Tag: Technology

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.

Hong Kong – Taboola has announced a new focus beyond native advertising and a powerful new technology platform called ‘Realize’, an industry-first platform that specialises only in performance outcomes at scale beyond search and social.

‘Realize’ taps into Taboola’s unique data, performance AI, and an increasingly diverse range of inventory and creative formats to achieve performance objectives. While advertisers need great solutions for all parts of the marketing funnel, they need specialised solutions. 

It is worth noting that existing solutions that promise full funnel service face significant challenges to excel in each part of the marketing funnel. As of today, Taboola is opening ‘Realize’ for all advertisers focused on performance.

Moroever, ‘Realize’ is a independent performance platform that goes beyond search and social media and delivers outcomes at scale for advertisers, leveraging Taboola’s unique supply, first party data and AI technology. It delivers simplicity and efficiency for advertisers to run performance-based campaigns on many of the world’s largest and most trusted publishers across all ad inventory, OEMs and apps.

This platform allows advertisers to tap into display and other high-visibility locations across its extensive network. This includes top publishers like NBC News and Yahoo, as well as major apps and OEMs such as Xiaomi and Samsung. With ‘Realize,’ brands can now connect with their target audiences more effectively across a broader range of platforms, maximising engagement and performance.

Powered by an advanced AI performance engine, ‘Realize’ also leverages Taboola’s unique data-driven approach to optimise ad placements across its trusted publisher network. The platform offers advertisers greater creative flexibility by enabling them to repurpose existing assets—whether from social media, display, or vertical video—into high-performing ads. This streamlined approach allows brands to accelerate customer acquisition efforts while ensuring their campaigns reach relevant audiences at scale.

Adam Singolda, CEO at Taboola, said, “Every business deserves a chance to grow and succeed. Performance advertising beyond search and social media has been far too difficult for too long, however. Advertisers have settled on search and social media simply because there has been no viable alternative. Spending money with DSPs and CTV is great for branding but not optimised to drive performance, and running display with hundreds of advertising tech companies at low scale is simply not worth marketers’ time.”

He added, “Amazon started in 1994 and did a great job winning the book business by 2000, which allowed them to go into owning all of e-commerce. This is our “Amazon moment.” After many years of success with native ads, it’s time to go after all of performance advertising. We can do a lot more for advertisers, and a lot more for publishers. Today is an exciting day for me and us at Taboola.”

MARKETECH APAC and UpTech Media’s Empowered Women Awards 2025, the latest collaborative initiative celebrating the contributions of women leaders in marketing and technology, has officially announced the first lineup of its distinguished jury panel.

Comprising a diverse group of accomplished professionals across the Asia-Pacific region, the panel brings a wealth of expertise and industry insight to assess nominations across all categories meticulously. These esteemed judges will play a pivotal role in recognising and honouring visionary women who are driving innovation and excellence in the ever-evolving marketing and technology landscape.

The first lineup of jury members includes: 

  • Danielle Eleazar-Ocampo, Head of Consumer & Brand Development at Angkas Philippines
  • Priyanka Bisen Shah, Head of Digital Marketing at Bajaj Auto Pvt Ltd.
  • Simone Tam, Group & Creative CEO, Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong at dentsu
  • Linda Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer- MSK at Domino’s Pizza Malaysia and Singapore
  • Reiko Kwok, Executive Vice President, Marketing Asia & General Manager Hong Kong at Exinity Group
  • Syahriza Badron, Managing Director at FCB SHOUT
  • Brenda Maderazo, Deputy Director, Marketing at Health Promotion Board
  • Rochelle Chhaya, CEO of Hearts & Science Asia Pacific and Omnicom Media Group Thailand
  • Evangeline Leong, Founder and CEO at Kobe
  • Raushida Vasaiwala, Strategic Advisor | Martech & SaaS Sales
  • Munas van Boonstra, Managing Director, Southeast Asia at Monks
  • Patricia Saez, Managing Director at NuWorks Interactive Labs, Inc.
  • Lavina Tauro, Vice President, Marketing & Country Manager, Myanmar at Viu

Set to conclude with an esteemed in-person awards ceremony on June 26, 2025, in Manila, this event will serve as a tribute to innovation, leadership, and the fearless women who are breaking new ground in their industries.

The Empowered Women Awards 2025 will feature 46 distinct categories, spanning individual achievements, marketing excellence, technological advancements, special honours, and the prestigious grand prix. Each category will recognise three outstanding winners, who will receive Bronze, Silver, and Gold accolades.

The judging criteria for the awards are as follows:

  • People Categories
    • Business Contributions (30%)
    • Leadership (30%)
    • Industry Influence (40%)
    • Women Empowerment (Bonus Point – 5%)
  • Marketing Campaign Categories
    • Problem (20%)
    • Strategy (25%)
    • Execution (25%)
    • Results (30%)
  • Tech Innovation Categories
    • Objective (30%)
    • Tech Implementation (30%)
    • Business Impact (40%)
  • Special Awards
    • Best Women-Centric Campaign
      • Societal Impact (20%)
      • Industry Influence (20%)
      • Strategic Impact (30%)
      • Business Growth and Effectiveness (30%)
    • Best Women Leader of the Year
      • Business Accomplishments (20%)
      • Leadership (20%)
      • Industry and Community Contributions (30%)
      • Women Empowerment (30%)

Key dates related to the awards ceremony this 2025 are as follows:

  • Early Bird Deadline – 4 June 2025
  • Entries Deadline – 4 July 2025
  • Judging Period – 14-25 July 2025
  • Finalists Announcement – 5 August 2025
  • Awards Night – 26 September 2025

To find out how to participate in this prestigious award series, click HERE to learn more about the Empowered Women Awards 2025.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joven Barceñas ([email protected]); for judging opportunities, please contact Ivy Alamo ([email protected]); and for nominations, please contact Denise Obispado ([email protected]). 

Singapore – Singapore has progressed in its digital government aim, particularly in customer experience and accessibility, according to Adobe’s report. However, it needs to address shortcomings in site performance and readability in line with its Smart Nation 2.0 vision.

Adobe’s report, which assesses customer experience, site performance, and digital equity, reveals mixed results. Singapore sees a ~+5% increase in customer experience, with higher desktop and mobile CX scores among users with accessibility needs reflecting inclusivity. 

However, site performance has declined by 8%, with ~40% slower mobile loading speeds compared to desktop and issues in domain quality.

Digital equity, which measures accessibility and readability, sees an 11% climb from the index last year, placing Singapore second in the Asia-Pacific.

Despite this, the readability of content remains a concern, with a low average score of 48 out of 100. Additionally, some government agencies are also adopting personalisation.

Singapore’s site performance score has greatly impacted its overall digital government index score, which only increased by 1% from its previous score despite its enhanced customer experience and digital equity.

Smart Nation 2.0 is Singapore’s national digital strategy, which aims to improve the country’s digital infrastructure through smart and inclusive digital services for its citizens.

John Mackenney, director of digital strategy group APAC at Adobe, commented “Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 sets a bold vision for a trusted, inclusive, and future-ready digital government. While nearly all public services are now online and Singapore has done well in maintaining citizen satisfaction in customer experience, there remains room for improvement in digital equity and site performance. Achieving Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 will require continuous progress in accessibility, personalisation, and seamless digital experiences to meet ever-increasing citizen expectations.”

“At Adobe, we’re committed to enabling government agencies with the solutions they need to modernise digital experiences, efficiently deliver services, increase citizen engagement and build trust through personalisation. Aligned to this, Adobe’s Digital Government Index aims to provide a roadmap to help agencies build an effective digital government of the future, one that is designed for everyone but tailored to the individual,” Mackenney added.

Singapore – Yahoo DSP has announced that it is the first Demand Side Platform (DSP) to adopt IAB Tech Lab’s standardised Data Transparency Labels, a move aimed at providing advertisers with clearer insights into audience data.

IAB Tech Lab’s Data Transparency Labels use a “Nutrition Label” format to provide marketers, agencies, and data providers with clear, standardised audience data. Created to meet the industry’s growing demand for transparency, these labels offer essential insights to help advertisers make informed decisions.

With the integration of IAB Tech Lab’s Data Transparency Labels, Yahoo DSP provides advertisers with standardised insights into the origin, recency, and segmentation of data segments used in campaigns. The initiative is intended to enhance decision-making, improve campaign performance, and strengthen accountability across the data supply chain.

“Yahoo DSP becoming the first major platform to implement the Data Transparency Labels is a practical step forward for the industry. It’s a clear move toward better accountability and trust in data-driven advertising, and it sets a straightforward example for others to follow,” said Anthony Katsur, CEO of IAB Tech Lab. 

Yahoo DSP’s adoption of IAB Tech Lab’s Data Transparency Labels aligns with its broader efforts to enhance transparency and data accountability. The labels, set to be available in early 2025, will provide advertisers with standardised insights into data segments, supporting more informed decision-making across campaigns.

Giovanni Gardelli, vice president of DSP Data Products at Yahoo, said, “Transparency is critical to reinforce trust and drive better outcomes for advertisers. Our adoption of IAB Tech Lab’s Data Transparency Labels reflects Yahoo’s commitment to delivering the highest level of clarity and quality to our partners. We are proud to lead the industry in this transformative initiative.”

Dan Richardson, director of data & insights for AUSEA at Yahoo, added, “The Data Transparency Label is a key milestone and reflective of Yahoo’s mission to guide advertisers through the digital wilderness—helping them navigate complex ecosystems with confidence. We are proud to be among the first to adopt these labels and deliver greater accountability to marketers striving to connect with their audiences in a compliant and ethical way.”

Indonesia – Databricks has announced its entry into the Indonesian market as part of a broader strategy to expand its presence in the ASEAN region, driven by over 70% annualised growth over the past three years.

Databricks’ entry into Indonesia marks a key step in expanding its presence in the ASEAN region. This move aims to help more Indonesian businesses unlock the full potential of their data and AI capabilities.

As part of its entry into Indonesia, Databricks has strengthened its partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This collaboration will make the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform available in the AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region through AWS Marketplace, starting in early 2025.

Indonesian businesses can now harness advanced features like faster custom model development using Databricks Mosaic AI on AWS Trainium chips. This enables them to pretrain, fine-tune, and deploy large language models (LLMs) on their own data with better cost efficiency. Enhanced AWS Marketplace integrations also make it easier to adopt Databricks, allowing companies to scale generative AI applications while retaining full control over their data and intellectual property.

“We’re thrilled to support Databricks’ expansion into Indonesia, which reinforces AWS’s IDR$71 trillion investment in the AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region. By building the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform exclusively on AWS in Indonesia, we are committed to supporting Databricks and our joint customers to securely manage data locally and drive digital and AI innovation that addresses industry needs,” said Kirsten Gilbertson, head for partner management for ASEAN at AWS.

Meanwhile, Cecily Ng, vice president and general manager of ASEAN and Greater China at Databricks, shared, “We’re excited to bring the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to Indonesia by leveraging the reliability, scalability, agility, and security of AWS. This expansion reflects our commitment to not only deepen our footprint in the region but also help Indonesian enterprises unlock the full potential of their data through advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, enabling them to transform their businesses in an increasingly digital economy.” 

Philippines – The Philippines has quickly become a dynamic marketing hub, fuelled by a tech-savvy, digitally connected population. By 2025, the country’s marketing landscape is poised to adopt cutting-edge technologies, further accelerating industry transformation and shaping the future of consumer engagement.

With a large portion of the Filipino population spending significant time online, companies are increasingly recognising the need to invest in tools that align with new platforms. These investments aim to enhance customer experiences, optimise ad spend, drive AI-driven personalisation, and strengthen brand loyalty. The ultimate goal is to adapt as marketing evolves into a more immersive, integrated, and data-driven landscape.

To help marketers stay ahead in the ever-evolving marketing landscape, MARKETECH APAC is opening the doors of Shangri-La The Fort, Manila for its highly anticipated What’s NEXT in Marketing series. The What’s NEXT in Marketing: Philippines 2025 conference, happening on 26 and 27 March 2025, will bring together industry leaders to exchange insights, share expertise, and offer a sneak peek into the future of marketing. 

Building on MARKETECH APAC’s impressive track record and legacy of fostering a well-connected marketing community, this two-day visionary event equips brands and marketers with the essential insights, strategies, and tools needed to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Featuring a dynamic lineup of keynote presentations, panel discussions, fireside chats, and networking opportunities, ‘What’s NEXT in Marketing: Philippines 2025’ empowers marketers to expand their networks, elevate their campaigns, and drive success in the Philippine market.

Key industry figures headlining the conference include:

  • Raymund Jiggs Espadilla, Head of Marketing at Aboitiz Foods
  • Mahek Shah, Global Head of Media (AirAsia Media | AirAsia Ads) at AirAsia MOVE
  • Jogent Emmanuel Tan, Marketing Director at Domino’s Pizza Philippines
  • Greg Anonas, Marketing Director at Emperador Distillers, Inc.
  • Mariela Quilala, Head of Marketing at LKY Group of Companies
  • Anthony Louis Guanzon, Chief Marketing Officer at Malayan Insurance
  • Albet Buddahim, Vice President and Head of Marketing at Mega Prime Foods Inc.
  • and many more to be announced!

To find out how you can be part of this conference, click HERE for more details.

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

For speaking opportunities, contact Jean Cabico at [email protected]; and for registrations, reach out to Faye Vita at [email protected].

Singapore – Prudential plc has launched its AI Lab in Singapore to promote AI-powered health solutions.

Launched in collaboration with Google Cloud, the Prudential AI Lab integrates advanced technology into the company’s operations and services. Through its end-to-end support, Prudential aims to enhance customer experience.

The Lab is prioritising consumer’s access to quality healthcare, streamlining Prudential’s operations through AI solutions.

Staffed by a team of AI engineers and data scientists, Prudential’s financial representatives will be equipped with more informed advice to serve customers better. 

Prudential collaborated with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, the Economic Development Board of Singapore and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for the development of the lab.

Additionally, Prudential is also forging partnerships with institutes of higher learning to provide students with experiences in the field.

Anil Wadhwani, chief executive officer at Prudential plc, said, “Data, advanced analytics and AI are crucial to the delivery of our strategic priorities. The AI Lab will supercharge the development of exciting applications such as predictive analytics, hyper-personalised customer engagement, and real-time guidance for agents. I believe we are just beginning to explore the vast possibilities and value this technology offers. Prudential’s AI Lab will significantly enhance our ability to deliver exceptional experiences for our customers, agents and financial representatives, across all markets.”

“Singapore was selected as the location of Prudential’s global AI Lab for its robust infrastructure and supportive environment for AI innovation, highlighted by its National AI Strategy (NAIS 2.0)1. Our partnership with EDB and MAS allows us to tap into Singapore’s rich network of resources and talent from academia, business and government. This collaboration will greatly support our ability to develop innovative solutions that address customer and business challenges while building even stronger AI capabilities,” Wadhani  added.

Gillian Tan, assistant managing director (development and international) and chief sustainability officer of MAS, said, “Prudential’s AI Lab is aligned with Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 goal to encourage businesses to utilise AI and technology to raise productivity, transform and serve customers better. MAS will continue to support financial institutions as they develop capabilities and harness AI to enhance their customer and advisory services, fraud detection, and risk insights generation.”

Singapore – Only 53% of Singaporeans are willing to reskill amidst the generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) era to stay relevant in the industry, a report found. The report comes from Boston Consulting Group, The Network, which comprises Jobstreet by SEEK, and The Stepstone Group.

According to the report, the number of Singaporeans willing to adapt and maintain relevance amidst the spread of GenAI use lags behind the 63% recorded in Southeast Asia.

41% of Singaporeans would only reskill if necessary, showing further reluctance while GenAI professional use is becoming more prevalent.

Additionally, enhancing digital skills and understanding technological trends ranks low in Singaporeans’ priorities. They have reported to be prioritising traditional skills such as analytical skills (46%) and job-specific skills (35%).

While 43% of Singaporean talents use GenAI monthly, 40% reported that they are still unfamiliar with its capabilities. While Singaporeans acknowledge GenAI’s potential to reduce non-essential tasks (60%) and enhance work quality (45%), its usage for meeting deadlines and accelerating work (32%) remains lower compared to the region (44%) and globally (45%). 

Some Singaporeans are concerned with the elimination or transformation of their jobs due to AI (22%) while 19% believe that their jobs will remain unaffected.

One of the challenges they are facing in embracing GenAI is the difficulty of writing effective prompts and relevant skills (37%), which is higher than the regional (33%) and global average (30%).

Nonetheless, 51% of Singaporeans have expressed their desire for guidance in learning skills associated with AI, while 46% emphasised the need for improved learning courses. 36% cited the need for employer support for GenAI adoption in the workplace.

“AI’s impact is undeniable, and it is essential for both individuals and employers in Singapore to start taking proactive steps in reskilling and future-proofing our workforce,” Vic Sithasanan, acting managing director at Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore, said.

“The Decoding Global Talent 2024 report has shown a pressing need for more Singaporeans to actively engage and build the skills needed in today’s evolving AI-driven economy. Employers also play a crucial role in bridging this gap by offering clear guidance and accessible learning opportunities, as aligned with Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 strategy. Without this ongoing support and drive to reskill, local talent will struggle to adapt professionally in the evolving AI landscape,” Sithasanan added.

Indonesia – Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH or Indosat) and Ericsson have launched the world’s first full-stack digital monetisation platform (DMP), marking a major step in Indonesia’s telecom digital transformation.

The DMP stack enabled a seamless migration of prepaid subscribers. As the first of its kind, the platform—part of Ericsson’s Telecom Business Support System (BSS)—empowers Indosat to enhance digital services, including 5G readiness and advanced B2B solutions.

With real-time monetisation, the platform empowers Indosat to meet diverse customer needs and opens doors for new business models that leverage 5G advancements—such as network slicing—to deliver customised connectivity for both consumer and enterprise markets.

Designed to serve around 100 million Indosat subscribers, the DMP achieved a key milestone with the seamless migration of millions of prepaid users in just 18 days, including an intensive, disruption-free 48-hour period.

Vikram Sinha, president director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, said, “The successful deployment of the DMP was a testament to the spirit of ‘Gotong Royong’—a collaborative effort uniting all stakeholders toward our common goal. This partnership with Ericsson will assist Indosat to elevate the quality of services and provide a marvellous experience to our customers. Through real-time monetisation and a highly adaptable platform, we are enabling new business models that will fuel growth across the industry.”

Krishna Patil, president director of Ericsson Indonesia, also commented, “As a global ICT leader, Ericsson is committed to supporting Indosat in enhancing its digital offerings by providing the latest innovations with world-class technology. We are confident that, by deploying a full-stack DMP, Indosat can improve customer services while ensuring a smooth transition to the 5G network. Our long-standing partnership supports Indosat’s transformation and accelerates digitalisation across the country.”

This partnership supports Indosat’s mission to empower Indonesia by raising telecom standards, promoting economic growth, and enabling real-time monetisation to drive industry progress. By building a resilient, efficient telecom infrastructure, Indosat is strengthening digital inclusion and advancing connectivity nationwide.

Alongside the DMP launch, Indosat and Ericsson also signed an MoU at Innovate Asia 2024 to co-develop AI and ML innovations within the DMP and BSS ecosystems, aiming to accelerate monetisation, reduce time-to-market, and boost revenue growth with advanced AI-driven products.