Tag: Singapore

Singapore – TikTok’s premium-only music streaming service TikTok officially makes it public launch in Singapore. The service was previously only made available closed group of beta testers in the market.

To coincide with the launch in Singapore, TikTok Music has added some new music discovery features, including Party It, for personalised collaborative listening, FYP Tuning, where users can swipe right for a choice of music scenes and moods, and Tonik, a music discovery personal assistant powered by ChatGPT, which provides answers to questions TikTok Music users have about music. 

Users can ask Tonik to search for an artist, track or playlist, ask about concerts and music news, learn about the stories behind the music, and much more.

According to the platform, TikTok Music harnesses the power of music discovery on TikTok, helping users to enjoy their favourite viral tracks and artists on TikTok Music, giving them the ability to listen, download and share full tracks to their community, and to transition between TikTok and TikTok Music seamlessly.

Ole Obermann, global head of music business development at TikTok, said, “We are pleased to publicly launch TikTok Music, a new kind of service that combines the power of music discovery on TikTok with a best-in-class streaming service. TikTok Music will make it easy for people to save, download and share their favourite viral tracks from TikTok.”

He added, “We are excited about the opportunities TikTok Music presents for both music fans and artists, and the great potential it has for driving significant value to the music industry.”

The new service offers music from thousands of labels and artists, uninterrupted ad-free listening and a download function for listening offline, as well as aiming to offer a listening experience while increasing opportunities and revenue for artists and rightsholders.

Singapore – Data collaboration platform LiveRamp has announced its expanded partnership with Yahoo to scale addressability and enhance reach and interoperability within the advertising ecosystem. 

The partnership will allow publishers, marketers, and more to leverage better post-signal connectivity. Publishers using LiveRamp’s Authenticated Traffic Solution (ATS) can take advantage of Yahoo ConnectID, a cookieless identity solution, to unlock additional addressable demand. 

Furthermore, brands using Yahoo DSP can achieve greater reach through Yahoo ConnectID, which benefits from RampID and the expanded scale of LiveRamp’s ATS. 

Yahoo ConnectID is powered by the direct consumer relationships of nearly 335 million authenticated users globally. It enables omnichannel addressable inventory across all of the Yahoo owned-and-operated properties and thousands of other publisher domains.

Meanwhile, RampID and LiveRamp’s Authenticated Traffic Solution power the data platform’s person-based approach to identity. This enables authenticated addressability across browsers, mobile devices, and CTV at scale across hundreds of destinations. With this, clients will be able to develop deeper customer relationships, create value throughout the customer journey, and maintain control of data.

It will require minimal effort for publishers using LiveRamp’s Authenticated Traffic Solution (ATS) to integrate Yahoo ConnectID and better monetize their addressable supply.

Therefore, publishers and marketers can deliver customised experiences everywhere without any additional configuration or resources for authenticated audiences at scale.

Through this partnership, publishers can also expect increased monetisation on their authenticated inventory via the Authenticated Traffic Solution, as Yahoo ConnectID will now be available as an identifier. Additionally, marketers looking for post-signal loss solutions will have an increased reach of authenticated users across publishers that have adopted RampID and/or Yahoo ConnectID via the Yahoo DSP.

Elizabeth Herbst-Brady, chief revenue officer at Yahoo, said, “We strongly believe in authenticated addressability, and this partnership enables greater reach that will endure beyond third-party signal loss. We’re making it easier for marketers and publishers to leverage these solutions and maximise results while simultaneously supporting more seamless transactions across the open Web.”

Travis Clinger, SVP for activations and addressability at LiveRamp, also commented, “Yahoo is a powerful advocate for authenticated identity, and the connectivity we’re partnering to enable across their DSP and Yahoo ConnectID will help make the post-signal world a better experience for marketers than the world of today. Marketers and publishers now have even more flexibility to engage, personalise, and measure their customer journey.”

Singapore – Tech-enabled coffee chain Flash Coffee has announced its exit from the Singaporean market, closing all of its 11 local chains.

In a statement to MARKETECH APAC, a spokesperson for Flash Coffee said that the closure of its Singaporean presence was to focus more on its more promising markets.

“To facilitate this renewed focus, we have ceased operations in Singapore today, comprising 11 stores out of our ~200 global stores. This decision wasn’t made lightly, especially as we have nothing but love for our team and our customers in Singapore,” they stated.

Moreover, despite said exit, the company said that they will remain firm in their mission to serve up coffee across Asia and likely some additional markets in the medium term, and stay committed to scaling their business sustainably in the long term.

“Most of our markets have demonstrated tremendous traction on top of a healthy foundation and show strong unit economics and future growth potential, with some of the markets nearing EBITDA break-even in the coming months already,” they added.

Flash Coffee also assured that the well-being and future of their employees remains their utmost priority. They have also extended our deepest gratitude to their dedicated customers in Singapore. 

“Your trust, love, and support for Flash Coffee have given us the opportunity to serve up millions of high-quality brews,” they concluded.

Flash Coffee recently completed its Series B financing round back in May raising US$50m in funding. Back then, the company said it is doubling down its presence in Asia-Pacific, which also includes its target markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Singapore – Etiqa Insurance has officially unveiled its first 3D interactive installation as part of its latest ‘With You for the Ride’ campaign that encourages Singaporeans to explore life’s uncharted possibilities.

The out-of-home (OOH) installation is strategically positioned at the Dhoby Ghaut MRT B3 transit hall (near Exit D). The installation emphasises the goal of having Singaporeans embrace life’s unexpected journeys with Etiqa as their trusted companion.

Through the new 3D interactive installation, Etiqa underscores its dedication to being ‘With You for the Ride’, adding a human touch to the concept of insurance and aiming to ignite the spirit of adventure among Singaporeans.

The installation represents just one facet of the insurance provider’s comprehensive, multi-channel campaign. Etiqa has teased months prior, on the launch of their ‘With You for the Ride’ campaign in August, that they are planning to release a series of initiatives across a 360-degree campaign mix spanning both online and offline channels.

Etiqa is also spearheading a social media contest as part of the new campaign. The insurance provider is inviting the public to join by snapping a picture of themselves having fun with the installation and posting it on social media. Winners will get one of the 100 exclusive sets of Etiqa Insurance Singapore macarons.

Previously, Etiqa released a digital film that touches on the dreams and aspirations of Singaporeans, inspiring them to embrace the excitement of unexpected journeys.

Shirley Tan, chief marketing officer at Etiqa Insurance Singapore, said, “In a world full of uncertainties, Etiqa Insurance Singapore is more than just an insurance provider; we are ‘With Singaporeans for the Ride.’ Our new out-of-home installation at Dhoby Ghaut, the first of many exciting activities under our new brand campaign, serves as an invitation to all Singaporeans to embark on a journey of possibility with Etiqa Insurance Singapore as their trusted companion. We believe that together, we can transform life’s unexpected journey into one filled with excitement, further empowered by the security of knowing we have got you covered.”

Singapore – Stellar Ace, the advertising arm of Stellar Lifestyle, has announced the launch of ‘WINK Hunt,’ an islandwide phygital game in Singapore that transforms daily commutes into exciting adventures, and encouraging fun for locals, both online and offline.

Commuters can embark on this fun journey as they ride the MRT, scanning QR codes strategically placed within MRT stations across Singapore, along the North-South Line, East-West Line, and Circle Line. At its core, WINK Hunt is about bringing joy, interactivity, and a touch of fun and lifestyle to the daily commute, encouraging everyone to embark on an exciting journey as they ride the MRT. 

The comprehensive list of prizes made possible through support of DCS Card Centre, SMRT Trains, Holland & Barrett, CUCKOO, Japan Airlines, Marigold, Maxi-Cash, OSIM, Trafalgar, Difflam, Etiqa Insurance, amongst others.

To boost their chances of winning top prizes, players can invite friends to ‘Join My Team,’ forming a team of up to four members. Additionally, participants can earn more game cards by exploring the Brand Wall within the game, engaging with brands, and taking advantage of offers such as signing up for a DCS Card at MRT stations or making purchases at partner merchants.

Jeslyn Tan, managing director of Stellar Ace, said, “Stellar Ace is bringing fun to commuters with WINK Hunt, crystallising our idea of blending physical and digital experiences. As the inaugural edition of an annual adventure, we want to establish meaningful connections between people and places. People spend a lot of time online and offline, and this game will engage them both ways, among friends and fellow commuters.”

She added, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors, particularly DCS, who have placed their trust in us and collaborated seamlessly to bring this game to life. It’s a testament to our commitment to continually explore innovative avenues that empower advertisers to engage consumers effectively, with ‘phygital’ experiences leading the way. Stellar Ace also commemorates the golden jubilee of DCS Card Centre through WINK Hunt, marking our joint achievements in pioneering new and innovative milestones in Singapore.”

Meanwhile, Karen Low, CEO of DCS Card Centre, commented, “We are thrilled to be the Title Sponsor of the very first WINK Hunt as we celebrate DCS Card Centre’s 50th anniversary. In 1973, we pioneered cashless payments in Singapore by issuing its first credit and charge cards. Today, we celebrate the same legacy of pioneering the next payment frontiers with a renewed commitment towards delivering integrated payment experiences through innovation and digitalization.”

She added, “The WINK Hunt is a fun and interactive campaign that engages a large population of commuters, providing an excellent platform for us to celebrate our ambitions and reward our customers for their ongoing support.”

Singapore –  Infosys, a global company in next-generation digital services and consulting, has announced a five-year extension of partnership collaboration with Temasek, a Singapore-based global investment firm.

Infosys Compaz, an Infosys-Temasek joint venture, has worked with large Southeast Asian corporations on their digital transformation journeys. The company’s technological expertise spans cloud, data and analytics, cybersecurity, digital, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation, among other areas.

This extension shows iCompaz’s commitment to growing its presence in Singapore and the Southeast Asian market. The region has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and is an important growth market. iCompaz, founded in 2018, has collaborated with Temasek to drive its technology transformation initiatives, which include the implementation of new digital architecture, data applications, and security infrastructure.

This announcement reinforces Infosys’ 2018 commitment to invest in technologies and expand its capabilities. The goal is to provide beneficial professional services while also encouraging the growth and development of its workforce.

iCompaz from Infosys leverages the deep capabilities of Infosys Cobalt, an enterprise cloud acceleration suite, and Infosys Topaz, an AI-driven platform, to enable clients to achieve unprecedented innovations and efficiencies, fostering value creation in connected ecosystems. This collaboration demonstrates iCompaz’s dedication to providing solutions to its clients.

Speaking about the extension of partnership, Dennis Gada, EVP, head of financial services, Infosys, said, “We deeply value our collaboration with Temasek, and it has helped us scale both technology capabilities and talent base in the region. Our journey over the last 5 years has demonstrated shared aspirations of amplifying human potential.” 

He added, “We look forward to further building on the strong foundation we have laid together to provide differentiated value to all stakeholders across the region.”

Meanwhile, Rao Baskara, chief technology officer of Temasek, said, “We look forward to extending our collaboration and the next phase of growth of iCompaz as it continues to provide quality digital services to companies in Southeast Asia. This engagement also enhances Temasek’s capabilities, and enables us to harness the potential that digital transformation brings.”

Manohar Atreya, CEO of Infosys Compaz, remarked, “iCompaz has proven its expertise in the sphere of large-scale digital and IT transformation. We are delighted to extend this collaboration with Temasek, as we continue to leverage the global scale and depth of Infosys in intelligent AI platforms and data solutions, to help clients navigate their next journey in business transformation.”


Singapore – Independent creative agency GOVT Group has officially launched MINISTRY, a hybrid consulting and agency model, and has appointed Kelvin Koo as its new managing director and partner.

MINISTRY is a digital consultancy dedicated to driving digital growth and transformation tailored to the contemporary needs of business owners and marketing leaders.

The newly launched agency will focus its offerings on ensuring growth for its clients. It is committed to a holistic approach to digital growth and transformation, providing strategic consulting and execution across diverse domains, including social and content, UI/UX, tech, digital media, CRM, and data analytics.

And to lead the MINISTRY, GOVT has brought in Koo as its managing director and partner, who was back in the agency world after a brief hiatus.

Earlier this year, Koo joined GOVT as a consultant, contributing to the agency’s strategic efforts to bolster its digital capabilities. This collaboration has culminated in the assembly of a robust team of specialists adept at delivering comprehensive digital marketing solutions, including data analytics, digital product planning, and expert consultation for seamless digital ecosystem integration and implementation.

His decision to return was sparked by the compelling vision and ambition of the partners at GOVT Group and the unique opportunity to construct an agency model with a distinctive culture.

Koo’s wealth of experience comes from his previous roles, serving as CEO at FALCON Agency and managing director at ADK Connect.

MINISTRY will leverage Koo’s extensive expertise as it aims to integrate strategic advisory and data with creative storytelling, design, tech, and digital performance to deliver tangible, impactful results.

Together with Koo, GOVT also appointed Foong Min Mei as the new growth director and partner at MINISTRY. Prior to her appointment, she worked as a digital and social lead at GOVT Singapore.

Leon Lai, co-founder and CEO at GOVT Group, said, “Our vision has stayed the same since Day 1: create a company that has longevity, possesses ambition, and champions foolish bravery. It has been 11 years since we started this journey, but we’re still not done or content with what we have built. As a partner-led business, we’re excited to attract someone of Kelvin’s calibre onboard this journey as we take deliberate steps towards fulfilling our mission of being a leading Asian communications company.” 

Also commenting on the appointment, Alvina Seah, group managing director at GOVT Group, said, “Kelvin’s leadership and proven track record in building agencies and delivering results-driven digital solutions to clients make him the ideal figure to spearhead MINISTRY. His commitment to growth and culture aligns perfectly with our mission, making this collaboration strategic and synergistic.” 

Meanwhile, Koo commented, “Our game plan at MINISTRY is straightforward: marry sharp strategic advice with creativity, the latest tech, and strong digital know-how. This way, we can get into the nitty-gritty of what CMOs and business owners are up against and offer them insights and solutions that hit the mark.”

Singapore – Skincare brand Olay has partnered with Publicis Groupe One Singapore for the launch of its newest campaign that targets the gender disparity in India’s STEM field. 

The campaign is part of the latest instalment of its #STEMTheGap initiative and aims to shed light on the glaring absence of female mentors and role models in India’s STEM workforce.

As part of the campaign, Olay India collaborated with filmmaker Anand Gandhi to launch a digital film that delves into India’s rich history of remarkable women in STEM. The digital film will pay homage to and showcase the inspiring stories of luminaries like Dr. Anandibai Joshi, Kamala Sohonie, Dr. Janaki Ammal, and Kalpana Chawla, among others.

The film will highlight the urgent need for more female role models in STEM today and will also shed light on the societal biases deterring young girls from pursuing STEM careers by emphasising the crucial role of female mentors in the field.

Aside from the digital film, Olay also launched the beta version of a web-based virtual chat mentor that will offer guidance and information to aspiring young girls seeking to enter the world of STEM.

The virtual chat mentor, a supplement to Olay’s mentorship programme,will provide the user with knowledge, resources, and encouragement on their journeys. It was created with the help of successful women in different STEM fields in India, such as Shannon Olsson, founder and global director at Echo Network; Swarna Manjari, communication designer; Dr. Vandana Prasad, community paediatrician and public health professional; and Tarunima Prabhakar, tech and policy research at Tattle Civic Tech and Carnegie India, to name a few.

Olay’s campaign is crafted based on the results of their commissioned survey, which found a huge gap between female STEM graduates and those who actually made it into the workforce in India. A staggering number of its respondents also mentioned the need for female role models in STEM as a way to influence them to pursue their careers.

To encourage future women in STEM, Olay also continues to partner with LEAD, a school EdTech provider in India, to sponsor STEM scholarships for 250+ underprivileged girls. These scholarships aim to empower girls across India by providing them with financial support for STEM education and career development.

Priyali Kamath, senior vice president of skin and personal care at Procter & Gamble (P&G) Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, explained, “For decades, Procter & Gamble’s legacy skincare brand Olay has maintained a deep understanding of women’s changing needs through science. At Olay, we understand the critical importance of female role models in the STEM field, and our commitment to bridging the gender gap is unparalleled. This year’s theme, centred on the significance of role models and the introduction of mentorship initiatives, highlights our commitment to ensuring every young girl knows that she can be the next leader in her field.”

She added, “Through initiatives like #STEMTheGap and our commitment to gender equality, we are working hard to double the number of women in STEM by 2030 and create a more inclusive and equitable future. We’re proud to recognise and support the next generation of women in STEM who will one day be making history in their respective fields and become role models for young girls in the future.”

Ajay Vikram, chief creative officer for Southeast Asia at Publicis Groupe, also commented, “There are many accomplished women leaders in STEM in India today. Yet, a ‘lack of mentors’ is often cited as a big reason why so few women make a career in STEM. This got us thinking. How do we not just celebrate the achievements of women in STEM but actually be useful—to be there at the very moment when needed, a friend and guide to any girl or woman looking for answers as they stand at the crossroads of choosing their path forward. Technology came in handy as a way to help, but  we can’t wait to see how much more Ai-shu can do to help women find their way to a future of their choosing.”

Singapore – One in two businesses in Singapore have said that they need better fintech solutions to address their own business challenges, a new report from Rapyd has noted, centred around B2B cross-border payments.

Approximately 60% of respondents from Singapore expressed confidence in prevailing market conditions, indicating a measured level of trust in their business environment.

The data also highlighted that 43% of B2B companies in Singapore incur cross-border fees ranging from US$10 to US$25 per transaction. This rate is above the average observed across the surveyed markets, where approximately 36% of businesses face cross-border transaction fees within the same US$10 to US$25 range.

Conversely, local enterprises have identified increasing interest rates (53%) and a reduction in incoming work (43%) as their primary concerns. This indicates that Singapore businesses are closely tracking financial developments and their potential impact on the demand for their products and services.

Meanwhile, around 48% of respondents from Singapore identified ‘better fintech solutions’ as the paramount factor in addressing their most pressing business concerns. This percentage surpasses any other category in Singapore and demonstrates that B2B businesses in the country prioritise fintech as a way to solve business problems more than their counterparts in any other country surveyed.

Despite Singapore being one of the world’s most advanced payment markets, many B2B businesses have yet to adopt digital payments. This presents a valuable opportunity for these enterprises to collaborate with innovative fintech firms and embrace modern payment solutions to harness the full benefits of Real-Time Payment networks and streamline payment processes to enhance their operational efficiency.

Arik Shtilman, CEO, and co-founder of Rapyd, said, “Our latest B2B cross-border payment report highlights Singapore’s strong confidence in its business environment, while also showing a widespread desire for efficient and cost-effective fintech solutions. We understand how important it is to be efficient and adaptable in today’s ever-changing business world.”

He added, “With our recent addition of card acquiring services to our Fintech as a Service platform in Singapore, we’re doubling down on our promise to provide the innovative fintech solutions Singapore businesses are looking for that will empower them on their payment journey and help them handle payment complexities with confidence and ease.”

Singapore – Deliveroo Singapore has partnered with the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) to raise awareness about rider safety. On Children’s Day, they hosted an event called “Deliveroo Rides Smart with Heart.” Deliveroo’s program aims to educate both riders and their children about safe cycling practices on the road.  

The initiative is part of Deliveroo’s ongoing commitment to enhancing rider safety and aligns with their third annual Rider Safety Month.

More than 40 people, including Deliveroo riders and their children, gathered at the 100Plus track in the Singapore Sports Hub to participate in a hands-on, interactive workshop focused on safe riding. The Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) started the day as part of Deliveroo’s “Rides Smart with Heart” initiative, by providing Deliveroo riders and their children with practical, actionable guidance to ensure road safety through a hands-on session.

The tips and interactive activities cover practical, real-world scenarios as well as road etiquette advice for riders. This includes manoeuvring through crowded sidewalks and dealing with difficult traffic situations while carrying food deliveries. These insights are useful as they navigate their daily food delivery routes.

Speaking about the Deliveroo Rides Smart with Heart, Shahfudin Mohamed Sahim, Deliveroo rider said, “Even though I ride for work regularly, Deliveroo Rides Smart with Heart was a good refresher for me and the practical tips that were shared during the session further emphasised the importance of road safety. My sons also had an extremely fun and enriching time learning about safe cycling habits, and it was heartening to see him take an interest in understanding what I do at work while reminding me to stay safe.” 

He added, “We’ll definitely exercise these tips more as we cycle together as a family moving forward.” 

Speaking about the partnership, Dr. Hing Siong Chen, president of the Singapore Cycling Federation, said, “We are so excited to team up with Deliveroo again for this year’s Rider Safety Month initiative. Following last year’s campaign where we held safety programmes for riders, we are delighted to now extend our workshop to the young as well. It is indeed important to cultivate the importance of road safety among the younger generation as they are the road users of tomorrow, and we hope to instil such mindsets through Deliveroo Rides Smart with Heart – encouraging and reminding both riders and their children of safe riding habits.”

Meanwhile, Jason Parke, general manager of Deliveroo Singapore, said, “At Deliveroo, the safety of our riders is of our utmost priority, and we are continuously ensuring a safe working environment for them and the wider community. This inspired us to develop this initiative alongside Singapore Cycling Federation this Rider Safety Month and in conjunction with Children’s Day.” 

He added, “We hope this workshop was not only helpful for the children in navigating roads safely, but also served as a refresher for our riders to continue practising safe riding habits.” 

“Since Deliveroo’s marking of October as Rider Safety Month in 2021, our initiatives have seen increased participation year-on-year from our riders and like-minded partners. We will continuously play our part in further educating our riders to practice good road safety habits – so we can together achieve safer roads,” Parke said.