Tag: Marketing

Philippines – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has a $100m financing deal to support holding company Ayala Corporation’s initiatives to charge the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the Philippines.

The funding will be allocated to the procurement and installation of EV charging stations in the country. A portion of the funding will also be used to acquire EVs from leading manufacturers for commercial distribution. 

Aiming to bolster the development of a charging station network in the country through the financing deal, Ayala intends to address the limited EV charging infrastructure and other barriers to boost its adoption.

Besides ADB’s financing, the deal includes a concessional loan from the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA), a trust fund managed by the bank which supports climate solution projects in the private sector.

Ayala’s mobility provider, ACMobility, has been leading initiatives to develop EV charging stations in the Philippines since 2023. It recently acquired the charging network Evro, which operates under Globe’s tech innovation arm 917Ventures.

“This project is a significant step towards a sustainable and low-carbon future for the Philippines. By fostering the development of a robust electric mobility ecosystem, we are not only addressing critical environmental challenges such as air pollution, but also driving economic growth through the creation of green jobs, enhancing energy security, and promoting inclusive and resilient urban development,” Pavit Ramachandran, ADB country director for the Philippines, said.

“This innovative blended financing comes at an opportune time as Ayala, through ACMobility, continues to ramp up its electric mobility investments. As we help build a comprehensive EV ecosystem for the Philippines, we wish to thank like-minded institutional partners like ADB for helping us expand our electric mobility initiatives, accelerate our contribution to the Philippines’ climate goals, and reaffirm our purpose of building businesses that enable people to thrive,” ACMobility’s president and CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, commented.

India – FCB Group India has secured 14 new clients across its agencies, adding over $2m in business and strengthening its market position.

Recent additions to FCB Group India’s client roster include Mountain Dew (Pakistan), Sanofi-Dulcoflex, Tasty Bite, Wagh Bakri, and Torrent Electricals, spanning sectors such as FMCG, healthcare, food, beverages, and power.

As a full-funnel, new-age agency, FCB Group India is expanding its approach to creativity in business, offering solutions that address diverse brand challenges. These new partnerships reflect the agency’s growing role in the industry and its ability to meet evolving client needs.

Commenting on the agency’s success, Dheeraj Sinha, CEO of FCB Group India, said, “Our approach as a new-age agency is grounded in leveraging the power of data and technology, coupled with creativity, to solve real-world challenges. These new wins highlight the trust brands place in our ability to deliver work that moves the needle and sets industry benchmarks. We look forward to building impactful partnerships with these incredible brands.”

Philippines – Nestlé Philippines, the local unit of the food and beverage corporation, is set to invest up to P6b to enhance its operations in the country, spending P2b on average annually from 2025 to 2027.

In a report by Inquirer, Nestlé Philippines chairman and chief executive officer Kais Marzouki shared the company’s aim to expand its capacities and technologies through the investment, seeing its growth potential.

According to Marzouki, Nestlé’s local unit is the sixth largest market globally.

While seeking to address increasing demands, the company also plans to broaden its product lines.

Nestlé’s global chief executive officer Laurent Freixe cited the potential of expanding its pet food offering in the country. 

Nestlé has a broad line of local and global brands, with Nescafé, Milo, and Bear Brand being its top-selling ones in the country.

The food and beverage giant has factories in Bulacan, Laguna, Cagayan de Oro, and Batangas, Philippines.

California – OpenX, an omnichannel supply-side platform, has promoted Tyler Romasco to senior vice president of global publisher development as part of the company’s strategy to strengthen global publisher relationships.

With experience in scaling publisher partnerships, Romasco will focus on driving OpenX’s publisher growth across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific in his new role. He will be working with publishers for business development, operations, and account management for revenue growth.

Romasco formerly held the position of vice president of US publisher development before the appointment. Having joined the company in 2019, he first served as senior director of business development, contributing to OpenX’s expansion of offerings in web, app, and CTV.

Before joining Open X, Romasco served as head of strategic partnerships at Sizmek, managing sales and business strategy teams. He also held leadership roles at Rocket Fuel and Pandora.

As he joins the executive team, Romasco will report to John Gentry, chief executive officer of OpenX.

“Publishers are at the core of everything that we do. As our industry experiences significant changes on the identity, CTV, AI, and consumer privacy fronts, I’m looking forward to ensuring OpenX is a trusted advisor when it comes to monetization, data, identity, and privacy-first solutions that drive business outcomes,” Romasco said.

“I’m so proud of OpenX’s incredibly smart and talented teams across the globe who are working relentlessly to solve the most pressing customer challenges and deliver superior results for our partners, including in biddable CTV, where TV by OpenX has increased publishers’ monetized impressions by 22%,” he added.

“Not only is Tyler known for being innovative and solution-oriented, but he has also been instrumental in our CTV expansion, pushing the industry to better leverage biddable CTV solutions and generating considerable incremental revenue for streaming platforms and broadcasters as a result. Tyler’s strength as a people leader, the relationships and respect he’s built in the industry, and his role as a key partner to our buyer development organization will be invaluable as OpenX continues to expand its global publisher footprint,” Gentry commented.

Malaysia – Holding company VCI Global, headquartered in Malaysia, is set to acquire digital marketing firm Roots Digital, signalling its entry into Singapore.

Valued at approximately US$2.2m, the acquisition is driven by Roots Digital’s significant financial growth in the previous year, recording a substantial increase in revenue.

Through the acquisition, VCI Global elevates its capabilities in SEO and advertising while expanding its presence in the region, combining its expertise with that of Roots Digital.

Roots Digital is an agency specialising in performance marketing across digital channels, with clients in Malaysia and Singapore. Among its clients are National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), Microsoft Corporation, Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health, and Orita Sinclair School of Design & Music.

Additionally, Roots Digital helps local SMEs acquire up to 50% funding for digital marketing services as an approved vendor under the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s Productivity Solutions Grant.

“With this acquisition, we are excited to expand in Singapore, with this move paving the way for future acquisitions that will broaden our offerings and add greater value to clients. The acquisition also serves as a strategic move that will synergize our other key strengths, such as IPO consultancy and AI-related services,” Dato’ Victor Hoo, group executive chairman and CEO of VCI Global, said.

Singapore – Advertising agency BBH Singapore has tapped Stéphane Missier as its chief strategy officer, taking over from Chris Chalk, who left the company in December.

In his new role at BBH Singapore, Missier will lead a team of strategists for the agency’s growth. He will work with the agency’s major clients such as Samsung, Nike, UOB and Income Insurance.

Bringing 20 years of experience in the industry, Missier most recently serving as Wieden+Kennedy’s group strategy director for 10 years. He has led campaigns for various brands such as Nike, Team USA, FanDuel and Bud Light.

Missier will be directly reporting to BBH Singapore’s chief creative officer Sascha Kuntze and managing director Sid Tuli in his role.

“BBH Singapore is building a global agency for a new era. Its commitment to building a culture where difference thrives and embracing the diversity of its clients sets it apart from the crowd. I’ve always considered myself a black sheep and have long admired the work of BBH. I’m thrilled to join the flock and begin this exciting journey,” Missier commented.

 “I’m so grateful for everything Chris did for us over the last three years and I wish him all the very best as he relocates back home. Stéphane is an incredibly talented and highly experienced strategist that has shaped some of the most culturally significant campaigns of the past decade. He’s lived and worked in 8 countries before Singapore, helping build the biggest brands anywhere, and he is exactly the type of talent we need to take us forward,” Tuli said.

Singapore – Telecommunications company Singtel is encouraging stronger family connections in its latest film highlighting the capabilities of its 10Gbps broadband.

The film, titled ‘The Corridor,’ travels years back to the time of dial-up modems and pagers until reaching the availability of 10Gbps broadband in a span of a 90-second short film. It aims to showcase how Singtel has contributed to forming bonds between families and communities over the years.

Held in the familiar corridor of a Housing & Development Board (HDB) building, the film captures how families find a bridge in the shared space, connecting them with their neighbours.

‘The Corridor’ tells the story of a teenager reminded of her memories with her neighbours after seeing a photograph of them. Restoring their ‘Big Family’ group chat, they all reunite to recreate the photo in the HDB corridor.

Singtel’s latest film is part of the ‘Possibilities Anthology’, a collection of seven short films included in its ‘Hello Possibilities’ brand platform campaign.

Additionally, Singtel is offering deals on its 10Gbps plans in celebration of Chinese New Year, including significant discounts.

Ng Tian Chong, CEO of Singtel Singapore, said, “Technology plays such a significant role in helping communities to build connections and maintain relationships. As the leading connectivity provider in Singapore, Singtel is privileged to have been a part of countless memories and shared experiences of millions of people over the decades. With Chinese New Year being a time for reunions and reconnections, we wanted to share a slice of the Singaporean experience and highlight how technology has brought families and communities together over the years. As Singapore gears up for SG60, it’s an opportune time to reflect on how far we’ve come, the connections we’ve forged and the values that unite us as Singaporeans.”

Singapore – Coca-Cola is launching live activations for its customers in Singapore to celebrate the Chinese New Year, fronted by huge LED fireworks displays.

Coca-Cola’s ‘Chinese New Year Live Experience’ runs from January 24 to February 2, 2025 in Orchard Road.

A series of activities await participants at the event, including a digital fireworks display derived from their wishes. In this activity, participants answer a question to customise the fireworks on the LED screen.

Participants can also discover their zodiac forecast for 2025 through an interactive digital aura reading and explore the Coca-Cola booth to get a chance to win various items.

As part of the Chinese New Year celebration, Coca-Cola has revealed the new song ‘HUAT’S UP’ made in collaboration with media companies SGAG and MGAG! The upbeat song integrates humour to capture the personalities of the brands.

The music video, featuring popular artists, centers on relatable Gen Z experience during the festive season, such as forgetting relatives’ names and getting personal questions from them.

Additionally, Coca-Cola has released limited-edition can designs bearing the symbol of prosperity and wealth. It is also designed with pine trees to symbolise strength and peaches for longevity along with other symbols.

The limited-edition packaging is available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and e-commerce platforms in Singapore.

“From family dinners to heartfelt moments, Coca-Cola recognises Chinese New Year as a time for community, sharing love and for expressing gratitude. As we honour the traditions that unite us, through fireworks, a symbol of celebration and positivity central to the tradition, we hope to spread not only joy and the bonds between loved ones, but heartfelt blessings to all. Here’s to celebrating Coca-Cola Real MagicTM and the power of togetherness this festive season!” Amanda Lin, franchise operations director at SIMA, commented.

“Coca-Cola has been celebrating moments of joy and connection in Singapore for over 80 years, and this Chinese New Year, we aim to bring communities together to celebrate Coca-Cola Real Magic® and the power of Togetherness. We invite everyone to join us in creating unforgettable memories and embracing the blessings of the season,” Lin added.

Singapore – Creative agency GOVT Singapore has announced new key appointments to drive growth to its senior management team.

GOVT Singapore has named Phang Mei Jeng as its managing director, Kevin Poh as executive creative director (ECD) and Khoo Kai Qi as client services director.

Phang joins the agency from Ensemble Worldwide/Mediabrands Content Studio in Malaysia, where she spent 7 years in the company until she rose to the position of managing director. She has also served as BBDO Proximity China’s business director, working with brands such as PETRONAS, Pizza Hut, Visa, OPPO, Ford, Gillette, Braun, and Toyota.

Phang takes over from former managing director Alvina Seah, who remains as GOVT group of companies’ partner.

Meanwhile, Poh was promoted from his previous role as group creative director, having spent 7 years with GOVT. Poh has worked with brands such as Sentosa, Julie’s Biscuits, Puma, and Asahi.

Poh steps into the ECD role following Tim Chan’s appointment as chief operating officer in The Betterment Group, the agency’s parent company.

Khoo, on the other hand, has gained over 13 years of experience in agencies such as Publicis, JWT, Tribal DDB Worldwide, and Moon Rabbit Singapore.

“Change is the only constant in life, and even more so in our industry. Our move to bring in new blood and elevate stalwarts like Kevin to bigger leadership positions is all about keeping the agency’s energy fresh and dynamic. At the same time, it allows the Co-Founders to spend time pursuing new opportunities for the Group and its agencies. And there’ll be more exciting ventures in the pipeline we’ll share in the coming months,” Leon Lai, CEO of The Betterment Group, said.

India – POCO India, in collaboration with Monks India, has launched its latest campaign featuring Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar as the brand ambassador, aimed at connecting with today’s high-performance youth.

The campaign unveils POCO’s X7 and X7 Pro alongside its new brand positioning, ‘Xceed Your Limits,’ crafted to connect with a social media-savvy Gen Z audience. It speaks to gamers, performers, doom scrollers, and pop-culture enthusiasts, highlighting how the phone’s high performance and AI capabilities empower users to push boundaries and overcome barriers.

Conceptualised and created by Monks India, the campaign features Akshay Kumar in a comic-book-inspired live-action film, paying tribute to the fast-paced, action-packed world of movies and games. Kumar embodies the brand’s ethos of high performance and the signature ‘X’ attitude.

Commenting on the launch, Soven Mandal, executive creative director at Monks India, said, “The lens of advertising a product needs to shift towards content marketing. In today’s world, slapping product advertising on a user’s feed will probably result in getting lost in the clutter of content they see. This is especially true for Gen Z. They need to see content based on what they are willing to watch on their feed organically. More pop culture, fewer ads. And with the superhero shebang of the Marvel and DC universe taking over social media and their fans, it made sense to project the brand to our fans similarly.”

The campaign launched in January with teaser content on social media, culminating in a 60-second film. The end-to-end campaign was developed and delivered within weeks, reflecting the fast pace of today’s social-first culture. It highlights the need for brands to adapt as real-time creators, delivering impactful work that resonates in the moment.

“Our approach was to create a narrative that isn’t just seen but felt, high-energy and engaging, an experience that connects with the audience in a way that feels organic and authentic. With POCO X7 and X7 Pro, we embraced the ‘Xceed Your Limits’’ not just as a message. Our team pushed boundaries by reimagining the typical phone ad into something more than just a product showcase,” said Megha Ahuja, VP of account management at Monks India.

“In production, timing is everything. We were working in real time where speed had to coexist with the highest standards of quality. The entire process from pre-production to final cut was planned meticulously, with seamless coordination and an incredible team effort. It wasn’t just about moving fast; it was about executing with precision under tight timelines, ensuring we deliver a campaign that amplified the essence of POCO X7 and Akshay Kumar Xceed Your Limits,” added Liju Kochummachan, VP of production and COE at Monks India.