Tag: Smart

Philippines – Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. under PLDT Inc. has collaborated with computer software company Adobe and software and services provider Amdocs to elevate its customer experiences.

The partnership aims to provide data-driven and customer-centric offerings to Smart’s subscribers in the Philippines.

The collaboration allows Smart to leverage the Adobe Experience Platform (AEP) for customer insights and other services. Amdocs will be delivering the platform to Smart.

AEP is set to help Smart integrate customer data in real-time from different channels to gain insights into their needs. 

AEP powers enterprise applications such as Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Platform and Adobe Journey Optimizer, which Smart can use to provide personalised customer experiences through the partnership.

Adobe’s applications are also equipped with generative AI, enabling Smart to identify customer patterns, boost productivity, and make its marketing campaigns more impactful.

“Our collaboration with Adobe and Amdocs is a significant milestone in our digital revolution roadmap to deliver amazing experiences to our customers. By leveraging industry-leading Adobe Experience Platform and Amdocs’ advanced technologies and methodologies, Smart is uniquely positioned to engage with our subscribers and serve them effectively and efficiently than ever before,” Anastacio Martirez, Smart’s chief operating officer, said.

“This world-class innovation empowers Smart to be more agile and responsive to the needs of our subscribers anytime, anywhere, strengthening our commitment to customer obsession. Put simply, our new customer experience platform is simply amazing,” Martirez added.

“Today, Adobe Experience Platform is the solution of choice for some of the world’s biggest businesses, as they look to build a single view of customers and seamlessly engage with them across channels. Smart is leading the way in redefining customer experiences in the Philippine telecom industry, and we are thrilled to be a strategic partner in their incredible digital transformation journey,” Shashank Sharma, senior director of Adobe Digital Experience in Korea and Southeast Asia, said.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Smart and Adobe in delivering these new capabilities so Smart can make it amazing each day for their end users,” Anthony Goonetilleke, group president of technology and head of strategy at Amdocs, commented.

Manila, Philippines – Local telecommunications company PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications recently partnered with the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA) to roll out a digital upskilling learning session for Filipino cooperatives (coops), MSMEs, and local entrepreneurs.

Under their digital upskilling-to-e-commerce program dubbed ‘eBiznovation’, PLDT, Smart, and PPSA provide local entrepreneurs, including those in the agriculture and fishery sector, with the right digital tools to help them grow their businesses online.

During the session, participating coops and MSMEs learned about effective strategies for boosting online presence, creating engaging content, and capturing an online market and turning them into loyal customers using basic social media platforms.

Apart from digital upskilling, PLDT and Smart also offer fundamental cybersecurity learning sessions for coops and MSMEs to ensure a safe and secure online business environment for all.

As part of these efforts, the group also recently supported the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and conducted a learning session among Laguna-based MSMEs on how to protect themselves and their businesses against fraud both offline and online.

Talking about these initiatives, Stephanie Orlino, AVP and head of stakeholder management team at PLDT and Smart, said, “In this rapidly evolving digital world, learning the fundamentals of digital marketing unlocks plenty of livelihood opportunities. Through eBiznovation, we aim to assist small-and medium-scale local enterprises in navigating the digital space efficiently and safely, and eventually help them boost their income.”

Meanwhile, Ma. Angela Primitiva Bautista, country director of PPSA, commented, “PPSA collaborates with a network of different stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to attain inclusive and sustainable agriculture in the Philippines. Through this particular initiative with PLDT and Smart, we aim to accelerate the adoption of digital innovations and ICT solutions and interventions across the agri-fisheries sector.”

Manila, Philippines – In pursuit of growing their businesses online, internet and digital service providers PLDT and Smart have announced the expansion of their digital upskilling to e-commerce program. 

Called eBiznovation initiative, the program supports the businesses of local entrepreneurs, cooperatives and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the country to advance the digitalization of their market and motivate prospective partners to expand their reach. 

In this innovation, the two have leveraged the use of Tiktok shop in connecting them online. This collaboration then enabled further partnerships in local bazaars allowing direct access to revenue opportunities simply by engaging them with the digital shop. 

Talking about the expansion project, Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and head of stakeholder management at PLDT and Smart, said, “At PLDT and Smart, we believe that collaboration is key to advancing the goals of eBiznovation and achieving them more efficiently.”

“By working with like-minded partners from various industries, we are able to boost our efforts to digitally upskill and assist local enterprises, helping them to increase productivity and income through digital technology,” she added. 

Apart from this, leaders and experts from the technology industry also express their insights following the essential role of small-to medium-scale local enterprises and their contribution towards the country’s economic growth at the recent Philippine Digital Convention 2023.

Euan Rex Toralballa, customer relationship management head at Luzon’s PLDT Enterprise also said “Our clients and partners have so far done an amazing job in driving the evolving digital landscape of the MSMEs. During this gathering at Digicon, PLDT Enterprise recognizes and celebrates MSMEs as the life force of our country.” 

On the other hand, Toff Rada, head of public policy at TikTok Philippines said, “TikTok Shop connects Filipino MSMEs with the wider TikTok community, allowing them to reach a broader market and expand from offline to online.”

“Through PLDT and Smart’s eBiznovation Buy Local Bazaar on TikTok Shop and in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, we have enabled Filipino farmers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to gain direct access to consumers and expand their revenue opportunities by onboarding them onto TikTok Shop. We are committed to building the digital capacity of Filipino MSMEs and enabling them to grow and expand their business,” he ended.

Manila, Philippines – PH telco PLDT has launched ‘GoCamNorte’, an official tourism application for the country’s province Camarines Norte, during the annual Bantayog Festival and the province’s celebration of its 102nd founding anniversary. Developed in collaboration with telco Smart and media company InnoPub Media, the new ‘GoCamNorte’ app aims to boost the number of visitors in the Bicol region’s northernmost province as travel restrictions are gradually lifted. 

With the new app, tourists and locals will be able to learn more about Camarines Norte’s best destinations and heritage sites even before they visit the province using mobile technology. It also has interactive markers that provide contactless delivery of information through QR codes.

Moreover, the new app also links visitors to important government hotlines and accredited tour operators, resorts, and accommodations. This gives tourists the assurance that the businesses they patronise have undergone the necessary training so they can offer a safe and memorable experience.

Stephanie Orlino, Smart’s assistant vice president and head of community relations, said, “Smart continues to empower the communities we serve through our technology-enabled programs. Now that we are slowly opening our doors to visitors, our digital tourism application can help provinces like Camarines Norte share and promote the many wonderful sites to visit, as well as travel guidelines for tourists.”

Meanwhile, Mariano “Bong” Palma, the provincial tourism officer of Camarines Norte, noted, “This digital innovation gives the public easy access to necessary information about the province. The platform also allows us to push messages quickly for updates.”

Max Limpag, InnoPub Media’s co-founder, said, “With the use of smartphones, we can enable safe and contactless delivery of tourism, cultural and historical information, right in the hands of travellers, enhancing their overall experience.”

The ‘GoCamNorte’ app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store or from the Apple App Store.

Manila, Philippines – The Philippine-based telco giant Smart has partnered anew with event and tournament organiser Eplayment Entertainment for the fifth season of Liga Adarna, the country’s all-female esports league.

The event has already kicked off last 19 April and will be running until 30 June 2022, with the theme ‘Ikaw Ang Bida’, which in English translates to ‘You are the star’. It will be showcasing once again the skills and strategic gameplays of the country’s top female esports players in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), and for the first time this season, Liga Adarna has also added PlayerUnknown’s Battleground (PUBG) in its tournament.

Avid gamers and enthusiasts can watch the games live on the Facebook pages of Liga Adarna, Smart, and SMART Sports.

“The latest season of Liga Adarna is in line with Smart’s long-standing support for the Philippine esports to cultivate the passion, skill, and talent of Filipina gamers,” the telco said.

In March 2022, Smart has also celebrated the launch of its Smart GIGA Arena, an online arcade and esports tournament platform, by hosting an exhibition match last 9 March 2022, which features some of the best Filipino esports players and content creators of MLBB.

Manila, Philippines – To celebrate the launch of Smart GIGA Arena, an online arcade and esports tournament platform, the Philippine-based telco hosted an exhibition match last 9 March 2022, which features some of the best Filipino esports players and content creators of mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML).

During the exhibition match, the pro esports team Smart Omega took on the Smart Dream Team, which was led by cosplayer and gamer Alodia Gosiengfiao, as well as included streamers and content creators Dexie Diaz, Ghostwrecker, Nix, and Pabbie Gaming.

After tying the match at one game apiece, the pros followed that up by proving their mettle and professional pedigree in the third game. It was a competitive bout that lasted almost 20 minutes, and Omega took it to the Dream Team’s base again.

On top of the amazingly competitive three games between Smart Omega and the Dream Team, some lucky viewers of the stream also came away with special Mobile Legends skins just by watching and registering to Smart GIGA Arena.

The telco said, “Smart subscribers who are also gamers and esports enthusiasts can enjoy the same kind of intense and exciting Mobile Legends action, as well as more of their favourite mobile games, on Smart’s GIGA Arena platform.”

On Smart GIGA Arena, subscribers can link up with their friends and play in tournaments to rank up and win cash prizes. They can also play arcade games, buy diamonds and other in-game currency, and watch footage and streams of events on the platform.

Manila, Philippines – Philippine telco Smart Communications (Smart) has partnered anew with event and tournament organizer Eplayment Entertainment, to launch the third season of Liga Adarna, the country’s biggest all-female esports league.

The Liga Adarna Season 3 has already kicked off last 8 April and will be running until 7 June 2021, with the theme ‘Women Rising’. The event aims to showcase the prowess of the country’s top female esports players in four different games, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Valorant, and Call of Duty: Mobile, as well as League of Legends: Wild Rift. 

Furthermore, the event is also in line with Smart’s long standing support for the fast-growing Philippine esports scene to cultivate the passion, skill, and talent of Filipino gamers. The winners of Liga Adarna Season 3 will enjoy a total prize pool of ₱215K.

The Liga Adarna will stream the matches live on its Facebook page.

Last 24 November 2020 to 17 January 2021, the second season of Liga Adarna was launched. Smart and Eplayment Entertainment have partnered with non-governmental organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in the Philippines for the season’s ‘Now Loading: Gamers for Nature’ campaign, which aims to raise funds for the organization’s environmental education initiatives.

Most recently, the telco has also partnered with game developer Moonton for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Season 7, which is the largest mobile esports league in the Philippines. The event has seen 10 of the country’s top Mobile Legends esports teams compete.

Manila, Philippines – Philippine telecom Smart Communications (Smart) has partnered with famous Gen Z personalities to promote its new data package, the new Double GIGA promo. The new data offering, which doubles the amount of existing data packages of Smart, is positioned as a helpful service to enable the youth to enjoy more of the things they are passionate about, hence, the spot ‘Smart Barkada’. 

Barkada is a Filipino term for your ‘group of friends’, and part of the ‘Smart Barkada’ is actor and songwriter Iñigo Pascual, actor and host Donny Pangilinan, dancer AC Bonifacio, and vlogger and youth advocate Hannah Pangilinan, as well as singer-songwriter Jayda Avanzado, and rapper Michael Pacquiao.

The group of artists partnered by Smart is known to be passionate about their craft. Through the ambassadors, Smart aims to encourage Filipino youth to make the most of its new data promo to embody the same passion and to confidently engage in the things they love.

With Double GIGA, Smart Prepaid subscribers are now able to enjoy twice the data for ‘passion apps’ to get more from their favorite offers. For example, one of its existing packages has been expanded to now be ‘Double GIGA Video 99’ delivering anew 2 GB per day for streaming on YouTube, Cignal Play, iWantTFC, and NBA League Pass – plus 2 GB open access data for ₱99 valid for seven days.

“Knowing that the journey to be better at something never stops, the Smart Barkada aims to help their fellow youth to be better at what they love to do through inspiring and hopeful stories – whether it’s about being a better friend, daughter or son, inspiring others to uplift their spirits, refocusing their energy on new passions, or just simply continuing to do things that make them feel healthy and happy,” said the company in a press statement. 

Meanwhile, students and professionals can be more productive and achieve more with an expanded Double GIGA Study and Double GIGA Work data packages, while for gamers, they can enjoy more game time with Double GIGA Games.

Prepaid subscribers can register to Double GIGA offers via the GigaLife App, or by dialing *123#. The promos are available to all Smart Prepaid, Smart Bro, and TNT subscribers.

Manila, Philippines – Philippine telecommunications company Smart Communications (Smart) has partnered anew with Moonton, a Chinese video game developer and publisher, to be its official telco associate for the upcoming season of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL), which is the largest mobile esports league in the Philippines.

The MPL Season 7 will see 10 of the country’s top Mobile Legends esports teams compete, namely Aura PH, Onic PH, and Cignal Ultra, as well as Smart Omega Esports, and the defending champion Bren Esports, among others.

The teams will battle in a round-robin format for a chance to win the coveted championship title and a US$120K cash prize.

The telco company will stream the matches live on its Facebook page. Smart subscribers and esports fans are encouraged to watch the live stream for a chance to win exciting prizes, as well as receive exclusive updates, and freebies throughout the season.

Smart has previously partnered with Moonton, where the telco hosted events and gaming treats for Mobile Legends fans in 2017. Earlier this year, Smart has also supported Moonton’s M2 World Championship, where Filipino team Bren Esports won the top prize.

Manila, Philippines – Local telco giant Smart is hosting a year-ender concert titled RESET 2021, a welcome to the incoming year through original Filipino music (OPM) from some of the country’s well-known OPM personalities.

RESET 2021 will be graced by performances from artists Bamboo, The Itchyworms, Unique Salonga, as well as R&B artist Kiana Valenciano, alternative rock band She’s Only Sixteen, and disc jockeys Ace Ramos and MC Pao Avila.

The year-ender concert is a prelude to the telco’s ‘GigaFest’, a whole season of celebration featuring world-class entertainment, esports tournaments, digital innovations, promos, and freebies to give back to all loyal and new Smart subscribers all over the country, including their latest raffle promo GIGAMANIA that gives Smart users a chance to win smartphones, free data and P1M cash during the weekly draws.

“After a most challenging year, we are one with our nation in hoping for a brighter and better 2021. This is the time to find our footing once again, rise together, and #OWN2021 with a sense of renewed purpose,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and head of consumer wireless business at Smart. 

Prior to this virtual concert, Smart has hosted several online concerts, including Dua Lipa and her “Studio 2054” last November, and the 2020 Mnet ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS (2020 MAMA) earlier in the month.

RESET 2021 will be streamed live on Smart’s YouTube channel on December 31, and will be available for simulcast on local channels TV5 and Cignal on the same date at 10:40 pm.