Tag: Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysian coffee chain Oriental Kopi is set to raise approximately $40.9m through an initial public offering (IPO) on the Bursa Malaysia Ace Market this month.

A portion of the funds, amounting to $8m, will be allocated to expanding the brand’s footprint with plans to open 13 new outlets across Malaysia and two in Singapore this year. 

Another $12m will go toward developing a new head office, central kitchen, and warehouse in Selangor. Moreover, $444k will go to set up an additional 4 specialty retail stores in the central region of Peninsular Malaysia and Johor, $666k for the marketing expenses for its brands of packaged foods segment in Malaysia, and US$1.2m for marketing expenses in foreign countries.

Established in 2020, Oriental Kopi currently operates 20 cafes in Malaysia and one in Singapore. Among its signature offerings are Oriental Coffee, Signature Egg Tart, Nasi Lemak, Mee Siam, Nanyang Curry Chicken Rice, and Chicken Hor Fun.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysia Airlines has kicked off the new year with the launch of its global ‘Time For’ marketing campaign, encouraging travelers worldwide to embrace the thrill of exploration and make 2025 a year filled with unforgettable adventures. This initiative seeks to inspire people to delve into new experiences, immerse themselves in rich cultural landscapes, and create lasting memories with every trip. 

Positioned as the premier gateway to Asia and beyond, Malaysia Airlines offers outstanding travel experiences underpinned by its signature Malaysian Hospitality. The campaign also highlights Malaysia’s global appeal through initiatives like tram advertising in Melbourne and branded taxis and buses across the UK. 

These efforts support the ‘Visit Malaysia’ 2026 initiative, presenting the nation’s vibrant charm to a worldwide audience.

As part of the ‘Time for’ campaign, Malaysia Airlines is introducing a global sale offering discounts of up to 20% on fares to more than 60 destinations. The promotion runs until 22 January 2025, providing passengers with the opportunity to access a range of services, including personalised onboard dining through the ‘Chef on Call’ menu, premium amenity kits, and the newly launched MH Young Explorers Club, which caters to families traveling with children. This includes features such as priority check-in, family boarding privileges, and kids’ menus, along with activity packs for young travelers.

Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of airlines at Malaysia Aviation Group, said, “Our “Time For” marketing campaign is more than just a celebration of travel; it’s an invitation for the world to discover Malaysia and connect to the best of Asia and beyond. Malaysia Airlines is committed to positioning Malaysia as the ultimate gateway to this vibrant region while showcasing the warmth and diversity of our culture.”

He added, “With curated offerings such as our Best of Asia and Chef-on-Call menus and thoughtfully designed in-flight experiences, we’re setting a new standard for memorable journeys that truly embody Malaysian Hospitality. There’s never been a better time to travel with Malaysia Airlines.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Spritzer has launched its Chinese New Year (CNY) 2025 campaign, highlighting the importance of open-hearted conversations, combining tradition with a modern touch while bringing loved ones closer together. Moreover, this latest campaign is another reflection of Spritzer’s values which are deeply ingrained into its commitment to creating positive impact in society and doing good for humanity.

At the heart of the campaign is Spritzer’s touching short film, ‘Speak from the Heart’, a tale reminding us to express ourselves with sincerity, respect and understanding, starring actors and brand ambassadors, Koe Yeet and Jaspers Lai with special appearances by Yagood and Jobroseph. 

The film tells a story familiar to many young Malaysians, about a young man named Jasper who is approaching his 30s and feeling the pressure from his family to settle down. With the Chinese New Year festive season approaching and his anxiety rising, Jasper enlists a hairstylist played by Koe Yeet to pretend to be his girlfriend for the day. 

With her humour, quick wit, and ability to hear the inner thoughts of others, Koe Yeet helps Jasper navigate conversations with his nosy aunt turning a potentially stressful situation into a memorable and light-hearted experience.

Spritzer is also offering exclusive gifts with purchases of its high-quality beverage products to add to the excitement of the season. Customers who buy RM38 worth of Spritzer products will receive a free Spritzer CNY Ceramic Bowl, while those who spend RM18 will get a free Spritzer CNY Retro Mug. These special edition items are sure to add a touch of tradition to festive get-togethers.

Lastly, Spritzer’s Natural Mineral Water is also available with a special edition CNY bottle label to add to the festive excitement.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Funding Societies has expanded its partnership with foodpanda to introduce tailored financing opportunities for Bumiputera merchants in Malaysia.

Under this initiative, foodpanda merchants who meet the eligibility criteria can access financing of up to MYR100k (US$22,207). The program offers an attractive annual interest rate of 2% and a flexible repayment period of up to 24 months.

This exclusive financing program is designed to provide local entrepreneurs with the resources needed to expand their businesses in a challenging economic landscape. The partnership builds on the success of previous initiatives, which have supported 500 foodpanda merchants, and aims to further boost growth for underserved micro and small businesses within the foodpanda ecosystem.

By offering reduced financing costs and much-needed capital, the initiative seeks to enhance cash flow and level the playing field for Bumiputera entrepreneurs, empowering them to scale their operations and thrive in the competitive market.

Chai Kien Poon, country head at Funding Societies Malaysia, said, “To support these businesses, particularly MSMEs, access to cash flow is crucialWe are hopeful that this partnership between Funding Societies and foodpanda can better assist and scale underserved, creditworthy small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this industry.”

Meanwhile, Tan Ming Luk, managing director of foodpanda Malaysia, emphasized the company’s commitment to equipping merchants with the necessary tools and resources to succeed in the current competitive landscape.

“This initiative not only provides access to much-needed capital at an affordable rate but also reinforces our commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs, especially as they prepare for the upcoming festive season. Together, we aim to drive meaningful growth and resilience for our foodpanda merchant community,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Retailer MR D.I.Y., is ringing in the Chinese New Year with its latest campaign, “Ular-lar,” a playful nod to the Year of the Snake, packed with featured products, deals, and a star-studded web film featuring the iconic Hong Kong actor Benz Hui.

The nearly eight-minute web film, The Family Trial, is a heartwarming family drama with a comedic twist. Set in a quirky courtroom, it follows a father and son caught in a hilarious feud over their Chinese New Year plans. But as the son discovers his father’s secret health issue, the story takes an emotional turn, ending in a heartwarming reunion dinner that highlights the unbreakable bonds of family.

Aside from the web film, MR D.I.Y. has also launched its very first Chinese New Year dance-themed music video, “Ular-lar,” inviting Malaysians to get creative and join in the fun with a dance challenge on social media, and win amazing prizes while spreading festive joy. 

It has also has curated a series of Chinese New Year activities at its stores, while also keeping to its promise of ‘Always Low Prices’. The retailer is rolling out 100 Chinese New Year essentials at selected stores nationwide. The events and activities at will be rolled out across MR D.I.Y. PLUS at Mid Valley, KL,  IPC Shopping Centre, Selangor, and Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru, as well as at community outreach programmes at care homes across the country.

Alex Goh, head of marketing at MR D.I.Y. Group, said, “Chinese New Year is all about reuniting with family, friends and loved ones, often creating a spirit of fun and excitement – all very oooh-la-la!  MR D.I.Y is very much present in homes during this season, and we thought it would be fun to capture this spirit in a ‘Ular-lar’-themed programme, that brings together everything that people love about the season – visiting each other’s home, sharing good times with lots of food, and being entertained.  Our “Family Trial” webfilm, featuring Hong Kong Star Benz Hui Shiu-Hung and our ‘Ular-lar’ theme song and dance steps that Malaysians can dance along to, make it even more festive for everyone.”

He added, “We aim to provide Malaysians with accessible and affordable festive essentials and a fun, enjoyable and rewarding shopping experience. It is all about adding value and making everyone happy.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has ordered online cryptocurrency exchange Bybit to register as an officially-registered digital asset exchange (DAX) in Malaysia.

According to the SC, Bybit and its CEO Ben Zhou have been included in the SC’s Investor Alert List since July 2021.

Said decision comes after concerns about the platform’s compliance with local regulatory requirements and protecting investors’ interests. The commission views this breach seriously, as it notes that operating a DAX without obtaining the SC’s registration as a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) is an offence under Section 7(1) of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007.

As a result of this, SC has ordered Bybit disable Bybit’s website and mobile applications or any other digital application platform in Malaysia within 14 business days from 11 December 2024.

It has also ordered the platform to immediately cease circulating, publishing or sending any advertisements, whether in social media posts or otherwise, to Malaysian investors; and immediately terminate Bybit’s Telegram support group for Malaysians.

“Investors are reminded to invest and deal only with Recognized Market Operators that are registered with the SC. Registered RMOs have undergone strict regulatory scrutiny and are required to adhere to strict guidelines so that investors are protected under Malaysia’s securities laws,” SC said in a press statement.

They added, “Those who invest in unlicensed or unregistered entities or individuals are not protected under Malaysian securities laws and are thus, exposed to risks such as fraud and money laundering.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has recently published the Code of Conduct (Best Practice) for internet messaging service providers and social media service providers. This is done with the aim that service providers uphold online safety and security, particularly for children and vulnerable groups.

The Code of Conduct was developed to support the regulatory framework for Internet messaging and social media service providers, which sets out best practices for adoption by service providers in addressing harmful content online, as well as other relevant conduct requirements. 

MCMC has expressed gratitude for the feedback received during the public consultation on the Code of Conduct (Best Practice). It has also highlighted that public input played a crucial role in shaping the code to address evolving challenges in the online space while fostering a safer and more secure digital environment for all Malaysians.

To support its implementation, MCMC will offer guidance to ensure the code’s effectiveness in promoting online safety and security. It also plans to periodically review the code to ensure it stays relevant and capable of addressing new and emerging challenges in the digital landscape.

Some of the best practices included in the code are enforcing these companies to have a moderation team based in Malaysia, enhanced accessibility of sites and services for other demographics, and overall safety for children using these services online.

The release of the code is in line with the country’s imposition of social media and messaging services needing to apply for a license to operate in the country. So far, Telegram and Tencent (WeChat) have started the process of obtaining the required license to operate their platforms in Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Kingdom Digital has announced that it has been tapped by Taiwanese airline EVA Air as its creative agency of record. Through the mandate, the agency will work closely with EVA Air to strengthen brand awareness, drive anticipation for its flight routes and promotions, and create engaging consumer experiences.

Since 2017, Kingdom Digital has been a social media agency partner for EVA Air, building a solid presence for the airline in the Malaysian market. This appointment marks a significant milestone, expanding the agency’s role to encompass full-service campaigns and creative ideation. 

As part of this partnership, Kingdom Digital successfully executed its first on-ground experiential event for EVA Air, ‘Worlds Within Reach,’ at One Utama Shopping Centre from 20th to 24th November 2024.

Au Yong Yoon, deputy manager at EVA Air expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Kingdom Digital has been instrumental in establishing our social presence in Malaysia since the beginning. We are excited to see the creative initiatives the team will bring to help us expand our wings and reach greater heights in the local market.”

Echoing this sentiment, Lui Xiao Yee, client servicing director at Kingdom Digital, commented, “We’re deeply honoured to be entrusted as EVA Air’s creative AOR. This appointment not only reflects the quality of our work but also marks a significant milestone in our partnership. Working with their team has always been a rewarding experience, and we’re excited to spotlight more of their world-class services and captivating destinations for travellers.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – As Malaysians reflect on the year gone by and prepare for new beginnings, Spritzer Sparkling introduces its latest campaign, “Cabar Dirimu, Cipta Versi Baharu” (Push Your Limits, Redefine Yourself). The campaign inspires Malaysians to adopt healthier habits with Spritzer Sparkling as their ally, making positive changes simpler and more sustainable.

This innovative campaign positions Spritzer Sparkling as the perfect hydration companion for those looking to refresh their routines and embrace wellness—all while indulging in a guilt-free fizzy experience.

Sparkling Wellness: The Perfect Resolution Partner

Spritzer Sparkling’s unique selling proposition is clear: No sugar, no sweeteners, no calories. Made from natural mineral water and infused with natural fruit flavoring, it’s high in silica for health and beauty benefits, with no preservatives.

“Spritzer Sparkling isn’t just a drink—it’s a movement,” said Chan Shiao Chew, head of marketing at Spritzer Malaysia. “By choosing Spritzer Sparkling, Malaysians are taking the first step towards a healthier lifestyle while enjoying the refreshing fizz they crave.”

The campaign’s mission is clear: turn small steps into lifelong habits. Whether it’s switching from sweetened fizzy drinks or indulging in an occasional craving for a healthier fizz, Spritzer Sparkling supports Malaysians in making healthier choices that are easy to sustain.

The Inner Battle: A Relatable Storyline Starring Syafiq Kyle

The campaign’s anchor video features renowned Malaysian actor Syafiq Kyle in an engaging storyline that brings the inner battle of New Year’s resolutions to life.

Set as a dramatic card game, Syafiq faces off against a darker, negative version of himself. The “positive Syafiq” places goal-oriented cards like “Achieve 100k savings” or “Keep a healthy life,” only for the negative self to counter with excuses like overspending, giving up, and indulgence in sugary drinks.

In a triumphant move, Syafiq counters with a game-changing card: Spritzer Sparkling. This moment symbolizes the empowerment that comes with making better choices and defeating unhealthy habits.

The video’s relatable theme, combined with Syafiq’s charismatic performance, positions Spritzer Sparkling as the ultimate ally in overcoming self-doubt and achieving meaningful change.

“Every sip of Spritzer Sparkling represents a victory against unhealthy habits,” said Janice Goh, senior brand manager for Spritzer Malaysia.  “We’re proud to be the brand that helps Malaysians turn their resolutions into realities.”

Amplifying Impact: Reaching Millions with a Message of Change

The campaign taps into multiple platforms to create maximum impact:

Influencer Marketing: Key opinion leaders will share their personal journeys and how Spritzer Sparkling helps them stay on track with their health goals, fostering trust and reliability.

Social Media Ads: Engaging content will educate and entertain, ensuring consumers understand the product’s benefits while staying inspired.

Sponsorship of “Miles with EcoBrown Walkathon”: By aligning with the Walkathon for Diabetes Awareness, Spritzer Sparkling reinforces its commitment to health and community well-being.

The campaign will run for one month at the end of 2024, spanning across Malaysia to ensure a wide reach and sustained engagement during this significant period of reflection and renewal.

Expert Media Global Behind the Story

The creative storytelling and strategic execution of this campaign are led by Expert Media Global, showcasing their ability to blend compelling narratives with actionable brand messaging. Through this collaboration, Spritzer Sparkling delivers a campaign that resonates deeply with its audience while driving impactful results. 

Healthier Choices, Lasting Change

Spritzer Sparkling addresses one of the biggest barriers to New Year’s resolutions: sustainability. By offering a simple and enjoyable switch from sugary or artificial fizzy drinks, the product helps consumers build habits they can stick with.

“Healthier living doesn’t have to be complicated,” said Gavin Lee, brand manager for Spritzer Malaysia. “With Spritzer Sparkling, every sip is a step toward a better version of yourself. It’s about turning small victories into lifelong habits.”

Find out more on: https://www.spritzer.com.my/sparkling_cabar_dirimu

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Catcha Digital, an investment holding company focused on digital media and advertising businesses, has announced that it has entered into a share sale agreement to acquire a 70% interest in Tastefully Malaysia for RM7.6m. Said stake acquisition marks Catcha Digital’s ambition to continue growing its integrated digital media business to provide an omnichannel online-to-offline advertising solutions to its client base. 

The acquisition will provide significant cross-selling opportunities between Catcha’s existing advertising client base and Tastefully’s clientele. 

Moreover, Catcha will be able to offer Tastefully’s in person advertising solutions to its clients while Tastefully can leverage Catcha’s comprehensive digital advertising capabilities and online audiences to enhance its advertising offerings to its clientele primarily F&B brands. 

Patrick Grove, chairman of Catcha Digital, said, “The F&B industry in Malaysia represents one of the most dynamic sectors in terms of consumer engagement and brand building. Through this acquisition, we’re combining Tastefully’s proven expertise in creating high-impact consumer events with Catcha’s digital capabilities.”

He added, “What particularly attracted us was Tastefully’s ability to execute large-scale consumer expos events across Malaysia, and their track record of consistently delivering value to both exhibitors and visitors. As brands seek more integrated advertising solutions, we believe this combination will create compelling opportunities for our existing advertisers while opening up new avenues for growth.”

Meanwhile, Esther Fong, CEO of Tastefully, commented, “Over the past 13 years, we’ve built Tastefully into the go-to platform for F&B brands to connect directly with Malaysian consumers. By joining the Catcha Digital family, we can now offer our exhibitors an integrated advertising solution that spans both physical and digital touchpoints.”

She added, “We’re particularly excited about leveraging Catcha’s digital expertise to enhance our event experience and advertising offerings to our clientele. We are very excited to embark on this partnership with Catcha to take our business to the take level.”