Tag: Singapore

Singapore – IPG Mediabrands, the media holding company within Interpublic Group, announced the launch of its newest tech-driven performance unit, KINESSO, which delivers real intelligence to move brands forward.

KINESSO is uniquely positioned to unify the data derived from a brand’s full marketing system into one renowned, intelligent, growth-driving capability.

The new unit brings together the collective power of brands Kinesso, Reprise, and Matterkind to form an engine that is expected to deliver accelerated growth for the company.

KINESSO performance solutions, end-to-end media activation and optimisation, global capability centres, and data and technology prowess are expected to provide an even more holistic and integrated approach to servicing and ensuring the success of IPG Mediabrands clients.

With its launch, it will have an extensive offering spanning performance marketing, data, and technology and is poised for digital excellence via advanced capabilities including progressive search engines, digital experiences, platform intelligence, media activation, AI, and audience development.

KINESSO, created with a deep understanding of consumer behaviour, offers an end-to-end engine of planning and optimisation. It will deliver on data-driven strategy for social platforms, actionable growth in e-commerce, and creating curated marketplaces specific to each client’s function and needs.

The unveiling of the new tech unit is rooted in the company’s understanding of the rapidly shifting media landscape brought about by developments in technology.

Jarrod Martin, global CEO at KINESSO, said, “KINESSO by definition means movement and change, and that is what we’re bringing to the forefront of this new business. We’re here to help our clients win and make sure those wins stand out above the rest. KINESSO will make up the most efficient and powerful operating system in the   marketueled by an infrastructure that allows all our agencies to function with agility and consistency in a global capacity.”

Meanwhile, Eileen Kiernan, Global CEO of IPG Mediabrands, also shared, “This is an important time in our history to build upon the collective success of Matterkind, Reprise, and Kinesso. Positioned at the heart of IPG Mediabrands, KINESSO will expand horizons for our clients by prioritising excellence in the future of media, superior value delivery, and a commitment to innovation, breaking down industry barriers. We’re excited to bring this offering to our clients and drive actionable growth for their businesses.”

Singapore – Singaporean parents are increasingly concerned about their child’s safety on the internet, according to Google’s ‘APAC Kids and Families Online Safety Survey’, which mainly reveals that seeing inappropriate content online is the most experienced online safety issue by Singaporean children, with one in two children having encountered it at least once in the past year.

These findings come at a time where children in Singapore are spending more time online than ever before, with four out of five local children now spending one to six hours online daily for education and entertainment.

Notably, data from the survey suggests that the top three types of inappropriate content reported by parents were misinformation at 55.4%, deceptive ads and spam at 50.7%, and violent content at 48.7%.

However the survey also revealed that Singaporean parents are becoming less confident in discussing online safety with their children. This year’s survey found that only 79% of respondents feel confident in engaging their children on this topic, down from 83% last year.

Factors for this decline in confidence may include difficulty of finding age-appropriate and easy-to-understand examples of online safety issues and the rapidly evolving nature of the online world. In addition, nearly half of the parents surveyed said they struggle to find the right time to talk to their children about online safety.

Despite these gaps, more than half of respondents said they are willing to allow their children to spend more time online and expect to change digital rules for their child’s Internet use as they grow older. This also draws concern as parents are faced with the need to develop new rules – sometimes before even putting the fundamentals in place – which makes the online journeys of children increasingly challenging to manage.

Speaking on the results, Norman Ng, regional operations lead, trust & safety global engagement at Google Singapore, said, “Our survey results highlight the urgent need to make online safety a central part of their conversations at home. We understand that each family’s relationship with technology is unique, and we encourage parents to make good use of tools such as Family Link and Be Internet Awesome to aid their digital parenting.”

“As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. We remain committed in stepping up our efforts in working collaboratively with industry partners and experts to ensure digital literacy remains more accessible for all,” he added. 

Lastly, the survey also indicated several suggestions and tools that parents can use to a create safer experience online such as age-appropriate content restrictions via Family Link, blurring graphic content through SafeSearch, child-friendly app settings or versions such as Youtube Kids, and online education and safety resources like The library of Digital Safety Resources and the Be Internet Awesome program.

Singapore – In its continued quest to honour the rich and diverse food hawker culture in Singapore, DBS has relaunched its ‘DBS PayLah! Hawker Awards’, which aims to encourage Singaporeans to support their hawkers in this challenging time, by reminding them of all the love that hawkers show us—from verbal affirmations (hello sayang) to actual physical gifts (of extra rice and curry).

The campaign, done alongside The Secret Little Agency (TSLA), the focus of the awards will not be on the food but instead the people behind the delicious hawker fare we enjoy. While most food hawkers would rather not raise prices or reduce their portions, the realities of rising inflation, rental costs and an increasingly volatile market, leave them with little choice, with them being sandwiched between higher cost and unhappy customers. 

Speaking about the campaign, Lim Bee Bee, executive director and head of marketing for consumer banking group at DBS Singapore, said that the hawker culture has been an intrinsic part of the way of life for Singaporeans and Singapore residents, whether in good and tough times. For them, the dedication that our hawkers put in their food have brought people together.

“We thought there is no better way for everyone to bond and share our love for food than through this public voting in the Hawker Awards, which is already in its third-year running. At the same time, we can also spotlight the many hidden gems and interesting hawkers of all ages and backgrounds in our community to show how the hawker trade has evolved with the times to cater to the tastes of different generations of Singaporeans,” she said.

Bee Bee also added, “At DBS, we have been championing and celebrating our hawker culture. Through our 5 Million Hawker Meals subsidy programme and Adopt-a-Hawker Centre initiative, we really hope to get everyone to go to our hawker centres and keep our hawker centres bustling.”

In order to get this message across and reach the hearts of Singaporeans, the campaign ‘Hawker Nation’ hijacks the media landscape of August 2023, giving hawkers the ‘Presidential’ treatment they deserve. 

This is followed by out-of-home buys, which feature past winners paired with statements reflective of relatable everyday experiences and interactions with the hawkers. 

A spokesperson for The Secret Little Agency said, “We decided on this unorthodox strategy in order to really capture the attention of the public. Our hawkers serve us – quite literally – and they’ve represented Singapore on the world stage. They may not qualify to run for office, but they are every bit as important as the people who do. Because let’s be real – our nation would fall apart in no time without their hawker fare. Our hawkers rally Singaporeans from all walks of life, so we created a very different kind of election to ensure DBS’s place at the forefront of this cultural conversation.”

They added, “Marketing metrics aside, the real intangible measure of success would be for Singaporeans to recognise and sayang (show love in Malay) their hawkers. It’s no easy task being a hawker in this climate, and they deserve to be celebrated just as much as we need that warming fish soup on a cold rainy day.”

Singapore – Singaporean beverage brand, Yeo Hiap Seng (Yeo’s), has launched an integrated brand campaign, unveiling a new brand platform called ‘Refresh What Matters’, with global agency Forsman and Bodenfors as the rebrand’s creative lead.  

Yeo’s and Forsman and Bodenfors integrated brand campaign features new vibrant packaging, new product films, and the ‘Drinkable Garden’ exhibit, which explores new brews and partnerships, culminating in an eventful brand activation.

The Yeo’s Drinkable Garden installation, in collaboration with Gardens By the Bay, commemorates the brand’s legacy with an experiential brand activation, centred around Yeo’s signature drink– Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea.

The exhibit aims to take audiences on a multi-sensorial journey through a contemporary garden, with a motif centred around chrysanthemums and lush foliage. The exhibit is also heavily inspired by three different Yeo’s chrysanthemum brews namely, Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea, the newly launched Snow Chrysanthemum Tea and a Rose-Infused Chrysanthemum brew that tell the story of the exceptional quality and craft behind each drink.

Visitors will have the opportunity to gain insights into the unique benefits across a variety of chrysanthemums and get a glimpse into the intricate craftsmanship that goes into making Yeo’s products and what sets them apart from other brands in Asia. 

Also on site will be the special edition Yeo’s signature chrysanthemum tea, that commemorates the centenary of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and to celebrate his legacy as Singapore’s “chief gardener” and his visionary role in transforming Singapore into a green city. The commemorative Yeo’s packs are not for sale, and will be distributed in educational settings around Singapore.

Ong Yuh Hwang, CEO of Yeo Hiap Seng, said, “Our Yeo’s Drinkable Garden is a reflection of the core values of our signature drink – real chrysanthemum flowers filled with aroma and flavour, brewed in its purest form with no compromise on taste – a true celebration of the best of our heritage combined with creativity and innovation.”

Meanwhile, Gary Lim, group creative director at Forsman & Bodenfors Singapore, commented,  “When you think of Chrysanthemum tea, you think of Yeo’s. It’s a flavour from a brand almost all of us in the region have tasted and loved from a young age. We partnered with Yeo’s to ‘Refresh What Matters’ in every sense, bringing audiences on an immersive and inspiring journey to experience the brand in the most refreshing way.”

Singapore – Mobile technology company Grab has partnered with payments technology company Circle Internet Financial (Circle) to bring the first-ever Web3 customer experience in the country via the launch of ‘Grab Web3 Wallet’ in the Grab app. 

Through this partnership, Circle’s new Web3 Services platform is integrated into Grab’s mobile app. With this, Singapore-based users can now set up a blockchain-enabled wallet, earn rewards and collectibles, and use non-fungible token (NFT) vouchers.

Circle Web3 Services aim to help both existing Web 2.0 internet companies and new pure-play Web3 start-ups safely and easily bring the power of stablecoins, digital assets, and smart contracts to consumer and enterprise applications.

Launched as a pilot for the SG Pitstop Pack, the ‘Grab Web3 Wallet’ supports the use of these NFT vouchers at popular stores and adventures in Singapore during the F1 Singapore Grand Prix. Furthermore, the collaboration between Circle and Grab supports the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Project Orchid initiative as a real-world demonstration of purpose-bound money.

Jeremy Allaire, co-founder and CEO at Circle, said, “Circle is focused on partnering with global-scale consumer internet brands to bring everyday utility to users. Piloting our technology with Grab’s customers brings us closer to realising the full potential of responsible digital asset innovation.” 

Meanwhile, Dante Disparte, chief strategy officer and head of global policy at Circle, shared, “Circle is thrilled to partner with Grab to accelerate adoption of blockchain-powered innovation and support Singapore’s forward-thinking vision as a leading global hub for responsible digital asset innovation.”

Manila, Philippines – Multinational technology company Dyson has announced that its pledging ₱11b investment to the Philippines by 2024. This comes after several Dyson officials met with Philippine government officials, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

The president has expressed his delight following Dyson’s investment commitment, stating that the company has made the right decision in choosing the country for their investments.

Meanwhile, Roland Krueger, chief executive officer at Dyson, commented, “Three, four months ago, we made a decision that we want to further our investment to the Philippines with expanding our presence there and today we only have a factory producing our own electrical motors.”

He added, “So we have announced a significant investment equivalent of PhP11-billion into the new factory, the new R&D center, and we want to expand also in terms of staff, software, and others that we require over the next two years.”

Dyson also emphasised that their investment would generate around 1,250 employees and would move more contract manufacturing into the Philippines by the middle of 2022, or the second or third quarter of the year.

It is worth noting that Dyson previously announced the intended launch of its Philippines Technology Centre, amounting to ₱11b in investment, and will be located in City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas; scheduled to be operational by the first half of 2024.

With this, Dyson R&D (research and development) teams in the Philippines will be focused on software, AI, robotics, fluid dynamics and hardware electronics, according to the company.

Singapore – Changi Airport has recently unveiled ‘The Courage to Dream – The Making of the Changi Airport Story’, an LKY100 commemorative exhibition to be held at Jewel Changi Airport from September 16 to 30.

With various interactive zones, the exhibition commemorates the visionary leadership, boldness and conviction of the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, showcasing how Mr. Lee and his team of leaders made Changi Airport possible and paved the way for its success.

Through untold stories illustrated in engaging displays, with rarely seen archival content, the exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to embark on a nostalgic voyage through time from the 1970s to present day, and even get a glimpse of the future of aviation.

There are six interactive zones in the exhibition, highlighting the journey of Changi Airport alongside Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership. The first zone talks about how Changi Airport was once smaller in scale and called Paya Lebar Airport, as the second and third zones showcase how Lee Kuan Yew made strides to improve the airport, eventually transitioning to Changi Airport in the fourth zone.

Lastly, the fifth and sixth zones focused on the improvements made to the airport which made it grow into the world’s most awarded airport, and even looking towards the airport’s future advancements, which was only made possible by the decisions of the past. 

Talking about the exhibition, Jayson Goh, executive vice president of airport management, Changi Airport Group, said, “Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s bold decision to relocate Singapore’s airport from Paya Lebar to Changi marked a pivotal moment in aviation history.”

“To this day, we continue to be deeply grateful for the vision, courage and conviction demonstrated by Mr. Lee and our pioneering airport leaders, which paved the way for Changi Airport’s growth over the past decades and beyond. We hope to inspire and educate the community through these lesser-told stories, which highlight the values that made Changi Airport possible and still guide how we run the airport today,” he added. 

Singapore – Global integrated fashion and beauty online marketplace SHEIN has announced a total commitment of $8.67m for the intended purpose of empowering communities and advancing opportunities for education in Singapore and beyond.

Through the commitment, SHEIN has signed four memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed with the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), SG Her Empowerment (SHE), and Access Singapore.

Around S$5m of that funding will go to UAS, where income from the endowment will be disbursed in the form of bursaries to help defray a portion of the tuition fees and living expenses of UAS students from lower-income households. Moreover, SHEIN is open to opportunities such as job attachments, mentorships and employment opportunities after graduation to these bursary recipients.

Meanwhile, S$2m of the funding will go towards Temasek Trust’s Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) initiative, which will fund projects related to PAA’s focus areas of holistic & inclusive education, and climate & nature.

In addition, S$1m of the funding will go to SUTD in support of its 42SG programme. The donation will be used to support the set-up and running of the programme, which supports digital upskilling for lifelong learners.

Lastly, the S$400k and S$275k will go towards Access Singapore and SG Her Empowerment respectively.

Leonard Lin, head of public affairs and general manager of Singapore at SHEIN, said, “SHEIN is deeply commited to empowering communities we reach. Through our investment in these organisations, we hope to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Singapore and beyond, thereby fostering a more inclusive global society.”

He added, “Aligned with our motto of making the beauty of fashion accessible to all, we hope that the donation strengthens the accessibility of opportunities to our beneficiaries.”

Singapore – Marketing and monetisation technologies provider InMobi has announced its strategic partnership with climate action programme Ad Net Zero to strengthen its commitment to developing more sustainable advertising practices. 

The partnership comes as InMobi recognises the growing importance of including sustainability in business decisions. 

The tech company’s resolute commitment to sustainability aligns with Ad Net Zero’s mission to revolutionise the advertising landscape through decarbonisation initiatives spanning ad production, distribution, and publication.

By joining forces, InMobi will align its future actions with Ad Net Zero’s five-step plan designed to minimise the carbon footprint of advertising. The organisation’s five-step plan highlights the need to reduce the carbon emissions coming from media and advertising production and operations. 

This partnership also builds on InMobi’s sustainability commitments to the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), Givsly, and AdTechCares. It recognises the significance of demonstrating sustainability efforts to both its existing clients and potential partners. 

Further highlighting their commitment to sustainable ad practices, the company is putting the spotlight on their InMobi Exchange. The platform is powered by Microsoft Azure, which boasts complete carbon neutrality.

The data gleaned from the Microsoft Azure Impact Emissions Dashboard showcases InMobi’s impressive emission reduction metrics, ranking them in the top fifth percentile compared to average server emission factors.

The server usage also demonstrated a remarkable 80–90% higher green efficiency compared to alternative on-premise solutions, even high-efficiency ones. And direct SDK integrations, when paired with machine learning, have driven emission reductions of up to 30%.

Kunal Nagpal, chief business officer at InMobi, said, “InMobi’s partnership with Ad Net Zero symbolises our dedication to ushering in a more sustainable era for the advertising industry.”

“We are proud to stand alongside fellow tech companies and agencies, united in the pursuit of a greener, more responsible future. By fully embracing Ad Net Zero’s comprehensive plan, we are steadfast in our commitment to minimising our environmental impact while advancing the power of advertising,” he continued.

Commenting on the partnership, Rishi Bedi, managing director at InMobi Asia Pacific, also said, “Our partnership with Ad Net Zero strengthens and accelerates InMobi’s commitment to creating a more sustainable advertising ecosystem.”

He added, “By embracing Ad Net Zero’s comprehensive five-step plan, InMobi will be able to further reduce carbon emissions, minimising our environmental impact while advancing the power of advertising across the globe.”

Meanwhile, John Osborn, director at Ad Net Zero U.S., said, “Ad Net Zero is thrilled to work with InMobi as they support more sustainable advertising solutions, contributing to our collective global impact. InMobi’s commitment is another significant step towards an eco-friendly future for the industry.”

Singapore – Asian gaming company Ampverse has announced the acquisition of Singapore-based gaming startup Championfy, which includes the startup’s .technology and IP assets. Said acquisition will help innovation within Ampverse Labs, cementing Ampverse’s position as a pioneering force in the realm of game-tech solutions for brands, fans, gamers and game publishers.

Some of the offerings that will be boosted include a proprietary gamification platform, an innovative reward system, and a robust gaming product marketplace.

Championfy, founded by Zad Ngor and Saurabh Sharma, industry veterans with previous roles at companies such as Google and Grab, had carved out a niche as a trailblazer in the gaming technology sphere.

Sascha Jochum, director of Web3 and Ampverse Labs at Ampverse, said, “The amalgamation of Ampverse and Championfy marks a pivotal moment in our journey. With Championfy’s impressive track record of collaborations with esteemed brands such as Razer and Samsung, we are poised to harness their technological prowess to fuel our mission of redefining game-tech solutions in the region.”

Meanwhile Zad Ngor commented, “We are thrilled to become an integral part of Ampverse, you can expect this collaboration to result in innovative products and services that will disrupt the gaming landscape. We share the same vision to connect brands with communities across Southeast Asia and India through immersive experiences and fostering meaningful connections.”

Ampverse Labs has been actively working on the development of new products, including a unique gaming product marketplace, an interactive quest tool, and a dynamic gamification solution. These innovations align seamlessly with Ampverse’s broader objective of leveraging first-party data through advanced technological tools and initiatives.