Indonesia – Prudential plc has announced that its Indonesian subsidiary PT Prudential Sharia Life Assurance has entered into a long-term strategic bancassurance partnership with Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI). Through this cooperation, Prudential will become the Syariah life insurance provider of BSI from early 2025 and BSI will market, promote, distribute and/or refer Prudential products to its customers.

This partnership marks a significant step in diversifying Prudential’s Indonesian business which has historically been dependent on the agency channel. It will increase Prudential’s participation in the fast-growing bancassurance channel and deepen its exposure to the under-penetrated Syariah segment.

Solmaz Altin, managing director of strategic business group at Prudential plc, said, “This is a unique opportunity for us to partner with the market-leading Syariah bank in Indonesia. Indonesia is a key growth market for Prudential in ASEAN and this partnership will accelerate our growth ambitions. We look forward to working closely with BSI to support their customers in achieving their savings and protection goals.”

Meanwhile, Anil Wadhwani, CEO at Prudential plc, commented, “We are excited to leverage our bancassurance expertise in the Indonesian market. We will deploy our operating experience and product capabilities for our new banking relationship with BSI, further advancing our extensive transformation of our Indonesian business. Our focus is on creating a platform of long-term sustainable value for our customers, our partners and our shareholders. This in-country transaction aligns with our strategic and financial objectives.”

Indonesia – GoTo Group has announced a strategic partnership with Alibaba, the global e-commerce and technology giant, aimed at driving the growth of Indonesia’s digital economy. The collaboration will harness Alibaba Cloud’s advanced technologies to enhance and support GoTo’s expansive ecosystem.

GoTo will harness Alibaba Cloud’s services over a five-year partnership to enhance its platform and accelerate digital innovation using Alibaba’s cutting-edge cloud and AI technologies. Alibaba Cloud will deliver a range of services, including cloud computing, cloud-native databases, networking, security, and data analytics, among others.

The partnership aims to elevate the customer experience for GoTo’s Indonesian users by leveraging the latest innovations in digital transformation and AI-driven growth. Moreover, it underscores Alibaba’s commitment as a long-term investor in GoTo. Set for a five-year period, Alibaba has pledged to retain its current shareholding in GoTo Group throughout the partnership. 

Patrick Walujo, CEO of GoTo Group, said, “By collaborating with Alibaba, we are not only strengthening our technological infrastructure but also enhancing the services and solutions we can offer to millions of Indonesian consumers and businesses. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey to create a more inclusive and resilient digital economy in Indonesia. It also underlines our commitment to work with partners in a way that delivers the long term sustainable growth that returns value to our shareholders.”

Meanwhile, Selina Yuan, vice president of Alibaba Group and president of international business for Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, commented, “As a leading cloud service provider in Indonesia for more than seven years, we are excited about working with GoTo in its digital transformation and driving innovation in Indonesia. This strategic partnership combines Alibaba Cloud’s world-class cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities with GoTo’s extensive ecosystem. We want to empower businesses of all sizes in Indonesia and foster innovation to drive long-term growth.”

Alibaba Cloud and GoTo will extend their collaboration into several key areas, including talent development initiatives aimed at meeting the growing demand for digital and AI expertise, critical for driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge in the fast-changing digital landscape. 

The two companies will also explore further commercial partnerships to empower Indonesian businesses and accelerate the growth of the country’s digital economy. These efforts align with Indonesia’s push for intelligence-driven transformation, fostering greater economic opportunities and technological advancement.

The partnership MoU, signed on September 13, 2024, marks one of Alibaba Cloud’s key strategic engagements in Southeast Asia. GoTo will begin migrating its cloud services to Alibaba Cloud in October, streamlining operations, enhancing service efficiency, and reducing operational costs.

Australia – JB Hi-Fi, an Australia-based home entertainment retailer, has partnered with Amperity, the first AI-powered Lakehouse Customer Data Platform (CDP), to enhance its first-party data strategy. The collaboration reinforces JB Hi-Fi’s commitment to building a robust data infrastructure, enabling advanced automation, intelligent customer segmentation, and predictive modelling across its technology ecosystem.

Through its partnership with Amperity, JB Hi-Fi aims to unify its data using Amperity’s industry-leading identity resolution, improving data quality across both online and offline channels to create a comprehensive, 360-degree view of its customers. This collaboration will enable JB Hi-Fi to manage and activate customer data more effectively, delivering personalised experiences at scale.

Emma Caneva, general manager marketing – digital at JB Hi-Fi, said, “Amperity’s CDP will help us unify and optimise the utility of our valuable first-party data whilst maintaining our commitment to privacy. This partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of enhancing customer experiences through data-driven decision making.”

Gary Siewert, marketing and online director at JB Hi-Fi, commented, “At JB Hi-Fi, we’re committed to always delivering great experiences for our customers and look at data-driven insights to help enhance our ability to do this. Our partnership with Amperity marks a significant step towards unifying our first-party data and building a scalable foundation for more personalised engagement that will enable us to better understand and meet the changing needs of our customers across all of our channels.”

As customer data continually evolves, CDPs face the challenge of accurately tracking identities across multiple channels, households, and personal details. This is made more difficult by strict privacy regulations that restrict access to devices and online data.

Amperity’s composable Lakehouse architecture offers flexible use of its features to enhance customer data operations, including identity resolution, AI-assisted tasks, pre-built data assets, and personalisation. This allows businesses to select which Amperity capabilities to address specific data management needs and improve customer insights. 

Billy Loizou, area vice president for APAC at Amperity, added, “The customer data landscape is evolving rapidly. Many retailers have struggled with fragmented data, limiting their strategic potential. Our partnership with JB Hi-Fi addresses this challenge head-on. Amperity’s composable solution streamlines data management, empowering JB Hi-Fi to focus on innovation rather than data wrangling.”

Philippines – The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, an agency under the Department of Tourism (DOT) tasked with promoting the country as a premier travel destination, has partnered with digital travel platform Agoda to enhance the Philippines’ visibility on the global tourism stage.

Agoda and TPB are pooling their marketing expertise to boost international arrivals and showcase the Philippines’ rich cultural and natural beauty. The partnership includes exclusive discounts and co-branded campaigns, designed to draw global travellers to both popular and lesser-known destinations across the country, with travel periods extending until March 31, 2025.

Campaign details will be featured on Agoda’s website and mobile app, as well as the Travel Philippines app. The partnership, which is now in effect, will run until December 15, 2024, with travel periods available until March 31, 2025.

TPB’s partnership with Agoda highlights their shared commitment to enhancing the Philippines’ global visibility as a premier tourist destination while driving increased inbound tourism.

Omri Morgenshtern, chief executive officer at Agoda, commented, “Agoda has been dedicated to supporting the tourism industry in the Philippines. We are excited to partner once again with TPB through the latest program as a significant step to leverage our digital expertise as well as our global network to showcase the myriad destinations and vibrant culture of the Philippines to a global audience.” 

Also speaking on the partnership, Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, chief operating officer at TPB, said, “TPB is thrilled to once again join forces with Agoda in our mutual goal of enhancing travel experiences for both new and returning visitors to the Philippines. This partnership allows us to utilise cutting-edge digital marketing strategies and valuable insights to promote our unique destinations and create memorable experiences for our tourists.”

Agoda has long supported Philippine tourism, introducing quarantine packages for returning Filipinos during the 2021 pandemic. In 2023, it partnered with the World Wildlife Fund to launch the Eco Deals Program, promoting sustainable tourism and supporting biodiversity efforts in Tubbataha Reefs and whale shark conservation in Donsol.

Singapore – Global logistics company DP World has recently released a new film set in Singapore, showcasing its partnership with the McLaren F1 team. The film features McLaren F1 members Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, showcasing the dynamic partnership that supports McLaren’s performance on and off track.

The film, aptly titled “Every Second Counts”, showcases the partnership’s dedication to excellence–through meticulous preparation and pushing the boundaries of elite performance–traits reflected by DP World in its ambition to transform the future of global trade.

The partnership between DP World and McLaren began in 2023, with DP World supporting the McLaren Formula 1 Team to drive enhanced efficiency, reimagining the team’s supply chain to make it faster, smarter and more sustainable. 

Glen Hilton, CEO & managing director for Asia-Pacific at DP World, said, “Every second really does count – as much on the track as it does for our customers. Just as precision timing and flawless execution are crucial on the racetrack, they are equally vital in the world of supply chain operations.”

He added, “By harnessing advanced technology and innovative strategies, we ensure that our partners stay ahead of the competition, like McLaren Racing does in Formula 1. We are excited to witness the upcoming race and looking forward to a stellar performance by the team.”

As the global logistics partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team, DP World continues to leverage its smart logistics solutions and global network to provide expertise and experience to support McLaren’s global and complex supplier network, in the pursuit of continuing the momentum for on-track performance gains. 

Singapore – Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel) has signed a three-year partnership with Trip.com to enhance Singapore’s appeal as a premier travel destination, offering new and immersive travel and leisure experiences for visitors.

Through this partnership, Jewel will utilise Trip.com’s vast global network to attract a broader international audience, boosting travel to Singapore and increasing visitor numbers to Jewel. Meanwhile, as Trip.com expands its global footprint, this collaboration will also enhance its brand visibility among Jewel’s diverse mix of international and local guests.

As part of the new co-marketing initiatives, Jewel will launch targeted campaigns on Trip.com to drive more visitors to Canopy Park and boost spending at Jewel’s premium retail offerings.

Jewel and Trip.com will also launch a new ‘Trip.com Light & Music Showcase’ in October, designed by renowned Los Angeles-based water feature designer WET. The showcase, inspired by Trip.com’s mission to enhance global travel experiences, will feature a captivating narrative centred on travel, offering a visually and auditorily immersive experience aimed at connecting audiences worldwide.

Additionally, visitors can look forward to more new immersive experiences. Starting 7 October, Trip.com will launch “Traveller’s Wonderland,” an interactive travel-themed pop-up event set within Jewel’s lush indoor gardens.

“Traveller’s Wonderland,” a first-of-its-kind experiential display, will transport visitors on a global journey without leaving Jewel. The exhibit will highlight iconic attractions from China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Thailand—top travel destinations for both Singaporean and international travellers. Through four immersive displays, visitors will experience vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes, providing numerous photo opportunities.

To complement “Traveller’s Wonderland,” a social media event will offer visitors the chance to win prizes by sharing their photos from the exhibit. Prizes include flight coupons, Jewel’s Canopy Park tickets, and travel merchandise. Trip.com app users can also take part in an online scratch card game for a chance to win a trip for two to Australia, tickets to Universal Studios Japan, and more.

James Fong, CEO of Jewel Changi Airport Development, said, “We are pleased to partner Trip.com in our efforts to drive tourism in Singapore and promote Jewel as a must-visit destination to international travellers through Trip.com’s global reach. The synergy between our two brands presents opportunities for strategic collaboration, and we are confident of solidifying Jewel’s position as a premier destination for travellers through the various co-marketing initiatives.”

Bo Sun, chief marketing officer of Trip.com Group, added, “The Jewel Rain Vortex is an iconic global attraction, and Trip.com is thrilled to partner with Jewel Changi Airport to create immersive new experiences that elevate the travel journey. This collaboration will allow us to engage with and delight visitors of all ages from Singapore and around the world, and we look forward to debuting this spectacular experience in October.”

This partnership comes as Jewel Changi Airport experiences significant growth, with footfall up nearly 15% and foreign visitors increasing by over 20% from January to June 2024. In August, Jewel set a record with more than 1 million visitors during the National Day weekend.

Singapore – THE COMMUNE, a premier lifestyle mall in Johor, has announced a strategic partnership with EU Holidays, a travel agency in Singapore. This collaboration aims to enhance shopping and travel experiences between Singapore and Johor. 

The partnership offers EU Holidays’ customers exclusive benefits for travel from Singapore to Johor, including special discounts and promotions at THE COMMUNE, along with tailored shopping and dining packages. Additionally, THE COMMUNE will gain increased visibility through EU Holidays’ roadshows in Singapore.

EU Holidays will also launch a first-of-its-kind exclusive bus tour from Singapore to Johor, featuring direct routes to THE COMMUNE in Kulai. These tours will provide Singaporean travellers with a seamless and enriching cross-border experience, blending travel, shopping, and cultural exploration.

EU Holidays, known for its comprehensive travel packages, views this collaboration as a game-changer in the travel industry. 

Seaking on the partnership, Wong Yew Hoong, director of EU Holidays, said, “This partnership with THE COMMUNE allows us to offer our customers a richer, more integrated travel experience. It strengthens the economic ties between Singapore and Malaysia, while also providing our travellers with exclusive shopping benefits in Johor.” 

Meanwhile, this collaboration represents a significant milestone for THE COMMUNE, as it becomes the first shopping mall in Johor to partner with the prominent Singaporean travel agency. Positioned to play a pivotal role in boosting tourism between Johor and Singapore, THE COMMUNE is set to capitalise on the upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) and the Singapore-Johor Special Economic Zone (SEZ), gaining a significant edge in the growing cross-border tourism market.

David Kang, CEO of THE COMMUNE, shared, “We are thrilled to partner with EU Holidays, a leader in Singapore’s travel industry. This partnership not only elevates THE COMMUNE’s status as a premier shopping destination but also enhances our vision of being a dynamic community hub. We are eager to welcome Singaporean tourists and provide them with an unparalleled shopping experience that bridges the best of both worlds—Singapore and Johor.”

Canada – Advertising platform StackAdapt has partnered with DoubleVerify, a digital media measurement, data, and analytics software platform. The collaboration aims to improve post-impression measurement tracking of StackAdapt, enabling its clients to access accurate viewability and traffic authenticity.

DoubleVerify will replace the external viewability metrics of MOAT, an analytics platform set to shut down on Sept. 30. While ensuring user continuity, DoubleVerify also leverages its technology to boost StackAdapt’s internal tools for invalid traffic and brand safety protection. 

“At StackAdapt, our priority has always been to stay ahead of the curve and provide our customers with the best tools and technologies available,” Michael Shang, StackAdapt senior vice president of advertising technologies, said.

“We knew we had to align with a partner that not only matches but exceeds our high standards for reliability and accuracy in post-impression measurement. DoubleVerify was the clear choice, given their proven track record and market leadership,” Shang added.

“We’re excited to partner with StackAdapt to enhance their post-impression measurement capabilities,”  Steve Woolway, executive vice president of business development at DoubleVerify, said.

“As the digital advertising landscape becomes increasingly complex, it’s crucial that advertisers have access to reliable, real-time metrics that ensure transparency and drive better outcomes. Our collaboration with StackAdapt underscores our shared commitment to delivering the highest standards of measurement, helping advertisers confidently navigate challenges and optimize their campaign performance,” Woolway said. 

StackAdapt’s integration with DoubleVerify ensures that its clients continue to benefit from advanced measurement tools that adapt to the needs of advertisers amid the dynamic industry.

Australia – Perceptive, Australasia’s technology-driven customer insights agency, has announced a strategic partnership with Qualtrics. This collaboration will empower Perceptive’s clients with advanced experience management solutions. 

Through this new partnership, Perceptive will standardise its existing programs using Qualtrics’ platform. This integration will provide Perceptive’s clients with direct access to Qualtrics’ advanced market research and experience management technologies, services, and expertise, empowering them to gain reliable insights into market trends, customer behaviour, and brand performance.

Perceptive will also join the global Qualtrics Partner Network, enhancing its capacity to support clients in managing their market research, customer experience, and brand experience programs. This partnership will enable Perceptive to offer a comprehensive, end-to-end technology platform optimised with expert program support and consulting services.

Dan Shaw, managing director of Perceptive, said, “Perceptive’s partnership with Qualtrics has been met with huge enthusiasm among our clients. It will take our industry capabilities to the next level to deliver more value and innovation to the 150+ clients we support while unlocking significant efficiencies across our business.” 

Meanwhile, Zoe Nicholson, head of ecosystems for Asia Pacific and Japan at Qualtrics, commented, “Qualtrics is at the centre of the experience management ecosystem, and key to this is our deep focus and investment to continually build and cultivate a community of trusted, expert partners—including Perceptive—that help organisations unlock significant value and drive meaningful innovation with experience management.”

Manila, Philippines – Philippine Airlines (PAL), the flagship carrier of the Republic of the Philippines, has signed a full-year partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to promote travel to Singapore. 

The partnership launched a year-long line up of activities highlighting PAL’s world-class flying experience and diversity of experiences that first-time and even repeat travelers can explore and rediscover in Singapore. 

Some activities include a campaign featuring content creators Laureen Uy with husband Miggy Cruz and lifestyle blogger and fashion designer Camille Co, complemented by a limited-time seat sale. With special deals on airfare bundled with accommodation and experiences, travellers are in for a treat. 

In 2023, the Philippines ranked as Singapore’s 6th largest source market for tourism, with nearly 700,000 visitor arrivals, marking an 84% recovery to 2019 visitor arrival numbers. As of June 2024, Singapore has welcomed close to 390,000 Filipino visitors. 

Capt. Stanley Ng, president and chief operating officer at PAL said, “Philippine Airlines is thrilled to once again partner with Singapore. Its dynamic culture has inspired the travels of countless Filipinos across our years of operations. Building on our shared success, we look forward to working together to create more opportunities for more Filipinos to experience how Singapore continues to be a world-class leisure destination.” 

Meanwhile, Melissa Ow, chief executive of STB, commented, “The Philippines is one of Singapore’s key markets and has recovered strongly with the support of longstanding partners like Philippine Airlines. They have been instrumental in reinforcing Singapore’s position as a vibrant lifestyle destination, where ordinary moments are transformed into extraordinary experiences. We are excited to bring our partnership with Philippine Airlines to the next level, and to welcome more Filipino travelers to Singapore soon.”