Singapore – Media company Media Publishares has appointed key leaders to usher growth and innovation into the company. The company, in its commitment to share stories through innovation, has announced three appointments in March 2025.

Media Publishares has named Bettina von Schlippe its vice president of business development and innovation and publisher-at-large of Vogue Singapore. Natasha Damodaran has been appointed publisher of Vogue Singapore and Alexander Trefilov as vice president of corporate finance, investor relations, growth strategy and business intelligence.

Schlippe, formerly the publisher of Vogue Singapore, brings over two decades of experience handling markets such as Russia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. In her new role, Schlippe will forge strategic partnerships for Vogue Singapore while spearheading business development initiatives for Media Publishares.

Additionally, Schlippe founded communications agency RSVP, which merged with Media Publishares to launch strategic platform ‘Beyond the Boardroom.’

Meanwhile, Damodaran was elevated from her former role as managing director of Media Publishares. Leveraging her 10 years of experience in media and marketing, she is set to strengthen the presence of Vogue, driving impactful content and advancing its mission.

Trefilov previously served as group COO/CFO at the company. Bringing his expertise in finance, strategic planning, and operational excellence, he will focus on corporate finance while leading investor relations. He is responsible for maintaining the company’s financial resilience.

Media Publishares, based in Singapore, also has offices in Malaysia and Vietnam. Besides Vogue Singapore, it also publishes Robb Report Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Buro Malaysia.

Singapore – Omnichannel network SPH Media has unveiled the largest high-definition LED screen in Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD). The screen, measuring approximately 98 square metres, aims to redefine digital out-of-home advertising.

The LED screen, located at the entrance of One Raffles Place, connects brands with a substantial number of viewers monthly. It offers clarity, colour depth and high brightness for visibility and engagement.

The display supports standard video ads, including digital posters, commercials and 3D content. Additionally, it also supports livestreams through Facebook and YouTube. 

Through SPH Media’s LED screen, brands can create immersive digital-physical experiences for product launches and activations.

Julie Wee, head of out-of-home media at SPH Media, said, “This mega LED screen is a high-definition canvas for bold creativity. We are excited to co-create campaigns that push boundaries and fully leverage the vibrancy of Raffles Place. The possibilities are endless, and we look forward to working closely with our partners and clients on integrated executions that combine on-ground activations with dynamic digital out-of-home content to better engage the CBD community.”

Trading firm IG Asia recently ran its ‘Trade More of Your World’ campaign on the screen. It has also been used to promote the Singapore Grand Prix’s Formula 1 Night Race and a screening of ‘The Little Mermaid.’

Singapore – Bakery brand BreadTalk is teaming up with brand practice Anak for its brand refresh. The rebrand comes in time for the bakery’s 25th anniversary this year.

With Anak, BreadTalk aims to solidify its position as a market leader, complementing its global presence across Southeast Asia, China, and the Middle East.

Through the new client win, Anak is set to revitalise BreadTalk’s brand platform and visual identity, unveiling new ways of brand expression. Anak aims to enhance the bakery’s customer experience while making the brand distinct from competitors.

The partnership blends both companies’ strategic insight and creativity for brand success and further growth.

BreadTalk has also worked with cultural consultancy JUNK to begin its brand discovery efforts.

“BreadTalk has been so much a part of Singaporeans’ lifestyles and our local dining culture for the first 25 years. We look forward to partnering with Anak for our next steps, as they support us in our next chapter of global expansion into new markets,” Joyce Koh, group head for brand & communications for the BreadTalk Group, said.

Hanyi Lee, creative partner at Anak, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with BreadTalk at such a significant milestone in their journey, taking a well-loved Singaporean brand to the next chapter of its growth. Our mission is to tell BreadTalk’s story for the next 25 years and beyond, helping them to achieve their continued vision of creativity, innovation and market leadership.”

Singapore – Telecommunications company StarHub is set to host the ‘Football for All’ Carnival to close the current Premier League season in Singapore. The event will be conducted at Resorts World Sentosa on May 25, 2025.

As the exclusive broadcaster of the Premier League in Singapore, StarHub is gathering football fans, streaming 10 matches simultaneously at the Resorts World Convention Centre. This includes Crystal Palace vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs Southampton, and Aston Villa vs Manchester United matchups.

While the livestream will kick off at 11 p.m., festivities will begin at 7 p.m., with activities for all football fans to enjoy, regardless of the team they are supporting.

Through the event, fans can participate in football-themed games and other family-friendly activities. They can also claim exclusive goodie bags and other giveaways.

The event will also highlight the special appearance of Premier League icons Joe Hart from Manchester City and John Barnes from Liverpool.

In line with StarHub’s 25th anniversary, the telecommunications company is inviting its subscribers to bring up to four guests to participate in the event. It is exclusive for StarHub subscribers, with free-of-charge admission.

Additionally, carnival guests can enjoy complimentary shuttle bus services from Resorts World Sentosa to HarbourFront from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. the next day.

Singapore – Communications agency W Communications has launched global joint enterprise W Productions in partnership with content agency Bellow. The joint venture aims to widen the communication agency’s production portfolio, enhancing its capabilities in key markets globally.

W Productions will operate from W Asia, the agency’s central hub for all its activities throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Through the collaborative venture, W will advance its transformation to a creative integrated communications and marketing agency, serving both B2B and B2C sectors.

To serve both client bases, W is blending its cultural approach to marketing with Bellow’s content-centred vision.

As part of W Communications’ strategic move, it has recently appointed Aaron Chan as integrated associate director, leading W Asia’s team of digital integration experts. The team is responsible for expanding global collaborations and digital services offerings such as UI/UX. Design, content creation, social media, and more.

Robin Chang, APAC general manager at W Asia, commented, “We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Bellow as a significant step forward in enhancing and growing our integrated suite of services. W Productions will provide a new and unique value proposition in the content production space to our clients as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity, delivering exceptional results that impact businesses positively across APAC and beyond. This integrated approach not only fosters bold creative synergy but also optimises costs and accelerates production timelines.”

Shafyq Hameed, founder of Bellow Media, said, “Collaborating with W Communications is an exciting move for us as we look to grow our capabilities and continue to create dynamic content on a global scale. In today’s climate where brands are looking for quality content produced with efficiency and quick turnaround time, we are excited to partner with W’s dynamic global team to deliver fresh and impactful content solutions for our clients that cut through all platforms of paid, earned, owned and shared media.”

“The launch of W Productions, alongside Aaron’s appointment to lead integrated services out of our Asia Pacific hub, marks a pivotal moment in expanding our agency credentials and capabilities globally. In the past few years, we’ve seen a significant evolution of the traditional media landscape, and, as a result, we’re continuing to expand into new areas that look to offer forward-thinking solutions and services for our clients,” Warren Johnson, CEO and founder of W Communications, said.

Singapore – Havas Media Network Singapore has appointed Kenny Yap as chief executive officer (CEO) of Havas Play as part of its series of leadership changes to advance growth. The appointments are part of the agency’s efforts to innovate and strengthen its offerings.

Louise Koh has also been appointed as managing director of Havas Media Singapore, while Deanson Lee has been promoted to managing director, digital.

In his new role, Yap will lead Havas Play’s growth in Singapore, expanding its presence across Southeast Asia (SEA). Meanwhile, both Koh and Lee are responsible for strengthening Havas Media’s client relationships for business growth.

 Yap, Koh, and Lee will report to Pankaj Nayak, who was appointed as the CEO of Havas Media Network Singapore and president of Havas Media SEA in January.

“These promotions reflect our commitment to nurturing talent and building a strong leadership team for the future. Kenny, Deanson, and Louise have been instrumental in our success, demonstrating expertise, vision, and an unwavering drive to push boundaries. I have no doubt that under their leadership, our agencies will continue to thrive and set new benchmarks in the industry,” Nayak said.

He added, “I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Russell for his contributions to the agency. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental to our progress, and we wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”

Singapore – Omnicon Media Group (OMG) agency OMD Singapore has named Adamson Alagan its general manager. Alagan has been promoted from his previous role as regional business director of OMD APAC and Singapore.

In his new role, Alagan will focus on managing OMD’s operations in Singapore, including its client relationships and talent.

Having over a decade of experience in different markets, Alagan brings his expertise in integrated marketing and branding, along with his ability to integrate data to improve brands’ connection with consumers.

Having served as OMD’s regional business director since 2021, Alagan has spearheaded digital transformations for major clients through innovative solutions. He led initiatives to retain OMD’s clients, highlighting its operational excellence and innovation. 

Chloe Neo, CEO of OMG Singapore said, “Since joining us, Adamson has successfully driven our transformation agenda and led the teams at OMD to push boundaries in innovation, data, and tech. His tenacious attitude, together with OMG’s Agency as a Platform proposition, will help drive OMD Singapore to the next level of growth, helping our teams and clients disrupt the status quo and create what’s next.”

Alagan commented, “I thank the OMG Singapore leadership and our clients for their support and trust in my role to deliver cutting-edge media creativity and innovation. My priorities are clear: to increase focus on network connectivity for our clients, help them cut out the noise to maximise their budgets, and continue attracting and retaining the best talent. As our clients’ trusted agency partner, we believe in the importance of co-creating solutions with them to create what’s next in this evolving industry. With the strong team at OMD Singapore, I am confident we will continue to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients, our business, and our people.”

Singapore – TikTok has driven a 22% increase in sales of beauty products on social media platforms, according to a report from data analytics company Euromonitor International.

User-generated content and influencer marketing have sparked the sales increase on social media platforms, according to Euromonitor International’s report. Consumers’ elevated awareness of self-care and wellness also contributed to the increase in beauty products purchases.

In a separate survey done by the company in 2024, 36% of global consumers are planning to increase their spending on health and wellness.

According to the report, 59% of global skincare consumers are influenced through digital media channels.

Since online platforms are informing consumers about their self-care needs, consumers are shifting to healthier products and lifestyles. This led to a greater focus on healthy ingredients to have healthier skin.

Through ‘shoppable videos,’ influencers, dermatologists, skin care experts, and brands allow consumers to conveniently inquire about products or purchase them.

TikTok Shop also contributed to establishing a significant user base. According to Euromonitor, beauty and personal care products were the top sellers in 2024, which accounts for about 6% of TikTok Shop sales in the United States.

Additionally, the #Kbeauty hashtag was used on 7.7m posts on Instagram and 1.4m on TikTok, reflecting the surge in Korean beauty products.

Bob Hoyler, global insights manager for retail, at Euromonitor International, said, “With content creation at our societal forefront, businesses and marketers are leveraging these platforms for branding, advertising and consumer engagement to reach their target audiences, drive conversion, and enable product discovery.”

Jitong Li, consultant for beauty and fashion at Euromonitor International, commented, “The app is increasingly driving product trends in the US, particularly in the colour cosmetics and skin care categories. As beauty and personal care product prices rise and consumer awareness of ingredients grows, “dupe” products are gaining traction.”

Singapore – The Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY) is promoting harmony amidst diversity in its latest film series with advertising agency DDB Group Singapore.

As Singapore celebrates its 60th year of independence, MCCY’s campaign showcases the values uniting Singaporeans. It highlights multiculturalism and invites Singaporeans to maintain mutual understanding.

The three-part series captures conversations between Singaporeans, highlighting the country’s diversity. It shows how a Chinese and batik artist combine their skills to create art while two cooks blend Indian and Chinese cuisines to make a new dish.

The campaign emphasises how multiculturalism is an asset that needs to be preserved for future generations. It was launched on YouTube, complemented by assets on social media, broadcast TV, and radio.

Singapore is home to multiple races and religions, regarded as one of the most diverse populations in Asia. It is comprised of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian, and Peranakan communities.

Jeff Cheong, CEO of DDB Group Singapore, said, “Throughout time, food, art, and music have served as powerful bridges, uniting diverse communities through a shared passion. As we celebrate our nation’s 60th anniversary, it is vital to cherish these intrinsic values that propel us forward as one. The campaign taps into these shared emotions to demonstrate we have so much more in common than we think and everything to gain from working and playing together.”

Singapore – Digital-first telco MyRepublic, has launched gamification mechanics for its broadband and mobile subscribers’ customer experience journey. The ‘Pocket Rocket Adventures’ game is available on MyRepublic’s mobile app.

The gamification strategy is part of MyRepublic’s efforts to boost engagement, loyalty, and long-term customer value. It leverages innovative and non-traditional channels to build a more interactive relationship with customers.

Through the game, subscribers can get rewards from playtime and gain prizes from completing challenges and participating in events within the game. Subscribers can earn points, digital rewards, and exclusive merchandise. The game also has a tiered reward mechanism based on tenure and engagement.

‘Pocket Rocket Adventures’ also serves as a loyalty program for MyRepublic, providing the company with a view of customer behaviour and preferences.

The initiative is part of the company’s strategy to stand out against competitors. It also builds on MyRepublic’s ‘Geeks Use Us’ campaign, tapping into the gaming community.

Terry Williams, vice president, consumer at MyRepublic, said, “Pocket Rocket Adventures is more than just a game—it’s a strategic extension of how we view customer experience in the digital age. As a digital-native telco, we are constantly exploring new ways to engage our customers. This is an industry-first initiative in Singapore’s telecom sector, where gamification is embedded into our core customer engagement model.”

“Gamification is no longer just a trend in consumer apps—it’s now a business tool. We believe telcos need to evolve beyond transactional models and create participatory experiences that are emotionally engaging and memorable. This program is the start of a longer-term transformation in how we design and deliver customer value,” Williams added.