Running throughout 2026 and 2027, the initiative will deliver more than 50 events across Australia, beginning with its first activation in Adelaide. 

Rather than adopting a traditional roadshow model, the program is designed to create sustained community engagement by working alongside trusted local organisations, community leaders, and bilingual advocates.

The campaign addresses a key public health challenge: although around six million free bowel cancer screening kits are mailed to eligible Australians each year, approximately two million remain unused.

To encourage greater participation, Think HQ has developed three community engagement formats. 

The “Loo Post”flagship activations guide visitors through the bowel screening process to help demystify the at-home test, while “Catch it Early” cafés provide informal spaces for conversations about bowel cancer over coffee. 

Meanwhile, Community Conversations bring discussions into cultural festivals and existing community gatherings, with local leaders helping address stigma and cultural barriers surrounding screening.

The initiative also includes a partnership with First Nations specialist agency Winangali, which will co-design culturally safe engagement activities tailored for First Nations communities across Australia.

Jen Sharpe, Founder and Managing Director at Think HQ, said the program was designed to create lasting behaviour change by embedding activities within communities instead of relying on one-off activations.

“Our approach centres on working with local champions and organisations that communities already trust, helping ensure these conversations continue well beyond individual events,” she said.

Jess Billimoria, Chief Audiences Officer at CultureVerse, added that community-based discussions can play a key role in reaching multicultural audiences.

“By taking these conversations directly into trusted community settings and working with bilingual community figures, we can help break down the taboos and cultural barriers that have historically kept screening rates low in some multicultural communities,” she said.

The initiative complements the Australian Government and Cancer Council Australia’s national “Bowel Cancer Waits for No One” campaign, with CultureVerse leading multicultural campaign delivery.

The post Think HQ, CultureVerse expand bowel cancer awareness with 50+ community events across Australia appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

The initiative will cover Maya-issued prepaid Mastercard and Visa cards, allowing customers to continue making purchases and ATM withdrawals across more than 150 million merchant locations worldwide while reducing the company’s reliance on virgin plastic.

Newly produced cards will carry a “Made from 100% Recycled Plastic” mark on the back, while retaining the same security, durability, and functionality as existing cards.

“The most meaningful sustainability efforts are often the ones that become part of how a business operates,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Group President of Maya and co-founder of Maya Bank. 

“By transitioning our card portfolio to recycled plastic, we’re integrating more responsible practices into products used by our customers every day. It reflects our belief that sustainability should be embedded into how we build and grow our business.”

According to Maya, the rollout forms part of its wider sustainability agenda, which spans financial inclusion, responsible innovation, customer trust, employee wellbeing, and environmental stewardship.

Launched during Philippine Environment Month, the initiative also builds on the company’s existing environmental commitments.

Since 2022, Maya has been monitoring and reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions as part of its long-term sustainability roadmap.

The card transition complements other internal initiatives, including #MayaSWITCH, an employee-led program promoting energy conservation and reducing the use of single-use plastics across its workplaces.

As Maya continues expanding its digital financial ecosystem, the company said it remains focused on embedding responsible practices into its products and operations while creating long-term value for customers and stakeholders.

The post Maya transitions to recycled plastic cards as part of sustainability push appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

Covering media strategy, planning, and trading, the appointments of OMD WA, MediaHub, and Initiative position the agencies to support government communications and reinforce Omnicom Oceania’s growing role in the state’s public sector.

Together, the three agencies will form part of the WA Government’s media roster, reflecting the group’s expertise in delivering integrated media solutions backed by data, technology and measurable outcomes.

The appointments also expand Omnicom Oceania’s government portfolio in Western Australia, highlighting the group’s continued investment in public sector communications and its ability to support large-scale campaigns across multiple agencies.

Kristiaan Kroon, CEO of Omnicom Media Australia, said the appointments recognise the strength of the group’s talent and capabilities in the state.

“This is a fantastic result for our agencies and a strong vote of confidence in the breadth and  depth of talent we have across Omnicom Oceania and Omnicom Media in WA. With the addition of MediaHub and OMD WA to the WA Government roster, alongside Initiative, we are further scaling our already significant presence in the state,” explained Kroon. 

Alongside creative agency 303 and independent partner Longreach, Kroon added that the appointments are expected to support a more connected approach across the state.

“This is about a more joined-up, whole-of-government approach, bringing together experienced talent, data and technology to deliver clearer, more accountable outcomes for  Western Australians. It will be a step-change in how we partner with the WA government to drive real impact across services, communications and community engagement,” shared Kroon. 

The latest appointments further reinforce Omnicom Oceania’s position as a trusted partner for government communications while expanding opportunities for collaboration across its media agencies in Western Australia.

The post Omnicom Oceania agencies secure Western Australian Government media roster appointments  appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

Created by marketers for marketers, the programme offers short-form, social-first courses designed for professionals at all career stages, particularly those unable to commit to extended learning sessions.

The launch comes as agentic AI reshapes marketing workflows. Data from LinkedIn’s Economic Graph, which spans 1.3 billion members, 71 million companies and 42,000 skills, shows AI as the top priority skill area for marketers. It also indicates that job postings requiring AI literacy have risen 113% year-on-year.

Adobe said the initiative aligns with its broader focus on building tools and platforms that support creativity, productivity and customer experience orchestration, noting that 99% of Fortune 100 companies use AI in its applications. LinkedIn, meanwhile, said its learning platform is designed to provide insights into evolving workforce needs and close emerging skills gaps.

Rachel Thornton, Chief Marketing Officer, Enterprise at Adobe, said, “Marketers everywhere are eager to embrace AI but need the right skills to do it with confidence. AI Essentials for Marketers is about more than mastering new tools; it’s about reimagining what creativity, marketing strategy, and customer relationships look like in an AI-powered era.”

She added, “Through Adobe and LinkedIn’s partnership, marketers can now access hundreds of hours of content, training, videos and expertise from a global community of marketers and technologists who are using and shaping AI and marketing tools and products. Training and re-skilling are top of mind for CMOs, and at Adobe we are excited to partner with LinkedIn to make it easier and faster for teams to learn and train on what’s next for marketing, creativity and AI.” 

The programme builds on Adobe Digital Academy and LinkedIn Learning and will be available free of charge on LinkedIn Learning, with additional content hosted on Adobe Experience League. It includes four role-based courses covering digital marketing, content and creative, social and communications, and data and analytics, available in 47 languages.

It will also provide certificates of completion that can be added to users’ LinkedIn profiles.

“Marketers are navigating the shift to AI, and it is both daunting and exciting,” said Jessica Jensen, Chief Marketing Officer, LinkedIn. “LinkedIn’s labour market report provides insights for marketers to see where the industry is going and to understand the skills they will need to be successful both in their current job and for what’s next in their careers. Together with Adobe, we’re helping make AI skills accessible to every marketer — not just technical specialists — through scalable, practical learning designed for the realities of modern work.” 

The post Adobe and LinkedIn target marketing AI skills gap with global learning initiative appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

The new discipline forms part of Omnicom Media’s global operating model and is intended to provide a more structured approach to client management and delivery across the region.

Leading the function is Paul Hawkey, Chief Client Success officer for APAC, who brings more than three decades of experience in client management and business transformation within Omnicom Media. 

In the role, Hawkey will oversee the development of a connected client leadership community across the region, support the implementation of delivery standards, and help scale Omnicom Media’s capabilities across APAC markets.

Commenting on his appointment, Hawkey shared, “The most successful client partnerships are built on trust, shared ambition and a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses. Client success is about ensuring we consistently deliver our best work, bringing together the right expertise from across our network, and helping clients navigate increasingly complex business challenges.”

“By launching the Client Success discipline in APAC, we are investing heavily in our client leadership teams and creating greater consistency in how we deliver value to clients across the region. This positions us to build deeper, future-ready client partnerships and drive stronger business outcomes,” he added. 

Supporting Hawkey are four newly appointed Client Success Leads representing Omnicom Media’s agency networks: Kris Biti, Executive Director, Client Success at OMD APAC; Susannah Llewellyn, Executive Director, Client Success at PHD APAC; Raveena Udasi, Executive Director, Client Success at UM APAC; and Madelin Farrington, Executive Director, Client Success at Initiative APAC.

The regional leadership team will work with agency leaders to establish consistent approaches to client leadership and service delivery across markets and brands.

The Client Success organisation comprises more than 180 client leaders across 13 APAC markets. As part of the initiative, the group will participate in development programmes focused on enhancing capabilities, sharing best practices, and responding to evolving client requirements.

According to Omnicom Media, the structure is intended to create greater consistency in client leadership and delivery while enabling local teams to connect clients with expertise from across the wider network. The move also aligns with the company’s broader efforts to standardise client management practices across its global operations.

Tony Harradine, CEO, Omnicom Media APAC, said, “The challenge facing clients today is about knowing how to connect the right capabilities to solve business problems. As media, technology, commerce and AI continue to converge, these appointments enable us to provide a more connected way for clients to access the full breadth of our expertise and agency networks. 

Harradine continued, “Ultimately, our role is to simplify complexity, strengthen partnerships and help clients unlock greater growth, and I am confident Paul and the team will be able to help our clients access the best of Omnicom Media through a single, connected leadership experience.”

The post Omnicom Media launches dedicated Client Success discipline across APAC appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

The Thai retail giant has unveiled NEXTOPIA at Siam Paragon, positioning the 15,000-square-metre project as the world’s first prototype for a global sustainability platform embedded within a retail environment.

The launch comes as shopping mall operators across Asia-Pacific face mounting pressure to reinvent physical retail beyond consumption alone. 

NEXTOPIA was formally introduced during The Economist Sustainability Week Asia, where Siam Piwat Chief Executive Officer Chadatip Chutrakul framed the initiative as a long-term business transformation rather than a corporate social responsibility exercise.

“Sustainability is no longer optional,” Chutrakul said. “We must accelerate and make a bold move. Real, lasting impact is never created alone. It requires co-creation across industries, united by purpose, in a place that captures the world’s attention and inspires change for the greater good.”

Opened in November 2025, NEXTOPIA sits inside Siam Paragon, one of Thailand’s highest-traffic retail destinations, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors daily, including large volumes of international tourists and regional luxury shoppers.

Rather than functioning as a standalone green showcase, the project attempts to integrate sustainability directly into the retail journey itself. 

Interactive installations allow visitors to generate electricity through kinetic flooring and bicycles, while recycled art exhibitions and environmentally-focused retail concepts are positioned alongside conventional shopping experiences.

At the centre of the development is ECOTOPIA, described by the company as Thailand’s largest eco-focused retail store, carrying more than 110,000 sustainable products sourced from roughly 300 Thai communities and small businesses.

The project was developed alongside more than 50 corporate and institutional partners, including B.Grimm, SCG, Indorama Ventures, and Kasikornbank. 

Global organisations including the World Wide Fund for Nature, World Food Programme, and United Nations Development Programme also participated in collaborative programming.

Siam Piwat said the site has already achieved zero waste to landfill while cutting energy consumption by 47%, reducing water usage by 34%, and lowering carbon emissions from construction materials by 59%.

The building has received EDGE Advanced certification and a two-star Fitwel rating, alongside the Best in Building Health Award 2026 from Fitwel.

Importantly, the sustainability framework extends to tenants themselves. Businesses operating within NEXTOPIA are required to comply with roughly 50 sustainability standards covering waste management, sourcing, and operational practices—a sign of how landlords across the region are beginning to push environmental requirements deeper into commercial ecosystems.

For Siam Piwat, NEXTOPIA is intended as both a showcase and exportable model.

The company said the platform is designed to function as a “living laboratory” that other retail and real estate operators globally could adapt as pressure intensifies on brands and property groups to demonstrate measurable sustainability action under evolving climate commitments.

The post Siam Piwat reimagines retail with sustainability platform NEXTOPIA appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

The initiative responds to overcrowded shelters in major cities, where Indonesia’s estimated 16 million dogs far outnumber available resources. It also addresses the country’s ranking as the top contributor of animal abuse content in the 2021 SMACC report.

Jeremy Randolph, representative of the Pawtective Siren movement from the Hope for Strays Community, emphasised the need for a technology-driven preventive approach to reach areas previously beyond oversight.

“For years, shelters and volunteers have worked extraordinarily hard, but most rescues happen after abuse has already occurred. Violence often takes place in isolated locations or at night without witnesses. Pawtective Siren is designed to provide on-site protection before abuse becomes fatal,” Jeremy explained. 

The collars use smart health technology to monitor dogs’ physiological responses to extreme fear. Testing by the development team showed a normal heart rate between 70 and 120 beats per minute (BPM), which can spike to 130–250 BPM during trauma or serious threat. 

When the heart rate exceeds 130 BPM, the collar activates a 100–110 dB siren and high-intensity flashing LEDs, alerting people within 100–300 metres in open areas, particularly at night. A Smart Off system automatically deactivates the alarm once the heart rate falls below 120 BPM, limiting additional stress.

“We do not want the device to sound when a dog is simply playing or running. That is why testing was conducted to ensure that detected spikes truly represent panic or serious threat conditions,” Jeremy said.

Animal protection activist Melanie Subono noted that preventing violence requires more than regulation or rescue.

“Volunteers have mostly been rescuing after incidents occur, not preventing them. Regulation alone is not enough. We need collaboration from all parties—from education at home and social media engagement to public oversight. Most importantly, society must truly recognise that animals are living beings. They can feel fear, experience trauma, and lose trust in humans,” she explained.

She added that shelter overcapacity demonstrates that shelter-only strategies cannot solve the problem.

“If we rely solely on shelters, the problem will never be solved. Prevention must be strengthened, and the broader public must become a key target of education,” she said.

The first phase will see 500 Pawtective Siren units deployed on stray dogs in high-risk areas of Jakarta, with GPS functionality allowing volunteers to monitor locations and device status.

Jeremy stressed that the movement extends beyond a technology project, aiming to set a new standard for animal protection in Indonesia.

“Through Pawtective Siren, we want to ensure that every cry of fear from an animal no longer ends in silence. When they are threatened, the public can immediately become aware. This is not just an accessory—it is a tangible form of protection for those who cannot speak,” he said.

The initiative plans to expand to other cities through fundraising and cross-community collaboration, aiming to create a more responsive, participatory, and technology-driven animal protection system nationwide.

The post Hope for Strays unveils ‘Smart Pawtective Siren’ to prevent dog abuse in Indonesia appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

Launched at the ASEAN Tourism Forum, the Impact Lab is positioned as a platform for public and private sector stakeholders to collaborate on the design, testing, and scaling of practical solutions for the travel and tourism industry. Its focus areas include storytelling, industry upskilling, and capacity building, with an emphasis on travel and technology-related developments.

Agoda said the initiative will draw on its capabilities in eCommerce, technology, marketing, and analytics through a mix of reports, knowledge-sharing efforts, and training programmes aimed at supporting industry standards.

Under the Impact Lab, the company plans to roll out hands-on eCommerce training programmes for accommodation providers across ASEAN, as well as executive masterclasses conducted with government, industry, and academic partners on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence. Agoda will also convene a joint working group with ASEAN and WWF-Singapore to support regional discussions on protecting the long-term ecological and economic value of emerging destinations.

In addition, the Impact Lab will support the Sustainable Tourism Academy, a digital training platform developed with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), which offers free, self-paced sustainability courses aligned with GSTC standards. Agoda also plans to publish data-driven reports to inform industry decision-making on areas such as traveller demand, technology adoption, and localisation.

Damien Pfirsch, chief commercial officer at Agoda, shared, “With Agoda Impact Lab, we’re not just imagining the future of travel and technology in Asia; we’re actively shaping it. The lab will serve as a hub for collaboration, bringing together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to explore innovative solutions and strategies. Agoda is committed to leading the charge in creating more sustainable and intelligent solutions that benefit both the industry and travellers alike.”

The post Agoda rolls out Impact Lab initiative to support future-ready tourism in SEA appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

The initiative, called ‘Inclusion Matters’, centres on the launch of the Inclusion Hub, an online resource outlining 25 practical measures that businesses can adopt to create calmer and more welcoming environments. The measures range from operational changes such as quiet hours to staff training and clearer communication, with guidance designed to help businesses integrate these practices into daily operations.

The Inclusion Hub was co-designed with Autism CRC, Australia’s national source of evidence-based best practice in autism. Autism CRC works with autistic people, families and professionals to develop tools and improve equity and participation across all stages of life.

As part of the initiative, Mastercard is also piloting Sensory Notes, a new restaurant menu format intended to help diners better understand dishes through sensory descriptions. Rather than listing ingredients alone, Sensory Notes describe a dish’s appearance, preparation, texture and taste. The framework includes tiered guidance to support hospitality venues of different sizes in adopting the system.

Sensory Notes will be trialled at the Australian Open’s Wonder Pies and Peach Melbourne venues, as well as The Mulberry Group’s Hazel Melbourne.

Kerry Tavrou, head of inclusion & diversity at Tennis Australia, said, “We’re committed to making the Australian Open the benchmark of sporting inclusivity. By featuring Sensory Notes on our Accessible page, introducing QR signage at Wonder Pies and Peach Melbourne, and promoting them within the BallPark sensory room, we’re giving neurodiverse fans the tools they need to feel informed and supported throughout their AO experience.”

To integrate Sensory Notes into existing dining experiences, an icon has been developed to sit alongside standard dietary symbols such as Gluten Free, Vegan and Pescatarian, signalling that additional sensory information is available for a dish.

Mastercard said dining was identified as a practical starting point for advancing inclusion, given the role hospitality plays in everyday social participation. The company framed the initiative as part of its broader mission to support participation in the digital economy.

Julie Nestor, executive vice president, marketing and communications, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, commented, “As a global leader in digital-first innovation and inclusion by design, Mastercard set out to introduce practices that go beyond what’s already available. Through the Inclusion Matters initiative, we’re making it easier for businesses to build environments where everyone feels considered and welcome. We look forward to refining the hub with ongoing feedback, because a world designed for everyone is priceless.”

The development of Sensory Notes involved collaboration with chefs and autistic Australians to ensure the framework could be implemented in real-world hospitality settings. A tool to help restaurants create their own Sensory Notes has been made available through the Inclusion Hub.

MasterChef Australia judge Jean-Christophe Novelli, who contributed to the framework, stated, “Through my experiences dining out with my son Valentino, I’ve come to understand just how complex and overwhelming restaurant experiences can be for autistic individuals and their caregivers. Dining should be a moment of joy, comfort, and connection, yet uncertainty around food often creates unnecessary barriers. Sensory Notes offers clarity and confidence so everyone can enjoy what should be a simple pleasure of sharing a meal together.”

Dr Olivia Gatfield, Autism CRC’s research and community engagement manager, said, “Our role is to listen to and learn from the autistic community, working together through research and co-design. We have focused on what truly matters to them and hope these new innovations are beneficial and can continue to be refined with community feedback.”

As the initiative expands, participating businesses will be listed in a consumer directory to help families and individuals identify venues offering inclusive environments.

The post Mastercard launches ‘Inclusion Hub’, sensory dining pilot to support autistic Australians appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.

Titled ‘Tokyo Calling’, the campaign features UltraSuperNew’s logo projected onto the night sky above iconic landmarks in the cities where its offices are located, alongside logos of past clients including Red Bull and Puma. The visual nods to the Batman “bat-signal”, turning the agency’s emblem into a beacon for talent.

The initiative comes as a response to recent large-scale layoffs that have left thousands in the creative industry uncertain about their futures. Through the campaign, UltraSuperNew, with offices in Singapore, Tokyo, and Amsterdam, is signalling an openness to new talent, offering a fresh opportunity for creatives affected by the upheaval.

In a statement, the agency said, “And while the holding companies may be bankrupt (morally or otherwise), UltraSuperNew doesn’t think the industry actually is. It’s simply disseminating—scattering into new shapes, new places, new possibilities.”

The post Tokyo is calling and UltraSuperNew awaits the brave in new campaign appeared first on MARKETECH APAC.