Tag: Thailand

Singapore – 90% of Thai and Indonesian viewers prefer the quality of professional videos over social videos, according to a report from the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA).

According to AVIA’s report, both markets believe that professional videos from over-the-top services such as Disney+, Netflix, TRUEID, Vidio and Viu are of better quality. 

The majority believes that these content captures attention more, and considers the time watching them better spent compared to user-generated content and social videos.

Viewers associate professional videos with stronger emotions, while users generally feel more negative emotions when watching videos on social media.

Additionally, the report found an increased adoption of Smart TVs, signalling more opportunities for advertisers to leverage Connected TV advertising. This also shows a potential for advertisers to explore the OTT landscape.

The research was conducted by Milieu Insight in November 2024.

“In Indonesia, a 10% higher brand recall and purchase intent from OTT advertising campaigns underscores the platform’s growing impact, encouraging more brands and agencies to diversify their media strategies. The momentum in CTV OTT advertising is equally promising, with Vidio’s 150-minute average daily watch time offering advertisers access to a high-quality audience and premium inventory,” Hermawan Sutanto, managing director at Vidio, said.

David Sky, director of advertising solutions at TRUE Digital Group, commented, “At TRUEID, we are dedicated to providing premium OTT services that deliver high-quality professional video content to our viewers in Thailand. We are heartened that almost 9 out of 10 consumers surveyed wholeheartedly agree that premium services out-deliver on quality. And with the increasing adoption of Connected TVs, the time is now for advertisers and brands to take advantage of the increasingly engaged audience on premium OTT.”

“The power and opportunity of premium OTT services in Indonesia and Thailand are significant. This study clearly demonstrates the value these services offer to both consumers and advertisers. We believe this is a call to action for advertisers to leverage the unique advantages of premium OTT,” Louis Boswell, chief executive officer of AVIA, said.

Thailand – PTT Station is tackling misinformation as it slams internet myths in its latest advertisement. The campaign was made in collaboration with digital agency Yell Worldwide.

The campaign, titled ‘They Said What?!’, brings online myths about PTT to life, debunking them head-on to fuel truth. It aims to deliver fact-based information about the brand.

Central to the campaign is the concept of personifying avatars and profile pictures to confront them about hearsay circulating online. Each individual represents a misconception about PTT’s fuel.

Beyond promoting PTT’s fuel products, the three-minute video aims to encourage consumers to make informed choices that are based on facts.

The concept of the campaign is based on how negative statements seen on the internet can often disconnect brands from consumers, leading to a distorted perception of the brand.

Thailand – The Stop Gambling Foundation and Dentsu Creative Thailand have joined forces to launch an initiative that turns the tactics of gambling ads against themselves to expose the risks of online gambling and protect Thai youth from addiction.

The “Tit for Tat: Stop Online Gambling” campaign repurposed gambling ads, altering their content to highlight the risks instead of promoting gambling. Designed to resemble typical gambling promotions, the ads ultimately revealed real stories of young people affected by gambling addiction.

Dentsu Creative Thailand developed the campaign’s strategy, using the same tactics as gambling ads to raise awareness of their risks. The ads were placed on TikTok, a key platform for Thai youth, to maximise visibility.

The campaign responds to the growing crisis in Thailand, where, despite being illegal, online gambling draws over three million children—one-third of all youth—into debt and crime each year. Gambling sites exploit social media ads to target vulnerable youth, bypassing efforts to block them.

Using the same digital strategies as gambling websites, Dentsu Creative Thailand aimed to counter deceptive online gambling ads, raising awareness among Thai youth and encouraging informed decisions.

Thailand – Following the premiere of HBO’s hit series ‘The White Lotus’ third season, online travel agency Agoda has reported a 12% surge in accommodation searches for Koh Samui, the show’s primary filming location, with interest from the United States soaring by 65%.

Agoda reports that a surge in US searches has placed the country among Koh Samui’s top five inbound markets, replacing Malaysia. The island’s top international searchers now come exclusively from the West: Israel, Germany, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

The third season of ‘The White Lotus’ was filmed in Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Pha-Ngan, and Phuket, featuring a cast that includes Patrick Schwarzenegger and BLACKPINK’s Lalisa Manobal.

Notably, the first two seasons of the said series boosted tourism in Hawaii and Sicily. Building on this trend, the Thai government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) successfully lobbied for the third season to be filmed in the country.

Pierre Honne, country director for Thailand at Agoda, said, “The third season premiere of ‘The White Lotus’ has been a highly anticipated event in Thailand as it has across the rest of the world. It’s thrilling to finally see beloved Thai destinations like Bangkok and Koh Samui as the settings for a global TV sensation. The potential positive effects on Koh Samui and Thailand’s tourism are undeniable.”

Singapore – Edelman has strengthened its leadership in Southeast Asia with the appointment of Delicia Tan as CEO for Singapore, expanding her current role overseeing Hong Kong and Taiwan, and Vorasit (Gigg) Turongsomboon as the new managing director for Edelman Thailand.

Currently serving as CEO for Hong Kong and Taiwan, Tan will now expand her leadership to include Singapore, succeeding Julia Wei, who is leaving the firm at the end of the month to pursue a new venture.

Tan, who joined Edelman Singapore in 2006, has extensive experience leading integrated teams across Asia Pacific. She has worked on diversified communications strategies and served as regional and global client leader for several of the firm’s major clients.

During her two and a half years as CEO of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, Tan has led the business through the post-pandemic period and developed an integrated communications team serving clients across the region.

Turongsomboon, who has over 16 years of experience in strategic public relations and communications, also joins Tan as the new managing director for Edelman Thailand.

Turongsomboon will lead Edelman’s Thailand office, which has expanded in response to growing client demand. The office has worked on notable campaigns, including the Cannes Lions-winning Dove #LetHerGrow campaign in 2023 and the Vaseline Transition Body Lotion campaign in 2024.

Before joining Edelman, Turongsomboon was managing director at MSL, overseeing clients in the tourism, automotive, and consumer products sectors. His experience also includes a decade-long tenure at Procter & Gamble.

Speaking on the leadership appointments, Rakesh Thukral, Edelman’s CEO for Asia Pacific, said, “Delicia’s new role is an acknowledgement of her experience and contribution to our firm. We have a strong team and a great set of clients in Singapore. With Delicia’s leadership, I am confident that we will continue to do impressive work in that market. I would like to thank Julia for her contribution to the Edelman business in APAC.” 

Thukral added, “We are also very pleased to have Gigg onboard to lead our business in Thailand. Through these appointments, we are strengthening our ability to deliver the best communications advisory solutions for our clients across Asia Pacific. I am confident both Gigg and Delicia will make a positive impact in their new positions.” 

Tan and Turongsomboon’s appointments are effective immediately.

Thailand – This Valentine’s Day, Durex takes a bold stand against the pleasure gap, partnering with Sour Bangkok to champion pleasure equality in its latest campaign.

Created by Sour Bangkok, Durex’s out-of-home campaign highlights overlooked perspectives and addresses inequalities in pleasure, advocating for inclusivity with its ‘ALLgasm’ message.

The campaign brings the conversation to city streets with striking images of women’s lips—though a change in perspective reveals something unexpected. Alongside the bold visuals, it highlights unspoken truths about pleasure, such as how many women find being on top helps them reach orgasm faster, while others believe toys increase satisfaction.

Durex’s campaign underscores the message that ‘sex is a duet, not a solo,’ underscoring the importance of shared pleasure and inclusivity with its ‘ALLgasm’ concept.

In a statement, the campaign stated, “Because let’s be honest—one side is finishing the race, while the other is stuck pretending to run. Over 60% of women have faked an orgasm, and 15% have never even had one. Some don’t want to hurt feelings, some just want it over, and some simply say, ‘It’s complicated.’ But pleasure should be felt, not faked—and ALLgasm is here to change that.”

Thailand – Communications agency Havas Thailand has announced key appointments in an effort to strengthen its leadership team. Carlo Herold has been appointed as the agency’s managing director while Siamrit Wongvichitara takes on the role of chief growth and commercial officer.

In his new role, Herold will oversee the media operations while leading strategies to enhance client engagement and boost its presence. Bringing his expertise in performance marketing and digital innovation, Herold is set to contribute to boosting the agency’s offerings.

Meanwhile, Wongvichitara will attend to Havas Thailand’s business development, building client partnerships while leveraging his knowledge of the market.

Rana Barua, group CEO of Havas India, SEA & North Asia, said, “Thailand is a key growth market for Havas, and strengthening our leadership here is a top priority. Carlo and Siamrit bring a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the local market, which will be invaluable in driving our strategic goals. As the Thai market continues to evolve with new opportunities and challenges, Carlo and Siamrit will play a pivotal role along with Aga, in navigating these shifts and accelerating our growth in the region. Their leadership will be instrumental in reinforcing Havas Thailand’s position as a forward-thinking, innovative partner to our clients.”

“These appointments mark a significant step in strengthening our capabilities and aligning with the evolving needs of the Thai market. With Thailand ranking among the top globally for mobile- first behavior and social commerce, it is crucial to strengthen our digital capabilities to stay ahead of evolving consumer trends. By helping our clients navigate this dynamic landscape, we aim to achieve sustainable growth while building meaningful brands that deeply resonate with audiences. Together, we will continue to innovate and deliver impactful solutions that resonate across the market,” Aga Giedroyc, CEO of  Havas Thailand, said.

“We are both excited to take on these roles and work together to lead Havas Thailand through its next phase of growth. We look forward to collaborating with Aga and the entire team to drive impactful strategies that not only elevate our market presence but also create lasting value for our clients. Together, we are committed to strengthening Havas Thailand’s position as a forward-thinking, solutions-driven partner in this dynamic and evolving market,” Herold and Wongvichitara commented.

Thailand –The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has approved investment privileges for projects totalling 170.5b baht (approximately US$5b), including significant digital infrastructure and cloud services initiatives from TikTok and Siam AI.

At a meeting chaired by deputy prime minister and minister of finance Pichai Chunhavajira, the BOI approved a 126.8b baht investment by TikTok Pte. Ltd. in data hosting services to support its affiliated companies, with operations slated to begin in 2026. 

Additionally, the BOI granted approval for a 3.25b baht investment by Thailand’s Siam AI Corporation in cloud services focused on artificial intelligence applications.

“TikTok’s and Siam AI’s investments mark a significant step in enhancing Thailand’s digital and AI infrastructure and supporting the national goal of becoming a digital innovation hub in ASEAN,” said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary general of the BOI. 

TikTok’s investment adds to Thailand’s growing digital infrastructure, following data centre and cloud projects by Amazon Web Services, Google, Australia’s NextDC, India’s CtrlS Datacenters, and Singapore-based GDS IDC Services. In 2024, investment promotion applications surged 35% to a 10-year high of 1.14t baht, driven by major foreign direct investments in data centres and cloud services.

Thailand – FleishmanHillard has named Atiwat Krisintu as the new general manager of its Bangkok office, taking over from founding general manager Sophis Kasemsahasin, who is retiring after a distinguished career in communications.

In his new role, Krisintu will focus on expanding the agency’s services and enhancing its position in the Thai market, aiming to deliver effective communication strategies and support business outcomes for clients.

Krisintu brings nearly 30 years of experience in corporate strategy and management consulting, including his recent role as director of strategy & business design at Deloitte Consulting. He has also held senior positions at SIAM MAKRO, Central Marketing Group, Coca-Cola, AIM Research, Publicis, and Research International.

Commenting on his new role, Krisintu said, “It is truly tremendous to step into the role of general manager for a team as talented, motivated, and collaborative as the one that Sophis has built. I am excited to work alongside this incredible group and add value for both our clients and teams. By drawing on my experience, I am committed to strengthening our strategic advisory services, expanding our reach through the wider global FleishmanHillard and Omnicom networks, and delivering impactful solutions that meet the evolving needs of the market. Together, we will build on the success of the Bangkok office and take it to even greater heights.” 

As the new GM for Bangkok, Krisintu will report to Joanne Wong, FleishmanHillard’s Asia Pacific president and senior partner. 

Speaking on the appointment, Wong said, “As a seasoned leader with a proven ability to solve complex business challenges and inform high-level strategies for both global and Thai organisations, Atiwat brings invaluable expertise to our team. Building on the solid foundation and stellar reputation that our team in Thailand has established, we are confident that Atiwat will help us further enhance our capabilities, engage deeper with the C-suite, and elevate our position as a business-critical advisor. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team.” 

Wong continued, “In today’s increasingly complex business ecosystem, clients demand communications services that are bespoke, agile, and outcome driven. They expect agency partners to offer not only expertise in crafting strategies aligned with business needs and context but also to execute them with precision and impact. Elevating FleishmanHillard to this unique and competitive position in the APAC region is a top strategic priority for us in 2025, and Atiwat and the Thailand office will play a key role in helping us achieve this vision.” 

Krisintu’s appointment follows the retirement of founding GM Sophis Kasemsahasin, who leaves after more than 25 years in the communications industry, including 11 years at FleishmanHillard. Kasemsahasin established the Bangkok office in 2013 and grew it into one of Thailand’s most reputable agencies.

“We are immensely grateful for Sophis’ significant contributions to our Bangkok operations. Her vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on our people, our clients, and the industry as a whole. Under her management, Thailand has been a key and growing part of our APAC business for over a decade, and we look forward to the next stage of success under Atiwat’s leadership,” Wong commented. 

Singapore – Dating app Tinder has activated a real-life ‘Passport’ portal connecting people in Thailand and Vietnam. 

The ‘Tinder Passport: Teleport to Another City’ activation introduces a new way to meet people through a livestream portal in Siam Square, Bangkok and Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh from December 6 to 8.

The activation complements the Passport Mode found on the Tinder app, where users can browse profiles and chat with people from a chosen location.

People on each side of the portal can connect through a five-minute video, with prompts guiding the conversation. The portal also allows them to send match requests or opt out of the call.

While the campaign has been primarily launched in Thailand and Vietnam, Tinder is planning to launch the activation in other major cities in Asia next year.

“Tinder is all about sparking new connections and creating meaningful experiences, and our latest experiential activation takes that mission to the next level. By connecting two vibrant cities in Asia, we’re giving people a unique opportunity to break the ice, meet new people, and explore the potential for real-life connections across borders similar to our Passport feature in the Tinder app,” Daniel Kim, vice president of APAC Marketing at Tinder, said.

“Whether it’s finding a new friend, travel buddy, or something more, Tinder and this campaign is designed to be a fun and innovative experience on bringing people together,” Kim added.