Tag: Singapore

Singapore –  Coca-Cola Singapore, in collaboration with Marvel, has launched the ‘Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes’ campaign featuring immersive storytelling and digital experience along with the release of limited edition cans.

In an effort to immerse consumers, the Coca-Cola pack designs show six character illustrations, digital collectible characters, prizes, and an augmented reality experience on Coca-Cola’s website.

The limited edition cans and bottles featuring both heroes and villains from the Marvel cinematic universe will be scannable to reveal the AR experience for all characters. The six designs include Deadpool, Wolverine, and Loki for Coca-Cola Original Taste and Black Widow, Hulk, and Iron Man for Coca-Cola Sugar.

The campaign also includes creatives that will run on cinema and other video-sharing platforms. 

“Coca-Cola has a long history with Disney, and it’s exciting to have a relationship that encourages and enables us to continue to push ourselves and our relationship to new heights creatively. This latest collaboration with Marvel allows us to tap into the legacy and affinity for both brands to deliver consumers new and unexpected experiences,” Islam ElDessouky, global head of creative strategy and content for Coca-Cola Trademark, said.

“Our corporate alliance with Coca-Cola uniquely positioned us to develop something remarkably innovative within the industry. We took the traditional marketing paradigm and redefined it in the best way possible. The result is an unprecedented campaign that taps into the power of the Marvel Universe – which is heading into its 85th year of beloved characters – and tells stories in a way that can only be done when Coca-Cola and Disney come together,” Mindy Hamilton, senior vice president of global marketing partnerships at The Walt Disney Company, said.

The ‘Coca-Cola x Marvel: The Heroes’ limited edition cans are available from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2024.

Coca-Cola has previously collaborated with brands like Marshmello, Oreo, and League of Legends among others for limited edition pack designs.

Singapore – Integral Ad Science (IAS), a global media measurement and optimization platform, has appointed Marc Grabowski as chief operating officer (COO) and Srishti Gupta as chief product officer (CPO).

As COO, Grabowski will focus on customer success, business strategy, and company commercial operations as he oversees IAS’ global commercial organisation. Grabowski was formerly the global vice president of Oracle Advertising.

Meanwhile, Gupta will lead the product strategy and development while supervising the company’s go-to-market initiatives. Previously, she worked as the chief product officer at Rokt.

Lisa Utzschneider, chief executive officer of IAS,  commented, “We are delighted to welcome Marc and Srishti to IAS as they will enhance our senior leadership team, strengthen our customer-first approach, and advance our product development to meet the future needs of our customers and partners.”

“Marc and Srishti have a shared focus on innovation and agility which is essential in our fast-paced and dynamic industry. We look forward to their contributions as we continue to enable our customers to maximise performance while safeguarding and scaling their digital media investments,” Utzschneider added.

“IAS’s focus on data integrity and its trusted AI-backed technology, along with the company’s capabilities in social media, the open web, Connected TV (CTV), and other emerging channels makes this an exciting opportunity. I’m excited to offer my experience in strategy and execution to IAS’s strong bench of talent to drive superior results for our customers and partners,” Grabowski said.

“As marketers look to maximise return on their digital ad investments across channels, IAS has continued to innovate with high velocity and flexibility. I look forward to building on this strong foundation, driving customer value through industry-leading products, and furthering IAS’s mission of delivering trust and transparency in digital media quality,” Gupta said.

Both appointments are effective on 16 September.

Singapore – Web services provider Yahoo has named Valeri Liborski as chief technology officer (CTO), tasking him to lead the global engineering team and advance the company’s investments in artificial intelligence. 

Having more than two decades of experience running central technology functions in companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and HelloFresh, Liborski’s appointment allows him to contribute to Yahoo’s growth.

In his previous role as CTO at HelloFresh, Liborski supervised the technology operations and led engineering, data science, and product development. Libroski also held senior roles in his 10 years at Amazon. 

“It’s an understatement to say that technology is the lifeblood of our company, and Val’s track record of building great teams to create and manage powerful products and platforms, at the kind of scale in which we operate, made him stand out as the right person to lead Yahoo’s engineering organization into the future,” Jim Lanzone, chief executive officer of Yahoo, said.

“We thank Aengus for his incredible contributions to Yahoo and we wish him the best in this next chapter,” Lanzone added.

“Yahoo was one of my first gateways to the internet and continues to be a go-to source in my daily life. I’m excited to contribute to such an iconic brand and work with the team to develop technology that touches the lives of hundreds of millions of people,” Liborski said.

Aengus McClean, who previously held the role of CTO since 2021, is set to retire at the end of the year.

Singapore – Klook, an activity booking platform, has launched ‘Money Can’t Buy Experiences,’ an activation offering free trips and experiences in celebration of its 10th anniversary. 

The experiences offered include a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, snowboarding in Switzerland with world champion snowboarder Gian Simmen, and being a vet at Mandai Wildlife Reserve in Singapore. It also includes a chance to swim with whale sharks in the Maldives and dine underwater at Deep Dive Dubai.

“We know travellers are always searching for unique, shareable experiences, but rising costs can make these dreams feel unattainable. As the category leader in experiences, we wanted to go above and beyond for our users. That’s why, to celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re giving back with these spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that truly embody what Klook stands for—creating unforgettable moments that last a lifetime,” Marcus Yong, vice president of global marketing at Klook, said.

“We’re empowering our users to embrace their ‘Main Character Energy,’ making them feel like the stars of their own adventures. It’s all about helping them create those once-in-a-lifetime moments that they’ll cherish forever,” Yong added.

Interested Klook users may register for their selected experience until Oct. 31 and only until Sept. 22 for the Hong Kong Disneyland trip. Klook is also set to unveil additional offerings in October as part of its 10th-anniversary celebration.

Singapore – The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is among the top three business priorities for 87% of Singapore C-suite executives, new Salesforce research reveals.

According to a survey of 221 large business leaders in Singapore, 48% report employing a well-defined generative AI strategy in their businesses, while 47% have begun working on a generative AI strategy. The study suggests that companies that are not implementing AI may fall behind competitors. 

Key motivations for using generative AI strategies in their team include the companies’ goals to be perceived as up-to-date in technology adoption (43%), remaining competitive (42%), and ensuring innovative customer and employee experiences (42%).

The research reveals that generative AI is expected to have the most significant impact on information technology (40%), operations (33%), finance (29%), and customer service (28%).

However, C-suite executives also identified hindrances to adopting generative AI, including lack of accessibility, lack of skill-building, incomplete customer or company data to train AI, lack of governance, and inaccurate outputs from generative AI.

“As CEOs look at AI to deliver measurable value and remain competitive, their first step should be unifying their data. Every conversation I have with business leaders about AI inevitably comes back to data and overcoming silos to increase the impact and accuracy of AI. Without building a cohesive view of the customer, Generative AI initiatives will fall short,” Sujith Abraham, senior vice president and general manager of ASEAN at Salesforce, said.

“The good news is that it’s possible to bring your data together, efficiently, without actually moving it through innovations like zero-copy.  Innovations like this will differentiate each organisation’s ecosystem of autonomous agents, humans and AI and how well they drive customer success at scale,” Abraham added.

Singapore – Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel) has signed a three-year partnership with Trip.com to enhance Singapore’s appeal as a premier travel destination, offering new and immersive travel and leisure experiences for visitors.

Through this partnership, Jewel will utilise Trip.com’s vast global network to attract a broader international audience, boosting travel to Singapore and increasing visitor numbers to Jewel. Meanwhile, as Trip.com expands its global footprint, this collaboration will also enhance its brand visibility among Jewel’s diverse mix of international and local guests.

As part of the new co-marketing initiatives, Jewel will launch targeted campaigns on Trip.com to drive more visitors to Canopy Park and boost spending at Jewel’s premium retail offerings.

Jewel and Trip.com will also launch a new ‘Trip.com Light & Music Showcase’ in October, designed by renowned Los Angeles-based water feature designer WET. The showcase, inspired by Trip.com’s mission to enhance global travel experiences, will feature a captivating narrative centred on travel, offering a visually and auditorily immersive experience aimed at connecting audiences worldwide.

Additionally, visitors can look forward to more new immersive experiences. Starting 7 October, Trip.com will launch “Traveller’s Wonderland,” an interactive travel-themed pop-up event set within Jewel’s lush indoor gardens.

“Traveller’s Wonderland,” a first-of-its-kind experiential display, will transport visitors on a global journey without leaving Jewel. The exhibit will highlight iconic attractions from China, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Thailand—top travel destinations for both Singaporean and international travellers. Through four immersive displays, visitors will experience vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes, providing numerous photo opportunities.

To complement “Traveller’s Wonderland,” a social media event will offer visitors the chance to win prizes by sharing their photos from the exhibit. Prizes include flight coupons, Jewel’s Canopy Park tickets, and travel merchandise. Trip.com app users can also take part in an online scratch card game for a chance to win a trip for two to Australia, tickets to Universal Studios Japan, and more.

James Fong, CEO of Jewel Changi Airport Development, said, “We are pleased to partner Trip.com in our efforts to drive tourism in Singapore and promote Jewel as a must-visit destination to international travellers through Trip.com’s global reach. The synergy between our two brands presents opportunities for strategic collaboration, and we are confident of solidifying Jewel’s position as a premier destination for travellers through the various co-marketing initiatives.”

Bo Sun, chief marketing officer of Trip.com Group, added, “The Jewel Rain Vortex is an iconic global attraction, and Trip.com is thrilled to partner with Jewel Changi Airport to create immersive new experiences that elevate the travel journey. This collaboration will allow us to engage with and delight visitors of all ages from Singapore and around the world, and we look forward to debuting this spectacular experience in October.”

This partnership comes as Jewel Changi Airport experiences significant growth, with footfall up nearly 15% and foreign visitors increasing by over 20% from January to June 2024. In August, Jewel set a record with more than 1 million visitors during the National Day weekend.

Singapore – Global socially-led creative agency We Are Social has named Anton Reyniers as the new head of strategy for its Singapore office, succeeding James Honda-Pinder, who will relocate to Tokyo in October to assume the newly created role of head of growth APAC.

A recognised leader in creative and communications strategy, Reyniers brings two decades of experience spanning agency and client roles across APAC, the UK, and most recently, the Middle East. He returns to Singapore following his tenure as head of strategy at Impact BBDO in Dubai.

Over his career, Reyniers has held key roles at top global companies, including Netflix, where he led regional partner marketing creative for APAC, and Google, where he served as head of creative agency partnerships for the region. He has also driven creative strategies at leading agencies such as BBH, JWT, and Ogilvy, working with major clients like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Lux, and the Singapore Tourism Board. During his time in Jakarta, Reyniers also chaired the Account Planning Group (APG) in Indonesia.

Speaking about his appointment, Reyniers stated, “The agency landscape now has two very extreme poles. Those that are nose-diving and those that are ascending. It was absolutely clear when speaking with Nai Yen and Kelson that We Are Social is very much in the latter. I feel very lucky to have joined such a great, nice, fast-thinking, and future-facing gang. I look forward to being part of an agency that delivers on the digital expertise and transformation our clients deserve.”

Nai Yen Wang, managing director of We Are Social Singapore, also commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Anton and his strategic and regional expertise to the We Are Social family. Anton comes with the perfect blend of agency and client-side experience, offering incredible insights into delivering transformative social-led marketing solutions for our clients. He is a great collaborator and business partner, and I look forward to driving the next wave of growth with him. I would like to thank James for his contribution to the agency over the last few years and wish him good luck as he steps into his exciting new role within the network.”

We Are Social Singapore, with a team of 80, works with brands like Samsung Mobile, HBO, UOB, and TikTok. The agency is renowned for its innovation, including virtual influencer creation, social-first production, and the development of AI and XR products for its global strategy and innovation arm, .XYZ.

Singapore – FairPrice Group (FPG) has unveiled a strategic partnership with Central Food Retail Group (CFG), a Thailand-based food retailer and operator of the Tops supermarket chain, to enhance Singaporeans’ access to an expanded range of authentic Thai food products and culinary experiences.

Under this memorandum of agreement (MoU), FairPrice supermarkets in Singapore, including Finest and Xtra, along with their convenience stores Cheers and FairPrice Xpress, as well as online platforms, will now offer over 30 popular Thai snacks, such as fruit chips, cookies, and genuine Thai seasonings and pastes.

Additionally, this MoU marks the first collaboration between FPG and a Thai retailer, establishing a two-way exchange of products. Central Food Retail Group’s branded and private label items, including ‘MY CHOICE’, ‘MY CHOICE THAI’, ‘TOPS’, and ‘SNACKER’, will be introduced to FairPrice stores. In return, FairPrice Group’s own housebrand products and national consumer brands, such as ‘Golden Chef’, will be featured in CFG’s retail outlets.

Singaporeans’ love and appreciation for authentic Thai food and snacks are the focus of FPG’s collaboration with CFG. Furthermore, the partnership aims to enrich Singapore’s culinary landscape by making a diverse range of international flavours more accessible to shoppers.

Commenting on the partnership, Stephane Coum, CEO of Central Food Retail at Central Group, shared, “We are thrilled to partner with FairPrice Group, Singapore’s largest and most respected retailer. Through this collaboration, we aim to bring the best of Thai products to Singaporean consumers, offering them a taste of our rich culinary heritage. This partnership is a significant step forward in our vision of becoming a ‘Truly World-Class Omni-Channel Lifestyle Food Retail’ provider.” 

“By expanding our own brands, such as My Choice Thai, and supporting local SMEs under Tops Tongtin, we are not only introducing high-quality Thai products to an international market but also enhancing the omnichannel shopping experience for consumers in Singapore and Thailand. Leveraging FairPrice Group’s strong network, we ensure our products reach a wide audience, seamlessly integrating in-store and online platforms, which is core to our world-class retail strategy,” she continued. 

CFG, a subsidiary of Central Retail, operates Tops, one of Thailand’s largest supermarket chains, including Tops Food Hall, Tops Daily, Tops Online, and Matsukiyo with over 700 outlets nationwide.

FPG’s partnership with CFG is its second MoU focused on enriching Singapore’s culinary scene with global flavours, following a recent collaboration with South Korea’s LOTTE Retail. These efforts highlight FairPrice Group’s commitment to broadening Singaporeans’ access to diverse and authentic international cuisines.

Vipul Chawla, group CEO of FairPrice Group, said, “Singapore’s appreciation for Thai cuisine is stronger than ever, and as Singapore’s largest retailer, we’re thrilled to elevate that experience. With more Singaporeans travelling to Thailand and developing a deeper appreciation for Thailand’s rich culinary heritage, the demand for authentic Thai flavours at home is undeniable.” 

“Our partnership with CFG bridges this gap, bringing the vibrant tastes of Thailand directly to your table. Now, shoppers can effortlessly relive cherished culinary memories and savour the true essence of Thai cuisine, right here in our FairPrice stores,” Chawla added. 

Singapore – The number of brands involved in business-to-business (B2B) buying has risen to 62% since 2021, according to Dentsu’s 2024 ‘Superpowers Index,’ a study on global B2B buying behaviour. The study uses a single metric that encompasses overall brand experience in providing insights that guide brands in evaluating their performance on key criteria. 

According to the index, brand building among companies has climbed from fifth in 2023 to top priority this year. Moreover, the average decision time for B2B opportunities has increased 54 days since 2021, ensuring that the value caused by the delay is lessened. However, only two in five business were reported to be highly satisfied with their B2B journeys. 

Overall, the 10-point increase in the proprietary Superpowers Index Score has resulted in a 14% average uplift in the dollar value of each B2B opportunity. 

“The Superpowers Index provides a framework for driving client growth by benchmarking performance across the 30 decision drivers, pinpointing improvement opportunities and measurement and gives a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of B2B marketing year over year. The research allows us to target and refine our dentsu B2B capabilities to the needs of global clients across markets,” Patrick Hounsell, president of Dentsu B2B, said.

“Our goal is to provide B2B brands with the tools and insights they need to connect their marketing, IT, and sales efforts more effectively and these solutions represent a significant leap forward in our commitment to driving B2B success,” Hounsell added.

Singapore – Following an investigation conducted by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore over its marketing practices, water purifier brand Sterra has released an apology over its false and misleading marketing practices, more specifically an ad posted in February 2024 that misled consumers into thinking that Singapore tap water is unsafe for consumption without using their water purifier.

“Moving forward, we are committed not to publish false or misleading ads, including those in relation to the quality of Singapore tap water. We value our customers and will continue to work on providing the best for them,” the company said.

It has also thanked CCCS and PUB–the country’s water supply government agency–for alerting them of consumer concerns about their advertising.

CCCS notes that three models of air purifiers sold by Sterra were made in Singapore when they were in fact made in China. Moreover, two models of Sterra’s water purifiers were marketed as “Korean” when they were neither sourced from nor manufactured in Korea, but were in fact manufactured in China; and that the ‘usual’ (i.e. pre-discount) prices that Sterra claimed for comparison with its discounted price were not genuine previous prices and, in fact, never offered to any customer.

Following this, CCCS has ordered Sterra as well to stop its unfair trade practices and put in place an internal compliance policy to ensure that its marketing materials comply with fair trading laws.

It has also stated that Sterra must cooperate with the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) and Singapore public agencies including PUB to resolve all complaints by consumers and publish clarifications in relation to any advertisements that are found to be misleading by ASAS or the public agencies.

Moreover, Sterra’s directors, Lim Liangzhi and Lim Wei Hou, have similarly given personal undertakings to CCCS that they will not engage in any unfair trade practice, or facilitate Sterra to do so in future.

Alvin Koh, chief executive at CCCS said, “CCCS takes a firm stance against businesses that make false or misleading claims in their marketing. Such practices hinder the ability of consumers to make informed decisions, which is essential for well-functioning markets. They also erode consumer trust and undermines the ability of honest businesses to compete on a level playing field.”

This is not the first time CCCS has called out a water filtration brand for misleading advertising practices. In March this year, the commission ordered water filtration brand Purexygen to remove its misleading claims and review its own marketing practices amidst public outcry on the brand’s claims that its water filters were tested by testing bodies in the sales kit.