Tag: Philippines

Manila, Philippines – OpenMind, a bespoke team within GroupM that serves as the agency of record for Nestlé Philippines, has been awarded the FMCG giant’s total search business, which includes SEO, SEM, and e-retail search. This move effectively consolidates Nestlé Philippines’ entire media business under one agency.

Emm Ordinanza, vice president and head of media integration at Nestle Philippines, commented, “We are looking forward to our partnership with OpenMind on Nestle’s search strategy, knowing full well their commitment and capability to deliver a smooth and focused search experience while embracing a cross-channel approach that will synergically reinforce each other.”

Meanwhile, Puneet Arora, GroupM’s CEO for the Philippines, said that they are thrilled to secure Nestlé’s mandate to activate a truly integrated media strategy – founded on OpenMind’s Pervasive Performance model – that will cultivate long-term value and good growth for Nestlé Philippines’ business.

He added, “Using GroupM’s proprietary consumer and industry insights, we tailored a holistic plan and innovative approaches that will accelerate demand and drive preference. With a dedicated team working exclusively for Nestlé, we look forward to positively impacting their business in this thriving market.”

Manila, Philippines – ABS-CBN and TV5, two of the media giants in the country, have reached a new partnership deal where ABS-CBN has acquired shares from TV5, which is majorly owned by MediaQuest.

According to a joint statement, ABS-CBN Corp will acquire 6,459,393 primary (new) common shares in TV5, representing around 34.99% of the total voting and outstanding capital stock of TV5 for PHP2.16b.

The deal also sees MediaQuest, which is owned by the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund, its stake reduced to 64.79 percent after the deal is finished. ABS-CBN can also acquire additional shares in TV5, which may increase the Kapamilya network’s stake in the Kapatid network to 49.92% after 8 years.

As part of the partnership deal as well, cable and satellite TV subsidiaries of ABS-CBN and PLDT also entered into a similar deal. Cignal Cable Corp, under MediaQuest, said it was acquiring 38.88% of Sky Cable Corp, under ABS-CBN, for PHP2.862b.

“The investment of Sky Cable by Cignal Cable is expected to benefit the former’s existing customer base consisting of over 300,000 cable subscribers and close to 350,000 broadband subscribers as of the end of June 2022,” MediaQuest said.

The company also added, “The proceeds of the sale of the Sale Shares, the Convertible Note and the issuance of the Debt Instrument in the total amount of PHP7.5b will be used to repay certain obligations of ABS-CBN and Sky Vision and to fund the investment of ABS-CBN in TV5.”

ABS-CBN Chairman Mark L. Lopez said the partnership was an opportunity to help TV5 grow, strengthen its free to air network, and take it to the next level.

“For ABS, it presents a fantastic platform for us to achieve synergies in production content and talent management as well as maximizing our content delivery. We look forward to be of greater service to the public as we come together in taking TV5 to the next level,” Lopez said.

Meanwhile, Manny Pangilinan, chairman at MediaQuest, commented, “ABS-CBN has always been the leading developer and provider of Filipino-related entertainment content not only in the Philippines but overseas as well. Our companies have always had these cherished values of providing top and quality programs in the service of the Filipino people and together we believe we can achieve this in greater measure and success.”

Last year, the ABS-CBN network began showing popular primetime programs of ABS-CBN such as ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ as well as the long-running variety show ‘ASAP Natin ‘To’ on TV5.

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine-based go-to platform for franchising, Easy Franchise, which was founded by Jose Magsaysay, former CEO and co-founder of Potato Corner, is bringing back its annual franchise sale in the Philippines, which will happen on 28 August 2022. 

Dubbed ‘Franchise Day 8.28’, Easy Franchise makes franchising more accessible to Filipinos by offering exclusive promos, discounts, deals, and services, as well as ₱5,000 off on any Franchise Day partner for the first 10 to invest during the one-day online franchise sale.

Through the event, interested entrepreneurs can get their own food and beverage franchise with ₱40,000 up to ₱100,000 franchise fee discount from local partner brands like Chops To Go, Estings Bellychon, Persia Grill, 0402 Cafe, and Tapsulit. Franchisees can also enjoy promos and discounts as early as now on Easy Franchise’s website. 

Meanwhile, specialty drink shop Cha Tuk Chak currently offers a ₱276,000 franchise fee discount and will provide ₱100,000 worth of free milk tea bar and equipment exclusive on Franchise Day, while international brand JoyBean Global now has a ₱100,000 franchise fee discount with ₱40,000 worth of free supplies and will offer an additional ₱100,000 off their franchising fee on Franchise Day. H2O MineralPlus is also offering water refilling franchises at up to ₱250,000 off and will provide free auto refilling dispensers worth ₱72,000 on Franchise Day 8.28.

Jose Magsaysay, co-founder of Easy Franchise, said, “Technology has a major impact on closing gaps in a variety of industries, including franchising. We are creating a digital bridge through Easy Franchise that will enable Filipino migrants and OFWs to join in the franchise sector.”

Meanwhile, RJ Ledesma, co-founder of Easy Franchise, noted, “We wanted to create something that could bridge the gap between the franchisor and the franchisee’s needs. A platform for all things franchising, Easy Franchise enables every aspiring Filipino to become an entrepreneur.”

Bubbles Lim, general manager and co-founder of Easy Franchise, commented that ‘Franchise Day’ is not only about the promos and deals but also a learning-filled event packed with success stories and expert insights. 

She further shared that they have put together educational content and activities that will set the attendees up for success even prior to the actual event. Easy Franchise provides an innovative and customer-centric solution for both stakeholders, from assisting with the application process, franchise management and development, all the way to organising franchise events.

“Owning a franchise is beneficial because it is not only self-sufficient but also time-conservative. With Easy Franchise’s next launch, entrepreneurs can now invest their money in good faith,” Lim said.

In addition, Easy Franchise will launch its ‘Easy Franchise Funding’ service, which provides non-collateral franchising loans. Franchisees can invest in a partially financed franchise that would already come with franchise management. Aside from this, it also plans to set its ‘Micro Franchising Service’ in motion soon, a more convenient and conservative version of starting a business. This service targets what they call ‘The Starter Investor’, or passion-centric, investment-aware, financially-savvy, and techie entrepreneurs.

Easy Franchice’s Micro Franchising structures deals from a list of concepts already curated by their team. The management team focuses on operating every branch through its own micro franchising model. The platform will be giving free consultations until 28 August 2022.

Manila, Philippines – Digital lifestyle network Summit Media has teamed up with content creator revenue accelerator Bent Pixels Asia (BPA) to expand the media group’s YouTube ad solutions, which includes monetising its pre-roll ad inventory for the YouTube channels of its online magazines.

This comes after Summit Media is currently foraying into growing its YouTube channels as their new digital direction.

Through this strategic partnership, BPA and Summit Media will offer advertisers ‘Reserved Media’ – an ad solution that allows advertisers to target Summit Media’s YouTube channels, and enables brands to exclusively run their pre-roll video ads for full share of voice roadblock for a given period of time, effectively owning Summit Media’s sought-after, quality audience and ad inventory on the platform.

Some of Summit Media’s YouTube channels including Esquire Philippines, Top Gear Philippines, Cosmo.ph, PEP.ph, Yummy, Preview, SPIN.ph and Spot.ph among others will be onboarded onto BPA’s network of premium YouTube creators. 

BPA is part of Hepmil Media Group, a leading technology-driven media network that owns PGAG, a local leading comedy content platform.

Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, Summit Media President, said, “Summit Media is very excited to be a partner of Bent Pixels Asia to sell our YouTube inventory directly to advertisers. Both groups have always stood for innovation in a rapidly changing industry, and we look forward to helping our clients reach their goals together.”

Meanwhile, Erwin Razon, general manager of BPA, commented, “We are excited to offer brands the opportunity to reach the quality and premium audiences of Summit Media on YouTube through our Reserved Media Solutions. With the content expertise of both BPA and Summit combined, we will continue to grow the network’s reach on the platform to cater to larger audiences that will be valuable for brands to target with premium media buying opportunities.”

BPA will also provide YouTube channel development programs to Summit Media, including workshops, best practices, and tools to help them sustainably grow the reach and subscriber base of its brands’ channels and produce quality content to engage their audiences.

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine telecommunications industry is facing new challenges, as telco giant Globe Telecom and new player DITO have exchanged public statements regarding their business operations and performance.

It first started with DITO, who filed two complaints at the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) against Globe Telecom and Smart Communications for their competitive business behaviour, more specifically during their interconnection agreement.

Said interconnection agreements allow DITO users to send texts and make calls to users of PLDT’s Smart and Globe.

“It has become very difficult for our subscribers to interconnect with Globe and Smart,” said Adel Tamano, chief administrative officer at DITO through CNN Philippines.

Meanwhile, the PCC has acknowledged DITO’s complaints, stating that interconnection is an essential component of the telecommunications industry as it allows interoperability and exchange of calls, SMS, and other information from one network to another.

Johannes R. Bernabe, the OIC chairperson at the Philippine Competition Commission, said, “Our Competition Enforcement Office (CEO) is now evaluating the merits of Dito’s complaints. The Commission has 10 days within which to decide whether or not to give due course to the complaint. If given due course, our CEO will proceed to investigate the charges and if it subsequently finds sufficient basis, file with the Commission en banc a Statement of Objections against the allegedly erring entities.”

In response, Globe Telecom has released a statement, asking the country’s National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to require DITO to pay up to PHP622m in interconnection penalties.

According to Globe’s statement, around 1,000 fraudulent calls– identified as international in origin but masked as local calls– are allowed to pass through DITO’s network to Globe users every day, a clear violation of interconnection deals.

“Clearly, DITO has not only failed to compensate Globe, but it also has not taken any serious actions to curtail bypass activities emanating from its network and terminating in Globe’s. Indeed, these bypass activities have not waned but have in fact continuously increased over the said period. DITO’s twin failures to check these bypass activities and pay Globe what it is justly due have worked on a continuing serious prejudice against Globe,” the telco said.

Globe and DITO have signed an interconnection agreement in February 2021 which covers domestic mobile calls and SMS enabling Globe’s customers to make mobile calls, send SMS with DITO Telecommunity’s customers without additional charges.

Manila, Philippines – Top e-wallet in the Philippines GCash has launched its new digital wallet designed for youth ages seven to 17 years old. Called ‘GCash Jr’, the new e-wallet aims to provide a safe and reliable digital transaction experience that is fit for the ‘next generation’ of Filipinos.

With the new e-wallet, minors can now buy their favourite things online, level up their gaming experiences, and explore a world of finances with their own GCash Jr. accounts.

GCash shared that there is a separate verification process for minors because there is a need to collect parents’ consent. This will be collected in the form of the requirements, and the parent will also be the one who needs to agree to the terms and conditions.

To verify the GCash Jr. account, app users must have a valid ID (passport, student ID, or national ID), and a parent that is fully verified on GCash with details, such as the parent’s full name, a fully verified GCash number, a picture of the parent holding the minor’s ID used in verification, and an original copy of the applicant’s birth certificate.

“This is just the first of many steps as we innovate for the youth,“ said GCash CEO Martha Sazon on her LinkedIn. 

Manila, Philippines – Global streetwear and footwear retailer Foot Locker is opening its first official store in the Philippines, slated to be the largest Foot Locker store in Southeast Asia. The store will be established in Glorietta by Ayala Malls in December 2022.

According to Preview.ph, the Philippine Foot Locker store will be managed by MAP Active Philippines, a local subsidiary of Indonesian lifestyle retail group Mitra Adiperkasa (MAP). 

MAP Active Philippines were actively posting job vacancies for Foot Locker on LinkedIn weeks before the announcement. Some of the work positions they were offering include store manager, assistant merchandise manager, account manager, and sales associate.

Virendra Prakash Sharma, CEO at MAP Group, said that the brand’s expansion to the Philippines will bring the culture of youth active lifestyle and sneaker enthusiasts in the country to the highest standard.

“We look forward to bringing together new standards that have never been achieved in retail in the Philippines,” he said.

Foot Locker is the latest global company to establish its largest SEA store in the Philippines. Recently, Nike opened its largest SEA store in Taguig in June this year. Same goes for brands such as Uniqlo and IKEA establishing their largest stores in the Philippines in the past few months.

Manila, Philippines – Grab in the Philippines has announced recently the acquisition of MOVE IT, a local motorcycle taxi firm. Through the acquisition, Grab aims to create at least 6,000 meaningful income opportunities for more driver-partners within 3 months.

Grab Philippines will help MOVE IT further scale its existing motorcycle taxi fleet and improve the efficiency of its platform to help serve more commuters, as well as working with MOVE IT to further enhance its safety and service quality standards – to be at par with Grab’s motorcycle taxi services across Southeast Asia.

MOVE IT will be independently operated using the existing technology and app, and it will continue to comply with the standards set by the DOTr’s Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Program. Francis Juan will continue to lead MOVE IT in his capacity as chairman – leveraging his deep knowledge of the motorcycle taxi industry to better address market gaps and leverage untapped market opportunities.

Juan said, “We appreciate the support and trust that Grab has given us – it’s a testament to MOVE IT’s excellence in recent years. And in this new phase: we will serve more riders who have great difficulty commuting, we will provide more Filipinos with a livelihood, and we will provide our countrymen with a proudly Pinoy motorcycle taxi service that they can be proud of to our Southeast Asian neighbours.”

Meanwhile, Grace Vera Cruz, country head at Grab Philippines, said, “As we turn a new chapter for our country, Grab Philippines will continue to play an active role in bringing forward the spirit of bayanihan and value-creation – and this milestone that we humbly share with MOVE IT clearly expresses that.” 

She added, “As one of the first tech platforms that firmly believed in the potential and value of the Philippine market ten years ago, we’re doubling down on our commitment to outserving the needs of the Filipino people, and we are optimistic that through MOVE IT, we will create more livelihood opportunities, spur greater economic activity, and help improve every Filipino’s daily commute.”

Philippines – InMobi, a provider of content, marketing, and monetisation technologies, has partnered with iNQUiRO, a technology company under AdSpark and 917Ventures. This partnership aims to provide access to iNQUiRO‘s significant and in-depth insights on consumer’s purchase behaviour and interest, and the end-to-end marketing solutions of InMobi to help brands deliver contextual communications at scale. 

In a recent study conducted by Forrester, 1 in 2 brands are increasingly concerned about the ability to drive efficient and effective marketing in the wake of identity deprecation, while at the same time ensuring consumer privacy compliance. This is where the strategic partnership comes in, as InMobi and iNQUiRO could solve the modern marketer’s need for data-driven decision-making with a privacy-by-design approach.

Rishi Bedi, InMobi’s managing director for APAC, shared that the Philippines stands as amongst the truly mobile-first markets in SEA with more than five hours of daily time on mobile and more than 60% of consumers shopping online.

“Through this partnership, brands will be able to reach iNQUiRO audiences programmatically on InMobi’s mobile Exchange via managed service with InMobi or their preferred DSP platform. Brands will be able to drive better reach, make use of innovative creative formats from our creative gallery, and improve end-to-end attribution using InMobi solutions.”

Meanwhile, Pancho Reyna, chief operating officer at iNQUiRO, commented that they are in a unique position to provide a unique understanding of customers at a deeper level by leveraging on insights from first-party data of millions of Filipino consumers, but more than that, they focus on being champions of data privacy and security for all their solutions and clients

“Enriching your audience’s understanding and sending the right message has never been easier. This is what makes our partnership with InMobi strategic and innovative,” he said.

In June 2022, InMobi also announced a direct integration of its InMobi Exchange supply-side side platform (SSP) into Yahoo’s demand-side platform (DSP), giving advertisers, brands, and media buyers across Yahoo’s extensive global portfolio of clients direct access to premium in-app supply and global user base, at scale.

Manila, Philippines – Building on their recent partnership agreements in Indonesia and Malaysia, media investment company GroupM and global outdoor advertising technology provider Moving Walls have partnered anew to bring automation and accountability to Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising across the Philippines.

The latest collaboration enables GroupM Philippines’ agencies to leverage Moving Walls’ Moving Audiences, an end-to-end audience data-driven planning, buying, and verification solution for DOOH media. Moving Walls has developed a comprehensive technology stack including a DOOH planning tool that predicts audiences based on the most recent movement trends. The Moving Audiences platform has already been used to execute campaigns for multiple GroupM clients.

According to Moving Walls, a majority of DOOH inventory in the Philippines is already connected to this ecosystem by Location Media Xchange (LMX), the supply-focused subsidiary of the Moving Walls group. 

Yasmin Mallari, chief investment officer at GroupM Philippines, stated, “There is no doubt that DOOH’s role in the omnichannel mix will continue to grow as the potential reach of this medium is now across locations where consumers commute, work, eat, reside, and more. Brand investments will also grow when there is accountability around where the ads are being served and how campaigns perform. This partnership enables us to enrich our suite of offerings in DOOH planning and extend further measurement capabilities to our clients.”

Meanwhile, Norman Davadilla, CEO of Moving Walls Philippines, highlighted how this partnership will continue to transform DOOH media in the Philippines. 

He said, “Philippines is a regional DOOH leader where both the buy and sell side industry associations have launched initiatives to implement common measurement standards. We have partnered GroupM in other markets and are excited to extend these capabilities to brands in the Philippines.”

The partnership with GroupM comes less than a year after Moving Walls partnered with the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of the Philippines (OHAAP) to scale the data-driven OOH industry in the country for further growth.