Tag: Partnerships

Philippines – SB Finance Inc., a Security Bank affiliate, has teamed up with delivery app Lalamove Automotive to empower Lalamove drivers with financial solutions.

As part of the partnership, SB Finance is extending its OR/CR for Cash loan offering to Lalamove’s network of drivers. This allows the delivery platform’s partner drivers to make necessary upgrades to their vehicles, manage expenses, and unlock ways to increase income.

Lalamove drivers can access an exclusive channel for financing and get a maximum of Php 2 million loan. With the goal of promoting economic stability to drivers, the initiative streamlines how they can be supported financially.

Through the partnership, usual delays in securing loans will be avoided, allowing the drivers to focus on their work.

The initiative reflects both companies’ vision of uplifting Filipino drivers’ lives, coming at a time when the delivery industry in the Philippines is continuing its growth.

“Our mission at SB Finance is to support hardworking Filipinos in building better lives. Delivery drivers are an essential part of our economy, and this partnership with Lalamove Automotive allows us to provide the financial tools they need to succeed. By making financing simple, accessible, and reliable, we’re helping drivers unlock new possibilities for growth and stability,” Abbie Dans-Casanova, SB Finance president and chief executive officer, said.

Djon Nacario, Lalamove Philippines managing director, commented, “At Lalamove, we always look for ways to support our dedicated partner drivers, who are the backbone of our platform, ensuring every delivery is a success. Partnering with SB Finance gives them access to financial solutions that can help enhance their livelihood, and provide long-term stability. This is more than a partnership—it’s a commitment to the partner driver community’s growth and future.”

United States – Formula 1 and popular chocolate brand Nestlé have announced a new multi-year partnership making KitKat the Official Chocolate Bar of Formula 1. The collaboration will officially launch during the 2025 season, marking the 90th anniversary of KitKat and the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, and will then expand across the world throughout 2026. 

Formula 1 enthusiasts can look forward to consumer activations, promotional prizes and immersive fan zones at select Grands Prix, with trackside branding, and cheerful, light-hearted content.

Bringing its iconic “Have a Break, Have a KitKat®” message to Formula 1, the partnership champions the importance of taking a moment to pause, and unites two diverse global fanbases in an innovative collaboration. Both brands are dedicated to elevating the fan experience by combining the excitement of world-class racing with the renowned sense of humour of KitKat and tradition of sharing breaks.

Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer at Formula 1, said, “We’re delighted to have such a globally recognised and fun brand as KitKat joining us as a partner. They’re universally loved, and we can’t wait to see the fantastic experiences they’ll be bringing to our fans at the track and the new audiences they’ll introduce to the sport.”

Meanwhile, Bernard Meunier, head of strategic business units and marketing and sales at Nestlé, commented, “Formula 1 is a global phenomenon with a rapidly growing, diverse fanbase, especially among younger audiences. With its global reach and packed schedule, F1 offers KitKat the perfect platform to remind everyone to make time for a break. We’re excited to bring our signature sense of fun to this thrilling sport and to create memorable experiences for fans around the world.”

This partnership follows recent moves from Formula 1 teaming up with companies including a 10-year global partnership with LVMH, and one with The LEGO Group set to take off in 2025.

Singapore – Global footwear company and toy company The LEGO Group have signed a multi-year partnership as its aims to bring to life the many ways sport and creative play can help all kids be the best versions of themselves.

Through this global partnership, families around the globe could see a series of co-branded products, content and experiences beginning next year that combine the imaginative power of LEGO bricks with Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ spirit to invite all kids into play and sport.

Moreover, the partnership reflects Nike and the LEGO Group’s shared commitment to put creativity, fun, sport and imagination back into play, and inspire, engage and empower kids around the world.

To mark the announcement of their partnership, Nike and the LEGO Group curated a special digital animation to spark the excitement and curiosity of kids, families and adults everywhere. It brings to life how sport and creative play will come together and leverage iconic elements from both brands.

At the centre is a specially created LEGO Minifigure head with the Nike Swoosh as the smile, symbolising the unique power of both brands through sport and creativity. This is surrounded by sport references and individual icons from both brands, such as the orange Nike shoebox; the waffle outsole and Nike Air technologies; and the LEGO brick, Minifigure, castle and studs. 

Also included are shared icons such as the duck, the LEGO Group’s first product and a symbol synonymous with Oregon, Nike’s birthplace; the Pegasus horse, a reference to an iconic Nike footwear innovation; and of course the G.O.A.T., a nod to some of the greatest athletes in Nike’s portfolio.

Alero Akuya, vice president of brand development at The LEGO Group, said, “At the LEGO Group, we believe in the power of play to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow. By combining the creativity of LEGO play with the energy and passion of sport we want to inspire new ways for kids to play and be creative. We are excited to partner with Nike on this journey and help reimagine how creative play and sport can unite. Together, we will create unique experiences that will engage and excite kids around the world, inspiring them to explore their imaginations.” 

Meanwhile, Cal Dowers, vice president for global kids at Nike, commented, “At Nike, we believe in the power of sport to move the world forward, and that starts with kids. We’re committed to creating a more accessible and inclusive future that inspires kids of all ages and abilities to be more active. Together, with the LEGO Group, we’re excited to invite all kids into a new vision of sport and creative play.”

Singapore – Meltwater, a global leader in media monitoring and intelligence, has bolstered its presence in the Asia-Pacific region through strategic senior leadership appointments and key partnerships aimed at launching innovative AI-driven products.

The first of Meltwater’s new appointments is Josh Drasta, who will assume the role of enterprise sales area director for APAC. Drasta brings over a decade of experience in sales and partnerships, having worked with companies such as Digimind, Google, and Isentia. His previous experience with Linkfluence, which was acquired by Meltwater in 2021, further deepens his familiarity with the company’s capabilities and solutions.

Joining Drasta is Alexandra Feig, who has been appointed as the new head of talent for APAC. Feig will lead a dynamic team dedicated to designing and implementing innovative recruitment strategies, processes, and best practices. Before joining Meltwater, she spearheaded Zendesk’s talent acquisition efforts across APAC and held senior roles in talent acquisition at Indeed and EssenceMediacom.

Rounding out the series of new appointments is Chris Hackney, who will step into the role of chief product officer. Hackney will oversee the strategic direction, expansion, and operation of Meltwater’s product portfolio.

With over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, Hackney has successfully built several pioneering companies and has a proven track record of driving innovation and growth in B2B SaaS companies. He has also held executive positions at Cision, Trendkite, Mercury Healthcare, and AI Guardian.

Since Hackney’s appointment, Meltwater has introduced a series of significant product innovations and strategic partnerships.

Meltwater’s new appointments coincide with the company’s accelerated AI-driven growth, marked by innovative product launches. In addition to expanding its leadership team, Meltwater has secured a strategic partnership with Microsoft to introduce the new ‘Meltwater Copilot.’

Meltwater Copilot is a next-generation communications assistant built on Microsoft’s technology stack—including Azure OpenAI Service, Microsoft 365, and Copilot for Microsoft 365. This tool enables users to access real-time insights such as brand mentions, sentiment analysis, key issues, and competitive benchmarking, all seamlessly integrated within their Teams environment.

The Meltwater Copilot App for Teams and its Microsoft 365 extension leverage cutting-edge AI from both Microsoft and Meltwater to harness Meltwater’s extensive global data set, processing over a billion pieces of information daily. Both companies aim to transform how communications and marketing professionals interact with data through this collaborative innovation. 

Additionally, Meltwater has partnered with CYFIRMA to enhance its brand protection and digital security capabilities. This integrated solution combines Meltwater’s AI-powered media and social intelligence suite with CYFIRMA’s DeCYFIR—the industry’s first external threat landscape management platform—providing a comprehensive approach to risk monitoring and mitigation.

This partnership provides organisations with enhanced visibility into potential threats across diverse digital environments, enabling them to proactively protect their brand and make informed decisions in today’s complex digital landscape.

David Hickey, executive director for Asia Pacific at Meltwater, said, “We have seen significant growth this past year in key markets like the Philippines, Australia, China, and Japan, and AI continues to present a tremendous opportunity for Meltwater in the APAC region.” 

“Our early investment in AI has led to the development of the latest generative AI capabilities, enabling our customers to unlock the full potential of online data without the need for technical expertise. We look forward to building on this momentum and rolling out more innovations that provide greater value, empowering organisations of all sizes to make better data-driven business decisions,” he added. 

Recently, Meltwater’s consumer intelligence solution provided in-depth insights into the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Through visual analytics and social listening, it assessed how sports brands engaged with audiences and how the performance of select athletes influenced their visibility.

Taiwan – Vistar Media, a global provider of out-of-home (OOH) media technology solutions, has forged new strategic partnerships with two major Taiwanese media owners, KanBan Culture and PilotTV Holdings, significantly expanding its footprint in the region.

This strategic move aligns with Vistar’s goal to bolster its OOH marketplace across the APAC region, bringing its advanced programmatic digital out-of-home (DOOH) solutions to Taiwan’s expanding outdoor advertising sector. Integrating KanBan Culture and PilotTV Holdings’ inventory into Vistar’s global marketplace represents a crucial milestone in the company’s continued regional growth across Asia-Pacific. 

Speaking on the partnership, David Mou, chief visionary officer and chief business development officer at KanBan Culture, said, “KanBan seeks to onboard the most iconic, impactful, and contextually significant DOOH inventories in Taiwan onto the global pDOOH ecosystem. Vistar Media’s technical prowess, brand stature, and most significantly, its well-rounded support, enable KanBan to credibly and confidently deliver pDOOH executions to brand clients’ and media owners’ simultaneous satisfactions. Vistar is therefore instrumental in enabling KanBan to convert the minds of successful but otherwise traditional IO media owners towards pDOOH acceptance.” 

YF Juan, international operations at PilotTV Holdings, added, “As Taiwan’s programmatic DOOH leader for retail, transportation, and healthcare channels, PTV-i welcomes programmatic buyers through our collaboration with Vistar Media. This partnership is set to enhance the reach and effectiveness of DOOH campaigns across our extensive network, and we look forward to opening up our premium inventory to buyers both local to Taiwan and around the world.” 

These new partnerships further strengthen Vistar’s global DSP, allowing buyers worldwide to easily purchase DOOH ad space from a single account. Following recent successes like launching programmatic capabilities in China, opening a Melbourne office, and achieving 182% YoY growth in Southeast Asia, Vistar reaffirms its commitment to expanding its OOH marketplace across the region.

Ben Baker, managing director of APAC at Vistar Media, said, “Taiwan represents a significant growth opportunity for Vistar Media, and we are thrilled to officially enter this vibrant market thanks to partnerships with media owners in the region. Our presence in Taiwan will allow us to provide advertisers with the tools they need to create impactful, data-driven digital out-of-home advertising campaigns.”

He continued, “Through our partnerships with KanBan Culture and PilotTV Holdings, our global and omnichannel demand-side platform (DSP) buyers across APAC can access a wider range of inventory that was previously difficult to reach. Taiwan’s bustling urban areas and high-foot traffic locations are ideal environments for programmatic DOOH, and we look forward to helping brands capture the attention of this important market and achieve measurable results.”

Beyond its new inventory in Taiwan, Vistar Media maintains a strong presence across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, mainland China, and Hong Kong.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Regional car e-commerce platform CARSOME, known for its sales of used cars, has announced its foray into the sale of new cars via a partnership with NETA Auto Malaysia, establishing them as the official trade-in partner for the EV brand in Malaysia. They are also listing the new NETA X Electric Vehicle (EV).

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for CARSOME as it expands its ecosystem to include new car sales, reflecting its commitment to diversifying its offerings and enhancing the car-buying experience for customers.

As part of the collaboration, NETA will be able to complement its existing dealers’ network by leveraging CARSOME’s extensive online platform and customer base, allowing NETA to strengthen its digital footprint.

The MOU was signed by NETA’s Exclusive Distributor, Intro Synergy Sdn Bhd’s (ISSB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Farok Maasom, and CARSOME’s Group President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Eric Chan, witnessed by Dato’ SM Azli SM Nasimuddin Kamal, the Executive Chairman of ISSB and CARSOME Co-founder, Chairman, and Group CEO, Eric Cheng.

Eric Cheng, co-founder, chairman, and group CEO at CARSOME, said, “With the NETA X EV listing on our platform and the partnership with NETA, CARSOME is making a strategic entry into the EV and new car market, underscoring our commitment to providing sustainable and innovative automotive solutions.”

He added, “By partnering with NETA, we can cater to a new segment of buyers looking for high-quality, sustainable transportation options. This partnership not only diversifies our offerings but also enhances the car-buying experience, offering exclusive deals and comprehensive trade-in options that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Meanwhile, Dato SM Azli, chairman at Intro Synergy Sdn Bhd, commented, “We are thrilled to collaborate with CARSOME, a leader in the car e-commerce space. This partnership allows us to reach a broader audience and offer our innovative NETA X EV to a new segment of environmentally conscious customers. With CARSOME’s robust online platform and extensive customer base, we are confident that this collaboration will significantly enhance our market presence and drive the adoption of electric vehicles in Malaysia.”

Customers can explore the new NETA X model through CARSOME’s online platform and app, where they can place bookings seamlessly. Additionally, they can visit CARSOME’s PJ Automall, where dedicated NETA customer consultants will assist them throughout their purchase journey. This weekend, visitors to the Autofair in PJ Automall will have the opportunity to view NETA’s range of EVs up close, including the flagship NETA V, NETA X, and NETA GT models.

Singapore – To celebrate the Global International MSME Day for 2024, digital payment and financial services provider Ant International has shared its support towards almost 100 million Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide through its businesses and programs as well as its global campaign.

Through these efforts, Ant International reinforces its commitments towards MSME digitalisation and inclusion through the expansion of its services as well as new programs for skills development with industry partners.

In its ‘Embrace the power of small” campaign, Ant International features three business owners and their journeys of digitalisation namely, Cholthicha Joyyangsuk (Numwan) from Thailand who sells desserts on her tuktuk, Lem Cheong from The Hainan Story, Singapore who was inspired by his grandma’s rich heritage and flavourful recipes, and Lewis Ames from Wrimes Cosmetics, UK who started with neon face paint and pivoting to pet care during the pandemic.

These stories then will be featured on out-of-home billboards, starting in Europe, in time for the UEFA EURO 2024, of which Ant International is the Official Payment Partner, and rolled out to other global markets, and also on TV and social media.

In terms of Ant International’s other efforts, Alipay+, the cross-border mobile payments and marketing solutions operated by Ant International, announced an expansion of its global acceptance. As of June 2024, Alipay+ is accepted by over 90 million merchants in over 66 markets, enabling many small businesses to efficiently connect with global mobile-first consumers.

This initiative from Alipay+ is then supplemented further by digital payment solutions providers Antom and Worldfirst, empowering more SMEs with international payment solutions.

Additionally, ANEXT Bank, a digital wholesale bank incorporated in Singapore, recently celebrated its second anniversary, with two times year-on-year increase in its customer base, of which 69% are micro businesses. To further support regional MSMEs, the bank has introduced its second batch of ‘SME Friends of ANEXT’ with forward-thinking small and growing businesses to co-create the “digital bank of tomorrow”.

In Indonesia, Ant International and DANA will launch the second edition of ‘SisBerdaya’, an initiative that provides female micro entrepreneurs training, mentoring, and educational programs in business management and digital skills. Started in 2023, the first edition drew more than 2700 applicants, with 180 participants undergoing a one-month training, and grants awarded to 30 entrepreneurs.

Lastly, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, ‘10×1000 Tech for Inclusion’ is an open learning platform to help future digital leaders develop more skills to drive greater impact within their communities. As of 2023, with the support of 40+ global strategic partners, more than 6,000 individual talents from 100+ countries and regions completed the 10×1000 learning programs, of which 90% are from developing markets and 60% work in MSMEs.

Talking about these initiatives, Douglas Feagin, president of Ant International, said, At Ant International, we firmly believe in the power of small and that small businesses can make a big impact. Fintech innovations today unlock new possibilities for small businesses to dream boldly and compete globally.”

“Together with our partners, we want to ensure that every business and every person will have access to the knowledge, network, and digital tools to help them achieve their goals,” he added.

Singapore – Global marketing and communications group Stagwell has announced the additions of four independent agencies in the Asia Pacific region to its expanding global affiliate network.

These four new affiliate partnerships strengthen Stagwell’s reach in the fast-growing Asia Pacific region, adding additional full-service advertising and design, digital experience, and affiliate marketing capabilities to the network’s suite of client solutions.

Going into detail, the affiliates include Singapore-based design firm Agency, Bangladesh-based dynamic advertising agency Arena Media, Thailand-based digital marketing agency Lodestar Marketing, and China-based digital marketing agency R&D Online Marketing.

Through its global affiliate program, Stagwell aims to provide full-service capabilities worldwide, while ensuring clients receive best-in-class service and solutions tailored to their priority markets.

It is also worth noting that these affiliate additions within APAC come shortly after Stagwell’s affiliate partnerships with Leverate Group from Indonesia, and Octopus&Whale from the Philippines.

Talking about the affiliate partnerships, Lishan Soh, co-founder of Agency, said, “Joining the Stagwell Global Affiliate Network is a thrilling milestone for us. We are eager to collaborate within this family of dynamic companies by adding strategic design as a critical tool for creativity, to generate greater value for our clients and their customers alike.”

Mazharul Chowdhury, group managing director at Arena Media Bangladesh, also mentioned, “We are delighted to join Stagwell’s global network and we are poised to leverage our local expertise and contribute our unique insights to enhance data-driven, culturally-relevant marketing solutions that drive business growth worldwide.”

Jesper Kauth, managing partner at Lodestar Marketing, also added, “This is an extremely exciting partnership for us, giving Lodestar Marketing direct access to companies within Stagwell and vice versa to offer channel support and growth. We look forward to the opportunities to help drive additional revenue for clients within the group.”

Lastly, among the new affiliates, Tony Tang, managing partner at R&D Online Marketing Services, shared, “I am thrilled about our affiliate partnership with Stagwell. This collaboration allows us to leverage Stagwell’s extensive global network and innovative marketing solutions, extending our services within China and beyond. Together with Stagwell, we are committed to driving growth and success for our clients in the international arena.”

Meanwhile, Randy Duax, managing director, Asia-Pacific for Stagwell, commented, “We look forward to adding Agency, Arena Media, Lodestar Marketing and R&D Online Marketing Services’ proven track record and deep local expertise to our Global Affiliate Program. These four affiliates reinforce Stagwell’s commitment to elevating our clients’ businesses with agile, data-driven, and culturally relevant marketing solutions.”

Singapore – Global travel services provider Trip.com Group has signed two strategic memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with leading hospitality brands in Southeast Asia, namely Megaworld Hotels & Resorts in the Philippines and Vinpearl in Vietnam, reinforcing its commitment to the region.

These strategic partnerships with Megaworld and Vinpearl are driven forward by Trip.com Group’s ‘Local Focus, Global Vision’ ethos, aimed at enhancing the travel experience for inbound and domestic travellers.

Through these partnerships, MHR and Vinpearl will receive comprehensive marketing support from Trip.com Group through targeted campaigns, new hotel showcases, and enhanced product content. This also includes exclusive package rates & member rates, prioritised access on Trip.com’s platforms, and offering customers competitive rates and exclusive deals, particularly targeting higher-tier members.

By fostering this collaboration, Trip.com Group ensures optimised exposure, making it easier for travellers to discover and book their stays, thereby boosting the appeal of these top-tier accommodations.

Furthermore, Trip.com Group equips hotel partners with tools and data insights to adjust dimensions in real time, ensuring competitive rates that attract bookings. The programme also includes features to help hotels improve their search result rankings based on price competitiveness, customer reviews, and booking conversion rates.

Talking about the partnerships, Boon Sian Chai, managing director and vice president of international markets at Trip.com Group, said, “We have collaborated on several programmes with Vinpearl in recent years, and this MOU is a natural extension of our excellent relationship. We are equally excited to embark on a new journey with MHR. Going forward, we will further enhance the travel experiences for our customers globally while also showcasing the beauty of the destinations in Southeast Asia and their offerings, including accommodation.”

Meanwhile, Loleth So, group commercial director, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, commented, “We are excited to embark on this collaboration with Trip.com Group, a global leader in online travel. This alliance will amplify our reach in the global market and attract more international travellers to our properties. We look forward to working together to deliver an authentic Filipino experience for all our guests through the Sampaguita, our signature brand of service.”

Hana Ngo, deputy CEO, Vinpearl Group, also added, “Our partnership with Trip.com Group over the years has been extremely successful, and we are thrilled to bring our cooperation to the next level. Together, we will elevate Vinpearl’s presence in the global market, delivering unparalleled value and unforgettable experiences to our guests.”

Singapore – Carlsberg Asia has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Grab for a strategic partnership that will transform how consumers enjoy their beer. This partnership will cover awareness and promotional campaigns on GrabAds across four key countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) which includes Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore.

The partnership will kick off with the launch of an exciting football season campaign featuring Liverpool Football Club and a collaborative Responsible Drinking campaign. The partnership also includes the setting up of a virtual store for Carlsberg on the Grab app in Singapore, to make it easier for consumers to order and have their favourite Carlsberg beers delivered.

Carlsberg has been a principal partner of Liverpool Football Club (LFC) for over three decades and became the club’s official beer in 2010. This football season, Carlsberg will bring football excitement to LFC fans across the SEA region by leveraging Grab’s multiple touchpoints, online to offline. 

Carlsberg will also collaborate with GrabAds, Grab’s advertising arm, on a Responsible Drinking campaign later in the year to promote responsible alcohol consumption and prioritise safety by encouraging GrabCar rides. By tapping into Grab’s extensive ecosystem and hyperlocal insights in the region, Carlsberg aims to expand its digital footprint in the region and make its portfolio of products available to a larger audience.

Arindam Varanasi, vice president of commercial for Asia at Carlsberg, said, “As part of Carlsberg Group’s Accelerate SAIL strategy, this exciting partnership will help us drive digital transformation and growth in the region by going beyond traditional retail channels.”

He added, “With our joint forces, we will be able to introduce more drinking moments to consumers and make it easier and safer for them to access Carlsberg’s portfolio of local and international beers and Beyond Beer brands at their doorstep. This will also be a strong initiative to Carlsberg’s continuous efforts in driving responsibility drinking.”

Meanwhile, Ken Mandel, regional head of GrabAds and brand insights, commented, “It’s truly an honour that Carlsberg, one of the world’s leading brewery brands, chose Grab’s advertising arm, GrabAds, to strengthen their brand equity through purposeful consumer campaigns – the LFC partnership and the Responsible Drinking Campaign.”

He added, “This partnership not only showcases the extensive and impactful reach of GrabAds’ online to offline touchpoints but also attests to GrabAds’ effective engagement with high-value consumers who use Grab to engage or transact with brands and merchants every day.”