Singapore – Global real estate firm JLL has released a new campaign showcasing that “there’s no going back” to outdated methods of improving the bottom line, enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity, and achieving environmental responsibility.

The campaign, done alongside BLKJ Havas, positioned JLL as being able to highlight real estate as a powerful tool in addressing these modern workplace issues, encouraging potential tenants to partner with them for forward-thinking solutions and a brighter way to move forward.

Central to the campaign is a film which takes viewers on a museum tour, highlighting issues like noise distractions, erratic temperatures, misleading sustainability practices, and inconvenient access to basic amenities. It demonstrates how these outdated conditions can harm a company’s bottom line, hinder talent retention, and undermine environmental efforts. 

JLL advocates for modern real estate solutions to overcome these challenges. The campaign is further supported by EDMs, guides, and a dedicated website, which all urge businesses to avoid reverting to inadequate office spaces and instead invest in innovative, effective workplace environments.

Moreover, its unconventional approach to corporate real estate advertising sets this campaign apart. Using humour, the campaign engages the audience and highlights the absurdity of outdated office settings. It also taps into a trending topic to stay topical and relevant. Most importantly, the messaging has been humanised, acknowledging that HR managers, CEOs, and the LinkedIn Business community are all people at the end of the day. This approach ensures the campaign resonates on a personal level, making it more impactful and memorable.

Carryn Francis, marketing director of markets advisory for APAC at JLL, shared, “At JLL, our offices embody our research-backed, people-first philosophy. Located near transport hubs and amenities, our spaces cater to diverse employee needs with quiet zones, collaborative areas, and biophilic elements like natural light and greenery. Smart technology for lighting and climate control boosts efficiency. These optimized environments demonstrate the benefits of supportive workplaces — benefits we aim to deliver to our clients.”

She added, “BLKJ Havas collaborated closely with us from the get-go, conducting in-depth interviews with clients and brokers to gather key insights for our campaign. Their unique, human approach towards corporate real estate advertising unconventionally combines humor and topicality, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges organizations face today. By capturing the evolving needs of the modern workforce, their work delivers our message in a relatable, impactful manner while entertaining the business community.”

Meanwhile, Fiona Huang, general manager at BLKJ Havas said, “Our new campaign takes a refreshingly honest and witty approach to the workplace challenges we all recognize. By humorously spotlighting these outdated issues, we’re highlighting JLL’s innovative solutions that truly enhance productivity and well-being. Yes, we are addressing the business community, and we definitely mean business. But can we also deliver a chuckle while striking a chord with them? Absolutely.”

She added, “From gaining insights into the business to taking bold steps with us — moving away from the usual jargon and embracing a more human approach — we’re fortunate to have clients who share this vision. Their trust and active involvement have been essential in nailing it.”

Singapore – Asian smart living management system Habitap announced a strategic partnership with real estate company JLL to curate a super-app that provides a smart building experience with a range of smart functionalities for JLL’s clients. 

Powered by Habitap, the super app called ‘COMPASS SG’ allows JLL clients access to a wide range of control and management over their smart households, as well as avail other features such as security and building services. 

The COMPASS SG app is fully customisable based on each clients’ individual needs, allowing for a fully integrated, connected tenant experience programme that combines technology, tenant experience and community features. In addition, this app includes a real-time access control management portal that allows tenants to track important building information.

Various visitor access options are also available to allow tenants to manage their visitors more efficiently. For example, they can register through facial recognition, HID Mobile Access or a QR code sent to them before their visit and or via a kiosk powered by Habitap. Other features include wayfinding, electronic lockers, and car park management tools. 

The app further provides access to real-time data, giving greater security and control over their facilities. Tenants can also apply for building and maintenance services as well as send circulars, push notifications, and emergency broadcasts. Furthermore, the smart concierge feature, facility booking, and Building Management System integration feature automates administrative tasks for the clients so that they can focus on running their businesses.

Additionally, the community functions of the app enable tenants to easily offer promotions and news to their customers, as well as a more efficient way for users to sign up for upcoming events and redemption of vouchers, allowing for better capability to drive promotions and to engage the community.

Commenting on the partnership, Franklin Tang, founder and CEO of Habitap, said, “We are thrilled to partner with JLL – a trusted global name in the commercial real estate industry. Habitap’s goal has always been focused on helping organizations transform through vision and technology to ultimately enable people to experience a Smart Living lifestyle.”

Meanwhile, Derek Soh, executive director of JLL, said, “We are excited to be working with Habitap, whose commitment to delivering experiential real estate solutions mirrors our own. Our partnership with Habitap is a testament to our dedication to providing the best-in-class, innovative solutions that drive our clients’ experiences to the next level.”

As part of the partnership, JLL has already rolled out the app in one commercial building in Singapore and will progressively implement it in more buildings by the fourth quarter of 2023.

Singapore – One of the leading professional services firms, JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), has announced the appointment of its new head of communications. Laura Vallis will be responsible for leading the globally integrated strategy, implementation, and delivery of the firm’s communications to employees, partners and external audiences. 

With the role to be effective this April, Vallis will be based in New York and reporting to CMO Siddharth Taparia

Vallis brings with her a broad global perspective across diverse industries and areas of expertise. She was most recently the first chief communications officer at Manulife, where she established an integrated global communications function for the company. Previously, she was managing director and global head of corporate communications for Barclays’ Corporate & Investment Bank. 

Furthermore, goes under her belt is serving as chief of staff to the president of Dow Jones and an extensive experience in the CPG industry, having spent much of her early career in corporate affairs leadership roles with AB InBev. 

Taparia said that as JLL tells the story of its renewed brand promise, which is to the message of ‘See a Brighter Way’, Vallis’ two-decade of communications experience will be integral in guiding how the firm shapes its narrative. 

“Her proven forward-looking thinking will support us in differentiating the JLL story in the market, from our technology ambition and sustainability efforts to our industry expertise,” commented Taparia.

Meanwhile, Vallis herself shared that the time is an exciting one to be joining JLL when commercial real estate can have far-reaching impact on some of the most pertinent issues of the present period. 

“I can’t wait to tell the story of JLL’s purpose of shaping the future of real estate for a better world supported by its more than 100,000 employees globally in 80 countries,” she concluded.