Tag: Southeast Asia

Singapore – Creative agency GOVT Singapore has announced new key appointments to drive growth to its senior management team.

GOVT Singapore has named Phang Mei Jeng as its managing director, Kevin Poh as executive creative director (ECD) and Khoo Kai Qi as client services director.

Phang joins the agency from Ensemble Worldwide/Mediabrands Content Studio in Malaysia, where she spent 7 years in the company until she rose to the position of managing director. She has also served as BBDO Proximity China’s business director, working with brands such as PETRONAS, Pizza Hut, Visa, OPPO, Ford, Gillette, Braun, and Toyota.

Phang takes over from former managing director Alvina Seah, who remains as GOVT group of companies’ partner.

Meanwhile, Poh was promoted from his previous role as group creative director, having spent 7 years with GOVT. Poh has worked with brands such as Sentosa, Julie’s Biscuits, Puma, and Asahi.

Poh steps into the ECD role following Tim Chan’s appointment as chief operating officer in The Betterment Group, the agency’s parent company.

Khoo, on the other hand, has gained over 13 years of experience in agencies such as Publicis, JWT, Tribal DDB Worldwide, and Moon Rabbit Singapore.

“Change is the only constant in life, and even more so in our industry. Our move to bring in new blood and elevate stalwarts like Kevin to bigger leadership positions is all about keeping the agency’s energy fresh and dynamic. At the same time, it allows the Co-Founders to spend time pursuing new opportunities for the Group and its agencies. And there’ll be more exciting ventures in the pipeline we’ll share in the coming months,” Leon Lai, CEO of The Betterment Group, said.

Manila, Philippines – The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a global development institution and member of the World Bank Group, has announced its investment of up to $130 million to Asialink Finance Corporation. The move aims to boost lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, advancing financial inclusion.

The investment, directed towards small business financing, is set to prioritise women-owned or led MSMEs with 60% of loan proceeds specifically designated for the sector.

With the funding, Asialink strengthens its strategy towards financial inclusion, serving MSMEs and individuals without access to bank financing.

Additionally, IFC will help Asialink implement a framework for environmental and social management system and finance principles aligned with international standards.

“We hope to demonstrate the viability of lending to this sector and encourage other players to develop solutions that cater to MSMEs,” Jane Yuan Xu, acting country manager for IFC Philippines, said.

“Because ultimately, we are not just funding companies, we are creating jobs at the grassroots level. Every loan to an MSME can mean five, ten or twenty new jobs in local communities. And that’s what drives an economy forward,” Xu added.

“We are very grateful for IFC’s support, which will allow us to expand our lending to more MSMEs, particularly in underserved regions of the country and those that have historically been excluded from the formal financial sector,” Robert B. Jordan Jr., chief executive officer of Asialink Finance Corporation Group of Companies, commented.

“MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy, but in many parts of the country it’s still a huge struggle to access the financing they need to grow and thrive. With this investment, we will help change that,” Jordan added.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – CIMB has announced a reorganisation of its senior leadership team, with Effendy Shahul Hamid, most recently the CEO of group consumer and digital banking, stepping down to pursue other interests. 

Effendy has however agreed to remain as an advisor to the group CEO until the end of June 2025, in order to facilitate a smooth and orderly leadership transition.

“Effendy is a highly respected banker and we are sad to see him go. The Board and Management wish him the best, and we appreciate his loyalty and commitment to the group over the last 20 years.” said Novan Amirudin, group chief executive officer at CIMB Group.

Effendy has spent the last 20 years at CIMB, leading numerous business units at the banking Group. Beginning his CIMB career in investment banking, Effendy then took on leadership positions that saw him building out the marketing and communications discipline at CIMB, reorganising its proprietary investments and asset management practices, turning around its commercial bank, building its digital business portfolio and to most recently, running its key customer franchise, the consumer bank. 

He is also credited with driving the nation’s cashless agenda, conceptualising and executing the Touch n’ Go eWallet joint venture between CIMB’s subsidiary, Touch n’ Go and China’s Ant Group.

Meanwhile, Haniz Nazlan, who joined CIMB in 2021 as group chief strategy officer, has been appointed CEO of group consumer banking. Haniz has played a key role in driving major initiatives, including the Forward 23+ Strategic Plan, the transformation of CIMB Cambodia, and the Group’s re-entry into the securities business. With over 18 years of experience in corporate strategy and asset management, Haniz brings expertise from leadership roles at Permodalan Nasional Berhad and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera.

Gurdip Singh Sidhu will take charge of CIMB’s digital businesses, including Touch ‘n Go, CIMB Philippines, and CIMB Vietnam, alongside his responsibilities as CEO of CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Berhad. With 18 years of experience at CIMB, Gurdip will focus on enhancing operating resiliency, innovation, and strategic growth across the Group’s digital assets.

Khairul Rifaie will expand his responsibilities to include group chief strategy officer, in addition to his current role as group chief financial officer. As group chief financial & strategy officer, Khairul will lead the development of CIMB’s strategic roadmap, balancing growth opportunities and operational efficiency. His career spans roles at KPMG London, Goldman Sachs, and UBS Malaysia before joining CIMB Group.

Victor Lee Meng Teck has been named CEO of growth markets, overseeing CIMB Singapore and CIMB Cambodia. Victor’s leadership in CIMB Singapore has been marked by a successful turnaround through strategic restructuring and cultural transformation. With over 25 years of banking experience, he is well-equipped to drive growth in key markets.

CIMB also announced the appointment of Ros Aziah Mohd Yusoff, currently the group chief technology officer, to the CIMB Group Executive Committee, and the re-designation of Animesh Mukherjee from group chief human resources officer to group chief people officer, reporting directly to the group CEO.

“The new organisation structure reflects CIMB’s purpose, strengthens our leadership bench, and consolidates related roles to enhance synergies across the Group. It is designed to enable greater focus and accountability as we advance the Group’s strategic priorities into the next strategy cycle while ensuring operational resiliency,” Novan said.

Vietnam – Apple has revealed its second ‘Shot on iPhone’ campaign with a new music video celebrating Tết, the Vietnamese New Year.

‘Save the Music,’ was done in collaboration with TBWA\ Media Arts Lab Southeast Asia, featuring Vietnam-based artist Wren Evans. 

The music video was directed by C Prinz through the production company Smuggler. Meanwhile, Heckler Singapore worked on its post-production. C Prinz also collaborated with Vietnam’s BƯỚC NHẢY dance crew and choreographer, Tyrik Patterson, to ensure that the sequences appear cinematic for all social media platforms.

Highlighting the capabilities of iPhone 16 Pro, the music video was shot entirely using the phone’s camera, showcasing its slow motion, zoom, and stabilizing features.

Centered on Evans’ love for music, the video also highlights Vietnam’s culture of creativity to inspire others to take on a distinct artistic direction.

The music video, launched ahead of Tết celebrations across social media channels, aims to inspire others to dance and capture their experiences using the camera.

Singapore – Superapp Grab has forged a partnership with high-tech enterprise BYD to provide its driver-partners in Southeast Asia (SEA) with more access to electric vehicles (EVs).

Through the partnership, Grab and BYD aim to make EVs accessible to driver-partners in SEA, offering competitive rates and battery warranties. Drivers can opt to rent the vehicle or seek financing support from Grab’s car ownership schemes.

With the availability of green vehicles, the companies strengthen their sustainability efforts to advance zero-emission modes of transportation.

The option for an ‘eco-friendly ride’ in the Grab app is available in some countries, including Singapore and Thailand. This allows Grab to prioritise allocating EVs to users without any additional charge.

Additionally, BYD and Grab will collaborate to ensure deep technology integration between the vehicles and the platform. This includes the installation of the Grab driver application in BYD vehicles, allowing efficiency for drivers to view their jobs, navigation, and messages on a large screen. The EV’s sensor and data will also be integrated into Grab’s platform to track driving patterns and behaviours.

The data from the EVs, including wiper signals and speed, provides Grab with the necessary information about weather and traffic, allowing it to predict passenger demand and improve the accuracy of each ride’s estimated time of arrival.

The regional partnership covers Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, said, “We are excited to partner with Grab as the leading on-demand transport provider in Southeast Asia and push forward the transition to electric vehicles in the region. BYD, as the world’s leading new energy vehicle manufacturer, will best integrate our technology with Grab’s, and we look forward to working with them to deliver a unique and unparalleled experience for their drivers and users. We continue to be dedicated to our goal of building a zero-emission ecosystem and we are committed to supporting Grab’s fleet and driver-partners. Through this collaboration, we are working together with Grab to realize the vision of cooling the earth by one degree.”

Chuck Kim, managing director of group business development at Grab, said, “Sustainable growth in Southeast Asia is a priority for us and we are always looking to improve our offerings to both our driver-partners and Grab users. This collaboration enables us to drive the transition to EVs forward by lowering the financial barriers that are often associated with EVs, and in the long run deliver economic benefits to our driver-partners which may include fuel cost savings. We are confident that a reliable partner like BYD who are committed to delivering high quality vehicles and services allows us to showcase the benefits of EVs and make green transportation an accessible option to everyone.”

Singapore – Changi Airport has refreshed its ‘Changi Millionaire Experiences’ campaign to offer its shoppers a chance to win luxury travel experiences.

The campaign, which quarterly draws winners, provides the chance for participants to visit a destination with a companion, allowing them to choose from five locations.

Besides the travel, the winners will also be treated to gourmet dining, cultural immersions, and other luxury activities. The winning packages include suite-class flights, accommodations, private tours, and personal concierge services.

Participants can choose to travel to the beach in the Bahamas, safari in South Africa, experience the snow in Finland, embark on a couture tour in Paris, or take a retreat in Kyoto.

Additionally, eligible participants will also enter the grand draw at the end of the year, gaining the chance to win a Porche Taycan. This applies to shoppers with a minimum spend of $50 on a single receipt. Shoppers who use iShopChangi or Changi Pay can double their winning chances, while members of Monarch can get four times the chance to win the grand draw.

As part of the campaign, eligible participants can also purchase an item from Changi Editions, its new collectible series designed in collaboration with Triologie. The items are inspired by Changi and the act of travelling, reflecting Singaporean stories. 

Additional items in the collection are set to be released in March.

Chandra Mahtani, senior vice president for Airside Concessions at Changi Airport Group, said, “We are constantly exploring new ways to surprise and delight our customers, and this year’s revamped ‘Changi Millionaire Experiences’ campaign reflects Changi’s commitment to stay on top of the latest trends in retail-tainment. As consumers increasingly seek personalised experiences, we have infused the signature Changi touch into a curated selection of luxury travel packages. With five premium options tailored to diverse traveller profiles, shoppers can look forward to even more chances to create unforgettable memories, simply by shopping at Changi.”

Manila, Philippines – The Jollibee Group, a multinational company operating fast food restaurants, has opened the first Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines, also the Singapore bakery’s first international branch.

The new Tiong Bahru Bakery branch is located at the Verve Residences Tower 2 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, and is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The bakery is known for its handmade pastries which use French ingredients, specifically for its croissant, Pain Au Chocolat, and Kouign Amann among others. It also offers coffee, sustainably sourced from Common Man Coffee Roasters.

Besides using French ingredients, Tiong Bahru Bakery also honours traditional techniques in its creation of pastries.

Jollibee Group unveiled its plans to bring Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Rosters in the Philippines last year through a joint venture with Food Collective, Pte. Ltd.

“Introducing Tiong Bahru Bakery to the Philippine market aligns with our commitment to providing Filipinos with exciting, world-class dining experiences,” Ernesto Tanmantiong, global president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Jollibee Group, said.

“This marks the first international branch of Tiong Bahru Bakery, and we are proud to open it here in the Philippines. We deeply appreciate the support of our exceptional partners—Titan Dining, Ayala Malls, and Bonifacio Global City—who have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. We look forward to seeing this collaboration thrive, blending local and global culinary traditions, as we continue spreading the joy of eating,” Tanmantiong added.

“For years, the Tiong Bahru Bakery has been synonymous with serving the epitome of croissants and an array of delectably unique creations. Now, with its arrival in the Philippines, we want the location to be the people’s go-to spot where they can indulge in freshly baked products while soaking in the store’s inviting ambiance,” Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of Jollibee Group Philippines, commented.

“Our signature croissants take three whole days to perfect—a process that involves careful fermentation, layering, proofing, and baking to achieve that golden, flaky finish that we and our customers love. These techniques are a testament to the skill and dedication of our bakers and our belief that great food is worth the time and effort,” Matt McLauchlan, Tiong Bahru Bakery’s general manager, said.

Vietnam – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is promoting its nutrition programs in Vietnam through the ‘Malnutrition Plates’ campaign.

The campaign, in collaboration with Dentsu Vietnam, highlights porcelain brand Minh Long’s collection of ceramic plates as part of the advocacy. ‘Malnutrition Plates’ aims to use everyday tableware as symbols to make the overlooked malnutrition issue visible.

With the objective of raising funds for UNICEF’s nutrition programs, the campaign engages audiences through impactful designs on tableware while unveiling relatable statistics about the issue.

Minh Long’s plates are available for purchase at its official website, e-commerce platforms, and some retail outlets in Vietnam. Proceeds from the sales will support UNICEF’s meal provision, healthcare worker trainings, and family assistance.

The campaign includes social media activations, influencer endorsements, events, and storytelling.

“With Malnutrition Plates, we wanted to ignite the power of artistic storytelling while combining the unique synergies between design, data, and purpose to transform a traditionally static product and abstract data into an impactful awareness tool that can create both a cultural and a social force for good in Vietnam. We are grateful to be able to take our innovation to drive tangible support for UNICEF’s nutrition program with this campaign, especially with malnutrition being widespread problem for so many children in Vietnam,” Livio Grossi, executive creative director of Dentsu Redder, commented.

Singapore – Magnite has announced it has strengthened its partnership with Samsung Ads to power programmatic advertising on Samsung TV Plus inventory in Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand for the first time. 

Through this expanded partnership, advertisers now have programmatic access to premium video inventory on Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service, Samsung TV Plus, which went live across the Southeast Asia region late last year.

Samsung TV Plus is currently available on millions of Samsung Smart TVs across Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand. The built-in streaming service delivers free, instant access to a wide range of live TV channels spanning entertainment, news, movies and more. 

Fan-favourites including MythBusters, Survivor, Deal or No Deal and Red Bull TV are some of the first channels to arrive on the new platform, with more global and local channels launching in early 2025. Through this new partnership, advertisers will be able to programmatically access Samsung TV Plus’ premium, and growing, in-stream inventory for the first time.

Gavin Buxton, managing director for Asia at Magnite, said, “The powerful combination of Smart TV adoption and increased consumption of ad-supported streaming content in Southeast Asia represents a significant market opportunity. Samsung is uniquely positioned to capitalise upon this transformation, and we are excited to expand our relationship with them. We look forward to working with Samsung to drive results as they leverage our leading streaming technology to help streamline programmatic activation of premium inventory on Samsung TV Plus.”

Meanwhile, Alex Spurzem, managing director at Samsung Ads Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO), commented, “Launching our FAST service, as well as native and in-stream ads, in just 12 months reflects the huge opportunity we see in the region. Seven in ten TV viewers already watch ad-supported streaming content and our FAST service gives advertisers a new way to reach this audience. As we scale Samsung TV Plus, Magnite will play a pivotal role by making it programmatically available to brands and agencies across multiple Southeast Asia countries.”

Singapore – Communications agency Mutant has promoted Abraham Christopher as its new regional head of client success, formerly its head of public relations and social media.

In his new role, Christopher will lead efforts to deliver transformative communication solutions to its clients while driving agency growth across Southeast Asia. He will focus on helping Mutant’s clients meet their business and communication objectives amidst the dynamic economic landscape.

Christopher joined Mutant in 2021 and has since then helped in regional business development during its expansion in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. In his former role, he secured high-profile clients while boosting the agency’s capabilities.

With over ten years of experience in the industry, Christopher showcases an expertise in public relations, social media strategy and crisis management.

Mutant’s client portfolio includes Sport Singapore, Epson, SEEK Asia, M1, Disney+, and Brown-Forman.