Tag: Marketing

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.

Asia Pacific – Starbucks, in collaboration with Sanrio, has revealed new limited-edition beverages and merchandise featuring Hello Kitty across 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region, in time for Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary celebration. 

Starting Sept. 10, Starbucks is set to release Hello Kitty-themed apple-based beverages, seven drinkware items, and five lifestyle accessories. 

Inspired by Hello Kitty’s favorite food, Starbucks’ new Apple Pie Cream Frappuccino Blended Beverage has a chunky apple sauce base layered with milk and cream frappuccino syrup. Meanwhile, the Red Apple Frozen Tea is made of oolong tea with apple sauce and adorned with Hello Kitty’s signature red bow.

The line-up of drinkware items includes ceramic mugs, water bottles, and stainless-steel tumblers featuring Hello Kitty and her teddy bear, Tiny Chum. The collection also offers lifestyle items such as an apron, phone charm, lanyard, and plush toy. 

Additionally, blind box collectables will be available in Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. 

The Hello Kitty and Starbucks collection will also be available in Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam while supplies last.

“We are delighted to be part of Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, celebrating the enduring spirit of friendship and creating shared moments that turn into cherished memories,” Samuel Fung, vice president of product and marketing at Starbucks Asia Pacific, said.

“The Hello Kitty | Starbucks® collection perfectly embodies our shared values of fostering human connections and bringing people together. By evoking nostalgia with a touch of joy and playfulness, we hope the new Starbucks Experience will captivate Hello Kitty and Sanrio fans in the Asia Pacific region, enticing them to share these moments with the special people in their lives,” Fung added.

Starbucks has previously collaborated with Disney and BLACKPINK.

Thailand – Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Thailand has announced the promotions of Jinnarat Sampuntharat as chief operating officer, Rerngrith Jindaporn as general manager of OMD Thailand, and Pittayaphan Sriweawnetr as head of insights and marcomms for OMG Thailand to strengthen its leadership team.

In line with this, Rerngrith Jindaporn has been tasked with driving the agency’s growth, operational efficiency, client relationships and new business opportunities as general manager of OMD Thailand. 

Additionally, to scale its insights and marcomms capabilities, Pittayaphan Sriweawnetr has been handed a broader responsibility as Head of Insights and Marcomms for OMG Thailand.

The changes in the leadership team are part of OMG Thailand’s dedication to helping its clients and delivering results for the growth of the company. The whole roster of OMG Thailand’s leadership includes:

  • OMG Thailand CEO Rochelle Chhaya
  • OMG Thailand COO, Jinnarat Sampuntharat
  • OMD Thailand General Manager Rerngrith Jindaporn
  • PHD Thailand Managing Director Nuvee Pongsathidporn, who will continue to oversee the agency alongside General Manager Chaivut Eiamvuthikorn
  • OMG Thailand CFO Noppadol Vetvoranich
  • Head of Trading and Investment Nannapat Chotrattanakarn
  • Head of Insights and Marcom Pittayaphan Sriweawnetr
  • Head of People Waridda Burapathana

“OMG Thailand has witnessed great success over the past few years, with our digital capabilities and client relationships growing from strength to strength. This new leadership bench is highly talented and this structure provides a cornerstone for OMG Thailand to build upon and create future-facing solutions for our clients,” Rochelle Chhaya, chief executive officer of OMG Thailand, said.

Singapore –  Coca-Cola Singapore, in collaboration with Marvel, has launched the ‘Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes’ campaign featuring immersive storytelling and digital experience along with the release of limited edition cans.

In an effort to immerse consumers, the Coca-Cola pack designs show six character illustrations, digital collectible characters, prizes, and an augmented reality experience on Coca-Cola’s website.

The limited edition cans and bottles featuring both heroes and villains from the Marvel cinematic universe will be scannable to reveal the AR experience for all characters. The six designs include Deadpool, Wolverine, and Loki for Coca-Cola Original Taste and Black Widow, Hulk, and Iron Man for Coca-Cola Sugar.

The campaign also includes creatives that will run on cinema and other video-sharing platforms. 

“Coca-Cola has a long history with Disney, and it’s exciting to have a relationship that encourages and enables us to continue to push ourselves and our relationship to new heights creatively. This latest collaboration with Marvel allows us to tap into the legacy and affinity for both brands to deliver consumers new and unexpected experiences,” Islam ElDessouky, global head of creative strategy and content for Coca-Cola Trademark, said.

“Our corporate alliance with Coca-Cola uniquely positioned us to develop something remarkably innovative within the industry. We took the traditional marketing paradigm and redefined it in the best way possible. The result is an unprecedented campaign that taps into the power of the Marvel Universe – which is heading into its 85th year of beloved characters – and tells stories in a way that can only be done when Coca-Cola and Disney come together,” Mindy Hamilton, senior vice president of global marketing partnerships at The Walt Disney Company, said.

The ‘Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes’ limited edition cans are available from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2024.

Coca-Cola has previously collaborated with brands like Marshmello, Oreo, and League of Legends among others for limited edition pack designs.

Singapore – Integral Ad Science (IAS), a global media measurement and optimization platform, has appointed Marc Grabowski as chief operating officer (COO) and Srishti Gupta as chief product officer (CPO).

As COO, Grabowski will focus on customer success, business strategy, and company commercial operations as he oversees IAS’ global commercial organisation. Grabowski was formerly the global vice president of Oracle Advertising.

Meanwhile, Gupta will lead the product strategy and development while supervising the company’s go-to-market initiatives. Previously, she worked as the chief product officer at Rokt.

Lisa Utzschneider, chief executive officer of IAS,  commented, “We are delighted to welcome Marc and Srishti to IAS as they will enhance our senior leadership team, strengthen our customer-first approach, and advance our product development to meet the future needs of our customers and partners.”

“Marc and Srishti have a shared focus on innovation and agility which is essential in our fast-paced and dynamic industry. We look forward to their contributions as we continue to enable our customers to maximise performance while safeguarding and scaling their digital media investments,” Utzschneider added.

“IAS’s focus on data integrity and its trusted AI-backed technology, along with the company’s capabilities in social media, the open web, Connected TV (CTV), and other emerging channels makes this an exciting opportunity. I’m excited to offer my experience in strategy and execution to IAS’s strong bench of talent to drive superior results for our customers and partners,” Grabowski said.

“As marketers look to maximise return on their digital ad investments across channels, IAS has continued to innovate with high velocity and flexibility. I look forward to building on this strong foundation, driving customer value through industry-leading products, and furthering IAS’s mission of delivering trust and transparency in digital media quality,” Gupta said.

Both appointments are effective on 16 September.

Singapore – Strategic marketing and brand consultancy Flying Fish Lab has announced new appointments namely Alim and Wenjie Cai as senior catalysts, as well as making significant strides in its global expansion. 

Alim brings an extensive background that started in Research Agencies, before transitioning to the client side in Consumer Research and later in Brand Management. Wenjie has a solid FMCG Marketing background, to which he then added a robust number of years working in Marketing capability, in the consulting industry. 

These new senior talents will play a key role in enhancing Flying Fish Lab’s capabilities and boosting its ability to further speed up growth. 

In addition to bolstering its leadership team and client roster, Flying Fish Lab is making significant strides in its global expansion. The company has recently entered the European market, with offices in Lisbon, Paris and Milan, and is planning to expand into the Gulf countries next, reflecting its intention to better support the needs of its growing and geographically dispersed client base. 

Mário Braz de Matos, co-founder and CEO of Flying Fish Lab, said, “Alim and Wenjie are the sort of talent that strengthen our team’s ability to deliver Controlled Disruption to clients. Their significant experience complements the current leadership team, and their values align with our mission to help companies grow using ‘Controlled Disruption’.”

He added, “These exciting changes reflect our ongoing commitment scale in a way that stays true to our values, delivering to our clients without compromising on quality standards. Our new leadership team, strategic client acquisitions, and global expansion are all part of our broader vision to drive ‘Controlled Disruption’ and help deliver transformative results for clients. We are poised for an exciting future and look forward to the continued success of our clients and team.”