Tag: Google

Singapore – Google has launched a new YouTube creator series to highlight its Ad Solutions for marketers across Southeast Asia. The ‘Marketing Unfiltered’ series brings in YouTube personality Annette Lee, also known as Aunty M, bringing humour into the content.

Google’s first collaboration with content creators emphasises the effectiveness of its YouTube Ad Solutions, supported by The Carrot Collective and VIRTUE Asia for creator strategy.

‘Marketing Unfiltered’ follows Aunty M as she meets marketing professionals across the region to discuss optimising Google and YouTube Ads Solutions.

The first episode introduces Aunty M as she learns to promote her sambal belacan business. The video aims to simplify advertising products through entertaining and relatable content.

The content and distribution strategy for ‘Marketing Unfiltered’ includes full episodes for engagement, mid-form segments for audience relevance, and short-form highlights for frequency.

Rolling out across SEA, the series will be distributed on Google’s regional YouTube channels in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It will be supported by a paid media campaign on social platforms.

Samit Malkani, group marketing creative manager at Google Southeast Asia and South Asia said, “The world doesn’t need more boring b2b content about how to launch a new ad campaign. Our products are constantly evolving, so it was time our storytelling did too. This series lets us speak to marketers and entrepreneurs on their terms, in ways that feel accessible, local, and culturally relevant.”

“Our aim with Aunty M was to reframe how b2b marketing shows up – less as a product explainer, and more as a narrative universe designed to resonate with the real frustrations and ambitions of entrepreneurs across the region. By anchoring the series in character, humour and cultural insight, we’ve created a platform that doesn’t just inform, it builds affinity, earns attention, and drives deeper engagement at scale,” David Webster, CEO and co-founder of The Carrot Collective, commented.

Zoe Chen, strategy director at VIRTUE Asia, said, “Many YouTube creators are already creating content about Google Ads Solutions so this was an opportunity to claim that narrative by collaborating with them to produce engaging content. Our strategy was rooted in authenticity, humour and regional relevance. The brilliant Annette Lee, who brings Aunty M to life, was a natural choice.”

“She’s already beloved across Southeast Asia for her relatable comedic characters that capture the essence and cultural diversity of Southeast Asia, and an entrepreneur herself, Annette was the perfect bridge between complex ad solutions and entertainment. Creating the character of Aunty M with her meant that this isn’t just creator-led content, it’s creator-shaped strategy,” Chen added.

India – As part of its latest campaign, Agoda has unveiled an AI-driven vacation planner for Indian travellers, created in partnership with Google AI.

Developed using Google’s Gemini and Imagen models, the new tool combines AI-driven natural language understanding with Agoda’s global inventory of travel offerings to generate customised destination and itinerary recommendations. The ‘AI Vacation Planner’ is designed to respond to user preferences and travel intent, delivering detailed, personalised itineraries within seconds.

Gemini processes input from travellers to identify their needs and interests, while Imagen transforms the resulting itineraries into visually rich, interactive presentations. Users can download and share their tailored travel plans, which may also include platform-exclusive discounts.

“At Google, we believe in empowering visionaries to transform industries. Our collaboration with Agoda is a perfect example, as we collectively embark on a journey to truly reimagine travel – moving beyond simple bookings to instantly personalised, vividly inspiring journeys for every traveller, powered by advanced AI,” said Pulkit Lambah, industry head for travel at Google Asia Pacific. 

Agoda says the tool draws from over 5 million properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities available on its platform, simplifying the process of trip planning for users seeking curated travel suggestions.

The campaign targets a range of traveller profiles through Google’s AI-enhanced ad tools across YouTube and Google Ads. Agoda also partnered with creative agency Kulfi Collective and AI studio TrueFan for campaign development.

As part of the promotional effort, Bollywood actor and Agoda brand ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana appears in the role of “Chief Wellness Officer”, Mr Vacaywala. In the AI-generated videos, Khurrana offers personalised, budget-friendly travel suggestions and narrates itineraries tailored to individual users.

The AI Vacation Planner is available to Indian users through AgodaVacationPlanner.com and will remain live until 30 June. Promotional efforts will continue across YouTube and Meta platforms throughout the campaign period.

Gaurav Malik, country director of India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal at Agoda, shared, “Imagine travel planning that’s as exciting and smooth as the journey itself. That’s what we’ve achieved by blending Google’s advanced AI models with Ayushmann Khurrana’s dynamic Mr Vacaywala. On the campaign website AgodaTravelPlanner.com, we’ve redefined the travel planning experience to be both personal and inspiring, and we’re absolutely thrilled to make this available to Indian travellers this month!” 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysia Airlines is ramping up its digital transformation efforts through an expanded strategic partnership with tech giant Google. The collaboration, first launched in 2024, will now focus more intensively on artificial intelligence, personalised marketing, and digital innovation across the airline’s operations.

The announcement marks a new chapter in the airline’s strategy to enhance customer engagement and streamline services. Under a newly formalised Joint Business Plan, the partnership aims to embed Google’s AI technologies — including Gemini and image-to-video tool Veo — throughout the traveller experience.

One of the recent highlights of the collaboration was an interactive AI showcase at the MATTA Fair, where visitors were able to use Veo to turn personal photos into short videos. This experience tied into Malaysia Airlines’ “Time For” campaign, demonstrating how emerging technologies can create more engaging, shareable travel content.

“This is about transforming how we connect with our customers — from inspiration to booking, to every interaction across the journey,” said Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of airlines at Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). “By leveraging Google’s advanced technology and global expertise, we’re unlocking new opportunities, enhancing the travel experience, and reinforcing Malaysia’s appeal as a world-class tourism destination.”

The partnership will prioritise four main areas:

  • AI-Powered Marketing: Utilising Google’s Performance Max and Search tools to deliver data-driven campaigns.
  • Global Brand Expansion: Launching YouTube marketing campaigns across key markets including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and ASEAN.
  • Innovation Acceleration: Cultivating a culture of experimentation to test new digital ideas quickly.
  • Customer Data Integration: Enhancing loyalty programmes and premium offerings through first-party data insights.

Farhan Qureshi, Google Malaysia’s Country Director, said the partnership highlights the power of combining technology and creativity. “Together, we’re pushing boundaries to deliver more relevant, intuitive, and engaging experiences for travellers worldwide,” he said.

The strengthened alliance comes as Malaysia Airlines positions itself as a key player in regional aviation ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, the country’s upcoming tourism campaign. The airline aims to become a digital-first carrier and support Malaysia’s goal of being the gateway to Asia.

The collaboration also reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry, where digital capabilities are becoming central to both customer satisfaction and commercial success.

Singapore – Despite years of movement toward phasing out third-party cookies, Google Chrome has decided to maintain the current system—at least for now, according to the latest blog post from Google. This update marks a significant shift in the narrative around the Privacy Sandbox initiative, which originally aimed to reimagine digital advertising and tracking with a stronger emphasis on user privacy.

The update, written by Anthony Chavez, vice president at Privacy Sandbox, noted how The Privacy Sandbox was introduced with the dual goal of improving online privacy and supporting a healthy, ad-supported web. 

Since its launch, there’s been growing interest and adoption of its privacy-preserving technologies, including APIs designed to provide alternatives to cookie-based tracking. But after continued discussions with publishers, advertisers, developers, and regulators, they noted that it’s clear that there’s no consensus on how—or when—to make such a major change to the current model.

It also added that much has changed since the Sandbox was announced in 2019 and Google formally engaged with UK regulators in 2022. The landscape now includes rapid advancements in privacy technology, increased use of AI to protect users, and evolving global regulations. In light of all this, Google has decided not to introduce a new standalone prompt for third-party cookie usage. Instead, Chrome users will continue to manage their preferences through the browser’s existing Privacy and Security settings.

According to Chavez, while this decision delays the original ambition of phasing out third-party cookies, Chrome will still strengthen protections in other areas. For example, Chrome’s Incognito mode will continue to block third-party cookies by default, and new features like IP Protection—slated for rollout in Q3 2025—will further enhance private browsing.

Moreover, this update also shifts the role of the Privacy Sandbox. With cookies sticking around for now, Google is reevaluating how its Sandbox APIs can best support the ecosystem. The company plans to gather industry feedback and provide a refreshed roadmap in the months ahead.

As the web continues to evolve, Google says it remains committed to privacy-first innovation while supporting the diverse needs of the digital advertising ecosystem. For now, though, third-party cookies in Chrome are here to stay.

Philippines – Filipinos trust Google and YouTube over leading social media platforms for their purchases, according to Ipsos’ study.

Ipsos’ findings reflect the reliability of Google and YouTube, helping consumers make informed decisions through content.

According to the study, Google and YouTube are both present in 75% of consumer journeys where Filipinos discover new brands and products.

Google Search and YouTube allow brands and businesses to achieve growth, turning discovery into actual purchases. Leading businesses in the Philippines have leveraged the platforms to identify high-intent search queries and tailor advertisements according to customer behaviour and preferences.

YouTube also allows brands to create video campaigns that resonate with audiences.

Ipsos, a leading market research company, launched its online platform Ipsos.Digital in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022 to boost its capabilities and insights.

Recent reports in the Philippines have also found that Filipinos find free shipping an important consideration when online shopping. Meanwhile, Filipinos are increasingly shifting to online communities from traditional ones.

Indonesia –Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade, in collaboration with Google Indonesia, has introduced the ‘Gemini Academy,’ an initiative to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations and improve competitiveness.

The Gemini Academy will support both export and non-export local SMEs, with the goal of fostering innovation and helping businesses expand into international markets, Business Times reported.

The program will offer training in three categories—Potential Exporter SME, Basic Export SME, and Advanced Export SME—aimed at improving business processes and market expansion.

Minister Budi Santoso stated that the academy is expected to help SMEs streamline operations, lower costs, and enhance their competitiveness.

“By integrating AI into their business strategies, they will gain valuable insights into market trends and consumer preferences, which will enable them to refine their product offerings and improve marketing efforts,” the minister said in a statement, as quoted by Business Times.

Alongside SME-focused training, Google Indonesia will also provide 500 scholarships for Google Career Certificates, giving civil servants at the ministry access to AI-related courses.

Putri Alam, director of government affairs and public policy at Google Indonesia, said, “Indonesia is the first country globally to offer the Gemini Academy training program for SMEs, and the Ministry of Trade is our first government partner in Indonesia.”

She further noted that Gemini, an AI chatbot aimed at supporting creativity and productivity, can be accessed through the Google Play Store, App Store, or its official website.

Singapore – Google has announced the general availability of Meridian, its open-source Marketing Mix Model (MMM). Previously under limited access, Meridian is now freely available to all marketers, offering a more modern and flexible approach to measuring marketing effectiveness and optimising budget allocation.

Traditional MMMs often struggle to keep pace with today’s complex and rapidly evolving consumer journeys. Meridian addresses this challenge by providing a highly customisable framework that allows marketers to tailor the model to their specific needs and data landscape. 

This empowers them to make more accurate, data-driven decisions when measuring performance across diverse marketing channels, both online and offline.

Meridian’s open-source nature promotes community collaboration and continuous improvement. Marketers can leverage the collective expertise of the community to refine the model, contribute enhancements, and share best practices. This collaborative approach ensures Meridian remains at the forefront of marketing measurement.

Meridian offers several key benefits for marketers. For instance, its enhanced customisation capabilities allow businesses to tailor the model to their specific needs, integrating various data sources and marketing channels for more accurate and relevant insights. By leveraging advanced statistical techniques, Meridian improves accuracy, providing a precise understanding of marketing performance and return on investment (ROI). 

Moreover, the platform supports data-driven decision-making, enabling organisations to make informed budget allocation choices through robust data analysis and predictive modeling. 

Additionally, its open-source nature fosters flexibility, allowing users to benefit from continuous improvements and collaborative development within the Meridian community. Finally, Meridian serves as a cost-effective solution, offering an MMM framework without the licensing fees typically associated with proprietary alternatives.

Indonesia – Indonesia’s antitrust agency has reportedly fined Google approximately 202 billion rupiah ($12.4 million) for engaging in unfair business practices concerning its payment system for the Google Play Store.

According to a Reuters report, the agency began investigating Alphabet Inc.’s Google in 2022 over allegations of abusing its dominant position by mandating Indonesian app developers to use Google Play Billing at higher rates than other payment systems, under the threat of removal from the Google Play Store.

The panel disclosed that the agency concluded Google had levied fees of up to 30% through its Google Play Billing system. 

The panel further stated that Google’s practices reduced developers’ earnings by driving away users and concluded that the company violated Indonesia’s anti-monopoly laws. The agency also highlighted that Google holds a commanding 93% market share in the country of 280 million people. 

A Google spokesperson stated that the company intends to appeal the ruling, emphasising its commitment to complying with Indonesian law.

“Our current practices foster a healthy, competitive Indonesian app ecosystem,” the spokesperson said, as quoted by Reuters.

Google previously stated that it had introduced a system allowing developers to offer users an alternative billing option. The company has also faced fines from the European Union for anti-competitive practices involving its price comparison service, Android mobile operating system, and advertising platform.

It is worth noting that Google encountered issues in Indonesia months earlier when sales of its Google Pixel phones were blocked. The company reportedly failed to comply with regulations requiring at least 40% of components in smartphones sold domestically to be locally manufactured.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysia’s digital economy is poised to reach $31 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in 2024, an increase of 16% from 2023 according to the latest e-Conomy SEA 2024 report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company. In it, it stated that travel rebound and E-commerce underpin growth, with Malaysia recording significant investment in AI infrastructure and amongst top ten globally driving AI search interest.

According to the report, Malaysia’s digital economy has progressed towards profitability while maintaining double-digit growth for GMV. Deeper digital participation among users, effective monetisation strategies, and the recovery of pandemic-impacted sectors are expected to drive continued growth.

E-commerce remains the largest contributor to the digital economy. The sector grew by 17% to $16 billion GMV in 2024, as major ecommerce platforms reinvest in GMV growth, paired with the rise of video commerce. 

Meanwhile, online travel posted the fastest GMV growth compared to other sectors at 19% year-on-year (yoy) to reach $8 billion GMV in 2024 as Malaysia’s international tourism is experiencing a robust recovery and expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Spending on overseas travel has jumped 330% since 2020 as Malaysians take advantage of opportunities to travel abroad, though primarily in the Asia Pacific region, which accounted for 38% of outbound expenditures.

Speaking of travel, SEA visitors account for almost half (49%) of Malaysia’s inbound traveller spend, driven by several factors including improved air connectivity, strategic airline partnerships and a favourable exchange rate.

On another sector, food delivery and transport has grown 10% from $3 billion GMV in 2023 and to reach $4 billion in 2024. This steady growth momentum is driven by the recovery of commuter demand and international travel. 

Food delivery platforms are increasingly focused on boosting profitability through new revenue streams like tiered delivery options and subscription plans, while competitive intensity remains high in ride hailing due to new player entry and expansion of existing players.

Furthermore, online media in Malaysia has shown consistent growth with its GMV expected to grow 10% from $3 billion in 2023 to $4 billion in 2024, driven by the increasing popularity of digital content, games and streaming services. 

Lastly, digital financial services continues on an upward trajectory as various Malaysia’s digital banks offer compelling features and ease of access, contributing to the rapid growth of the DFS landscape. Digital payment is expected to reach $172 billion in 2024, a 5% increase from 2023, while digital wealth is expected to significantly expand and  reach an assets under management (AUM) of approximately $80 billion by 2030.

It is worth noting that artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming Malaysia’s digital landscape as the government continues to place emphasis on responsible AI development and deployment through its Malaysia AI Roadmap 2021-2025 and upcoming National AI Office (NAIO) launch. 

Malaysia is also among the Top 10 countries globally driving AI search interest, especially in the education, marketing and gaming sectors, with Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Selangor leading the nation in AI interest.

As more companies deploy AI to innovate, improve efficiencies and customer experiences as well as bring new ideas to life, the demand for AI infrastructure will continue to grow. To meet this demand, Malaysia has recorded a large AI infrastructure investment among SEA countries at $15 billion in H1’24. The report estimates Malaysia’s current data center capacity at 120MW and expects that to expand 5X over the coming years. 

Malaysia has seized the AI opportunity through strategic initiatives like KL20, which will bolster the startup ecosystem through incentives for high-tech industries, tax exemptions on foreign investments and a billion dollars in government funding for startups in Malaysia and the region.

YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, stated, “As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship next year, we aim to be a regional champion for digital policies that are forward-looking and transformative, to promote a regulatory environment that encourages technological advancement and to nurture cross-border collaboration. The e-Conomy report serves as a powerful validation of our efforts and is not merely a report; it is a testament to the immense potential that lies ahead for Malaysia’s digital future. It is a call to action for all of us – the government, the private sector, and the people of Malaysia – to collaborate and realize our nation’s full digital potential. Let us seize this opportunity and together, build a digitally empowered Malaysia that is prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable.”

Meanwhile, Farhan Qureshi, country director for Google Malaysia, said, “We have been seeing a consistent strong growth of Malaysia’s digital economy and this year is another strong testament of the potential of Malaysia’s digital economy. With the region’s focus on AI, it’s encouraging to see the country’s leaders are putting AI and semiconductors in the country’s priority list. At Google, we are committed to further support the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy by accelerating the local workforce with AI-ready skills and tools. From equipping youths with future-ready skills in AI through Google Career Certificate scholarships to deploying Google Workspace for public officers, we are dedicated to ensuring Malaysia remains at the forefront of the digital age.”

Amanda Chin, partner at Bain & Company, commented, “Southeast Asia’s digital economy continues to do well, with continued double-digit GMV and revenue growth and a surge in profitability across sectors led by key players. Likewise in Malaysia, we see a healthy digital economy driven by e-commerce, online travel and digital financial services. As Malaysia’s DFS sector embraces digital disruption, new technologies such as AI are poised to accelerate growth. To fully harness the transformative potential of Generative AI, businesses must advance beyond experimentation and invest in foundational elements—aligning AI initiatives with core business objectives to address real-world problems and create tangible value, strengthen AI talent, and build scalable, adaptable infrastructure for sustained growth.”

Lastly, Geia Lopez, head of data, insights, and international growth at Google Southeast Asia, stated, “Investments in AI infrastructure and growing interest of Malaysians in AI technology signal a promising future for the country’s digital economy. As the digital landscape evolves, driven by strategic government initiatives, it is essential to prioritize digital security to safeguard data, maintain trust, and ensure the sustained progress of the digital sector.”

Singapore – Nativex, a digital marketing platform, has forged a partnership with Google to further help brands expand to international markets, boosting their presence.

The partnership enables Nativex to leverage Google’s ecosystem of ad platforms, solutions, and global reach. Through this, Nativex can offer end-to-end services such as account management, optimisation, policy support, and data analytics.

Using Google’s different ad formats, Nativex creates campaigns depending on client needs. By leveraging search, display, video, and app ad formats, brands can widen their audience reach. They can also access Google’s data insights and targeted ad strategies.

Additionally, Nativex is set to maintain its aim of empowering brands through its ‘global localisation’ strategy, which helps brands grow in international markets.

Within a month of leveraging Google’s ad ecosystem, Nativex has already recorded an increase in visibility and sales.

Cheryl Huang, business partner at Nativex, commented, “For global brands, Google’s multi-platform ecosystem covers every stage of the consumer journey, from awareness to conversion. Coupled with Nativex’s expertise in ad placement and optimization, we help brands gain deep customer insights and develop high-impact strategies for global market expansion.”