Tag: Marketing

Singapore – Telecommunications company Singtel is offering its broadband, television, and mobile customers a free one-year subscription to Perplexity Pro. All customers are set to receive the activation code for the subscription via their My Singtel App.

The offering comes after Singtel observed an increase in broadband and mobile traffic to AI domains recently, showcasing a higher demand for AI tools.

The artificial intelligence (AI) search service, ‘Perplexity Pro,’ aims to simplify how customers find information while responding to the demand for AI-powered tools.

Perplexity Pro provides concise and conversational answers to queries by consolidating information from multiple sources in real time, supplemented with in-line citations. It also summarises the response while allowing advanced file analysis and AI-image generation.

Additionally, users of Perplexity Pro can choose from AI models such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Grok to ensure their experience is tailored to their needs.

Perplexity Pro supports various languages, including English, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

Ng Tian Chong, chief executive officer (CEO) of Singtel Singapore, said, “Consumers are increasingly using AI search platforms to help them with their everyday tasks, from looking up recipes and planning a travel itinerary to more academic uses like school research and business competitive analysis. We are offering this solution, created by leaders in AI, so our customers can get personalised assistance. This is in line with our commitment to bringing cutting-edge technologies into the hands of our customers, so more people can take advantage of what AI has to offer.”

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, said, “Telecoms make it possible for people to use Perplexity on their devices. As we expand to new markets, partnerships with leading telecommunications providers play a key role in our growth strategy. We appreciate Singtel’s commitment to innovation and utility and welcome the opportunity to make Perplexity Pro available to their subscribers for free for a year.”

Hong Kong – A thriving hub for innovation and commerce, Hong Kong offers fertile ground for marketers to explore cutting-edge strategies in artificial intelligence, customer experience, and digital advertising. With its tech-savvy population and global appeal, the city leads with hyper-personalised campaigns and data-driven marketing that engage a diverse and connected audience.

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, brands in Hong Kong are doubling down on customer engagement and leveraging advanced analytics to craft seamless omnichannel experiences. The city’s unique blend of traditional and digital touchpoints demands strategies that bridge the gap between physical and virtual interactions, making it a prime location for exploring the future of marketing innovation.

To empower marketers with the tools and insights necessary to excel, MARKETECH APAC is thrilled to announce the debut of ‘What’s NEXT in Marketing: Hong Kong 2025.’ This highly anticipated one-day conference will take place on 24 April 2025 at Cordis, Hong Kong, offering an unparalleled platform for brands to gain fresh perspectives, elevate their strategies, and thrive in the ever-changing marketing landscape.

Building on the success of its predecessors, ‘What’s NEXT in Marketing: Hong Kong 2025’ is set to be a premier event for marketers eager to harness AI, enhance CX, and master data-driven strategies. Through thought-provoking keynotes, engaging panels, interactive roundtable discussion, fireside chats, and networking sessions, attendees will gain exclusive insights, explore innovative solutions, and connect with industry leaders to drive impactful results in the vibrant Hong Kong market. 

Steering the event’s key sessions are notable industry experts, including:

  • Kary Cheung, Head of Brand and Marketing at English Schools Foundation
  • Céline Sciortino, Group Vice President Brand and Marketing at FWD Insurance
  • Jaslin Goh, Director (Marketing, Communications, and Data) at Octopus Holdings Limited
  • Louise Vas, Head of OSW Marketing at Primecredit Limited 
  • Otilia Chan, Head of Marketing at ShopBack Hong Kong
  • Philip Chau, Regional Director, Marketing Performance & Operations – Asia at Sun Life
  • …and many more to be revealed!

What’s NEXT in Marketing conference series includes conferences in the following markets:

To learn how to be part of this conference, click HERE for further details.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joven Barceñas at [email protected].

For speaking opportunities, contact Jemo Espartinez at [email protected]; and for registrations, reach out to Faye Vita  at [email protected].

Singapore – EDMUND TIE & Company, a commercial real estate advisory firm in Singapore, has refreshed its brand identity as ETC in line with its 30th anniversary.

The rebrand to ETC marks the company’s evolution as it traverses the dynamic real estate industry.

The tagline ‘local at heart, global in mind,’ shows ETC’s local expertise while maintaining its global perspective, positioned to provide innovative services to clients.

ETC’s new logo shows a stylised ‘T’ reminiscent of a tree, symbolising the company’s growth and connections. The logo also encapsulates ETC’s core values: enterprising spirit, trustworthiness, and collaborative ethos.

Since ETC’s founding 30 years ago, it has been delivering real estate solutions across Southeast Asia. It has also forged partnerships with businesses in Singapore, the Philippines, China, Australia, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom. 

ETC’s services spans the entire real estate asset’s lifecycle including advisory, investment, management, and divestment.

Desmond Sim, chief executive officer of ETC, said, “The new name ETC is not new to many; it has long been a familiar abbreviation for Edmund Tie & Company among clients and staff. More importantly, the decision to officially adopt ETC as our new name was driven by our people. We conducted rounds of focus group discussions and open conversations with different teams – underscoring the priority we place on our people’s insights, voices and ideas. It’s this spirit of collaboration that defines and propels us forward, as we embrace this next phase of growth.”

“Celebrating 30 years is more than just a tribute to our journey; it’s also a bold declaration of our future ambitions. Our refreshed identity reflects how far we’ve come as one united ETC and highlights our intent to shape the future of real estate, both locally and regionally,” Sim added.

Indonesia – Indonesia-based e-commerce firm Bukalapak has revealed plans to phase out the sale of physical goods on its marketplace, redirecting its focus toward virtual products and digital services.

The company informed its users that they have until February 9, 2025, to place final orders for physical goods before the marketplace shuts down, Reuters reported.

Moving forward, Bukalapak will exclusively focus on offering virtual goods, such as mobile credits and internet packages, as well as services for paying electricity, water, and cable TV bills, among others.

Reuters highlighted that since its listing, Bukalapak has faced intense competition from Shopee and Tokopedia. 

In an official statement, Bukalapak explained that the decision to discontinue physical product sales was driven by market changes and increased competition, prompting an adjustment to its long-term strategy for sustainability and relevance. This plan was disclosed in an information disclosure announcement in October 2024.

“We want to emphasise that this change is a necessary step to focus on business lines with higher growth potential that we have been developing,” the company said. 

Bukalapak assured users that despite the shift in product focus, the Bukalapak Marketplace platform—including its app, website, and Mitra Bukalapak services—will remain fully operational and accessible for existing services.

The company further emphasised its strong financial position, backed by solid cash reserves, and clarified that discontinuing physical product sales on the Bukalapak Marketplace will not significantly impact its revenue.

“Bukalapak is committed to supporting sellers in adapting to this change. We are providing various guides and resources to help sellers ensure a smooth and secure transition…We also value the trust that customers have placed over the years and will ensure that customer rights are upheld until the end of the transition process,” the company stated. 

Philippines – Media investment company GroupM welcomes Crisela Magpayo-Cervantes as its new chief executive officer for the Philippines, marking her return to the group since previously working with its agency, Mindshare. The appointment will be effective in February.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Magpayo-Cervantes brings expertise in leveraging technology to her marketing strategies. 

Magpayo-Cervantes has served as director of digital practice at Mindshare Philippines and more recently as Mindshare Indonesia’s principal partner. She began her career in the industry at Ogilvy Philippines, where she served as an account director.

Prior to rejoining GroupM, Magpayo-Cervantes held the role of vice president head of media and marketing communications at Globe Telecom for three years. 

During her tenure at Globe, she has led the digital and creative transformation of the company and the marketing communications industry, maintaining her commitment to talent development.

Singapore – Medallia, Inc., a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, has named Mark Bishof as its chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), formerly from Qualtrics and Clarabridge.

Bishof takes over the position of Mike Lipps, a Thoma Bravo operating partner, who maintains his position on the Medallia board.

Prior to his new role, Bishof served as Qualtrics’ chief business officer and strategic advisor after it acquired Clarabridge.

Bishof was also CEO of Clarabridge, which he transformed from a customer-experience text-analytics business to a leader in conversational AI. He has also held the CEO position at Flexera Software and other leadership roles at Macrovision, IBM, Crossworlds Software, and Deloitte Consulting. 

Meanwhile, Medallia has also tapped former Clarabridge founder, Sid Banerjee as chief strategy officer to lead the company’s innovation with AI.

Medallia has also announced the addition of the following senior leaders:

  • Bas Brukx as chief financial officer
  • Ram Ramachandran as chief transformation officer
  • Karl Knoll as general counsel; and
  • Jamie Hunter as chief of staff and head of corporate development

“I am honoured and excited to lead Medallia, a true pioneer with a vast history and depth of personalised enterprise experience data. Medallia has always been a customer-centric and forward-thinking company dedicated to helping enterprises fulfill their brand promises and deliver exceptional experiences. As our industry landscape continues to evolve, and with the backing of a world-class investor like Thoma Bravo, we have significant opportunities to drive long-term growth and extend our leadership in the space,” Bishof said.  

“I am thrilled to bring these seasoned industry leaders together and pair them with Medallia’s team and long history of innovation in customer experience and AI. The world is changing, and our vision is to accelerate our clients from CX-based surveys and signals to AI-based conversations and automation, enabling them to compete more effectively and gain higher share and delight from their customers,” Bishof added.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to Medallia, and I look forward to working closely with him as we strengthen and expand our business and platform. He is an excellent and proven leader with strong experience in exceeding ambitious targets and managing complex challenges. We are well-positioned for success in this next phase of our story, and are ready to take charge of our future and deliver differentiated value for our clients,” Lipps commented. 

Orlando Bravo, founder and a managing partner at Thoma Bravo, commented, “For over 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mark and seeing his outstanding leadership in action. In a sector poised for transformation, we see incredible opportunity for Medallia, and are excited for this next phase of growth underpinned by Mark’s leadership and the world-class team he has assembled.” 

“I want to thank Mike for his leadership and for ensuring this is a truly seamless transition so we can hit the ground running. I look forward to working closely with Mark, Mike and the Medallia team to drive even greater innovation and value for their customers,” Scott Crabill, managing partner at Thoma Bravo, said.

India – Ankit Goyle has officially joined Snap Inc. as head of India marketing, following a successful nine-year tenure at Apple India, where he played a key role in shaping the brand’s marketing strategy.

In his new role, Goyle will establish and lead the marketing function in India, driving efforts to support Snapchat’s mission of empowering self-expression and fostering meaningful connections.

Goyle brings 17 years of marketing experience across sectors like consumer durables, technology, retail, and fashion, with expertise gained from working with prominent brands such as Apple, Myntra, Aditya Birla, and Google.

Before joining Snap, Goyle spent nine years at Apple India as head of category marketing and demand generation for iPhone and AirPods. During his tenure, he spearheaded national ATL and BTL campaigns across multiple channels. He project-managed successful product launches, collaborating with teams across marketing, sales, PR, and distribution. 

Goyle also conceptualised INDIAiSTORE.com, Apple’s first global channel product and store platform in India, and drove digital transformation with partners and distributors. Additionally, he implemented innovative O2O programs, led co-marketing partnerships with major retailers, and ensured seamless execution across teams.

In a LinkedIn post, Goyle said, “A heartfelt thank you to my mentors and teammates at Apple for shaping my journey. Here’s to new beginnings and exciting opportunities! Let’s Snap into the future!”

Singapore – OneTrust, a privacy and security software provider, has opened its new office in Singapore as part of its expansion efforts in Asia-Pacific (APAC).

OneTrust’s growth efforts aim to extend its offerings globally to meet the demand for responsible data and artificial intelligence (AI).

The expansion comes at a time when multiple policies on data privacy are evolving across APAC, including in India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. With more organisations navigating the changes in data privacy laws, OneTrust seeks to help them operate and comply with complex regulations.

OneTrust works with companies such as Samsung, DHL, and Yum! Brands, offering consent management, data privacy and governance, and compliance solutions using responsible methods of data collection.

Arran Mulvaney, OneTrust’s country manager in Singapore, said, “Asia’s dynamic data privacy landscape is driving demand for solutions that help organizations keep up with a complex patchwork of regulatory requirements while accelerating data-driven innovation.”

“Singapore’s world-class talent pool, robust digital ecosystem, and close ties with other major Asian markets make it an ideal springboard for OneTrust in APAC. Bolstered by our offices in Bengaluru and Melbourne, expanding our footprint here in Singapore allows us to deepen relationships with customers and partners in the region. We aim to deliver transformative solutions for privacy automation and consent management, empowering organizations to build trust through responsible data and AI practices,” Mulvaney added.

Singapore – Income Insurance has launched a new campaign for its new car insurance tailored for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, injecting humour as it highlights its edge against regular car insurance.

The campaign for ‘eDrivo Car Insurance’ aims to bridge the gap between the increase of EV adoption and the kind of insurance they are getting. This is due to some EV owners’ continued reliance on regular car insurance, not knowing that its coverage does not meet the specific needs of EV drivers.

Collaborating with creative agency BBH Singapore, Income Insurance tapped Singaporean comedians Eugene Soh and Fadzri Rashid to share their humorous take on getting unsuitable car insurance.

The campaign video shows the comedians, only one of them eDrivo-insured, discussing why EV insurance is better than regular ones as they charge their vehicles in a field far from the city.

The video highlights how only the tailored insurance covers EV batteries, even when the charge runs out in the middle of the road. eDrivo Car Insurance also allows unlimited battery replacements for accidental damages. 

With plans to go beyond the film, Income Insurance also bared its plans for an activation, leveraging the comedians’ ability to perform live.

As part of the campaign, Soh and Rashid are set to be featured in a ‘drive-in stand-up’ show in April 2025, which the audiences can watch inside their cars.

The campaign on social media will also bring the two comedians together to answer EV-related questions through a video Q&A.

Khairul Mondzi, executive creative director at BBH Singapore, said, “We leaned on comedians to bring some wit to the world of insurance, and worked with a top comedy director, Karthik Kumar, to make sure every punchline landed just right.”

Dhiren Amin, chief customer officer at Income Insurance, commented, “Insurance campaigns don’t always have to be serious. We took on a refreshing approach centred around comedy, with punch lines and “mic drop” moments that are refreshing to cut above the noise – to deliver a reality check to EV owners with regular car insurance and show them why eDrivo is the better choice.”

Singapore – Restaurant brand The Soup Spoon is encouraging Singaporeans to achieve their health goals for the new year in its latest ‘Split the Cals’ campaign.

As part of ‘Split the Cals’ campaign, in collaboration with We Are Social Singapore, The Soup Spoon will be giving away discount vouchers to participants of the promotion, with 100 participants gaining the chance to win meal prizes.

The campaign, strategically set for the new year, aims to help people follow through with their resolutions for healthier lifestyles, promoting healthy food choices.

‘Split the Cals’ allows customers to swap their food temptations for healthier and calorie-conscious meals with a friend. To participate, customers can post or comment on a photo of a tempting food ad on Instagram, tagging The Soup Spoon and a friend to share the healthy meals.

Besides the social media campaign on Instagram, it will also be launched in-store at The Soup Spoon’s locations across Singapore. The campaign runs from January 7 to 21, 2025.

Anna Lim, co-founder and Souperchef at The Soup Spoon, said, “We know that New Year’s resolutions often centre around healthier living and we want to make it easier for our customers to turn those resolutions into reality. Our extensive menu of unique soup meal combinations makes healthy eating feel like an exciting journey rather than a chore. And because we believe health is better together, we’re encouraging everyone to take the journey with a friend or a buddy, so you can inspire each other every step of the way in 2025!”

Omar Sotomayor, regional executive creative director at We Are Social Singapore, commented, “Every January, many of us make New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier, only to be derailed by tempting fast food promotions and turning to guilt-ridden, lonely junk food binges. But The Soup Spoon saw an opportunity: why not turn these ads, designed to tempt you, into a chance for healthier meals at The Soup Spoon? That was the inspiration for ‘Split the Cals’. For example, a 1400-calorie burger combo could become a wholesome, joyful meal for two—helping you and a friend stick to your resolutions, because staying healthy is easier together.”