Tag: Philippines

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Philippines and local fast food chain Mang Inasal have teamed up to launch the ‘Love the Flavors, Love the Philippines’, focusing on promoting gastronomy tourism in the Philippines.

From September 23 to 27, local and foreign tourists can enjoy a FREE 8oz. Extra Creamy Halo-Halo when they order Chicken Inasal Paa or Pecho Large at Mang Inasal. To avail of this special dine-in offer, tourists simply need to present a valid ID along with a boarding pass or e-ticket dated between September 1 and 27.

The campaign was launched at an event attended by Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Gisella Romualdez-Quisumbing, as well as popular celebrities and influencers, including celebrity mom from General Santos City Melai Cantiveros-Francisco; Blackman Family, featuring Australian father Joshua, Filipino mother Jeraldine, and their charming children Nimo and Jette; Japanese content creator, actor, and recording artist FuMi; and Canadian-Filipino explorer Kyle “Kulas” Jennermann of Becoming Filipino vlog. 

Each guest shared their love for the distinct flavours of Mang Inasal, highlighting how its signature dishes have become an essential part of their joyful travels around the Philippines.

“The Department of Tourism recognizes the vital role that gastronomy plays in promoting our culture, and we are so glad that Mang Inasal is a key partner in enhancing Filipino cuisine as part of our national identity. As we celebrate World Tourism Week, let us emphasize how food does not only serve as a culinary experience, it also serves as an avenue to connect people, promote appreciation of culture and drive economic development,” Quisumbing said.

Meanwhile, Mike V. Castro, president at Mang Inasal, commented, “Food connects people, and at Mang Inasal, we’re proud to be a part of that connection for tourists visiting the Philippines. We’re excited to share the flavours of the Philippines with the world. Every bite of Chicken Inasal, every spoonful of Halo-Halo, connects tourists to the heart of our culture, making their travels more meaningful and unforgettable.”

Manila, Philippines – Pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service Viu in the Philippines has kicked off its ‘Campus Connect: THE VIU UNIVERSITY INVASION’ initiative, an interactive campus tour designed to engage university students through a series of activities across Manila highlighting the diversity of Asian entertainment.

Said on-campus experience aims to bring Viu’s popular titles to students at Manila’s top universities, as well as enhance students’ daily routines by offering engaging experiences that introduce them to Viu’s diverse range of Asian entertainment. 

The event will kick off at the National University Mall of Asia Campus on September 25, 2024, coinciding with their NU MOA Talent Competition, and then continue to the Arellano University’s Legarda Campus on October 24, 2024, during the AU Showdown 2024.

The Viu Campus Connect event features a variety of engaging activities designed to captivate students and create memorable experiences. At the Viu Photo Corner, students can capture selfies and share them using the hashtags #ViuCampusConnect and #EnjoytheViu, as well as their school’s name. 

Moreover, students can also win rewards by participating in the Viu Pop Quiz, which will test their knowledge of Viu Dramas, and by joining the Viu Pick a Prize activity by liking and following Viu’s Facebook and Instagram pages. The ‘Man on Campus’ segment will offer spontaneous Q&A sessions and more surprises, keeping the excitement alive throughout the event.

Lastly, the event offers a refreshing break from academics with engaging activities, exclusive prizes, and a chance to join a growing community of Viu enthusiasts. Interested college students can follow Viu’s social media channels for updates on the tour schedule.

Philippines – Cignal TV, the pay-TV provider in the Philippines, has strengthened its partnership with Quickplay to deliver a wider range of content across new platforms, including Android set-top boxes (STBs), enhancing the viewing experience for Filipino audiences.

As part of its innovation strategy, Cignal TV is harnessing Quickplay’s cloud-native, open-architecture OTT platform to elevate its Cignal Play service through the launch of the Cignal Play TV Android set-top box.

The new device serves as an all-in-one entertainment hub, combining various tiers of Cignal TV’s live and on-demand content with pre-installed apps like Pilipinas Live, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Go, VIU, and Lionsgate. These services are also accessible regardless of the user’s broadband provider, ensuring a seamless and diverse entertainment experience for users.

Gerard L. Milan, first vice president and chief revenue officer for Cignal TV, said, “Cignal TV is committed to delivering content that our customers love across the various platforms and screens that they use, combining our vast library with that of leading streaming apps.”

“The versatility and flexibility of the Quickplay platform have enabled us to expedite the integration of new services and availability of our content on Android devices. This will serve as the foundation for further content, product, and business model offerings in the future,” added Milan. 

Paul Pastor, chief business officer and co-founder of Quickplay, said, “Strategies that make a wide variety of content available on subscriber-owned devices are essential to MVPD’s continued ownership of the living room. Cignal TV is using the power of our cloud-native platform and its existing content relationships to launch game-changing Android STB services that will enhance their competitive position in the Philippines and address the needs of its Filipino community.”

Cignal TV’s transition to the Quickplay platform in 2022 brought significant improvements, including enhanced streaming performance, streamlined content management, and a user experience that quickly earned praise on Google Play. A year later, the same platform powered the launch of Pilipinas Live, a sports service aimed at Filipino viewers globally.

Quickplay’s OTT platform supports service launches and telco migration strategies to IPTV, enabling scalable cloud applications with advanced technologies like containers and microservices. This technology stack offers superior performance, modular feature expansion, rapid iteration, and built-in scalability and security. Leading OTT providers and telcos, including sports giants MSG+ and YES, as well as Cignal TV in the Philippines, leverage Quickplay to deliver flexible and agile services that match or surpass broadcast reliability and performance.

Manila, Philippines – Grab in the Philippines has announced the appointment of Ronald Roda, most recently the company’s chief operating officer, as its new country manager. He replaces Grace Vera Cruz as she takes on a regional role as head of regional corporate strategy.

In his previous role, Roda led the GrabCar business for over six years. Under his leadership, Grab expanded its reach from 8 cities to over 200 cities in the Philippines since 2018, making Grab’s services accessible to millions more Filipinos. 

Moreover, during the pandemic, when the GrabCar business was temporarily shut down, he adapted swiftly to sustain business operations and transforming it into a more reliable and affordable service post-pandemic.

Meanwhile, Cruz will continue to be based in the Philippines in her regional capacity, to ensure a smooth transition and operational continuity. Her ongoing presence signifies her continued commitment to supporting the Philippine market and strengthening Grab’s long-standing partnerships.

Speaking on his new role, Roda said, “I am honoured to take on the role of country head for Grab Philippines, and I am committed to continuing the great work and building on the strong relationships established under Grace’s leadership. My goal is to continue making Grab a true partner for growth, providing innovative solutions that benefit Filipinos across the nation.”

He added, “Together, we will further enhance the quality of life for our consumers and driver-partners, and strengthen the pathways for success for our MSMEs and corporate partners, ensuring that Grab remains a vital contributor to the Philippines’ socio-economic development.”

Meanwhile, Cruz commented, “I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support, collaboration, trust, and openness from all our partners and stakeholders who have believed in Grab’s success during my tenure. Reflecting on the commitment I made when I joined Grab, I am proud of the strides we have made together to drive innovation, enhance services, and uplift the lives of Filipinos.”

She added, “As I transition to my new regional role, I am filled with confidence, optimism, and excitement for Grab Philippines and our new country head. Ronald’s dedication and deep understanding of the industry make him the perfect leader for this next chapter. I encourage everyone to extend to him the same level of support and trust that you have generously given me as we continue our journey to drive growth and success for Grab and the Filipino community.”

Manila, Philippines – The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has released a new logo and website following the recent takeover of San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC), the new private operator for said airport.

While the website is still incomplete, users can expect dedicated pages to flight information, flight tracking, list of airlines servicing NAIA, as well as special pages for airport transport, dining, shops, and other airport amenities.

Moreover, there is also a dedicated ‘Bagong Bayani’ page on the website, which NNIC described as a special hub featuring inspiring stories about overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), one of the country’s biggest workforce exports.

“The launch of our website and social media pages is part of our commitment to open communication and transparency,” said Ramon Ang, president and CEO of NNIC. 

Aside from San Miguel Corporation, NNIC also include the Incheon International Airport Corp, with both aim to transform NAIA into a ‘world-class airport’.

It is worth noting that NAIA’s new operator also comes in light of continued public outcry over the lack of sanitary and operational initiatives from the airport to maintain its image. For local PR leaders, they note that marketing and advertising efforts are ‘band-aid solutions’ for NAIA, and instead the airport should focus more on improving their operational measures to gain more trust from the public–both local and international.

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.

Many recent technology developments such as generative AI and enhanced customer engagement strategies. are greatly improving the marketing and advertising environment and providing several advantages in a variety of fields. For instance, businesses are analysing customer data in a new way thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, which allows for accurate targeting and personalised content distribution. 

With the use of these technologies, marketers can better target their ads to specific audiences, anticipate their behaviour, and increase engagement and conversion rates. Large data sets must be swiftly processed and interpreted in order for marketing tactics to be both more successful and flexible enough to respond to shifting consumer patterns.

Moreover, as these technologies develop further, they give marketers strong tools to design dynamic, captivating, and tailored campaigns that increase consumer loyalty to brands and broaden their consumer base. In the future, incorporating these state-of-the-art technologies is expected to further enhance the efficacy and originality of marketing campaigns, establishing new benchmarks for success in the sector.

To further explore more industry insights on the future of marketing and advertising this 2024 and beyond, MARKETECH APAC has announced new updates to its industry-leading What’s NEXT series, with more expanded plans targeted to reach more marketers in the Asia-Pacific region, giving industry leaders a platform to highlight their insights and advice on the latest trends in marketing and advertising.

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Indonesia 2024

Kicking off this year’s instalment is MARKETECH APAC’s debut conference in Indonesia with its What’s NEXT in Marketing: Indonesia 2024 which will be held on November 7 at Pullman Jakarta Indonesia. This inaugural flagship event will offer industry leaders with a platform to exchange experiences, knowledge, and foresights that will shape the future of marketing in Indonesia.

Our initial roster of speakers include:

  • Bharat Buxani, Senior Vice President, Marketing at 99 Group Indonesia
  • Kelvin Hong, Director of Brand Marketing at A&W Restaurants Inc
  • Gita Rostika, Group Head of Marketing at bank bjb
  • Mediko Azwar, Chief Marketing Officer at Blue Bird Group
  • Ilham Pratama, Head of Marketing at Chery Motor
  • Irfansyah Kurnia Putra, Country Head of Marketing at IKEA
  • Rajesh Grover, Group VP – Digital and Omnichannel at Kanmo Group
  • Yosua Tanuwiria, VP of Marketing at Pluang
  • Ryan Dawa, Head of Marketing at Reku
  • Asnawi Jufrie, VP & GM of Southeast Asia at SleekFlow

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Malaysia 2024

Later this year, What’s NEXT in Marketing: Malaysia 2024 will also kick-off on December 3-4 at Sheraton Petaling Jaya. This conference is the second time a What’s NEXT conference has been held in Malaysia following the successful launch of the 2023 conference back in December 5, 2023.

Our initial roster of speakers for this 2024 conference includes:

  • Andrea Chuang, Campaign Marketing Head at AirAsia MOVE
  • Huey Ying Leong, Head of Marketing at Burger King
  • Xing Jun Khoo, Head of Digital, Media & Insights at Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad
  • Evelyn Lee, Head of Marketing at Secret Recipe Cakes & Cafe
  • Asnawi Jufrie, VP and GM of Southeast Asia at SleekFlow 
  • Mun Yee Lau, Head of Branded Content and Social at TIME dotCom
  • Jason Yong, CEO and Founder of Unicom Marketing
  • Alyaa Ramlan, Head of Social at Unifi

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Singapore 2025

Kicking off in 2025 as well is our What’s NEXT in Marketing: Singapore 2025 which will be held from February 19-20. This is the second What’s NEXT conference in Singapore following the 2024 edition on March 7 and saw an attendance of 150 delegates.

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Philippines 2025

For 2025, MARKETECH APAC kicks off its first What’s NEXT conference of that year with What’s NEXT in Marketing: Philippines 2025 which will be held on March 26 to 27, 2025 at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. This is the third time What’s NEXT will cater to the Philippine market following huge success on its first instalment of the conference in 2023 with more than 200 in-person attendees, while the second one earlier this year had 219 in-person attendees.

What’s NEXT in Marketing: Hong Kong 2025

For the first time ever, MARKETECH APAC will also be bringing the What’s NEXT conference in Hong Kong with its What’s NEXT in Marketing: Hong Kong 2025 happening in April 24, 2025. More details will be announced.

Joven Barceñas, founder and CEO of MARKETECH APAC, said, “Since its launch, What’s NEXT has always set its vision to ignite powerful conversations that will shape the future of marketing in Asia-Pacific. From emerging technologies to shifting consumer behaviours, What’s NEXT is where industry leaders, visionaries, and trendsetters will come together to explore new frontiers, redefine strategies, and inspire groundbreaking ideas. These conferences are more than just events—they are catalysts for change, empowering us to stay ahead of the curve, anticipate trends, and lead the charge in transforming the way we connect with consumers. We are thrilled that this year’s series, we are expanding the conversations in Indonesia and Hong Kong.”

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joven Barceñas at [email protected].

For speaking opportunities for these conferences, contact Katherine Sy at [email protected]; and for registrations, reach out to Hans Policarpio at [email protected].

Paris, France – French accessible luxury fashion group SMCP, the parent company of fashion brands Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot and Fursac, is delighted to announce the signing of two new distribution partnerships with two major APAC countries: the Philippines and Indonesia. 

Following the announcement of its expansion in India over a year ago, the Group has signed two new distribution partnerships with SSI Group (Philippines) and Map Group (Indonesia). For the group, these two key countries in the APAC region are key drivers of development and influence, with strong economic growth and a flourishing middle class. 

SMCP has already opened its first Sandro Indonesian store in Jakarta (Plaza Senayan). In the Philippines, it plans to open 4 shops in Greenbelt and Central Square, two key districts of metropolitan Manila, as well as 3 corners in the Rustan’s Makati department stores. 

Other openings are planned over the next 5 years in the most prestigious shopping malls in these two countries. 881 Group is a specialist luxury and ready-to-wear retailer in the Philippines. SSI Group operates 570 stores throughout the Philippines on behalf of 90 brands, including long-term partnerships with leading fashion houses (Cartier, Hermes, Givenchy, Zara etc). 

Meanwhile, Map Group, a distributor in Indonesia since 1995, has become a leader in several segments over the years (fashion, cosmetics, sport, etc.). Today, Map Group operates nearly 3,000 shops (Ind itex Group, Loewe, Max Mara, Lacoste, Starbucks, etc.) in almost 80 Indonesian towns and cities. 

Philippines – Bossjob, a chat-first career platform for professional recruitment, has unveiled a new bus advertising campaign, featuring nearly 100 buses travelling across Metro Manila to enhance job search accessibility and streamline hiring solutions for both job seekers and employers.

The bus ads prominently feature Bossjob’s tagline, “Find Job. Talk to Boss.” and include a QR code for quick app downloads. This initiative is designed to increase job search accessibility for job seekers and simplify hiring solutions for employers by reaching a wide audience throughout Metro Manila.

As part of the campaign, Bossjob has introduced a “Spot & Snap” online contest, encouraging individuals to spot its bus ads around Metro Manila, take a photo, and share it on social media while tagging Bossjob’s official pages. Participants have the chance to win a cash prize.

The photo contest aims to boost user engagement and interaction with Bossjob’s services, including its extensive job listings, AI-matching capabilities, and direct chat feature with employers.

Kimberly Chen, country manager at Bossjob, said, “We are committed to making job searching more accessible and efficient for Filipinos. Through this campaign, we aim to connect with job seekers on the go, reinforcing our commitment to simplifying the job search process and empowering job seekers with fast and direct access to employers.”

Bossjob’s new interactive campaign showcases its commitment to innovation and expanding its reach to provide a platform that caters to the evolving needs of employers and job seekers. By leveraging AI and big data, the platform enhances job matching and recruitment efficiency with its mobile app, direct chat, and AI-matching features.

The ads are visible on buses throughout Metro Manila, covering key cities including Quezon City, Parañaque, Taguig, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Muntinlupa, Manila, and Valenzuela. It will run on major routes such as EDSA, PITX, Commonwealth Avenue, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Alabang, Lawton, and McArthur Highway.

Manila, Philippines – Filipino coffee chain Bo’s Coffee is set to open 85 new stores–35 by the end of this year and 50 by next year. This is according to Steve Benitez, founder and CEO at Bo’s Coffee at the sidelines of a recent industry event.

“As far as the company is concerned, we (will be) able to grow by 35 stores by the end of this year; and next year, we are looking at 50 stores,” he said.

In terms of international growth, Benitez said that they are also planning to ramp up its international expansion, specifically also expanding its existing operations in Doha and Dubai. Moreover, they are also talking with other partners, mentioning that Canada is also another potential market for expansion.

“We will have 16 stores by the end of this year in Doha and four in Dubai. Two are operating in Dubai, and 14 stores are already open in Doha,” he said.

Benitez added. “We are talking to other partners, and Canada is on the table… But it is going to be a five-year plan, so it is like a rollout of 10 stores in 10 years or 12 stores in 10 years.”

Bo’s Coffee was founded in 1996 by Benitez, with a large chunk of its local stores based in Metro Cebu where the chain is officially based. 

In 2018, the chain teamed up with Al Majed Grouping to open its first store in Doha, Qatar. It had also worked with Al Mulla Business Group for the chain’s expansion to Dubai, UAE.