Tag: Philippines

Manila, Philippines – Omnichannel digital agency Skyrocket Studios has announced the launch of TechStack.ph, a subsidiary dedicated to empowering businesses with bespoke marketing and e-commerce solutions. 

The launch of TechStack.ph is a result of Skyrocket Studios’ strategic partnerships with leading SaaS platforms in the dynamic marketing and e-commerce industry.

Specifically, the initiative aims to be an unparalleled one-stop destination for cutting-edge technology that caters to diverse business needs, including mobile measurement, marketing automation, customer data management, customer engagement, and comprehensive e-commerce enablement. 

Furthermore, these features encompass an array of essential solutions such as e-commerce platforms, secure payment gateways, efficient order fulfilment, streamlined operations, loyalty programs, and effective promotional tactics.

Khalil Cala, head of business development and partnerships at TechStack.ph, commented, “TechStack is more than just the solutions and platforms we’ve partnered with. We share a mission to create value and growth for organisations that need marketing and e-commerce support.”

“Our partners’ solutions are tried, tested, and proven to deliver results each time—the ultimate satisfaction we get is being able to pass these solutions to aspiring businesses of all sizes in the Philippines,” he added.

Manila, Philippines – Christmas is seen as the most wonderful time of the year with its fun gatherings, anticipated reunions, and festive spirits, but between the hustle and bustle of the season and the mundane moments, Philippine fast-food chain Jollibee shows in its latest campaign that capturing the holiday spirit is simpler than most people think.

Jollibee’s campaign shows how it can transform everyday situations into Christmas, as unsuspecting individuals step into what appears to be a standard Christmas-themed photo booth, only to discover a surprise filled with joy.

The video showcases Jollibee’s answer to delivering the joy of Christmas, as individuals who visited the photo booth were pleasantly surprised to see a meal from Jollibee, spreading the gift of giving in this holiday season.

Talking about the campaign, Mari Aldecoa, assistant vice president at Jollibee, expressed, “At Jollibee, we believe that Christmas is about the joy that we share with our loved ones.“

“This season, we hope that Jollibee can once again help in making every gathering more enjoyable and memorable. Together, let’s make this Christmas a wonderful one with Jollibee Joy”, he added. 

Manila, Philippines – Local telco player DITO Telecommunity has named Ernesto “Eric” R. Alberto as its new chief executive officer as the current one Dennis Uy has announced that he is stepping down from said role.

In a recent disclosure by the company, Alberto’s appointment marks his leadership transfer from most recently being the president of DITO CME, the information and communications technology (ICT) sector holding firm of the Udenna Group.

Following this, Donald Patrick Lim–most recently the chief operating officer at DITO CME–has been named the acting president for DITO CME.

“Eric’s wealth of experience in senior capacities in the banking and telecoms sectors spanning several decades, will be very valuable in his new role as DITO Tel CEO. His appointment comes at an opportune time as we continue to maintain the Company on a high-growth trajectory,” Uy said.

The new leadership changes come recently after DITO recently secured a US$3.9b loan to fund the rollout of its network expansion.

“With the recent equity infusions at the DITO CME level and DITO Tel’s signing of the US$3.9 billion longterm project finance facility, we have further confidence in DITO CME and DITO Tel achieving their business plan targets at the soonest possible time,” Uy concluded.

Manila, Philippines – Mynt, the fintech arm of Globe, has announced that it is fully acquiring payment system provider ECPay. Through the acquisition, Globe Telecom is now selling its previously-acquired 77% stake in ECPay to Mynt. ECPay’s minority stakeholder, Payment One, is likewise a party to the agreement.

Upon closing of the transaction, ECPay will have access to GCash’s platform, enabling ECPay to better traverse the ever-evolving digital landscape to which GCash is a leader in. As for Mynt, it is expected to better harmonise the capabilities of both ECPay and GCash. The acquisition will help GCash provide best-in-class services in the fintech space and further democratize financial access.

Ernest L. Cu, president and CEO at Globe, shared, “GCash’s meteoric rise to become one of the top fintech brands and the aggressive expansion of its financial services have created a perfect environment for strategic synergies with ECPay. Mynt’s acquisition of ECPay will enable more efficient and effective sharing of each other’s strengths and resources, thus creating a seamless and upgraded experience for their customers.”

Meanwhile, Rizza Maniego-Eala, chief financial officer at Globe, commented, “Mynt’s digital savviness will spill over to ECPay, maximising its previously untapped potential. GCash, on the other hand, can further differentiate itself from its competition as mobile wallets in various shapes and sizes continue to pop up. With ECPay in Mynt’s capable hands, Globe can better steer its ventures and synergistically grow the entire Globe Group ecosystem.”

ECPay is a leading electronic payment service provider in the Philippines and was previously acquired by Globe in 2019 to enhance its distribution network. The ECPay Platform enables merchant partners to process bill payments, electronic prepaid mobile phone top-up loading, electronic pins, e-wallet and cash card reloading, airline ticket payments, online shopping payments, and credit card payments in their various outlets.

Manila, Philippines – Colgate-Palmolive is speaking out against smile shaming on World Smile Day Through its #FreeYourSmile campaign, which aims to highlight the value and beauty of every smile.

This initiative is important because of the benefits that smiles provide to society’s health, mental well-being, and social cohesion. The region-wide campaign marks the start of Colgate’s efforts to address this complex issue for society and promote tangible positive changes.

Smile shame is associated with various traits in various markets, reflecting various perspectives on what makes a beautiful smile. The arrangement of one’s teeth is primarily associated with Smile Shame in the Philippines, scoring significantly higher than other possible associations.

#FreeYourSmile is the first step in Colgate’s journey to promote all smiles and combat Smile Shame, with more initiatives in the works. This movement represents Colgate’s desire to encourage people to express themselves confidently and openly, regardless of perceived flaws.

Colgate launched an independent study across the Asia Pacific region to combat smile shame and promote the benefits of smiling in society. Colgate commissioned the Colgate Smile Study 2023, which revealed that 94% of respondents across Asia express a strong desire to be able to smile more openly. The Philippines, along with Taiwan and Thailand, tops this list, with 98% of respondents indicating an eagerness to smile without inhibitions.

In the Philippines, 95% of people believe they have the freedom to smile whenever they want, but 18% refrain because they are self-conscious about the appearance of their smile, which is in line with the Asia Pacific average.

Speaking about the campaign, Yves Briantais, executive vice president, marketing Asia-Pacific, Colgate-Palmolive said, “Smile Shame is especially prevalent in Asia Pacific and this must change. At Colgate, we are on a mission to free people from the constraints of Smile Shame to truly embrace their own unique smiles. We believe brands have the power to challenge unrealistic beauty standards and promote authenticity. This World Smile Day®, Colgate is leading the charge by celebrating all smiles.”

Singapore – The Southeast Asian markets Malaysia and the Philippines are seen to have its retail sector thrive with 63% and 45% in retail growth, while Singapore reports a -2% decline, new data from foundit has revealed

In terms of job demands, Malaysia demonstrated a relatively consistent result over the past three months, signifying a stable market. Malaysia has shown a positive resurgence with 1% month-over-month (MoM) growth and a robust 7% year-over-year (YoY) growth across various industries.

In contrast to this, Singapore is facing challenges with a decline of -1% MoM and a significant -14% YoY in hiring demand. Additionally, the tracker showed a 4% decrease in job demands over the last three months. These numbers signal a sign of vulnerability in the job market and a reduced pace of hiring.

Similar to Singapore, the Philippines has also witnessed volatility in its job market, with a 5% decrease in job demand over the same three-month period and negative 9% YoY trends. However, despite the decline, the country’s small MoM increase of 3% suggests a reviving job market and a potential recovery in the future.

Meanwhile, Malaysia experienced an extraordinary YoY growth of 88% in the hospitality sector, while Singapore and the Philippines reported more modest figures of 8% and 0%, respectively. The high numbers can be attributed to strategic government initiatives, including substantial investments in overseas promotions and digital content on international television channels.

In the retail sector, Malaysia (63%) and the Philippines (45%) both witness remarkable growth, with the latter undergoing a robust double-digit month-on-month increase. Luxury e-commerce and the expansion of retail outlets contributed to this surge. On the flipside, however, Singapore’s retail sector reported a -2% decline for August 2023, but an optimistic outlook prevails for the upcoming quarter in the industry.

Additionally, the logistics sector also saw increased demands in Malaysia (25%) due to significant e-commerce growth, but Singapore (-4%) and the Philippines (-35%) continue to face challenges in the same sector.

Also worth noting, however, is that despite Malaysia showing growth in other sectors, it is showing a decline when it comes to IT, telecom/ISP, and BPO/ITES, like Singapore and the Philippines. The unpredictable global landscape impacted these sectors, with the Philippines showcasing a unique pattern of IT, telecom (-22%), and BPO/ITES (0%).

But even so, data from the report showed Malaysia demonstrating growth and resilience in the tech sector, with a 3% YoY growth in software, hardware, and telecom roles. This growth reflects the ongoing digitization efforts across industries, demanding professionals with technology expertise to drive innovation and efficiency.

The country’s sales and business development roles show the same impressive 34% YoY growth, signifying a proactive approach by businesses to expand their market presence and seize emerging opportunities.

In the customer service sector, Malaysia witnessed a substantial -44% YoY decline due to evolving dynamics and automation’s increasing role.This is in contrast with the Philippines experiencing growth in the domain with a 6% YoY trend, which is in line with its position as a hub for customer service outsourcing activities within the BPO sector.

Based on the report, Singapore and the Philippines also share a -18% and -23% YoY contraction in the marketing and communications roles, possibly reflecting adjustments in marketing strategies amidst evolving market dynamics.

Regarding hospitality and travel roles, Malaysia continues to see a remarkable surge of 133% YoY growth, contrasting that of Singapore and the Philippines, with more conservative figures of 8% and 0% YoY growth for the same roles, respectively.

Meanwhile, the purchase, logistics, or supply chain professionals face diverse challenges, with Malaysia showing a slight 2% YoY increase, while Singapore (-9%) and the Philippines (-24%) report declines.

Commenting on the report, Sekhar Garisa, CEO at foundit, said, “Skill enhancement is crucial to navigating the ever-changing job market in this digital age successfully, and it is imperative that we remain flexible and well-prepared to embrace these changes. Malaysia is currently experiencing a favourable hiring environment, but there is an increasing demand for new skills across various sectors.”

He added, “On the other hand, Singapore has a moderated economic outlook, which provides a valuable opportunity for job seekers to enhance their skills and plan for the future proactively. Meanwhile, the Philippines exhibits a recovering job market, underscoring the continuous need for learning and growth in alignment with changing hiring trends. Across these three diverse markets, the constant remains re-skilling and upskilling. The common thread connects job seekers and employers on their journey to success and progress in this rapidly evolving landscape.”

Manila, Philippines – MullenLowe TREYNA is celebrating its 45th anniversary with significant personnel changes across the board. 

Viboy Palillo has been promoted to the position of chief strategy officer for the MLT Group, following more than a decade of leadership within the agency’s strategic planning team. Meanwhile, Sachi Iwasaki is promoted to the position of account director. She has a track record of producing projects for clients such as Surf, 7-Eleven, and Axe.

Nina Romero and Krystel Ibaez have been promoted to senior copywriter and senior art director. They are known for their work on Lucky Me, Intermed, and Closeup, among other projects.

MullenLowe TREYNA is a few full-service network agencies in the nation, and is strengthening its finance and content production teams by promoting key personnel. At Paradigm, JL Marfori was promoted to the position of senior lead multimedia artist. Meanwhile, Jobelle Llanita has assumed the position of associate finance manager.

The MullenLowe MARC PR division has made the most promotions this year, following a string of organic and new business growth for clients like Galderma Consumer and Aesthetic lines, FWD Life Insurance, Unilever, and the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, as well as recognition in local and regional award shows.

Moreover, Gerald Lim has been promoted to head of accounts, with Alyssa Dizon now serving as account director under his supervision. Jean Sanchez has been appointed as operations supervisor.

The MARC media relations team has announced new appointments, with Iris Del Fierro assuming the lead position as head of media relations. Joining her in a promotion is Nikka Ramos, who is now in her new role as senior media relations manager.

Speaking about the 45th anniversary and the appointments, Mike Trillana, chairman and CEO of MullenLowe TREYNA group, said, “We are extremely proud to see homegrown talent taking up leadership roles in the agency. It reflects the same commitment to excellence that we’ve always brought our clients for over 45 years.” 

Manila, Philippines – Food cart business holdings group Fruitas Holdings has announced that it is acquiring the kitchen facilities of foodpanda Philippines to accelerate the company’s own cloud kitchen business Fly Kitchen.

In a recent stock disclosure by Fruitas Holdings, Fruitas Holdings said that Fly Kitchen is now able to expand its menu with new methods, processes, and flavors through this business acquisition.

This will also open the door for the company to collaborate with and prepare third-party brands which would fit well with its present cloud kitchen operations.

Additionally, the advanced kitchen equipment will give Fly Kitchen the freedom to experiment with new recipes for its loyal consumers and new customers.

Lester Yu, president and chief executive officer at Fruitas Holdings, said, “We are pleased to announce this tactical purchase of top-quality kitchen equipment from Foodpanda. This decision reflects our dedication to providing outstanding gastronomic experiences to our patrons.”

Some of the brands that Fruitas Holdings operates include Fruitas Fresh from Babot’s Farm, Buko Loco, Buko ni Fruitas, De Original Jamaican Pattie, Johnn Lemon, Juice Avenue, Black Pearl, Friends Fries, The Mango Farm, 7,107 Halo Halo Islands, Tea Rex, Kuxina, SHOU La Mien Hand-Pulled Noodles, Sabroso Lechon, Soy & Bean, and Ling Nam.

On a recent note, it is worth noting that Delivery Hero, the parent company of foodpanda, has announced plans earlier this year that is selling some of its businesses across select markets in Southeast Asia.

Manila, Philippines – Financial management app Lista launched its new branding to underscore its strategic shift towards offering personal finance services for users. 

Lista’s rebranding introduces ‘Finn the Carabao’, a lovable and relatable character that is set to become a prominent symbol of the brand in its aim to make personal finance more accessible and convenient for its Filipino customers.

The finance management app will also offer an opportunity for its users to access their credit scores for only 10 pesos. This move is Lista’s way to promote financial literacy, as it exemplifies their dedication to making financial education and empowerment accessible to all.

The rebranding efforts come as Lista strengthens their brand’s core mission to empower individuals to make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial goals while solidifying their position as a trusted partner in everyone’s financial journey.

Since its founding in 2021, the financial management app has been providing innovative financial solutions tailored to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Lista plans to expand its range of services to offer more promotions and initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the importance of financial literacy for its users. 

Aaron Villegas, CEO at Lista, said, “We are thrilled to rebrand our logo and overall look as we embark on this exciting journey towards providing easy-to-use personal finance tools and solutions. While we have been proud supporters of MSMEs, we also recognise the pressing need to empower individuals in their own financial journeys. Our rebranding signifies our commitment to this mission.”

Commenting on the new logo, Khriz Lim, co-founder and COO at Lista, said, “Finn the Carabao embodies the spirit of Lista. Finn serves as the personification of Lista’s mission: to help Filipinos effectively budget their money in line with their life priorities. It stands ready to guide and support users on their financial journeys, ensuring they have a trustworthy and friendly companion by their side.” 

Manila, Philippines – Digital technology and customer experience (CX) services provider Movate has announced the acquisition of outsourced sales and customer experience services TSD Global, as it aims to expand its footprint in the Philippines, as well in other markets.

The acquisition marks a new milestone for Movate, broadening its footprint and enriching its digital customer experience service portfolio with a strategic client base. It also aligns with its global strategy, with deep investments in disruptive technologies to offer in-class services at scale. 

Sunil Mittal, CEO at Movate, said, “TSD Global’s solid credentials delivering differentiated sales and CX services to large and marquee technology clients perfectly complement Movate’s vision and capabilities. From the first day of our association, we have seen a great cultural fit and value system alignment between the companies.”

He added, “The inclusion of TSD into the Movate family will help strengthen our global delivery footprint and amplify our capacity to deliver revenue-generating outbound services, thereby enriching the business value we provide to our customers. Our strategic investments and a collaborative, AI-powered approach, position us well to together deliver tangible growth and an unmatched value proposition for all stakeholders.”

Meanwhile, Anthony Vesho, president at TSD Global, commented, “Our vision has always revolved around creating a seamless digital customer experience journey and fostering innovation for our clients. In Movate, we have discovered the ideal home where our shared vision and values converge. The acquisition process was remarkably smooth and collaborative, a testament to the synergy between our teams. As we embark on this new chapter, we look forward with excitement to times ahead, knowing that this is not just a merger of businesses, but a fusion of cultures – a truly great fit.”