Singapore – Travel marketing agency Affilired and partnership management platform, impact.com, have joined forces to provide travel and hospitality brands in Southeast Asia with a powerful solution for affiliate marketing success.

This collaboration leverages Affilired’s deep travel industry expertise and impact.com’s best-in-class partnership management platform to unlock new markets, optimise campaign performance, and drive measurable growth for industry leaders.

The partnership with impact.com positions Affilired to accomplish significant business objectives for their clients in Southeast Asia, primarily focus on expanding their reach into previously untapped markets such as Vietnam, Philippines and also the African continent.

Additionally, they plan to harness impact.com’s solutions to refine affiliate marketing strategies and enhance performance, thereby driving growth and fortifying their foothold within the travel industry.

Talking about the partnership, Diego Gomila, chief executive officer of Affilired, said, “At Affilired, we’re firm believers in collaborative innovation to drive the travel industry forward. Our partnership with impact.com exemplifies this ethos, merging expertise and resources to elevate travel experiences worldwide. Together, we’re not merely navigating; we’re pioneering uncharted territories, shaping the future of travel through our mutual dedication to excellence and innovation.”

Meanwhile, Antoine Gross, general manager, Southeast Asia & India at impact.com, commented, “This partnership creates a powerful synergy between Affilired’s travel-focused expertise and our award-winning technology. Together, we offer a comprehensive solution for travel and hospitality brands, unlocking new avenues for market reach and growth. This collaboration will position Affilired and impact.com as the preferred go-to solution for driving success in travel affiliate marketing across Southeast Asia.”

Singapore – Interactive visual marketing platform Wootag has teamed up with Lemma, an omnichannel SSP for emerging formats, to offer brands the unique opportunity to leverage the growing audience engagement within digital-out-of-home (DOOH) and connected TV (CTV) media and elevate their visual interactive marketing campaigns. 

Wootag’s partnership with Lemma is set to transform creative enhancement and media effectiveness for marketers. 

Through this partnership, marketers will now have seamless access to Wootag’s interactive visual marketing capabilities within Lemma’s robust media ecosystem. By integrating Wootag’s technology, marketers can create captivating and immersive experiences that drive deeper audience engagement. 

Furthermore, the collaboration unlocks the potential for personalised and impactful campaigns at scale, combining Lemma’s unprecedented reach and targeting capabilities with Wootag’s interactive features. 

As audiences spend more time on CTV and engage with outdoor environments, brands recognise the importance of targeting intent viewing and other funnel metrics. Wootag and Lemma enable marketers to enhance the viewing experience by delivering contextual and personalised content that yields a significant 2-3X performance increase over standard videos on CTV and DOOH platforms.

Through this collaboration, Lemma clients and agency partners can effectively incorporate Wootag’s interactive visual marketing capabilities as part of their media offerings. This bundled solution is available globally, providing agency partners with a convenient way to combine cutting-edge technology with media to drive campaign effectiveness at scale. 

By leveraging Wootag’s interactive features within Lemma’s omnichannel ecosystem, marketers can create highly engaging and personalised experiences for their audience across multiple channels. 

This strategic partnership also empowers marketers with valuable insights and analytics, enabling data-driven decision-making. Marketers can gain a deeper understanding of audience behaviour, preferences, and engagement patterns, allowing them to refine their strategies and optimise performance in real time. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights, marketers can make informed optimisations and drive better campaign results. 

Raj Sunder, CEO and founder of Wootag, said, “At Wootag, we offer marketers a comprehensive solution that integrates interactive visual marketing with a powerful media ecosystem. With our partnership with Lemma, marketers can deliver highly interactive and contextualised experiences that captivate audiences and achieve exceptional results in their advertising efforts. We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Lemma and empower brands to fuel remarkable business growth.” 

Meanwhile, Gulab Patil, founder and CEO of Lemma, shared, “At Lemma, we are committed to staying at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that our brands remain ahead in the competitive landscape. Partnering with Wootag reflects our ongoing pursuit of excellence in serving our brands and clients by unleashing the power of interactive visual marketing and data-driven insights and sets a new standard in the digital advertising landscape.”

Singapore Hoppr, a CTV platform that provides premium TV ad space with a unique “first in market” guaranteed view, announced its partnership with Magnite, an independent sell-side advertising company. Together, they hope to give local buyers access to a new category of premium merchandise on the TV menu guide. 

The TV menu guide is a brand-new area on the TV unit where advertising is now available because of Hoppr’s technology. To guarantee marketers that their advertising is seen, it only activates advertisements when customers hold a remote. Furthermore, Hoppr gives marketers access to unmatched data, performance insights, and targeting information about the households that interact with the advertisements.

Hoppr will be able to provide this inventory programmatically for the first time by utilising Magnite’s technology. Through this partnership, advertisers will have more access, allowing them to interact with customers on the living room’s main screen.

Speaking about the partnership, Gavin Buxton, managing director, Asia at Magnite, said, “As competition increases across the CTV landscape, Hoppr is creating new opportunities to help media owners make the most of their assets and revolutionising TV advertising through its innovative technology. We’re excited to be their first programmatic partner as they embark on their global journey, beginning in Singapore, and look forward to working with them to drive increased capabilities for their cutting-edge CTV supply.” 

Meanwhile, Joe Prusz, CEO of Hoppr, stated, “We chose to partner with Magnite, the leading supply-side company for premium CTV publishers globally. They will provide Hoppr with scale and reach in Singapore, our first market. We are committed to delivering ultra-premium inventory from Singapore’s premium triple play operator StarHub, through next-generation engagement combining the best of linear, digital and data.” 

He added, “As advertisers get closer to supply and desire publisher-direct relationships, Magnite’s industry-leading technology makes it easy for the largest advertising companies to engage directly with us through programmatic. We know that TV remains the greatest medium to tell a story, using sight, sound and motion. It is only through our tech that households can be targeted with precision, using data insight to curate an audience that is guaranteed to watch the ad.”

India – Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has forged a three-year media partnership with Formula E to broadcast all Formula E races live on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV across the Indian subcontinent.

In this partnership, SPNI will air on Sony Sports Network television channels all races of the Championship’s tenth season. Additionally, fans will have access to all the practice sessions live, as well as qualifying and races this season, through streams on SPNI’s OTT platform, Sony LIV. 

Formula E’s behind-the-scenes series, Unplugged, will also be aired in SPNI, and will closely follow the journey of Maserati MSG Racing driver Jehan Daruvala during his debut season in the championship.

Sony Sports Network has worked with Formula E before, having aired its contents during the fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons. And as part of the new partnership, Sony Sports Network has launched a campaign promoting the championship and spotlighting India’s own Jehan Daruvala from Maserati MSG racing.

With the message “The Ride has just begun,”  the campaign seeks to localise Formula E and rally audience support. 

The tenth season of Formula E racing will be exclusively broadcasted live across India on the Sony Sports Network, with coverage spanning to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

After thrilling racing action in Rome last year, Formula E is set to debut at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on April 13th and 14th, 2024.

Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer for Distribution & International Business and head of sports business at Sony Pictures Networks India, shared, “We are thrilled to announce our multi-year partnership to broadcast all Formula E races live on Sony Sports Network. Formula E enjoys a loyal following among motorsports fans in India, and we expect it to grow further with the inclusion of rising star Jehan Daruvala. Formula E is the future of motorsport racing in the world, and we are confident that the strong Indian connection is bound to ensure more love from sports enthusiasts in India.”

Commenting on the partnership, Aarti Dabas, chief media officer for Formula E, also said, “With an enthusiastic, diverse, and young sports fanbase, India is an important growth market for us. As such, we are delighted to have teamed up with Sony Sports Network to supercharge this growth. This partnership guarantees that Indian fans will enjoy unparalleled access to Formula E content. This includes live coverage of every race on Sony’s linear and digital channels, featuring rookie driver and local favourite Jehan Daruvala and their home-grown team, Mahindra, who have been part of Formula E since the first season.”

Meanwhile, Daruvala also shared, “I am excited to be pursuing my Formula E racing career, knowing that I have a huge and passionate fanbase following me through Sony Pictures Networks. It is a dream come true to join Maserati MSG Racing, and I am committed to doing my very best for the team, the fans back home, and around the world.”

Singapore Plan B Media, an out-of-home (OOH) media service provider, has partnered with Vistar Media, a global provider of OOH media technology solutions, to bring programmatic solutions to the digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising landscape in Thailand and Singapore.

Plan B Media’s premium DOOH inventory will be instantly accessible to Vistar Media users through this relationship, which the companies hope will open up new prospects. Global advertisers will be able to interact with their target audiences more than ever before and achieve quantifiable outcomes because of Vistar’s data, knowledge, and toolkit.

By using technology to automate the buying and selling of ad space in real-time, programmatic DOOH allows advertisers to reach consumers with messages that are both relevant and tailored to their needs. 

Through the synchronisation of digital out-of-home advertising with other digital platforms like online display, social media, mobile, and linked TV, businesses can create a unified experience that appeals to customers at every point of their trip.

More than 500 premium screens in 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout Bangkok, as well as multiple DOOH billboards, will be available to Vistar’s network of agency and demand-side platform (DSP) partners from around the world. This cooperation seeks to expand into various types of locations, starting with billboards and convenience stores.

Franck Vidal, Vistar Media’s director of Southeast Asia sales and partnerships, said, “We are very excited to be working with Plan B Media in Thailand and Singapore. This partnership signifies an important milestone in Vistar’s development in both markets and for the pDOOH industry. As Vistar continues to grow across Southeast Asia, we are looking forward to seeing the impact of this partnership on delivering exceptional DOOH campaigns for advertisers.”

Meanwhile, Palin Lojanagosin, CEO of Plan B Media PCL, said, “By integrating Vistar Media into our extensive large format and retail digital screen networks, we’re empowering brands with unparalleled flexibility and the ability to enhance the effectiveness of omnichannel marketing strategies. This innovative approach is transforming the way brands engage with their audiences across multiple touchpoints, both online and offline.” 

Malaysia Lion & Lion has been appointed by Malaysian mobile and digital services provider U Mobile to manage the telco’s social media presence for its brand and marketing services portfolios. The agreement, which began in October 2023, will see Lion & Lion apply its complete social media strategy and content development plan to improve U Mobile’s position as Malaysia’s 5G network.

Across U Mobile’s social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, Lion & Lion’s digital campaigns are developing with an emphasis on improving network and 5G perception, building brand affinity, and supporting channel expansion.

Speaking about the mandate, Bernard Lee, head of brand & marketing services at U Mobile, expressed, “We are delighted to welcome Lion & Lion as our social partner. With ambitious plans for 2024 to expand our brand presence to a wider audience, we sought fresh insights, dynamic ideas, and a partner capable of navigating this rapidly evolving market. Lion & Lion stood out with their enthusiasm and media-agnostic creativity, presenting digital and vernacular concepts for both product and brand campaigns. We’re looking forward to a collaborative journey that showcases U Mobile’s unbeatable ethos and commitment to customer enjoyment, as well as one that strengthens our position as Malaysia’s No. 1 5G network.” 

Meanwhile, Ham Maghazeh, group director of social media at Lion & Lion, shares the sentiment: “We’re proud to partner with U Mobile, an iconic brand that is locally grown, widely recognized, and loved by Malaysians. Our team is beyond excited to help shape the next social play for U Mobile, especially now with 5G, a game-changer that opens up many possibilities for both the brand and consumers.”

Furthermore, Claudia Low, creative director at Lion & Lion, stated, “Creativity drives our partnership with U Mobile. It guides how we position and showcase our 5G capabilities, how we choose our partners and sponsorship opportunities, and how we craft our content to unlock unbeatable moments for our audience with our unbeatable product. Our mission is simple: In everything we do, we aim to foster meaningful engagement and create a lasting impact.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – PHD Malaysia announced it will also handle the Singapore market for Vinda Malaysia business as part of its expanded remit starting Q1 2024. 

In this extended partnership, PHD now manages the media duties across all Vinda brands, including Libresse, Drypers, Tena, and Vinda tissues, and on-site optimization on Lazada and Shopee in Singapore.

The remit expansion comes after PHD Malaysia has demonstrated high involvement and passion for the Vinda business and brand, making the client happy and satisfied with the work. 

The agency’s first project with Vinda in Malaysia last year was a success after Libresse became the first feminine care brand to advertise on DOOH in the country. The agency also collaborated with Malaysian TikTok content creator Khairul Amin Kamarulzaman (@khairulaming) to increase Vinda’s market penetration of its tissue category. 

Together with PHD Malaysia, Vinda demonstrated the quality of Vinda Deluxe’s dry and wet kitchen towels and justified the price difference using TikTok. The social media app presented a perfect opportunity as it was a platform Malays sought entertainment from, discovered brands, and were influenced to make purchases. The collaboration soon drove 6.3% brand growth in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to previous quarters. 

David Soo, managing director at PHD Malaysia, said, “We are incredibly proud about the extension of our partnership with Vinda, a valued client who has been instrumental in our journey. This continued collaboration is a true testament to the effectiveness of our strategy, built on innovative solutions and a bold ambition to succeed. Their trust in our team further fuels our motivation to deliver exceptional results and push the boundaries of what is possible. Together, we are excited to embark on the next chapter of this rewarding partnership.” 

Also commenting on the expanded remit, Ian Ong, marketing innovation director of Southeast Asia at Vinda Malaysia Sdn Bhd, said, “PHD Malaysia understands our business and works well with our team. Most importantly, the agency is not an ‘order taker’ but a good challenging partner in addressing our brand’s challenges. A strong team backed by the right tools and global support is the main reason why we extended our Singapore business to PHD.” 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Malaysian based Taylor’s University, through its School of Media and Communication, has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Malaysia, marking the commencement of a dynamic collaboration aimed at fostering talent development within the advertising and media industry.

This strategic partnership between Taylor’s University and OMG Malaysia underscores a shared vision to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving media landscape.

The collaboration will facilitate initiatives such as guest lectures, industry workshops, internships, collaborative industry projects, and sharing real-life case studies and experiences with students through projects from OMG’s wide repertoire of clients, which will offer students with opportunities to gain practical experience, network with industry professionals, and stay ahead of emerging trends in advertising and media.

Additionally, this partnership also highlights the importance of industry-academia collaborations in addressing the talent needs of the advertising sector. By fostering closer ties between educational institutions and industry players, both parties can leverage their respective strengths to create impactful learning experiences and drive innovation in talent development.

Neethianathan Ari Ragavan, executive dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management at Taylor’s University, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership exemplifies our commitment to providing our students with real-world experiences and industry exposure. By working closely with OMG Malaysia, we aim to empower our graduates with the skills and insights needed to excel in the dynamic field of advertising.”

Meanwhile, Eileen Ooi, CEO of OMG Malaysia, commented, “As a leading media agency, we recognise the importance of nurturing the next generation of talent in our industry. By partnering with Taylor’s University, we are committed to supporting the development of future-ready professionals who will drive innovation and excellence in advertising and beyond.”

Singapore Integral Ad Science, a worldwide media measurement and optimization platform, today announced a partnership with Snap Inc. This agreement seeks to provide advertisers with greater transparency during their Snapchat campaigns by employing IAS’ AI-powered total media quality (TMQ) brand safety and suitability measurement tool.

Compliant with the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) guidelines, the newest product offers marketers the benefit of independent verification together with reliable and open industry data. Frame-by-frame analysis of images, audio, and text is used in IAS’s Total Media Quality solution to provide insights into video content while guaranteeing the most accurate assessment at scale. 

Speaking about the partnership, Lisa Utzschneider, CEO of IAS, said, “We are excited to partner with Snap to deliver our best-in-class measurement solution for marketers to safeguard and scale their businesses on Snapchat. Snap is focused on developing ad offerings in a premium and safe content ecosystem, and our partnership will give advertisers actionable data to maximise their investment across Snapchat.”

Meanwhile, Patrick Harris, president of Americas at Snap, expressed, “We’re thrilled to partner with IAS to offer Snapchat advertisers an additional layer of brand safety and suitability. We’ve built safety into the fundamental architecture of our platform and are dedicated to providing our community and partners a healthy and safe experience. We look forward to continuing to invest in products and partnerships across the brand safety ecosystem.” 

Singapore Accenture has formed a partnership with Adobe to jointly develop industry-specific solutions. They intend to help enterprises create content at scale and alter their content supply chains by leveraging Adobe Firefly, Adobe’s family of creative generative AI models. 

Accenture intends to include Adobe Firefly Custom Models in its Accenture Song marketing services. With the help of this integration, clients will be able to use their proprietary data and brand guidelines to train customised models with the industry-specific insights that are needed. Designed for commercial use, Firefly is accessed through Adobe Creative Cloud and Experience Cloud apps, as well as APIs via Firefly Services. 

Marketers can create particular campaigns by producing content that matches their brand’s aesthetic and visual language. Then, by utilising effect analysis and performance statistics, these programs may be continuously improved. Iterative strategies reduce the need for manual modifications and streamline the process of creating content. 

Accenture’s data and AI engineering skills will be leveraged by the new solutions, which are first aimed at the automotive, retail and consumer goods, financial services, and health industries. They will also integrate Accenture’s strategy for creating cohesive brand experiences with its approach to responsible AI.

Through the integration of these solutions with Adobe’s wider range of generative AI-powered tools and client systems, businesses can gain the benefits of content that is industry-specific, locally relevant, and internationally consistent. In addition, Accenture engineers will receive specific training in Adobe Firefly so they can help clients with generative AI initiatives. 

Accenture will use Adobe Firefly in its marketing division as part of the partnership to help staff members create creative material effectively. Accenture is able to customise content for each of the 19 sectors it services by using a Firefly Custom Model that is adapted to its unique brand style and design language. 

Speaking about the partnership, David Droga, chief executive officer, Accenture Song, said, “Brands today are looking for ways to go beyond experimenting with generative AI to achieve real impact. Whether it’s consumer goods companies scaling their product data and images in e-marketplaces worldwide, or healthcare providers ensuring brand standards for patient safety, the demand for scalable generative AI solutions is increasing. By bringing together Adobe technology with Accenture Song’s tech-powered creativity, we can help democratize the ability for teams to develop creative assets and accelerate content supply chain transformation.”

Meanwhile, David Wadhwani, president, Digital Media Business, Adobe, stated, “Businesses have an unprecedented opportunity to leverage generative AI to deliver truly personalised experiences that connect with their customers. Firefly is an enterprise grade solution that powers a full suite of generative capabilities – from content generation to editing to assembly – through our industry-leading applications and enterprise automation APIs. We are excited to partner with Accenture to define and implement solutions that empower organisations around the world to harness the power of AI.” 

Furthermore, Jim LaLonde, lead of the Accenture Adobe Business Group, commented, “In recognition of our technology and industry experience and decades-long relationship, Adobe has selected Accenture to help develop and deliver industry-specific generative AI capabilities that will give organisations the tools they need to unlock new value. Together with Adobe, we’re continuing to invest in the talent and technology needed to drive next generation experiences for our clients.”