Tag: Technology

Paris, France – Media holding company Havas has appointed new executives to lead its global data and technology strategy. Dan Hagen and Jamie Seltzer are the new global chief data and technology officers for Havas and Havas Media Network, respectively.

In his promotion, Hagen is responsible for developing Havas’ AI-powered Converged strategy across the global holding company. The operating system aims to empower the group’s employees to work efficiently to deliver integrated solutions to its clients.

Additionally, he is set to spearhead Havas’ data, tech, governance, investments, and operational strategies across the company’s global units.

Prior to his appointment, Hagen held the same role at Havas Media Network. His experience spans 25 years in data and tech, including serving as the chief strategy officer at iProspect and Carat UK.

Seltzer succeeds Hagen, now responsible for developing the Converged media product for the growth of the network’s data capabilities. She is still overseeing CSA & Media Experience Analytics, which she most recently served as global executive vice president.

In her over two decades of experience, she has held roles at WPP and Publicis Groupe.

“Data and technology are the cornerstone of our Converged global strategy – giving our people the tools, insights, and means of collaboration to supercharge our positive impact for clients. With his experience developing the Media Network’s award-winning audience planning platform, and his collaborative work with partners to develop industry-leading data and insight capabilities, Dan is ideally suited to chart a powerful data and tech future that delivers for our people and clients,” Yannick Bolloré, CEO and chairman at Havas, said.

“Clients are demanding future-forward agency partners who are data-led and outcome-driven; Jamie has been critical to ensuring Havas Media Network is positioned to deliver on that promise. We look forward to seeing Dan and Jamie’s continued collaboration across the entire Havas ecosystem to accelerate the group’s broader Converged strategy and data and tech ambitions,” Peter Mears, global CEO at Havas Media Network, said.

South Korea – Samsung Electronics has announced that its co-chief executive officer, Han Jong-Hee, passed away on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest.

Han, 63, dedicated nearly four decades to Samsung Electronics, building his career in the company’s television division. Since 2022, he had led Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses and was appointed vice chairman and co-CEO that same year. 

Han joined Samsung in 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Before leading the company’s electronics and devices division, he headed its visual display business.

With Han’s passing, co-CEO Jun Young-Hyun, who leads the semiconductor division, has become Samsung’s sole CEO. 

Just last week, Han chaired Samsung’s annual shareholders meeting, where he apologised for the company’s recent stock performance. According to Reuters, he also cautioned investors that 2025 would be a challenging year.

The tech giant has been grappling with challenges in its underperforming chip business while navigating trade uncertainties. Its semiconductor division has fallen behind Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and SK Hynix in the global AI chip market.

In an internal message seen by CNN, Samsung honoured Han for his 37 years of leadership, crediting him with making its TV business a global leader and driving growth in its electronics and appliances divisions despite a challenging business environment.

For agencies to thrive in the current industry, keeping pace amidst the digital marketing industry’s perpetual state of flux is not enough. The industry, always transforming, demands marketers that are not merely reactive to changes, but ones with a forward-thinking approach.

As they remain at the lead of brand communication, agencies need agility, understanding the evolution of technologies and driving them towards innovation. To truly thrive, agency leaders must become visionaries, staying ahead of future trends. 

At the helm of JOLT Digital’s APAC team, Jason Tan, general manager, shows the importance of being proactive at an agency in his role. In MARKETECH APAC’s latest Agency Leadership Decoded interview, Jason discusses his talent-centric leadership philosophy and his team’s tech innovation as a competitive edge in the industry.

Future-proofing talents

Jason’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in empowering a team. He sees his role, along with the leadership team, as the provider of tools, training, and guidance to the agency’s workforce. This leaves all team members in charge of unlocking their personal growth.

“As a leader, I am driven by the belief that People Power Growth. Agencies are defined by our talent and we are invested in the constant upskilling and mentorship of team JOLT,” Jason said.

Accountability is also at the centre of JOLT’s operations. As the team propels the agency to become game-changing, they are consistently challenging norms while holding each other responsible for delivering excellence.

“The most successful teams have the muscle memory to consistently deliver high performance so I strive to create a culture of excellence for the whole agency,” Jason said.

With Jason as the lead, the agency also developed ‘JOLT Academy,’ an internal training program built around the core pillars of technical training, media planning fundamentals, and ‘work that works.’

“I believe the talent of the future needs to be T-shaped, possessing broad professional knowledge and in-depth technical capabilities. This creates value for JOLT and also sustainable career growth for each team member,” he said.

Jason’s ‘People Power Growth’ philosophy also includes the agency’s relationships with clients and partners. For him, nurturing these relationships is crucial to continuing JOLT’s growth.

“We also started our fortnightly Lunch & Learn Wednesdays to encourage closer collaboration with media partners and to keep an active pulse of the best solutions in the market,” he shared.

Tech innovation as a competitive edge

Throughout the years, JOLT has been focused on refining its digital solutions through emerging technologies.

At the forefront of its strategy is JOLT’s J-CAL, the agency’s budget allocation tool. Jason shared that they have refreshed the tool to include more markets and data points. 

“I believe the agency that wins the future is one that combines talent and tech seamlessly. Our focus on developing the best digital solutions and grooming the best media talent has been the foundation of JOLT’s success,” he said.

JOLT’s technological innovation proved useful when it encountered challenges in meeting its clients’ needs better. Jason shares how the team realised that the J-CAL itself is insufficient in helping clients execute campaigns.

“I tasked our head of programmatic to look at building a solution that could answer clients’ needs and add more offerings so we could bring a unique technology vs. what other indie agencies currently offer,” he shared.

This led to the creation of the agency’s proprietary DSP, JOLT Command Centre, which is behind its creative strategy.

Reflecting on the agency’s achievements, Jason said, “Beyond the strong year of new business wins, JOLT also won at the MARKETECH APAC Marketing Technology Awards 2024 which is a testament to how our strategy is paying off.”

‘Embrace the dissonance’

The marketing landscape today, more dynamic than ever, may be challenging to be in. However, for Jason, traversing the fast-paced environment also comes with excitement.

Leaving advice for other aspiring leaders, Jason encourages them to “embrace the dissonance” that comes with abrupt shifts in the industry. They must be open to “relinquishing control.”

Recognising how younger media specialists possess deep knowledge, technical capabilities, and enthusiasm, Jason shares how this can be boosted as an asset to the company.

“Our first task as leaders is to mould this raw energy into a functioning team while recognising that the leadership that the younger generation values is different,” he said.

“For young leaders looking to rise in the ranks, invest your time and resources in understanding the synergies between different practices, platforms and technologies. The leader of the future will be someone who can articulate a clear vision of data and tech, and with a strategy to translate this vision into tangible revenue,” Jason concluded.

Jason’s approach to agency leadership underscores being a visionary, anticipating needs to go beyond reacting to issues once they come. As marketing and technology continue to converge, riding the turbulence or rapid change is not enough. Proactive agencies and leaders must help shape it, paving the way for sustainable growth.

Indonesia – As a dynamic hub in Southeast Asia’s marketing ecosystem, Indonesia is at the forefront of innovation and digital transformation. With brands striving to adapt to evolving consumer behaviours and leverage emerging technologies, staying ahead is more critical than ever.

To continue empowering marketers and brands with cutting-edge strategies and insights, MARKETECH APAC proudly presents the second instalment of ‘What’s NEXT in Marketing: Indonesia 2025.’ Taking place on 31 July 2025 at Pullman Jakarta Central Park, this premier event aims to redefine the country’s marketing landscape by uniting industry experts to share experiences, proven strategies, and forward-thinking insights that will shape the future of marketing in Indonesia. 

Following the success of last year’s edition, ‘What’s NEXT in Marketing: Indonesia 2025’ will serve as a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, spark innovation, and explore the future of marketing. 

From customer experience to performance marketing, attendees can expect a diverse range of relevant topics, thought-provoking keynotes, dynamic panel discussions, enlightening fireside chats, and invaluable networking opportunities—all thoughtfully designed to help businesses thrive in Indonesia’s rapidly evolving market.

Leading the discussions are prominent figures in the marketing and digital space, including:

  • Caroline Setiabudi, SVP Marketing at Bank Mega
  • Angelia Susanto, Health Nutrition Marketing & Strategy Director at Danone
  • Rajesh Grover, Group Vice President – AI, Digital & Omnichannel at Kanmo Group
  • Maggie Effendy, Associate Marketing Director at Kimberly-Clark
  • Ria Sutrisno, Head of Marketing at MR DIY Indonesia
  • Derry Rinaldi, Head of Marketing Communications at Starbucks Indonesia
  • …and more to be announced!

The first leg of the What’s NEXT in Marketing 2025 conference series took place in Singapore, drawing 170 delegates from a diverse range of brands. The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers from renowned companies, including Braze, Canon, DHL Express, FairPrice Group, H&M, Income Insurance Limited, Riot Games, SleekFlow, and StarHub, among others.

Building on this momentum, the conference will expand to other key markets across the region, including:

To learn how to be part of this conference, click HERE for further details.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joven Barceñas at [email protected].

For speaking opportunities, contact Katherine Sy at [email protected]; and for registrations, reach out to Kylene Lim at [email protected]. 

Indonesia – Oracle Corporation, the American tech giant, is reportedly eyeing Indonesia’s Batam Island for a potential cloud services centre as part of its strategy to expand its data centre footprint in Southeast Asia.

According to a Bloomberg report, which cites anonymous sources familiar with the matter, Oracle is in talks with the Indonesian government to establish a cloud services centre on Batam Island, located off the southern coast of Singapore.

Anonymous sources revealed that Oracle favours Nongsa Digital Park in Batam due to its existing data centres, free trade zone status, and proximity to Singapore and Malaysia, where the company plans similar cloud ventures. However, talks are ongoing and are subject to change.

Nongsa Digital Park promotes itself as a hub for digital business growth, offering ample electric power, tight security, and a seismic-safe topography. Spanning 166 hectares, it features developments like Turi Beach Resort, Nongsa Point Marina, Kinema Movie & Animation Studio, and a golf course, making it ideal for both data centres and tourism.

Currently, Oracle has not responded to Bloomberg’s request for comment, nor have representatives from Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.

Oracle already operates two cloud computing centres in Singapore and unveiled a $6.5b plan last year to establish a similar facility in Malaysia.

Singapore – Scope3 has unveiled the Scope3 Agentic Media Platform, an AI-powered solution designed to help partners create and market agentic media products that prioritise efficiency and sustainability from the ground up.

The Scope3 Agentic Media Platform leverages AI to streamline the media supply chain, delivering more efficient, sustainable, and brand-safe advertising. Unlike traditional systems that simply add AI on top, this platform is built with AI at its core, enabling true sustainable growth. Publishers, ad tech platforms, curators, and agencies can harness expert AI agents and custom algorithms to enhance media buying for brands.

The Agentic Media Platform offers a central hub to create and manage AI-driven media products. It connects data, expert agents, and custom algorithms across various campaigns and direct buys. The platform integrates with experts like LiveRamp, Classify, Sy.nexus, and Compliant for specialised data and algorithms. It ensures safe and sustainable media by automatically filtering out fraud, invalid traffic, and risky inventory. Additionally, users can access Scope3’s media quality data, such as attention potential and viewability, at no extra cost.

Amazon DSP is the first demand-side platform to integrate with Scope3’s Agentic Media Platform, allowing for large-scale media purchases. Other launch distribution partners include Index Exchange, Equativ, and media.net. Pilot programs with MiQ, Elcano, and Azerion are set to begin in early April.

Scope3’s Brand Standards, built on the Agentic Media Platform, enhance brand safety and suitability in an AI-driven advertising landscape. It addresses the flaws of traditional methods, such as rigid keyword blocking and lack of supply chain transparency, by offering custom definitions and control across open web and programmatic channels.

Using AI, it improves compliance, responsibility, and effectiveness while minimising risk. The platform ensures ads flow through verified, transparent paths and allows brands and publishers to assess content alignment with brand standards, adjusting through a feedback-driven process for continuous improvement.

Available across platforms, including Meta, Brand Standards reduces false blocking and enhances ad placement control. Launch partners include Ebiquity, key DSPs, and multiple SSPs.

“The digital ad ecosystem has evolved into a complex web of inefficient supply chains, wasted impressions, and disconnected systems. AI is our opportunity to address the fundamental inefficiencies in how our media supply chains operate,” said Brian O’Kelley, CEO and co-founder of Scope3.

“This reimagining allows us to simultaneously address waste, safety, and performance challenges—restoring control to brands while enabling sustainable growth by design. We’re not just solving for carbon reduction anymore; we’re also transforming how media decisions are made across the entire ecosystem, bringing intelligence to places it simply couldn’t exist before,” he added. 

Meanwhile, June Cheung, head of JAPAC at Scope3, also commented, “What the industry needs now is greater transparency from tech platforms—and even when that’s achieved, we need scalable and effective ways to execute. That’s why the Scope3 Agentic Media Platform is designed to give marketers both transparency and control, enabling them to fine-tune and understand decision-making within the platform. With today’s launch, we have the opportunity to reimagine the ad ecosystem for the future in an effective and sustainable way.”

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.”

Paris, France – Global advertising giant Publicis Groupe is set to acquire independent end-to-end data solution company Lotame, with the company set to be positioned as part of Epsilon, a global advertising and marketing technology company that is part of the Publicis family.

The combined data and identity assets of Lotame and Publicis Groupe’s 2.3 billion global profiles will enable clients to reach 91% of adult internet users with personalised messaging at scale with even greater accuracy.

Moreover, the combined footprint of Epsilon and Lotame will expand Groupe’s unique profiles to almost 4 billion, extending global coverage to more than 90% of consumers worldwide. This scale combined with unmatched breadth and depth of data allows marketers to find and activate against the right audiences with even greater accuracy, to engage their consumers in more relevant and meaningful ways. 

It is also worth noting that Lotame’s 19 years of earned data expertise and trusted innovation, coupled with its team of experts across data and identity, will power global and local-market product development, supported by dedicated engineering, partnerships, and operations specialists.

Lastly, Lotame will drive APAC and EMEA expansion of Epsilon, continuing to work with publishers, data partners, and brands across the regions. 

Led by founder and CEO Andy Monfried, Lotame will be positioned as part of Epsilon, accessible to all Publicis clients and teams to enhance their ability to deliver personalised marketing services at scale. 

Arthur Sadoun, chairman and CEO Publicis Groupe, said, “In the age of AI, the name of the game is connect or die. By connecting Lotame to Epsilon, we’re reinforcing our industry-leading identity graph,  giving clients the unique competitive advantage of seeing and engaging with 91% of all adults who use the internet, safely and transparently.

He added, “By connecting that best-in-class identity to our clients’ data thanks to AI, and leveraging it across their marketing spectrum, from their PESO media ecosystem to content production, all in their owned environments, we are truly delivering measurable outcomes for their business. It’s how we are making CoreAI a reality, and how we’ve built a category of one for Publicis that means today we are the world’s largest advertising group, leading the industry on every KPI.”

Arthur further added, “As we continue to invest in the products, services and talent that drive differentiation and growth for our clients, I couldn’t be happier to welcome Andy and the outstanding teams at Lotame on board.”

Meanwhile, Andy commented, “We have a rich history of innovation, building out our global data marketplace and scaling our identity solution to become among the most trusted and adopted in the industry. We are beyond thrilled to join Publicis Groupe, who shares our commitment to industry interoperability, connectivity, and privacy. Together with Epsilon, we look forward to delivering the next chapter of connected identity for Publicis.”

It is worth noting that this acquisition comes in light of advertising-driven acquisitions, with T-Mobile recently acquiring Vistar Media and Blis to bolster their advertising solutions offering in the USA and globally. Moreover, Publicis’ desire to acquire Lotame also comes after Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnette have consolidated their networks to form a new entity aptly named ‘Leo’.

Australia – DEPT has formed a strategic alliance with global professional services firm GHD to drive sustainability innovation through spatial technology. The collaboration will leverage cutting-edge AR/VR devices like the Apple Vision Pro to create immersive digital experiences that enhance decision-making in environmental planning, infrastructure, and energy management.

The companies will focus on applying artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to sustainability challenges, making solutions more accurate, efficient, and actionable. 

By integrating advanced digital solutions with real-world applications, DEPT and GHD seek to pioneer new ways to visualise, analyse and act on critical environmental insights, including real-time environmental monitoring, digital twin technology, and AI-driven sustainability planning for cities, energy grids, and critical infrastructure.

DEPT brings its experience in digital product development, AI, and immersive technology for global brands such as Google, eBay, Lufthansa, and Ancestry. Meanwhile, GHD contributes its deep industry knowledge in engineering, architecture, environmental science, and sustainability. 

Together, they aim to transform how businesses and governments interact with complex environmental data to enable more effective climate action, resource management, and sustainable urban development.

Evan Davey, Head of Australia & NZ at DEPT, said, “Our partnership with GHD is a testament to our commitment as a B Corp to harness the power of AI and spatial technology for the greater good. By integrating cutting-edge digital solutions with GHD’s technical expertise, we are dedicated to creating impactful, sustainable innovations that empower businesses and governments to make informed, responsible decisions for a better future.”

Meanwhile, Tai Hollingsbee, head of sustainability at GHD Asia Pacific, commented, “At GHD, we are driven by creating measurable outcomes for our clients and delivering lasting community benefit through sustainable design solutions. Collaborating with DEPT® is exciting because we can extend our capabilities and transform our clients’ access to visually engaging, data-rich, actionable insights, ultimately helping them transform ambition and goals into tangible action.”

Australia – Salesforce has announced a landmark investment of $2.5 billion in Australia over the next five years, reinforcing its commitment to AI innovation, workforce development, and sustainability initiatives. The announcement was made at Agentforce World Tour Sydney, Salesforce’s largest local event to date, which has attracted over 10,000 customers, partners, employees, and stakeholders.

This significant investment aligns with Australia’s vision to harness artificial intelligence for economic growth and technological leadership. By expanding its AI capabilities and supporting local industries, Salesforce aims to contribute to a more prosperous future for all Australians.

Salesforce has been a key player in Australia’s digital economy since establishing its presence in the country in 2004. With over 2,400 employees and a vast ecosystem of partners, the company continues to drive AI advancements that enhance productivity and customer experiences.

The company’s venture capital arm, Salesforce Ventures, has already invested over $6 billion in more than 630 companies worldwide, with Australian investments surpassing $12 billion in market capitalization. Notable AI investments include Airwallex, GO1, Culture Amp, Reejig, and Q-Ctrl.

Frank Fillmann, EVP & general manager at Salesforce Australia and New Zealand, said, “Australian business leaders are challenged by low productivity growth, a tight labour market and higher than ever customer expectations. Empowering their employees with Agentforce and limitless digital labour is the breakthrough they need.”

As part of its mission to prepare Australian businesses for the AI revolution, Salesforce has appointed Anne Templeman-Jones as the first Australian member of its Global Advisory Board. Her expertise will help guide business leaders in adopting AI-driven strategies.

To further support skills development, Salesforce will launch a series of Agentforce Learning Days and Hackathons in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. These events will help employees from over 270 companies build and deploy AI agents, ensuring they stay competitive in the evolving digital economy.

Salesforce is also backing workforce diversity initiatives, such as the Deloitte Digital Career Compass program and the FW Jobs Academy. These programs aim to equip women and diverse communities with in-demand Salesforce AI skills, contributing to the Australian government’s goal of creating 1.2 million tech jobs by 2030.

Beyond AI and workforce training, Salesforce continues to champion sustainability efforts in Australia. By fostering collaboration with government agencies, universities, vocational education providers, and non-profits, the company is playing a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable digital future.

With 21 years of experience in Australia, Salesforce’s continued investment underscores its dedication to helping the nation become a global leader in AI-driven economic growth. Through strategic investments and partnerships, the company is set to empower businesses and individuals to thrive in the era of artificial intelligence.

The new follows the recent partnership between Salesforce and Google where Agentforce will be able to use Google’s Gemini models, allowing agents to work with images, audio, and video, handle more complex tasks using Gemini’s multi-modal capabilities and two-million-token context windows, and act using real-time insights and answers grounded in Google Search with Vertex AI.