Tag: Partnership

Singapore – Recommerce platform Carousell and corporate card and finance management platform YouBiz have announced a strategic partnership to help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups accelerate their business growth with digitalisation tools and resources.

The partnership between the two platforms serves as a unique collaboration that aims to help SMEs maximise their resources and save on business expenses as they digitalise their operations.

To start, YouBiz has been helping over 3,000 businesses save annually by eliminating unnecessary administrative fees, coupled with its promise of 0% FX fee, unlimited cashback and seamlessly integrated digital solutions. These substantial savings allow SMEs to reinvest in their growth, and enhance their offerings and reach which ultimately creates a more vibrant and resilient business landscape.

As part of the partnership, Carousell merchants get to enjoy a 10% upsized cashback for their CarouBiz package and Carousell coins, while YouBiz users are offered an exclusive 20% rebate for their purchase of Carousell coins.

Beyond helping SMEs save costs, Carousell and YouBiz are also committed to empowering business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge they need to stay ahead in the digital economy.

Talking about the partnership, Johnny Lim, regional head of sales and business director of Carousell, said, “We are thrilled to partner with YouBiz, combining our reach of 1 in Singaporeans as active monthly users and YouBiz’s expertise in financial solutions, to help small local businesses and success in today’s fast-paced business landscape. Digitalisation is pivotal, and this collaboration exemplifies our commitment to provide simple-to-use and convenient ways for anyone to digitise their business.” 

Meanwhile, Kelvin Lam, chief operating officer of YouBiz by YouTrip, said, “Our partnership with Carousell is a strategic one that aims to equip SMEs with cost-saving tools and resources that help them accelerate their cross-border growth in this digital economy age. We are excited to be working with Carousell to support the growth of SMEs in the region. With our combined expertise and offerings, we can help more businesses tap into new markets and opportunities.”

Hong Kong – Hongkong Land, a property investment, management, and development group, announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with American Express to create exclusive privileges and luxury lifestyle experiences for its cardmembers in Hong Kong. 

In this new partnership, American Express Cardmembers in the most premium segment will have access to unique privileges at the luxury shopping destination LANDMARK in Hong Kong. 

Included in the luxury offerings are a series of specially curated experiential engagements involving luxury fashion, watches and jewellery, arts and lifestyle, and international fine dining. The partnership will also draw on the premium amenities of Hongkong Land’s market-leading regional hospitality and loyalty programme, BESPOKE.

The partnership between American Express and a commercial property landlord in Hong Kong underscores the commitment of both companies to delivering exceptional experiences to their customers. It also aligns with the shared vision of Central in Hong Kong as a leading international luxury shopping destination and business centre.

Alexander Li, chief retail officer at Hongkong Land, said, “We are delighted to launch this innovative partnership with American Express, a brand that aligns with LANDMARK’s passion for bringing luxury experiences in fashion, dining, art, and culture to discerning customers.”

He added, “I am confident that, together, we will elevate client experiences to a level unmatched anywhere on the global stage. In turn, this will reinforce LANDMARK and Hong Kong as one of the world’s most sophisticated and desirable locations to visit, shop, and dine.”

Walter Liu, head of Asia Region at American Express, also shared, “We are always looking for ways to create new value and bring premium experiences to American Express Cardmembers. Drawing on the renowned heritage of American Express and Hongkong Land in providing exceptional services and experiences, our closer collaboration will open the door to new prestigious perks and lifestyle services for our premium customers.”

“This is a well-timed partnership as international visitor numbers to Hong Kong continue to climb and consumption activity among high-end consumers gathers pace,” he concluded.

Shanghai, China – KAWO, China’s social media management platform, has announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with Hootsuite. This collaboration aims to provide international brands with better access, deeper insights, and increased operational efficiency in China. 

The partnership expands on an existing collaboration by focusing on three key verticals: education, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. This collaboration has enabled global marketers to manage both global and Chinese social media networks through a unified platform on Hootsuite.

Through this partnership, international marketers will have access to KAWO within Hootsuite, enabling them to manage and analyse content across Chinese and international social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Weibo, and WeChat. It provides a combined content management and data analysis solution. 

Marketers may utilise evolving trends in order to craft experiences that connect with their target audiences and improve performance by providing real-time data analysis and insights across multiple markets. 

Speaking about the partnership, Alex Li, chief executive officer of KAWO, said, “Global marketers and brands are increasingly looking to power their campaigns and drive performance in China’s rapidly evolving social media landscape. From platform selection to creating engaging content and accurately measuring ROI, brands and marketers want cutting-edge solutions that help them be more strategic and dynamic in their local campaigns.” 

He added, “Our enhanced partnership with Hootsuite will make it more seamless for marketers to make timely, data-driven decisions by providing much- needed visibility and understanding on a single platform, enabling them to channel their focus towards delivering engaging, impactful campaigns in China.” 

Meanwhile, James Partington, director of partnerships programs, Hootsuite, said, “For over 15 years, we’ve been helping brands grow online by delivering best-in-class social media tools that drive efficiency and results. We are excited to strengthen our partnership with KAWO, having seen the benefits our early collaboration/integration provides to our customers.” 

“Working together in a broader partnership, we look forward to delivering enhanced productivity in a collaborative ecosystem that will boost the competitive advantage for our customers,” Partington added. 

Singapore – Multinational music company Universal Music Group (UMG) and music creation platform BandLab Technologies have announced an industry-first strategic collaboration to promote responsible AI practices in music creation. 

The partnership will advance the companies’ shared commitment to the ethical use of AI and the protection of artist and songwriter rights. Both companies aim to empower the next generation of artists, including those within the BandLab community. 

They will also pioneer market-led solutions with pro-creator standards to ensure new technologies serve the creator community effectively and ethically. They are also planning to develop new and enhanced commercial and marketing opportunities for UMG-signed and BandLab native creators. 

The collaboration is designed to be a beacon of innovation and ethical practice in the industry as it adapts to the evolving digital music landscape. It will bring in a new era where artists are supported and celebrated at every stage of their creative journey.

BandLab has already pledged its support for the Human Artistry Campaign (HAC), a global coalition devoted to ensuring AI technologies are developed and utilised in ways that champion human creativity and culture.

Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO at Universal Music Group, said, “We welcome BandLab’s commitment to an ethical approach to AI through their accessible technology, tools, and platform. We are excited to add BandLab Technologies to a growing list of UMG partners whose responsible and innovative AI will benefit the creative community.”

Commenting on the partnership, Michael Nash, EVP and chief digital officer at UMG, also shared, “Meng Kuok and his team at BandLab Technologies, as well as the Caldecott Music Group network, have achieved impressive scale at the dynamic intersection of social music and creator technology innovation. At UMG, we constantly seek to empower and support both established and emerging artists. Given BandLab’s passion for music and their dedication to nurturing early-stage artistry at the nexus of ecosystem transformation, they are an excellent partner that is compelling for us on multiple fronts.”

“This is more important than ever right now as AI assumes an increasingly prominent place in the evolution of music creation tools. We look forward to establishing new creative, marketing, and commercial opportunities for our artists and actively engaging with BandLab’s creator community through a highly synergistic structure, collectively protecting today’s and tomorrow’s future superstars through responsible approaches to the utilisation of AI in the creative process,” he added.

Meanwhile, Meng Ru Kuok, CEO and founder at Caldecott Music Group and CEO at BandLab Technologies, said, “BandLab Technologies and our wider Caldecott Music Group network are steadfast in its respect for artists’ rights and the infinite potential of AI in music creation and we believe our millions of users around the world share in this commitment and excitement.”

He added, “Though new technologies offer unbelievable possibilities to break down more barriers for creators, it’s essential that artists’ and songwriters’ rights be fully respected and protected to give these future generations a chance of success. As demonstrated by BandLab embracing the Human Artistry Campaign principles and this collaboration with UMG, we are committed to getting it right. Through our joint efforts, we anticipate a future of music that is innovative, rewarding, and endlessly inspiring.”

Singapore – WPP’s media investment group GroupM and commerce media company Criteo have announced their partnership to strengthen omnichannel commerce media capabilities in the Asia Pacific region.

This is a first-in-APAC partnership that unifies product sales data and the proprietary media solutions of GroupM with Criteo’s proximity-based insights to enable omnichannel commerce through in-store and retail media integration.

GroupM’s clients will be able to access Criteo’s insights technology to further enhance media planning, budget allocation, and best-in-class activation, enabling new levels of relevance, optimisation, and conversion.

The partnership will also expand access for GroupM’s clients to Criteo’s holistic omnichannel monetization solution, allowing retailers to manage their entire media inventory across both ecommerce and physical retail while enabling brands and agencies to seamlessly discover and purchase omnichannel media from leading retailers.

The tools now available to GroupM clients include 360° media asset activation, ranging from in-store activations such as point-of-sale displays to out-of-store activations like inbox sampling and online activations such as email and social.

Criteo and GroupM are also planning to evolve the partnership by looking at strategic opportunities across media-buying capabilities and insights to drive predictive decision-making. Their collaborative efforts to develop best practices in the area aim to unlock many exciting possibilities as a response to the continuous acceleration of commerce media.

Anita Munro, chief investment officer at GroupM APAC, said, “The innovation in commerce that will be made possible through this collaboration with Criteo is a significant and hugely exciting development for advertisers in APAC and for our industry as a whole.”

She added, “Combining Criteo’s commerce media capabilities with our own not only strengthens our commerce offering in the region but also allows us to set a new standard for what’s possible in advertising by bringing products, media, clients, and consumers closer than ever before.”

Speaking on the partnership, Taranjeet Singh, managing director of enterprise at Criteo APAC, also shared, “Together with GroupM, we are honoured to usher in the next era of omnichannel marketing in the region. This partnership represents a union of industry leadership, and we are optimistic that it will drive greater integration across omnichannel campaigns and elevate success for brands and advertisers.”

Singapore – Data collaboration platform LiveRamp has announced its expanded partnership with Yahoo to scale addressability and enhance reach and interoperability within the advertising ecosystem. 

The partnership will allow publishers, marketers, and more to leverage better post-signal connectivity. Publishers using LiveRamp’s Authenticated Traffic Solution (ATS) can take advantage of Yahoo ConnectID, a cookieless identity solution, to unlock additional addressable demand. 

Furthermore, brands using Yahoo DSP can achieve greater reach through Yahoo ConnectID, which benefits from RampID and the expanded scale of LiveRamp’s ATS. 

Yahoo ConnectID is powered by the direct consumer relationships of nearly 335 million authenticated users globally. It enables omnichannel addressable inventory across all of the Yahoo owned-and-operated properties and thousands of other publisher domains.

Meanwhile, RampID and LiveRamp’s Authenticated Traffic Solution power the data platform’s person-based approach to identity. This enables authenticated addressability across browsers, mobile devices, and CTV at scale across hundreds of destinations. With this, clients will be able to develop deeper customer relationships, create value throughout the customer journey, and maintain control of data.

It will require minimal effort for publishers using LiveRamp’s Authenticated Traffic Solution (ATS) to integrate Yahoo ConnectID and better monetize their addressable supply.

Therefore, publishers and marketers can deliver customised experiences everywhere without any additional configuration or resources for authenticated audiences at scale.

Through this partnership, publishers can also expect increased monetisation on their authenticated inventory via the Authenticated Traffic Solution, as Yahoo ConnectID will now be available as an identifier. Additionally, marketers looking for post-signal loss solutions will have an increased reach of authenticated users across publishers that have adopted RampID and/or Yahoo ConnectID via the Yahoo DSP.

Elizabeth Herbst-Brady, chief revenue officer at Yahoo, said, “We strongly believe in authenticated addressability, and this partnership enables greater reach that will endure beyond third-party signal loss. We’re making it easier for marketers and publishers to leverage these solutions and maximise results while simultaneously supporting more seamless transactions across the open Web.”

Travis Clinger, SVP for activations and addressability at LiveRamp, also commented, “Yahoo is a powerful advocate for authenticated identity, and the connectivity we’re partnering to enable across their DSP and Yahoo ConnectID will help make the post-signal world a better experience for marketers than the world of today. Marketers and publishers now have even more flexibility to engage, personalise, and measure their customer journey.”

Singapore – GrabAds, Grab’s advertising division, announced a new strategic partnership with Tomato Interactive, a subsidiary of BlueMedia and component of the BlueFocus Group, today. Tomato Interactive, a global influencer and integrated marketing agency based in China, specialises in travel, lifestyle, gaming, and technology.

This collaboration will enable Tomato Interactive’s clients to use GrabAds’ comprehensive retail media tools, allowing them to connect with valuable users across Southeast Asia through the Grab super app ecosystem. It also marks GrabAds’ first collaboration with a global marketing agency in the Greater China region.

Brands working with Tomato Interactive are given access to hyperlocal first-party data from the actual spending patterns of valuable consumers in Southeast Asia by working with GrabAds. Through the entire marketing funnel, the strength of Grab’s retail media network will help Tomato Interactive’s clients’ clients increase brand awareness and consumer engagement.

Speaking about the partnership, Jiao Li, general manager of Tomato Interactive and vice president of BlueMedia, said, “As a leading superapp in the region, Grab knows Southeast Asia best. Our partnership comes very timely, as we see keen interest from our clients across travel, lifestyle and technology looking to expand and grow their brand within Southeast Asia’s growing and digitally-savvy consumers.” 

He added, “We believe that GrabAds’ retail media network capabilities – whether access to first-party insights or Grab’s end-to-end ecosystem, will allow us to support our clients better across their marketing needs.”

Meanwhile, Dave Yang, regional head of sales and GTM at GrabAds, expressed, “We’re thrilled to embark on this journey with Tomato Interactive. We’re confident that our tie-up will support their clients in gaining better awareness and brand building in Southeast Asia. This is also a milestone for GrabAds, as we expand our reach to brands in the Greater China region through Tomato Interactive’s strong network of clients.”

Singapore – Yahoo Advertising has announced an integration with the Twilio Segment Customer Data Platform (CDP) to improve ad reach and relevance while avoiding the use of third-party cookies. Advertisers can fortify their businesses and leverage first-party data across multiple screens, even in a cookieless environment, because of Twilio Segment’s integration with Yahoo ConnectID. 

Segment users will be able to synchronise hashed, cookieless data with their real-time customer profiles because of strategic partnership with Yahoo Advertising and seamless integration with Yahoo ConnectID. This integration allows them to expand the scope and relevance of their campaigns.

Yahoo uses a comprehensive identity strategy across all digital landscapes. Their identity solutions, which include Yahoo ConnectID and Next-Gen Solutions, support addressable and non-addressable inventory.

This comprehensive suite of identity tools enables advertisers to safeguard their business’s future within the Yahoo DSP, allowing them to retain control and maximise ROI in a world where identity is restricted. Marketers can leverage a unified customer perspective through this integration to reach the full potential of addressable advertising and ensure personalised consumer experiences, even as support for cookies and other traditional identity methods dwindles.

Dan Richardson, Director, head of data at Yahoo APAC, said, “Data collaboration is

essential to allow brands to get the most value from their first-party data. This integration means delivering better advertising experiences to customers, and gives advertisers what they want most – greater relevance, reach and measurement. In a world with fewer online user identifiers, Yahoo ConnectID offers a differentiated and future-proofed approach to all businesses.”

Speaking about the partnership, Liz Adeniji, regional vice president, Asia-Pacific and Japan at Twilio Segment, said, “A recent Twilio study found that about 7 in 10 businesses in Asia- Pacific have already turned to using first-party data primarily due to the inadequate visibility over third parties’ data safeguards, management of consent and regulatory compliance. Our new integration with Yahoo will make it easier for these businesses to use their valuable first-party data in a much more meaningful way, in real-time, and most importantly, with utmost relevance to their intended audience.” 

She added, “This will enable them to unleash the potential of first-party data across screens to deliver more personalised and engaging campaigns.”

Singapore –  Infosys, a global company in next-generation digital services and consulting, has announced a five-year extension of partnership collaboration with Temasek, a Singapore-based global investment firm.

Infosys Compaz, an Infosys-Temasek joint venture, has worked with large Southeast Asian corporations on their digital transformation journeys. The company’s technological expertise spans cloud, data and analytics, cybersecurity, digital, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation, among other areas.

This extension shows iCompaz’s commitment to growing its presence in Singapore and the Southeast Asian market. The region has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and is an important growth market. iCompaz, founded in 2018, has collaborated with Temasek to drive its technology transformation initiatives, which include the implementation of new digital architecture, data applications, and security infrastructure.

This announcement reinforces Infosys’ 2018 commitment to invest in technologies and expand its capabilities. The goal is to provide beneficial professional services while also encouraging the growth and development of its workforce.

iCompaz from Infosys leverages the deep capabilities of Infosys Cobalt, an enterprise cloud acceleration suite, and Infosys Topaz, an AI-driven platform, to enable clients to achieve unprecedented innovations and efficiencies, fostering value creation in connected ecosystems. This collaboration demonstrates iCompaz’s dedication to providing solutions to its clients.

Speaking about the extension of partnership, Dennis Gada, EVP, head of financial services, Infosys, said, “We deeply value our collaboration with Temasek, and it has helped us scale both technology capabilities and talent base in the region. Our journey over the last 5 years has demonstrated shared aspirations of amplifying human potential.” 

He added, “We look forward to further building on the strong foundation we have laid together to provide differentiated value to all stakeholders across the region.”

Meanwhile, Rao Baskara, chief technology officer of Temasek, said, “We look forward to extending our collaboration and the next phase of growth of iCompaz as it continues to provide quality digital services to companies in Southeast Asia. This engagement also enhances Temasek’s capabilities, and enables us to harness the potential that digital transformation brings.”

Manohar Atreya, CEO of Infosys Compaz, remarked, “iCompaz has proven its expertise in the sphere of large-scale digital and IT transformation. We are delighted to extend this collaboration with Temasek, as we continue to leverage the global scale and depth of Infosys in intelligent AI platforms and data solutions, to help clients navigate their next journey in business transformation.”


Bangkok, Thailand – Hivestack, a global programmatic digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising technology, has expanded its presence in Thailand through a strategic DOOH partnership with Up Media, a local media owner specialising in elevator screens.

This partnership will involve the integration of 2,000 Up Media DOOH screens located in upscale shopping malls, office buildings, hotels, and residential complexes into the Hivestack supply side platform (SSP). Through private marketplace (PMP) and open exchange agreements, these screens will be made available to local DOOH buyers in Southeast Asia as well as global advertisers.

Hivestack incorporates Up Media’s most recent elevator screens, providing DOOH buyers in Thailand with a new form of audience engagement while also providing Up Media with an additional revenue stream through global “outside-in” purchases.

Speaking about the partnership, Joey Zhou, founder and CEO of Up Media, expressed, “We are excited to collaborate with Hivestack and we are going to scale up our inventory – aiming to triple it in the next 12 months. Exciting times ahead as we are offering advertisers impactful media for high end audiences in the best locations across Thailand.”

Also speaking about the partnership, Jan Harling, CEO of Virtus Asia Consulting, remarked, “I am confident that many marketers with a focus on premium audiences will view the availability of this inventory, now accessible programmatically, as a game-changer in Thailand. This opportunity aligns perfectly with Thailand’s recovery, marked by bustling shopping malls and offices returning to their full-capacity state. It promises a significant shift in the landscape of impactful media opportunities.” 

Meanwhile, Matt Bushby, managing director ANZSEA, Hivestack, said, “It’s been an incredible journey for us in Thailand with the amount of growth we’ve achieved with our partners. We’re so proud to be building the largest DOOH inventory network with the addition of Up Media’s elevator screens, and are proud of the large number of successful brand campaigns we have under our belt already in the region.”

He added, “Our partnership with Up Media comes at an exciting time for our business as we onboard more screens in different formats across Thailand, located in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket.”