Tag: Malaysia

Malaysia – Puratos Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei have recently engaged Aforemention by FOREFRONT to handle their 2024 social media content and performance marketing reach.

The contract was signed following the formal launch of the new brand identity for Belcolade, Puratos’ premium Belgian chocolate brand. This program offered an afternoon of culinary exploration across continents.

Aforemention by FOREFRONT’s main function will be to find global insights that the local market may relate to. They will also create performance plans and materials with the goal of raising awareness and bolstering Puratos’ premium positioning.

Belcolade creates goods that bring customer satisfaction and guarantee a sustainable future for future generations by fusing sensory knowledge with sustainability principles. Decades of research discoveries form the foundation of these endeavours.

Sandy Shiek, marketing director, Puratos Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, said, “While taste remains the primary purchasing criterion for consumers, the sustainability of the chocolate is a key consideration factor for their purchase decisions – with 68% of respondents interested in food products coming from sustainable farming methods. The Cacao-Trace Sustainable Programme is a testament to our commitment towards taste and sustainability.” 

She added, “Tapping into Aforemention’s key strength in digital storytelling, we immediately saw an opportunity to deploy a multi-screen, multi-moment communication framework that helps us to better deliver our messages to address the pain points of our users and decision makers.”

Meanwhile, Sylvester Hiew, chief marketing officer, FOREFRONT, expressed, “We are excited to find out how we can help a premium brand like Puratos communicate effectively in an emerging market like Malaysia. Staying true to our mission of igniting brands, we make it our business to understand consumer behaviours across different industries, and we have been successful in helping many clients tell their brand stories for almost two decades now.”

Malaysia – Carro’s latest festive film tells a story about the connections and memories shared with loved ones during these journeys. The used car marketplace in Southeast Asia serves as a reminder that every balik kampung journey or hometown travels is meaningful beyond just getting to the destination. 

Titled ‘Identity of Siti?”The movie tells the story of a family travelling through a “balik kampung” and becoming stuck in traffic. But when Grandma recommends they go on an unplanned chase after an orange automobile, they feel better. 

Speaking about the campaign, Katherine Teo, Carro regional head of marketing, said, “The balik kampung drive might take hours, but every journey, every traffic jam and every car ride forms a family’s collective memories. The journey home matters, and that’s why we are committed to delivering quality and safe rides that will allow people to drive home worry-free.” 

Meanwhile, Simond Chew, Carro creative director, said, “After last year’s tearjerker which highlighted the importance of going home to what matters, we thought it was only right for this year’s film to show that the journey home is equally precious. We also wanted to break expectations and flip the usual heart wrenching Raya genre on its head; what better way to bring out the excitement of going home with a high tension, comedic car chase adventure.” 

Furthermore, Kuanyu Tan, Carro Singapore country head, stated, “Hari Raya is a celebration of family, forgiveness and reunion, and we’re so proud to be the choice of many drivers who have chosen a Carro Certified car. We’re committed to ensuring safe rides so everyone can travel worry-free.” 

Malaysia – Durex Malaysia has once again joined in on the fun with the launch of its first-ever Durex Energy Drink on social media as part of its witty annual April Fools antics. 

Durex described the drink as a specially crafted one that can boost energy levels and enhance intimate experiences. And to take it a step further, the drink also comes in different local flavours like rambutan, coconut, and dragonfruit to satisfy every adult’s ‘thirst’. 

Durex has been known for its fun and witty April Fools pranks on social media since 2018. The brand behind the famous condoms and personal lubricants has been revered by social media users for their content, especially their antics during April Fools that don’t fail to make people laugh, smile, and even throw some ‘spicy’ jokes here and there. 

The brand started their pranks by announcing the rollout of different condom flavours, like Durex Smoked Sausage in 2018 and Durex Mala HotPot in 2019, on social media. 

Jerome Goh, head of marketing OTC and intimate wellness for MY and SG, said, “Injecting excitement into life is essential, and that’s exactly what Durex aims to do. With a playful prank for April Fool’s Day, Durex brings a whole new meaning to the occasion. Think of it as an invigorating energy drink that fuels us with boundless joy, laughter, and happiness. Durex, your trusted companion, is here to make every moment in life truly meaningful! ” 

Malaysia – Local telco provider TM and creative firm VML have jointly launched a touching campaign in 2024 to clarify the real meaning behind elderly relatives’ ostensibly foolish remarks made during Chinese New Year. 

The purpose of this campaign was to raise awareness among viewers nationwide of the brand’s Unifi Exclusive TVBAnywhere+ Premium Zone TV bundle.

Unifi TV’s Ang Pow campaign attempts to break down generational boundaries and foster family togetherness over the Christmas season, which is generally associated with younger generations answering probing inquiries and comments from their elders. 

The campaign showcases “Yunni,” Unifi’s mascot, and explores the “love” that lies beneath each difficult question posed by the elder generation. This program provides an opportunity for understanding and intimacy, together with an Ang Bao QR code from Unifi. This highlights the brand’s family TV packages for Chinese New Year as the perfect way to strengthen bonds throughout the celebrations.

Speaking about the campaign, KC Aui, executive creative director, VML Malaysia, said, “This campaign aims to bridge the generational divides which can create tension among families at this time of year. By revealing the thoughtful intention behind seemingly insensitive comments, we hope to inspire more understanding and connection, coupled with the opportunity for family bonding overUnifi’s high quality TV packages.” 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – In conjunction with World Happiness Day last March 20, Munchy’s Cream-O has developed a campaign with Universal McCann (UM), the global media agency network of IPG Mediabrands, celebrating the occasion with joy. 

The Munchy’s Cream-O Happiness Box campaign, as part of the Munchy’s Cream-O Choco Happiness ONz Movement, aims to connect with individuals at Ramadan bazaars around the Klang Valley to plant seeds of happiness to all Malaysians.

Over the campaign period, Munchy’s Cream-O will be stationed at selected Ramadan bazaars, including the now iconic Stadium Shah Alam Bazaar that is a popular spot for Ramadan fare. 

Upon registration at the Munchy’s Cream-O booth, individuals have a unique opportunity to nominate a loved one to receive a special Happiness Box of Munchy’s Cream-O goodies, delivered through a special collaboration with foodpanda.

Talking about the campaign, Rina Low, managing director of UM Malaysia, said, “Ramadan is a time of shared bonds between family and friends. It is also a time to acknowledge the special connections in your life, to spread kindness, love and happiness. In coming up with the Happiness Box, we thought, what better symbol of happiness than chocolate, that instantly lifts the spirit.” 

“The campaign also elevates the happiness quotient by connecting with the selfless act of giving to another, rather than receiving, and we are incredibly happy to collaborate with foodpanda as a delivery partner,” she added.

Meanwhile, Karen Ong, senior marketing director at URMunchy’s, commented, “Munchy’s Cream-O is on a mission to plant the seed of happiness everywhere we go, so happiness can grow bigger and better. UM has found a creative way of translating this idea with purpose, and we are extremely excited for Munchy’s Cream-O to connect with Malaysians in this personalised way. 500 Munchy’s Cream-O Happiness Boxes will be delivered over a five-day period from today onwards and we hope this delivery of joy energises the mood of everyone this Ramadan.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – PR agency Mutant has announced the appointment of Renny Rengganis and Charmaine Goh as directors in Indonesia and Malaysia, respectively, growing the agency’s leadership team and capabilities across the region.

These appointments come with Mutant’s growth of its regional headcount from 31 to 50 in the past year, driving the need for fresh senior veterans to lead its growing team.

Rengganis joins Mutant Indonesia with 17 years of experience, having previously led successful communication campaigns for brands such as X (formerly Twitter), Smartfren Telecom, Frisian Flag, and Unilever Citra Body Lotion.

Goh on the other hand, brings over a decade of experience to Mutant Malaysia, having worked with global brands, such as Diageo, Michelin Guide, Sony Pictures, Nestlé, Heineken, Philips, and adidas.

Renngganis, who has previously held roles at Edelman Indonesia, Zeno Indonesia, Burson Cohn and Wolfe Indonesia, will report to Indonesia country manager, Tanya Tresnasari, whilst Goh, who was previously senior account director at ROOTS PR, will report to Malaysia country manager, Archana Menon.

Talking about her appointment, Rengganis said, “Mutant has swiftly established a solid reputation for itself and I’m excited to join forces with the talented team to craft extraordinary results for the clients.”

Goh also added, “I look forward to leading our talented team in delivering innovative and impactful solutions for clients as we continue to navigate the dynamic media landscape in Malaysia.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Barratt, CEO of Mutant, commented, “These senior hires reflect our commitment to the Malaysia and Indonesia markets, which have shown significant growth in the past year, even with economic odds stacked against them. In this demanding environment, the bar for communications is higher than ever – and delivering world-class work takes world-class people and that’s exactly who Charmaine and Renny are.”

Malaysia – ADA, Asia’s digital marketing agency, has announced a partnership with Cycle & Carriage, an automotive manufacturer that serves Malaysia’s affluent and high-affluent segments. Together, they intend to incorporate artificial intelligence and natural language processing (AI/NLP) technology into their conversational interactions on the martech stack.

Cycle & Carriage and ADA have partnered to launch a strategic effort that will use AI/NLP technology to improve customer experience. This expanded reach demonstrates Cycle & Carriage’s commitment to staying creative and utilising digital solutions to improve its capacity for providing customer support. 

The staff at ADA has worked closely with Cycle & Carriage, fully comprehending their company needs and objectives. They have developed specialised digital solutions to address problems and seize opportunities in the automobile sector. Cycle & Carriage is now able to take advantage of ADA’s expertise in AI/NLP integration, automated customer support systems, and data-driven marketing tactics due to this cooperative effort. 

Cycle & Carriage plans to leverage ADA’s experience even further in order to increase opportunities for upselling and cross-selling, increase the reach of CTWA campaigns, and maximise the efficiency of media and digital marketing.

Cycle & Carriage is the first customer at the CES to use ADA’s AI/NLP services. Cycle & Carriage hopes to increase the reach and effect of CTWA initiatives by working together with ADA Marketing Service on a continuous basis. By utilising the most recent martech products. 

Speaking about the partnership, Stephen Tan, general manager, head of marketing, Cycle & Carriage, said, “We are incredibly grateful for ADA’s unwavering dedication and support throughout the WABA migration journey. ADA’s commitment to excellence and innovative solutions has truly elevated our customer experience and positioned us for success in the digital landscape. We look forward to continuing our partnership and achieving even greater milestones together.”

Malaysia – Malaysia Airlines and the international technology company Google have formed a partnership to promote Malaysia’s growth as a prime tourism destination while also driving digital advancement in the aviation industry.

Expanding on its commitment to promoting Malaysia as a core hub for international travellers, the dynamic relationship marks Malaysia Airlines’ drive towards digitising its commercial advancement to promote growth and demand from important markets. 

The partnership intends to support continued development and innovation in a number of product areas, such as Google Pay, Google Flights, and AI-driven marketing solutions. They may develop a comprehensive ecosystem with a client experience as the top priority for this endeavour.

The airline also hopes to use creative solutions to propel its growth and marketing tactics, positioning it for major network expansion plans this year, as travel demand is expected to approach pre-pandemic levels.

Malaysia Airlines aims to increase the reach, relevancy, and return on investment of its marketing initiatives in the very competitive travel market by utilising Google’s AI-powered Performance Max. 

Speaking about the partnership, Dersenish Aresandiran, Malaysia Aviation Group (Airlines) chief commercial officer, said, “By harnessing the power of Google’s technology innovation and expertise, we are confident that we can unlock new opportunities, elevate the travel experience, and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a leading tourism hub in the region, aligning with the government’s vision for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).” 

Meanwhile, Farhan Qureshi, Google Malaysia, Pakistan and Frontier Markets managing director, said, “Malaysia’s tourism sector is poised for significant growth, and Google is committed to supporting Malaysia Airlines in capitalising on this opportunity. By teaming up with Google, Malaysia Airlines intends to harness cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to enhance its commercial operations, streamline processes and provide tailored experiences to travellers.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysian used car ecosystem myTukar Powered by Carro has officially announced that it is rebranding as Carro, signifying a move that will bring more of Carro’s cutting-edge technologies, products, and services to Malaysian customers. It has also tapped social media personality Phei Yong as its first brand ambassador.

This renaming exercise will officially see ‘Carro’ be incorporated across myTukar’s range of products and services, marketing materials and physical signages across Malaysia – a process that will take place across several months. 

myTukar earlier kickstarted its first phase of rebranding in June 2022 and changed its corporate look, moving away from its turquoise and grey colour scheme to Carro’s signature orange for its signages and collaterals.

Since myTukar’s founding in 2017 at a shop lot at Glenmarie in 2017, the company has charted impressive milestones, including a US$30m investment from Carro to revolutionise and digitise Malaysia’s high-potential used car industry. 

Moreover, myTukar has grown to be the first and largest online used car ecosystem in Malaysia, providing retail insurance, financing and after sales services, and has expanded to encompass 11 Retail Experience Centres, 27 Inspection Centres, 5 workshops and 2 refurbishment centres.

Fong Hon Sum, founder of myTukar and Carro’s CEO of International Marketplace said, “It has always been my dream and goal to transform the used car industry and to push for transparent, honest practices that will benefit our customers. Today, I’m so glad to announce that we achieved exactly that and more.”

He added, “myTukar’s amazing growth couldn’t have been possible without everyone who believed in our ambition and goals, and all the hard work that went into building it up. Now, I’m excited to unlock the potential in this market, and continue to offer unparalleled services to Malaysian drivers and families.”

Meanwhile, Derrick Eng, CEO at Carro Malaysia, commented, “As part of a global brand, we’re laser focused on driving sustainable growth for the Group while continuing to deliver quality used cars that are As Good As New to Malaysians. I look forward to strengthening Carro as a brand within the country.” 

He added, “We absolutely look forward to Phei Yong coming on board. With the success of the epic road trip, and Phei Yong’s popularity in Malaysia, we’re sure he’ll be able to bring something unique to the table, and help spread the message that a Carro Certified car is As Good As New.” 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Wonda Coffee, a coffee brand under beverage manufacturer Etika, has collaborated with Malaysian film and entertainment studio Astro Shaw to bring back Malaysia’s beloved superhero, Keluang Man, to life.

Iconic to many Malaysians, Keluang Man comes from an animated television series aired in Malaysia from 1998 to 2005, and is cherished in Malaysian culture as someone who portrays bravery, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.

Through this collaboration, WONDA Coffee and Astro Shaw will further support local talent and entertainment in Malaysia, and will be aiming not only to entertain, but also to instil values to the younger generation.

Following this partnership, Wonda Coffee will also be bringing Malaysians an exclusive experience at KidZania, where Wonda and Astro Shaw connected visitors and members of the media to take part in the wall climbing activity with Keluang Man lead actor, Nas Muammar Zar himself.

Nas Muammar Zar as Keluang Man
Wonda’s wall climbing activity

Talking about this initiative, Amy Gan, vice president of marketing at Etika, said, “Through our collaboration with Astro Shaw for Keluang Man, we wish to reiterate our support for the local entertainment industry, backing the gifted Director, writers, talented cast, production and post-production efforts that go into bringing this legend to the silver screen.”

Meanwhile, Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, vice president, head of Astro Shaw & Malay Nusantara Business, commented, “This collaboration marks a strong beginning for Astro Shaw in setting new standards for innovative marketing strategies in the film industry. We believe that Keluang Man and Wonda Coffee share a common focus on local elements and are both near and dear to all Malaysians.”