishing reliable delivery systems, while traditional brick-and-mortar stores are not only missing out on reaching a broader audience but also on leveraging their physical presence for innovative solutions like ‘click and collect’ services or using their locations as local distribution hubs.

To meaningfully address these dynamics, focusing on a frictionless customer experience as the ultimate benchmark for measuring success is crucial. Insight-driven retailers need to utilise data and analytics to predict, strategise, and tailor their product offerings and service delivery, backed by a deeper understanding of their customers’ needs.
Technologies such as AI and Gen AI are increasingly helping retailers to yield actionable insights and interventions that improve customer experiences – from enhanced demand forecasting and customer service to optimising product availability and fine-tuning pricing and promotions.

Indeed, a seamless online-offline customer experience has now become a baseline expectation. Only by excelling in this domain can retailers expect to lead the market.

This thought leadership is written by Anson Bailey, Head of Consumer & Retail, for KPMG in Asia Pacific

MARKETECH APAC is leading the conversation on the future of e-commerce marketing strategies this 2024 and beyond with the E-Commerce Marketing in Malaysia 2024 conference on July 25, 2024 at Sheraton Petaling Jaya and the E-Commerce Marketing in the Philippines 2024 conference on August 14, 2024 at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. Join us and become an integral part of a dynamic community committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and fostering unparalleled growth in the e-commerce domain.

Singapore – Cannes Lions, the globally-recognised festival celebrating the best creative communications, advertising, and marketing campaigns around the world; has recently concluded following a four-day run from June 18 to 21. It is worth noting that during this year’s event, Ogilvy Singapore has been named the Agency of the Year for the “Good” category, with Revolver from Australia receiving a Palme d’Or special award. Globally, Cannes Lions named WPP, Omnicom, and Interpublic Group as creative companies of the year. Meanwhile, Ogilvy, Publicis Worldwide, and DDB Worldwide are named Network of The Year. Lastly, Coca-Cola, Heineken, and Apple are named as Creative Brands of the Year.

Without furtherado, these are the winning campaigns from brands and agencies within Asia-Pacific:

CLASSIC

Audio & Radio

“Dew Battle” (Mountain Dew, BBDO Guerrero): Bronze > Sound Design
“No Smiles” (McDonald’s, TBWA\HAKUHODO): Bronze > Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight
“Touch” (Mastercard, Howatson+Company): Bronze > Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility

Film

“Play It Safe” (Sydney Opera House, The Monkeys | Accenture Song): Grand Prix > Local Brand
“What The Fast” (Krungsri First Choice, Leo Burnett): Gold > Microfilm
“Sammakorn Not Sanpakorn” (Sammakorn, Choojai & Friends): Gold > Use of Humour
“Summer” (Grab Philippines, GIGIL): Silver > Viral Film
“As Close You Can Get – Concert” (PRISM+, MullenLowe Singapore): Bronze > Consumer Goods
“The Boxer (Colgate, Soho Square Bangkok): Bronze > Consumer Goods
“Play It Safe” (Sydney Opera House, The Monkeys | Accenture Song): Bronze > Travel, Leisure, Retail, Restaurants & Fast Food Chains
“Shot on iPhone: Little Garlic” (Apple, TBWA\Media Arts Lab Shanghai): Bronze > Viral Film
“Go For Launch” (CP Chicken, Wolf BKK): Bronze > Challenger Brand
“Under My Skin” (Thai Life Insurance, Ogilvy): Bronze > Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight
“Not Very Sweet” (Delight, Ogilvy): Bronze > Use of Humour
“Sabina Braless” (Sabina, Sour Bangkok): Bronze > Use of Humour

Outdoor

“Adoptable. By Pedigree” (Pedigree, Colenso BBDO): Grand Prix > Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility
“Taj Mahal Megh Santoor” (Unilever, Ogilvy): Silver > Special Build
“Heineken Heidden in Plain Sight” (Heineken Malaysia, Leo Burnett): Bronze > Transit
“Lost in Time” (Jian Ai Elderly Charity Center, Dentsu Creative): Bronze > Transit
“Ad-Ons” (McDonald’s, DDB New Zealand): Bronze > Standard Sites
“Laundromatch” (Heineken, LePub): Bronze > Ambient Outdoor
“Penguin Soap Opera” (Orix Aquarium, Dentsu Inc.): Bronze > Local Brand
“Different.” (Samsung, DDB New Zealand): Bronze > Challenger Brand

Print & Publishing

“10 VS 10” (Dove, Ogilvy Sydney): Bronze > Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility

CRAFT

Design

“Paper Organs” (Taiwan Organ Sharing Registry and Patient Autonomy Promotion Center, Leo Burnett): Silver > Promotional Item Design
“The Cardboard Cake” (Wholegreen Bakery, The Hallway): Bronze > Special Editions & Bespoke Items
“Edible Literature” (Kameya Yoshinaga, VML Ogilvy Japan): Bronze > Special Editions & Promotional Packaging
“Video Vinyl” (Coca-Cola, Ogilvy): Bronze > Special Editions & Promotional Packaging

Digital Craft

“Kiki, Virtual Human Interpreter” (NHK Enterprises & NHK Global Media Services, Media.Monks): Silver > Real-Time Contextual Content
“Days of Hirayama Perfect Days – Website” (Perfecy Days, Dentsu Inc.): Bronze > UX & Journey Design

Film Craft

“Play It Safe” (Sydney Opera House, The Monkeys | Accenture Song): Silver > Use of Original Music
“Jindal Steel – The Steel of India (Jindal Steel and Power, Early Man Film Pvt Ltd): Silver > Editing
“The Boxer (Colgate, Soho Square Bangkok): Silver > Editing
“Jindal Steel – The Steel of India (Jindal Steel and Power, Early Man Film Pvt Ltd): Bronze > Direction

Industry Craft

“Reach for the Summit – A” (Kanazawa High School Sumo Tournament, Dentsu Inc.): Silver > Art Direction: Print & Publishing
“Reach for the Summit – B” (Kanazawa High School Sumo Tournament, Dentsu Inc.): Silver > Art Direction: Print & Publishing
“Reach for the Summit – C” (Kanazawa High School Sumo Tournament, Dentsu Inc.): Silver > Art Direction: Print & Publishing
“Departures to Countless Futures” (The Hoshi Awards, Dentsu Inc.): Bronze > Illustration: Brand & Communications Design
“It Works.” (Ad Museum Tokyo, Dentsu Inc.): Bronze > Illustration: Brand & Communications Design
“Magnificent” (Yotkan Ancient City in Xinjiang, China; The Nine): Bronze > Photography: Brand & Communications Design

ENGAGEMENT

Creative Data

“Turf Finder” (Gatorade, Leo Burnett): Gold > Data-Enhanced Creativity

Direct

“Adoptable. By Pedigree” (Pedigree, Colenso BBDO): Gold > Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility
“The Greenprint” (Volkswagen NZ, DDB New Zealand): Silver > Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility
“Hear My Last Watch” (Taiwan Organ Sharing Registry and Patient Autonomy Promotion Center, Leo Burnett): Bronze > Not-for-Profit / Charity / Government
“Climate Doctor’s Certificate” (School Strike 4 Climate, CHEP Network): Bronze > Small-Scale Media
“Adoptable. By Pedigree” (Pedigree, Colenso BBDO): Bronze > Use of Print/Outdoor
“Meowzer” (Whiskas, Colenso BBDO): Bronze > Use of Digital Platforms

Media

“This Is An IKEA Store” (IKEA, Ogilvy Philippines): Silver > Single-Market Campaign
“Ad-Ons” (McDonald’s, DDB New Zealand): Bronze > Use of Outdoor
“Shot on iPhone: Little Garlic” (Apple, OMD): Bronze > Media Execution

PR

“Lulumelon Eoss” (HDFC Bank, FCB Kinnect): Silver > Use of Events & Stunts
“Transition Body Lotion” (Unilever, Ogilvy): Bronze > Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight

Social & Influencer

“No Smiles” (McDonald’s, TBWA\HAKUHODO): Gold > Single-Market Campaign

ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment

“Shot on iPhone: Little Garlic” (Apple, TBWA\Media Arts Lab Shanghai): Silver > Fiction Film: 5-30 minutes
“Play It Safe” (Sydney Opera House, The Monkeys | Accenture Song): Silver > Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight
“Erase Valentine’s Day” (Mondelez International, Ogilvy): Bronze > 360 Integrated Brand Experience
“Shot on iPhone: Midnight” (Apple, TBWA\Media Arts Lab Tokyo): Bronze > Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight

Entertainment Lions for Gaming

“Play Has No Limits ft. KING GNU” (Playstation, Six Inc.): Bronze > Audio-Visual Content

Entertainment Lions for Music

“Video Vinyl” (Coca-Cola, Ogilvy): Bronze > Brand Partnerships, Sponsorships & Collaborations
“No Smiles” (McDonald’s, TBWA\HAKUHODO): Bronze > Partnerships with Music Talent

Entertainment Lions for Sports

“‘Til It’s Done” (Football Australia, Ogilvy Australia): Bronze > Brand Storytelling
“Turf Finder” (Gatorade, Leo Burnett): Bronze > Sports Live Experience

EXPERIENCE

Brand Experience & Activation

“The Greenprint” (Volkswagen NZ, DDB New Zealand): Silver > Automotive
“The Original Mouthful” (McDonald’s, DDB Sydney): Silver > Travel, Leisure, Retail, Restaurants & Fast Food Chains
“Paper Organs” (Taiwan Organ Sharing Registry and Patient Autonomy Promotion Center, Leo Burnett): Silver > Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight
“Correct The Internet” (Team Heroine, DDB New Zealand): Silver > Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility
“Fitchix” (Honest Eggs Co., VML): Bronze > Customer Acquisition & Retention
“Climate Doctor’s Certificate” (School Strike 4 Climate, CHEP Network): Bronze > Guerrilla Marketing & Stunts

Creative Business Transformation

“Adoptable. By Pedigree” (Pedigree, Colenso BBDO): Silver > Brand Purpose & Impact

Creative Commerce

“Your 2nd Favorite Beer” (Matilda Bay, Howatson+Company): Bronze > Brand Strategy

Innovation

“Voice 2 Diabetes” (KVI Brand Fund Inc., Klick Health): Grand Prix > Early-Stage Technology

GOOD

Glass: The Lion for Change

“Transition Body Lotion” (Unilever, Ogilvy): Grand Prix
“Project Farm Equal” (Lay’s, Leo Burnett): Silver

Sustainable Development Goals

“Kiki, Virtual Human Interpreter” (NHK Enterprises & NHK Global Media Services, Media.Monks): Bronze > Good Health and Well-being
“Dabba Savings Account” (Esaf Small Finance Bank, McCann): Bronze > Gender Equality
“Drops of Joy” (Lay’s, Leo Burnett): Bronze > Responsible Consumption and Production

HEALTH

Health & Wellness

“Fit My Feet” (Buckaroo Footwear, McCann): Gold > OTC Products
“Paper Organs” (Taiwan Organ Sharing Registry and Patient Autonomy Promotion Center, Leo Burnett): Gold > Fundraising & Advocacy
“The Impossible Choice” (St. Jude India Childcare Centres, Ogilvy): Bronze > Fundraising & Advocacy
“Fitchix” (Honest Eggs Co., VML): Bronze > Animal Health
“Fit My Feet” (Buckaroo Footwear, McCann): Bronze > OTC Products

Pharma

“Voice 2 Diabetes” (KVI Brand Fund Inc., Klick Health): Gold > Innovative Use of Technology: Patient or Healthcare Professional

STRATEGY

Creative Effectiveness

“Oreo #BringBack2011” (Oreo, Leo Burnett): Silver > Single Market
“The Last Performance” (Partners Life, Special New Zealand): Bronze > Collaboration
“Fitchix” (Honest Eggs Co., VML): Bronze > Challenger Brand

Creative Strategy

“Let Her Grow” (Dove, Edelman): Silver > Consumer Goods
“Fitchix” (Honest Eggs Co., VML): Silver > Challenger Brand Strategy
“Fitchix” (Honest Eggs Co., VML): Bronze > Market Disruption
“Vi Human Network Testing Network” (Vodafone India, Ogilvy): Bronze > Market Disruption

Cannes Lions has also announced the 2024 Young Lions winners, where young professionals have the opportunity to showcase their talent and achievements. The APAC winners are as follows:

“Who is the successful man?” (Gold, Media)
- Jiayu Cao, Business Development Manager, Havas Creative China, Mainland China
- Linghui Dai, Senior Copywriter, Havas Creative China, Mainland China
#SpreadSpoiledGuys (Silver, Media)
- Seri Morikawa, Copywriter, Hakuhodo Inc, Japan
- Hinako Kawai, Designer, Hakuhodo Inc, Japan
#Sidekick: New Face of Success (Bronze, Media)
- Sujin Lim, Art Director, Cheil Worldwide, South Korea
- Tae-yul Ko, Art Director, Cheil Worldwide, South Korea
I Do Give A F*** (Gold, Marketers)
- Praptee Sharma, Manager – Product Marketing, Jio Platforms Limited, India
- Roshni Govind Iyengar, Manager – Strategic Initiatives, Jio Platforms Limited, India
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- Ginola Tan, Copywriter, GOVT Singapore, Singapore
- Tan Yuan Ling, Art Director, GOVT Singapore, Singapore

Singapore – Global communications agency Burson, formed from the merger of WPP’s BCW and Hill & Knowlton, has announced a series of strategic appointments to its Asia-Pacific leadership team, aimed at enhancing its presence and capabilities in the region.

In Singapore, Cindy Lim is appointed as the new chief executive officer. Prior to her appointment, Lim was BCW’s CEO and market leader in Singapore. Joining her is Rikki Jones, who will take on a dual role as CEO for Burson Group Singapore and president for GCI Health Asia-Pacific.

Burson also named Claire Li as the new CEO for Greater China. Li was formerly with Starbucks China as its vice president for communications before joining Hill & Knowlton in 2023 as its CEO for Greater China. Meanwhile, Tsuyoshi Takemura will take on the role of CEO for Burson Japan.

Marianne Admardatine, from Hill & Knowlton, will now serve as the CEO of Burson Indonesia. Also from Hill & Knowlton, Justin Then is named the new CEO of Burson Malaysia.

In Thailand, Burson has named Wachiraporn Pornpitayalert as its new market leader. She previously served as the managing director for Hill & Knowlton Thailand.

On the other hand, Deepshikha Dharmaraj from BCW will also serve as the new CEO of Burson Group India. And Tom Horn, who served as the corporate practice director for Australia and New Zealand at BCW Global, will take on the new role of market leader for Burson ANZ.

HS Chung will also continue to lead Burson Korea as CEO, in addition to her role as North APAC CEO.

Commenting on the appointments, Chung said, “In today’s fast-evolving environment, clients need the best talent and capabilities to solve their most complex challenges. With our extensive footprint and reach across APAC, clients will gain access to a diverse team of specialists with decades of experience building and protecting reputations for multinational businesses in Asia and Asian enterprises overseas.”

Adrian Warr, South APAC CEO at Burson, also shared, “Innovation and creativity are at the heart of our commitment to delivering unparalleled value for our clients in APAC. Our world-class talent will lead through exceptional creative thinking and bring innovation into action to build reputation capital as a competitive advantage for our clients, today and into the future.”

These appointments come in the wake of this year’s merger, where WPP combined its communications agencies, Hill+Knowlton and BCW, to form Burson. This union leverages the unparalleled talent, extensive global networks, advanced technology investments, creative capabilities, and public affairs and advisory expertise of both organisations to drive reputation enhancement and value creation.

Singapore – GroupM and Internews have announced that over 350 news publishers in Asia-Pacific have received increased advertising investment from GroupM in 2023, following the rollout of an industry-first programme to help brands support quality journalism by re-investing media budgets in trustworthy news publishers.

In the Asia Pacific region, the duo has mapped a year-on-year increase in advertising investment on more than 350 news websites. These websites are from ten major Asian markets, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. There’s been a further 43% year on year increase in spending on these sites when comparing Q1’23 to Q1’24 across the markets.

GroupM and its Back to News initiative, in partnership with Internews, a media support nonprofit, have been working to provide advertisers access to ad environments on local, national, and international news websites across the globe.

This win for journalism and news accessibility comes when legitimate digital news publishers increasingly face competition from made-for-advertising websites and artificially generated content. With this increase in investment, positive changes on the publishers’ end will holistically help uplift the ecosystem.

The positive impact on client campaigns is also clear with recent results from a leading automotive client in the region showing viewability improving by 16.5%, an increase in click-through rate by 60% and a decrease in CPM by about 20%.

Anita Munro, chief investment officer for APAC at GroupM, said, “As the largest single-point media buyer in APAC we have a responsibility to support a diverse, sustainable, transparent and high-quality media ecosystem. The Back to News initiative has been an important component of our Responsible Investment Framework and aims to ensure we continue to invest alongside our clients into high-quality news publishers and provide a counter to the proliferation of fake news and MFA content that has flooded the market in recent years. The work that our supply management team has done in this space is truly market-leading.”

Hong Kong – AXA and HK Express have recent announced an exclusive insurance partnership agreement, showing AXA’s commitment to offering HK Express customers with a convenient travel insurance experience while providing tailored protection for the mass travellers, enabling them to travel on their own terms.

HK Express is poised to continue its rapid growth by expanding its fleet and route network. This year, HK Express has already added four new destinations and is set to announce new routes, further extending its market reach.

This exclusive partnership agreement between HK Express, AXA and AXA Partners, the international entity forming part of AXA Group offering a wide range of solutions in assistance services, travel insurance and credit protection & lifestyle, covers all the markets served by HK Express and the popular travel destinations for Hongkongers, including the Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan China, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, catering to their travel needs.

HK Express has also unveiled its first A321neo aircraft that prominently displays AXA’s logo, marking the official launch of the partnership. This demonstrates collaborative innovation and commitment to providing travellers with a more seamless experience and comprehensive protection coverage.

Kenneth Lai, chief general insurance officer at AXA Hong Kong and Macau, said, “AXA has been actively expanding its insurance ecosystem and is committed to being a true partner for our customers. We collaborate with leading partners from different industries and strive to offer more personalised and tailored coverage. We understand that the demand for travel insurance has become more diverse. Thus, we hope to bring a seamless travel experience to our customers. As AXA’s inaugural Hong Kong-based airline partner, the partnership allows HK Express customers to effortlessly book flights and buy travel insurance through its all-in-one platform. Looking ahead, we will continue working with HK Express to explore products with comprehensive coverage and bring innovative solutions to the market.”

Jeanette Mao, chief executive officer at HK Express, commented, “HK Express is a young and vibrant brand that pride itself on daring to be different. We enable our travellers to customize their journeys according to their needs. Recognizing every journey is unique, we are dedicated to offering a wide array of value-added services and products, from inflight dining and seat selection, to checked baggage and travel insurance. We provide flexible options that allow customers to choose combinations that suit their needs, all at value fares that make it easy to ‘Gotta Go’ with HK Express.”

She added, “Travel insurance is a crucial component of the travel experience, and we are thrilled to partner with AXA, a leader in the insurance market, to offer comprehensive travel insurance solutions. For the first time, HK Express is displaying our partner’s brand on our aircraft livery, signifying our long-term strategic partnership with AXA. We are continuously exploring new ways to enhance our services and are committed to delivering a safe and enjoyable flying experience, inviting our customers to discover unique destinations across Asia with us.”

Lastly, Adelane Mecellem, regional CEO at AXA Partners, said: “We are thrilled to announce our exclusive partnership with AXA HK and HK Express. This partnership perfectly aligns with AXA Partners’ strategic vision to push boundaries, drive innovation, and enhance our solutions by providing travellers with a seamless experience and genuine peace of mind before and during their flights.”