Tag: Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Grey Malaysia has kicked off a nationwide campaign for Telekom Malaysia (TM) with the rollout of ‘Unifi’s UniVerse’, a comprehensive suite of its best convergence offerings. The UniVerse includes home internet, mobile, entertainment, and lifestyle solutions that have been tailored to meet the diverse demands of today’s digital-savvy consumers.

Accompanying the launch is the ‘Choose Your UniVerse’ brand film, demonstrating how the brand’s portfolio of products converge into a seamless ecosystem. Featuring a diverse cast of family members and individuals from all walks of life, ‘Choose Your UniVerse’ showcases how everyone can experience the best of everything all at once, empowering them to create a personalised universe that meets their unique digital needs.

The campaign also showcases the updated visual identity, structure, and product offerings of Unifi, which were originally unveiled during the launch of UNI5G – Unifi’s 5G mobile offerings. This continuation underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation and adaptation, ensuring a seamless transition into the future of connectivity for all Malaysians.

Anand Vijayan, chief business and consumer officer at TM, said, “UniVerse is our most comprehensive suite of packages, integrating connectivity, entertainment, and lifestyle solutions for home, work and play. As the champion of convergence in Malaysia, these new offerings enable connected communities, reflecting TM’s aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030, and advancing our nation towards its next digital evolution.”

Meanwhile, Jeremy Yeoh, deputy executive creative director at Grey Malaysia, commented, “With ‘Unifi’s UniVerse,’ we’re evolving the brand to stay ahead of the game. It encapsulates the essence of Unifi’s quadruple platform play and solidifies our presence across all sectors we engage in.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 7DAYS, a croissant brand from Mondelēz International, has launched their latest ‘Double Cream’ flavours in Malaysia, alongside a campaign with advertising agency Naga DDB Tribal which highlights how cultures and preferences mix together.

The collaboration boasts local artists Naim Daniel and Bunga, which includes a catchy tune named ‘Gandingan Tergempak Malaysia’ (Malaysia’s Greatest Mix), accompanied by a visually striking music video.

Within the song, Naim Daniel plays the character of a suave, luxurious crooner to represent the decadent nature of the new Double Cream Chocolate Vanilla flavour; while Bunga plays an edgy, high-energy rapper that represents the fresh, sweet yet tart nature of Double Cream Vanilla Forest Berries flavour.

To get the nation excited and involved, 7DAYS also calls upon Malaysians to try the new flavours and dance to the new song’s signature moves to win weekly exclusive prizes via the #DoubleCreamChallenge, which is available until July 14, 2024.

Grand prize includes signed ‘Gandingan Tergempak’ merchandise set by Naim Daniel and Bunga with meet and greet passes, followed by first place prizes of Gandingan Tergempak 7DAYS varsity jackets, second place prizes of Gandingan Tergempak 7DAYS crossbody bags, and consolation prizes of 7DAYS Double Cream tote bags.

Talking about the campaign, Cindy Yeo, senior manager, marketing of Muchico Bakery Sdn Bhd, said, “Our commitment in fostering joy and togetherness evolves with modern consumer habits, such as the desire for new exciting flavours or participating in new online trends. So we at 7DAYS want you to come and join in the fun and show us your best moves!”

Meanwhile, a Naga DDB Tribal representative also commented, “There’s something powerful about a community coming together to share the love for food and fun. It’s the perfect combination that drives happiness, which is at the heart of what we do as experience makers.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – IPG Mediabrands Malaysia has announced the appointment of Stephanie Foong as its chief investment officer. Her appointment follows the leadership transition of Fan Chen Yip, the current chief investment officer, who departs to pursue new opportunities.

Effective immediately, Foong will step into the role of chief investment officer, responsible for all legacy and new media investments within the group, with a focus on buying accountability and innovation. Stephanie’s role will oversee all aspects of IPG Mediabrands’ investment initiatives, focusing on maximising value for clients through data-driven insights and innovative media strategies. 

Her appointment takes effect 1 July 2024, and she will report directly to CEO of IPG Mediabrands Malaysia, Bala Pomaleh.

Speaking on Foong’s appointment, Pomaleh said, “After three years of dedicated service, Fan will be moving on from our company from the end of June. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in shaping our investment strategy and fostering growth within IPG Mediabrands. We are grateful for his contribution to our leadership team and wish him all the best as he embarks on this next chapter of his career.”

He added, “We are excited to appoint Stephanie into this role as chief investment officer. Stephanie has been with the group as head of Orion for four years and played a pivotal role in nurturing our partnerships. Her wealth of industry experience and proven track record within the network gives her a deep understanding of the nuanced media investment dynamics at play today. We trust in her commitment to driving results as we look to steer our partnerships and trading capabilities through this next evolution. Stephanie’s leadership will be pivotal in helping us navigate the rapidly evolving media landscape to ensure we continue to deliver unparalleled service to our client base.”

Boost Bank by Axiata and RHB (Boost Bank) has officially launched its innovative digital banking app, marking a significant milestone in Malaysia’s financial technology landscape. 

In an exclusive interview with MARKETECH APAC, Diana Boo, chief marketing officer of Boost, shared exciting details about the launch of Boost Bank’s homegrown digital banking app. She also discussed the app’s innovative embedded onboarding journey and outlined Boost Bank’s long-term strategic goals for advancing the digital banking sector in Malaysia.

Diana Boo, Chief Marketing Officer, of Boost

The start of a long digital journey 

Approved by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Boost Bank aims to transform the way Malaysians interact with banking services through its pioneering embedded onboarding journey.

Boost Bank’s launch event was graced by the prime minister, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, and the minister of digital, Yang Berhormat Gobind Singh Deo.

“During the inaugural event, the Prime Minister expressed his confidence that digital banks, like Boost Bank, will drive e-payment transactions and financial literacy for the nation,” Boo recounted. 

For Boo, Boost Bank has distinguished itself as an industry pioneer through its innovative ‘embedded onboarding journey’. This unique feature allows existing Premium Wallet users on the Boost eWallet app to seamlessly open a Boost Bank account digitally, even if they do not already have a bank account. Users simply tap on the ‘Bank’ icon on the Boost eWallet app’s homepage and complete a straightforward eKYC and registration process to open their Boost Bank account.

Additionally,  Boost Bank is also leveraging strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. Recently, Boost Bank announced its partnership with MYDIN to offer preferential daily interest rates of up to 4% p.a. on its promotional Savings Jars, called ‘Groceries Jar’, and RM10 cashback on the Boost eWallet app. 

“In the coming months, we will unveil even more partnership promotions across both East and West Malaysia, including CelcomDigi, Bataras Sdn. Bhd., CKS RETAIL Sdn. Bhd., FARLEY (KCH) Sdn. Bhd., Servay Hypermarket (Sabah) Sdn. Bhd., and Boulevard Hypermarket and Departmental Store Sdn. Bhd,” Boo revealed. 

Embedded banking in daily life 

Boo believes that Boost Bank stands out as a frontrunner in the embedded banking industry due to its seamless integration into Malaysians’ daily routines, such as grocery shopping and paying telco bills.

“In summary, we go to our customers,” Boo emphasised. “Our approach is deeply aligned with our founding mission to serve the underserved segments of society by driving greater financial inclusion and creating greater access to banking solutions for the underbanked and unbanked communities.” 

Prime Minister Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim and the Minister of Digital Yang Berhormat Gobind Singh Deo joins the launch.

Boost Bank’s innovative model is further strengthened by its unique combination of the technology-first mindset of a fintech (Boost) with the trust and stability of a large financial institution (RHB Banking Group). 

“Capitalising on the combined and extensive ecosystems across the Boost-RHB Digital Bank Consortium, Boost Bank is strategically positioned to unleash the true potential of embedded banking in the long term, for which the entire value chain is estimated by industry research to reach $305 billion in APAC within a few years,” Boo explained. 

Boo also pointed to the success of digital banks in broader Asian markets as evidence of the viability of Boost Bank’s model. 

“Sustainable models that leverage ecosystems are most likely to succeed,” she noted.

As the Malaysian digital banking landscape continues to evolve, Boost Bank’s objective remains clear. 

“Our goal is to create a digital banking experience that is accessible, inclusive, and innovative,” Boo asserted. “This is just the beginning of our journey. Boost Bank will progressively expand our digital bank features and solutions to better serve the needs of all Malaysians, such as our much-anticipated Debit Card.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Global skincare brand SK-II celebrates a reimagined retail experience by paying homage to its heritage in the brand’s first-of-its-kind concept store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Through this store, SK-II’s retail experience is reimagined for guests to immerse in the miracle world of ‘PITERA’, SK-II’s prized component, as they uncover the stories behind the house of SK-II – from the fabled origin story of SK-II to the decades of craftsmanship, skin science discoveries and skincare innovations.

SK-II’s concept store tells the story of SK-II’s origin, which started in the 1970s when a team of scientists began a fervent quest to uncover a revolutionary ingredient that would make beautiful skin a reality.

Every detail in the concept store has gone through meticulous deliberation to bring to life the different facets of the world of PITERA. Each element in the store is carefully crafted from naturally inspired materials and artfully designed to tell the intricate stories of SK-II’s heritage and the miracles of PITERA that continue to unfold today.

Inspired by the spirit of ‘omotenashi’, or ‘wholehearted hospitality’, SK-II is also elevating the skincare counselling experience to a ceremonial level. For the first time ever, consumers can luxuriate in the SK-II Skin Ceremony with skin experts that reflect the unparalleled SK-II omotenashi-inspired service that delivers memorable and meaningful moments for every guest.

Furthermore, the store’s grand opening on June 22 was joined by some of Southeast Asia’s biggest names in beauty, featuring an exclusive appearance from SK-II’s global celebrity ambassador MINA of global girl group TWICE.

Talking about the opening, Sue Kyung Lee, president, P&G Global Skin & Personal Care, said, “This first-ever SK-II concept store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marks a momentous milestone for the house of SK-II. Consumers are at the heart of all we do at SK-II, and this is a testament to our commitment to elevating skincare experiences for her and transform.”

“More than a retail store, we want to provide a sanctuary for her to switch off from the world and immerse in the miracle world of PITERA. This is the beginning of a new era to elevate the SK-II shopping experience, and we look forward to sharing it with the rest of the world,” she added.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Luxury mattress brand Sealy has engaged communications and storytelling agency GO Communications, to design and execute a comprehensive digital and social media campaign to bolster the brand’s awareness in Malaysia, while building a robust and engaged local following.

The campaign will elevate and reinforce Sealy’s premium positioning and promote the tagline “Sleep First Class” across various digital platforms. The tagline serves as a central theme, communicating the luxurious and life-enhancing benefits of Sealy’s high-quality products and “Posturepedic” technology to a wide audience.

With strategic content, the campaign will educate consumers while driving brand engagement through a series of online and offline initiatives, including influencer engagement and roadshows.

Furthermore, the campaign also aims to increase footfall and sales at Sealy’s offline stores with targeted promotions and interactive in-store experiences, while boosting Sealy’s digital and online store presence by attracting new users, generating inquiries, and capturing sales leads via strategic digital advertising and social media enhancements.

Speaking on the appointment, Peter de Kretser, CEO of GO Communications, said, “We are thrilled to promote Sealy’s superior sleep solutions to Malaysia, ensuring that every customer experiences the luxury and comfort they deserve. We pride ourselves on our ability to craft compelling and impactful narratives that resonate with audiences on a deeper level. This campaign will allow us to leverage our digital and social media experience to enhance Sealy’s brand presence and connect with the market in meaningful ways. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this campaign will have on Sealy’s growth and customer engagement.”

Meanwhile, Derek Yeoh, country manager for Sealy in Malaysia, commented, “Sealy has always been at the forefront of sleep innovation and through this campaign with GO Communications, we aim to educate consumers about the importance of quality sleep and how our products can positively, impact their unique lifestyles, enabling them to take charge of their day, every day, with first-class sleep.”

“With their results-oriented approach and innovative strategies, GO Communications has a track record of delivering creative and impactful campaigns. We are confident that this collaboration will not only enhance our brand’s visibility but also underscore our commitment to improving the well-being of our target audience throughout the country,” he added.

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia – The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has teamed up with TikTok Shop to expand cross-border business prospects through the #ThisisMY campaign. Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, launched this program. 

According to Tengku Zafrul, the unveiling of the initiative will allow Malaysian distributors, entrepreneurs, and companies to grow into Singapore. As part of the 12th Malaysia Plan, Matrade’s Cross Border e-Commerce Development Programme (eBizLink) includes a partnership with TikTok Shop. 

The #ThisisMY campaign will ramp up on August 8 in celebration of Asean Online Sales Day, an annual event that encourages e-commerce activities inside Asean.

Domestic brands from Malaysia are drawn to the program to be featured in Singapore, such as Julie’s Confectionary & Biscuit, Power Root’s Alicafe Coffee, and Oriental’s Super Ring Cheese Snack. 

Zafrul said, “#ThisisMY will feature a series of exciting activities including knowledge sharing sessions and training on cross border e-Commerce, with at least 30 Malaysian companies assisted to generate RM15 million in sales.” 

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Matrade chairman, expressed, “We are excited to partner with TikTok Shop, being one of the largest social commerce platforms worldwide to effectively assist more homegrown Malaysian businesses, ushering them towards a greater height of success in the global scene.” 

Furthermore, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, TikTok Shop public policy for Malaysia head, stated, “We are committed to nurturing the growth of local businesses in Malaysia. Through this partnership, we aim to enable their expansion and empower them to achieve new heights by unleashing their full potential on the platform.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – China’s ByteDance, the parent firm of the social media app TikTok, intends to invest around 10 billion ringgit (US$2.13b) to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Malaysia. As part of the agreement, ByteDance will also invest 1.5 billion ringgit to develop its data centre facilities in Malaysia’s Johor state. This is also part of the company’s several goals of expanding its IT services into Southeast Asia.

Speaking about the investment, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Trade and Industry Minister, said, “This additional investment by ByteDance will undoubtedly help Malaysia achieve its target of growing the digital economy to 22.6% of Malaysia’s gross domestic product by 2025.” 

In line with investments to develop artificial intelligence in Malaysia, Microsoft recently invested US$2.2b to develop Malaysia as a hub for cloud computing and related technologies like generative AI. Through the investment, Malaysia is set to become a hub for cloud computing and related technologies like generative AI. It will also help Malaysia to capitalise on the significant economic and productivity opportunities presented by AI technology.

Meanwhile, TikTok also recently launched new business solutions to enable businesses to explore new ground on TikTok, such as a new suite of creative AI tools, performance and measurement solutions, and improvements to high-impact branding placements. In line with the expanded commercial solutions, TikTok also established the ‘TikTok Media Buying Certification’ program to help businesses choose the ideal partner to power their TikTok campaigns. This global accreditation allows digital marketers to demonstrate and authenticate their TikTok advertising experience while also strengthening advertisers’ networks of trustworthy TikTok partners.

Furthermore, Tiktok has established a new leadership development program called ‘TikTok Academy: Elevate’ in Southeast Asian nations such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The programme provides challenges for participants to complete, with the goal of either encapsulating the session’s theme or leveraging participants’ strengths, enhancing their understanding of the evolving marketing landscape, emerging platforms such as TikTok for advertising and marketing, and providing space for self-reflection on their career growth. 

Malaysia – Apple will open its first store in Malaysia, becoming the company’s newest location as it expands across Asia. It is the first Apple Store to open in Malaysia, creating a whole new set of potential for both the brand and its dedicated customers. 

In a statement, Apple announced its intention to open its first shop in Malaysia, with the store projected to be in Kuala Lumpur. Customers will have access to the complete line of Apple products and services at this shop, including the newest iPads and iPhones, Mac computers, Apple Watches, and more. 

The Apple Store will offer direct job opportunities as it seeks store leaders, experts, and creatives capable of providing the unique Apple retail customer experience. Local training activities will be conducted to help establish a skilled team that can support consumers and interact with the larger community. 

A key component of Apple’s strategic global expansion plan, which aims to meet the diverse needs of customers worldwide, is the company’s increased presence in Asia. Through this attempt, Apple is able to better serve a wider range of consumers and understand the needs and preferences of customers from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. The opening of this new location in Malaysia is Apple’s commitment to growing its customer base. 

With its growing presence in Asia, the business promises to continually present solutions and provide customer service to its growing customers. As Apple continues to develop and grow, these international endeavours highlight the significant degree to which technology has become ingrained in society globally, enabling people to stay connected, productive, and enthralled with technology. 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – MBCS, the media-driven creative content practice within the IPG Mediabrands network, has announced the creation of MBCS Academy, a new CSR initiative that will allow underprivileged kids to continue higher education while obtaining job experience in the advertising profession. 

The ‘Work & Study’ program at MBCS Academy is especially intended for school dropouts from Malaysian B40 SPM and STPM classes, which correspond to families from the lowest 40% of income earners in Malaysia. Successful applicants can pursue a subsidised diploma or degree program at a partner university, as well as full-time, salaried employment in advertising with MBCS, as part of the program. 

An extensive grasp of the industry and working life is given to candidates during the six-month internship that precedes the MBCS Academy. Successful interns will get a study stipend to continue their studies at partner universities like CATS College, INTI International University, Open University Malaysia, and Veritas University College, in addition to an offer of full-time employment after the internship. 

Stanley Clement, chief executive officer of MBCS Academy, said, “There are many young people who end up missing out on life’s opportunities merely because they can’t afford to get into tertiary education. The MBCS Academy is specifically designed to give a leg up to these talented young people who might otherwise be left behind. It is also gives young school leavers a first-hand look at the advertising industry as an apprentice, without having to have a paper qualification in hand. It is our hope as an industry to change the world with what we do. This is our way, one student at a time.” 

He added, “We are excited to open this up to eligible school leavers who received their results this week. Those of us in advertising understand the importance of moulding a new generation of capable talents to serve our creative and innovation needs of tomorrow. As a people-first agency, MBCS is excited to give back to society in this unique way by nurturing talents with real working experience by the time they graduate.”