Tag: Marketing

Malaysia – Pos Malaysia Berhad, a national post and parcel service provider, has launched its 36th new store with the new ‘Shop in Shop’ concept, deviating from traditional in-person shopping models. The launch coincides with the celebration of National Day and Malaysia Day 2024.

The new Pos Shop’s design features a post office within the store, a detail that transforms the retail experience of customers. At the one-stop shop, which merges post and parcel services, customers can conveniently find daily essentials. 

Besides household products, the new shop also houses the Pos Kafe, offering an array of food and beverages. The shop also offers resources for reloading mobile services and bills payments. 

In time for Malaysia’s Independence Day, the company is also set to release a special edition ‘Hari Malaysia’ stamp collection on Sept. 16, expressing Pos Malaysia’s connection to its national heritage. 

“Today marks an exhilarating leap forward in our mission to revolutionise postal services for the digital age. We are very excited about the launch of Pos Shop Pudu which epitomises our dedication to reinventing customer experiences. Since launching our first Pos Shop in Jalan Medan Tuanku last May 2023, we’ve seen an average increase of 34% in footfall at associated post offices. This success validates our innovative retail concept that seamlessly blends traditional postal services with modern convenience,” Pos Malaysia’s group chief marketing, communications and sustainability officer, Fiona Liao, stated.

“With the launch of our 36th Pos Shop, we are thrilled to continually innovate our space and refine our product offerings to align with market demands, while providing a comprehensive one-stop solution for both postal and convenience needs. By optimising our existing assets, we are not only enhancing the overall customer experience at our retail outlets but also driving economic growth through strategic partnerships with local SMEs,” Liao explained.

“This approach not only fosters economic development but also supports our communities’ needs, creating a win-win situation for Pos Malaysia, local businesses, and our customers,” Liao added.

YB Teo Nie Ching, deputy minister of communications commented on the initiative, “By modernising its retail presence and supporting local small and medium-size industries, Pos Malaysia is not only enhancing the customer experience and meeting the community’s needs but also making significant contributions to our country’s economic growth and community development.”

Pos Malaysia plans to further expand in the country, aiming for an additional 14 shops nationwide.

Singapore – Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has appointed Angela Zepeda as its new global head of marketing, aiming for innovation and brand growth.

With expertise in digital marketing, Zepeda has handled senior roles prior to gaining her post at X.  She formerly served as chief marketing officer at Hyundai for five years, until the company restructured to split its marketing functions, thus removing the title. She also worked at Innocean USA as managing director, Quigley-Simpson as chief executive officer, and Campbell Ewald as chief marketing officer.

Linda Yaccarino, chief executive officer at X, welcomed Zepeda in a post.

“Today, I am delighted to welcome Angela Zepeda to X as our new Global Head of Marketing. X is the world’s most meaningful platform so it was essential to hire an exceptional leader like Angela to further shape our transformation,” Yaccarino said.

“Most recently serving as CMO/Chief Creative Officer for Hyundai, Angela brings incredible experience and expertise, understands how to grow a brand globally and is exactly the right person to lead X’s marketing as we accelerate our innovation. Looking forward to all of the great work to come!” Yaccarino added.

Zepeda is the first to be appointed to the role since Elon Musk took over the company in 2022. 

India – Havas Worldwide India, a creative agency under Havas India, has announced three key appointments to boost its strategy team. The agency welcomes Dhananjoy Ray, Aniruddh Subramanian, and Jahan Nargolwala as associate vice presidents of planning and strategy.

Ray, Subramanian, and Nargolwala bring more than 10 years of experience from various agencies before joining Havas Worldwide India. 

Ray, who comes from FCB India and Publicis India, has worked with brands like Horlicks, Uber, Pernod Ricard, Vivo, BMW, Google, Maggi and Nokia. His expertise is in communication and brand strategy.

Also from FCB India, Subramanian has worked with brands in different industries, including consumer goods, services, health, automobile, and technology.

Meanwhile, Nargolwala joins the agency from Creativeland Asia and has experience working with brands like Pizza Hut, Uniqlo, Park Avenue, ColorPlus, Taj Hotels, Coca-Cola, and more. He specialises in forming creative strategy, brand planning and management, and cross-functional project management.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dhananjoy, Aniruddh and Jahan to the Havas family. The world is changing and so are we. Strategy needs to be more business forward, digital first and data driven than ever before and our journey towards creating a more converged, multi-disciplinary team begins now. Each of them brings a deep and divergent level of expertise and experience to the table,” John Thangaraj, chief strategy officer at Havas Creative Network India, commented.

“Dhananjoy brings a deep passion and excitement for all things tech and auto. Aniruddh’s understanding and experience on the CPG category is second to none. And Jahan’s digital-first expertise across multiple categories nicely rounds out the team. Their hires underscore Havas’ deep commitment to delivering insight & data-backed strategic solutions that focus on keeping our clients ahead of the curve. That said, we’ve only just begun – watch this Space!” Thangaraj added.

Thailand – KFC Thailand is honouring the team behind its success in celebration of its 40th anniversary and the birthday of founder Colonel Sanders through a showcase of their hard work.

As a tribute to its employees, KFC is releasing a yearbook highlighting the team’s efforts to support the company for 40 years. They are also spotlighted in KFC’s new ‘Happy Birthday’ music video made in partnership with Thai singer BamBam Kunpimook. 

In celebration of Sanders’ birthday, KFC also offers free chicken to customers ordering any chicken bucket worth 199 THB or more in physical stores from Aug. 29 to Sept. 25. For customers ordering through the KFC application, they can avail more pieces of chicken for a lower price every Tuesday from Sept. 9 to 13.

“This 40th Anniversary is a mark of respect and celebration for the good people around us; the ones that keep us loving what we do. Our people and our fans are the heart of our business; they are the 12th secret ingredient, and our growth and success as the No.1 QSR brand in Thailand is attributed to their brand love, genuine exchange and dedication,” Suhayl Limbada, market lead and chief marketing officer of KFC Thailand, said.

“And one more thing, we’re offering free delivery too on all orders of 350 THB or more throughout September, just to keep the good times rolling. Here’s to the next Finger Lickin’ Good 40 years,” Limbada adds.

Since establishing its first store in Thailand in 1984, KFC currently has 1,100 branches in the country.

Singapore – Sitecore, a digital experience software, has announced the appointment of Stuart O’Neill as area vice president for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and Zac Lin as area vice president for Asia. The latest appointments aim to strengthen the company’s operations in the Asia-Pacific.

Focusing on ANZ, O’Neill’s position entails ensuring and delivering high-quality digital experiences to its customers. He is responsible for spearheading the expansion of Sitecore’s digital experience platform solutions for businesses. Meanwhile, Lin’s post widens his duty to the company’s business in all of Asia. 

Both executives have previously held senior roles in other companies. O’Neill has worked with Nortel Networks, Cisco, Fujitsu, hybris, SAP, Coupa, and Digital River while Lin was with PingCAP, Lark, Tibco, Tableau, and Salesforce.

“Sitecore has long been committed to serving customers in Asia-Pacific. The region is home to many of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing organisations. We’re rapidly innovating our DXP and continuously scaling to give these brands’ marketers the power to build digital experiences based on their evolving business needs,” Dave O’Flanagan, chief executive officer of Sitecore, said.

“Global brands trust the Sitecore digital experience platform to bring their vision to life. Stuart and Zac will work with our world-class partner ecosystem to support organizations building powerful, differentiated digital customer experiences,” Joey Lim, president for Asia Pacific and Japan at Sitecore, commented.

South Korea – Charles & Keith has launched the first ‘Designer in Residence’ initiative, which aims to support rising fashion designers by giving them a platform to show their designs. The project seeks to amplify new creatives while expanding the fashion industry.

In its first partnership, Charles & Keith is joined by South Korean designer Seokwoon Yoon to showcase his Spring Summer 25 collection at the brand’s flagship store in Gangnam.

The collection’s theme is focused on the life and death cycle and the human desire to preserve moments. This is portrayed through the use of wildflowers. It also displays Yoon’s style of creating oversized and unconventional designs.

As part of the collection, Yoon reimagined the iconic Charles & Keith Petra shoulder bag using his painting technique along with geometric designs. The special-edition bag is limited to 30 pieces, and will be sold exclusively at the brand’s Gangnam physical and online store.

“Having partnered with Seokwoon Yoon on his runway showings at Seoul Fashion Week previously, we were thrilled to be able to evolve our support for his namesake label with The Designer in Residence concept this season,” Keith Wong, Charles & Keith co-founder, said. 

“The project is intended to be a practical way to heighten visibility of emerging design talent we have long-standing relationships – and great synergy – with, by leveraging our prime flagship locations to highlight their newest collections. We hope the novelty of bringing ready to wear into the store will inspire customers on how to style our Fall products, whilst offering a fresh CHARLES & KEITH retail experience that sparks excitement,” Wong added.

The Spring Summer 25 collection is available from Sept. 5 to 19, 2024 alongside Charles & Keith’s Fall 24 collection at the Gangnam boutique.

Singapore – Audi Singapore has announced the upcoming launch of the Audi House of Progress Singapore, a lifestyle destination, and an online retail platform to bolster its presence in the country. 

As a flagship concept and showroom, the Audi House of Progress Singapore is set to offer end-to-end experiences. Customers in Singapore can test-drive and purchase Audi models while fostering further engagement with the brand. Beyond these opportunities for car sales, the lifestyle destination will also be used for dining experiences, product launches, partner and customer events, and exclusive gatherings among others.

An upcoming online retail platform will also be available for customers in Singapore, providing them with more convenience, transparency, and opportunities for personalisation. The platform will be an end-to-end car purchase channel that offers customisation and configuration of cars, direct enquiries, insurance and trade-in features, and more. 

The Audi Q4 e-tron, an all-electric sports utility vehicle, will be the first model to be made available on the sales platform. New electric vehicles will also be released in the upcoming months to expand the offerings on the platform. 

“2024 is a pivotal year for Audi in Singapore, and the Audi House of Progress Singapore will mark our commitment to innovating and refining the customer experience, to remain ahead of evolving consumer needs,” Markus Schuster, managing director at Audi Singapore, said. 

“We are excited to unveil more details in the coming months, along with our roadmap of new launches that will attract current and new customers, and set a new benchmark for the automotive retail experience in Singapore,” Schuster added.

While sustaining the partnership, Premium Automobiles Pte Ltd. will continue to handle all aftersales services of Audi Singapore. 

“Premium Automobiles is pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with Audi Singapore. We are dedicated to providing the highest standards of aftersales service to continue meeting the needs of Audi’s customers in Singapore,” Hadi Widjaja Tanaga, president at Premium Automobiles Pte Ltd., said.

Meanwhile, the Audi Centre Singapore at Alexandra Road will continue its full operations until the opening of the Audi House of Progress by the end of 2024. 

Macao – Digital travel platform Agoda has teamed up with integrated resort operator Sands China to elevate tourism in Macao, promoting it as a premium destination for leisure and business travelers.

In line with the partnership is the launch of marketing campaigns and customized products that contribute to the aim of showcasing Macao’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, attractions, and other landmarks.

Sands China operates five resorts in Macao, namely the European-themed resort at Cotai Strip and the interconnected The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Londoner Macao, and Four Seasons Macao. 

Andrew Smith, senior vice president of supply at Agoda, said, “At Agoda, our goal is to simplify travel booking and enhance convenience for our users. With just a click of a button, travelers can access everything they need from accommodations and flights; to food and beverage options; and activities. We are excited that, through this partnership, we can provide visitors to Sands China’s properties the opportunity to experience the unique attractions of Macao and see the world for less.”

Kris Kaminsky, senior vice president of hotel operations at Sands China Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to have cemented this meaningful agreement with Agoda. As a leader in our industry, we believe with this partnership with Agoda we can make a positive impact on Macao’s tourism economy and further demonstrate Sands China’s commitment to supporting the various tourism initiatives and increasing diversification of visitor source markets.”

Agoda’s collaboration with Sands China is part of its commitment not only to enhance travel experiences but also to support tourism development. 

Japan – Hakuhodo DY Holdings has announced the launch of Ventures of Creativity Inc. (VoC Inc.), a new entity created to strengthen its in-house venture program by managing its investment operations.

VoC Inc. will support business incubation led by employees across the Group’s global network, including Japan. Its primary role is to manage the investment functions for teams chosen through the program.

The program invites innovative marketing proposals from employees across the global network, offering startup investment and acceleration support to teams selected through a competitive process.

To closely replicate the broader startup market environment, VoC Inc. has designed a range of systems and measures to foster business growth with the selected teams in more challenging conditions. VoC Inc. will also manage the investment functions of the program.

In June 2024, the Hakuhodo DY Group outlined its global purpose, a forward-looking vision centred on its societal role. Ventures of Creativity is one of the key initiatives aimed at bringing this vision to life through the creation of new businesses.

In an official press release, Hakuho DY Holdings said, “We are committed to transforming the aspirations of our employees into new businesses that will form the cornerstone of the Hakuhodo DY Group’s future.” 

Singapore – Microsoft has named Rodrigo Kede Lima as the new president of Microsoft Asia, succeeding Ahmed Mazhari who held the position for five years.

Leveraging his experience in digital transformation, Lima will spearhead Microsoft business in 20 countries, encompassing a team of 30,000 employees. As president, he will lead the team in unlocking opportunities for sustainable economic growth of the company. 

Lima held other leadership roles since joining Microsoft in 2020, including the position of president for Microsoft Americas Enterprise.

At IBM, where he previously worked, Lima led initiatives in the technology industry as president of IBM in Brazil and Latin America.

Judson Althoff, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Microsoft Corporation, commented, “I am thrilled to welcome Rodrigo Kede Lima as the new President for Microsoft Asia. Rodrigo’s extensive experience and proven leadership in driving digital transformation make him the perfect fit for this role. His commitment to empowering our people, customers and partners will be invaluable as we lead AI Transformation in the region and make a significant impact on the communities we serve. I would also like to thank Ahmed Mazhari for his key contributions in building Microsoft’s reputation as a trusted partner in Asia.”

“I am truly honored and excited to take on the role of President for Microsoft Asia. This region is at the forefront of digital transformation and now has the opportunity to lead the world in the era of AI. I am committed to work with our talented teams to drive innovation and empower our customers and partners to ride this next wave. In doing so, we will unlock inclusive growth for all across Asia,” Lima said.