Tag: Singapore

Singapore – WE Communications (WE), a worldwide communications agency, announced the appointment of Charmaine Lin as director of sectors and Michelle Lim as associate director of sectors in Singapore. Lin and Lim joined WE in February and report to Troy Lee, the head of sectors. 

Together, they are tasked to expand WE’s skills in tourism, travel, and hospitality, as well as technology, B2B, and crisis communications. 

Lin will oversee the Singapore Tourism Board account in her new role and manage WE’s growing clientele in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. 

Lin joins WE with more than 17 years of brand marketing and communications expertise. She spent ten years in Shanghai, where she occupied a number of leadership roles. Her most recent position was five years as managing partner at Gusto Collective. Lin was the vice president of client experience at Weber Shandwick for five years before that.

For many international tourism, travel, hospitality, fashion, and beauty companies, such as the Estée Lauder Companies, Marriott International, Royal Caribbean, Shiseido Group, Tourism Australia, and Victoria’s Secret, she has advised and led campaigns throughout her career.

Meanwhile, Lim has a decade of expertise in B2B, technology communications, public affairs, and crisis communication. Her most recent position was as account director at Fifth Ring, where she worked with brands including BASF, CHINT Global, Delta Electronics, Smith+Nephew, and XSQUARE Technologies. For nearly ten years before joining Fifth Ring, she directed communications and crisis planning for many Home Team units within Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

Speaking about the appointments, Daryl Ho, managing director of WE Singapore, said, “Charmaine and Michelle bring a wealth of experience and expertise to WE, and their combined talent in integrated communications, strategic storytelling and crisis communications will be an unstoppable force in supporting our clients as we chart the agency forward. I am beyond thrilled to welcome both of them to the team and am grateful that they’ve chosen to call WE their home.”

Singapore – Arena Media Singapore has been reappointed as the media agency of record for AIA Singapore following a competitive pitch. As media agency of record, Arena Media Singapore will lead AIA’s media planning and buying across traditional and digital channels.

The appointment is effective immediately as of this writing.

Arena Media Singapore’s reappointment by AIA Singapore reaffirms the insurer’s confidence in their ability to drive innovative, digital-first media solutions. Together, they have embarked on notable campaigns like the launch of AIA Health360, a comprehensive suite of solutions that covers the full gamut of wellness.

These includes addressing their financial, physical and mental wellness needs to empower Singaporeans in proactively managing their health and wellness needs, aligning with AIA Singapore’s brand promise to help people live ‘Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.’

Deanson Lee, head of digital at Havas Media Network, expressed his enthusiasm about the continued partnership, saying, “We are honoured to further our journey with AIA Singapore and continue driving innovation and excellence together. Leveraging our wealth of insights and digital acumen, we are committed to supporting AIA in making a positive impact and advancing holistic wellness. We eagerly anticipate the future and look forward to achieving more meaningful results together.”

Meanwhile, Allison Chew, head of PR, brand and marketing at AIA Singapore, underscores the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Arena Media has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication and keen expertise in navigating the media and digital landscape. Their adeptness in shaping strategies that foster meaningful connections with our audience has been instrumental in delivering enriching experiences to our customers and community, who are at the heart of AIA Singapore’s business.”

Singapore-based real estate enterprise OrangeTee has recently embarked on a recent brand refresh effort, the first of its kind for the brand since its inception in 2000. For the company, the new branding efforts puts highlight on its three key pillars – productivity, presence, and partnerships – to drive the company’s growth in the real estate industry.

We recently sat down with Jon Tan, senior vice president and head of brand, digital marketing and communication at OrangeTee, to learn more exclusively about OrangeTee’s conceptualisation process on the brand refresh effort, how it reflects both its desire to expand operations and its diverse stakeholders base, as well as how it evokes the “kampung” or compassionate and communal spirit.

‘Find Your Place’

For Tan, the simple yet profound slogan ‘Find Your Place’ is the heart of the new OrangeTee brand: focusing more on resonating deeply with anyone who is navigating the complexities of the real estate landscape.

“Whether you are finding a place to call home, a strategic space for business expansion, or a platform for professional growth, the presence of a trusted partner to navigate the real estate journey is indispensable. Our renewed vision is to help everyone in the real estate journey, making it understandable and accessible to all. By empowering individuals to find their rightful place in the world, we aspire to enrich lives and redefine standards within the industry,” he explained.

He also added that the decision to embark on OrangeTee’s brand refresh stems from a deep-rooted commitment to staying ahead in an ever-evolving industry. For him, recognising the necessity to redefine their brand identity aligns them with the evolving needs and perceptions of their internal and external stakeholders.

“Through extensive consultations with key stakeholders, involving board members, management staff, and key agency leaders, coupled with a comprehensive whole-of-agency brand survey involving our agents and staff, we gleaned invaluable insights that formed the bedrock of our brand refresh. This inclusive approach seeks to foster buy-in from everyone close to the company, allowing us to discern their sentiments and aspirations for change,” he explained.

How the brand refresh efforts stresses importance of ongoing stakeholder engagement

Prior to the brand refresh unveiling, Tan said that he personally conducted a series of Brand Refresh briefings to engage their internal stakeholders, including agents, agency leaders, corporate management, and staff, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of their new brand direction.

“Our Brand Sentiment Survey revealed an impressive 97.6% alignment with our updated Vision, Mission, and Core Values amongst the attendees—an affirmation of our brand’s revitalised direction, compared to a mere 52.4% comprehension of our previous brand identity. Through these engaging briefings and surveys, we have ensured that every member of the organisation not only understands but also aligns with our refreshed vision, mission, and core values,” he said.

“By nurturing a culture where these values are not just espoused but embodied, we empower our team to effect meaningful change and “SEE” the true spirit of OrangeTee coming to life,” Tan added.

For him, the essence of OrangeTee’s core values lies not merely in words but reflected in our everyday actions. He explains that in OrangeTeeo’s brand refresh, they have transitioned from static nouns to dynamic action verbs, underscoring their steadfast commitment to actively embodying these values in the company’s daily endeavours.

“This brand refresh has underscored the importance of ongoing stakeholder engagement. It serves as a testament to the need for continual dialogue and interaction to refresh, reaffirm, and fortify our brand identity, ensuring that every individual within our organisation is imbued with a renewed sense of purpose as they find their place in the workplace,” he explained.

On standing out from the rest and embodying a sense of community

When asked how OrangeTee separates itself from the rest of the industry, Tan states that their differentiation strategy stems from a profound understanding of their stakeholders, particularly the agents and staff, who form the cornerstone of the business.

“Through extensive discussions and the brand survey, we’ve gleaned invaluable insights that have shaped our brand identity. These insights have guided our creative agency in developing meaningful proposals that have been exceptionally well-received,” he said.

Tan also added, “By capitalising on our distinctive brand name and iconic orange colour, complemented by a modern, dynamic, and edgy aesthetics, we are poised to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Our commitment to professionalism and trust, coupled with a deep-rooted sense of community and solidarity, sets us apart as a beacon of excellence in the real estate landscape.”

He also highlighted how the branding efforts highlights the company’s mission of embodying a sense of community, adding “At the heart of our brand refresh lies a profound sense of community and solidarity—a reflection of the “kampung spirit” ingrained in OrangeTee’s DNA. Our approach to this brand refresh is not merely cosmetic; it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and collaboration.”

For Tan, they have prioritised the engagement of all stakeholders closely associated with their brand, many of whom have been integral members of the OrangeTee family for years, considering it a second home. He further explained that by fostering a culture where every voice is valued and heard, they have forged a collective vision of growth and success.

“From engaging discussions to inclusive briefings and feedback sessions, we have provided a platform for every member of our OrangeTee family to contribute, participate, and thrive. In doing so, we not only reaffirm our dedication to accessibility and understanding within the real estate realm but also epitomise the essence of community—a place where everyone finds belonging and purpose,” he concluded.

Singapore – Visa has announced the opening of its transformed Singapore Innovation Center, a dedicated space for partners, clients and businesses in Asia-Pacific. For the company, this space enables stakeholders to engage with Visa technologists to co-create payments solutions ahead of demand, deliver scalable innovation, and address the biggest challenges and opportunities in digital payments in the region.

The Visa Singapore Innovation Center represents Visa’s vision of shaping tomorrow’s payments possibilities. Showcasing the transformative power of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in retail and payments, and reimagining modern credentials for enhanced security and convenience.

Moreover, it also serves as a springboard for thought leadership in decentralised and embedded finance, offering tailored solutions for businesses and fostering innovative collaborations with startups.

The Singapore Innovation Center is part of Visa’s network of eight regional innovation centres worldwide. It plays a pivotal role in driving regional payments innovation in Asia, addressing the local market needs of Visa’s Asia-Pacific clients, and ultimately driving forward the company’s global mission and strategy to deliver innovative, future-proof and secure payments that enable individuals, businesses and economies to thrive.

Stephen Karpin, president for Asia-Pacific at Visa, said, “At Visa, we’re bringing ideas to life in a way that’s truly unique to the Singapore Innovation Center, a dynamic hub where we transform innovative concepts into practical solutions. We’re dedicated to helping businesses discover valuable insights early so they continue to stay ahead in the rapidly digitalising payments landscape.”

He added, “By combining our expertise with cutting-edge technology and solution architecture, we work alongside our partners to materialise solutions that address payment challenges, driving real business value and growth for our client.”

Meanwhile, Png Cheong Boon, chairman at Singapore Economic Development Board, commented, “The Visa Singapore Innovation Center deepens the longstanding partnership between Visa and Singapore, and enables Visa to tap into our vibrant innovation ecosystem to develop new solutions and create new business opportunities for the global market. We look forward to strengthening and expanding this close partnership with Visa and also hope to encourage more global companies to undertake such activities in Singapore.”

Singapore – Tech jobs in Singapore have been found to decrease in terms of demand and relevance in 2024, according to global job platform Indeed’s ‘Top 20 Best Jobs List’ for this year, which is based on salary, employer demand and the consistent growth in the number of job postings from 2021 to 2024.

In 2023, tech-focused roles took nine spots in Indeed’s top twenty list, whereas this year, only software engineers feature, with this current list also veering towards engineering and managerial roles. 

Directors of communications topped the list as the best job in Singapore, with tax managers, recruitment managers, senior mechanical engineers and procurement managers making up the top five.

Notably, Indeed mentions that the occupations with the largest percentage growth in job postings in the last three years include software engineers (122%), tax managers (106%) and clinic managers (85%). Roles witnessing the highest number of postings per one million total jobs were quantity surveyors (6,912), project engineers (6,695) and accountants (3,948).

Talking about the list, Saumitra Chand, career expert at Indeed, said, “Singapore’s best jobs list for 2024 mirrors the macro trends that are happening on a global level. Tech-based roles no longer dominate, highlighting the sector’s growing troubles, with layoffs and funding issues rife throughout the industry.” 

“However, it’s important to note that tech jobs are still available; they are just not seeing the exponential growth of previous years”, he added.

Singapore – Singaporeans’ social media app of choice is messaging platform WhatsApp, according to a digital report released by creative agency We Are Social and social media and intelligence firm Meltwater.

Data from the report mainly suggests that WhatsApp takes the top spot in Singapore for both favourite (27.2%) and most used social media platform (74.7%) with local users clocking an average of 978 sessions per month in its Android app.

Notably, the report finds that Singaporeans are spending an average of 2 hours and 14 minutes a day on social media across an average of 6.9 social media platforms each month, with 5.13 million social media user identities in Singapore which equates to 85% of the nation’s population. 

Aside from WhatsApp, Facebook ranked second place as favourite (16.7%) and most used (72.7%) social media platform in Singapore, while TikTok tops the spot for most time spent in the Android app with a total of 33 hours, 23 minutes per month. TikTok was the most downloaded app in Singapore in 2023, followed by messaging app Telegram and Bytedance-owned video editing tool Capcut.

In terms of how they use their social media platforms, the report said that Singaporeans like to stay connected with messaging (97.5%) being the number one type of app or website they visit, followed by social networks (95.8%). Aside from keeping in touch with family and friends (43.4%), filling in spare time (35.5%) and reading the news (32.6%) are the main reasons that more than a third use social media. 

Talking about these findings, James Honda-Pinder, head of strategy at We Are Social Singapore, said, “While Instagram may be the favoured social media app in other markets, in Singapore we see social media users favour platforms that offer focused utility. For connection and increasingly for business communication, WhatsApp is a clear leader.”

“Elsewhere, TikTok continues to its staggering rise, as it becomes a bonafide platform for search and discovery, not just entertainment. In an era of fragmented attention where brands are vying to capture the attention of consumers, TikTok’s platform continues to show strong engagement with average usage amounting to more than 33 hours a month – that’s more than one whole day on the app. It’s a rocketship”, he added.

Singapore – Following the successful launch of Singapore Airlines’ global brand campaign ‘Welcome to World Class’ in January 2023, the airline now follows up with a campaign film capturing the emotions and moments at 30,000 ft.

The film follows Berlin-based travel photographer Julia Nimke, as she challenges herself to shoot, curate, and edit her very own photography exhibit pieces on her flight with Singapore Airlines. 

In the film, she performs this feat with ease, being made possible by the experience onboard Singapore Airlines such with its in-flight service, curated in-flight menu, comfortable seats and spacious cabins, as well as unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi across all cabin classes.

Nimke’s photographs capture the raw and authentic moments of being in the air, such as a unique composition of a selfie using a mirror built into SIA’s Business Class seats, the way the light hits the spacious cabin basking one in a glow of light, or the moment a cabin crew delicately plates a dish like her own canvas.

These photographs were then displayed at the Leica Gallerie, located at Raffles Hotel, for a private exhibition.

Talking about the campaign, Loo Yong Ping, deputy executive creative director at TBWA\Singapore, said, “Julia was a dream to work with. Her unique ability to capture natural, un-staged moments and use the available light and space at her disposal, and still create these beautiful images were really inspiring.”

Meanwhile, Jacky Lee, director at Smallshop, commented, “Shooting on a flight has its logistical challenges. You must work with the environment you have, all while keeping things discreet, as there are other passengers too. We’re glad that the film came out beautifully, all thanks to Julia’s unique eye.”

Singapore – APRW, a local integrated communications agency based in Singapore, has announced its appointment as the official public relations agency for Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2024.

Through this appointment, APRW will be playing a pivotal role in managing media relations, elevating the profile and prestige of the event, and contributing to the global discourse on maritime excellence.

As the official PR agency for SMW, APRW is committed to promoting international relationships and advancing the maritime sector by leveraging its strategic communication skills.

Talking about the appointment, Cho Pei Lin, managing director of APRW, shared, “This marks our agency’s significant voyage into the maritime industry. Anchored in passion and propelled by expertise, the Singapore Maritime Week 2024 is set to make waves like never before.”

“Together, we will chart a course for a week filled with groundbreaking conferences with key industry leaders, strategic partnerships, meaningful networking sessions, and the celebration of the maritime spirit,” she added.

Organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), this year’s SMW will feature conferences for topics in the areas of sustainability, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and talent development in the maritime industry, solidifying Singapore’s standing as a global hub port and leading international maritime centre.

Singapore – Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) launched the GenAI Sandbox for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) today. This is a first step in enabling local SMEs greater access to GenAI and builds on both agencies’ ongoing efforts to strengthen AI development and ecosystem in Singapore.

According to the two entities, the ‘GenAI Sandbox’ is expected to benefit some 300 SMEs from sectors including retail, F&B, education, and hospitality, which will be able to tap on a range of GenAI solutions to elevate marketing and sales, and customer engagement efforts.

The first category, marketing and sales, will enable SMEs to generate varied and unique marketing content such as customised emails and social media posts that are tailored to individual campaign strategies. These solutions allow SMEs to shorten their marketing preparation process and harness GenAI capabilities to develop engaging content.

Meanwhile, its second category, customer engagement, will enable SMEs to better engage customers at scale using GenAI-powered chatbots, which allow customers to easily search for information, browse through personalised recommendations, or make reservations. These solutions enable SMEs to free up manpower to optimise operational efficiency, while concurrently improving customers’ experience.

All local SMEs can apply to participate in the Sandbox. Successful and eligible applicants will receive grant support from IMDA to trial one of the GenAI solutions of their choice for three months, to gain hands-on experience and better understand the functions of GenAI and the benefits to their businesses. 

Applications to the sandbox will close by end of May 2024, or if the maximum capacity for the Sandbox has been reached, whichever comes earlier.

Leong Der Yao, assistant chief executive for sectoral transformation group at IMDA, said, “With the potential transformative impact of GenAI, SMEs can benefit from experimenting with the technology, as part of their broader digitalisation journey. The sandbox of curated solutions will provide our SMEs greater accessibility to GenAI before deploying it on a larger scale.”

Meanwhile, Soh Leng Wan, assistant chief executive officer, manufacturing and engineering at Enterprise Singapore, commented, “This latest initiative to make available ready-to-use GenAI solutions to our local SMEs is part of our ongoing efforts to collaborate with public and private sectors to accelerate the growth of the AI ecosystem and developments in Singapore. We strongly encourage SMEs to come onboard the Sandbox to experience how their businesses can benefit from GenAI solutions.”

Singapore – A total of 3,711 consumer complaints against e-businesses and e-marketplaces in 2023 have been recorded in Singapore, a sharp increase of 47% from the 2,530 complaints received in 2022. This is according to the latest report from the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).

According to the association, they received 13,991 complaints in 2023, a 24% decrease from the 15,144 complaints received in 2022. There was a general decrease in complaints across various industries, except for the motorcar industry which saw an increase of eight per cent, primarily due to an increase in complaints involving rental or shared cars. 

The association also noted that through its assistance in negotiating and mediating the complaints, close to $2.5 million (in-cash and in-kind) were recovered for consumers in 2023, an increase from the $2.1 million recovered in 2022. 

Meanwhile, complaints involving rental or shared cars nearly tripled from 152 complaints in 2022 to 435 complaints in 2023. Common complaints pertained to disputes on pre-existing defects, damages and repair charges imposed by rental or car-sharing businesses on consumers due to alleged damages.

It is also worth noting that the travel industry saw a 38% decrease in complaints, dropping from 757 complaints in 2022 to 471 complaints in 2023. The airlines industry saw a 22% decrease in complaint, dropping from 478 complaints in 2022 to 375 complaints in 2023. The complaints for both industries had stabilised to pre-2020 levels, primarily due to the easing of travel restrictions globally which led to fewer complaints on cancellation of trips.

Melvin Yong, president at CASE, said, “We are happy to see an overall decrease in consumer complaints in 2023. Nevertheless, more needs to be done to strengthen consumer protection and address common consumer pain points. CASE will continue to engage the government and industry stakeholders to strengthen consumer safeguards and put a stop to undesirable business practices.”