Tag: Philippines

Philippines – Marketing creatives from the Philippines have set up a new social good agency in Manila. The agency, called ‘Lennon Group,’ aims to direct creativity towards social welfare.

Founded by creatives Raymund Sison, Rizza Garcia, Alan Fontanilla, and Miguel Co, Lennon Group promotes societal consciousness in the creative industry. The marketing creatives aim to harness creativity to be impactful in people, businesses, and communities.

Lennon Group introduces a unique staffing model, selecting the best talents. Combining strategic thinking with innovation, the agency intends to find the intersection between humanity, creativity, and technology.

Sison, who leads the team, brings almost 20 years of experience in creative communications, branding, and digital experience. He has worked with both local and global brands, including start-ups, non-profits, and non-government organisations.

“It’s a dream come true,” Raymund Sison, founder & creative chief of Lennon Group, said.

“We wanted a creative company that is conscious of what’s happening in the real world and cares about how to make it better. All these years, we’ve always tried to find ways for creativity to help inspire and uplift humanity, for ideas that make a real difference in the world. Now we have an opportunity to make it happen every day,” Sison added.

“Our name was inspired by our creative idol, John Lennon, who changed the world through creativity,” Garcia, co-founder & executive creative director, commented.

“We understand that the best of talents don’t want to be tied down to one thing. So we accept and maximize whatever and however way the talent wants to contribute. It’s a new way of contracting that focuses on commitment to talent and their impact, rather than their commitment to time and time-ins. It’s a new way of working that puts the very best for the studio and the talent. We think it’s a win-win,” Garcia added.

“We aim to create initiatives and projects that respect humanity, use creativity to inspire and uplift, and maximize the power of technology in the service of humans,” Co, co-founder, CFO and CTO, said.

“As a social good agency, we are aligning our mission with the UN SDGs, all the way to our local and national development goals, and always, always using creativity to uplift humanity,” Fontanilla, co-founder and COO, said. 

“So we cater to brands and businesses, NGOs and Non-Profits, associations and government organizations — from healthcare to financial literacy to sustainability to wellness and wellbeing to education to food and nutrition to women and gender and rights for all to art and culture, all the way to nation-building and responsible citizenship,” Fontanilla added.

Manila, Philippines – Global beauty brand Avon in the Philippines has recently tapped Emmanuel Cruz as its new head of omnichannel. Cruz recently came from Mondelez International, where he was the e-commerce lead for the Philippines.

Aside from Mondelez International, he also previously held e-commerce leadership positions at Wyeth and Bayer, where he aided in improving the omnichannel strategies for these companies, and brick-and-mortar onboarding, digital paid media, social commerce, and performance.

In an exclusive interview with MARKETECH APAC, Emmanuel shares that he will help accelerate Avon’s online and offline retail expansion locally. 

“As we all know, Avon’s legacy has always been on relationship selling, and this entry into retail is a milestone as we make our loved Avon products more accessible to more consumers anytime and anywhere in the country,” he stated.

Creating strategies from the ground up

When asked what specific omnichannel strategies he looks forward to implementing, Emmanuel shares that he wants to create different consumer experiences in their offline and online verticals.

“In any omnichannel strategy, the shopper is always at its core. With this in mind, I’m excited to create a differentiated and meaningful offline and online experience for Avon shoppers with the right products at the right platform,”

At its core, Avon has been about direct selling to customers in real life. Its Avon sales representatives are well-known in the country for offering the latest from the company across multiple product categories, such as cosmetics, skincare, perfume, and personal care products. 

With this in mind, his statement reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its offerings across multiple channels, as Avon continues to advance its strategic initiatives while delivering the personalised beauty experience that customers know and love.

Nonetheless, Emmanuel is determined to push through, given his past leadership experiences.

“As what I always impart to my team: First, be agile. Second, test and learn. Third, learn and scale up. Building the e-commerce businesses for Bayer, Wyeth and Mondelez from the ground up taught me these three values I carry with my new role today,” he said.

Navigating omnichannel challenges and opportunities

For Emmanuel, the biggest challenges involve both their competitors and the type of selling being done. “Competitors (both local and global brands) are becoming even tougher with pipeline innovations, campaigns and digital marketing strategies. [Moreover], platforms online [are] ever-so evolving and fast-paced. [Lastly] shoppers [are] becoming more demanding and mindful of purchases,” he stated.

Given this wide array of challenges, he then states that the opportunities for Avon lie ahead in the relationship between offline and online channels. Given that shoppers are browsing online and offline, they can be converted from online to offline as well.

This also explains why Avon in the Philippines has expanded its reach by allowing its sales representatives to go live on TikTok for greater reach while expanding its offline retail network.

A good example of this expansion is Avon’s partnership with Watsons, which kicked off with the brand’s presence in Watsons’ 500 local stores in October 2024.

“Through Watsons, we’re bringing Avon closer to customers who may not have had the chance to experience our products before. Whether you’re looking for your favourite skincare, makeup, body and toiletries, or fragrances, you’ll now find them in Watsons stores nationwide,” he said.

Emmanuel also highlighted how this partnership was a win for its representatives, stating, “This partnership is also a win for our Avon Representatives. By increasing brand visibility and accessibility, we are helping our Reps reach new customers and grow their businesses. We are committed to supporting them as they continue to be the heart and soul of our brand. We invite everyone to visit Watsons and discover the Avon products you love, now even more accessible to you.”

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An effective omnichannel strategy is crucial for augmenting direct sales by seamlessly integrating online and offline touchpoints to create a cohesive customer experience. By meeting shoppers wherever they are—whether through digital platforms, in-store visits, or personalised consultations—brands can build stronger relationships, drive higher engagement, and boost conversions. With Emmanuel on board, Avon aims to improve its standing in the Phillippine market and reach more offline and online customers.

Philippines – The Jollibee Group has introduced the first stand-alone Milksha concept store in the Philippines, tapping into the country’s milk tea culture with the Taiwanese brand.

The new Milksha store opened on January 20 at SM North Edsa, Quezon City.

Milksha, majority-owned by Jollibee Group since 2021, was previously brought to the country through integration in select Chowking stores.

Also known as the brand Milkshop in Taiwan, Milksha employs traditional Taiwanese methods to brew its beverages, using premium imported ingredients.

“Milk tea has become such a big part of Filipino daily lives. What makes Milksha well-positioned for this market is its dedication to using fresh and premium natural ingredients and crafting unique, refreshing flavors that can capture the evolving taste buds of Filipino milk tea lovers,” Joseph Tanbuntiong, Jollibee Foods Corp. Philippines chief executive officer, said.

“We’re very happy to have Milksha in our Jollibee Group family. Milksha’s choice ingredients and innovation bring something genuinely delightful to our customers,” Ernesto Tanmantiong,  Jollibee Group global CEO, said.

Peter Huang, Milksha Global founder and CEO, also commented, “I thank all of the partners joining this project. We look forward to expanding, providing more jobs, and making every milk tea lover happier with every cup.”

Philippines – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has a $100m financing deal to support holding company Ayala Corporation’s initiatives to charge the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the Philippines.

The funding will be allocated to the procurement and installation of EV charging stations in the country. A portion of the funding will also be used to acquire EVs from leading manufacturers for commercial distribution. 

Aiming to bolster the development of a charging station network in the country through the financing deal, Ayala intends to address the limited EV charging infrastructure and other barriers to boost its adoption.

Besides ADB’s financing, the deal includes a concessional loan from the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA), a trust fund managed by the bank which supports climate solution projects in the private sector.

Ayala’s mobility provider, ACMobility, has been leading initiatives to develop EV charging stations in the Philippines since 2023. It recently acquired the charging network Evro, which operates under Globe’s tech innovation arm 917Ventures.

“This project is a significant step towards a sustainable and low-carbon future for the Philippines. By fostering the development of a robust electric mobility ecosystem, we are not only addressing critical environmental challenges such as air pollution, but also driving economic growth through the creation of green jobs, enhancing energy security, and promoting inclusive and resilient urban development,” Pavit Ramachandran, ADB country director for the Philippines, said.

“This innovative blended financing comes at an opportune time as Ayala, through ACMobility, continues to ramp up its electric mobility investments. As we help build a comprehensive EV ecosystem for the Philippines, we wish to thank like-minded institutional partners like ADB for helping us expand our electric mobility initiatives, accelerate our contribution to the Philippines’ climate goals, and reaffirm our purpose of building businesses that enable people to thrive,” ACMobility’s president and CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, commented.

Philippines – Nestlé Philippines, the local unit of the food and beverage corporation, is set to invest up to P6b to enhance its operations in the country, spending P2b on average annually from 2025 to 2027.

In a report by Inquirer, Nestlé Philippines chairman and chief executive officer Kais Marzouki shared the company’s aim to expand its capacities and technologies through the investment, seeing its growth potential.

According to Marzouki, Nestlé’s local unit is the sixth largest market globally.

While seeking to address increasing demands, the company also plans to broaden its product lines.

Nestlé’s global chief executive officer Laurent Freixe cited the potential of expanding its pet food offering in the country. 

Nestlé has a broad line of local and global brands, with Nescafé, Milo, and Bear Brand being its top-selling ones in the country.

The food and beverage giant has factories in Bulacan, Laguna, Cagayan de Oro, and Batangas, Philippines.

Manila, Philippines – The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a global development institution and member of the World Bank Group, has announced its investment of up to $130 million to Asialink Finance Corporation. The move aims to boost lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, advancing financial inclusion.

The investment, directed towards small business financing, is set to prioritise women-owned or led MSMEs with 60% of loan proceeds specifically designated for the sector.

With the funding, Asialink strengthens its strategy towards financial inclusion, serving MSMEs and individuals without access to bank financing.

Additionally, IFC will help Asialink implement a framework for environmental and social management system and finance principles aligned with international standards.

“We hope to demonstrate the viability of lending to this sector and encourage other players to develop solutions that cater to MSMEs,” Jane Yuan Xu, acting country manager for IFC Philippines, said.

“Because ultimately, we are not just funding companies, we are creating jobs at the grassroots level. Every loan to an MSME can mean five, ten or twenty new jobs in local communities. And that’s what drives an economy forward,” Xu added.

“We are very grateful for IFC’s support, which will allow us to expand our lending to more MSMEs, particularly in underserved regions of the country and those that have historically been excluded from the formal financial sector,” Robert B. Jordan Jr., chief executive officer of Asialink Finance Corporation Group of Companies, commented.

“MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy, but in many parts of the country it’s still a huge struggle to access the financing they need to grow and thrive. With this investment, we will help change that,” Jordan added.

Philippines – The new Tesla Center has been launched in the Philippines to serve as Tesla Philippines’ headquarters located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the launch of Tesla Center Philippines, urging Tesla to advance electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the country. This is part of his aim to accelerate the adoption of a sustainable transport system in the Philippines, reducing carbon emissions.

The opening of the Tesla Center, according to Marcos, empowers local talents by including them in the shift towards sustainable technologies. 

Recently, Tesla opened a facility in the Philippines that produces iron phosphate batteries used to manufacture EVs.

The Philippine government has implemented policies for sustainable transportation, including the elimination of excise taxes on battery EVs, duty-free importation of charging stations, and lowering fees for EV drivers.

Tesla’s recent entry into the Philippines would also help convince more companies to innovate while investing in the EV sector, Marcos said.

Marcos has been urging investors in the Philippines, having encouraged the investment of Valiram Group and Dyson in the country.

“While it is true that electric vehicles are currently seen as premium products, Tesla’s entry into the Philippine market signals much more than high-tech cars on the road. It is a step – a very significant step forward to our long-term transformation towards a more environment-friendly transportation system,” Marcos said in his speech during the launch.

“With a more conducive and empowering environment now taking shape for the EV industry, I am very optimistic that more companies will seize the opportunity to drive this very vital sector in the coming years,” he said.

Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched its flagship tourism program, the ‘Philippine Experience Program’ (PEP) on Klook Philippines’ platform through a partnership.

The collaboration aims to make travel experiences more accessible in the country, while advancing the digitalisation of Philippine tourism.

Through the partnership, PEP’s curated tour packages across the country are now available in the platform, including the ‘Culture, Heritage & Adventure’ tours in the Calabarzon, Ilocos, and Visayas regions. Tours will also be available in Bicol and Palawan.

Each tour spans a variety of experiences, including historical and cultural immersion, sampling local delicacies, and exploring different landmarks.

Additionally, the partnership seeks to integrate DOT’s ‘Tourist Rest Areas’ on the Klook platform. DOT also plans to endorse Klook as partners of Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Clark International Airport.

“With this partnership with Klook, the Philippine Experience Program will now be carried on the Klook platform. The Philippine Experience Program is a flagship initiative of the Marcos administration, whereby, we are translating the President’s vision of reintroducing the Philippines to the world, not just from a one-dimensional lens of fun and adventure, but also from the highly diversified lens of our Filipino identity that can very well be seen in in our culture, our heritage, our stories, immersions into our communities, our gastronomy, and all the other experiences that you can have in our destinations. Carrying the Philippine Experience Program on Klook will also equalize tourism opportunities among our destinations, which is the advocacy of the Department of Tourism,” Christina Garcia Frasco, DOT secretary, commented.

“At Klook, we believe there are countless adventures, unique experiences, and cultural treasures still waiting to be discovered. Here in the Philippines, with its stunning natural wonders and the warmth and vibrancy of its people, we are excited to partner with the Department of Tourism to bring even more of these incredible experiences to Filipinos and travelers around the world,” Eric Gnock Fah, Klook president and co-founder, said.

Manila, Philippines – Payment network Mastercard has launched its Priceless program in the Philippines, offering local and international cardholders unique experiences including travel, dining, entertainment, and shopping. The program aims to help connect people with their different interests.

Priceless Philippines is the recent extension of Mastercard’s global Priceless program as tourism in the Asia-Pacific region gains momentum.

Through the Priceless program, cardholders globally can access Mastercard’s offering of curated experiences in various locations, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

With the launch of Priceless Philippines, ten destinations in the country have been added to the offering, including a private island vacation, heritage tours, and exclusive concert pre-sales. Mastercard is set to add more experiences in the country.

Simon Calasanz, country manager of Mastercard in the Philippines, said, “The Philippines is home to world-class travel and cultural destinations, and Mastercard is thrilled to showcase the best of these to domestic and international travellers through Priceless Philippines. The program will also support the growth of Philippine tourism and expand economic opportunities for local businesses, complementing the government’s efforts to bolster the local tourism industry.”

Julie Nestor, executive vice president of marketing and communications of Mastercard in Asia-Pacific, said, “Connecting people to their passions, their purpose, and to each other, is Mastercard’s commitment through Priceless and nothing bridges cultures as powerfully as travel. Launching Priceless in the Philippines is part of Mastercard’s ambition within the broader region to elevate tourism experiences while supporting the growth of businesses in this sector.”

Philippines – Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. has changed its name to Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP) following its acquisition by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Plc (CCEP) and Aboitiz Equity Venture (AEV).

The name change, approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, is effective starting January 15, 2025.

The acquisition was completed on February 23, 2024, after CCEP and AEV’s announcement of jointly owning the company in 2023.

CCEAP is the bottling and distribution partner of Coca-Cola in the Philippines, manufacturing brands like Coke, Royal, and Sprite. Meanwhile, AEV is a holding company with investments in various sectors, in cluding food manufacturing.

“Our new name signifies an exciting new phase in our journey as we reaffirm our commitment to serving our customers, supporting our people and communities, and driving long-term growth for the country. In the 113 years that Coca-Cola has called the Philippines home, we look forward to a hundred more years of refreshing our consumers and making a difference through our Great People, Great Beverages, Great Execution, and Great Partners — Done Sustainably,” Gareth McGeown, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of CCEAP, said.

Sabin Aboitiz, president and CEO of Aboitiz Group, commented, “More than anything, this new name represents the strength of our partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. We share a solid commitment to our customers and communities, and with this new identity, we believe we can make a much more meaningful impact.”