Tag: Partnership

Singapore – Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service (SMAS) of Japan and Singapore-based Tribecar have entered into a partnership to advance car-sharing services and technology in Singapore and across the region.

SMAS brings extensive experience managing over 1 million vehicles across Japan, Australia, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, offering services such as leasing, fleet management, risk management, cost control, and sustainable fleet development.

Meanwhile, Tribecar, Singapore’s car-sharing provider with a fleet of 1,500 vehicles, offers a wide range of options, including passenger cars, vans, and motorcycles. Its diverse fleet serves various users, from families and new drivers to private-hire and commercial operators.

Under this partnership, SMAS will acquire a minority stake in Tribecar to enhance its focus on sustainable mobility. The collaboration gives SMAS access to advanced car-sharing technology and expertise, speeding up the development of innovative mobility solutions in the region.

This strategic move supports SMAS’s broader objective of expanding its portfolio of eco-friendly technology solutions.

“This partnership with SMAS marks a significant milestone for Tribecar. By joining forces, we’re poised to shape the future of mobility, offering innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of our customers,” said Adrian Lee, co-founder of Tribecar.

“We are excited to partner with Tribecar to accelerate the growth of car-sharing services in Singapore and the region. By combining SMAS’s expertise in mobility solutions with Tribecar’s innovative platform, we aim to shape the future of sustainable mobility,” added Kei Sato, president and CEO of SMAS.

SMAS plans to pilot Tribecar’s technology in one of its subsidiaries as early as 2025. To mark the partnership, Tribecar customers can also expect new discounts and services, with more details to be announced soon.

Singapore – Martech agency EternityX has formed a partnership with DJM Consulting founded by Deric Wong under a shared vision of actionable strategies that integrate innovation and cultural intelligence. With this, Wong joins the agency as its chief business officer.

It has also named Jean Kniss Loh as chief marketing officer, and Max Lee as global partner for China media integration as part of new senior hires for EternityX. This move aims to drive its rapid global expansion across APAC, Europe, and the Middle East.

The collaboration reflects DJM Consulting’s philosophy, “Don’t Judge Me”, and EternityX’s focus on connecting East and West through advanced marketing solutions tailored to complex markets.

As chief business officer, Wong will oversee business strategy, partnerships, and performance, aligning corporate objectives with a sustainable growth approach. With decades of experience, including leading Dentsu China and Omnicom Media Group Hong Kong, he is recognised for his innovative strategies and operational excellence.

Meanwhile, Jean brings over 20 years of experience in strategic communications, crafting narratives for global companies in her roles with FTI Consulting, Burson-Marsteller, FleishmanHillard, Ogilvy and KPMG. As CMO, she will spearhead EternityX’s global branding and thought leadership efforts, ensuring the company’s continued relevance in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Lastly, Max brings over 15 years of extensive experience in global advertising and media agencies including Carat, Mindshare, MediaCom, and PHD. Max bridges global ambitions with China’s intricate media landscape, creating culturally relevant campaigns that resonate with local audiences. His expertise enhances EternityX’s ability to stand out in competitive markets, delivering tailored solutions that drive meaningful impact.

Speaking about the partnership, Wong said, “This partnership aligns with the evolving global landscape, where business empowerment begins with unlocking new growth potential. At DJM Consulting, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. From challenging conventional thinking to evolving business models, we help companies rewrite their future potential. With deep expertise in strategic marketing, advertising, and corporatisation, DJM Consulting empowers companies to expand into high-growth markets with EternityX, while strengthening their media presence and brand positioning.”

He added, “Success in global marketing today demands collective intelligence and the seamless collaboration of diverse expertise, to achieve a shared goal. Drawing from my experience of leading international creative, advertising, and media organizations, I’ve witnessed how agility, collaboration, and innovation – when paired with a deep understanding of markets – drive transformative outcomes. Our partnership represents an opportunity to push boundaries further, leveraging advanced technology to shape future-ready solutions. Collaborating with Charlene Ree, a trailblazer in AI-driven marketing, we are redefining how businesses, agencies, and industry peers unlock growth in an ever-evolving global marketplace.”

Meanwhile, Charlene Ree, CEO of EternityX, highlights the importance of this collaboration, commenting, “At EternityX, our vision has always been to empower brands to reach their full potential by connecting them with the world’s most dynamic audiences. Partnering with DJM Consulting is a pivotal step forward and enables us to scale our expertise and adapt to the unique needs of global markets. By combining DJM Consulting’s expertise with EternityX’s advanced technology, we’re empowering brands to thrive globally and setting a new benchmark in an interconnected and rapidly evolving world. Together, we are creating enduring value for clients and agency partners through innovation and cultural understanding.”

She added, “For businesses, this partnership paves the way for strategies that connect globally and locally. For agency partners, it offers the tools to enhance capabilities. And for industry peers, it sets a benchmark for navigating the rapidly evolving global marketplace. Together, EternityX and DJM Consulting are shaping the future of global marketing.”

Singapore – Jollibee Group has entered a new global multi-year partnership with experience management leader Qualtrics to enhance customer experiences and fuel growth across its brands, including Jollibee, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Smashburger.

Under the multi-year agreement, Jollibee Group will leverage Qualtrics to strengthen customer relationships and respond more effectively to their evolving needs. By capturing and consolidating feedback from both in-store and digital touchpoints, the partnership aims to accelerate issue resolution and deliver actionable insights to enhance customer-facing operations.

Additionally, the new program is expected to support Jollibee Group’s global expansion and its ambition to rank among the world’s top five restaurant companies while enhancing and personalising its digital offerings.

“The multi-year agreement underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our global store network. By leveraging Qualtrics, we can consolidate customer feedback from in-store and digital touchpoints, accelerate case resolution, and provide actionable insights for our customer-facing teams,” said Marcos Cadena, global chief technology officer of the Jollibee Group.

Jacqueline Fuentes, head of global customer experience of the Jollibee Group, added, “Qualtrics enables us at the Jollibee Group to better understand our diverse customer base, helping ensure that we meet their evolving needs and expectations. Qualtrics provides the capabilities and insights we need to continuously enhance our customer experiences and build stronger connections with the millions of customers we serve worldwide.” 

Through its multi-year partnership with Qualtrics, Jollibee Group will leverage the platform to enhance customer experiences across its brands in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

“Companies that win and succeed in today’s fast-moving markets prioritise delivering great experiences their customers love,” shared Brad Anderson, president of product, UX, and engineering at Qualtrics. 

“Thousands of organisations across the globe, including the Jollibee Group, are using Qualtrics to improve their customer experience by capturing feedback from multiple channels to deeply understand the needs and expectations of their customers and take fast, targeted, and proactive action when and where it matters most,” Anderson added. 

Manila, Philippines – BDO Unibank, Inc. has forged a partnership with logistics provider Mober to finance its new electric vehicle trucks and promote eco-friendly logistics.

Mober has been leading efforts towards sustainable solutions through green logistics, committed to global net-zero. BDO’s move to finance its vehicles is a step to solidify its commitment to green financing and sustainability. 

Mober’s sustainability efforts are supported by its ‘Battery Management System,’ which monitors its vehicles’ battery health and performance in real-time. This enables the company to predict necessary maintenance and extend the vehicles’ lifespan.

Additionally, Mober uses a ‘Transport Management System’ that optimises its delivery routes to reduce energy consumption and emission. While championing sustainability, it also provides better service for its clients.

Among Mober’s client portfolio are IKEA, Nestlé, Maersk, Monde Nissin, Starbucks, and Kuehne+Nagel.

Mober is also set to launch a new charging hub for electric vehicles in Pasay City by January 2025.

“This is a historic milestone not just for Mober but for the entire logistics industry in the Philippines. With the addition of these 60 EV trucks, our fleet now stands at 110 units, bringing us closer to our goal of 240 units by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Supported by our proprietary Battery Management System (BMS) and Transport Management System (TMS), we’re ensuring not only sustainability but also efficiency and reliability for our clients,” Dennis Ng, chief executive officer of Mober, said.

“We remain committed to supporting eco-friendly initiatives and innovative businesses that nurture the environment and present opportunities for economic growth. This partnership with Mober reinforces our shared commitment towards a greener, more sustainable future,” Charles M. Rodriguez, executive vice president and head of BDO Unibank’s Institutional Banking Group, said.

Indonesia – Global branded payments provider Blackhawk Network (BHN) has teamed up with Roblox to introduce digital gift cards in Indonesia, making it easier for Roblox fans to connect with loved ones and engage with a global community through immersive virtual experiences.

As part of this partnership, Roblox digital gift cards are now accessible on popular gaming platforms such as Tokopedia, Lapakgaming, Bukalapak, PaysGift, Codashop, Blibli, GOC, and UniPin, available in denominations of 100,000 rupiah, 200,000 rupiah, or 500,000 rupiah.

These gift cards, whether bought online or in-store, offer up to 25% additional Robux, providing even greater value for users. Robux, the platform’s virtual currency, lets users purchase digital items in virtual experiences or the Roblox Marketplace. Gift cards can also be redeemed for Roblox Premium, a subscription service that adds monthly Robux and offers exclusive items and discounts.

BHN and Roblox also plan to introduce physical gift cards by the end of the year, available both in-store and online through various retailers.

Matt Howe, regional head at BHN, said, “Roblox is a leader in its category, bringing together millions of people across the globe to connect, play, and learn in an immersive environment. Our partnership to launch Roblox gift cards in Indonesia will make the game even more accessible to fans and open it up to new players to help build an even bigger community of interactive users.” 

Roblox is accessible on mobile, PC, tablet, and VR devices, allowing players to interact in real time across any compatible platform. With over 88.9 million daily active users, Roblox offers immersive, user-generated experiences that connect people globally to play, learn, and build friendships.

China – UK-based cross-border marketing agency Comms8 has partnered with the UK Advertising Export Group (UKAEG) to bolster the presence of British advertising services in the Greater China region, leveraging its expertise to connect UK creativity with China’s growing demand for global market insights.

The Comms8-UKAEG partnership taps into the growing trend of Chinese brands expanding globally, aiming to leverage British advertising expertise to help these firms navigate complex cultural, consumer, and regulatory landscapes. With UK advertising exports rising 32.5% to £15 billion in 2021, British agencies have proven their ability to engage international audiences, harness cultural insights, and navigate diverse media environments.

For decades, Comms8 has specialised in bridging East and West, offering integrated marketing solutions that blend strategic insight, cultural sensitivity, and technological innovation. Its proven track record includes the award-winning “Weather Kids” climate change campaign, developed with ICCO and UNDP, which garnered recognition at Cannes Lions for its creative storytelling and global impact.

Additionally, the agency’s proprietary SaaS platform, InfluenConnect, recently won an award, showcasing its ability to harness influencer marketing and advanced analytics to enhance international brand visibility.

Through this partnership, Comms8 and UKAEG aim to reinforce the UK’s reputation as a trusted global advertising hub, known for its creativity, sustainable practices, and advanced data capabilities.

Carol Chan, managing director at Comms8, said, “By teaming up with UKAEG, we are to empower companies in the Greater China region to collaborate with Britain’s creative talent as they grow globally. Our role is to ensure strategic thinking, cultural awareness, and practical know-how blend seamlessly, creating lasting international connections and reinforcing British advertising’s position as a go-to resource.”

Aisling Conlon, international trade director for UK advertising at the Advertising Association, added, “Chinese brands venturing abroad need localised insight, compelling narratives, and digital fluency. Comms8’s proven understanding of Greater China’s unique market dynamics ensures that our message resonates, helping both British agencies and Chinese brands thrive in new cultural contexts.”

This partnership was highlighted at the UK-China Brand and Business Forum, co-organised by UKAEG, the China Advertising Association (CAA), and the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT). 

Singapore – Vistar Media has partnered with global data and insights provider Pureprofile to transform digital-out-of-home (DOOH) campaign measurement in Southeast Asia, offering advanced audience insights to enhance advertiser performance.

This partnership delivers advanced audience insights and robust measurement solutions to advertisers in key markets such as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, enabling brands to enhance engagement and achieve measurable results.

Vistar Media’s partnership with Pureprofile aims to reshape SEA’s DOOH landscape by providing advertisers access to online panel data for pre- and post-campaign insights. Pureprofile ensures the data reflects the region’s diverse demographics, including age, gender, and income.

The integration of Vistar Media’s programmatic DOOH technology with Pureprofile’s advanced data tools offers advertisers a comprehensive view of their campaigns, connecting offline and online behaviors. This data-driven approach helps brands reach diverse audiences effectively and make real-time campaign adjustments with actionable insights.

Through this partnership, Vistar Media and Pureprofile aim to set a new standard for DOOH advertising in Southeast Asia, empowering advertisers to craft more impactful and resonant campaigns.

Commenting on the partnership, Franck Vidal, director of Southeast Asia sales and partnerships at Vistar Media, remarked, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Pureprofile to introduce a new level of measurability to DOOH in Southeast Asia. This partnership combines the strength of Vistar’s programmatic platform with Pureprofile’s unique insights into human behaviour for measurable audience engagement.”

Anna Meiler, managing director for APAC at Pureprofile, also said, “Our collaboration with Vistar Media allows us to bring unparalleled precision and relevance to DOOH in Southeast Asia. With the capability to deliver both the “what” and the “why” behind audience interactions, advertisers gain a deeper understanding of how OOH ads resonate with their target demographics, making the measurement tool uniquely effective for optimising strategies and driving engagement. Together, Pureprofile and Vistar Media are able to provide advertisers with a truly comprehensive view of how consumers engage with campaigns.”

“This partnership is an exciting opportunity to help brands make better-informed decisions and achieve deeper connections with their audiences,” Meiler added. 

Indonesia – Broadsign, a developer of out-of-home (OOH) advertising technology, has partnered with the OOH media company City Vision to give global media buyers easier access to premium programmatic DOOH ads.

The partnership integrates City Vision’s extensive digital screen network into the Broadsign supply-side platform (SSP), allowing global media buyers to access premium programmatic DOOH inventory in Indonesia through over 35 connected demand-side platforms (DSPs).

City Vision will also utilise the Broadsign content management system (CMS) to manage most of its network, ensuring a seamless and consistent user experience across its screens.

City Vision is in the process of migrating its remaining assets to the Broadsign CMS, a move that aligns with its broader strategy to unify systems and expand its reach beyond Greater Jakarta to other major cities across Indonesia.

“With its inventory now on the Broadsign SSP, advertisers can now programmatically purchase ad space on City Vision Screens on an impression basis, aligning with the buying methods used across major digital platforms like Meta, Google, and TikTok,” commented Veronica Ong, sales director at Broadsign SEA. 

“This new programmatic approach brings greater flexibility and efficiency to City Vision’s inventory, allowing advertisers to dynamically update their campaigns in real-time and deliver relevant messaging at the right moment. City Vision can now enable advertisers to engage Indonesian audiences in a way that is more impactful and measurable,” Ong added. 

City Vision’s partnership with Broadsign supports its mission to lead Indonesia’s OOH industry by delivering meaningful, inspiring campaigns. With over 2,000 media assets nationwide, City Vision is known for its end-to-end DOOH solutions, combining strategic planning, creative execution, and data-driven insights through audience profiling, brand recall studies, and digital retargeting.

David Sommer, head of strategy at City Vision, said, “City Vision provides a unique, full-service approach across the DOOH value chain. From strategy and creative execution to data analytics and campaign measurement, we’re committed to creating captivating and measurable advertising experiences.”

“Our work with Broadsign is not only helping to transform the DOOH landscape in Indonesia but also expanding opportunities for international brands seeking impactful engagement with audiences in the region. The Broadsign SSP has connected us with the most significant DSPs, making it easy for international advertisers to access our digital assets; partnership is a pivotal step in reimagining how advertisers reach audiences in Indonesia,” Sommer added. 

Singapore – Hepmil Singapore and Mediacorp have teamed up in a first-of-its-kind partnership to help brands gain maximum exposure through sustained, impactful marketing campaigns that stand out from the noise and clutter in today’s saturated media landscape.

This tie-up marries each partner’s strengths and offers clients the best of both worlds: access to Hepmil Singapore’s parent group, Hepmil Media Group’s vast community of over 1,000 Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and influencers across six markets; and the unrivalled audience reach of Mediacorp’s transmedia network of TV, audio, digital and out-of-home platforms.

Hepmil Singapore and Mediacorp have launched a joint offering known as POV Gen Z for clients who especially want to engage Gen Z and Millenial audiences. POV Gen Z will see branded videos and advertorials developed from the point of view (POV) of KOLs with niche interests in a wide array of topics such as food, fashion, fitness and more. Their content will then be hosted on Mediacorp platforms such as CNA TODAY and 8days, and further amplified on its wider network of media platforms.

With this offering, authentic, entertaining and engaging stories told by influential KOLs will be able to reach today’s digitally connected generation via brand-safe and credible platforms. Furthermore, by driving these stories across a multitude of social and publishing platforms, clients can look forward to increased longevity and higher visibility (through enhanced search engine optimisation, or SEO) of their campaigns.

In addition, as part of this partnership, clients can look forward to several new co-bundled marketing solutions that marry the respective strengths of both parties. Clients who are keen to leverage these new-to-market solutions can do so by going through either Hepmil Singapore or Mediacorp. This allows for a more holistic, omnichannel and customised approach to meeting clients’ needs by leveraging the best of what both Hepmil Singapore and Mediacorp can offer.

Michelle Tan, CEO of Hepmil Singapore, said, “Our priority at Hepmil has always been to drive client success. Partnering with Mediacorp was a natural step to ensure that creator content not only stands out in the crowded social media landscape but also gains greater reach through Mediacorp’s comprehensive media solutions.”

Meanwhile, Jacqui Lim, chief commercial officer at Mediacorp, commented, “We are excited to team up with Hepmil Media Group to harness the power of influencer-driven social conversations in advertising. Our partnership aims to offer a holistic solution amidst today’s fragmented influencer industry with a myriad of creators having their own niche areas of interest and followers.”

She added, “Our clients will now have access to Hepmil Media Group’s community of KOLs in addition to Mediacorp’s existing pool of creative talent and extensive media network, offering them greater choice and more relevant ways to spotlight their brands. We look forward to working with clients through POV Gen Z and our suite of co-bundled solutions to supercharge their marketing campaigns and take their businesses to the next level.”

New York, USA – Publicis Sapient has announced a global partnership with Google Cloud to rapidly increase adoption of generative AI and scale Google’s technology to enterprise customers.

Through this global partnership, Publicis Sapient will create a dedicated Google Cloud business unit to address demand for Google’s AI technology, with dedicated resources to help customers successfully plan, deploy, and manage generative AI projects. 

The fusion of Google Cloud’s technologies and Publicis Sapient’s deep industry knowledge and expertise across its ‘SPEED’ – Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data and AI – capabilities will enable solutions that drive efficiency, innovation and growth for clients across industries, including BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), consumer products, healthcare, retail, telecommunications, media & technology, transportation & mobility and travel & hospitality.

This collaboration will focus on several key areas, including a strengthened joint go-to-market strategy. By aligning their sales, marketing, and engineering teams, the partnership aims to provide customers with seamless access to the resources needed for the efficient deployment and management of AI projects.

Additionally, Publicis Sapient plans to leverage its proprietary AI tools alongside Google Cloud’s Gemini models to develop innovative generative AI solutions for marketing and sales. These solutions are designed to help businesses modernize their operations, streamline marketing efforts, and enhance product and service delivery to end customers.

To support this initiative, the Google Cloud Center of Excellence will be staffed with Publicis Sapient experts trained in the latest generative AI technologies, ensuring clients can maximise the potential of AI tools and services.

Nigel Vaz, CEO of Publicis Sapient, said, “As consumer expectations continue to evolve, new business demands are calling for strategic collaboration throughout their AI and digital business transformation journey. Our expanded partnership with Google Cloud represents a significant leap forward in our ability to deliver transformative solutions across industries, ultimately empowering our clients to achieve unparalleled growth and success. By tapping into the power of Google Cloud’s technologies, we can help businesses stay ahead of the curve in the age of AI.”

Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud are already working with a large bank to modernize its infrastructure and enhance the software development lifecycle with gen AI, aiming to boost efficiency by up to 40%. This project included the design and integration of a comprehensive generative AI framework tailored specifically to the customer’s risk and compliance requirements.

Meanwhile, Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, commented, “To realise the full potential of generative AI, customers need a combination of expertise and leading technology to fundamentally improve their business operations. Through this partnership, Publicis Sapient will increase its expertise in Google Cloud and scale its consulting offerings to develop new solutions and AI services that help customers solve complex industry challenges and unlock new growth opportunities.”

Publicis Sapient’s partnership with Google Cloud will enhance some of its key business offerings, including legacy modernisation, application modernisation and development, generative AI, data analytics, cloud migration and database/infrastructure modernisation. In addition, this partnership will enable Publicis Sapient to elevate AI applications within marketing through offerings such as Retail Media Networks (RMNs), Customer Data Platforms (CDPs), Content Supply Chain and Data Modernisation and Monetisation.