Tag: Marketing

Singapore – Salesforce, a customer relationship management (CRM) software, has unveiled ‘Agentforce,’ a platform of autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents for efficiency in driving sales, marketing, and commerce. It allows companies to boost their workforce while assisting employees in their tasks. 

Unlike AI tools that depend on human requests, ‘Agentforce’ operates autonomously.  Its limitless digital agents can build and execute plans independently while still working within the company’s customised guardrails. The platform’s independence is powered by ‘Atlas,’ a reasoning engine that simulates the thought processes of humans when planning. 

Using real-time data, it can address customer inquiries while adapting to cater to the needs of customers. It can also provide an overview of the interaction, customer details, and further recommendations for the next steps.

An agent builder is also available in the platform, which enables customers to configure agents based on their needs. However, customers can also access the agents that have been built by companies that are part of the Agentforce Partner Network. This includes Amazon Web Services, Box, Certinia, Copado, Coupa, Google, Honeywell, IBM, Workday, Zoom and more.

“Agentforce represents the Third Wave of AI—advancing beyond copilots to a new era of highly accurate, low-hallucination intelligent agents that actively drive customer success. Unlike other platforms, Agentforce is a revolutionary and trusted solution that seamlessly integrates AI across every workflow, embedding itself deeply into the heart of the customer journey. This means anticipating needs, strengthening relationships, driving growth, and taking proactive action at every touchpoint,” Marc Benioff, chair and chief executive officer at Salesforce, said. 

“While others require you to DIY your AI, Agentforce offers a fully tailored, enterprise-ready platform designed for immediate impact and scalability. With advanced security features, compliance with industry standards, and unmatched flexibility. Our vision is bold: to empower one billion agents with Agentforce by the end of 2025. This is what AI is meant to be,” Benioff added.

Agentforce is set to be released for general use on Oct. 25, 2024.

Malaysia – PUMA has launched a flagship store at Sunway Pyramid in Malaysia, its largest in Southeast Asia. The activation aims to strengthen the brand’s commitment to the fashion and sports industry in the country.

Coinciding with this launch is the PUMAthon activation, a running track within the store open to all guests.

Each time guests complete 100-meter runs, PUMA donates RM10 to Care2Run, a non-profit organization seeking to improve the lives of differently-abled youth through sports programs in Malaysia. The initiative aims to promote inclusivity, reflecting PUMA’s ‘Forever Bersama’ campaign.

Within the 12,000-square-foot store, various immersive in-store experiences await customers. 

Besides offering exclusive items and collections, PUMA Malaysia also reveals a customisation area, interactive displays, and personalised experiences to guests. The store also introduced the three-dimensional foot scanner, which analyses a customer’s foot before suggesting a sneaker style through the power of artificial intelligence.

“‘Forever Bersama’ means ‘Forever Together,’ and this campaign truly embodies that sentiment. By participating in this activation, Malaysians engage in a fun and active experience while contributing to a larger purpose. Each run adds to our collective contribution, highlighting the impact of coming together for a common cause,” Steven Tan, country manager for PUMA Malaysia, said. 

Customers can take part in the PUMAthon throughout the month of September. 

PUMA ambassadors Metawin “Win” Opas-iamkajorn, Tontawan “Tu” Tantivejakul, Meerqeen and Priscilla Abby also made an appearance during the opening celebration of the store.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – ZUS Coffee, a Malaysian coffee shop chain, celebrates its local roots in its ‘Made in Malaysia’ campaign, made in collaboration with advertising agency Fishermen Integrated. 

While honouring its heritage, ZUS Coffee’s campaign encourages other homegrown brands to be proud of being made in Malaysia. Its mission is to elevate the profiles of locally-made brands. 

With a new ‘Made in Malaysia’ logo that is available for free use, the company urges other local brands to wear the mark of their roots with pride. The logo features elements that speak of the country’s identity while being touched by the humorous description of Malaysia, which is “Below Thailand, Above Singapore, Not Indonesia.”

ZUS Coffee also released ‘Made In Malaysia, Dicintai Dunia,’ a five-minute film that embodies the campaign’s mission. The company stays true to its aim to elevate other local brands by featuring them, including Inside Scoop, Spritzer, Munchy’s, BananaBro, Pestle & Mortar Clothing, HYGR, and Pos Malaysia. Malaysian personalities are also featured in the film.

“There is greatness made in Malaysia every day. But we realised most homegrown brands seem reluctant to display the ‘Made in Malaysia’ label prominently. It is usually found near disclaimers at the bottom, or tucked away at a corner in small print. This trend contrasts sharply with other places such as Europe, where ‘Made in France’, ‘Made in Germany’ or ‘Made in the United Kingdom’ are displayed with pride. We saw an opportunity for ZUS Coffee — a proudly Made-in-Malaysia brand — to take the lead and help correct this,” Fishermen creative director, Andrew Perera, said

“The goal was simple: to create a mark that Malaysian products can proudly showcase. ZUS Coffee has made the logo available for all to download, share and use for free. This will hopefully start the transformation of ‘Made in Malaysia’ from a footnote into a brand of its own, and build a newfound sense of pride in being ‘Made in Malaysia’ among local businesses,” Perera added.

“The campaign just launched and we are already receiving so many positive responses. It’s one big ‘Buatan Malaysia’ family coming together for a common cause — celebrating and inspiring pride in Made-in-Malaysia businesses. As another homegrown brand, we are humbled to be part of this initiative that showcases the incredible local brands that make Malaysia unique,” Fishermen co-founder and managing director, Mark Darren Lee, said.

“A special shoutout to our Fishermen team for creating something that feels more than just an ad. What makes this Malaysia Day film truly remarkable is how each brand embraces its identity while contributing to something bigger. Seeing multiple brands united for a good cause is what makes this campaign so meaningful,” Lee added.

Meanwhile,  ZUS Coffee Creative Director Shafiqah Othman commented, “The most exciting part of this journey is collaborating with incredible partners and brands, bringing them all together under one roof like a family reunion. We believe that businesses should uplift one another while also providing platforms for local artists and talents to shine. We take immense pride in the talent, creativity and innovation that Malaysia nurtures, and it fills us with purpose to share this with the world. Our campaign video, released in conjunction with Malaysia Day, is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of excellence that unites us as Malaysians. Working with Fishermen Integrated to bring this vision to life has been a beautiful part of this journey. We are incredibly excited to continue championing Malaysian greatness, now and always.” 

‘Made in Malaysia’ is an addition to ZUS Coffee’s ‘Buatan Malaysia’ campaign in 2023. This year, it will run until Nov. 2, ZUS Coffee’s fifth anniversary, and conclude with the music festival, ‘Made in Malaysia: Lokal Kasi Vokal.’

Singapore – Audi Singapore has announced the appointment of Jamie Lee as its new general manager for marketing, effective immediately. 

With her extensive experience and deep understanding of the local automotive landscape, Lee is set to play a crucial role in driving Audi’s continued growth in Singapore. She will oversee all of Audi’s marketing and communications efforts in the region.

Lee brings over 20 years of experience in the automotive and lifestyle spaces. Her career in the automotive industry has been built over her tenures in key marketing roles with Volkswagen Group and Eurokars Group. 

During her 13 years at Volkswagen, Lee spearheaded a range of branding and communication initiatives across all facets of marketing in both Singapore and Beijing. She also served as general manager of the MG Brand, spearheading the setup and growth of MG’s sales and marketing arm in Singapore. 

Before joining Audi, Lee was the marketing director at UNIQLO, where she played a pivotal role in driving significant growth for the global fashion brand in Singapore. Leading a team of 20 marketers, she orchestrated comprehensive marketing initiatives for UNIQLO’s 30 stores across the country.

Commenting on her appointment, Lee said, “It’s great to be back in the automotive space, and with such a renowned brand that embodies innovation and progress. It feels as if I’m coming home to a familiar environment, and I look forward to working with a team that shares my passion for this dynamic industry.” 

In an official press release, Audi Singapore reaffirmed its commitment to setting new standards in automotive retail and customer experiences. The company highlighted that Jamie Lee’s industry expertise will be instrumental in advancing the brand’s goals and evolution in Singapore.

Australia – McDonald’s Australia delivers coffee to the Paralympics in a three-part content series titled ‘Takeaway Baristas,’ supporting para-athletes. The campaign was produced in collaboration with advertising agency DDB Sydney.

‘Takeaway Baristas’ narrates how four McCafé baristas delivered coffee to fuel athletes preparing for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Australian Paralympian Don Elgin hosts the series and features baristas training with athletes such as Michael Roeger, Ameera Lee, and Tristan Knowles. 

“Us Aussies can barely function without a high-quality cup. So when we found out McCafé was heading to Paris to make coffee for our Paralympians, we couldn’t wait to tell their story,” Tom Lawrence and Sam Raftl, DDB Sydney associate creative directors, said.

McDonald’s Australia marketing director Amanda Nakad commented, “Partnering with Paralympics Australia to support our amazing para-athletes has been a huge highlight for us this year. Whilst we can’t take any credit for their amazing success, the series is a light-hearted, feel-good moment to show just how far we go at McCafé to make sure our athletes and their families get the same great-quality, barista-made coffee they’re used to at home.”

The series runs until Sept. 15, with the first episode being released on Aug. 15. The two-minute episodes are available for viewing on TikTok, Meta, YouTube, and 9Now.

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.