Tag: Market expansion

Singapore – Communications advisory firm Brewer has announced its strategic partnership with communications agency Cyan to strengthen its regional reach and specialised offering with market expansion in China. 

Brewer’s expansion into the Chinese market marks a significant milestone in its growth across the Asia-Pacific for the last two years.

The partnership with Cyan is expected to enhance Brewer’s regional capabilities as it empowers brands to seamlessly navigate the complex Southeast Asian and Chinese markets. 

The expansion also marks the launch of the SEA-China advisory, which aims to bridge communication strategies between key APAC regions. It exemplifies the deepening economic connections between China and Southeast Asia, as well as the increasing demand for cross-market communications advisory services between these critical APAC regions.

Brewer’s partnership with Cyan reaffirms its focus on strengthening its regional footprint, complemented by the recent appointment of Natashia Jaya as a partner based in Indonesia.

And now, with its foray into the Chinese market, Brewer has also appointed Daniel Li as its new country lead. 

Li is a seasoned communications leader and newly appointed partner at Cyan. He will lead the communication firm’s operations, drive business growth, and cross-market opportunities in China.

The partnership comes as Brewer remains committed to helping clients navigate the multifaceted business landscape in APAC through strategic communications, an expanded regional network, deeper market insights, and culturally-astute strategies.

Serina Tan, founder and managing partner at Brewer, said, “Our regional expansion reflects our commitment to top-tier counsel, deeply rooted in local insights across APAC. With the introduction of our SEA-China Advisory practice, we combine our expertise with Cyan, offering bespoke, results-driven solutions for clients engaging in cross-border transactions between China and Southeast Asia. Daniel’s remarkable expertise will be instrumental in driving our cross-market advisory services.”

Meanwhile, Ada Chen, CEO of Cyan, also added, “Our partnership with Brewer is driven by shared values of innovation and client centricity. Together, we are committed to propelling Chinese brands onto the global stage, supporting their cross-border expansion. Brewer’s deep expertise in APAC communications advisory empowers us to be the catalyst for brands seeking international growth.”

Speaking on his appointment, Daniel Li said, “I am honoured to embark on this exhilarating journey with Brewer and Cyan. Brewer’s forward-thinking approach to strategic communications is reshaping the way businesses communicate in the dynamic APAC region. Our collaboration promises to not only drive growth but also redefine industry standards.” 

Kunshan, China – Multinational coffeehouse company Starbucks has announced the opening of its US$220m Coffee Innovation Park (CIP) in China to advance its global sustainability agenda. 

Starbucks’s Coffee Innovation Park is a fulfilment of the company’s first-ever scaled vertical integration ‘from bean-to-cup’ across one market. 

The CIP also holds the distinction of being Starbucks’s most energy-efficient and sustainable coffee manufacturing and distribution centre in the world. With the company making two additional rounds of investments since its announcement in March 2020, the CIP has the largest investment in any Starbucks coffee manufacturing and investments outside of the United States.

Located in the city of Kunshan, an hour from Shanghai, the new coffee manufacturing and distribution centre is designed and built based on LEED Platinum and China Green Building Three Star, leading sustainability standards for carbon emissions, energy and water use, and waste. It houses a roasting plant deploying Starbucks’ energy-efficient technology, a state-of-the-art integrated distribution centre (IDC), and an immersive experience center.

Around 20% of the energy supplied to CIP will be from its 26,000 m2 of installed solar panels. The company is also projected to achieve 90% of recycled waste annually.

Starbucks’ CIP has the capacity to supply all of the company’s locations in China. It will also use advanced eco-friendly technologies to blend and roast high-quality Arabica green beans sourced from more than 30 countries around the world, including China, to develop a variety of unique blends and roast profiles to meet the evolving tastes of Chinese customers.

The integrated distribution centre (IDC) in CIP will serve as the centre of Starbucks China’s distribution network to directly supply thousands of its stores in the region with freshly roasted coffee. The IDC uses advanced automation technologies and a 34-metre-high fully automated storage and retrieval system, which makes it six times more space-efficient compared to a conventional Starbucks warehouse.

However, the CIP is more than just a manufacturing site. It will also feature an immersive Experience Centre that provides a creative and unique interpretation of industrial tourism with an authentic, vivid showcase of the ‘bean-to-cup’ coffee journey.

The experience centre comprises 12 touchpoints where visitors will be transported virtually across the world to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of faraway coffee origins, from China’s Yunnan province to the farms in Costa Rica. They will witness roasting in person and up close as they learn about the latest innovations and sustainability practices at different parts of the coffee value chain.

Laxman Narasimhan, CEO at Starbucks Coffee Company, said, “As one of the largest consumer markets in the world, China presents tremendous opportunities for Starbucks. The Coffee Innovation Park highlights Starbucks foresight in elevating the supply chain through digitalization and advancing our sustainability agenda, enhancing our unique competitive advantage as we accelerate our global growth.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of the China team’s visionary thinking. As Starbucks largest and fastest-growing international market, we will continue to deepen our investment and reinforce our unwavering long-term commitment to the China market,” he added. 

Speaking on the launch, Belinda Wong, chairwoman and CEO of Starbucks China, also said, “The Coffee Innovation Park holds important significance for Starbucks in China and globally. It not only showcases Starbucks unrivalled coffee leadership, fulfilling our scaled vertical integration in China ‘from bean-to-cup’, but also sets a new benchmark for sustainability in China’s coffee industry. Its immersive experience center further elevates China’s specialty coffee industry with a multi-sensory showcase of the coffee journey. The CIP is yet another testament that Starbucks’ purpose and commitment to China go far beyond a cup of coffee.”

Singapore – Indonesian on-demand coffee company Fore Coffee has announced the launch of its first store in Singapore, marking its entry into the international market scene. 

Fore Coffee’s expansion to Singapore is expected to open up the Indonesian coffee culture in the region. 

Drawing on insights from flavor group discussions (FGDs), the coffee company will tailor a selection of 16 key SKUs to capture the essence of Singaporean coffee culture. It will also adhere to the local nutrition preferences with the aim of empowering individuals to enjoy their drinks consciously while promoting healthier choices through its affordable and accessible diversity of options. 

Fore Coffee’s entry in the new market is also guided by research focusing on the Singaporean coffee landscape, in collaboration with strategy consultant Redseer. According to the research, the coffee market in Singapore is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5%, which means it will reach $1,286 million by 2027, presenting a compelling opportunity for the company to flourish. 

Furthermore, Singaporeans’ strong affinity for coffee, averaging 6-7 cups per week, aligns perfectly with Fore Coffee’s mission. The brand recognizes the mature coffee market in Singapore, combined with a love for Indonesian beans, particularly Arabica. 

Fore Coffee aims to redefine Singapore’s coffee culture in the ‘Indonesian way’ by extending their highly curated coffee beans and signature coffee blends to the new market. 

The brand’s business journey has been marked by profitability since 2021 in Indonesia, even amidst pandemic challenges. A part of its success lies in its adept use of cutting-edge technology, from tools to its mobile app, combined with skillful bean blending techniques.

Vico Lomar, co-founder and CEO at Fore Coffee, said, “Fore Coffee’s brand positioning and menu reflect its role as an ambassador of Indonesian coffee culture in Singapore. The brand’s signature coffee blends, crafted with a deep understanding of the discerning Singaporean palate, redefine the local coffee landscape through an Indonesian lens.”

Sydney, Australia – Brand and digital studio Koto has officially marked its expansion into the Asia-Pacific region with the launch of its Sydney office. The studio also announced the appointment of two new seasoned executives, Damian Borchok as managing director and Gerald Torto as senior strategy director. 

The new appointees will be leading the new office and regional efforts in APAC, with a senior creative leader expected to join them in the next few months. 

Koto’s initial focus will be on expanding its presence in Australia, India, Singapore, and South Korea. This strategic move reflects Koto’s continuous growth as a brand and digital studio spanning the EU, US, and now APAC.

While Koto’s local footprint was absent until now, it has already engaged with several APAC enterprises, including Australian-founded Airtasker, a service marketplace; Zip, a buy-now-pay-later fintech; Gumtree, an online classifieds and community site acquired by eBay, operating in Australia and New Zealand; and Korean-based Need, a digital cancer protection system.

The studio’s momentum has grown steadily, recently delivering impactful projects for global brands such as Airbnb, Amazon Music, Discord, Glassdoor, Netflix, and Whatsapp. 

It is dedicated to building optimistic brands that are true, compelling, and distinctive and continues to leverage deep immersion and strategic thinking as the foundation for ensuring relevance and creative excellence in every project it undertakes.

And as they started their move to expand in APAC, Koto’s strategic move was bolstered by an accomplished leadership team with a standout local track record.

Prior to his appointment as managing director for APAC, Borchok held key positions at Interbrand and Landor Australian outposts before launching his boutique studio, For The People. He has over two decades of APAC experience and carries with him a portfolio of prominent brands like Culture Amp (Australia), TIMEdotCom (Malaysia), and the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Meanwhile, Torto, in his new role as senior strategy director for APAC, brings a distinctive blend of brand strategy and business expertise. He formerly served as a strategy director for Re, a part of the M&C Saatchi Group. 

He was able to establish a new practice within Re dedicated to delivering brand services to APAC tech scale-ups, amassing an impressive client portfolio including Australian brands Weel, Mr Yum, Channel 7, and more.

Koto also teased a third leader, well-versed in regional dynamics, who will soon join the leadership team as executive creative director. 

James Greenfield, CEO at Koto, explained, “After launching our second US studio in New York just over a year ago, it felt right to set our sights on the APAC region. We’ve worked with a number of APAC clients in recent years, and we can see the potential here is immense, with thriving economies and leaders aiming to make their brands global forces. I’ve always believed APAC brands hold untapped possibilities to display their identity, differentiation, and strategic growth.” 

He added, “Exceptional brands shouldn’t be limited to the US – there are a lot of interesting products and services in APAC. Koto steps in with Damian, G, and our upcoming Executive Creative Director, soon to be unveiled. Together, they’re the dream team writing this next chapter with us.”

Also speaking on the expansion, Borchok said, “Sooner rather than later Asia will be home to 3 of the 5 largest economies in the world. Brands from this region will have global impact like never before. While there are internationally networked branding agencies across APAC, few are yet to bring much of a sense of dynamism, vision, or ambition. The region deserves to see more brands that elevate Asia’s growing status and influence—commercially and culturally.”

“Koto was born out of the technology and innovation world. Our work is informed by the entrepreneurial drive to build something better. In our case, it’s brands. We’re looking forward to partnering with like-minded businesses and contributing to the exciting times ahead in Asia and the Pacific,” he further explained. 

On the appointment, Torto also shared, “I’m really excited to be contributing to Koto’s vision of building the world’s most iconic brands in the world’s most iconic places. The opening of a studio in Sydney to service the region is a real signal of intent and too good an opportunity to miss. For me, there’s an unmatched optimism and pragmatism to the way the business goes about its work, and that drives an approach to brand strategy and verbal (as well as visual) identity that I feel can make a real difference to the ambitious businesses across APAC.”

Jakarta, Indonesia – South Korean advertising agency INNOCEAN has established its regional headquarters for Asia-Pacific in the city of Jakarta in Indonesia. The new headquarters is designed to strengthen the integrated marketing services offered to their clients throughout the region.

The regional headquarters embodies 10 specialised departments with over 100 experts in integrated marketing and creative solutions, social & digital communications, data analysis and management, full-funnel media integrations, and brand & space experience. 

The regional management team, led by James SangSeok Lee, APAC regional CEO at INNOCEAN; stands resolutely committed to delivering not only creative excellence but also efficient solutions. This new endeavour signifies the agency’s dedication to providing integrated services that transcend conventional boundaries.

“While we address our clients’ daily marketing needs, we consistently explore beyond conventional communications. Other services, such as targeted marketing, content creation, as well as brand and space experiences, represent just a few of the expertise services we offer,” he said.

Lee added, “At present, we have established 3 entities and 1 office across the region – Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, and the Philippines. In the coming year, we plan to open 2 additional entities, specifically in Thailand and Malaysia.”

The INNOCEAN APAC regional headquarters has forged close collaborations with esteemed brands, including Hyundai, Kia, LG, Yong Ma (Rice Cooker), Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), and numerous others across the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia – Content management system Storyblok has announced its plans to expand to the US and the UK markets by next year. Despite the rapid expansion internationally, it will remain a fully remote company: all over 230 employees work across over 45 countries. 

Storyblok will launch a US entity in January 2024 to continue supporting the explosive growth in the market. The company will also create a dedicated UK entity to establish its local presence later in 2024.

Some of the company’s clients include DIRECTV, Crunchyroll, Red Ventures, DW Drums, AppFolio, and BlackLine Systems; as well as US tech companies like Netlify and BigCommerce, and agencies such as Americaneagle.com, CI&T, and Royal Cyber.

Julia Doria, US sales director at Storyblok, said, “Our research shows that 75% of US businesses report improved KPIs, revenue growth, and productivity since switching to a composable, headless CMS. Even with those high satisfaction numbers, only 22% of US businesses are using a headless CMS for their content operations. The opportunity in this market is massive, and our success so far gives us a lot to build on as we help companies create better digital experiences.”

Meanwhile, Dominik Angerer, co-founder and CEO of Storyblok, commented, “Despite a difficult economic environment, our rapid growth in the US proves that businesses realise an investment in composable content management actually saves money. A Total Economic Impact study conducted by Forrester Consulting revealed that Storyblok provided a 582% ROI over a three-year period and paid for itself in less than six months. Results like that will continue to fuel our growth in the US and internationally.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Marimekko, a Finland-based design house company, has announced its expansion to Malaysia and Vietnam through a loose-franchise partnership with Jaspal Group. 

The expansion, which takes effect within this year, will have Marimekko stores open up in these markets, as well as activating online stores to provide an omnichannel experience for customers. 

The first Marimekko stores in Malaysia will be located in Kuala Lumpur: one in the KLCC mall at the world’s highest twin towers and another in The Exchange TRX mall.

Meanwhile, Marimekko stores in Vietnam will be opened in the Lotte Mall Westlake in Hanoi and in the Takashimaya mall in Ho Chi Minh City later this year.

Natacha Defrance, senior vice president of sales for Region East at Marimekko said, “We are delighted to launch Marimekko in Vietnam and Malaysia together with our new partner Jaspal Group. These fast-growing markets provide interesting opportunities for Marimekko’s international growth and hence support our company’s objective to scale the Marimekko business in the upcoming years. We look forward to introducing Marimekko’s joyful lifestyle concept to customers in both countries.”

Meanwhile, Yosathep Singhsachathet, deputy CEO at Jaspal Group, commented, “We are excited to start collaborating with Marimekko. We see a growing interest in Asia towards the Finnish design house renowned for its bold prints and colors, so now is a good time to make Marimekko available to local consumers and tourists alike in Vietnam and Malaysia. We look forward to start building the Marimekko growth story with the first shops and online stores in 2023.”

During the strategy period of 2023–2027, Marimekko will focus on scaling its business and growth especially in international markets. Asia is the most important geographical area for Marimekko’s international growth, and the company sees growing demand for its brand in the region. 

In June 2023, Marimekko announced its plans to expand its store network to Singapore, where the first store opens in September 2023. 

Manila, Philippines – The Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) has announced that it is bringing Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Roasters, two Singaporean food franchise establishments, to the Philippines via a joint venture with Food Collective, Pte. Ltd. (FCPL).

Under the joint venture, JFC will own 60% of the business while FCPL will own the remaining 40%. Both companies have committed to invest up to PHP250.0m to the join venture, which shall have its own resources and personnel with JFC taking the lead in the management and operation of the business. 

The joint venture will be the franchisee of both brands in the Philippines.

Tiong Bahru Bakery is famous for being the “Home of the Hand-made Croissants” and for its baked goods and Coffee, with a commitment to producing high-quality food and coffee and celebrating traditional techniques and its local neighbourhoods. 

Meanwhile, Common Man Coffee Roasters operates all-day dining restaurants in Singapore and Malaysia, with an aim to be a champion for speciality coffee and the best all-day dining concept in Asia.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, chief executive officer at Jollibee Foods Corporation, said, “We are excited to enter this joint venture with FCPL to own and operate the Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Roasters in the Philippines. These brands will be a strong addition to JFC’s foreign franchised brands and will allow JFC to capture an even greater opportunity and strengthen JFC’s position for further growth in the Philippine market.”

FCPL is a majority-owned subsidiary of Titan Lifestyle Holdings Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Titan Dining LP in which JFC has a 90% participating interest. The company is incorporated in Singapore and its primary activity is owning and operating lifestyle brands, including Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Roasters. 

There are currently 16 Tiong Bahru Bakery and 5 Common Man Coffee Roasters, across Singapore and Malaysia.

Chicago, USA – Global adtech company Affinity has announced the acquisition of Opinary, a German consumer engagement technology company. This marks the adtech’s objective of expanding its presence in the European market.

The acquisition adds a media touchpoint to Affinity’s portfolio of privacy-friendly advertising solutions for its existing advertisers and a new monetization and audience enrichment product for its publishers, across US, UK, EU, India and Asia. 

Additionally, the acquisition strengthens Affinity’s market presence in the EU through Opinary’s extensive network of brands and publishers. Opinary’s leadership team of Cornelius Frey, Pia Frey, Lothar Krause and Torben Brodt, and team of 26 in Germany will join Affinity’s team of 400 across India, US, UK, Indonesia, China, Malaysia and Brazil, taking the overall team strength to 430.

Lucas Roh, co-founder and chairman of Affinity, said, “We found the right DNA match with Opinary in terms of product, vision and team. This first acquisition is an exciting milestone for us, underscoring our commitment to driving smart and industry-leading solutions, and delivering exceptional value to our clients across the globe.”

Meanwhile, Cornelius Frey, CEO at Opinary, commented, “This collaboration strengthens our position in Europe and sets the stage for further growth and success internationally. We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to expand Opinary globally and enhance our portfolio in Europe through Affinity’s exceptionally smart suite of offerings.”

Manila, Philippines – Bossjob, a chat-first career platform for professional hiring in Southeast Asia (SEA), has announced the launch of its services in the Japanese market.

With the support of a $5 million seed fund, Bossjob will offer Japanese companies a limited-time free policy to assist them in recruiting talents from various countries. The platform’s AI-powered direct chat model promises an enhanced user experience, streamlining the talent acquisition process for Japanese employers.

This will help them increase their diverse talent, which according to the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, they project a potential talent shortfall from 160,000 to 790,000 by 2030.

Moreover, the Japanese Cabinet has already expanded the scope of the specified skilled worker, allowing foreign workers with proficient skills in nine industries to work in the country.

Bossjob’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Garcia, stated, “Japanese companies exhibit a high demand for talent. We aim to meet this need by providing efficient talent services prioritizing superior user experience.”

Meanwhile, Kiat How Quak, co-founder and chief operating officer, added that Bossjob’s expansion into the Japanese market is part of its broader globalization efforts. The platform seeks to connect Japanese employers with quality talents from SEA, boasting a large and diverse talent pool capable of satisfying the recruitment needs of various industries.

Bossjob’s innovative approach combines mobile, direct chat, and AI-matching, offering job seekers and employers an effective means to communicate and facilitate frictionless recruitment.

Meanwhile, this expansion follows Bossjob’s successful entry into markets in Singapore and Indonesia in May, with further plans to venture into Hong Kong in the third quarter of the year. The platform aims to reach over 30 million users in Southeast Asia by 2026.