In a joint media statement, the partnership was heralded as a significant step towards enabling startups to secure funds through the pitchIN platform while receiving vital support and guidance throughout their fundraising journey.

UMTJ Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Dr Ahmad Ramzi Mohamad Zubir, underscored UMT’s vast intellectual property portfolio, which includes patents, industrial designs, innovation utilities, trademarks, proprietary rights, and trade secrets, all primed for commercialization. “In 2023 alone, UMT registered a total of 60 intellectual property assets, including 40 products as proprietary rights, 13 as trade secrets, and 4 registered patents, with other categorizations of intellectual properties,” he noted.

Highlighting the underutilization of these intellectual assets, Dato’ Dr Ahmad Ramzi emphasized that their commercial potential represents untapped revenue for both UMT and Malaysia. The collaboration with pitchIN aims to bridge this gap by linking UMT’s startups with potential investors through the pitchIN platform.

PitchIN, a Digital Fundraising and Investment Hub, is recognized by the Securities Commission Malaysia as a Registered Market Operator (RMO). It offers both Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) and Token Crowdfunding (TCF) platforms. To date, pitchIN has successfully conducted 177 ECF campaigns, raising over RM325 million.

Also Read: OpenText Unveils Cutting-Edge AI and Cloud Innovations with Cloud Editions (CE) 24.3

Sam Shafie, CEO of pitchIN, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to collaborate with UMTJ to support the growth of startups originating from UMT’s research. This partnership not only expands access to alternative financing for UMTJ’s startup companies but also helps commercialize existing intellectual assets.”

In conjunction with this agreement, UMTJ’s startup companies will benefit from the Fundraising Accelerator (FA), an entrepreneurship program launched by pitchIN Academy in October 2022. This initiative aims to equip UMT startup founders with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully raise funds for their businesses.

The signing ceremony was attended by notable figures including YBbhg. Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud, Chairman of the UMTJ Committee; YBrs. Prof. ChM Dr. Marinah Mohd Ariffin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) of UMT; and Xelia Tong, COO of pitchIN.

The post UMT Jaya Holdings and pitchIN Forge Alliance to Boost Startup Fundraising appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Below are some key market highlights across the different geographical locations:

Industrial Sector

Klang Valley

• There is a marked shift towards high-quality, sustainable logistics spaces, contributing to a slight rise in market rents. The region has attracted significant data centre investments, including major projects like Google’s data centers.
• Institutional investors are increasingly targeting industrial assets in the Klang Valley for their stable returns and yield-accretive potential.

Johor

• Rapid growth in the data centre market driven by proximity to Singapore as well as the launch of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) in January 2024.
• Initiatives like the Johor-Shenzhen Industrial Park and the solar-ready factory by Paragon Globe Bhd are setting benchmarks for sustainable industrial development in Johor, designed to enhance the region’s attractiveness for high-tech and green industries.

Penang

• Penang continues to draw substantial foreign direct investments, thanks to its strategic location and robust industrial infrastructure.
• The state is expected to become a hub for high-tech industries, particularly in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, supported by enhancements in local infrastructure and investment incentives

Sabah

• Sabah’s industrial sector benefits from federal investments and initiatives aimed at boosting industrial growth.
• Federal government allocated RM6.6 billion in Budget 2024, plus a special RM300 million grant. Initiatives include hybrid solar energy generation and construction of electricity transmission lines in southern Sabah.
• Developments like the Jesselton Docklands and the increase in industrial property transactions indicate a healthy growth trajectory for the region’s industrial market.

Sarawak

• Sarawak is focusing on becoming “Asia’s Renewable Powerhouse,” with initiatives like the construction of a hydro dam in Kalimantan and various large-scale industrial parks.
• These efforts are part of a broader strategy to attract investments and foster sustainable economic development.
• Kuching’s industrial sector saw substantial increases in both transaction volume and value.
• Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 to attract increased foreign investments.

Office Sector

Klang Valley

• 1H saw the completion of two significant buildings, adding 0.4 million sq ft, bringing the total space to 117.9 million sq ft with notable completions include Menara Felcra @ Semarak20 and Pavilion Damansara Heights Corporate Tower 1, contributing 213,000 sq ft and 233,000 sq ft respectively.
• Klang Valley’s office sector experienced modest improvements in occupancy and rental rates, driven by tenant relocations and a resilient market in KL Fringe and Selangor.
• Future completions in 2H2024 include The Exchange TRX Office, Oxley Tower, TNB Gold Bangsar, and Atwater Corporate Towers, expected to add approximately 1.4 million sq ft.
• Improvement in occupancy rates across KL City, KL Fringe and Selangor

Johor

• Stable rental rates observed, with average asking rents between RM2.90 and RM3.50 per sq ft per month in Johor Bahru City Centre, and RM2.90 to RM3.10 per sq ft per month in Johor Bahru City Fringe.
• Continued growth in co-working spaces, with the International Workplace Group (IWG) planning to open a third workspace in Medini, leveraging the demand for flexible work solutions.

Penang

• The office space supply remained stable with 6.9 million sq ft on Penang Island and 1.7 million sq ft in Seberang Perai. Three new office towers are expected to enter the market in the second half of 2024, including Sunshine Tower, GBS by The Sea, and a 34-story office suites building in Gelugor.
• Premium-grade office buildings in George Town and selected buildings outside George Town reported high occupancy rates, ranging from 80% to 100%.

Sabah

• The existing supply of office spaces in Kota Kinabalu remained stable at 5.2 million sq ft, with an occupancy rate of 86.0%.
• One notable activity included Casa Office & Home Furniture leasing approximately 4,300 sq ft in G Building at Bundusan. The Jabatan Audit Negara Negeri Sabah government office building was completed with a net lettable area of 39,579 sq ft.

Sarawak

• The relocation of Shell Malaysia Upstream’s headquarters to Miri Times Square has significantly impacted the office market, bringing the region’s first Grade A and Gold GBI office space.
• The commercial property market in Kuching saw a 5.9% increase in transaction volume and a 4.06% increase in transaction value, driven by infrastructure developments like Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) and hydrogen buses.

Retail Sector

Klang Valley

• The retail market showed signs of recovery with increased footfall and sales with continued interest in prime retail spaces driven by local and international brands.
• New retail supply included the completion of retail components in mixed-use developments like Pavilion Damansara Heights and Sunway Velocity 2.
• E-commerce and omnichannel retail strategies are reshaping consumer behavior and retail space demand.

Johor

• The retail market in Johor is showing positive momentum, driven by active retailer movements and higher occupancy rates with Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru and AEON Mall Bukit Indah becoming key destinations, attracting a diverse range of established and emerging brands.
• Prominent malls like The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, and KSL City Mall continue to experience strong demand, particularly from Singaporean shoppers. This surge in interest has pushed occupancy rates close to capacity .

Penang

• Retail spending in Penang is anticipated to increase in the second half of 2024 due to improvements in the labor market, the expansion of flight routes and frequencies, and growth in tourism-related activities.

Sabah

• Prime shopping malls in the Kota Kinabalu CBD have generally repositioned their tenant mix over the past two years, introducing renowned retailers to differentiate and strengthen their market positioning.
• As of Q1 2024, the supply and occupancy of retail space within shopping complexes in Kota Kinabalu were approximately 6.1 million sq ft, with an occupancy rate of 79.8%.

Hospitality Sector

Klang Valley

• The tourism sector is recovering, with increased hotel occupancy rates, especially in 4-star and 5-star categories.
• Significant new openings and renovations are expected to attract more tourists.

Johor

• Tourism spending in Johor reached RM71.3 billion, the highest per capita spending recorded since 2010, driven by economic recovery and a rebound in tourism activities.
• Several major hotel developments are underway, including the Novotel Hotel in JB Fringe and the Sheraton Johor Bahru in the CBD, both set to enhance the luxury hospitality offering in the region.

Penang

• International hotel brands such as Le Meridien, Westin, and Marriott are planning new openings.
• Direct flights to major cities and reciprocal visa-free policies are boosting tourism.

Sabah

• Federal government initiatives, including visa-free programs for Chinese and Indian tourists, are expected to increase high-spending visitors.
• The state’s hospitality sector is attracting foreign investments.

Sarawak

• Sarawak is enhancing its hospitality sector with a focus on eco-friendly developments. Notable projects include the development of two 5-star eco-resorts by Sinyi Group, which are focused on sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.

High-End High Rise Residential Sector:

Klang Valley

• 1Q2024 saw 3,413 residential units sold for RM2.80 billion, marking a 19.2% increase in volume and a 19.3% rise in value.
• Notable completions include three high-end condominium projects, adding 1,846 units.
• Future completions in 2H2024 will add approximately 5,866 units to the market.

Johor

• Notable growth in transaction volumes and values in both condominiums/apartments and serviced apartments categories.
• Several high-rise residential projects were launched, reflecting a vibrant market driven by strategic developments like the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.

Penang

• The high-end residential market in Penang continues to be buoyed by strong demand, particularly in areas with high connectivity and amenities.
• New properties featuring upgraded amenities are expected to boost the rental market, drawing tenants and fostering rental growth across various neighborhoods.

Sabah

• High-rise residential schemes are particularly targeted at small to mid-sized households, reflecting a focus on lifestyle and convenience.
• Occupation Certificates were attained for Jesselton Twin Towers during the review period, with the asset being noted as Borneo’s tallest iconic landmark.

Sarawak

• Achieved a GDP milestone of RM146 billion in 2023.
• Sarawak’s GDP reached RM146 billion in 2023, reflecting its strong economic performance. This economic growth is supporting increased activity in the high-end residential market.
• The market is seeing a rise in both transaction volume and value, driven by ongoing infrastructure developments such as the Automated Rapid Transit (ART) and hydrogen buses, which enhance the attractiveness of high-end residential properties in the region.

Conclusion:

Findings underscore the strategic importance of the industrial sector in the country’s economic landscape. Key infrastructure projects such as the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL), Johor Bahru – Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS), Pan Borneo Sabah, and MyDigital 5G are expected to further enhance connectivity and support the sector’s growth. According to our Group Managing Director, Keith Ooi, “this indicates a strengthening investment climate, driven by strategic government initiatives and a supportive regulatory environment. Knight Frank Malaysia’s mid-year review highlights a promising trajectory for the property sector, supported by robust economic growth, significant investments, and adaptive market trends.” As Malaysia continues to show promising growth prospects, bolstered by strategic investments, infrastructure improvements, and evolving market dynamics.

To download the full report, click https://kf-my.com/REH1H2024-PDF

The post Strategic Developments Fuelling Growth in Malaysia’s 2024 Property Market appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Singapore-based fintech startup Qashier announced today that it is launching Treats, a unique payment-linked loyalty programme that allows customers to seamlessly earn points by simply tapping and paying with their linked cards at any merchant under the Treats programme. Since piloting the loyalty programme with 7,000 customers in June 2024, Qashier’s merchants have seen an average of 26% increase in customer purchases and an increased return rate of customers within an average of eight days.

According to YouGov’s latest report highlighting the loyalty programme landscape in Asia Pacific, the top barriers for consumers to join include inconvenience when signing up (52%) and confusing rewards structures (50%). To help merchants solve this challenge, Qashier has launched a loyalty solution powered by Treats that is quick, simple, and seamless.

To register for Treats, customers scan a QR code once to link their credit or debit card. Subsequently, shoppers can enjoy collecting points automatically at any Treats-participating merchant by simply tapping and paying.

The collected Treats points can be redeemed to offset payments for the customer’s next visit to the same Treats merchants, with chain store merchants having the option to enable earning and redeeming points across their multistore.

Treats is available for QashierPOS and QashierPay merchants, allowing customers to make payments and earn points seamlessly in-store. An industry first, the QashierPay terminals with Treats enabled will allow merchants to conveniently view Treats customer profiles and points when accepting payments. With QashierPay launching in Thailand and the Philippines later this year, more customers and merchants across Southeast Asia will be able to enjoy the benefits of Treats.

“Qashier has always been a champion for SMEs, supporting local businesses with digital payments. With Treats, we’re expanding our support to benefit both merchants and customers in meaningful ways. For merchants, this means fostering a loyal customer base, encouraging repeat business and strengthening customer relationships. For customers, it offers the opportunity to effortlessly earn cashback rewards while shopping at their favourite stores. We’re excited to enhance the buying experience, making it both easier and more rewarding for everyone involved,” said Travis Kok, SVP of Qashier.

With the integration of Treats, Qashier’s products now offer POS software capabilities and embedded payment options across credit cards, mobile payments, e-wallets, QR payments, online payments, and embedded loyalty solution to become a 3-in-1, unified smart POS for merchants. This allows merchants to streamline their operations into a single device that enables them to make seamless transactions and manage operations at an affordable cost. The new Treats loyalty programme is free of charge and bundled in for QashierPOS and QashierPay merchants in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand till the end of 2024.

Refreshed and upgraded QashierXS

Digitisation is continually a hot topic for merchants in Singapore – and especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Singapore Digital Economy Report 2023 revealed that the technology adoption rate of SMEs increased from 73.8% in 2018 to 94.3% in 2022. To keep pace, Qashier has updated the hardware of QashierXS alongside the launch of Treats to continue enhancing the payment experience in today’s ever-changing digital economy.

The new 3-in-1 QashierXS offers enhanced functionality over its predecessor, featuring a faster processing speed and an increased memory capacity, providing businesses with ample storage for inventory management and transaction records. Even with these enhanced capabilities, the refreshed hardware remains under 500 grams, with a sleek and compact design similar to its predecessor.

Leveraging evolving technology, the QashierXS is a full-function, lightweight device that optimises space and operational efficiency, delivering a smoother POS payment experience for merchants at a low cost.

Since the company’s inception in 2019, Qashier has processed over US$1 billion worth of transactions and empowered over 7,000 businesses across Southeast Asia with its integrated hardware and cloud-based software solution that streamlines business operations.

Qashier has also recently been awarded in-principle approval by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a major payment institution (MPI) licence to offer merchant acquisition services, as well as domestic and cross-border money transfer services.

Qashier continues to grow, and currently has four offices across Southeast Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Alongside its own expansion, the company is continually investing in technology and innovation to ensure the merchants in the region can grow and scale their business effectively and effortlessly.

For more information about Qashier and how they can empower your business, please visit https://www.qashier.com/.

The post Qashier Unveils Treats, an Offering That Streamlines POS, Payment, and Loyalty Mechanisms Into an Automated Payment-Linked Loyalty Solution appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

We need to rethink the agency new business model

Creative and media agencies across UK and EMEA have not only grappled with sluggish growth in billings but have also faced increasing pressures from clients to deliver more for less. We’re constantly hearing agencies are looking to consolidate systems, streamline processes and find efficiencies.

Clients have been leveraging their bargaining power to demand additional services and resources without commensurate increases in fees. This trend has forced agencies to reassess their value propositions and adapt their business models to remain competitive in an increasingly demanding market.

Gone are the days of relying solely on pitches and presentations to win over clients. The game has changed, and the old pitch playbook just won’t cut it anymore. It’s time to embrace innovation, creativity, and unconventional strategies if agencies want to survive. The agency new business model needs a radical overhaul, or else it’s destined to be left behind in the dust of more agile and adaptable competitors.

What agencies can do to take back control

1. Billing for Pitches and Cost Recovery:

The question of whether to bill clients for pitches is a contentious issue in our industry. While some agencies choose to absorb the costs as part of their business development expenses, others opt to invoice clients for the time and resources invested in the pitching process.

This may be a controversial opinion, but I think well-established agencies with strong reputations and proven track records should undoubtedly charge for pitching. Their industry credibility justifies this practice, ensuring they recover costs and reinforce their value. On the flip side, newer agencies need to earn their stripes and make their mark. For them, not charging for pitches can be a strategic move, allowing them to build relationships, showcase their capabilities, and gradually gain the reputation needed to command pitch fees in the future.

For agencies considering billing clients for pitches, transparency is key. Clear communication regarding the billing, should be established upfront, outlining the scope of work, associated costs, and the potential outcomes. Additionally, agencies should strive to demonstrate the value proposition during the pitch process, thereby justifying the investment for the client.

2. Find Your Niche

Agencies must carve out a niche and specialise if they’re to stand out from the crowd. Agencies that focus predominantly on sectors or industries, like automotive or finance, become more efficient and effective by deeply understanding their clients’ unique needs and audience behaviors. Take brand experience agency Uniplan, for example, which works predominantly with brands in the automotive sector with the likes of Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Porsche, Mercedez-Benz on its client roster. By capturing industry insights and tailoring them across its wide range of auto clients, Uniplan has gained a strong foothold and stands out against other agencies. Specialisation not only gives agencies a competitive edge but also makes them more appealing to new business prospects, showcasing their expertise and ability to deliver targeted solutions.

Also Read: Initiative Promotes Megan Davey to Head of Melbourne Amid Sarah James’ Departure

3. Automate to Operate

Agencies can significantly reduce the costs associated with pitching for new business by leveraging AI and modern project management tools to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.

• AI-powered tools like HubSpot CRM and Zoho CRM automate essential tasks such as data analysis, client research, and personalised outreach. This automation reduces the need for extensive manual work, allowing agency staff to focus more on developing strategic and creative pitches rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks.
• Chorus.ai provides insights calls, helping agencies refine their pitching strategies based on data-driven feedback. This can lead to higher success rates with fewer resources spent on trial-and-error approaches.
• For web project delivery, Blutui offers a comprehensive platform that addresses inefficiencies associated with traditional outsourcing, in-house full-stack teams, and fragmented tech stacks. Blutui enables front-end developers to manage entire projects, cutting down on the need for multiple specialists and reducing long-term management costs.

By adopting these technologies, agencies can streamline their operations, reduce overheads, and make their pitching processes more cost-effective. This strategic use of AI and project management tools can transform the way agencies approach new business development, ensuring that every pitch is more efficient and impactful.

4. Reconsidering your commercial model

Traditional agencies will tend to follow the more orthodox commercial model of purely a “T&M” approach, and whilst this comes with certain advantages such as flexibility (adjustments along the project life cycle), transparency of hours worked and costs incurred and easy to initiate and negotiate the commercial contract terms. It’s crucial for agencies to reconsider their commercial models to stay competitive and improve new business and pitching practices.

• Output-Based Models: These focus on delivering specific outcomes or milestones, tying compensation directly to the achievement of predefined goals. This can provide clearer expectations and stronger incentives for performance.

• Value-Based Pricing: In some cases, pricing can be structured based on the perceived value of the solution rather than the inputs (time and materials) required to produce it.

• Incentive Models – Reducing your fee proposal into an incentive pool also allows the agency the right to earn more based on agreed specified outcomes and allows both partners to enjoy joint success. During the new business and pitching process, this can be presented as a win-win scenario, emphasizing the agency’s confidence in delivering successful results and its commitment to client satisfaction. This approach also sees the relationship dynamic shift away from a supplier/ vendor relationship to a partnership.

One thing is for sure, the industry needs to see changes and agencies need to take back control of the process, or risk being caught in a cycle of escalating costs and diminishing returns in new business pitching.

About Tangram

Tangram has decades of experience providing consulting and tech solutions to improve agency processes and finance management and works closely with independents and large networks providing consulting and tech solutions to help improve agency processes and finance management.

The post Thrive to Survive: The new business race for agencies By Sai Chiu, Tangram UK Principal Consultant appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Shopify Inc.’s Southeast Asia Retail Report 2024 states that Southeast Asian retailers are placing big bets on social media as 68% plan to increase investment in social commerce over the next 12 months. This dovetails with the finding that social media is now the biggest driver of brand and product discovery in Southeast Asia, with more than 4 in 5 consumers (82%) discovering new products through social media.

Social commerce platforms are seeing staggering growth in the region, with platforms like TikTok projected to grow their user base in Asia-Pacific by 11.3% in 2024. In line with this, 39% of retailers surveyed for Shopify’s report said social media engagement is one of the most crucial metrics for determining the ROI of commerce infrastructure, ranking just behind profit margin (44%).

“Given the economic climate, customers have become more discerning and selective with how they spend their money,” notes Eugene Chua, Executive Head of Global E-Commerce and Sales at Secretlab, a Shopify client, in the report. “Social media continues to play a big role as a platform of discovery and in influencing customer’s decisions.”

Consumers are searching for value in current economic climate

The current economic climate has greatly impacted purchasing behaviour. Inflation and the rising cost of living have led the majority of Southeast Asian consumers (83%) to cut back on non-essential expenses, with over half seeking the best value when they shop. When it comes to making a purchase, price is the top factor for shoppers in Southeast Asia. Nearly all consumers surveyed (96%) said that they would stay loyal to a brand if it offered them an incentive, with consistently low prices or promotions being a top draw for 70%. In line with this, contextual real-time pricing (71%) is the number one area in which retailers plan to increase their technology spending so that they can drive conversions while maintaining favourable margins.

Although price is a key factor in driving loyalty and churn, competing solely on price is not sustainable, leaving retailers to compete on other forms of value, such as customer experience. This shows that to attract and retain customers, understanding their demands is crucial.

Specifically in Singapore, the top three must-have considerations for online shopping are free shipping, (71%), accessibility of payment with debit and credit cards (55%), and free returns (51%).

On the other hand, the top three priorities when shopping in-store are knowledgeable staff (56%), stock availability (55%), and attentive service (36%).

Unique challenges facing retailers

When it comes to where Southeast Asians like to shop, over half (52%) of the people surveyed said they prefer shopping online.

Business websites, also referred to as brand.com sites, are important to shopping journeys in the region. 81% of Southeast Asian shoppers agree that a company with a brand website is more trustworthy and credible, compared to those without one. This trust factor is especially important to shoppers when making large purchases – two in five (42%) of SEA consumers prefer making large purchases on a company’s website instead of its online marketplace store.

Though online channels are the stand-out preference for Southeast Asian shoppers, physical stores remain an important channel. Over a quarter (28%) said they enjoy in-store shopping as much as online shopping, and another 19% prefer in-store shopping. This highlights the importance of creating omnichannel shopping experiences. To succeed in omnichannel, a unified commerce platform that provides a holistic view of customer engagement, inventory, and fulfilment across channels is key. Testament to this, more than 3 in 5 retailers (66%) surveyed said they will increase tech investment in a unified commerce platform.

Chief Technology Officer: the new powerhouse for retail

Currently, 85% of retailers face operations-related challenges, with efficiency issues stemming from manual processes and complex business systems. Almost all retailers surveyed (99%) believe that technology will remedy these struggles and are planning to invest about 20% of their total revenue into innovation initiatives in the next year. Topping the list of increased tech investments: contextual real-time pricing (71%), social commerce (68%), business intelligence (67%), unified commerce platform (66%, and composable stacks (65%). Given that technology is set to reshape the retail landscape, an overwhelming majority (93%) of retailers believe that the Chief Technology Officer will contribute to the evolution and/or revenue growth of the business.

As technology-driven innovation becomes a central focus, operational, platform servicing, and support costs emerge as key considerations. Retailers are increasingly selective about their technology infrastructure, favouring solutions that offer a lower total cost of ownership while ensuring performance and stability. Shopify has been proven to help businesses reduce costs and increase revenue, according to data and research conducted by a leading consulting firm. Compared to competitors, Shopify delivers 33% better total cost of ownership, 23% better platform costs, and 19% better operation and maintenance costs compared to competitors.

“In this current economic climate, the imperative for both shoppers and retailers to achieve more with less has never been greater. Retailers are turning to advanced technology solutions to not only meet evolving customer demands but also to fortify their long-term resilience. Unified commerce is set to be a key growth catalyst, enabling retailers to harness comprehensive data and insights across their customers, inventory, and operations to make informed and strategic decisions. With technology being the linchpin to the future of retail, Shopify is the partner of choice for retailers across Southeast Asia, from large enterprises to small businesses, with solutions that are purpose-built to cater to their unique needs,” shares Shaun Broughton, Managing Director, APAC and Japan, Shopify.

Download the full Southeast Asia Retail Report 2024 by Shopify here.

Research Methodology

Shopify commissioned YouGov to conduct research with consumers and businesses to uncover hundreds of insights into consumer behaviours and retailer tactics in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore.

The retailer survey was conducted online between 28 March and 5 April 2024. The total sample size was 269 senior business decision-makers in retail businesses with 50+ employees and a local headquarters in Southeast Asia.

The consumer survey was conducted between 5 April and 10 April 2024. The consumer survey was conducted between 5 April and 10 April 2024. The consumer sample comprised a nationally representative sample of residents of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore aged 18 years and older. Following the completion of the survey, the consumer survey data was weighted by age, gender, region (all markets except Singapore), race (Singapore and Malaysia only), and socioeconomic status (Indonesia only) to reflect the latest population estimates for each market.

Additionally, interviews were conducted with retailers using Shopify and ecosystem partners to provide qualitative context and real-world insights into the market shifts retailers are dealing with and how they are adapting to change.

The post Southeast Asia’s Retailers Bet Big On Social Commerce Despite Economic Climate appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

The Miri office will be headed by Jane Liaw, Director of Sarawak branch. With her extensive experience and expertise in the real estate industry, Liaw is well-positioned to lead the Sarawak branch and drive its growth in the local market.

“We are thrilled to establish a presence in Miri, Sarawak, and further strengthen our commitment to serving clients in East Malaysia,” said Keith Ooi, Group Managing Director of Knight Frank Malaysia. “The opening of our new office reflects our confidence in the potential of the Sarawak market and our dedication to providing exceptional real estate services to our clients.”

The new office will offer a comprehensive range of services, including residential and commercial property sales and leasing, property management, transactions, valuation, and advisory services. With a team of experienced professionals, Knight Frank Malaysia aims to deliver tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of clients in Miri and the surrounding areas.

Jane Liaw, the newly appointed head of the Sarawak branch, expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity to lead the team and contribute to the growth of Knight Frank Malaysia in the region. “I am honored to be entrusted with this role and excited to work alongside a talented team to deliver exceptional results for our clients,” said Liaw. “We are committed to providing the highest level of service and expertise to help clients navigate the dynamic real estate landscape in Sarawak.”

The opening of the Miri office is part of Knight Frank Malaysia’s strategic expansion plan to enhance its presence across Malaysia. With a strong track record and a global network of offices, the company is well-positioned to provide clients with unrivaled insights and market intelligence.

The post Knight Frank Malaysia Opens New Office in Miri, Sarawak appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Revolut, the global fintech with more than 45 million customers worldwide, recently conducted a survey with research company YouGov on a representative sample of 1,000+ Singaporeans aged 18-65+. The survey revealed key trends and behaviours among Singaporean travellers.

Singaporeans set to spend more on travel this year 

The demand for travel in Singapore continues to see an upward trend. The number of passengers departing Changi Airport saw an increase of over 80% year-on-year in 2023. This trend is expected to continue in 2024. Revolut also observes an increasing desire to travel further and for a longer duration.

According to results from the survey Revolut commissioned with YouGov, 1 in 5 Singaporeans surveyed believe they will spend more on travel in 2024 as compared to 2023. Even so, Singaporeans do prefer to set a budget and use tools to ensure they do not go over their budget.

More than half (54%) of Singaporeans surveyed determine their travel budget by estimating costs for transportation, accommodation and activities. 47% consider the duration of the trip and daily spending allowance while 35% base the budget on available savings or disposable income. 1 in 4 Singaporeans surveyed set a fixed amount based on previous travel experiences.

Many Singaporeans are paying unnecessary FX fees when travelling

With the many exciting aspects of travelling, finances is not necessarily on the top of one’s list. It is often an afterthought or one forgotten altogether, only to resurface once a traveller is back on home soil as they try to frantically figure out how they incurred so many additional costs, which in most cases, can be completely avoided. 

In terms of payment methods used overseas, 7 in 10 Singaporeans surveyed use cash. 48% use credit cards, of which 44% of them rely on dynamic currency conversion which incurs an additional fee. Of those who use credit cards, more than half (53%) are Gen X while 34% are Gen Z. 38% use debit cards, primarily made up of the younger generation, Gen Z.

Overall, more than 40% of Singaporeans surveyed have paid FX fees charged by their bank or credit card issuer for purchases made overseas. Over 30% have been charged currency conversion fees for converting currency at banks or currency exchange services. 

In addition, 1 in 4 have paid dynamic currency conversion fees when they paid in their home currency vs the local currency when overseas and 1 in 4 have paid ATM withdrawal fees from non-partner banks / international ATMs.

Best deals, value & experiences more important for Singaporeans than luxury

Singaporeans tend to be deal seekers and are more focused on the value they get and experiences they receive rather than luxury while travelling. 3 out of 5 Singaporeans surveyed book their accommodation in advance to take advantage of discounts and get deals which are most value for money.

Almost 30% of Singaporeans surveyed consider themselves Budget / Value travellers and close to 20% said they are Experiential travellers vs only 3% who are Luxury travellers.

Singaporeans still heavily rely on money changers to exchange currency 

While most Singaporeans use more than 1 method to exchange currency, over 70% of those surveyed prefer to do so at a money changer before travelling overseas. 25% of Singaporeans exchange currency in their destination country. Out of which, 12% utilise currency exchange kiosks or bureaus and 13% withdraw cash from ATMs.

The younger generation tends to be more mobile savvy and has a higher proportion of people using apps like Revolut for currency exchange (37% of Gen Z vs just 16% of Baby Boomers).

Revolut enables users to exchange currencies at competitive exchange rates, better than what they would get at a money changer or a bank. In addition, with Revolut, users can spend in over 150 currencies and store up to 34 currencies in their Revolut wallet. These include the most recently added Indonesian Rupiah and other popular currencies like the Philippine Peso, Thai Baht, Korean Won and Indian Rupee. Revolut users also don’t need to carry large chunks of cash as Revolut allows users to withdraw up to S$350 (Standard account) from overseas ATMs each month without incurring any fees. Users can also find ATMs nearby through the Revolut app.

Raymond Ng, Chief Executive Officer at Revolut Singapore said, “One of the biggest pitfalls when travelling abroad is being charged unnecessary FX fees. Most banks in Singapore charge up to 3.25% per transaction. These unfavourable and many a times hidden fees was the reason why Revolut was born. Being charged FX fees can be completely avoided by using a multi-currency card like Revolut. Revolut offers fee-free currency exchange on weekdays for up to S$5,000 per month for the Standard Plan. We believe in transparency and in simplifying all things money.”

Top 5 measures Singaporeans take to secure their finances during travel

Nothing ruins a trip more than losing one’s phone or credit / debit card. Thankfully, there are still measures travellers can take in advance to secure their finances when travelling. Here are the top five measures Singaporeans take:

1. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for online banking and financial accounts (48%) 
2. Set up transaction alerts on their bank or credit card accounts to monitor activity (44%)
3. Card freezing or locking capabilities in case of loss or theft (36%)
4. Notify their bank or credit card issuer of their travel plans to avoid card blocks for suspicious activity (26%)
5. Use a prepaid travel card with limited funds for added security (25%)

Singaporeans’ travel money app wishlist 

Over half (52%) of Singaporeans surveyed selected 

1. Currency conversion at competitive rates without hidden fees 
2. Real-time transaction notifications to track spending and detect unauthorised activity 
3. Card freezing or locking capabilities in case of loss or theft 

Other top-rated features include:

• Multi-currency wallets for convenient management of various currencies (38%)
• International money transfers with lower fees and faster processing times (28%)
• Virtual cards for added security when making online purchases (27%)
• Access to travel insurance or assistance services directly through the app (25%)

Revolut offers all of the above and more. Through the Revolut app, users can instantly freeze or unfreeze their card in case it is lost or stolen. Revolut’s unique single-use virtual disposable card can also be used at physical stores as well as online. Once paid, the details are deleted so they can’t be skimmed or re-used. This allows users to use their card for one-off transactions as well as protect them from online sites they are not sure of. Users can generate up to five cards a day.

Don’t have an account yet? Join Revolut for free

Manage your everyday spending with powerful budgeting and analytics, transfer money abroad, spend easily in the local currency, and so much more. Join 40M+ already using Revolut.

It’s free to download the app and create a Revolut account. You can access a variety of money management tools on your free Standard account, or you can upgrade to one of our paid plans to get even more from your money. Download the app here

The post More than 40% of Singaporeans paying unnecessary FX fees when travelling abroad as travel boom continues in Singapore appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

This remarkable achievement underscores Radiowalla’s commitment to delivering innovative and effective advertising solutions that drive engagement and revenue for brands and retailers alike. In a strategic move to expand its DOOH footprint, Radiowalla has recently installed new DOOH screens in Surat and Gandhinagar. This expansion marks a significant step in enhancing the company’s presence in the state of Gujarat, providing brands with more opportunities to reach their target audiences in key urban locations. This is a part of the 18 screen DOOH project being executed by the company in Gujarat

“We are extremely proud of the milestones we have achieved this quarter,” said Harvinderjit Bhatia, CEO at Radiowalla. “The successful execution of 42 ad campaigns in our in-store radio network and 11 in our DOOH network is a testament to our team’s dedication and the trust our clients place in us. The addition of DOOH screens in Surat and Gandhinagar further strengthens our ability to offer comprehensive advertising solutions across multiple platforms.”

Also Read: Embracing the Digital Shift: An Exclusive Interview with Jan Wong, Founder of OpenMinds

Marquee brands such as Parle, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Britannia, Amazon Pay, Baskin Robbins and ITC have leveraged Radiowalla’s in-store radio network to connect with consumers in a dynamic and immersive environment. These partnerships highlight the trust and confidence that leading brands place in Radiowalla’s advertising platforms to effectively engage their target audience

Radiowalla continues to innovate and expand its services to meet the evolving needs of the advertising industry. By integrating advanced technology and creative strategies, the company aims to provide unparalleled value to its clients, ensuring their messages resonate with audiences effectively. For more information about Radiowalla and its services, please visit [www.radiowalla.in] or contact [compliance@radiowalla.in]

About Radiowalla

Radiowalla is a premier provider of in-store radio and Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising solutions, helping brands connect with consumers in meaningful ways. With a presence across thousands of retail locations, Radiowalla delivers engaging and impactful advertising experiences that drive results. Radiowalla.in

The post Radiowalla Shatters Records with Unprecedented Ad Campaign Success and DOOH Network Expansion in Gujarat appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

We need to rethink the agency new business model

Creative and media agencies across UK and EMEA have not only grappled with sluggish growth in billings but have also faced increasing pressures from clients to deliver more for less. We’re constantly hearing agencies are looking to consolidate systems, streamline processes and find efficiencies.

Clients have been leveraging their bargaining power to demand additional services and resources without commensurate increases in fees. This trend has forced agencies to reassess their value propositions and adapt their business models to remain competitive in an increasingly demanding market.

Gone are the days of relying solely on pitches and presentations to win over clients. The game has changed, and the old pitch playbook just won’t cut it anymore. It’s time to embrace innovation, creativity, and unconventional strategies if agencies want to survive. The agency new business model needs a radical overhaul, or else it’s destined to be left behind in the dust of more agile and adaptable competitors.

What agencies can do to take back control

Billing for Pitches and Cost Recovery

The question of whether to bill clients for pitches is a contentious issue in our industry. While some agencies choose to absorb the costs as part of their business development expenses, others opt to invoice clients for the time and resources invested in the pitching process.

This may be a controversial opinion, but I think well-established agencies with strong reputations and proven track records should undoubtedly charge for pitching. Their industry credibility justifies this practice, ensuring they recover costs and reinforce their value. On the flip side, newer agencies need to earn their stripes and make their mark. For them, not charging for pitches can be a strategic move, allowing them to build relationships, showcase their capabilities, and gradually gain the reputation needed to command pitch fees in the future.

For agencies considering billing clients for pitches, transparency is key. Clear communication regarding the billing, should be established upfront, outlining the scope of work, associated costs, and the potential outcomes. Additionally, agencies should strive to demonstrate the value proposition during the pitch process, thereby justifying the investment for the client.

Find Your Niche

Agencies must carve out a niche and specialise if they’re to stand out from the crowd. Agencies that focus predominantly on sectors or industries, like automotive or finance, become more efficient and effective by deeply understanding their clients’ unique needs and audience behaviors. Take brand experience agency Uniplan, for example, which works predominantly with brands in the automotive sector with the likes of Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Porsche, Mercedez-Benz on its client roster. By capturing industry insights and tailoring them across its wide range of auto clients, Uniplan has gained a strong foothold and stands out against other agencies. Specialisation not only gives agencies a competitive edge but also makes them more appealing to new business prospects, showcasing their expertise and ability to deliver targeted solutions.

Also Read: Mars Wrigley Appoints Sean Jeong as General Manager of West Asia, Eyeing Robust Growth

Automate to Operate

Agencies can significantly reduce the costs associated with pitching for new business by leveraging AI and modern project management tools to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.

• AI-powered tools like HubSpot CRM and Zoho CRM automate essential tasks such as data analysis, client research, and personalised outreach. This automation reduces the need for extensive manual work, allowing agency staff to focus more on developing strategic and creative pitches rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks.
• Chorus.ai provides insights calls, helping agencies refine their pitching strategies based on data-driven feedback. This can lead to higher success rates with fewer resources spent on trial-and-error approaches.
• For web project delivery, Blutui offers a comprehensive platform that addresses inefficiencies associated with traditional outsourcing, in-house full-stack teams, and fragmented tech stacks. Blutui enables front-end developers to manage entire projects, cutting down on the need for multiple specialists and reducing long-term management costs.

By adopting these technologies, agencies can streamline their operations, reduce overheads, and make their pitching processes more cost-effective. This strategic use of AI and project management tools can transform the way agencies approach new business development, ensuring that every pitch is more efficient and impactful.

Reconsidering your commercial model

Traditional agencies will tend to follow the more orthodox commercial model of purely a “T&M” approach, and whilst this comes with certain advantages such as flexibility (adjustments along the project life cycle), transparency of hours worked and costs incurred and easy to initiate and negotiate the commercial contract terms. It’s crucial for agencies to reconsider their commercial models to stay competitive and improve new business and pitching practices.

Output-Based Models: These focus on delivering specific outcomes or milestones, tying compensation directly to the achievement of predefined goals. This can provide clearer expectations and stronger incentives for performance.

Value-Based Pricing: In some cases, pricing can be structured based on the perceived value of the solution rather than the inputs (time and materials) required to produce it.

Incentive Models – Reducing your fee proposal into an incentive pool also allows the agency the right to earn more based on agreed specified outcomes and allows both partners to enjoy joint success. During the new business and pitching process, this can be presented as a win-win scenario, emphasizing the agency’s confidence in delivering successful results and its commitment to client satisfaction. This approach also sees the relationship dynamic shift away from a supplier/ vendor relationship to a partnership.

One thing is for sure, the industry needs to see changes and agencies need to take back control of the process, or risk being caught in a cycle of escalating costs and diminishing returns in new business pitching.

About Tangram

Tangram has decades of experience providing consulting and tech solutions to improve agency processes and finance management and works closely with independents and large networks providing consulting and tech solutions to help improve agency processes and finance management.

Authored By: Sai Chu

Sai Chu is the Principal Consultant at Tangram UK, with extensive experience as the former Global Commercial Finance Director at Ogilvy for nine years across London and Singapore. He leads Tangram’s UK operations, working exclusively in the advertising agency sector with clients such as Dentsu, Ogilvy, and TBWA.

The post Thrive to Survive: The new business race for agencies appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

As these brands pour resources into paid advertising, a highly competitive environment emerges. On platforms like Google Ads and Facebook, it becomes more difficult for other players to compete and be profitable. This is particularly impactful during a time of softer spending and declining economic sentiment, where e-commerce brands are relying on sales and promotions to meet their targets.

We may see regulations designed to address the growth of these e-commerce platforms — especially in the current context of a trade war between the US and China — but we cannot know if this will happen, when it might occur or what its scope would be.

So, what can brands and digital advertisers do to reduce their exposure to paid performance advertising in a fairly saturated space?

Invest in your brand

A brand’s first instinct may be to reduce investment in brand building and allocate its entire budget to performance media. The main issue with this approach is that cutting off brand investment has long-term repercussions on brand equity, profitability, consumer trust and employee engagement.

Instead of going head-to-head with retail giants in paid advertising, brands should capitalise on their strengths. Brands will be more successful when they can balance the need for short-term revenue and cash flow with longer-term goals like brand building and awareness.

How? By investing in alternative channels, platforms and creatives.

Invest in alternative channels

The Chinese ecosystem doesn’t rely on SEO and Google as much as the West does, resulting in a profound lack of expertise in organic search.

SHEIN and Temu still rely on paid traffic for most of their acquisition; our analysis shows that only 15% of Temu’s organic search traffic and 9% of SHEIN’s comes from non-branded keywords. This shouldn’t be the case. Their low-price policy, high authority and massive long-tail offering should position both players as potential winners in the SEO space.

Fortunately for other players, their lack of sophistication in technical SEO, category optimisation, content localisation and prioritisation make both sites more likely to lose the non-branded traffic they currently have than become the SEO behemoths they could otherwise be.

This means that smaller brands have an opportunity. While paid advertising struggles with rising costs due to competition, SEO remains cost-effective, giving it the potential to be a much higher return channel.

Also Read: Sushi Sushi Joins Forces with Untangld to Drive Customer-Centric Growth Strategy

Invest in alternative platforms

Meta and Google are SHEIN and Temu’s most used platforms — the rest of the market is less crowded. This opens the door to exploring platforms with lower competition and lower CPAs, such as Bing, DuckDuckGo, Complexity, Reddit, Pinterest and Snapchat.

TikTok still offers some benefits, as video-heavy creatives and influencer engagement are not yet areas where these new challengers shine. This may create opportunities if you play to your strengths and capabilities.

Invest in alternative creatives

Temu and SHEIN rely heavily on programmatically generated designs for their creatives. In 2023, SHEIN used 50,000 unimpressive creatives at the cost of their brand image. Most people perceive SHEIN as a price-oriented brand with cheap products and ads.

In recent years, video ads have become some of the best-performing content types across both organic and paid ads. By creating curated videos focusing on your products, you will differentiate your brand from challengers who cannot do that at the scale they need.

So, to reduce their exposure to paid performance advertising in a cluttered market, brands and digital advertisers must focus on the brand and product story, told through premium, product-centered ads. Double down on those formats (video), platforms (anything but Meta and Facebook) and channels (organic search and social) where investment is less aggressive.  In other words: outsmart them!

The post Outsmarting SHEIN and Temu: Strategies for Brands to Thrive Amidst the “CPA Crisis” appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Passionate about expanding their digital presence, they have seamlessly integrated traditional practices with contemporary strategies, spearheading thought leadership initiatives. Their relentless dedication to sharing knowledge and achieving professional milestones sets them apart as trailblazers in the digital age.

We offer our heartfelt congratulations to these exemplary leaders who have redefined norms, made significant contributions to their fields, and built an impressive legacy within Hong Kong’s professional community. Their journeys illuminate the vast opportunities available to those who lead with foresight and determination.

Benson Cheung

Benson Cheung is the Chief Operating Officer at Capture Limited, where he brings a wealth of experience and a seasoned leadership style that spans multiple sectors, including corporate, startup, and non-profit organizations. Throughout his extensive career, Benson has consistently demonstrated a “get it done” approach, which has been pivotal in driving the success of both the teams he leads and the companies he serves.

With a keen focus on optimising people, processes, and products, Benson’s leadership is characterized by a hands-on style that ensures operational excellence across all levels of the organisation. His ability to navigate complex business environments allows him to effectively manage and enhance operational frameworks, fostering an atmosphere that promotes growth and efficiency.

Benson’s expertise isn’t just limited to overseeing operations; he is deeply involved in the professional development of his team. His approach combines rigorous process management with a genuine commitment to mentoring, which supports individual team members in achieving their full potential. This balanced focus on process and people has led to significant improvements in company productivity and team morale.

Known for his resilience and decision-making prowess, Benson embodies his life quote, “When in doubt, always take another shot!” This mindset encourages a culture of persistence and innovation within Capture Limited, motivating the team to continuously strive for better results and to view challenges as opportunities for improvement.

As COO, Benson continues to be a driving force behind Capture Limited’s achievements, applying his broad experience and dynamic leadership to steer the company towards sustained growth and success.

Ivan Wan

Ivan Wan is a distinguished Chief Technology Officer at AI Digital Group, with a robust 20-year career dedicated to sustainability, ESG, and smart recycling initiatives. As an expert in AI, IoT, and telecommunications, Ivan has spearheaded numerous innovative projects, particularly in smart city implementations across Hong Kong. His work primarily supports government agencies and universities, driving substantial advancements in urban management and sustainability.

Recognized as a leader in product development, Ivan has successfully introduced and commercialized leading-edge solutions that significantly contribute to a sustainable future. His expertise extends to managing multi-million-dollar projects, encompassing project and vendor management, tender bidding, and comprehensive project planning. These efforts consistently produce tangible results, bolstering environmental and social impacts.

Ivan’s passion for leveraging technology to tackle global sustainability challenges is evident in his work. He excels at integrating smart recycling systems and IoT-enabled solutions that optimize resource management and promote a circular economy. Furthermore, his proficiency in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies has allowed him to develop and implement robust, data-driven frameworks that enhance organizational sustainability and compliance.

A respected leader, Ivan actively collaborates with government entities, educational institutions, the healthcare sector, and private partners to co-create innovative solutions. These collaborations aim to build a more sustainable and resilient future, showcasing his commitment to transforming challenges into opportunities, truly embodying his life philosophy of “No pain, no gain.“

Joyce Smith

Joyce Smith serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, where she brings over two decades of expertise in healthcare and medical insurance to spearhead business development and marketing strategies. Her role involves a synergistic approach to project development and operational execution, enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of initiatives under the Gleneagles brand.

Collaborating closely with the Group Marketing of IHH Healthcare, the parent company of Gleneagles, Joyce plays a pivotal role in refining business development strategies and crafting interconnected digital healthcare platforms that significantly improve patient experiences. Her leadership extends to devising and implementing innovative marketing strategies to promote Gleneagles’ services across the Greater Bay Area, ensuring broad and impactful reach.

Recently, Joyce has undertaken a secondment with Parkway (Shanghai) Hospital Management and Parkway Health Shanghai Hospital Company Ltd., which are subsidiaries of IHH Healthcare. This role is crucial as it sets the groundwork for Gleneagles’ expansion into the Chinese market, demonstrating her instrumental role in extending the hospital’s reach and influence.

Joyce holds a master’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health from The University of Greenwich, United Kingdom, and professional certifications in Occupational Health from The University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education. Driven by her life quote, “Great work springs from a love of what you do,” Joyce’s passion for her work is evident in her relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in the healthcare sector.

Justin Gao

Justin Gao is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of WikiEXPO and WikiBit, and Head of Marketing for WikiFX Greater China. Joining the company five years ago, Justin has been instrumental in spearheading Wiki’s market expansion in the dynamic sectors of blockchain and fintech. Despite his initial lack of experience in these fields, Justin’s exceptional learning aptitude and leadership abilities quickly distinguished him within the company.

Under his guidance, Justin established and led a formidable marketing team, enhancing the company’s brand visibility and influence not only in Greater China but also on a global scale. His innovative marketing strategies and precise data analysis have significantly propelled the company’s presence in the industry. Justin’s efforts have culminated in the successful organization of several high-profile industry summits and exhibitions under the banners of WikiEXPO, WikiFX, and WikiBit, drawing attention from leading industry experts and enthusiasts worldwide.

Known for his proficiency in driving user engagement and loyalty, Justin effectively utilizes cross-platform integration and content marketing. These efforts have solidified the company’s reputable standing in the market. His achievements, especially as his first role at Wiki, underscore his remarkable talent and potential. Justin actively engages in industry collaborations, focusing on advancing financial technology and fostering a safer, more transparent market environment for users.

Living by his life quote, “Go with the flow and stay free,” Justin embodies flexibility and openness in his professional journey, continually adapting and innovating to meet the ever-evolving demands of the digital finance landscape.

Mark Clayton

Mark Clayton, the dynamic Chief Financial Officer of China 2 West Services Ltd, brings over 15 years of distinguished leadership to the British manufacturing group. Known for his strategic and operational excellence, Mark’s early decision to move from the UK to China at age 20, following his accountancy qualifications, was fueled by a desire for professional growth and cultural immersion. This experience significantly shaped his approach to leadership and business development.

Under his guidance, C2W has expanded into a family of companies known for their robust governance and ethical operations. Mark’s ability to navigate complex business landscapes has been instrumental in this growth. His fluency in Mandarin Chinese and memberships in prestigious accounting bodies such as the AAT, CIMA, and AICPA underscore his dedication to his role and intercultural competence.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Mark is deeply committed to social causes. His passion for community service led him to co-found and chair an NGO in South China, focusing on helping needy children—a commitment that earned him the international Peace Award in February 2019. His efforts were further recognized with the United Nation’s China 2019 Social Impact Award for Community and Culture.

In early 2023, Mark’s commitment to excellence was celebrated with the inaugural AAT Excellence Award in the UK, highlighting his leadership skills and dedication to social purposes. Mark lives by the motto “Excellence in everything,” a principle that continues to drive his professional endeavors and community engagements.

Richard Helliker

Richard Helliker is the Chief Operating Officer at Bravo Media Limited, where he brings a wealth of experience as a transformation and growth specialist. With an extensive background in leadership roles across finance, operations, and human resources, Richard has been pivotal in rapidly transforming Bravo Media into a market leader within his first year of joining.

Under his leadership, Richard spearheaded the strategic focus on identifying and rectifying inefficiencies which has not only optimized operations but also fostered a culture of accountability and agility within the team.

Richard is particularly adept at strategic scaling and is focused on identification and development of talent to create a high-performance environment. This has been instrumental in Bravo Media’s growth and the revolutionizing of the out of home media landscape in Hong Kong.

Additionally, Richard places a high priority on safety and sustainability, integrating these essential values into every facet of business operations. This commitment ensures that Bravo Media not only leads in market share but also in its ethical and sustainable business practices.

Living by the motto “Your mindset shapes your success,” Richard’s approach to leadership and business exemplifies how a proactive and positive outlook can lead to substantial achievements and lasting impact in the corporate world.

Roman Podkorytov

Roman Podkorytov is a dynamic leader and Co-Founder, serving as the Chief Business Officer at BOXS, a pioneering Point of Sales system tailored for retail and restaurant sectors. Renowned for its innovation, BOXS has garnered acclaim under Roman’s strategic direction, significantly impacting business, corporate, and brand development on a global scale.

With a profound commitment to innovation, Roman has successfully propelled BOXS’s international expansion, navigating markets across Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Vietnam. His leadership is characterized by a forward-thinking approach that not only anticipates market trends but also sets new standards in the POS technology arena.

Roman’s academic background is equally impressive, holding a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Les Roches in Switzerland and a Master of Science degree in Multimedia Technology from PolyU Hong Kong. He is currently advancing his expertise as a PhD candidate in Information Systems at City University of Hong Kong, which further enhances his strategic capabilities in technology and business systems.

Living by the motto “Tomorrow is today,” Roman exemplifies a proactive approach in every endeavor, pushing the boundaries of today’s technology to meet tomorrow’s needs. His vision for BOXS is not just to keep pace with industry evolution but to lead it, ensuring that the company’s solutions consistently exceed customer expectations while setting benchmarks in the POS industry. This leadership philosophy has not only fueled BOXS’s growth but has also inspired innovation and operational excellence within the team.

Terri Yang

Terri Yang is the Chief Growth Officer at HKT Digital Ventures, where she brings a wealth of experience and a formidable track record from the financial services and loyalty industries. With a well-rounded expertise in both front-end customer interactions and back-end operations, Terri excels in driving business success across multiple dimensions of the corporate landscape.

Known for her high motivation and results-oriented approach, Terri stands out for her ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects that span multiple departments. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity, fostering a work environment that encourages innovation and collective problem-solving.

Terri’s expertise also extends to forging strong partnerships and developing strategic business initiatives that significantly boost company growth. She is adept at identifying market opportunities and crafting innovative strategies that not only propel business growth but also enhance operational efficiencies. Her approach often involves integrating new technologies and processes that streamline operations and improve service delivery.

Throughout her career, Terri has consistently demonstrated her capacity to think creatively and execute strategies effectively, qualities that have made her an invaluable asset to her company. Her philosophy, “Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself,” mirrors her proactive and dynamic approach to both personal and professional development.

At HKT Digital Ventures, Terri continues to leverage her extensive skills and experiences to drive significant advancements, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the digital and financial services sectors.

The post Elevating Excellence: Hong Kong’s MIA Impact Circle Stellar CxO Honorees appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Fair trade and ethical fashion emerge as powerful antidotes. They represent a conscious shift in how clothing is approached, prioritizing not just style, but also the human and environmental costs of production. This movement delves deeper, acknowledging the inherent power our wardrobes hold. By buying Fair trade products, consumers help alleviate poverty in lower-income countries, ensuring that workers are paid fairly, work under humane conditions, and have sufficient labor rights. This also encourages more sustainable production methods.

Also Read: TIMES24 Malaysia Wins Prestigious Brand Laureate Award, Dominates Car Park Management Industry

Promoting Sustainability: Ethical fashion champions eco-friendly practices, minimizing the environmental impact of clothing production. This includes reducing water and energy consumption, lessening reliance on harmful chemicals, and promoting the use of sustainable materials. This helps ensure a healthier future for the planet.

Empowering People: When choosing ethically made clothing, consumers directly support dignified working conditions and fair wages for the people who create their garments. This fosters a more just and equitable global system.

Quality over Quantity: Fast fashion often prioritizes low prices over quality. Ethically made garments, on the other hand, are crafted with care and attention to detail, using high-quality, long-lasting materials. This translates to clothes built to endure, reducing clothing waste and ultimately saving money in the long run.

A Statement Through Style: Wardrobe choices become a powerful reflection of values. By embracing fair trade and ethical fashion, consumers send a clear message that they reject exploitation and champion social responsibility. Purchasing power is used to advocate for positive change in the industry.

The Future of Fashion

The rise of fair trade fashion is a positive step towards a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry. By supporting fair trade brands, we can create a demand for change and empower the people who bring our wardrobes to life. So, the next time you’re looking to update your style, consider the impact of your purchase. Choose fair trade fashion and be part of the movement for a more empowered and sustainable future.

Disclaimer

While these are strong views of the author, it is also important to note that, due to the extremely complex nature of the industry, no stakeholder has complete control over the entire supply chain.

The post From Exploitation to Empowerment: The Rise of Fair Trade Fashion by Dinesh Talera appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

The High Cost of IT Failures

Supply chain disruptions and operational downtime can be devastating. A 2023 study by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) highlighted that Malaysian companies could suffer losses of up to RM 5 million per week due to IT system failures. This makes business continuity planning not just a best practice, but a necessity. “Anyone thinking about business continuity often needs to reassess the issue with regard to their own IT landscape,” says Dr. Christoph Dietzel, Head of Global Products & Research at Internet Exchange operator DE-CIX. Although the most sophisticated measures and plans are no guarantee against outages, they are the only means of maintaining operations and keeping business models productive. So, what do you need to consider in your own cloud backup strategy? Dietzel offers 5 tips:

Tip 1: Assess Your IT Ecosystem and Identify Key Dependencies

Today, managed computing, storage, and application resources are central to business continuity. On the one hand, these keep applications productive in the cloud if the worst comes to the worst. On the other hand, they also allow you to quickly outsource complete workloads if systems in your own server room come to a standstill. “Anyone defining their backup strategy should evaluate which data, applications, and workloads are crucial for smooth business operations,” says Dietzel. “It is important to examine the entire IT ecosystem and also identify the extent to which services, information, and infrastructures are interdependent.”

Tip 2: Integrate Classic Backup Methods with Hybrid Cloud Solutions

“Whether hot, warm, or cold data, classic backup strategies can usually be combined very easily with cloud solutions, also when it comes to hybrid scenarios and on-premise landscapes,” says Dietzel. Once you are in the cloud, you not only benefit from maximum availability, but also from maximum protection. Providers reduce risks by, for example, operating services redundantly, mirrored at different locations, and in a stable and secure manner.“ In addition, public clouds in particular often offer the latest and quite sophisticated technologies to fend off cyber invaders,” Dietzel adds.

Also Read: An Interview with Celine Ting: Bridging the Upskilling Gap with OpenAcademy

Tip 3: Diversify IT landscapes and make them redundant

What is also crucial in this context is “building IT landscapes in a redundant and diversified manner,” says Dietzel. “Companies that distribute their back-up workloads across different systems and providers are also protecting themselves.” The same applies to the type of connection. In order to exchange and synchronize information and workloads at all times, it is advisable to redundantly interconnect your own and managed IT.

Tip 4: Plan Your Connectivity for More Than Just Backups

From malfunctions and downtime to technical problems – to keep machines available and offices productive, it is important to plan the connectivity between the company and the cloud in diversified IT landscapes in an equally diversified way. “Cloud routing services are ideal for processing information and operating applications at any time,” says Dietzel. For example, the DE-CIX Cloud ROUTER allows the exchange of data between different cloud environments, separated from the public Internet. “Software-based routing services ensure interoperability at the network level in order to seamlessly merge in-house and managed infrastructure,” says Dietzel. An advantage with regard to hybrid IT landscapes – and not just in the case of backups.

Tip 5: Leverage IT Service Providers for Comprehensive Support

IT service providers play a vital role in supporting backup strategies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, which form the backbone of the economy, particularly benefit from such support. “It’s crucial to look at the entire ecosystem, from the server room to the cloud and the network connection,” Dietzel emphasizes. DE-CIX’s partner program, which includes managed service providers and IT consultancies, offers comprehensive support with price advantages and incentives for premium partners.

Ensuring business continuity requires more than just data backup. In Malaysia, where the digital economy is rapidly expanding, a holistic approach to IT resilience is essential. Regular testing of measures is also critical to ensure their effectiveness. By following these tips, Malaysian businesses can better prepare for unforeseen disruptions and maintain operational stability in a digital-first world.

The post Ensuring Business Continuity: 5 IT Tips for Malaysian Companies appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

How to Create and Use Your Marketing Strategy

Using and marketing efforts typically involve a few key strategies. These include:

● Market Penetration
● Marketing Development
● Diversification
● Product Development

Market penetration involves selling current technology products and rebranding them to have greater appeal to an existing market. This beneficial strategy is effective when the market is growing or when marketers change or modify their market and make the most of promotional efforts via current channels. You’ll need to stay on top of new tech developments and be as competitive as possible for growth.

Before creating a product development strategy, marketers should include greater diversity in their technology offerings to attract a new group of potential customers and clients. This approach is riskier than mere marketing, as it involves the creation of entirely new product. To be successful, development strategies require research into existing markets and innovative offerings to meet the target audience’s needs.

Marketing Development and Tips for Establishing a Solid Reputation

Technology companies use 9 primary marketing strategies. Many are similar to any campaign, but there are a few tactics to make them applicable in the tech scene.

1. Brand Communication

Your brand is likely one of the first things potential clients will learn about you. They are identifiable and leave an ad impression in their minds. Good branding that constantly streamlines the workforce, and future planning and informs viewers of your culture and corporate responsibility that benefits bottom-line profits.

2. Content Marketing

Providing useful and relevant content that clarifies the next step and helps solve problems as a part of your technology content strategy helps potential customers move through the sales funnel. Good, consistent content can build brand awareness and drive organic traffic.

3. Digital Marketing

Google claims that 50% of searches are mobile ones. See what channels are idle for your business and find out what customers need to know and guide them. This strategy should come at the right time and be appropriate answers to provide data-driven insight.

4. Reputation Management and Crisis Communication

A crisis will arrive at some point and tech product companies need to be prepared. How you respond will make or break customer relations, so clearly communicate how to plan to resolve the issue. Be timely with the right message to keep customers on board.

5. Internal Communications

Bring external success with internal alignment that keeps staff focused and engaged on the company’s mission. Honest and open communication makes aligning your forces possible.

6. Website Development

Seamless experiences, mobile apps, and responsive sites are what modern web users want and expect. This makes having a functional and interactive website a must, especially in the tech industry.

7. Social Media

Even though social media is typically short-term content, it’s the beginning step to a long-term strategy. Each social media platform has a purpose and target audience. To insert social media into tech marketing strategies helps optimize relevant platforms.

8. Video Marketing

Creating interesting videos about products and services is a way to easily get attention and keep people engaged in what you are doing as a company. It’s a great play to share a story and keep track of its strategic impact.

9. Public Relations

Join and engage in conversations to get involved in strong public relations. Third-party endorsements from key influencers and the media are essential to help build stronger brand awareness. By promoting through leadership, you can create a greater demand in your market involving technology organizations.

Successfully Market Tech Products with Effective Strategies

These approaches are likely to improve your products and customer base. If you need market guidance, seek the help of a professional.

The post How to Strategically Market a Technology Product appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

In his pivotal role, Hogan will spearhead Sales, Customer Success, and Operational Delivery of GumGum’s media advertising business across Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and emerging JAPAC markets. Leading a team of over 100, Hogan’s primary focus will be on driving revenue growth while upholding GumGum’s reputation as a premium supplier of Contextual, Creative, and Attention-based advertising solutions.

With a focus on navigating the evolving digital landscape, Hogan aims to establish GumGum as a trusted partner to advertisers and agencies amidst increasing privacy concerns and government regulations. Hogan’s goals include positioning The Mindset Platform, GumGum’s leading solution for Contextual, Creative, and Attention media buys, while striving to build GumGum into the top media choice in JAPAC. Hogan will closely collaborate with regional leaders in Japan, Australia, and Southeast Asia to solidify GumGum’s position as the premier contextual media partner for advertisers and agencies.

“I’m thrilled to join GumGum and lead its JAPAC operations during such a transformative period in the digital advertising landscape,” said Hogan. “As the industry continues to evolve rapidly, I aim to position GumGum as the ultimate choice for advertisers and agencies navigating this dynamic terrain. By harnessing the power of GumGum’s innovative Mindset Platform, we are committed to delivering unparalleled results and insights. Together with our talented team, we aim to shape the future of contextual-first advertising, where relevance and engagement co-exist with privacy and consumer trust.”

Hogan brings a wealth of experience to GumGum, having successfully launched and scaled four separate media/tech companies across two continents. As the first non-US hire at Integral Ad Science (IAS), he played pivotal roles in launching and leading the business in the UK and later in Southeast Asia. Most recently, Hogan served as the first APAC employee at Ogury, establishing the company as a leading privacy-first solution provider in the region.

“We are excited to welcome Niall to the GumGum family,” said Sorrel Osborne, Head of Media, APAC, at GumGum. “With his wealth of experience and proven track record in spearheading successful ventures across diverse markets, we are confident that Niall will play a pivotal role in driving our expansion efforts in the rapidly evolving Asia-Pacific region. His strategic vision and leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our position as the leading contextual and attention measurement platform, delivering exceptional value to both our clients and partners.”

About GumGum:

GumGum is a contextual-first, global digital advertising platform that captures people’s attention, without the use of personal data. We believe that an advertising ecosystem based on understanding a consumer’s active frame of mind rather than behaviour builds a more equitable and safer future for consumers, publishers, and advertisers alike. Founded in 2008, GumGum is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and operates in 19 markets worldwide. For more information, visit gumgum.com.

For more information, please contact:
Bud Communications
Trishal Kaur
M: +65 82231266
E: trishal@budcomms.com

The post Niall Hogan Appointed General Manager JAPAC at GumGum, Spearheading Expansion in Japan, Australia, and Asia-Pacific Markets appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

This burgeoning focus on sustainability is driven by a confluence of factors. Eco-conscious travelers are increasingly wary of disingenuous marketing tactics often referred to as “greenwashing.” They demand demonstrably authentic commitments from hospitality providers to preserve the ecosystems that form the backdrops for these transformative journeys. Furthermore, sustainable practices demonstrably translate to smarter business models. By implementing features such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and energy-efficient appliances, luxury resorts can achieve demonstrably lower operating costs. Additionally, a genuine dedication to environmental responsibility fosters a powerful brand reputation, attracting environmentally conscious, high-net-worth individuals seeking unparalleled adventure experiences without compromising their ecological principles.  The locations of these luxury resorts frequently include sensitive ecosystems, necessitating a responsible approach to tourism. Given their substantial facilities and services, these resorts have a huge environmental impact. Thus, implementing sustainable practices is not just an ethical obligation, but also a critical commercial strategy for ensuring long-term viability and appealing to environmentally concerned travelers.

Eco-friendly Architecture and Design

Eco-friendly design is a very common feature of sustainability in luxury adventure resorts. Resorts are increasingly built with sustainable materials and technologies that reduce environmental effects. From energy-efficient buildings to the use of locally sourced materials, the architecture of these resorts frequently demonstrates a great appreciation for the natural environment.For example, several resorts use green roofs and walls to improve insulation and lower energy use. Others utilize innovative water management technologies, such as rainwater collecting and greywater recycling, to protect this valuable resource. These resorts lower their carbon footprint while also bringing tourists closer to nature.

Water Wise Practices

Water scarcity is a growing concern. Sustainable resorts are implementing innovative water management systems like rainwater harvesting, low-flow fixtures, and xeriscaping (landscaping with drought-resistant plants). This ensures responsible water usage while maintaining the resort’s aesthetic beauty. Picture yourself relaxing in a luxurious infinity pool, knowing every drop is being used consciously.

Also Read: Perfios Technology Solutions Titled Indonesia Winner of Zurich Innovation Championship for Health Claims Analytics Solution

Waste Management

Luxury resort waste management aims to reduce environmental effects while providing excellent guest service. Resorts are gradually implementing methods such as trash segregation, recycling, composting organic waste, and reducing single-use plastics. Innovative ideas include converting food waste into biofuel or compost and collaborating with local organizations to improve recycling. Luxury resorts that implement these environmentally friendly waste disposal solutions not only decrease their environmental impact, but also attract eco-conscious travelers, improve operational efficiency, and help local communities. These activities demonstrate a dedication to sustainability that appeals to today’s discerning guests.

Building Green

The very foundation of a sustainable resort is its construction. Architects are incorporating eco-friendly materials like sustainably harvested wood and recycled elements. They’re also designed with energy efficiency in mind, utilizing natural ventilation and light to minimize reliance on artificial systems. Imagine unwinding in a spacious suite crafted with local, sustainable materials, offering breathtaking views bathed in natural sunlight.

Community Connection

True sustainability extends beyond the resort walls. Luxury adventure resorts are forging strong partnerships with local communities. This can involve supporting conservation efforts, employing local guides, and sourcing ingredients from nearby farms. Guests become active participants in preserving the destination’s cultural heritage and natural wonders, fostering a deeper connection with the place they visit.

The luxury adventure travel industry is witnessing a remarkable metamorphosis. Sustainability is no longer a niche concept; it is the cornerstone of an industry redefining the very essence of luxury. By embracing environmentally conscious practices, these resorts are not merely creating unforgettable experiences; they are ensuring a brighter future for the breathtaking destinations we hold dear. The future of luxury adventure travel lies in a harmonious marriage between thrilling experiences and environmental responsibility. Sustainable luxury resorts are not just setting a new standard; they are paving the way for a future where adventure and conservation go hand in hand, ensuring that these breathtaking destinations remain pristine for generations to come.

About Author

Tariq Sheriff, Director of Area 83, is a visionary entrepreneur renowned for his innovative approach to luxury adventure and sustainable tourism. His leadership has propelled Area 83 to acclaim, blending opulence with environmental responsibility. Additionally, he founded Aura, a luxurious lakeside wedding venue that epitomizes elegance and eco-consciousness. Tariq’s dedication to sustainability and creating unforgettable experiences has set a new industry benchmark.

The post The New Standard: Sustainability Practices in Luxury Adventure Resorts appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

The Zurich Innovation Championship

The Zurich Innovation Championship is a global competition conducted by Zurich Insurance, one of the world’s largest insurers with a significant presence in over 215 countries. This annual event seeks startups that not only aim for profitability but also strive to make a substantial social impact. The championship emphasizes creating new value propositions and delivering innovative services beyond mere product distribution. By winning this prestigious competition, Perfios has established itself as a key player in shaping the insurance industry through impactful solutions.

Criteria and Qualifications for the Award

The selection process for the Zurich Innovation Championship is rigorous and globally oriented, focusing on companies that demonstrate a dual purpose: profitability and social betterment. Participants are evaluated on their ability to address significant industry issues with innovative solutions that have the potential to revolutionize market practices.

Significance of the Award

The significance of winning the Zurich Innovation Championship cannot be understated. It underscores Perfios’ role as a transformative force in the insurance sector, particularly in combating claims fraud, which is a major contributor to the inflation of insurance premiums globally.

What Sets Perfios Apart

Founded in 2019, Perfios Technology Solutions Sdn Bhd has rapidly expanded throughout the Southeast Asia region. Supported by top-tier investors like Bessemer Venture Partners, Warburg Pincus, Kedaara Capital, and Ontario Teacher’s Venture Growth, Perfios recently raised $80 million in its latest funding round. Their clientele includes leading global banks and insurers who rely on Perfios for seamless digital transformations.

We are honored to receive this recognition from Zurich Asuransi Indonesia. Perfios Acclaim embodies our vision to provide insurers with cutting-edge technology that simplifies their operations and protects against fraud.

Amitabh, Chief Business Officer, Perfios Insurance International

Future Goals

Winning the Zurich Innovation Championship aligns perfectly with Perfios’ mission to empower insurers with innovative, reliable technology. Perfios Acclaim aims to expand its impact across Asia and further solidify its presence as a leader in the insurance technology space.

Also read: Gaming’s Big Power-Up: Consumers Splashed $116 Billion on Mobile Gaming in 2021 – Two Thirds of Total Spend on All Apps

About Perfios Acclaim

Perfios Acclaim tackles the pressing challenge of claims leakages in health insurance, which cost the industry up to $28 billion annually due to fraudulent or ineligible claims. Traditional methods fall short, as human assessors struggle to correlate data across extensive documents to detect fraud. Perfios Acclaim integrates claims digitization and fraud detection into a unified solution, enabling Straight Through Processing (STP) and automatic adjudication. This reduces processing times from over a week to just 30 minutes and has saved up to 5% in claims payouts in regions like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

The post Perfios Technology Solutions Titled Indonesia Winner of Zurich Innovation Championship for Health Claims Analytics Solution appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

In Asia-Pacific, a significant shift toward mindful shopping is reshaping consumer behavior, driven by the dual pressures of the cost of living crisis and heightened environmental concerns. A staggering 90% of consumers in the region express willingness to pay a premium for environmentally positive products, with some even prepared to pay over 50% more.

The anti-trend movement has also given rise to deinfluencers, a breed of social media influencers who advocate for restraint in consumption. They highlight overpriced products and share money-saving tips, challenging the traditional influencer model that often encourages excessive buying.

This raised a question, isn’t the anti-trend movement just another trend? And why should marketers care?

Decoding Anti-Trend

To answer the question, we have to understand that “anti-trend” promotes choices that are disconnected from the popular demands of the moment, focusing on “timeless” qualities such as durability, functionality, and simplicity. This movement is not merely about rejecting trends; rather, it is about making conscientious decisions that align with personal values and long-term sustainability.

Since timelessness is at its core, anti-trend movement is not a trend, but more of a constant, an established behavior that is ever present no matter what the trend is.

And really, with Gen Z today having access to the history of trends in just a few clicks, today has become a melting pot of trends, where anyone can easily reference the past and bring back an old trend. Yet, this also shows how the anti-trend has emerged as something that encompasses a myriad of trends.

In summary, the anti-trend is about going back to basics, that less is more, and a good life doesn’t have to be full of flashy things. This offline club member cafe in Amsterdam serves as a perfect example.

And this is more than enough reasons for marketers to consider the anti-trend, if they want to appeal to the core of what consumers long for in this era of fast-paced life.

What marketers can do?

For marketers, this shift presents a complex challenge: How to drive demand in an era where “less is more”? Traditional product-centric marketing strategies are proving less effective against this backdrop. Instead, success now demands a consumer-centric approach that aligns closely with the values of sustainability and quality.

Embrace Transparency: Authenticity is essential. Today’s sophisticated consumers demand transparency about the origins, environmental impact, and ethical practices of products.

Focus on Quality and Sustainability: Brands should emphasize the durability and sustainable attributes of their products, aligning with the values of conscious consumers and positioning themselves as responsible market leaders.

Engage with Conscious Values: By aligning with consumers on important issues, brands can transition from mere vendors to valued community members, participating actively in discussions about sustainability and ethics.

Tap into Consumer Aspirations: Understanding that consumers yearn for sustainable and lasting products is crucial. Marketers need to consider how their brands can tap into these aspirations effectively.

Successful examples include Patagonia, known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and durable clothing, and Le Creuset, which has thrived by focusing on craftsmanship and timeless design. These examples demonstrate that aligning with the anti-trend philosophy can lead to enduring success in the marketplace.

Conclusion

As the anti-trend movement gains momentum, it presents marketers with a unique opportunity to rethink their strategies and align more closely with the enduring preferences of consumers. By embracing principles of quality, sustainability, and transparency, brands can build deeper connections with their audience, transitioning from simply selling products to becoming integral, trusted parts of their consumers’ lives. The anti-trend isn’t just about opposing the mainstream; it’s about forging a commitment to values that resonate on a deeper level with today’s consumers, thereby ensuring a brand’s relevance and longevity in a rapidly changing market landscape.

The post Marketers, Here’s Why the Anti-Trend Movement Deserves Your Attention appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Recently, Vantara conducted a daring rescue operation for Elephant Pratima and her calf in Tripura, involving a convoy of six vehicles, including ambulances and feed vehicles, and a 22-member team. This mission highlights Vantara’s deep commitment to animal welfare, as the team traveled 3500 kilometers from Jamnagar to Tripura in just 24 hours to deliver critical care to the elephants.

Upon arrival, extensive medical treatment was administered by Vantara’s specialists to ensure the well-being of Pratima and her calf throughout the relocation process. A veterinary surgeon who examined them in Tripura discovered multiple wounds and lacerations on Pratima, severe stiffness in her limbs, and blindness in one eye. Both elephants were also found to be severely malnourished.

Despite ongoing treatment by local veterinarians, including systemic antibiotics, painkillers, vitamin supplements, and regular dressing, Dr. Ghatare emphasized the critical condition of the elephants, stating that their survival was precarious and dependent on immediate intensive care and proper nutrition.

With robust evidence including before-and-after images, videos, veterinary records, and governmental endorsements, the successful rehabilitation of Pratima and her calf exemplifies Vantara’s excellence in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

Moreover, Vantara is equipped with the infrastructure to care for up to 500 elephants, ensuring comprehensive and continual care for animals in need. A PETA release revealed that Pratima and her calf were previously held unlawfully without an ownership certificate, displaying clear signs of neglect and injuries that necessitated urgent intervention.

Under the expert care of Vantara’s team, led by veterinarians including Dr. Jahan from Gauhati, Pratima and her calf are now undergoing a significant recovery. Thanks to dedicated medical attention and compassionate support, both are showing remarkable improvements, inspiring hope for their future.

About Vantara:
Vantara, translating to ‘Star Of The Forest,’ is an ambitious wildlife preservation project founded by Anant Ambani. Supported by Reliance Industries and the Reliance Foundation, it is located within the Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat, India. Spanning 3,000 acres, Vantara operates as a sanctuary for abused, injured, and endangered animals, committed to providing a natural and nurturing environment for its residents.

The post Vantara Under Anant Bhai Ambani: Transforming Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

These appointments mark a pivotal moment in Mintoak’s evolution. The company’s impressive growth trajectory and visionary leadership are further amplified by this strategic expansion beyond its Indian roots. Mintoak sets its sights on exciting new territories – Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa – leveraging the success story of India’s digital payments revolution. With deep expertise in these emerging markets, Mintoak is poised to empower the global SME community.

Industry Powerhouse Trio Joins Mintoak’s Leadership Team

Chayan Hazra, the new Head of Growth, brings nearly two decades of experience in financial services and banking to the table. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Chayan will spearhead Mintoak’s international expansion, focusing on digital payments, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships. His impressive background includes leadership roles at PineLabs, Mastercard, HDFC Bank, and Deutsche Bank.

Marlyn Jose, joining as Head of Business Development, Africa, brings over 15 years of invaluable experience in banking and payments. Stationed in Johannesburg, South Africa, Marlyn’s deep understanding of the local retail landscape positions Mintoak for exceptional growth across the African continent. Her past successes include leading strategic initiatives for Mastercard EEMEA and spearheading merchant services growth for FNB South Africa.

Jyoti Shankar Mishra, assuming the role of Head of Business Development for the Middle East, brings over two decades of experience in banking and insurance across the region. Based in Dubai, Jyoti’s extensive career with brands like Standard Chartered and Dubai Islamic Bank equips him to drive Mintoak’s expansion in this dynamic market.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chayan, Marlyn, and Jyoti to the Mintoak family. Their collective experience and regional insights perfectly complement our strategic vision of expanding our global footprint. These appointments reinforce our commitment to delivering innovative solutions for empowering the SME community globally,” said Raman Khanduja, co-founder and CEO at Mintoak.

Fortifying a Global Presence

By fortifying its global reach through these strategic appointments, Mintoak not only solidifies its position as a frontrunner in merchant services but also underscores its dedication to fostering sustainable growth and building strong alliances in diverse markets.

Also read: Shoppertainment Live Opens Seven ‘Livestyle’ Studios To Empower More Brands Become Activations Future-ready In The Next Normal

About Mintoak

Founded in 2017, Mintoak is the go-to merchant SaaS platform for banks, empowering them to expand their payment offerings by integrating digital business solutions. This enriched engagement enables cross-selling and delivery of valuable financial products to merchants. Mintoak’s modularized, cloud-native, API-first platform allows banks and merchant acquirers to deploy and rapidly scale value-added services (payments, lending, and engagement) to their millions of SME customers. Leading institutions like HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, Axis Bank, YES Bank (India), Absa, and Burgan Bank have implemented Mintoak’s suite of merchant payment and commerce enablement solutions. Mintoak secured a $20 million Series A funding round last year, led by PayPal Ventures with participation from British International Investment, HDFC Bank, and Pravega Ventures.

The post Mintoak Poised for Global Growth with Strategic Leadership Expansion appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

One of the most important factors to consider in this shift is Malaysia’s warehousing capabilities. With the e-commerce logistics market in Southeast Asia projected to grow by USD 85.12 billion between 2023 and 2028, it comes as no surprise that the Greater Kuala Lumpur Property Market Monitor 2Q2023 revealed strong and sustained demand for warehouse space. To cope with this level of expansion, businesses must think about adopting effective and efficient warehousing systems and solutions.

Primarily, according to Store N Go’s warehouse management systems (WMS) database, we processed more than 4 million parcels in 2023 — while a remarkable achievement in itself, a far cry from China’s capabilities. Here, we’ll take a closer look at how warehousing solution providers can help Malaysian businesses progress further and faster in the retail race.

Seamless Technological Integration

Human errors are inevitable in manual sorting processes, leading to inefficiencies and potential mistakes in order fulfilment. By automating this process, companies can improve accuracy, speed, and overall efficiency in their warehouse operations. Cutting-edge WMS can now integrate technologies like RFID and barcode scanning for precise inventory tracking and real-time stock visibility, allowing companies to streamline their logistics operations immensely.

Additionally, WMS should be able to seamlessly integrate with retailers’ existing technology stack, including e-commerce platforms, ERP systems, and logistics software. This allows for data synchronisation and automation, further enhancing operational efficiency, which in turn has the added benefit of reducing operational costs.

An Extra Eye, A Helping Hand

Working alongside a warehousingfulfilment solution company also provides room to breathe in terms of the safety and security of stored goods. With tools like 24/7 surveillance and controlled access, retailers can have peace of mind knowing their inventory is protected. Furthermore, retailers can rely on having the necessary assistance and guidance to maximise the benefits of their warehousing solutions through dedicated customer support and account management services.

The Solution Grows With You

Warehousing solutions providers also allow for a decent level of flexibility when it comes to cost and scale. With warehouse spaces that now allow retailers to only use and pay for exactly the space they need, this provides companies with the opportunity to worry less about the expansion of their back-end processes as their operations increase.

This customisable model has the added benefit of lowering the barrier for smaller players in the retail space, as they now have access to these resources without the hefty upfront investment. This democratisation of access to warehouse space levels the playing field in the retail sector, fostering competition and innovation from businesses of all sizes. Ultimately, it creates a more diverse and dynamic marketplace where smaller retailers can thrive alongside their larger counterparts.

One Stop Shop

The retail industry in Malaysia is experiencing a significant change towards simpler and more efficient solutions for customers. Companies are realising the importance of providing all-in-one services to make shopping easier and meet changing needs. By bringing together different services or products in one place, businesses aim to make processes simpler, reduce the number of steps customers need to take, and improve overall efficiency.

This shift aligns with the increasing desire among consumers for smooth shopping experiences, showing how the industry is responding to changing preferences and making sure to meet customer needs. It reflects an industry-wide commitment to adapt to evolving behaviours and expectations, emphasising the importance of staying in tune with customer demands.

In sum, it’s safe to say that warehousing and fulfilment solutions are now integral to Malaysia’s evolving retail sector, driven by the increasing consumer demand for seamless shopping experiences. Companies are increasingly investing in warehouse storage and fulfilment services in a bid to meet the needs of their customers and stay competitive in the market. This trend underscores the importance of adaptability and innovation in the retail sector, as companies strive to remain relevant and meet the evolving needs of modern consumers.

About Store N Go

Established in 2017, Store N Go has emerged as the leading e-fulfilment service provider in Malaysia. Managing a portfolio of over 80 brands, with 38 originating from Malaysia, Store N Go has facilitated remarkable growth of up to 3000% for its clients. This growth is attributed to Store N Go’s innovative approach in leveraging various touch points across the consumer purchasing journey. Offering comprehensive warehousing and fulfilment solutions, Store N Go specialises in tailored product handling, storage, packaging materials, kitting services, and distribution solutions. With seamlessly integrated 3rd-party logistics (3PL) services and optimised order fulfilment processes, Store N Go empowers businesses to efficiently manage their orders and inventory with unprecedented ease and effectiveness.

The post Driving Progress with Next-Gen Warehousing Solutions in Malaysia appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Dedicated to boosting their digital footprint, they have skillfully merged traditional practices with modern techniques, spearheading initiatives in thought leadership. Their relentless pursuit of spreading knowledge and advancing professional goals marks them as leading lights in the digital age.

We offer our heartfelt congratulations to these exemplary leaders who have disrupted the norm, greatly enhanced their fields, and crafted an impressive legacy within Singapore’s professional environment. Their paths illuminate the vast opportunities available to those who navigate with foresight and resolve.

Alessandro Venè

With a robust background that includes significant stints at the European Commission, a Fortune 500 company, and multiple startups in both the web2 and web3 spaces, Alessandro brings a wealth of experience to his role. His expertise in Business and Project Management within the IT and Digital Advertising industries equips him with the unique ability to oversee complex projects and manage cross-cultural teams effectively.

Alessandro’s entrepreneurial spirit is demonstrated by his founding of three startups, two of which he successfully exited, showcasing his capability to not only initiate innovative ventures but also see them through to fruition and profitable completions. His recent focus has been on the burgeoning blockchain and web3 industries, where he has taken on C-level roles in emerging scaleups, driving forward technological innovation and operational excellence.

His life quote, “On a mission to decentralize real-world assets,” reflects his commitment to transforming the traditional asset management landscape using cutting-edge technology. This goal underpins his leadership at CellarDAO, where he steers the company towards integrating blockchain technology to make asset investment more accessible and transparent, thereby revolutionizing how real-world assets are handled in the digital age.

Amba Kuthiala

During her tenure at Unilever in Homecare, Amba crafted integrated campaigns that resonated with diverse audiences, demonstrating her knack for understanding and meeting consumer needs. Currently, she is leading UMA Global Foods’ journey to build FMCG pantry brands internationally, guiding a young team of professionals across multiple geographies with a challenger mindset.

Amba’s life quote, “Feel empowered and stay fearless,” embodies her approach to leadership and brand development. Her fearless attitude and empowerment philosophy drive her to embrace challenges and inspire her team to push boundaries, ensuring that the brands under her guidance continue to thrive in competitive markets.

With a career rooted in innovation and collaboration, Amba Kuthiala remains a formidable force in the advertising and marketing world, constantly evolving and reshaping brand strategies to align with contemporary demands and expectations.

Anubhav Nayyar

Anubhav Nayyar brings a robust track record of success as a Technology and Growth Executive with extensive experience in both B2B and B2C enterprises. He has demonstrated exceptional capability in scaling revenue operations, having grown annual recurring revenue (ARR) to over $200 million. Anubhav’s expertise extends to community and product growth, where he has successfully scaled user engagement to more than 350 million active users.

His specialty lies in incubating and building businesses from the ground up. Notably, Anubhav initiated Snapchat’s regional operations and was also the first employee to lead Rakuten Viber’s global business operations, setting a strong foundation for their expansive growth. His hands-on approach and strategic insight have been pivotal in these roles, proving his ability to start and scale operations effectively.

As a seasoned Business and Growth operator, Anubhav has collaborated with multiple companies, helping them in achieving Product Market Fit, driving growth, enhancing revenue, forging partnerships, and strategizing go-to-market plans, global operations, and APAC expansion. His broad scope of experience makes him a valuable asset to any venture looking to scale and expand globally.

In addition to his operational roles, Anubhav is an active investor and serves on the board of multiple companies, where he continues to influence growth and innovation. His life quote, “Embrace change, pursue dreams, cherish moments,” encapsulates his philosophy of remaining adaptable, ambitious, and appreciative throughout his personal and professional life. This mindset drives his continual pursuit of new challenges and his commitment to making a significant impact in the tech industry.

Carmen Oprea

Carmen Oprea is a trailblazing Chief Product Officer at Trustana, where she brings over 15 years of dedicated experience in leading and scaling fast-growth tech startups. Specializing in SaaS, marketplaces, and B2C commerce, Carmen has established herself as a leading figure in the tech industry, especially noted for her profound expertise in AI-driven product development.

At Trustana, Carmen has been instrumental in pioneering one of Asia’s first AI-native B2B products, which showcases her innovative approach and forward-thinking in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to solve complex business challenges. Prior to her current role, she played a pivotal role at HappyFresh, where she significantly contributed to scaling the product of this leading Southeast Asian grocery delivery app. Her efforts have consistently focused on enhancing product functionality and improving user experience through data-driven strategies and insights.

Carmen’s deep understanding of AI and its applications in product development allows her to create cutting-edge solutions that not only meet current market needs but also anticipate future trends and demands. Her ability to integrate AI effectively into product design and functionality has resulted in products that are both impactful and innovative, setting new standards in the tech industry.

Her life quote, “When knowledge expands, possibilities become infinite,” reflects her philosophy of continual learning and innovation. This mindset drives her to constantly explore new horizons and push the boundaries of what is possible in technology and product development.

Carmen Oprea’s leadership at Trustana is marked by her visionary approach to product management and her commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to drive business growth and success.

Catherine Y. Chan

Catherine Chan, with over two decades of experience in the real estate and branded residence sector, currently serves as the Chief Development Officer at Hotel101 Global, a prominent worldwide hotel operator and a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Corporation. In this strategic role, Catherine applies her extensive expertise in new business development, market research, and strategy to spearhead global sales expansion and project development. Her approach is focused on cultivating franchises and partnerships, aiming to extend Hotel101 Global’s market reach and influence globally.

Before her current position, Catherine held several high-ranking roles within Accor, the world’s leading hospitality group. Notably, she was the Vice President of Accor One Living and Global Brand Advisory Lead, where she significantly contributed to positioning Accor as the second largest operator of branded residences worldwide. Her leadership in Accor’s mixed-use business played a pivotal role in reinforcing the company’s market dominance. Additionally, as the Global Director of Residential Marketing, Catherine orchestrated marketing strategies that spanned Accor’s residential portfolio across 25 countries, demonstrating her capability to implement effective global initiatives.

Catherine’s profound industry impact is underscored by her successful track record in delivering substantial results and value to clients, partners, and stakeholders in the competitive and fast-evolving real estate sector.

Living by her life quote, “Happiness is a journey, not a destination,” she emphasizes the importance of finding fulfillment in the professional path she navigates, enriching her work with passion and a deep sense of purpose as she continues to lead and innovate at Hotel101 Global.

Hiroyuki Hirano

Hiroyuki Hirano, with over 15 years of experience across various industries in Southeast Asia, serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at LESS n Co Pte Ltd. His profound understanding of regional market dynamics, customer needs, and environmental challenges has positioned him as a pivotal figure in pioneering sustainable and innovative business models. Hiroyuki’s passion lies in leveraging his expertise to create a positive social and environmental impact, particularly through ventures in food-tech and alternative energy sectors.

Adept in project planning, Hiroyuki also excels in communication and presentation, skills that have been instrumental in articulating and advancing his company’s mission. His ability to thrive in multicultural and fast-paced environments is further enhanced by his deep knowledge of the Southeast Asian and Japanese markets, making him a versatile and dynamic leader in the international business arena.

Always eager to embrace new challenges, Hiroyuki is committed to continuous personal and professional growth. His approach to innovation and problem-solving is encapsulated in his life quote, “Be Cre8ive,” which not only inspires his work philosophy but also influences his leadership style at LESS n Co. Under his guidance, the company is dedicated to developing solutions that are not only commercially viable but also beneficial to society and the environment, reflecting a business strategy that is both creative and conscientious.

Hiroyuki Hirano’s leadership at LESS n Co embodies a blend of strategic foresight, expert knowledge, and a commitment to sustainability, driving the company forward in its mission to reshape industry practices for the betterment of the community and the planet.

Jackson Ng

Jackson Ng, as the COO and CTO of Azimut Investment Management, plays a pivotal role in steering the company towards operational excellence and technological innovation. With his extensive expertise in formulating impactful business strategies and driving digital initiatives, Jackson has been instrumental in elevating the brand’s value and guiding the firm to success across multiple award campaigns.

Under Jackson’s leadership, the technology and marketing functions at Azimut have flourished, becoming key pillars of growth for the company. His strategic vision extends to overseeing significant transformations in the finance and HR departments, leading them through award-winning digital transformation journeys that have set new standards within the industry.

In addition to his executive roles, Jackson is an active thought leader and a recognized LinkedIn Top Voice. He frequently speaks on a wide range of topics including AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity, wealth management, and generational differences in the workplace. His insights into these areas are not only informed by his extensive professional experience but are also driven by his passion for leveraging technology to solve complex challenges in finance and investment.

Jackson lives by the motto, “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to you,” a philosophy that underscores his proactive approach to both leadership and personal development. This guiding principle reflects his belief in taking initiative and responsibility for driving change and achieving desired outcomes.

With a strong commitment to innovation and excellence, Jackson Ng continues to lead Azimut Investment Management forward, ensuring that the firm not only meets but exceeds the evolving demands of the digital age in the investment sector.

Jing Yi Tan

Jing Yi Tan, as the Chief Operating Officer at Accredify, plays a pivotal role in steering the company towards operational excellence. A founding member of Accredify, Jing Yi has been instrumental in driving the company’s hyper-growth by adeptly wearing multiple hats and ensuring that each move aligns with the company’s strategic goals. Her leadership in managing the onboarding and support for over 400 clients in just three months highlights her exceptional organizational capabilities and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Jing Yi’s profound impact at Accredify also extends to managing key client accounts, securing the company’s reputation as the leading provider of verifiable technology solutions in the region. Her dual interest in business and technology was evident early in her career when she served as a Business Analyst at Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank. There, she honed her skills in developing business requirements and facilitated seamless communication between business and technology teams.

Her journey continued at Aste Global Pte Ltd, where as Chief of Staff, she implemented crucial technology solutions and standardized operating procedures across multiple branches in Asia and Europe. This strategic move significantly boosted productivity and ensured compliance with both company policies and local regulations.

Jing Yi’s academic foundation is as impressive as her professional trajectory, holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics (Honours) from the National University of Singapore. Her life quote, “Know your direction,” reflects her strategic approach to leadership—focused, determined, and always forward-looking. Under Jing Yi Tan’s guidance, Accredify is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the digital trust solutions sector, by pursuing continuous innovation and ensuring consistent excellence in its operations.

Mark Masterson

Mark Masterson, the Worldwide Chief Creative Officer at Chab Agency, is driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to explore the unknown. His career is a testament to this passion, taking him through a diverse range of experiences across industries and geographies. This relentless pursuit of new ideas and fresh perspectives has shaped his unique approach to creativity and brand innovation.

Throughout his expansive career, Mark has not only created events for giants like AOL/Yahoo and Amex in New York’s Central Park but also launched new liquor brands for Sauza and Justin Timberlake, taking Harley-Davidson on a tour across China, and much more. His work with leading global brands like Sony Pictures, Princess Cruises, Disney, and Volvo among others showcases his capacity to harness creativity to not just create brands but whole cultural narratives.

His journey through creative leadership includes a transformative stint as the head of creative for Coca-Cola Companies and Brown-Forman at Momentum Worldwide. Here, Mark’s strategic vision came to life in platforms that gained significant media attention and launched brands onto the world stage. His international experiences culminated in roles across the globe, from Sweden to Ghana, and ultimately back to Singapore, where he now leads at Chab Group.

Living by his life quote, “If you can’t make something good, you’d better be able to make something really awful.” Mark champions bold creativity and unorthodox approaches to branding and marketing, making him a vanguard in the creative industry. His story is a testament to the power of embracing change, pursuing innovation, and always being driven by insatiable curiosity.

Miao Song

Miao Song is a distinguished Global Chief Information Officer and Executive Committee member at GLP, having joined the company in mid-2021. With over 23 years of global experience across diverse industries, Miao brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her career includes significant tenures at leading multinational corporations including Mars Petcare, where she served as the Global CIO of the largest pet food company globally with a turnover of $30 billion, and Johnson & Johnson, where she was the VP/CIO.

Miao’s extensive background is not limited to the consumer goods sector; she has also excelled in the oil, energy, and natural resources sectors during her 14 years at Royal Dutch Shell, and in healthcare with Nestle for 5 years. Her IT management experience is comprehensive, covering all IT disciplines in both global and regional capacities. Miao’s international experience is equally impressive, having lived and worked in China, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Belgium, among other locations.

A passionate advocate for Diversity and Inclusiveness, Miao has actively led various initiatives, including heading the Netherlands D&I council, leading the IT Women Leadership Institution at Johnson & Johnson, and sponsoring Mars’ Digital D&I initiative. Her outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence have earned her numerous accolades, including CIO of the Year by IDG, Leadership Excellence, Women Leader, CIO of the Year Silicon Valley, and Global CIO 100.

Miao’s life quote, “Life is a long lesson in humility and a long journey of learning,” reflects her approach to both personal growth and professional development. As a vital member of GLP’s senior management team, Miao Song continues to drive the company’s vision forward through strategic technology implementation and digital transformation.

Also read: Celebrating the Trailblazers: Australian Women in Business Excellence Awards Winners Announced

Mubashir Chishti

Mubashir Chishti, with 19 years of robust experience in the DigiTech industry, currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Spectra Innovations Pte Ltd. Throughout his career, Mubashir has been a champion of innovation and customer-centric management, principles that have guided his successful tenure in the field. His role at Spectra Innovations has further cemented his commitment to spearheading technological advancements and fostering an environment of continuous improvement. 

Mubashir’s enthusiasm for developing technology talent is not confined to his immediate professional environment but extends across Singapore and South Asia. He is passionate about nurturing the next generation of tech leaders, ensuring they are well-equipped to drive future innovations. His leadership is characterized by a strong advocacy for diversity and inclusiveness, values that he believes are crucial for creating a dynamic and innovative workplace. 

Under his leadership, Spectra Innovations has become a hub for attracting, hiring, and retaining key executive talent across the Asia-Pacific region. Mubashir’s expertise spans several critical domains in today’s technology landscape, including Cloud Computing/Networking, Hybrid Cloud, IoT, Cybersecurity, FinTech, and High Availability.  

In today’s rapidly evolving digital era, Mubashir understands that the adoption of technology can significantly enhance productivity across various sectors, including business, government, healthcare, finance, and social services. His philosophy, encapsulated by his life quote, “best is to be yourself,” reflects his belief in authenticity as the cornerstone of effective leadership. This principle has not only shaped his approach to innovation and management but also inspired his team to excel and innovate fearlessly at Spectra Innovations. 

Mustafa Kapasi

Mr. Mustafa Kapasi serves as the Chief Operating Officer at M1 Limited, where he has significantly advanced the company’s technology and branding since joining in 2019. With over three decades of global experience across twelve countries, predominantly in telecommunications, Mustafa has been pivotal in M1’s transformation into a future-ready organisation.

Under his leadership, M1 has transitioned to a cloud-native digital platform, optimising operations, and enhancing employee workflows. This shift has been accompanied by a comprehensive rebranding exercise, featuring a new logo inspired by the “golden hour,” symbolising a peak era for M1. This rebranding underscores M1’s commitment to customer-centric, “Made-to-Measure” solutions, exemplified by its customisable mobile plans.

Moreover, Mustafa spearheaded the ‘Be’ campaign, celebrating the uniqueness of individuals and empowering customers to embrace their authentic selves, aligning with M1’s vision of personalisation. He also introduced a new sonic identity for M1, a musical embodiment of the brand’s essence designed to provide a consistent and engaging customer experience across all touchpoints.

Reflecting his belief that “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” a notion famously articulated by Leonardo da Vinci, Mustafa’s strategic initiatives at M1 demonstrate a blend of simplicity and depth, aiming to connect deeply with customers while delivering straightforward, effective solutions. His leadership continues to drive M1 toward innovative frontiers, redefining the telecommunications landscape in Singapore.

Nicole Poon

Nicole Poon, as the Chief Operating Officer at Shopmatic, plays a pivotal role in steering the company toward sustained growth and operational excellence. With a rich background as a former People leader, Nicole leverages her profound understanding of organizational dynamics to enhance business operations, making her an invaluable asset to the e-commerce leader. 

At Shopmatic, Nicole’s strategic acumen and meticulous attention to aligning people, processes, and technology have been critical in positioning the company as a standout in the competitive e-commerce industry. Her leadership style is characterized by a commitment to cross-functional collaboration, which fosters a culture of innovation and efficiency across all levels of the organization. 

Nicole’s ability to integrate her deep knowledge of human resources with her operational responsibilities allows her to implement strategies that maximize team performance and drive the company’s success. Her approach goes beyond mere management, focusing on inspiring and motivating her team to achieve more than just business objectives; she encourages them to push the boundaries of what is possible in e-commerce. 

Living by her life quote, “Do what is right, not what is easy,” Nicole embodies a leadership philosophy that prioritizes ethical decision-making and integrity over taking shortcuts. This principle not only guides her professional decisions but also resonates throughout the company, cultivating an environment where transparency and honesty are valued. 

Under Nicole’s guidance, Shopmatic continues to thrive, benefiting from her strategic foresight and her dedication to not only meeting but exceeding the evolving demands of the digital commerce space. 

Nyan Tun Zaw

Nyan Tun Zaw is a distinguished cybersecurity expert, currently holding the dual roles of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Regional Senior Vice President for Business Development at Athena Dynamics Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of the SGX mainboard listed BH Global Corporation Ltd. His extensive expertise spans cybersecurity, software development, web development, networking, and business development, making him a versatile and valuable asset to the organization.

In his role as CISO, Nyan Tun Zaw excels in evaluating and analysing various cybersecurity technologies, with particular expertise in zero trust architectures and Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR) technologies. His insights into these areas are critical in safeguarding against the most sophisticated digital threats. As a Senior Vice President, his strategic acumen in business development has significantly contributed to Athena Dynamics’ growth, especially in high-stakes environments such as government and critical infrastructure projects across Singapore and the region.

Nyan Tun Zaw’s early career was marked by his leadership as a technical lead and head of the Good Hackers Alliance (GHA), where he played a pivotal role in numerous project implementations, further establishing his credentials in the field.

Academically, he holds a Master of Business Administration from Quantic School of Business and Technology, and a Bachelor of Business Management with double majors in Finance and Information Systems from Singapore Management University. He also holds prestigious certifications such as CEH, ECSA, and CISSP.

Living by his life quote, “Never stop learning,” Nyan Tun Zaw embodies the essence of continuous personal and professional growth, continually seeking new knowledge and skills to stay at the forefront of the cybersecurity field.

Pauline Lim

Pauline Lim is Group Chief Corporate Officer at CGS International Securities Pte. Ltd. (CGS International). Prior to her current position, she was the Senior Director of Group Corporate Office at ARA Asset Management.

Pauline is a highly accomplished C-level executive with over 23 years of experience in delivering superior organisation-wide initiatives across all aspects of human resources, corporate communications and administration. She believes that employees are the essential drivers of a company’s success. Through her deep understanding of business and employee needs, she has developed impactful strategies and policies to motivate the staff to do their utmost for, and grow alongside the company.

Pauline’s people-oriented leadership style is fueled by her belief in creating an employee journey that is not only productive but also delightful, enhancing employee satisfaction and loyalty. Employees know that they can work in a safe, fair and conducive environment that they are proud to be associated with.

Her efforts have been instrumental in improving the overall branding of the company, making the company not just a market leader but also an employer of choice.

Her personal mantra, “Individually, we make a sound. Together, we create a symphony,” encapsulates her philosophy towards teamwork and collaboration. This belief is reflected in her leadership approach, emphasising synergy and the collective potential of her team to achieve greater heights. Through her visionary leadership and strategic initiatives, Pauline has profoundly influenced the corporate culture at CGS International.

Pauline Lim continues to be a pivotal figure at CGS International, driving excellence and innovation in every aspect of corporate services to support the growth and success of the company.

Saurabh Prakash

Saurabh Prakash has over two decades of experience in the hospitality sector, currently holding the position of Chief Commercial Officer at Millennium Hotels & Resorts. He has navigated pivotal roles in renowned global organizations like Marriott International, TSA Solutions, Radisson Hotel Group, and Millennium Hotels & Resorts, leaving a notable imprint on their commercial endeavours.

At present, Saurabh spearheads all global commercial functions, including Brands, Loyalty, Marketing, Sales, Revenue Strategy, Digital Marketing, Digital Platforms, Distribution, Informational Technology & Digital Transformation teams. As a key C-Suite member, his insights and leadership steer the group towards success. He brings certified expertise in digital marketing, holding a Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM) as well as Certificate in Leadership from Cornell University.

Before his current role, Saurabh served as the Vice President of Commercial, Asia Pacific at the Radisson Hotels Group. There, he orchestrated strategic growth and performance across a vast portfolio of over 200 hotels, significantly contributing to achieving EBITDA targets through strategic initiatives.

Saurabh’s career foundation was laid during his 15-year tenure with Marriott International, where he earned accolades such as the Revenue Leader of the Year Award twice and the esteemed Chairman’s Circle Award. His educational background includes a Bachelor Honours degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Huddersfield, UK, in conjunction with IHM Aurangabad, India.

With his guiding principle of “Inspiring Success, Living Dreams,” Saurabh Prakash remains dedicated to driving excellence and innovation in his domain, inspiring teams to believe in themselves to do above and beyond, and executing ‘blue ocean’ strategies that turn dreams into concrete achievements.

Sean Lam

Sean Lam is a visionary leader and the founder and Chief Philosophy Officer of Ecoworks, an eco-social enterprise dedicated to transforming environmental sustainability in Singapore. Driven by a profound commitment to societal and environmental change, Sean has been pivotal in addressing the sustainability gap through innovative solutions. One of his landmark initiatives at Ecoworks is the introduction of automated refilling stations for home care products, significantly reducing the reliance on single-use plastic bottles and aiming to eliminate 10 million such bottles from Singapore’s waste stream annually. This bold initiative is supported by the Philip Yeo Innovations Fellow Programme, underscoring its potential impact. 

Before Ecoworks, Sean was the co-founder and CEO of Jewel Paymentech, part of the fintech unicorn Advance Group, where he played a critical role in leading the company through significant growth. His earlier role as the director of risk at Visa involved advocating for critical regulatory changes, including the adoption of 2 Factor Authentication and EMV chip cards, which had profound implications for the security of financial transactions. 

Beyond his professional endeavors, Sean is deeply involved in community service. He serves as a member of the Singapore Standards Council, a volunteer police officer, a National Environment Agency Community Volunteer, and a Grassroots Leader at the People’s Association. Each role reflects his dedication to fostering community engagement and progress. 

Sean lives by the motto, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great,” a principle that guides his approach to both entrepreneurship and his commitment to making a positive impact on the world. 

Sourabh Chatterjee

Sourabh Chatterjee, the Group Chief Technology Officer at Oona Insurance, identifies himself as a ‘digital enthusiast’ driven by a passion to harness technology in solving business challenges on a large scale. His current mission is to establish Southeast Asia’s leading digital insurer, focusing on customer-centric and transformational approaches powered by the latest technological advancements. For Sourabh, the ultimate reward is seeing the tangible benefits of his work reflected in the satisfaction of end-users—those moments when a technological solution enhances their efficiency and effectiveness are what fuel his drive. 

Under his leadership, Oona Insurance is poised to become a pacesetter in the digital insurance space, emphasizing intuitive, accessible, and innovative insurance solutions that respond to the real needs of customers. Sourabh’s approach goes beyond merely implementing technology; it’s about creating meaningful interactions that enhance user experiences and foster customer loyalty. 

Beyond his technological initiatives, Sourabh is committed to developing the next generation of industry leaders. He places a strong emphasis on mentoring and nurturing top talent, preparing them to lead the industry forward for decades. His philosophy in fostering young professionals is centered around innovation, critical thinking, and a proactive approach to industry challenges. 

Living by the motto, “Stay hungry, stay foolish,” Sourabh embodies a mindset of continual learning and openness to innovation, which he believes are crucial for staying at the forefront of the technology and insurance sectors. This philosophy not only guides his professional career but also inspires his team to push boundaries and think differently, ensuring that Oona Insurance remains a leader in the digital transformation of the insurance industry. 

Stephen Tjoa

Stephen Tjoa, with an illustrious career spanning over three decades, stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of human capital management. As the Group Chief People Officer for Boardroom Group, Stephen has taken the helm of the people agenda across various geographies including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Australia. Under his leadership, the human resources department flourishes, emphasizing all aspects of the employee lifecycle, particularly in Learning & Development, thereby reinforcing Boardroom’s stature as a premier provider of outsourced professional services in the Asia-Pacific region.

Before his tenure at Boardroom, Stephen carved a niche for himself at KPMG Singapore, where he was a pivotal figure from 1991 to 2021. His efforts were instrumental in sculpting the firm’s people practice and talent strategy, showcasing his adeptness in spearheading innovative people solutions, change management, and business partnering programs. Notably, in 2005, Stephen made history by becoming the first human capital professional to be admitted as Partner at KPMG, a testament to his groundbreaking work in elevating KPMG’s reputation as a top employer in Singapore and as a progressive and innovative global employer.

Stephen’s life quote, “People leadership is all about respect and empathy,” encapsulates his approach to human resources, underlining the importance of understanding and valuing everyone within the organization. His commitment to fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and engagement not only enhances organizational effectiveness but also cultivates a work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to excel. Through his visionary leadership and strategic human capital initiatives, Stephen Tjoa continues to shape the future of work, making an indelible impact on the corporate landscape.

Steven Li

Steven Li is a dynamic entrepreneurial leader and the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Fluid Financial Pte Ltd, where he leverages a decade of experience in the IT field to drive innovation and strategic growth. With a sharp business acumen and a keen strategic vision, Steven has been pivotal in developing cutting-edge solutions that effectively address the real-life challenges faced by individuals and businesses today.

At Fluid Financial, Steven’s role involves not just overseeing product development but also shaping the company’s strategic direction to ensure that their offerings are not only relevant but revolutionary in the competitive financial technology landscape. His ability to identify and solve pain points has led to the creation of products that significantly enhance user experience and operational efficiency, thereby transforming how clients interact with financial services.

Steven’s leadership is characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, qualities that are encapsulated in his life quote, “Always thriving.” This mantra reflects his approach to both personal and professional life, constantly pushing boundaries and striving to excel no matter the challenge.

Under Steven’s guidance, Fluid Financial has become a beacon of innovation in the fintech sector, known for its user-centric products and robust technology solutions. His strategic foresight and deep understanding of the IT and financial sectors enable him to drive the company’s growth while ensuring that the product offerings are not only innovative but also scalable and sustainable in the long term.

Steven Li continues to be a driving force at Fluid Financial, his entrepreneurial spirit and visionary leadership propelling the company forward in its mission to revolutionize financial services through technology.

Teck Guan Yeo

Teck Guan Yeo, serving as the Chief Business Technology Officer at Singapore Pools, is a distinguished leader in the realm of information technology. With over two decades of leadership experience, Teck Guan has been instrumental in driving the digital strategy and transformation initiatives at Singapore Pools. His role not only encompasses overseeing the integration of advanced technologies but also mentoring and advising teams on technology innovation, ensuring the organization stays at the forefront of industry advancements. 

Recognized for his significant contributions to the IT field, Teck Guan has been nominated for prestigious awards, including the SPARK Asia 200 and World CIO 200. These nominations highlight his commitment to excellence and his impact on the global technology community. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Teck Guan is deeply committed to social causes, particularly in advocating for disability rights. He chairs the SPD Resource Mobilization Committee, where he leverages his leadership skills to drive initiatives and mobilize resources for the disabled community, demonstrating his dedication to making a positive societal impact. 

An avid sports enthusiast, Teck Guan firmly believes in the transformative power of sports to foster strength, resilience, and teamwork. This belief not only influences his personal life but also inspires his professional approach, where teamwork and resilience are key to navigating the challenges of the digital landscape. 

Living by his life quote, “Embrace change, innovate, and create a better tomorrow,” Teck Guan embodies a forward-thinking mindset that motivates him to continuously seek innovative solutions that promise a brighter future, making him a visionary leader in both his professional and personal endeavors. 

The post Celebrating Excellence: Singapore’s Stellar CxO Leaders Recognized by MIA Impact Circle appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

To attract and engage Gen Z in the workplace, firstly integrate cutting-edge technology and digital tools to enhance efficiency and connectivity.

Also Read: Mastering Machine Learning: Insights from Tal Shaked, CMLO at Moloco

Now, Create an environment of open communication and transparency with regular feedback and an open-door policy. 

Emphasise on the importance of work-life balance through flexible work arrangements and remote options. 

Offer clear paths for advancement with continuous learning opportunities. 

Connect your business goals to broader societal issues, demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility. 

Cultivate an inclusive culture that values diversity, driving innovation and appealing to Gen Z’s desire for a workplace that reflects their values and vision for the future.

About Rajiv Talreja

Rajiv Talreja is the Founder of Quantum Leap Learning Solutions Pvt Ltd, Asia’s Largest MSME Business Coaching Company. He started his entrepreneurial journey at 20, founding Quantum Leap. Despite early setbacks, he re-educated himself by interviewing 300+ entrepreneurs, leading to his bestselling book “Lead or Bleed.” He organized the popular Business Breakthrough Seminar and created The Business P.A.C.E. Program, benefiting over 20,000+ entrepreneurs.

The post Creating a Gen Z inclusive workspace appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Conduct surveys or hold focus groups to gain insights into their health and wellness challenges. Focus on curating programs that offer significant benefits for your team’s physical and mental health. This could include gym memberships, yoga classes, mental health days, nutritious meals, and health screenings. Also, consider flexible working hours to help employees achieve a better work-life balance. Moreover, the success of these wellness programs relies on continuous engagement and feedback from the employees. 

Along with this, curating activities which are regularly assessed, inclusive and accessible will encourage maximum participation while calculating its impact. By investing in employee’s well-being, companies can create a happier, more engaged, and more productive workforce.

Also Read: Indo-Australian Innovation Takes Center Stage at Saarthi GreenTech’s Factory Inauguration in Pune by Paul Murphy, Bridging Continents for Sustainability

About Rajiv Talreja

Rajiv Talreja is the Founder of Quantum Leap Learning Solutions Pvt Ltd, Asia’s Largest MSME Business Coaching Company. He started his entrepreneurial journey at 20, founding Quantum Leap. Despite early setbacks, he re-educated himself by interviewing 300+ entrepreneurs, leading to his bestselling book “Lead or Bleed.” He organized the popular Business Breakthrough Seminar and created The Business P.A.C.E. Program, benefiting over 20,000+ entrepreneurs.

Quantum Leap, once a Corporate Training Company, has grown into Asia’s Largest MSME Business Coaching Company, helping 1,00,000+ entrepreneurs with training and coaching. Rajiv is also a serial investor, supporting startups and creating jobs. His TEDx talk and interviews reflect his journey. Besides his business, he’s an avid traveller, dedicated husband, and philanthropist supporting education, animal care, and healthcare causes.

The post Ways to invest in Employee Wellness Programs appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Understanding Interconnected CDNs

Interconnected CDNs are advanced delivery systems that are directly linked to an interconnected platform. This direct connection allows them to access a vast network of resources, including data centers, ISPs, OTTs, Cloud Service Providers, and other connected networks, resulting in faster and more efficient content delivery. Interconnected CDNs stand out from traditional CDNs because they make use of their connectivity to decrease latency, enhance routing optimisation, and guarantee flawless content distribution to users across the world.

Imagine you’re running an e-commerce website that sells a variety of products. Your website needs to deliver product images, descriptions, and other content to users quickly and efficiently to provide a seamless shopping experience. Recently, There was an internal server issue in the Flipkart server due to which they had to face problems in receiving orders online for some time due to surge in traffic. Instead of relying solely on a single CDN provider with limited reach, you opt for an interconnected CDN solution.

With an interconnected CDN, your website’s content is stored not just in one data center, but across a network of interconnected servers strategically located around the world. This means that regardless of where your users are located, they can access your website’s content from the nearest server, reducing latency and speeding up load times.

The Need for Speed

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, speed is not just a luxury but a necessity. Research shows that users expect websites to load within seconds, and any delays can lead to increased bounce rates and decreased user engagement. Interconnected CDNs address this need for speed by delivering content at lightning-fast speeds, providing a smooth and enjoyable browsing experience for users.

Consider a scenario where you’re browsing the internet on your mobile device while waiting for your train. You click on a link to a website but find that it takes too long to load, so you quickly navigate away and choose another site. This scenario illustrates how crucial website speed is in capturing and retaining user attention.

Research shows that 47% of consumers in India expect a web page to load in 2 seconds or less, and 40% will abandon a website that takes more than 3 seconds to load. Therefore, ensuring fast load times is essential for keeping users engaged and preventing them from bouncing to competitors’ sites.

How Interconnected CDNs Work

The magic of interconnected CDNs lies in their ability to minimise latency and optimise routing paths. By connecting directly to an internet exchange, they shorten the distance data needs to travel, resulting in quicker load times and improved performance. Additionally, interconnected CDNs can scale resources dynamically, handle traffic spikes efficiently, and ensure reliable content delivery across geographic regions.

Let’s say you’re accessing a popular news website that uses an interconnected CDN to deliver its content. When you click on a news article, the request is routed to the nearest server within the interconnected CDN network. This server then retrieves the requested content and delivers it to your device, minimizing the distance the data needs to travel and reducing load times.

Additionally, if there is a sudden surge in traffic to the news website due to breaking news or a viral article, the interconnected CDN can dynamically scale resources to handle the increased demand without sacrificing performance.

Benefits of Interconnected CDNs

The benefits of using interconnected CDNs for website speed optimization are numerous:

1. Reduced Latency: Interconnected CDNs minimise latency by accessing a direct connection to an internet exchange, resulting in faster load times and improved user experience.
2. Optimised Routing: They optimise routing paths to ensure efficient content delivery, reducing the risk of congestion and bottlenecks.
3. Scalability: Interconnected CDNs can scale resources dynamically to meet evolving user demands, maintaining optimal performance during peak traffic periods.
4. Reliability: They offer redundancy and fault tolerance, ensuring uninterrupted content delivery and minimizing downtime.
5. Global Reach: Leveraging the interconnected infrastructure, interconnected CDNs can reach users worldwide, delivering content consistently across different regions.

Consider a multinational corporation with customers located around the globe. By utilising an interconnected CDN, the corporation can ensure consistent and reliable content delivery to users in different regions, regardless of their geographical location.

For example, a customer in Europe accessing the corporation’s website will experience fast load times and seamless browsing, just like a customer in North America or Asia. This global reach helps the corporation maintain a positive brand image and provides a consistent user experience across all markets.

Also Read: Lenskart Plans New Mega Factory Near Bengaluru Airport

Impact on Website Performance

The implementation of interconnected CDNs can have a significant impact on website performance metrics. Faster load times lead to improved user engagement, reduced bounce rates, and increased conversions. Moreover, search engines like Google prioritise fast-loading websites in their rankings, making website speed optimisation crucial for SEO success.

Imagine you’re a small business owner who recently implemented an interconnected CDN on your company’s website. After the implementation, you notice a significant improvement in website performance metrics such as decreased bounce rates, increased time on page, and higher conversion rates.

These improvements not only enhance the user experience for your website visitors but also have a positive impact on your business’s bottom line. Faster load times and improved performance lead to higher customer satisfaction, increased engagement, and ultimately, more sales and revenue.

Future Trends and Innovations

Looking ahead, interconnected CDNs will continue to evolve and innovate. Emerging technologies such as edge computing and 5G networks will further enhance speed and efficiency, enabling even faster content delivery and more seamless user experiences. Businesses that embrace these advancements will stay ahead of the competition and deliver exceptional digital experiences to their users.

Looking ahead, advancements in technology such as edge computing and 5G networks are expected to further enhance the capabilities of interconnected CDNs. For example, edge computing enables content to be processed closer to the end-user, reducing latency even further and delivering even faster load times.

Additionally, the widespread adoption of 5G networks will provide faster and more reliable internet connections, allowing interconnected CDNs to deliver content to users with unprecedented speed and efficiency. These innovations will continue to shape the future of website speed optimization and elevate the digital experiences of users worldwide.

Interconnected CDNs represent a powerful solution for enhancing website speed and performance in today’s digital landscape. By leveraging their advanced capabilities and global reach, businesses can deliver content faster, improve user experiences, and achieve better business outcomes. Embracing interconnected CDNs is not just a strategic choice but a necessary investment in the future of digital experiences.

About Sudhir Kunder

Sudhir Kunder is the company’s Chief Business Officer and has over 29 years of experience in various fields. He has contributed to Telecommunications, FMCG, Retail, and Information and Communication Technology fields. Mr. Kunder’s areas of expertise include Corporate Governance, Strategic Planning, Partnership Management, and Service Management. He is responsible for creating the company’s long-term plans and monitoring how well those plans are working.

Sudhir has a situational leadership style in which he assumes and plays the role of innovator and/or activator depending on the situation. He says, “I believe that people matter the most and, thus, I act accordingly. This has enabled me to collaborate with team members and stakeholders, along with enhancing my ability to make difficult decisions.”

The post From Slow Load Times To Lightning Fast: A Deep Dive Into Interconnected CDNS And Website Speed Optimization appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

This factory represents a significant step forward for Saarthi GreenTech, making it India’s first manufacturing & assembly unit for Saarthi GreenTech’s innovative products to be sold in India as well as exported to global markets like Australia, Middle-East, Africa & the USA. Saarthi GreenTech’s current investment of approximately One Million Australian Dollars underscores its commitment to driving sustainable solutions and pioneering advancements in clean energy technologies.

The Indo- Australian innovation was inaugurated by Mr.Paul Murphy, the consulate general of Australia accompanied by Ms.Malini Dutt, A/g Trade and Investment Commissioner – India, Investment NSW, along with leaders of Saarthi GreenTech – Mr. Alok Kumar, Co-Founder, Saarthi GreenTech, Karunjit Kumar Dhir, Co-Founder Saarthi GreenTech and other industry veterans. They were also joined by Mr. Balamurugan KGS of TransPra and Mr. Malcolm Dsouza & Mr.Santosh Ingalkar of KSH Distriparks as some of their esteemed guests for this inauguration ceremony. 

Mrs. Nandani Kumar, MD for Saarthi GreenTech in India said, “The entire team at Saarthi GreenTech is passionate about leveraging technological innovations to reduce pollution & overall carbon footprint of the industries that heavily depend on the usage of the fossil-fuel, especially diesel. We are driven by a single focus to make this world a better place for our future generations by giving them a cleaner & greener world.”

Also read: A Greentech Startup Making Sustainable Packaging From Bamboo, Sugarcane

Mr. Alok Kumar, Co-Founder of Saarthi GreenTech said, “After having invested years into this technology & project, the inauguration of the factory marks a significant milestone in our journey to reduce fuel consumption and carbon footprint. Our patented technology and strategic investments reflect our dedication to revolutionizing the clean-tech landscape and addressing pressing challenges in the automotive and industrial sectors.”

Mr. Karunjit Kumar Dhir, Co-Founder of Saarthi GreenTech expressed his gratitude to the InvestmentNSW & the government of Australia for being very encouraging & helpful in enabling them to forge this Australia-India collaboration. He also mentioned, “Our world needs practically feasible energy transition solutions today that can accelerate the decarbonization journey for the industries and world economies, thereby reducing our carbon footprint rapidly. We can neither replace the fossil-fuel based vehicles currently running on roads overnight nor wait for years for greener alternatives that are affordable, and therefore Saarthi GreenTech is our little personal endeavor in this direction to solve this challenge today.”

Saarthi GreenTech is India’s first homegrown manufacturing company decarbonizing and solving the challenge of accelerating the transition of commercial automotive industry from diesel to hydrogen-based hybrid.

Saarthi Greentech’s robust research and development infrastructure across India & Australia, coupled with strategic customer outreach initiatives, is revolutionizing the hydrogen economy piece in the overall clean-tech landscape. With it’s India headquarters based in Pune & Australia Head Office in Sydney (NSW), Saarthi Greentech is pioneering in revolutionizing the need for decarbonization in the automotive, mining, construction, marine, power generation, and industrial sectors.

About Saarthi Greentech

Saarthi GreenTech is a pioneering clean-tech company dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions through innovative technologies leveraging Hydrogen. With a focus on hydrogen-based systems and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Saarthi GreenTech is shaping the future of clean energy for a greener tomorrow, today.

The post Indo-Australian Innovation Takes Center Stage at Saarthi GreenTech’s Factory Inauguration in Pune by Paul Murphy, Bridging Continents for Sustainability appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

In the India of 2024, cafés are present in Tier 1 and 2 cities, peppered across streets with cozy spaces, specialty brews and delectable offerings. Here, we delve into the anticipated trends that we will witness this year in the café industry.

Blending in Communities

The grab-and-go culture associated with coffee is being replaced with sit-down sessions, be it with remote workers, business meetings or friends catching up for a chat. Cafés have now become environments that have spaces open to all. Creating small communities, cafés now bring in a mix of coffee aficionados, students, artists, entrepreneurs and corporate professionals, and this trend is predicted to grow in 2024 with the rise of new-age cafés in India.

Personalized Experiences

One of the biggest challenges that cafés face in today’s world is breaking out of the clutter and standing apart from a sea of competitors. Customers now look for curated experiences and personalization goes the extra mile to solve the issue. Be it catering to regular customers with a special touch or engagement on social media, we will witness a rise in how cafés now prioritize curation to stand out.

Plant-Based Popularity

With the world moving towards sustainability and cruelty-free options, there has been a sharp rise in the demand for plant-based alternatives in coffee beverages like Almond and Oat Milk. There is a rising trend in cafés now having dedicated stations that cater to these growing needs, drawing in more of the crowd with niche preferences. This not only garners popularity but boosts customer loyalty, a key advantage for cafés.

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Showcasing  Unique Offerings

‘I’d really like a cup of this in my own home.’ has been a sentiment that has recently echoed amongst coffee aficionados. Trends showcase the steady increase in popularity of cafes offering their unique products for sale. Be it brews from different locations in India, or artsy coffee apparatuses, cafés have now begun selling handcrafted items, artisanal coffees and other unique items. India has a passionate coffee community that actively seeks products from new-age cafés, which have an active following, with people looking forward to new-releases around the clock.

Poised for accelerated growth in 2024, the café industry continues to evolve in the best of ways, exploring opportunities that involve their customers on multiple levels. As the café culture continues to grow, these trends will continue to take shape and define the café landscape of India in the years to come. From building small communities within cafés, delivering personalized experiences, and going green with the introduction of plant-based options and innovations in in-house products, the café industry will grow so much more in the coming years.

About Sandeep Nagaiah

Co-founder of Paper & Pie, blends creativity with entrepreneurial spirit to redefine café culture. With a focus on the unique Japandi aesthetic, he’s crafted a space that supports both community and innovation, featuring amenities like a podcast room and workstations. Sandeep’s vision for a multifunctional café environment marks a new chapter in the industry.

The post Redefining Café Culture in India: Top Trends to Watch in 2024 appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Exploring Untapped Potential

• Telegram: Renowned for its focus on privacy and seamless communication, Telegram offers features like large-group chats and channels, making it an ideal platform for brands to establish communities and share news and information securely.
• Twitch: Initially known as a live-streaming platform for gamers, Twitch has expanded its horizons to cater to businesses, enabling them to host live events, Q&A sessions, product demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses, thus reaching wider audiences.
• Clubhouse: With its unique audio-based format, Clubhouse has revolutionised social networking by facilitating live conversations and interactions. Brands can leverage Clubhouse to host panels and interview sessions, providing users with immersive experiences.
• LinkedIn: Originally designed for professional networking, LinkedIn has evolved into a platform where companies can showcase their business plans, leadership profiles, and more, fostering valuable connections and opportunities.
• Snapchat: Snapchat, which is among the most popular social media networks around the globe, is now an effective means for brands to reach an extensive audience who are interested in their products. Companies can do this by displaying their playful aspect through a variety of campaign ideas.

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Understanding Audience Dynamics and Behavior

To effectively utilise these platforms, brands must understand the nuances of user behaviour and preferences. Tailoring campaigns to suit each platform’s unique characteristics can enhance audience engagement and improve content strategy.

Real-world Success Stories

Numerous brands have successfully leveraged alternative platforms for marketing endeavours. For instance, Cash App collaborated with Twitch to promote a major event, while Ted Talks utilised Telegram to advertise its YouTube channel. Moreover, leading brands like Adidas used Snapchat to boost sales with Snapchat’s innovative features.

Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities

Transitioning to alternative social media platforms presents challenges such as adapting to new rules and formats, understanding user behaviour, and navigating unfamiliar territory. However, overcoming these challenges can unlock numerous opportunities for brands to stay competitive and innovative in a dynamic market landscape.

Proven Strategies for Thriving Branding

Experimentation is key to success in digital marketing. Brands must continually learn and adapt, experimenting with new strategies to achieve desired outcomes. Clear and authentic communication is paramount, enabling brands to establish genuine connections with their audience and enhance visibility.

The evolution of social media necessitates that brands expand their reach beyond traditional platforms like Instagram. By embracing alternative platforms such as Telegram, Twitch, Clubhouse, and LinkedIn, brands can tap into new markets, engage with diverse audiences, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.

By Mr. Mohan Gohade, Digital Marketing Head, SRV Media

Mohan Gohade is a distinguished Digital Marketing Head with over a decade of experience and success in managing 900+ national and international marketing campaigns. His expertise spans SEM, SMM, and Programmatic Buying, backed by an MBA in Marketing/Advertising and a Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Adept in Google Ads, Analytics, and marketplace advertising, Gohade excels in team leadership and client relations, driving impactful results across the digital spectrum. LinkedIn.

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Uniting Athletes and Coaches

SportsSkill serves as a virtual nexus where athletes of all levels and disciplines can seamlessly connect with experienced coaches from around the globe. Whether you’re a novice seeking fundamental skills or a seasoned competitor aiming for the podium, the platform offers an extensive network of specialized coaches to cater to diverse needs.

Personalized Coaching, Anywhere, Anytime

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all coaching programs. With SportsSkill, athletes receive personalized guidance tailored to their unique strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Through a combination of video calls, messaging, and data-driven analysis, coaches provide targeted feedback and training plans, empowering athletes to maximize their potential from the comfort of their own training grounds.

Bridging the Gap with Virtual Training Sessions

Distance is no longer a barrier to impactful coaching, thanks to SportsSkill’s innovative virtual training sessions. Athletes can upload their videos and share with the coaches for feedback, and corrections. This immersive experience not only fosters a sense of connection and accountability but also ensures that athletes can fine-tune their skills with precision and efficiency.

Fostering a Community of Support and Growth

Beyond the coach-athlete relationship, SportsSkill cultivates a vibrant community of like-minded individuals united by their passion for sports. Through interactive forums, group chats, and collaborative sessions, users share insights, celebrate achievements, and offer support along the journey to excellence. This sense of camaraderie fuels motivation, fosters learning, and propels athletes to new heights of success.

Embracing the Future of Sports Coaching

In a world where innovation drives progress, SportsSkill stands at the forefront of the sports coaching revolution. By harnessing technology, connectivity, and a commitment to excellence, the platform empowers athletes to transcend boundaries and unlock their full potential. Whether you’re a coach with a wealth of knowledge to share or an athlete with dreams of greatness, SportsSkill invites you to join the movement and redefine what’s possible in the world of sports coaching.

In today’s rapidly evolving sports landscape, the fusion of technology and coaching expertise has become a game-changer in honing athletes’ skills and knowledge. One pioneering concept gaining momentum is the creation of a comprehensive video coaching platform, offering athletes access to expert insights and guidance from top-tier coaches. This innovative approach not only benefits athletes directly but also establishes a transformative resource for coaches globally, elevating the standards of sports education on an international scale.

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The journey towards establishing this groundbreaking initiative begins with a strategic partnership with the academy’s head coach. This collaboration is pivotal in mapping out the platform’s content, from identifying key topics to orchestrating filming logistics. By tapping into the head coach’s wealth of experience, the platform can be tailored to address the specific needs and challenges faced by the academy’s athletes.

With topics delineated, the next phase involves capturing coaching tips and demonstrations with precision and clarity. High-definition filming is imperative to effectively convey nuanced techniques and strategies. Through concise and engaging videos, athletes gain invaluable insights spanning technical mastery to mental fortitude, enhancing their overall performance and understanding of the sport.

Post-filming, meticulous editing and categorization are employed to ensure seamless navigation and accessibility on the academy’s dedicated login platform. Organizing the content intuitively empowers athletes to navigate through the wealth of information effortlessly, maximizing their learning experience and skill acquisition.

Accessible to all players and camp attendees, the video coaching platform offers on-demand access to expert guidance, transcending geographical barriers and time constraints. This democratization of coaching fosters a culture of continuous improvement, empowering athletes to refine their skills at their own pace, irrespective of their physical location or training schedule.

Central to the platform’s success is the integration of feedback mechanisms, soliciting input from athletes and coaches alike. This iterative process facilitates ongoing refinement and enhancement of content, ensuring its relevance and efficacy. By remaining responsive to the evolving needs of its users, the platform remains a dynamic and indispensable resource for athletes and coaches alike.

In addition to regular updates, the platform’s scope can be expanded to encompass a diverse array of topics and disciplines, catering to athletes of varying proficiency levels and interests. This holistic approach ensures that the platform remains engaging and relevant, catering to the multifaceted needs of today’s athletes.

Beyond the academy’s confines, the platform has the potential to transcend borders, reaching athletes and coaches worldwide. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, its impact can be amplified, fostering a global community of athletes and coaches united by a shared pursuit of excellence.

Furthermore, leveraging the SportsSkill  platform can amplify coaches’ visibility and impact, positioning them as influential figures in the global sports arena. This platform serves as a springboard for personal and professional growth, facilitating networking opportunities and access to a wealth of resources.

The creation of a comprehensive video coaching platform represents a watershed moment in sports education. By harnessing the synergies of technology and coaching expertise, this initiative has the power to revolutionize the way athletes learn and excel in their respective disciplines. As the global sports landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like these are instrumental in shaping the future of sports education and coaching, empowering athletes and coaches alike to realize their full potential on a global stage.

The post SportsSkill Global Connect: Transforming Athlete-Coach Dynamics with Innovative Tech Synergy and SkillStats Integration appeared first on Marketing In Asia.

Australian Developers Take Center Stage as PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Return

The prestigious PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) are back for their seventh year, and this time around, they’re putting an extra focus on recognising excellence in the dynamic real estate business in the nation. Incorporating not just long-standing states like Victoria and New South Wales, but also the ACT, South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland, this year’s programming stretches the recognised net wider with an incredible 102 categories.

Key dates for the 2024 edition:
2 August 2024 – Entries close
12 August – 9 September 2024 – Site Inspections
10 September 2024 – Final Judging
11 October 2024 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Melbourne, Australia
13 December 2024 – Regional Grand Final Gala Presentation in Bangkok, Thailand

Recognizing Sustainability, Investment Potential, and More

In the next 2024 edition, there will be several exciting new categories included, such the highly anticipated ESG awards. Companies who go above and beyond in their quest for ecologically and socially responsible construction techniques are recognised with these prizes. More recently added categories include those well-suited to sales galleries, projects incorporating nature, and outstanding investment-grade condo and home developments.

Independent Judging and Industry Collaboration

To ensure a fair and transparent process, a distinguished panel of independent experts will determine the finalists. This year’s judging panel will be presided over by the esteemed Ivan Lam of Charter Keck Cramer. Lam oversees the firm’s foreign business operations. Taking over from Lui Violanti, who will continue to contribute, he assumes the position of vice chair.

The Australian Property Developers Association is a new supporting association that will help commemorate the apex of Australian real estate. They join long-standing associates like the Melbourne Chinatown Association and the Australia Malaysia Business Council Victoria. The programme is pleased to have them on board.

Australia’s Enduring Appeal to Property Seekers

The most recent awards ceremony occurred at a time when foreign interest in acquiring Australian real estate was at an all-time high. The official journal of the awards, Property Report by PropertyGuru, reports that record selling prices have been driven across the country for waterfront properties, luxury estates, and apartments due to strong demand.

Showcasing Australia’s Best to the Region

“As we enter our seventh year of celebrating success in the country’s real estate sector, Australia’s appeal to property seekers from Asia remains strong. Amid global uncertainties, Australia offers a well-regulated environment, attracting international investors as a haven of stability and opportunity. From the picturesque waterfronts of Gold Coast to the multicultural cities of tomorrow in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia offers some of the finest lifestyle value propositions in the world. The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards amplify this message, providing a platform to showcase Australia’s best real estate to the rest of Asia-Pacific,” stated Jules Kay, General Manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards & Events.

With the help of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, Australia’s top real estate projects may be seen by a wide audience in the Asia-Pacific region.

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A Legacy of Excellence

Presented by PropertyGuru Asia, the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) are a component of the 19th annual PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards. Celebrate the most anticipated real estate events of the year with an exclusive gala dinner and ceremony. This prestigious series highlights key markets in Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Oceania.

Participation in the 7th Annual PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) is open until August 2, 2024 via asiapropertyawards.com/nominations. To make a nomination for your project or for more information, visit the official website at AsiaPropertyAwards.com. This is your chance to shine as one of Australia’s leading real estate agents; don’t let it slip your fingers!

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