Tag: Petronas

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – For this year’s Deepavali celebration, the Festival of Lights celebrated on 4 November, Malaysia’s Petronas presents the message of embracing ‘love’ and finding ‘positivity’ during the pandemic through a new animated web film.

The new film is a loose adaptation of the ancient Indian epic of Ramayana that draws parallels between the experiences Malaysians are facing during these trying times with the battle against darkness. It urges the citizens to have ‘faith’ and ‘power’ in this journey towards recovery. 

Titled ‘Akka’, the web film features the main character Dheeya who goes on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she learns valuable life lessons that ‘love’ is also an act of responsibility. The film also shows how the values of ‘anger’ and ‘frustrations’ can be turned into a positive light through acceptance.

Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, Petronas’ senior general manager of group strategic communications, said that the pandemic remains a challenge for Malaysians this festive season, but it is also a time for ‘unity’ and celebration within the community.

“We at Petronas wish all Malaysians celebrating this Festival of Lights, Happy Deepavali. May light and love always prevail,” said Aziz.

In addition, Petronas also launched specially designed kolams – a form of traditional decorative art drawn using rice flour, which are being displayed at the Lingkaran Karak and Mutiara Damansara Petronas stations until 8 November 2021. The kolams, created by local artist Lashanya Rangoli, depict scenes from the web film.

The film is available for viewing on Petronas’ official YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Petronas has had animation as its main creative direction for its past brand films such as for the commemoration of Hari Raya, Thanksgiving Day, and Malaysia’s Independence Day.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – In celebration of Merdeka, the Independence Day of Malaysia, oil and gas company Petronas has launched a new animated film to remind Malaysians to face the challenges ahead with ‘resilience’ and ‘love’. 

The new animated film was created in collaboration with Ensemble Worldwide, the creative agency within media marketing solutions IPG Mediabrands.

Titled, ‘Demi Cinta’, which in English translates to “in the name of love”, the film features a song composed by renowned Malaysian composer Mohariz Yaakup and singer Vanessa Reynauld. It follows the stories of Malaysians from different walks of life, all of whom face their own challenges. Through it all, they are reminded of the ‘love’ they have around them, such as ‘love’ for their children, family, and country, lifting their spirits and getting them through their darkest times.

Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz, PETRONAS’ senior general manager of group strategic communications, commented that they wanted to continue the storytelling journey through progressive means while staying true to their signature of evoking profound emotions to promote unity in Malaysia. 

“‘Demi Cinta’ is a love song we dedicate to all Malaysians, a theme song of our strive and strides in overcoming challenges to progress as one big family,” said Aziz.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Nazril Ibrahim, the creative director of Ensemble Worldwide, shared that ‘Demi Cinta’ is a message of ‘hope’, ‘resilience’, and ‘love’ for one another through tough times, and when thinking about this film, they will take a step back and look at the lives of Malaysians today.

“Regardless of our race, religion, or status in life, we have all gone through tremendous upheaval. Despite this, we wanted to show how far we’ve come to survive this pandemic. No matter the difference in our journeys, we all have hope for the same destination – a hope for a better Malaysia. And what better way to do it, than through song,” said Ibrahim.

The film was released last 29 August on TV, and PETRONAS’ official YouTube channel and Facebook page, reaching over one million views overnight.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Petronas in Malaysia has launched the second edition of its technology accelerator program called ‘Petronas FutureTech 2.0’, an event that aims to encourage local innovations and to scale up technology startups in the country.

For this year’s ‘Petronas FutureTech 2.0’, Petronas continues its partnership with global venture capital firm 500 Startups. The program is expected to bring in greater prospects for participating startups as Petronas, through its corporate venture capital arm, Petronas Ventures has teamed up with Government-linked companies (GLCs) – telco Telekom Malaysia and conglomerate company Sime Darby Plantation. 

The collaboration aims to unlock synergies from cross-industries expertise and maximize the value impact of the program to local startups. Through this, GLCs will be able to uncover potentially game-changing technologies, accelerate new ideas that can help transform local industries, and enable the participating teams to have greater market access for growth.

Arni Laily Anwarrudin, the head at Petronas Ventures, shared that following the success of the first FutureTech program in 2019, they foresee bigger prospects towards nation-building, and collaborating with major corporations is the right way to further nurture the ecosystem for Malaysian startups.

“It also creates a positive socio-economic impact to the community through education and skill investment, as well as fostering tech-driven innovations that support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” said Anwarrudin.

Meanwhile, Telekom Malaysia’s Chief Strategy Officer Tengku Muneer Tengku Muzani, commented that they are excited and thrilled to join hands with Petronas and Sime Darby Plantation to help nurture the startup ecosystem in Malaysia. 

“In line with our drive towards a Digital Malaysia, we hope to explore common ground with the FutureTech 2.0 corporate partners and startups in accelerating digital innovation by leveraging on each other’s strengths,” said Muzani.

Sime Darby Plantation’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Dr. Shariman Alwani said that they are looking forward to identifying innovative startups with technology capabilities and game-changing solutions to help them overcome various challenges and pain points. 

“We are excited to be part of FutureTech 2.0. To be able to give a voice to our local innovative startups and help unlock their potential in collaboration with like-minded partners such as Petronas and Telekom Malaysia is truly a valuable opportunity,” said Alwani.

Furthermore, the focus themes for this year’s FutureTech program are Industry 4.0, Specialty Chemicals and Advance Materials, Future of Energy, and Digital Transformation, as well as Retail Innovation.

Shortlisted startups in FutureTech 2.0 will undergo an intensive 12-week virtual program from September, which includes masterclasses, workshops, and coaching from 500 Startups’ mentors as well as C-suite and experts from Petronas, Telekom Malaysia, and Sime Darby Plantation. These startups will have the opportunity to accelerate their business solutions via a proof of concept (POC) and get access to insights and resources from the GLCs.

For interested startups, the applications for FutureTech 2.0 will be available until 27 July 2021.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – To honor Hara Gawai Dayak, a thanksgiving day that marks a bountiful harvest celebrated by Dayak people in Sarawak, Malaysia, oil and gas company Petronas has launched a web film titled ‘Manik Panik’, which explores themes of joy and togetherness. 

Petronas deems to be the country’s leading gas infrastructure and centralized utilities company and one of the largest companies on the local bourse in terms of market capitalization, with core businesses in gas processing, gas transportation, and LNG regasification, as well as utilities. 

The story of the ​‘Manik Panik’ film is set in a longhouse on Gawai Dayak Eve, featuring an unsolved mystery that has befallen the community when a beaded necklace belonging to the Gawai Festival’s chief is found broken.

With no one coming forward, Detective Gerunung takes it upon himself to discover the truth. He sets off on a learning and discovery journey with the help of his friends to fix the broken necklace in time for the chief to wear it for the Gawai kick-off ceremony. 

The new web film also showcases various Dayak cultural objects and accessories such as gerunung (bell worn around the ankles) headgear, beads, and terabai (warrior’s shield).

‘Manik Panik’ is now available for viewing on Petronas’ official YouTube channel and Facebook page. In addition to the web film, the company has also launched ‘Manik Panik’ stickers for WhatsApp to further spread joy this festive season. 

Petronas’ Senior General Manager of Group Strategic Communications Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz said, “Petronas is pleased to have produced a web film as special and meaningful as ‘Manik Panik’, in celebration of Hari Gawai Dayak. From our unique family to yours, we send a festive greeting of happiness and hope, and a reminder of the importance of coming together as one.”

Just recently, Petronas’ short animated film titled ‘Syukur Raya’ has been included in the top 10 list of Hari Raya ads by YouTube Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – As Malaysians celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan last 13 May, brands of various industries have launched each of their unique campaigns to come in solidarity with Muslims in Malaysia, and commemorate Hari Raya.

YouTube in Malaysia has just launched the year’s top 10 Ramadan-Raya ads that have touched the hearts of many viewers, where the list was based on factors such as organic and paid views, watch time, and audience retention.

1. Tenaga Nasional Berhad: TNB Raya 2021: Hikmah Raya Aida

For this year’s Raya, Malaysia’s electric utility giant Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) released a quirky short film, featuring the brand’s well-loved character, Aida, who came to realize that ‘family time’ is the most important treasure in life.

2. Etiqa: Etiqa 2021 Raya – Balik Tanjung Mana?

Through a married couple-themed ad, insurance and takaful business firm Etiqa in the country reminded its viewers of the value of ‘togetherness’ this Raya.

3. Watsons Malaysia: Watsons Raya 2021 #RayaUnikRayaIkonik

In a musical short film, health and beauty retailer Watsons in Malaysia introduced the unique family of Ayda Jebat and Nabil, embracing each other’s differences to have an iconic, unforgettable Aidilfitri.

4. MR DIY: Iklan Raya MR.DIY 2021: Kerana Azman

Household products retailer MR DIY inspired viewers with a heart-warming campaign that highlights ‘self-worth’.

5. Lazada Malaysia: Lazada Ada Sentuhan Raya 5.5

In line with e-commerce platform Lazada’s 5.5 Sale, the app released some amazing deals and ‘lowest price guaranteed’ promise for its customers.

6. Petronas: PETRONAS RAYA 2021: Syukur Raya

Narrated by a singing dove, the short animated film by the country’s oil and gas company Petronas Malaysia presented a fun and cheeky story of compassion.

7. RHB Group: RHB Group Raya 2021: Sempurna

Malaysian financial service company RHB Group showed its support to the deaf community through a Raya ad that tells the true story of a girl, who shares videos of herself performing sign language song covers, despite suffering from a hearing disability.

8. Saji Malaysia: Iklan Raya SAJI 2021: Mangkuk Tingkat Mak Teh

Cooking oil brand Saji celebrated Ramadan through a heart-rending campaign, highlighting a wife’s longingness for her husband.

9. Julie’s Biscuits: Ini Iklan Raya, tau?!

Through a comic yet meaningful campaign, biscuit brand Julie’s Biscuits made use of typical Raya ad scenarios to encourage its consumers to show more appreciation towards women.

10. Shopee Malaysia: 2021 5.5 Raya TVC

In a 15-second sing and dance video, Shopee in Malaysia introduced its Ramadan and 5.5 Sale which offered shoppers free shipping with no minimum spend.