Tag: Marketing

Paris – Agency network Havas has expanded its partnership with online research data and analytics technology company YouGov to span more networks. The expanded partnership now includes 30 markets in media, creative, and health networks.

With the expanded partnership, Havas is combining its ‘Converged’ strategy through data and tech capabilities with YouGov’s attitudinal and psychograph data. The collaboration allows them to activate audiences globally with a privacy-centric approach.

Leveraging YouGov and first-party data sources, Havas is enhancing its ‘Converged’ operating system to drive actionable insights across its network.

“By accelerating the adoption of YouGov’s data and insights, we’ve been able to build larger, smarter models, creating increasingly sophisticated audiences that can be leveraged across the entire agency network in our Converged operating system. For our clients, we’ve boosted performance while safeguarding customer privacy, and for our people, we’ve unlocked new efficiencies that empower them to focus on more strategic tasks,” Dan Hagen, global chief data and technology officer at Havas, said.

“We’re incredibly proud of YouGov’s work with Dan and his team at Havas since our partnership started four years ago,” Stephan Shakespeare, co-founder and CEO at YouGov, commented.

“The enhancement of the relationship is testament to how much they value the quality and connectivity of our data, our pioneering products and our deep expertise. We look forward to further expanding YouGov’s partnership with Havas in the years to come as we continue to develop innovative approaches to show consumers’ reality across the world,” Shakespeare added.

Singapore – Ogilvy APAC has consolidated all its social marketing offerings under the Social@Ogilvy banner, providing a suite of solutions for its clients in the region. The move aims to help brands create social-first campaigns, allowing them to connect with culture while building their brands.

Ogilvy first unveiled Social@Ogilvy globally in 2012 before introducing it in APAC. The team unifies the agency’s paid and organic social, influencer marketing, and social marketing expertise. The consolidated team includes 550 experts across 16 markets.

Built on the principle of ‘Connected Social,’ Social@Ogilvy provides a single point of access to complete social marketing services for its clients. 

The offering aims to resolve brands’ issues of having to work with various social specialist agencies in different markets. Social@Ogilvy offers social media research, campaign development, content creation, media planning and buying, influencer marketing, and social commerce and CRM.

Social@Ogilvy uses a suite of in-house tools and strategic partnerships, including the AI capabilities of WPP Open. It also has training and collaborative projects on Meta and TikTok.

Chris Reitermann, co-chief executive officer of Ogilvy APAC, commented, “Social media is one of the most powerful cultural forces shaping how people connect, communicate, and consume. Brands can no longer afford to simply ‘do social’ as a tactic; they must become social at their core by embedding cultural relevance, community, and conversation into every touchpoint. Our unified offering empowers clients with an integrated, seamless approach that drives deeper impact, greater efficiency and results from creating brand value, consumer engagement to social commerce sales.”

Jeremy Webb, head of Social@Ogilvy, said, “The way brands show up on social media in APAC needs better connection – with culture, with brand, and with business. Our in-house creators, media buying, influencer and commerce specialists, as well as content production and operation centres in Bali, Manila, and Wuxi, allow us to execute at scale and consistently, across every market in the region.”

Singapore – Creative agency LePub Singapore has appointed Penny Sadlier as its new managing director to strengthen its leadership capabilities. The agency has also announced new additions to its creative department.

To boost its creative team, Le Pub Singapore has appointed Bruno Andrade and Pedro Pedreira as creative directors, Francesca Babet as client services director, Ernest Kok as senior copywriter, and Claudius Keng as senior art director.

In her new role, Sadlier will leverage her expertise in building brands and delivering integrated campaigns to drive impact across the agency’s clients.

Having collaborated with brands in Asia for over a decade, Sadlier has strengthened her experience in fast-moving consumer goods, food and beverages, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.

“Since opening its doors in Singapore in 2022, LePub’s story has been one of incredible growth and ambition – who wouldn’t want to be part of this trajectory? It’s a huge honour to be leading LePub Singapore into its next era, working alongside some of our industry’s sharpest minds and creative technologists to create brands that truly live in culture,” Sadlier said.

Andrade and Pedreira join the agency from Ogilvy Singapore, bringing their skill for art direction. Meanwhile, Kok and Keng join from MullenLowe Singapore. Babet previously served as global brand director at Publicis Groupe Singapore.

“LePub Singapore is a vibrant place of growth and innovation, attracting some of the most original and bold thinkers in the region. Rooted in data, creativity, and tech, the team is delivering some of our most exciting and forward-looking work both in Asia and around the world. I can’t wait to see where their creativity leads us next,” Bruno Bertelli, global CEO at LePub and CCO at LePub Worldwide, said.

Amrita Randhawa, Southeast Asia CEO at Publicis Groupe, commented, “To lead LePub in this next chapter, you need a ton of skills – consummate client leadership, great people and team building skills, the ability to work across countries and cultures, and an impeccable eye for craft and ideas. Lucky for us, Penny has it all in spades.”

Singapore – Online used car platform Carro is reviving its award-winning ad series in its latest campaign for its 10th anniversary. The campaign highlights its drama-free and convenient car purchases.

The ‘No Drama’ series, first released in 2023, used drama cliches to contrast how buying a Carro car is drama-free. It is composed of three short films, highlighting the nature of purchasing a Carro Certified car that is like new.

Shot in South Korea, the ‘No Drama’ ad is set in the Joseon Dynasty, where the king is being tricked to sell his ride for a lower value. The ad was produced by Carro’s in-house team. It has been launched in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and Hong Kong.

The second part of the ‘No Drama’ ad series is set to be released in June 2025.

Carro offers a transparent and convenient process, with the company delivering the inspection and quotation processes to customers’ homes in Hong Kong and Malaysia.

The company was founded in 2015, leveraging proprietary technologies and AI to innovate the car ownership experience. Since its founding, Carro has expanded from Singapore to the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Katherine Teo, Carro chief marketing officer, said, “We’ve heard what our customers have said over the last 10 years: that selling their car can be stressful, complicated and long drawn. That’s why we keep our processes transparent and stress-free, and all the drama they see will only be from our ads – no matter whether they’re selling to us or buying a Carro Certified car that is As Good As New. Comedy remains a great medium for us to tell our story and we are so excited to be able to deliver our message in a manner that is entertaining and fresh.”

“At Carro, we take pride in setting a new standard of transparency and trust in the used car industry. Our commitment to providing 100% clear quotations and straightforward processes ensures that our customers feel confident and cared for at every step, even if it means appearing at their doorstep. With the understanding that every market is unique, we are deeply committed to delivering the Carro experience in a way that is not only convenient and worry-free, but also truly resonates with what our customers value and need,” Chua Zi Yong, Carro chief operating officer, commented.

Singapore – Digital telco Circles.Life is providing its subscribers free access to CirclesAI, a tool powered by OpenAI’s latest models. The telco has integrated AI tools into its mobile plans, aiming to innovate digital connectivity.

Through the offering, Circles.Life gives its subscribers early access to OpenAI’s latest GPT-4.1 features, which are not yet available on the ChatGPT platform. Available in-app, CirclesAI allows users to simplify tasks like summarising documents and analysing budgets through unlimited use of smart tools.

Circles.Life has also launched ‘Carly,’ a support agent powered by GenAI made in collaboration with Zendesk and OpenAI.

The initiative aligns with Singapore’s ‘Smart Nation’ vision through AI adoption. It aims to make AI services more accessible without additional costs for its subscribers. Circles.Life has also shared plans to continuously innovate its AI-powered services for its users.

All Circles.Life mobile plans, including data-only plans, have integrated CirclesAI. All current and new subscribers can access the AI tool through the app.

Hashim Muntazar, country head of Circles.Life, said, “As Singapore pushes forward as an AI leader, telcos must evolve to deliver smarter digital services. CirclesAI gives our users early access to GPT-4.1 capabilities, and by offering this free through our mobile plans, we’re putting powerful tools directly in our users’ hands, whether they’re working smarter, creating content, managing their day, or just having fun with AI. And with Carly, our AI-powered support, help is instant and effortless.”

Singapore – Global marketing network Stagwell has appointed Connie Chan its new chief growth officer for Asia-Pacific (APAC). The appointment is effective in July 2025.

In her new role, Chan is set to lead Stagwell’s growth strategy and operations across APAC. She will focus on leading its transformation, enhancing capabilities, and forging deeper connections within local markets in the region.

Chan brings decades of expertise in media, marketing, and strategic communications to the company. Before her appointment, Chan served as the chief executive officer of OMD China, driving growth and creativity. She has also held leadership roles at WPP and MEC, now Wavemaker.

She will report directly to Ryan Linder, executive vice president, global chief marketing officer at Stagwell.

“As the global marketing landscape continues to shift, Asia Pacific stands out as a region of extraordinary opportunity. Connie’s leadership will be instrumental as we build a network that not only responds to the complexity of today but sets the pace for what’s next,” Linder said.

Randy Duax, managing director, Asia Pacific at Stagwell, commented,  “Connie doesn’t just drive growth. She builds momentum that breaks the sound barrier. We’ve spent the last three years building the kind of platform the holding companies said couldn’t be done—media, creative, strategy and PR moving as one, built for speed, wired for scale. Connie isn’t here to learn the playbook. She’s here to call the next play.”

“I’ve always believed in the power of strategic clarity and bold ideas. At Stagwell, we have the talent, the ambition, and the platform to build work that matters – and impact that endures,” Chan said.

Singapore – Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has teamed up with record label BIGHIT MUSIC for BTS Jin’s music video. The ‘Don’t Say You Love Me’ music video spotlights iconic landmarks in Singapore.

Set in Singapore, the music video highlights travel destinations against music and visual storytelling for a global audience. 

The music video features iconic destinations like the National Gallery Singapore, the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, and the Anderson Bridge. It also includes hidden gems in neighbourhoods, such as the Keng Eng Seafood and Goldhill Plaza.

The video was launched globally on HYBE LABELS’ YouTube channel and STB’s social media platforms.

‘Don’t Say You Love Me’ is the main track of ‘Echo,’ BTS Jin’s second solo album.

Serene Tan, executive director, North Asia at STB, said, “This collaboration was a unique opportunity to showcase Singapore’s culture, nature, and architecture through a charming blend with Jin’s music. We hope that people around the world will come to see and experience Singapore from a new perspective through the music video.”

Last year, STB collaborated with music-based entertainment company Universal Music Singapore for OneRepublic’s ‘Singapore’ music video.

Philippines – The Philippines is rapidly emerging as a pivotal force in Southeast Asia’s digital economy, with its retail and e-commerce sectors undergoing significant transformation. Consumers are increasingly seeking personalised experiences, seamless payment options, and omnichannel convenience. To meet these evolving demands, businesses must harness the power of automation, predictive analytics, and partnership marketing.

In response to this dynamic landscape, MARKETECH APAC, in collaboration with its sister publication UpTech Media, is thrilled to present the ‘Retail & E-Commerce Innovation Marketing & Tech Summit: Philippines 2025.’ Happening on 14 August 2025, at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, this summit aims to redefine the future of e-commerce in the Philippines. The event will bring together industry leaders, marketing experts, and tech innovators to explore the latest trends, strategies, and technologies driving the evolution of e-commerce.

Building on the success of ‘E-Commerce Marketing Philippines 2024,’ this year’s summit promises to be bigger and better, offering attendees valuable insights, cutting-edge ideas, and ample opportunities for learning, networking, and inspiration.

The conference will feature top-notch keynote presentations, dynamic panel discussions, engaging fireside chats, and curated networking sessions, each designed to elevate retail and e-commerce strategies.

Leading the conversation will be top industry leaders and experts, including:

  • Emmanuel Cruz, Omnichannel Director at Avon Cosmetics Inc.
  • Sriharsha Vavilala, Director of Revenue & Strategy at edamama
  • Nancy Almasco, Marketing Director at FlowerStore.ph
  • Marx Benedict So, Associate Director, Digital & Commercial Insights at Mega Prime Foods Inc.
  • Tiffany Batungbacal, Assistant Vice President at Primer Group of Companies
  • Neelam Gopwani, President at Vision Express Philippines
  • …and more to be announced!

Joven Barceñas, founder at MARKETECH APAC, said, “This summit isn’t just about trends—it’s about enabling the tech backbone of retail and e-commerce in the Philippines. From AI to marketing automation, we’re here to facilitate the conversations and collaborations that will define the future of commerce.”

The Retail & E-Commerce Innovation 2025 Series is also set to expand to Malaysia, with an event scheduled for 17 July 2025.

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

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

For speaking opportunities, contact Kathleen Murata at [email protected]; and for registrations, reach out to Rosalie Cruz at [email protected].

Philippines – Footwear brand Havaianas has dropped a giant slipper in a satellite image for its latest campaign in collaboration with advertising agency GIGIL. The slipper, resembling a green footprint, aims to call for more green spaces and parks in the country.

The move is part of Havaianas’ ‘#BreakTheRush’ campaign, highlighting the importance of taking a moment to relax amidst the fast pace of daily life.

The satellite image, which captured a green space, was transformed into a visual that resembles a Havaianas slipper. It bears the Havaianas logo and ‘Break The Rush’ messaging.

Havaianas and GIGIL posted the advertisement on April 22, 2025, in time for Earth Day. It emphasises the vital role of green areas and parks in the Philippines as a place for much-needed rest, especially in urban environments.

GIGIL recently collaborated with antibacterial soap brand Defensil for a creative series of comedic films starring ‘Germ Zs.’

Last year, the agency’s collaboration with finance company Skyro for ‘Flexi-Billboards’ went viral on social media.

Australia – Sydney-based marketing agency, Stanley House Studios, expands its travel division with two major new wins: Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park and Amora Hotels.

This follows the agency’s recent rebrand and builds on its strong track record of standout campaigns across hospitality, food, and beverage – now channeling that creative firepower back into the travel and hotel space.

Founded by Director David Wasserman, who brought the Hilton Hotels brand to the Australian market in 2005, Stanley House Studios has since worked with more than 150 brands. 

The agency’s previous travel work includes campaigns for luxury hotel group Anantara.

Stanley House Studio’s 12-person team is already rolling out integrated campaigns for both hotels encompassing digital, PR, influencer engagement, and content production – all tailored to bring each brand’s unique guest experience to life.

With the brand relaunch, Stanley House Studios is actively expanding its travel portfolio and is already in discussions with several international hotel and travel brands.

The agency continues to offer end-to-end marketing services spanning strategy, PR, digital, content, and social with a special knack for creating culture-led campaigns that spark buzz and deliver results.

“We’ve always had a deep love for travel and great hospitality, it’s in our DNA. The travel division has been steadily evolving behind the scenes, and this marks a full circle moment for us. We’re thrilled to be working with premium hotel brands like Sheraton and Amora as we reestablish our footprint in this space,” David said.

Meanwhile, George Redmond, director at Stanley House Studios, commented, “We approach travel marketing the same way we do food and beverage: with a focus on culture, community, and conversation. Our goal is to connect people to places in ways that feel authentic, aspirational, and current.”