Tag: Hong Kong

Hong Kong – TBWA\Hong Kong has announced key role elevations across its team. They include executive creative director Jerome Ooi as chief creative experience officer; business director Jan Lee as general manager; head of digital Anne Chan as head of growth and product; managing director Jan Cho as global head of product and delivery.

Under the leadership of Jan and the management team, TBWA\Hong Kong has been an innovation beacon across the global collective, successfully reshaping its capabilities from communications to brand experience through to innovation product offerings including the design and experience offering DxD, in-house film content studio BOLT, business consulting service Disruption® Consulting and more recently PLEX, a global product with a B2B focus.

Joanne Lao, chief executive officer, TBWA\Greater China: “It’s with great pride we’re in a position to announce the elevation of key members of our Hong Kong team who have been instrumental in driving the strategy to reshape our Hong Kong operation to create impact for our clients’ businesses, securing them a greater share of the future.”

She added, “The growth of our people has a direct correlation with the growth and success of our agency. The elevation of these roles reflects our determination to lead in creative brand experience, backed by a strong team with an unwavering commitment to innovation that delivers unique solutions for clients. These are well-deserved promotions with a highly talented team who have a strong and proven track record.”

Meanwhile, Sean Donovan, president at TBWA\Asia, commented, “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness not only the growth and adaptability of our Hong Kong operation, but the growth of our people who have been imperative in shaping our agency for the future by embracing and thriving through the disruptive challenges of the last few years.

Hong Kong – The 113-year old Moroccan coffee chain Bacha Coffee has officially unveiled its inaugural boutique and takeaway experience chain in Hong Kong, located at the IFC mall. 

Guests on the go may indulge in the unique Bacha Coffee takeaway experience, where they can choose from over 200 coffees prepared to order either hot or iced, alongside an assortment of 8 varieties of multi-coloured signature sweet and savoury croissants in addition to other house-made kouglof, brioche and pound cakes.

Moreover, beyond the takeaway experience, the immersive boutique revives the time-honoured luxury of traditional, slow-roasted beans and bespoke grinds for a new generation of coffee lovers. Offering exclusively Arabica coffees from farms in 35 countries, Bacha Coffee features over 200 varieties of coffees which can be purchased in-store.

Taha Bouqdib, president and CEO at V3 Gourmet, parent company of Bacha Coffee, said, “Bacha Coffee is the product of a rich legacy, a brand that has ripened over storied brews since 1910. This first opening in Hong Kong at ifc mall will ignite the imagination of our guests in the same way that coffee transports us to faraway destinations.” 

He added, “The boutique reflects the voyage from the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia, to the rest of the world. It also reflects that moment when time stops, when you take your first sip of Arabica. Bacha Coffee is not just another coffee, it is another world.”

Hong Kong – PRHK,  a Hong Kong based public relations and communications services association, has appointed its new board and sub-committees for the year of 2023-2024,with the new board members complementing the continuity provided through the re-appointment of thirteen board and sub-committee members from last year.

The new board and sub-committees of PRHK are namely: 

  • Carol Yeung, managing director at Golin (chairperson) 
  • Penn Leung, account director at CCG (deputy chairperson) 
  • James Hacking, APAC brand and marketing leader at EY and Carbo Yu, regional executive director at Sinclair (digital co-chairs) 
  • Kevin On, general manager at Hoffman and Natalie Siu, HK general manager at Sandpiper (education & mentorship programme co-chairs)
  • Rachel Lau, PR director at MSL Group and Cody Roberts, partner at MCG Talent (events co-chairs)
  • Kiri Sinclair, founder and CEO of Sinclair (honorary secretary & ESG committee)
  • Stephan Engel, director and market lead at APCO Worldwide and Ben Evetts, head of brand at Cigna (membership co-chairs)
  • Jesa Amparo, account manager at CCG and Cheryl Pan, SVP and general manager at BlueCurrent Group (next gen co-chairs)
  • Elizabeth Lui, senior account manager at Sandpiper (young lion chair)
  • Fran Tam, associate director at Edelman and Katie Forster, managing director at Amara Communications (partnerships & sponsorships co-chairs)
  • David Croasdale, managing director at Newell (treasurer)
  • Adam Chow, senior executive at Sinclair and Camille Thoreau, former public relations associate at Sinclair (young professional representatives)

With its new board members, PRHK’s focus remains to enable active and emerging professionals to navigate the dynamic communications landscape of Hong Kong, while also supporting their members and the wider PR community to gain meaningful connections and facilitate knowledge sharing. 

PRHK’s agendas will also continue to be supported with initiatives including the Annual Hong Kong PR Young Lions Competition, as well as extensive engagement programmes with Hong Kong academic institutions and universities to support and nurture the next wave of professionals. 

Yeung, the newly appointed chairperson of PRHK said, “As the market opened up, we look forward to bringing back our signature events and knowledge sharing initiatives in the coming board year. In addition to innovation across the industry, we also set up an ESG Committee to demonstrate the evolving role of strategic PR and communications across various sectors.” 

“This year we see an even wider board representation with talent acquisition expertise joining us. We believe this will further elevate PRHK as the leading association for public relations and communications professionals in Hong Kong,” she added. 

Hong Kong – Sanrio Hong Kong, a lifestyle company featuring the pop icon Hello Kitty and other well-known characters, partners up with MetaGaia, an AI-enhanced open metaverse, to unveil a new metaverse destination known as ‘Hello Kitty Seven Wonders’.

Through this, Hello Kitty fans will have the opportunity to create their own communities and connect with their favourite characters in a brand-new virtual world by visiting the digital destination within the MetaGaia app.

Additionally, outdoor installations to promote Hello Kitty Seven Wonders were opened last week at Citygate Outlets, an outlet mall in Hong Kong. This temporary pop-up event enables visitors to enjoy augmented reality experiences through the MetaGaia app as well as to browse Hello Kitty merchandise and participate in mini-games. The pop-up event is scheduled to run until August 31, providing an exciting opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in the Hello Kitty universe.

Commenting on the partnership, Gordon Kwok, CEO of MetaGaia, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Sanrio Hong Kong and bring the beloved characters of Hello Kitty and her friends into the world of MetaGaia. The MetaGaia metaverse offers endless possibilities for exploration and socialisation, and the addition of Hello Kitty will enhance that experience for our users.”

Hong Kong – The Marketing Society’s Hong Kong board has announced the addition of three people to its staff in 2023. They include Andreas Krasser, CEO of DDB Group Hong Kong, Geraldine Chew, general manager of branding and corporate communications at K11 Concepts Limited, and Nixon Cheung, head of commercial and brand at Hong Kong Tramways. This addition supports the board’s aim of developing The Marketing Society in Hong Kong by giving it new life and a distinct purpose.

Krasser, a marketing leader, possesses over 15 years of industry experience, with 13 years dedicated to DDB Group, including 10 years in Hong Kong and three in Korea.

“It is a great honour to become a board member of the Marketing Society. I hope that my background will contribute to bringing marketers and agencies closer together in a unified pursuit to showcase Hong Kong’s creativity on the world stage. This city is brimming with creative energy, waiting for the chance to demonstrate its potential to the world,” Krasser said

Meanwhile, With over two decades of experience in various roles spanning Singapore, Mainland China, Malaysia, London, and Hong Kong, Chew spent eight years at Uniplan before joining K11 a year ago.

“I am thrilled to be joining the board of The Marketing Society. It is an honour to be part of an organization that has been at the forefront of the dynamic marketing industry for many years. I recently had the chance to meet with some of our members, and I left feeling totally energized. It’s clear that the next five years is certainly going to be more interesting than the last five,” Chew said

Lastly, Cheung brings 14 years of experience in the transportation sector, including five years as Head of Commercial and Brand at HK Tramways and General Manager at tramplus, where he holds dual roles.

“Joining the board of The Marketing Society Hong Kong fills me with immense pride. Here, we are the melting pot of dynamic ideas, shaped by the unique rhythm of Hong Kong – its energy, its diversity, its spirit. I am excited to be a part of the vision of The Marketing Society to make a meaningful impact, resonating with the heartbeat of Hong Kong,” he said.

The newly appointed board members will work together with the current Hong Kong staff to pursue the Society’s purpose of fostering leadership and raising the bar for marketing practices in the wider region.

Natalie Truong, The Marketing Society Hong Kong chair, said, “These are very exciting times for us in the energetic melting pot that is Hong Kong, and I am thrilled to have these three brilliant new board members join The Marketing Society Hong Kong. I am confident in their collective expertise and passion that will help to shape The Marketing Society Hong Kong – not only on the world stage, but one that will embody the spirit and aspirations of this vibrant city.”

Meanwhile, Sophie Devonshire, CEO at The Marketing Society, remarked, “Together, with our new leadership and expanded board, The Marketing Society are committed to driving positive change, promoting thought leadership, fostering collaboration, and embracing diversity within our community. We aim to create an inclusive platform that empowers marketers and propels Hong Kong’s marketing industry to new heights.”

Hong Kong – Hang Seng Bank has recently launched a service concept branch depicting what the future of banking looks like. Said concept branch opened at the Festival Walk shopping centre.

The new branch features Hong Kong’s first smart teller, which combines a personalised service model with leading-edge digital technologies. Customers can use the smart banking counter located in the lobby of the new branch to conduct most types of banking services, including Hong Kong dollar, Renminbi and US dollar cash deposits of banknotes. 

Moreover, it also features a digital branch service executive, which can provide assistance with most personal account-related enquiries, which enables customers to save time by removing the need to wait for traditional teller counters.

In addition, the ‘Future Banking’ concept puts strong emphasis on the ability to personalise e-banking services.

Diana Cesar, executive director and chief executive at Hang Seng, said, “Our ‘Future Banking’ service concept has been developed to meet the future needs of our customers. Our innovative approach, coupled with the adoption of advanced technologies and a sustainable development philosophy, allows us to offer our diverse customer base with creative, caring and forward-looking banking services.”

She added, “The opening of our new branch in Festival Walk also marks the beginning of our ‘Future Banking’ service commitment, which is fully aligned with Hang Seng’s brand values. We will continue to innovate and reinforce our position as a customer-centric industry leader, reflecting our vision to be ‘Ever Growing, Ever Innovating’ in the service of our clients.”

Singapore – Global marketing agency TEAM LEWIS has announced the promotion of several key team members within the Greater China region namely Kate Kwan as managing director for Greater China, Miranda Xie as general manager for Hong Kong, and Stella He as director for Beijing. 

These promotions come as the agency continues to pursue the range of opportunities emerging from across the Greater China region with a more integrated team structure across the market bringing together the Beijing and Hong Kong offices under a singular umbrella.

For her new role as managing director, Kwan would be leading the growth and expansion of TEAM LEWIS within the Greater China region. She bears 3 years of experience as a former general manager for TEAM LEWIS Greater China. 

On the other hand, Xie would be taking up the role of general manager after her term as an associate director for TEAM LEWIS Hong Kong. Her new responsibilities will carry over from her experience and background in tech and corporate sectors.

Meanwhile, He would be taking up the position of Director for TEAM LEWIS Beijing from her former role as an Associate Director. She has 11 years of experience in PR and marketing communication in B2B and B2C brands.

These promotions follow a run of new multi-market client wins for the agency in the past 6- months, including companies such as Endowus, GoGoX and Wharf Hotels.

Keso Kendall, SVP of TEAM LEWIS says that she is thrilled to announce these promotions within the Greater China region.

“We have seen great growth from our Hong Kong office this financial year and the signs are positive that China will follow suit as the market continues to open up post-COVID. I am very excited to see the impact that these promotions will bring to the region and delighted that we are able to continue to support the growth of our highly talented team,” she added. 

Hong Kong – ‘Design District Hong Kong’ (#ddHK), a creative tourism project organised by the Tourism Commission of Hong Kong, will make its return in mid-August 2023. 

Curated by Way of Difference, this year’s event seeks to engage international and local creative units to liven up Hong Kong with their creativity and artistry, revamping a local neighbourhood and bringing new travel experiences to tourists and locals alike.

Under the theme ‘Vivid Tsuen Wan’, this year’s #ddHK will lead visitors to explore Tsuen Wan, a newly emerging destination in Hong Kong with multi-faceted characters evolved in an organic manner.  

Continuing its mission to create new travel experiences through design and creativity, #ddHK will bring together seven internationally and locally renowned creative units to tailor-make unique and colourful time-limited public art installations for Tsuen Wan. 

The participating creative units will be including creative art duo Craig & Karl (USA and UK), painter and illustrator Andy Rementer (USA), textile designer Masaru Suzuki (Japan), painter and sculptor Kila Cheung (Hong Kong), graphic designer Katol Lo (Hong Kong), installation design unit KaCaMa (Hong Kong) and ecological art and design unit Seika Studio (Hong Kong).

The art installations provided by the #ddHK artists aim to introduce the local characteristics of Tsuen Wan through innovations, to attract visitors to venture and experience the diversity and uniqueness of the neighbourhood. Various activities will also be organised through cross-sector collaboration, ranging from free themed tours, live performances to art and cultural workshops, and more.

Hong Kong – Global financial services company HSBC and Hong Kong’s flag carrier airline Cathay Pacific leads the list of the strongest brands in the region, according to the latest ranking made by Design Bridge and Partners in partnership with Kantar.

They are then followed by rewards club Yuu, followed by the public transport network MTR, global fast-food chain McDonald’s, local bank Hang Seng Bank, insurance provider AIA, local telco SmarTone, lifestyle app foodpanda, and insurance provider Manulife.

Other notable brands that made into the list include skincare brand Shiseido, luxury watch brand Rolex, fast food chain Kentucky, hotel chains Shangri-La and The Prudential, amongst others.

The ranking revealed the theme of ‘value-seeking’. Hong Kongers love bargains and like to feel that they’re ‘gaming the system’; this explains why so many brands offer great value or help consumers seek out the best deals. According to the research, the luxury market is still going strong, however, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing, with luxury businesses that build desire into their marketing. The love of luxury and good deals aren’t in opposition though – for Hong Kong consumers, it’s all about value.

One key contrast the report also uncovered was that of local versus international. Despite being shut off during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong is still an international hub with globally connected brands – five of the top 10 are Hong Kong brands, with HSBC taking the top spot. This strong local identity and heritage coupled with an international outlook and reach is a melting pot for creativity and effective design – with Hong Kong’s strongest brands representing both these values.

Hannah Duley, managing director at Design Bridge and Partners Hong Kong said, “Tomorrow’s world is placing more challenges on brands and their business, with harder-to-please consumer expectations and harder-to-predict market trends. But businesses that invest in their brands, especially in the age of disruption and volatility, still outperform in the market. It has proved that great brand design often comes with great brand results, both tangible and intangible. With the power of design, brands can give unity to every diverse aspect to form a compelling brand and create distinct meanings.”

Meanwhile, Jason Spencer, managing director at Kantar BrandZ, commented, “Hong Kong has always been seen as a land full of contradictions. This inaugural report reinforces this juxtaposition clearly as we see how dramatically different brands appear side by side in the rankings. With this in mind, pinpointing the DNA of a HK brand we found was a difficult task and in the end, we realised that it was a futile one as there is no one way to define what a Hong Kong brand truly is – they have dual utility and leverage the best of both worlds no matter the context.”

Hong Kong – Global Italian beer brand Peroni Nastro Azzurro in Hong Kong has recently partnered with dentsu to take over the Emperor Cinema for its latest campaign. The cinema house is located in the city’s prime location in Causeway Bay and the campaign’s drive is to allow audiences to enjoy motion pictures in style with beer. 

Peroni’s takeover is the first 360-degree branded cinema house domination in Hong Kong. To help audiences fully emerge, Peroni has renamed the cinema house as ‘House of PERONI’, rebranded the 183 seat covers with special design; taking over digital displays, kiosks and TVC. Ultimately, audiences can grab their beers at the tasting booth outside during weekends before the show begins.

Sharing love and passion for movies has always been part of Peroni’s DNA, says the brand. It has long hosted popular outdoor cinema events like ‘Peroni Sunset Cinema’ in Singapore. 

According to the brand, they noticed that their Hong Kong consumers share the same appetite for film culture which pushed them to recreate something that has never been done before in the city and freshen up the brand and prepare for summer.

“We’re excited to make this sponsorship happen. On top of strengthening the brand presence in captive and immersive environment by owning a Cinema House, we also drive a scalable beer tasting experience to build a lasting Peroni impression of Summer Zest with consumers beyond standard media buy. We hope to uplift the summer vibes and position Peroni as summer essentials with this integrated media campaign,” said Kitty Kwan, associate planning director of dentsu Hong Kong.

The campaign has started to run from 11 May and will last until 2 August.