Tag: Asia Pacific

Singapore – Weber Shandwick has announced strategic leadership appointments to accelerate growth and innovation across its Asia-Pacific operations. They include Polka Yu as APAC chief integration officer (CIO) and managing director for Hong Kong and South China (Shenzhen); Carolyn Devanayagam as managing director of Singapore; and Robert Magyar as APAC head of healthcare.

Yu will work closely with the regional team to drive and execute integrated marketing communications strategies. She will focus on driving organic growth with top-tier clients while building new client relationships across the region. 

Additionally, Yu will lead the expansion of the Hong Kong market and oversee the China Go Global initiative, managing international communications for China-based clients from the agency’s Hong Kong and Shenzhen offices. Yu brings 20 years of experience in strategic consultation and planning for integrated global campaigns, business development, and team management in APAC, especially Hong Kong and mainland China. 

Meanwhile, Devanayagam will focus on accelerating the agency’s growth by enhancing its capabilities in key business areas. She recently celebrated 25 years of service with the agency, marking a distinguished multi-decade career spanning Southeast Asia, China, and the United States. 

In addition to her new role, Devanayagam will continue to serve as the Head of Corporate Affairs in the region, providing strategic counsel to key global clients, partnering with corporations, NGOs, and industry leaders to drive impactful initiatives.

Lastly, with over 20 years of experience advising senior executives in strategic communications and healthcare across multiple markets, Magyar will focus on driving growth, enhancing client relationships, and developing talent with the firm’s healthcare vertical. 

The trio will be reporting directly to Tyler Kim, CEO of Weber Shandwick APAC.

“These leadership appointments reflect our unwavering commitment to providing world-class services to our clients and partners. Polka, Carolyn, and Robert’s deep understanding of our markets and industry verticals will be instrumental in driving our strategy forward and ensuring we stay at the forefront of the communications landscape in Asia Pacific,” Tyler said.

He added, “As we enter the next phase of our growth, we are focused on embracing change and making strategic improvements to deliver exceptional results for our clients. These appointments, along with our increased focus on industry-specific expertise, position us optimally for continued success in the region.” 

Singapore – Grab’s advertising arm GrabAds have announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, to help the latter’s clients unlock the power of Grab’s retail media network (RMN) capabilities for brand, performance and business growth. 

As part of the expanded partnership, GrabAds will enhance its first-party audience data with geo-based signals, which GroupM will further aggregate and integrate into their internal proprietary platforms. 

With these insights, GroupM clients across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam can look forward to more refined, data-driven media planning within an integrated omnichannel ecosystem.

The partnership will enable GroupM to access anonymised and indexed consumer insights based on real transactions which are then enhanced with geo-based signals, all of which are fully compliant with personal data privacy standards. These include data categories like cuisine preference, frequently travelled points of interest, and spend attributes. 

These geo-based first-party audience insights will enable more precise targeting capabilities for GroupM’s clients, that they can leverage to further optimise their media strategies and achieve marketing objectives. Brands will also benefit from full-funnel marketing capabilities with GrabAds’ RMN ecosystem, to maximise advertising spend for brand-building and sales objectives. 

It is worth noting that GroupM and GrabAds have been working together since 2021 to help advertisers harness retail media more effectively. With this expanded partnership, GroupM clients will continue to benefit from GrabAds’ existing and upcoming innovative omnichannel advertising offerings, including native advertising formats exclusive to Grab, data-driven campaigns, offline fleet placements, and programmatic buying capabilities. 

GroupM and GrabAds will also co-innovate on advertising solutions and media strategies. This collaboration will provide GroupM clients across sectors with early access to integration benefits and testing opportunities, enhancing their advertising effectiveness.

Anita Munro, chief investment officer at GroupM Asia-Pacific, said, “We embarked on this partnership with Grab given our confidence in their ability to work together with us to unlock market-leading advantage and value for clients in the evolving advertising landscape. As we continue to build and invest in a high-quality media ecosystem that is diverse, sustainable and audience-first, we are excited at the opportunity Grab presents with rich first-party audience insights and their strength as a platform that serves advertiser needs to connect the online to offline consumer journey. Multiple elements of the partnership will come together to accelerate growth for our clients including data, geo and audience-based expertise and more.”

Meanwhile, Ken Mandel, regional managing director and head of GrabAds and enterprise at Grab, commented, “We are excited to continue working alongside GroupM to help their clients unlock the true potential of retail media advertising, whether that’s crafting full-funnel campaigns or providing more precise means of measuring advertising returns. By combining GroupM’s scale, commitment to innovation and client-first mindset with our superior RMN capabilities, we are well-positioned to help GroupM clients drive accelerated growth in Southeast Asia.”

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is buzzing with potential, and one of the biggest drivers behind this is its booming population of gamers. From tech-savvy Gen Z consumers in urban hubs to an increasingly affluent and aspirational middle class in emerging economies, the diversity and scale of this demographic present endless opportunities for brands looking to expand their reach.

What makes this even more exciting is the sheer pace of change. Digital adoption is soaring, lifestyles are evolving, and consumer expectations are rising across the board. From innovative e-commerce platforms to thriving social media ecosystems, APAC isn’t just growing—it’s shaping the future of how businesses connect with their audiences. 

With this objective in mind, this is exactly what Mastercard did for its ‘Mastercard Gamer Exchange’ initiative, which helps consumers convert their unspent rewards points into gaming currency across some of the world’s most popular gaming titles. More recently, Mastercard Gamer Exchange expanded its reach in Malaysia through a partnership with Ribena which rewards gamers through the platform when they purchase eligible Ribena products. 

For our latest Top Story feature, we spoke with Kauveri Khullaar, senior vice president for consumer marketing & sponsorships for Asia-Pacific at Mastercard to better understand Mastercard Gamer Exchange’s plans to expand in APAC, and how Mastercard intends to continue tapping into the growing gamer demographic for better consumer experiences.

Creating a loyalty program for APAC’s gaming demographic

Before we explore Mastercard Gamer Exchange’s objective, Kaveri points out first how gaming has become a global phenomenon, captivating over 3 billion people, nearly half of whom are women, across casual and competitive genres. Moreover, the industry, projected to generate US$282b in revenue this year and grow to US$363b by 2027, is a powerhouse of entertainment.

Speaking in the context for APAC, she says, “Asia-Pacific leads the charge, contributing nearly half of global gaming revenue, thanks to its massive base of 1.5 billion gamers. In Malaysia alone, 23 million gamers are expected to drive US$650m in revenue by 2024, highlighting the region’s significant role in the gaming boom.”

Gaming’s growth in the region is supported by growing technological advancements like smartphones and 5G connectivity, which have propelled gaming’s growth, enabling casual gaming during commutes and easy access to free-to-play games. These innovations have contributed to the industry’s impressive revenue. While gaming appeals to all demographics, the most engaged players—who also spend the most—are mass-affluent, digitally savvy individuals aged 35-44.

From this context, Kaveri highlights that it was against this backdrop, and with an ambition for marketing to directly impact revenue, that Mastercard Gamer Exchange was created at the peak of COVID-19.

“It started in 2021 when all travel ceased, decimating one of the largest reward redemption categories. Loyalty programs faced the spectre of increased liability on their financial books owing to points’ accumulation, and frustrated members who were seeing their points value dilute over time; at the same time, stay-at-home entertainment activities were getting a fillip, with video gaming being the biggest beneficiary,” she stated.

Revolutionising rewards with gamers’ passion

For Kaveri, the Mastercard Gamer Exchange solution is designed to let gamers convert reward points into gaming credits across top titles, addressing a gap in traditional loyalty programs. For her, the platform–which is built on the insight that gamers typically engage with multiple games simultaneously–prioritises diverse in-game options and allows bite-sized redemptions, eliminating the need for large point balances.

“This philosophy of engineering a solution with gamers at its heart gave birth to a conversion engine that burns reward points for gaming credits across top gaming titles, giving game-loving consumers a simple, intuitive way to use loyalty points for a form of entertainment that had been largely underserved by rewards programs,” she said.

She also added that Mastercard Gamer Exchange not only enhances the gaming experience for consumers but also creates opportunities for brands to connect with this engaged audience by offering a fresh rewards category. Additionally, it serves as a novel distribution channel for game publishers and developers.

“Not only is Mastercard Gamer Exchange uniquely positioned to reward gamers, but it also plays an important role in connecting brands to this audience. With one simple, seamless solution, any brand – regardless of their sector or industry – can offer their audiences a whole new category in rewards redemption, gaining their loyalty and engagement with this consumer segment. This value proposition is true to what we stand for at Mastercard – connecting people to their passions, and thereby building a deeper connection with our and our partners’ brands,” she added.

Mastercard Gamer Exchange’s Ribena collaboration and the platform’s future

Mastercard Gamer Exchange first entered the Malaysian market in 2023 through a successful collaboration with Boost, achieving strong adoption rates. This was then followed by this partnership with Ribena Malaysia, showcasing the platform’s ability to deliver value across diverse industries and highlighting its appeal to like-minded brands beyond the gaming sector.

“Malaysia boasts a unique melting pot of cultures, which is reflected in its vibrant gaming community.  The campaign with Ribena is still underway, and we have already seen positive traction with the number of redemptions driven by this campaign. This is a clear sign that the approach is resonating with the audience of gamers that Ribena appeals to,” Kaveri said.

When asked about the future of Mastercard Gamer Exchange and Mastercard’s gamer-related initiatives, she stated that the company has been at the forefront of creating unique offerings for gamers in Asia-Pacific and around the world since 2018, being the first global partner for popular game ‘League of Legends’. 

She also added that Mastercard regularly partners with banks to introduce co-branded League of Legends cards that offer cardholders Riot points, discounts and cashback on in-game purchases.

“With Mastercard Gamer Exchange, we will continue to forge partnerships with issuing banks,  merchants and fintech partners who are keen to leverage this lucrative audience and commit to a long-term game of value creation for them,” she concluded.

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The gaming demographic in APAC isn’t just growing—it’s thriving, and it’s reshaping the way people engage with entertainment. With millions of avid gamers across diverse age groups and preferences, the region is a goldmine of opportunities for brands looking to connect with a digitally-savvy, highly engaged audience.

Whether it’s through platforms like Mastercard Gamer Exchange, which seamlessly integrates rewards with gaming, or through collaborations with industry partners, the potential to build loyalty and drive engagement in APAC’s gaming ecosystem is immense. 

Singapore – Operational machine learning (ML) and performance advertising company Moloco has announced the appointment of Nopparat Yokubon as Moloco Ads lead for Southeast Asia and ANZ as well as Jason Bagg as commerce media lead for ANZ.

These appointments highlight Moloco’s commitment to expanding its presence across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region as it continues to meet the growing demand for ML solutions in the digital advertising landscape.

Nopparat, a seasoned adtech veteran with over 16 years of experience in digital advertising and monetisation across APAC, will spearhead Moloco’s growth initiatives in Southeast Asia. Her extensive regional expertise and proven track record in scaling advertising technology solutions positions her perfectly to drive Moloco’s next phase of growth in this dynamic market. 

“Southeast Asia represents a pivotal mobile first market with emerging opportunities in app development, particularly in markets such as Vietnam and Pakistan. As businesses navigate the current economic landscape and seek sustainable growth, our mission is to help them overcome complex challenges in user privacy, AI transparency and ad fraud,” Nopparat said.

She added, “We are already seeing a strong traction with financial services, gaming publishers and consumer apps across the region and we are committed to evolving our Machine Learning powered solutions to meet the region’s diverse marketing needs.”

Meanwhile, Bagg possesses unique insights as both a former platform customer and industry veteran, positioning him to best lead Moloco growth in the sophisticated ANZ market. He also has deep experience in transforming retail media operations and driving advertiser success.

“Having experienced Moloco’s platform capabilities as a customer, I witnessed firsthand its transformative impact in scaling commerce media advertising. The team’s commitment to innovation and product excellence made this a compelling opportunity and I’m excited to work with retailers across Australia and New Zealand to help them build and scale their media businesses with a focus on driving sustainable, long-term growth and returns,” Bagg said.

Meanwhile, Ikkjin Ahn, co-founder and CEO of Moloco, commented, “These strategic appointments underscore our deep commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. Nopparat and Jason’s extensive experience and deep understanding of local markets will be invaluable as we continue to deliver innovative, machine learning-powered solutions that empower businesses to navigate and thrive in an evolving digital advertising landscape.”

Singapore – Travel-based loyalty programs continue to climb in popularity thanks to the sector’s ability to build loyalty through highly personalised customer experiences, according to a new report from Rocket Travel by Agoda.

The report highlights that the top five airline loyalty programs alone saw a 7.75% average growth in valuation from 2020 to 2023 while some travel loyalty programs in the financial services sector have tripled in value since 2019.

While the report noted a dip in levels of customer satisfaction for many customer loyalty programs post-Covid because of reductions in benefits, there was now an opportunity to re-ignite customer enthusiasm through more engaging online experiences.

Other benefits include the ability to search based on distance to key points of interest, find refundable or flexible travel options, filters based on pricing data and localized languages. 

Meanwhile interactive tools proactively recommend options to the customer based on their preferences – like deep discounts for price-sensitive travel planners or options with high earning potential for points-hungry members – drive increased repeat rate and added long-term value from each customer.

The report also noted that travel-based loyalty programs tend to appeal to higher spending customers, presenting businesses with the opportunity to not only boost levels of customer engagement but also benefit from higher customer lifetime values.

Damien Pfirsch, head of Rocket Travel by Agoda, the strategic partnerships arm of Agoda, said, “Unlike other industries, travel is something that people are emotionally invested in. By offering real-world experiences that customers really care about, it’s easier for brands to turn transactional relationships into long-term partnerships with their customers.”

He added, “Digital travel platforms are uniquely engineered to let customers design their own, highly personalised experience thanks to great search capabilities and a wide selection of destinations and accommodations – all at value-driven prices. The technology is also highly customisable, so brands are able to offer their loyalty customers an enjoyable experience with all the look and feel of their main site.”

GUT, the South American-based global creative network, has recently made its first foray into Asia-Pacific with the launch of its office in Singapore. This marks the agency’s tenth office globally, with existing offices in Miami, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Toronto, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Madrid, and New York.

Following the agency’s recent official Singapore office opening, MARKETECH APAC caught up exclusively with Jessica Davey, managing director at GUT Asia to better understand why this new office launch means much for the agency, and how their vision fits well with the region’s continued advancement–technologically and creatively–globally.

A dream five years in the making

Davey had noted that GUT’s founders–Anselmo Ramos and Gaston Bigio–have long dreamt about opening shop in Asia since the agency was founded in 2018. With that in mind, Davey has expressed that the agency is optimistic about working with a lot of regional and global clients in the region, given how diverse Asia-Pacific is.

“Opening an office in Asia has been a dream of the founders since they first started the agency in 2018 and it represents an incredible opportunity for us as we continue our explosive growth journey. This dynamic and diverse region is home to many global and local clients who are looking for brave and innovative solutions to help drive business growth. Having a presence in Asia makes us a truly global agency network that can service clients anywhere in the world,” she explained.

Speaking on why they chose Singapore as its APAC home, Davey said, “Singapore’s diversity, innovative spirit, and vibrant energy are a perfect fit for GUT’s brave creative approach. We couldn’t be more excited to open our doors in this iconic city that has been pushing the boundaries of creativity, technology, and design and become a part of this amazing community.”

Making brave work right for clients

At the centre of GUT’s vision as a creative agency are three core principles: Courage, Transparency and Intuition. For them, the order of work means being people first, work second and clients third.

This is exactly what Davey also echoed when asked about whan can the region expect from GUT in their expansion to APAC.

“At the centre of our business is our core mantra: we are a brave agency for brave clients. But it is important to acknowledge that bravery isn’t binary, it is a spectrum and that clients all have different paths to bravery,” she said.

She also stressed that creative ‘brave’ work clients means making sure that it fits well their client needs, as well as the needs of the region.

“So we want to make brave work that is right for our clients, their markets & cultures and people. We want to ensure our work reflects this diverse and dynamic region, not just in what we make but in who and how we make it,” she added.

Davey also noted, “With many of our global clients looking for local presence and expertise – the time was right to bring GUT to this market and position ourselves for even greater growth and success around the world.”

Collaboration is all about working together to make impact

Going back to GUT’s three core principles: Courage, Transparency, and Intuition–Davey says that they always ask potential new clients if they are aligned with those values to make sure they are a good fit.

Some of the agencies GUT has recently worked with include AB-InBev, Tim Hortons, Mercado Libre, Coca-Cola, Kraft-Heinz, P&G, and NotCo.

“We have a philosophy called ‘Open Kitchen,’ which is all about working collaboratively with clients. We will do whatever it takes to understand a client’s business, identify communications needs and opportunities, and proactively bring bold ideas to the table,” Davey explained.

When asked about the agency’s future plans in the region, she stated, “Asia has historically been one of the most creative and technologically advanced regions in the world and we are thrilled to tap into the talent and innovation in the region to bring bravery to every touchpoint. We see a huge opportunity to play a meaningful role in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible leveraging technology, design and creativity to connect brands and consumers in this region in impactful ways.”

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As an agency whose mantra revolves around how the more diverse they are, the more creative they are and that they will never be diverse enough. For GUT, they believe that diversity is an ongoing process and measure of intention. As a region whose growth continues to be manifested through growth of digital channels and changing consumer behaviour, there is a huge opportunity for GUT to make a splash in the region and bring its learnings from existing markets to APAC.

Singapore – Consumers across the Asia-Pacific region are largely enthusiastic about AI and new technologies but remain deeply concerned about the future, a new report by Ipsos revealed. 

Although the global debate over the benefits and risks of AI remains divided, the report highlights that people in Asia are optimistic about technological progress. In the Asia Pacific region, 68% of consumers believe AI is positively impacting the world, significantly higher than the global average of 57%.

According to the report, China is the most receptive to new technology, ranking first among the 50 global markets surveyed in terms of believing AI will have a positive impact worldwide.

Despite these positive figures, the report also found that many APAC countries continue to express concerns about AI.

Since 2013, the percentage of Indians who believe technological processes are negatively impacting their lives has risen by 19%, while in Japan, the figure has increased by 18 percentage points.

Concerns about AI, digital privacy, and security are also widespread, with seven in 10 consumers in the Asia Pacific region worried about how companies are collecting their personal information. These concerns are especially high in the Philippines (86%), Thailand, and Singapore (both 81%).

In addition to privacy concerns, the report uncovered intriguing insights. It found that young people in Asia are generally anxious about the future, with more than half (57%) of Gen Z in the Asia Pacific region expressing a preference for growing up in the era of their parents’ childhood—surpassing the global average of 51%.

The Ipsos report suggests that brands capitalise on the nostalgia trend by blending familiar traditions from the past with modern innovations.

Meanwhile, the report also highlights broad consensus on climate change, with 84% of people believing the world faces an environmental disaster unless the region acts swiftly. This concern has grown significantly in Australia, rising by 15% since 2013.

Most consumers in the Asia-Pacific region believe that individuals should not bear the responsibility of making further changes to their daily lives to address climate change. 

Three in four (73%) respondents stated they are already doing all they can to protect the environment, with this sentiment especially strong in Indonesia (91%), Thailand (89%), and the Philippines (87%).

In addition, three-quarters of those surveyed (75%) believe companies are not doing enough to address environmental issues. Alarmingly, a majority in India, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand feel it is already too late to take meaningful action on climate change.

Hamish Munro, CEO of Ipsos APEC, commented, “This latest report highlights how our consumers and citizens think and feel in a world of rapid change and complexity, particularly around technological evolution, societal change, and climate change. The insights reveal a region that is open to transformation but wants its businesses to step up, guide the change revolution, and be leaders.”

“When it comes to climate change, consumers believe brands have a critical role to play in minimising harmful environmental effects. There is a real opportunity for brands to be environmental leaders and demonstrate their commitment to climate change efforts,” Munro added. 

Singapore – Edelman has announced that Rakesh Thukral will succeed Warren Fernandez as CEO for the firm’s operations in Asia-Pacific (APAC). Fernandez will be stepping down from the role to pursue a new opportunity and will remain with the firm until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.  

Thukral has a long-standing career with Edelman. As the current APAC chief operating officer and managing director of India, he has championed growth through a relentless focus on the firm’s clients, people and diversification of specialties and offerings across its portfolio. 

Speaking on his new role, Thukra said.“We have a strong team across the region and great client relationships across sectors and markets. I look forward to working with our teams and clients to continue elevating our work, and ensuring our clients receive solutions that help them evolve and grow their businesses in these complex times.”  

Meanwhile Ed Williams, Edelman’s President for International, spoke on the recent development stating, “I am grateful for everything that Warren has done for the firm, and for his leadership both regionally and globally. He has broadened and sharpened the firm’s capabilities in APAC, and his decades of experience in the news and media sector has been hugely important to many of our clients. We sincerely wish him all the best with his next move. 

“The APAC region continues to present significant opportunity for Edelman and our clients, and therefore remains a key focus for us. Rakesh’s experience of partnering with global companies to enter the Indian market, and for Indian businesses to expand globally, will be invaluable to our clients across the whole region. He has a deep understanding of the business, political, and societal dynamics of the region, and I have confidence that under his leadership, our business will be well positioned”, continues Williams. 

Lastly, Fernandez says, “I am grateful for having been part of the Edelman team and to have worked with some of the industry’s most talented and committed colleagues. A new opportunity has arisen which is hard to say no to; it is a role that plays to my longstanding interests in public policy, and where I will have the opportunity to engage on some of the significant political and geopolitical issues of the day.” 

Thukral will report into Williams in his new role, and the appointment is effective immediately. 

Singapore – Mastercard has recently introduced Mastercard Pay Local, a global service that makes it easy for consumers to make card payments to merchants using local digital wallets. With Mastercard Pay Local, resident cardholders or international travelers can easily link their credit or debit cards to a digital wallet and immediately shop at participating merchants, without needing to set up or top up a prepaid account.

With this, residents can pay the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that do not accept traditional card payments through digital wallets, while tourists and international travelers can enjoy convenient, seamless payments across the destinations they’re visiting.

Moreover, hundreds of millions of MSMEs can experience increased reach with minimal infrastructure investment or disruptions to their operations.

Lastly, wallet operators can extend their customer base by attracting individuals who primarily use cards, providing a smooth consumer experience and achieving quicker time to market. Card issuers can also deliver more points of acceptance for the consumers they serve.

Leading wallets in Asia-Pacific, such as DANA in Indonesia, Touch ‘n Go in Malaysia, Bakong in Cambodia, and LankaPay in Sri Lanka, will use Mastercard Pay Local to facilitate payments for consumers at more than 35 million merchants in the region that accept these wallets. 

Beyond Asia-Pacific, the service is also geared towards regions where digital wallets are widely used for everyday purchases, such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

Sandeep Malhotra, executive vice president, products & innovation for Asia-Pacific at Mastercard, said, “With Pay Local, Mastercard is extending its global network to partner wallets and expanding acceptance by making it possible for Asia’s digital wallets to process card-based payments. This creates a low-cost, simple, stable, and secure connection between over 35 million merchants in Asia Pacific and two billion Mastercard cardholders.”

He added, “Locals benefit from new payment options while tourists can use their cards as they do at home, making travel infinitely easier, with one less thing to worry about while on the road.”

Pay Local builds upon Mastercard’s existing collaborations with leading wallet providers, including Alipay and Weixin Pay in the Chinese Mainland and Octopus in Hong Kong SAR, to offer a convenient way for international visitors to pay like locals when traveling to these locations, regardless of where in the world their Mastercard card was issued.

In addition, a range of digital wallets across the region already accept Mastercard cards for funding, enabling easy payments at merchant locations that accept these wallets, including GrabPay in Southeast Asia, Maya in the Philippines, ShopBack in Singapore, and TrueMoney in Thailand.

Darrick Rochili, chief innovation officer at DANA, commented, “At DANA, we are committed to enhancing the accessibility and convenience of digital payments for all users. By collaborating with Mastercard, we are excited to offer international travelers a seamless way to register and bind their cards to DANA, furthering our mission of bridging financial inclusion across borders. This collaboration reflects our dedication to improving user experience and supporting global financial mobility as we anticipate increased international travel.”

Meanwhile, Alan Ni, CEO at TNG Digital, stated, “As Malaysia’s leading digital wallet and financial services provider, we are proud to have expanded our services beyond national borders, enabling users to travel cashless and make seamless payments internationally. Our collaboration with Mastercard underscores the strength of our open platform strategy, allowing us to extend cashless payment solutions to international travelers visiting Malaysia, contributing to the country’s tourism industry and economy. We are pleased to offer inbound tourists the convenience of cashless transactions via QR payment at over 2 million merchants, retail outlets, and service providers across Malaysia.”

Singapore – Strategic Public Relations Group (SPRG) has unveiled a refreshed identity for Strategic DigitaLab (SDL), its dedicated creative services and digital content creation arm. SDL’s new identity reflects SPRG’s commitment to improving the integration of the group’s creative and digital services and sharing capabilities across markets to ensure a more seamless and cohesive regional delivery.

The year 2025 marks SPRG’s 30th anniversary, with the agency reflecting on how it built its success and reputation on the provision of strategic counsel and crafting compelling narratives in APAC. 

Looking ahead, SPRG stated that they remain passionate about expanding its creative and digital resources to maintain a competitive edge and attract top talent across the region.

Richard Tsang, founder and chairman of SPRG, said, “SDL will enhance SPRG’s offering by not only producing captivating stories, but also amplifying them across multiple platforms. This will enable our clients to effectively engage, inspire and educate their audiences through efficient and scalable content creation.”

He added, “By sharing our creative and digital capabilities, we are positioning ourselves to stay ahead of the curve and deliver more dynamic, integrated campaigns that meet the changing needs of our clients across the region.”

SDL was established in 2016 to provide dynamic, multimedia-driven campaigns that span the full spectrum of digital and creative services, including branding, creative production, digital marketing, content development, social media communications and video production.

SDL enables SPRG to maintain its trajectory by combining creative strengths of the offices with digital expertise.