Tag: Southeast Asia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Maybank has announced a collaboration with TikTok Shop to launch a multi-market upskilling and digitalisation programme for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the ASEAN region. 

Said initiative marks the first partnership of its kind between a financial institution and TikTok Shop, aiming to empower SMEs with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to transition beyond traditional brick-and-mortar models and drive business growth in the digital landscape.

The ASEAN SME Upskilling & Digitalisation Programme will begin with a pilot phase in Malaysia, featuring three key components: a webinar, a workshop, and an accelerator programme. Entrepreneurs participating in the accelerator phase will receive six months of tailored mentoring and coaching from both TikTok Shop and Maybank, with personalised business targets to support their expansion. 

The initial cohort will place a special focus on women entrepreneurs, in line with Maybank’s ongoing HERpower initiative. Over the next year, the programme is expected to expand to select ASEAN markets, with customised approaches tailored to local business environments.

Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar, group CEO of community financial services at Maybank, said that this collaboration is a reflection of Maybank’s commitment to champion SMEs in line with its M25+ strategy of purpose driven banking and beyond banking social impact programmes. Participants in this programme will gain valuable first-hand experience in leveraging content-driven e-commerce, digitalisation solutions, and optimised account management techniques.

“We believe entrepreneurs have the potential to create sustainable and lasting ripple effects to the communities they serve. By providing a holistic, values-driven ecosystem of solutions beyond traditional banking services, we hope to support and future-proof businesses at every stage of growth to be their own agents of change. We also aspire to collaborate with industry leaders who share a similar vision, and together create a multiplier effect in uplifting entrepreneurs in the region,” Taufik Albar said.

Meanwhile, Steven Li, senior director of global e-commerce strategy at TikTok Shop, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration, commenting, “We are delighted to collaborate with Maybank to accelerate the growth of SMEs in Southeast Asia. It is a meaningful programme that showcases how collaborative industry efforts can drive real-life impact for small businesses in the region’s rapidly growing digital economy,” he said.

Lastly, Nur Azre Abdul Aziz, director of strategic partnerships at TikTok Shop Malaysia, stated, “We are thrilled to pilot this programme in Malaysia, which aims to empower women entrepreneurs with the resources and knowledge to thrive on TikTok Shop, in line with the nation’s effort to promote inclusive economic growth.”

India – Venturi Partners has announced the launch of its second fund, targeting $225 million with a hard cap of $250 million, to support high-growth consumer brands in India and Southeast Asia.

Building on its first fund, the new fund will continue Venturi’s strategy of investing in consumer brands that are reshaping their industries and developing products and services for the changing needs of Asian consumers.

Venturi aims for a first close of $130 million by June 2025, with backing from existing investors. The second fund will focus on high-growth sectors, including retail, education, healthcare, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), across India and Southeast Asia.

Nicholas Cator, founder of Venturi Partners, said, “Our investment philosophy remains unchanged: backing brands that create meaningful change and deliver innovative solutions to consumers. We take an active ownership approach with our portfolio companies, working closely with founders to help unlock growth and scale their businesses. With this second fund, we are excited to continue partnering with ambitious entrepreneurs across the region.”

In April 2022, Venturi raised $180 million from prominent families in Europe and Asia. Its first fund invested in seven high-growth consumer companies across education, F&B subscription, beauty and personal care, retail, and home interiors, including Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, Pickup Coffee, DALI, K-12 Techno, and JQR.

Venturi takes a hands-on approach, working closely with management teams to scale operations and drive long-term growth. Its experience in identifying and expanding consumer businesses has established it as a key investment partner for founders in India and Southeast Asia.

Singapore – Oracle has announced the launch of its AI centre of excellence in Singapore to help organisations keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI. The Oracle AI Centre of Excellence will serve as a resource and hub for innovation and collaboration, bringing together leaders at the forefront of AI to drive AI adoption and success across Southeast Asia.

Backed by Oracle’s team of experts and an extensive network of partners, the centre is designed to equip organisations with the tools and expertise needed to upskill teams, explore AI-driven solutions, and modernise critical business operations. 

Through specialised training programs and certifications offered by Oracle University and its ecosystem partners, organisations will have the opportunity to develop expertise in the latest cloud and AI technologies. This initiative aligns with Oracle’s pledge to train 10,000 students and professionals in Singapore by 2027.

The centre also serves as a hub for AI experimentation, allowing businesses to test early-stage AI innovations in a secure cloud environment powered by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. 

With applications spanning industries such as the public sector, healthcare, finance, and telecommunications, organisations can explore cutting-edge AI solutions, including autonomous AI, generative AI, machine learning, and AI-driven analytics. Additionally, the Centre provides a platform for organisations to develop proof-of-concept projects, enabling them to assess AI solutions before full-scale deployment.

By leveraging Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite, enterprises can rapidly integrate predictive, generative, and agent-based AI into essential business functions such as finance, HR, supply chain, sales, and customer service. These AI-driven enhancements aim to boost productivity, reduce operational costs, and improve both employee and customer experiences. With the launch of the AI Centre of Excellence, Oracle continues to strengthen its role in advancing digital innovation and AI adoption across Southeast Asia.

Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore, said, “To remain economically competitive, we need to build an agile and adaptable workforce that is equipped to leverage new technology effectively. The new Oracle AI Centre for Excellence is a good example of how businesses can take the lead in workforce transformation, empowering our workers to become future-ready.”

Meanwhile, Garrett Ilg, executive vice president of Oracle Japan & Asia Pacific, commented, “AI will fuel the next wave of opportunity and growth. The Oracle AI Centre of Excellence will empower individuals and organizations of all sizes across Southeast Asia with cutting-edge cloud and AI technologies, world-class training, and a dynamic environment for experimentation and innovation. It further strengthens our commitment to train thousands of students and professionals in Singapore and provide readily-available digital talent for the local workforce.”

Singapore – Singaporean bank POSB is promoting better financial habits in its latest campaign in collaboration with creative agency The Secret Little Agency.

The campaign builds on the bank’s efforts to advance financial wellness amongst Singaporean consumers.

At the heart of the campaign is a film exploring the theme of life, shown through the lens of death. Directed by Thanonchai Sornsriwichai, it follows the relationship of a mother and her son, their story reminding viewers to honour life with good financial habits.

The film also intends to break the concept of financial planning as intimidating as it focuses on relatable characters.

POSB’s campaign follows the release of the Ministry of Finance’s Singapore Budget 2025 in February, which aims to strengthen Singapore’s economic resilience while investing in its future growth. The statement, delivered by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, invited Singaporeans to reevaluate their money habits to manage their expenses well. 

A DBS study also prompted the campaign, which found that Gen Zs and millennials are falling behind in investing for their future.

“Through this film, we aim to broaden the concept of self-care to include prioritising our financial well-being. We have a responsibility not just to ourselves, but also to our loved ones, to plan our finances effectively and ensure a comfortable retirement. This is not a burden we want to place on those we care about. Neglecting our own financial wellness, even with the intention of caring for others, should not be seen as a selfless sacrifice. It is an important reminder that small, thoughtful steps can make a powerful impact, especially when it comes to managing money,” Lim Bee Bee, head of marketing at DBS Consumer Banking Group, said.

“The unavoidable truth is that financial planning is the most powerful act of care that impacts not only ourselves but our loved ones too. We were often told this as kids, yet in the hustle and bustle of life, we’ve forgotten that the simple act of building good money habits goes a long way for our future,” Nicholas Ye and Mavis Neo, co-chief creative officers at The Secret Little Agency, commented.

“We saw a need to shift our focus back to create a nationwide movement centred around good financial habits that will serve us not only today but for the rest of our lives,” they added.

India – Landor has strengthened its Asia-Pacific leadership team with the appointment of Geet Nazir as managing director for India and Joël Céré as managing director for Southeast Asia, reinforcing its commitment to brand transformation and regional growth.

Based in Mumbai, Nazir has a strong track record of working with brands such as Zydus Lifesciences Limited, Tyger Capital (formerly Adani Capital), PayU, Reliance Jewels, Usha Martin, Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Tata CLiQ.

Before joining Landor, Nazir was the managing director at Conran Design Mumbai under Havas, where she led a team focused on developing design-led brand solutions. Since February 2021, she has worked with clients to navigate the complexities of the Indian market, drawing on Conran’s global design expertise.

Commenting on his appointment, Nazir said, “With an abundance of choices, Indian consumers today are increasingly drawn to brands they trust—ones that resonate with their values and aspirations. I’m thrilled to join Landor at this pivotal moment, where our purpose-driven, customer-centric approach to design and branding fosters progressive brands that not only empower our clients’ business but also create a positive impact on their customers and society as a whole.

Based in Singapore, Céré has co-founded an open-innovation agency and a boutique consulting firm in technology, alongside mentoring start-ups. He has worked with major brands including Unilever, P&G, Mondelēz, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Abbott, AstraZeneca, DBS, Kirin, Sennheiser, Electra, Intel, and City Energy across Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Céré has held key roles in various agencies, including managing global accounts at Aegis, shifting a global crowdsourcing platform from content to innovation, leading Hill & Knowlton’s digital practice across EMEA, and overseeing innovation and strategy at Grey, Bates, and Kantar.

“More than ever, Southeast Asian consumers need strong brands to navigate today’s uncertainty. With its unrivalled mix of creativity, data, and strategy, I’m excited to join Landor at this critical time to help businesses unlock their brands’ potential to drive short-term growth and build long-term value,” Céré commented.

Starting in March 2025, the new appointments are set to enhance Landor’s consulting, design, and experience capabilities across the region.

Christian Schroeder, global president of Landor, shared, “APAC is a critical growth market for Landor, and we are committed to investing in the best talent to serve our clients in the region. The addition of Joël and Geet to our leadership team underscores this commitment. Their extensive experience and proven leadership will be invaluable as we continue to help brands in APAC navigate the evolving market landscape and achieve their business objectives.”

Lulu Raghavan, APAC president of Landor, added, “I am thrilled to welcome Joël and Geet to Landor. Their diverse backgrounds and impressive track records will be instrumental in driving our growth and innovation in APAC. I am particularly excited about partnering closely with them as we focus on expanding our presence and delivering exceptional results for our clients in Southeast Asia and India.”

Singapore – Entertainment company Sanrio is defending its intellectual property (IP) rights in its new campaign across Southeast Asia, a crucial market for the company. The creator of Hello Kitty and other iconic characters is fighting against the sale of counterfeit goods through the multi-market campaign launch.

The ‘Sanrio Values Authenticity’ campaign begins its rollout in Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. It aims to inform consumers about the dangers of fake products while guarding its IP and fostering consumer trust.

The campaign’s core message is rooted in Sanrio’s philosophy of ‘Minna Nakayoku,’ which translates to ‘Getting Along Together.’ It also reflects its vision of ‘One World, Connecting Smiles’ as IP protection will help the brand continue to serve customers in the future.

Sanrio’s strategy includes out-of-home (OOH) and digital advertising across all three markets. This includes placements in Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport, Bangkok’s centralwOrld, and Jakarta’s Dukuh Atas Transport Hub.

It also features collaborations with content creators like Ang Chiew Ting, Fauzi Aziz, and Leah Shannon in Singapore. Phavida Chiddaycha, Ajummabakorea, and Birdie Parva from Thailand will also be featured. In Indonesia, Sanrio is tapping Sunny Dahye, Andre Hendarto, and Meissie.

Beyond the public awareness campaign, Sanrio is also working with local authorities to strengthen IP enforcement.

Sanrio is also extending its IP protection efforts to China, with initiatives like an online forum and campaigns on news apps and social media.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – IPG Mediabrands’ media agency Universal McCann (UM) has launched ‘BrandSync360’, a proprietary brand performance tracker designed to address the evolving needs of modern marketing.

With ‘BrandSync360’, the platform empowers brands with the tools to monitor, measure, and optimise their communication activities with unprecedented precision and clarity, bridging the gap left by traditional brand health trackers that struggle to keep pace with today’s dynamic marketing landscape.

Sue-Anne Lim, chief executive officer at Universal McCann Malaysia said, “In a world where consumer behaviour is constantly evolving, brands need tools that can keep pace, with real-time insights for them to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. Traditional brand health trackers often fall short, lacking the agility and comprehensive data needed to effectively guide strategic planning and campaign optimisation.”

She added, “BrandSync360 fills this critical gap, providing a continuous stream of actionable data that enables brands to understand brand health in real-time, to gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of what impacts brand perception and resonance. This allows for precise optimisation of marketing spend, maximising ROI and achieving better campaign outcomes.”

‘BrandSync360’ also offers continuous, near real-time brand performance tracking for immediate campaign monitoring and adjustments, providing monthly reporting with expanded audience segmentation and behavioural insights for a holistic view of brand performance. Near real-time dashboards provide easy access to critical data, empowering quick decision-making. The robust data provided serves as a solid base for future advanced analytics, enabling deeper investment insights.

Sue-Anne adds, “BrandSync360 is the first step to enhanced strategic planning. A strong foundation of data can be handy for predictive analytics to inform future marketing strategies and investments, improving communication efficiency by streamlining processes and achieving better results through data-informed adjustments.”

“This is more than just a tracking tool; it’s a strategic partner for brands striving for data-driven excellence. By providing continuous, comprehensive, and actionable insights, we can empower brands to not only understand their current performance but also proactively shape their future success,” she concluded

BrandSync360 launches with a client event and demonstration on 25 March this year.

Singapore –  Creative agency We Are Social has appointed Naiyen Wang as its managing director for Southeast Asia (SEA). 

Prior to the appointment, Wang led as We Are Social’s managing director for Singapore for a year. Expanding her focus, Wang will oversee the agency’s operations and lead its strategies in SEA. 

Wang first joined the agency in 2022 as head of account management. She has also held leadership roles as regional business director for DDB and MullenLowe Group.

Recently, We Are Social announced the appointment of Toby Southgate as its global group chief executive officer.

In February, We Are Social teamed up with Meltwater for a report, which found a 4.3% increase in the number of social media platforms that Singaporeans use monthly compared to last year.

The agency also recently secured global fashion brand H&M’s creator strategy remit in Asia, adding the brand to its roster of clients.

Singapore – HSBC Singapore has unveiled an exclusive international lifestyle and entertainment platform designed to elevate the experiences of its Premier Mastercard cardholders. 

The platform offers entertainment experiences in Southeast Asia (SEA) and the United Kingdom (UK), catering to the lifestyle needs of Premier customers.

The launch enhances HSBC’s Premier offering for its affluent customers, providing tailored experiences that meet their health and wealth needs. 

Leveraging Mastercard’s partnership with entertainment company Live Nation, HSBC Premier Mastercard holders can enjoy various benefits, including priority access to concerts and shows in SEA and the UK. They can also enter select shows in the UK and meet international artists with a VIP experience.

The platform’s debut will feature comedian Russell Peters as its first exclusive offering. Peters is bringing his ‘Relax World Tour’ to The Star Theatre on April 11, 2025. 

Additionally, HSBC Premier Mastercard cardholders will gain access to presales for highly anticipated events, such as Lady Gaga and BABYMONSTER’s Singapore shows.

“We are committed to delivering delightful experiences for our customers that go beyond traditional banking services, opening up a world of opportunities for them. The growing appetite for premium entertainment experiences is clear, with our Premier Mastercard customers showing increased interest and spend in international entertainment,” Ashmita Acharya, head of international wealth and premier banking in Singapore, said.

“Tapping our strong international connectivity, we are excited to build up our suite of international lifestyle privileges and curated experiences for our customers, from dining to travel and entertainment, to complement their globetrotting lifestyles as they seek out unique experiences,” Acharya added.

Julie Nestor, executive vice president of marketing and communications in Asia Pacific at Mastercard, commented, “People today are focusing their attention and precious resources on what makes them feel good — their passions. In Singapore, music ranks among consumers’ top five passions, with most (69%) music lovers wishing that brands did more to acknowledge and incentivise them for indulging in their passion with perks like credit card rewards, immersive live music experiences, and access to pre-sale tickets.”

“To give the people what they want, Mastercard is delighted to partner with HSBC Singapore to offer cardholders exclusive access to incredible entertainment, music experiences and benefits, all in one place, through priceless.com/HSBCSG,” Nestor added.

Singapore – E-commerce platform ZALORA is blending style into modest wear in its ‘ZALORAYA 2025’ campaign. The new campaign is redefining modest wear in the midst of Ramadan, weaving modernity with tradition.

‘ZALORAYA 2025’ builds on the Ramadan tradition of donning festive attire for family gatherings.

Through a short film, ZALORA captures a stylish family wearing its curated collection, turning heads within their neighbourhood. The feature film incorporates humour through characters like a social media sensation grandma and a dad father clad in a contemporary biker look.

Employing an omnichannel strategy, ZALORA moves beyond the digital space to physical pop-up events in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

ZALORA’s first-ever physical store will be set up in Kuala Lumpur, where a kampung-inspired fashion show will also be held. Its event in Indonesia will feature homegrown brands, tapping into the market’s national pride. Meanwhile, it will conduct a styling session in Singapore.

As ZALORA champions innovation, it is bringing back designer Syomirizwa Gupta with ‘Lé Chic Raya’ collection, fusing French and Malay heritage.

While promoting inclusivity, ZALORA is introducing plus-size clothes for men under ZALIA Basics. It also introduced an outfit series designed specifically for coordination between cats and cat lovers, called the Lubna Meow Series.

ZALORA’s new collections continue to promote sustainability using eco-friendly and timeless materials, ensuring that festive garments can maintain their wearability even outside of the Ramadan season.

“Fashion is about confidence, joy, and inclusivity. ZALORAYA 2025 celebrates this core cultural experience by offering stylish, accessible options for every family member,” Neha Bhasin, regional brand communications director at ZALORA, said.