Tag: Online Marketing

Singapore – Virtual learning has long been in learning institutions’ blueprint for educational provision, but the emergence of the pandemic has surged the need for online channels at an unprecedented level. This further pushes every aspect of university operations, including its student admissions, recruitment, and retention efforts to assume a digital environment, hence necessitating institutions to reevaluate and rethink their digital marketing strategies. 

This April 13, APAC-wide marketing and advertising news platform, MARKETECH APAC, gathers a panel of experts from the region to discuss and present the current challenges and opportunities in today’s digital and online marketing landscape of higher education institutions. 

Titled the ‘Asia-Pacific Outlook 2021: Reimagining your higher education web strategy’, the webinar will lay out and touch on the pillars of creating an intelligent and inspiring digital experience for students through a university’s most valuable asset – its online portal. 

To start off, the panel includes Monica Hong, Australian Catholic University’s digital marketing national manager, where the group will discuss how universities can best evolve their website and digital experience, one that would effectively attract potential enrollees and retain existing students. Joining her are top digital marketing executives, global SaaS solution Siteimprove’s Vice President for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), Gabriel Ponzanelli, and its Digital Marketing Consultant Rick Elenbaas.

The expert line-up will steer the dialogue on the ways learning institutions can maintain agility to overcome common industry pain points. Furthermore, the webinar will present on the crucial features of high ed web strategy, the different ways of effectively gauging campaign success, and how schools can identify and fix the roadblocks in the bid to deliver a highly encouraging, inspiring, and informative digital experience. 

Ponzanelli leads the APJ sales and marketing teams in Siteimprove, and carries with him over 20 years of experience in traditional and digital marketing across agency and corporate sides. Elenbaas, meanwhile, has worked in Sydney’s digital landscape for the past 10 years, building a wealth of knowledge within the fields of SEO and Analytics, having worked with clients like Toyota Australia, Woolmark, and Pizza Hut, as well as Richardson & Wrench and Real Insurance.

Meanwhile, Hong boasts of 12 years of experience. In her role at Australian Catholic University, a public university in the country with seven campuses, she takes the helm of the institution’s advertising and marketing portfolio.

Shaina Teope, MARKETECH APAC’s regional editor, who will be moderating the webinar commented, “Universities’ online portals have long been an entryway for students to obtain a peek of what they would call home for the next four years or so of their lives, a place to immerse themselves in academic enlightenment, and holistic transformation in braving the real world.”

“Through this webinar, universities across the Asia Pacific and beyond will not only receive a refresher on the most effective digital marketing strategies to attract enrollees and achieve student retention, but will also learn amid changing times, how to be the fort by which talented and brilliant individuals will build their future career around,” added Teope. 

In partnership with Siteimprove, the virtual event will take place live on April 13, Tuesday, and will simultaneously be broadcast at the following timezones: 11 am SGT, 1 pm AEST, and 3 pm NZST. 

There is no better time for universities’ marketing teams to rethink and recalibrate their web and digital marketing execution plans. All marketing, communications, digital, and user experience professionals of universities’ marketing teams across the APAC region are invited to attend the virtual event. You may sign up for the webinar here. 

Singapore – Bakery brand in Singapore Bread Garden has unveiled its new pastry collection for the upcoming Chinese New Year; this is together with the launch of its newly revamped website. 

Bread Garden said its 2021 collection is a balanced palette of perennial best-sellers, and old-school tastes as well as new, innovative sensations that cater to a diversity of taste preferences.

Just like in the previous years, the brand will be introducing new flavors to the collection, such as Mala Lotus, which puts a spicy twist to lotus snacks, and Brownie Almond Cookies, which combines almond with a chocolatey taste. Meanwhile, the established classics that will be gracing the collection will be almond cookies and ‘kueh bangkit, a biscuit made from sago starch. 

“As today’s consumers get exposed to more new food flavors in their everyday consumption, bakeries have been quick to hop onto trends and experiment with new, interesting tastes that appeal to a younger generation of Chinese New Year snack buyers,” said the brand in a press statement. 

Despite the country reopening from the pandemic, large physical events are still discouraged, including Chinese New Year street celebrations. As more people are expected to buy pastry treats online, Bread Garden is offering early customers a “Buy 4 Get 1 Free” promotion from now till 15 January 2021, where the lowest priced item out of every five is given as complimentary.

Bread Garden is also releasing its yearly collection of Chinese New Year Goodies, the Prosperity Gift Set, consisting of a handpicked selection of six most recommended flavors, symbolizing blessings in the six aspects of a life filled with abundance.

Manila, Philippines – Local telco giant Smart is hosting a year-ender concert titled RESET 2021, a welcome to the incoming year through original Filipino music (OPM) from some of the country’s well-known OPM personalities.

RESET 2021 will be graced by performances from artists Bamboo, The Itchyworms, Unique Salonga, as well as R&B artist Kiana Valenciano, alternative rock band She’s Only Sixteen, and disc jockeys Ace Ramos and MC Pao Avila.

The year-ender concert is a prelude to the telco’s ‘GigaFest’, a whole season of celebration featuring world-class entertainment, esports tournaments, digital innovations, promos, and freebies to give back to all loyal and new Smart subscribers all over the country, including their latest raffle promo GIGAMANIA that gives Smart users a chance to win smartphones, free data and P1M cash during the weekly draws.

“After a most challenging year, we are one with our nation in hoping for a brighter and better 2021. This is the time to find our footing once again, rise together, and #OWN2021 with a sense of renewed purpose,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and head of consumer wireless business at Smart. 

Prior to this virtual concert, Smart has hosted several online concerts, including Dua Lipa and her “Studio 2054” last November, and the 2020 Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS (2020 MAMA) earlier in the month.

RESET 2021 will be streamed live on Smart’s YouTube channel on December 31, and will be available for simulcast on local channels TV5 and Cignal on the same date at 10:40 pm.

Philippines – To fully tap on the exporting potential of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, local export startup 1Export is offering their services to leverage e-commerce capabilities of MSME to an international market.

Established in 2016, the startup offers its services by aiding enterprises in finding the right buyers online and what products will be deemed export-quality. This is then delivered across nine key international markets, of which businesses will take note of any compliance standards these key markets hold.

With the services being offered, the startup further extends its service by providing an eCommerce platform for MSMEs. From correct documentation to automated labeling using pictures, all are part of the startup’s goals of export efficiency for MSMEs.

“Exporting is often viewed as a tedious and laborious process. For most MSMEs, creating a truly globally competitive brand remains just a pipe dream. We believe that, when done right, exporting can be a powerful tool to showcase MSME talent, uplift the economy, and change the lives of people,” Daniel Remo, chief operating officer of 1Export stated.

CEO Mel Nava also commented, “We make them globally competitive so that they can export, we help them export so they can sell more, stay afloat, and serve the needs and wants of other markets.”