Digital Marketing Association of Hong Kong

Founding members of Digital Marketing Association of Hong Kong (L-R): Rico Chan, Yahoo VP and GM, Hong Kong, India & Southeast Asia, sales; Kevin Huang, Pixels CEO; Elsie Cheung, SCMP COO; Mai Wah Cheung, Next Digital group chief information officer and chief technology officer; Victor Cheng, ComScore VP, North Asia; Anita Lam, head of FMCG and Retail, Greater China, Facebook; Lars Bratsberg, industry leader, agency, Google.

Source: www.campaignasia.com

Seven of Hong Kong’s largest digital players have come together to form the Digital Marketing Association of Hong Kong. Among the founding members are Pixels, ComScore, Facebook, Google, Next Digital, South China Morning Post, and Yahoo!

It was Pixels along with two other companies who first initiated the idea of having an advertising industry body. They saw the need for setting standards and measurements for digital marketing and growing its talent pool. Moreover, they wanted to establish a Hong Kong chapter of the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

Along with the seven founders, the association now has a pool of 36 members composed of agencies, and several brands such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Expedia.

DMA Hong Kong aims to advance the market by focusing on measurement standards and training.

The New York Times Company Acquires The Wirecutter and The Sweethome

10/24/16

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The New York Times Company today announced that it has acquired The Wirecutter and The Sweethome, product-recommendation services that serve as a guide to technology gear, home products and other consumer services. The acquisition was an all-cash transaction that closed on October 24, 2016.

Founded in 2011 by technology journalist Brian Lam, who worked as an editor at both Gizmodo, and Wired, The Wirecutter and The Sweethome, its sister site, are lists of the best gadgets, gear and other products for people who quickly want to know what to get. The sites are built on the strong editorial backbone of journalists making research-driven, powerful product recommendations. The sites generate revenue primarily through affiliates—that is, money earned by offering direct links to merchants in exchange for a share of any ultimate sale. These merchants include both major online retailers such as Amazon, as well as niche and vertical-specific shops.

“We’re very excited about this acquisition on two fronts. It’s an impressively run business with a very attractive revenue model and its success is built on the foundation of great, rigorously reported service journalism,” said Mark Thompson, president and CEO of The New York Times Company. “The New York Times is the definitive source for news, information and entertainment and now we’re working on becoming an authoritative destination for service journalism, with verticals like Cooking, Watching and Well. The practical approach that The Wirecutter and The Sweethome take to product recommendations embodies the same standards and values that are the pillars of our own newsroom. Their service-focused guides align with our commitment to creating products that are an indispensable part of our readers’s lives,” Thompson added.

Following the acquisition, Mr. Lam will stay on in an advisory role, while Jacqui Cheng, editor-in-chief, and Christopher Mascari, product director, will remain in those roles. Ben French, vice president of NYT Beta, will serve as interim general manager and will work to integrate The Wirecutter and The Sweethome into The Times Company.

Mr. Lam said, “The New York Times is the perfect home for The Wirecutter because of our shared love and commitment to reader service and public good through rigorous reporting. And most important, we're thrilled to have the chance to help Times readers find great gear that can improve their lives.”

Some of the statements included in this press release, including those with respect to the integration of this business and strategic goals, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include risks detailed from time to time in The New York Times Company’s publicly filed documents, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2015. The New York Times Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About The New York Times Company

The New York Times Company is a global media organization dedicated to enhancing society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news and information. The Company includes The New York Times, NYTimes.com, and related properties. It is known globally for excellence in its journalism, and innovation in its print and digital storytelling and its business model. Follow news about the company at @NYTimesComm.

About The Wirecutter

Founded five years ago by journalists fed up with the time and energy it takes to shop, The Wirecutter and its sister site The Sweethome developed a simpler approach to giving buying advice: just tell people exactly what to get in one single guide. The company’s purpose: to help people find great things, quickly and easily. Through rigorous testing, research, and reporting, they create straightforward recommendations that save readers from unnecessary stress, time, and effort.

This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161024006061/en/

Source: The New York Times Company

New light for SMEs in the Philippines: Transportify to lower logistics costs

Startup logistics provider Transportify is now in the Philippines, giving businesses and even individual consumers a cheaper and more efficient alternative for their on-demand logistics needs saving them valuable amount of resources spent on capital and operational expenditures.

Known as Deliveree in Thailand and Indonesia, Transportify was launched in the Philippine market last July.  It now has 45 people manning its Manila office.  So far, it has more than 2,000 registered accounts in just a few weeks.

With barely three months’ worth of operations in the country, Transportify already has a pool of over 900 driver-partners in Metro Manila. Over time, it hopes to expand its fleet for ground logistics. At present, its fleet includes Sedans, Hatchbacks, MPVs for Economy, and L300s but this will be expanded in the coming months to include more vehicle options such as motorcycles, pickup trucks, and closed vans.

“Through Transportify, we hope to address a pain point that the Philippines shares with Indonesia and Thailand — high logistics costs. From our studies, we found out that logistics account for about 18 percent of operating costs of companies here. With Transportify, we hope to provide a more cost-effective alternative to businesses,” said Tom Kim, International CEO of Deliveree.

Helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) lower their operating costs in the area of logistics is Transportify’s main objective. As a value proposition, Transportify customers only need to pay for the distance covered by the delivery and extra services required.  

Their rates are as follows:

“About 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines are SMEs and this is where Transportify’s value comes in.  SMEs have very low margins, and by helping lower the logistics costs, we help these small businesses thrive in a very competitive environment,” added Kim.

Unlike traditional couriers, Transportify’s mobile and web app lets you book a driver for same-day delivery requirements. It also accepts pre-scheduled bookings up to two weeks in advance. It also has a live tracking feature so customers can pinpoint the precise location of their driver and the estimated time of arrival at any stage during the delivery.

The company, just like other transportation apps present in the market today, does not own vehicles or physical assets. However, it is an app that connects customers to drivers. It charges drivers a commission of 15% only.

“Since we don’t have to spend for maintenance of these vehicles and salaries of the drivers, we have relatively lower overhead costs. This allows us to provide our customers a service that is cost-efficient and competitive compared to what is already available in the market,” said Kim.

  

Transportify Philippines is powered by Deliveree which was founded in 2014 by Inspire Ventures and Ardent Capital - both well-established venture builders in Southeast Asia. Backed with $2-million seed funding and from its principal shareholders, Transportify continues to expand the business by continuously providing lower logistics costs to SMEsand significantly growing itsarea of service coveragein its current markets.

Download our apps on Google Play or Appstore

Visit our website: www.transportify.com.ph

AT&T is buying Time Warner for $85.4 billion

The media world was shaken upon hearing the news that telecommunications giant AT&T agreed to buy Time Warner, owner of Warner Brothers movie studio, HBO, and CNN for the price of $85.4 billion.

Both parties unanimously approved of the said deal. One of their top priorities is finding ways of reaching consumers who do not have cable subscriptions.

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson will run the combined company which will offer unique services particularly on mobile. By the end of the year, AT&T is expected to offer a streaming TV package, DirecTV Now, whose target are people who have dropped their cable subscriptions or never had one.

The CEOs of the two companies believe that it will be easier to innovate once they are already merged. As said by Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes, more money will help fund the production of additional programming and films.

It is believed that this is “a good defensive move” against Comcast who continues to stretch into new businesses. Just recently, Comcast bought DreamWorks Animation.

This mega deal, however, will not be an easily smooth one as this merger will have to face tough scrutiny from government regulators. Until then, the merged company will not be formalized.

The life coaches of DETOUR 2016

In 2015, Propel conducted their first boot camp in Laguna entitled “INSURGENT: Rising Above Boundaries” which was attended by 100 campers. With its success, Propel planned to conduct boot camps annually encompassing various event formats like fora, seminars, conferences, and the like; with the overall theme of highlighting game changers and innovations in personal development and in business. 

This year’s boot camp, “DETOUR”, is dedicated for young professionals. The feedback and assessment from INSURGENT gave birth to DETOUR. “Last year, we had a camp retreat for young professionals but then after that we saw a lot of needs that young professionals have. We decided to come up with a camp where people won’t just come to have fun. We want this boot camp to be a platform of learning for young professionals. We aim to motive young people; to push whatever dreams they have or if they have difficulties in life, that they would know that there are people who have experienced it and able to overcome it “says Propel’s CEO and President, Mary Jane Vega.

According to the organizers, DETOUR is different from their camp retreat last year because it is not just religious. It is more focused on career building. Also, PROPEL has incorporated team buildings activities which makes the boot camp a mixture of physical fun and intellectual stimulation.

LIFE COACHES

(L-R) Andrew Chua, Flip Ruby, Rachel de Villa, Mary Jane Vega, David Lim and Rachel Harrison

The first ever DETOUR has on-board people who are the best in the industry where they are right now. The coaches of this boot camp would be sharing not the just "technicalities" but also life lessons that they have learned in their great journey and difficulties before they became successful. “We want the young people to know that there would be pursuits and perseverance, but if we continue to outlast that we would discover our purposes.” Mary Jane Vega said in a statement during the press conference.

For more information and  registration details, visit the Facebook page DETOUR or call them at (02) 959-6429 or email info@propelmentoring.com.

Meeting Marie Cunning, President of FPACC

Marie Cunning, FPACC president with Zeno Martinez of Nextmedia

Marie Cunning is the president of the Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce, Inc.  It consists of 35 chapters all over the United States. Here in the Philippines, FPACC’s counterpart is the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In the US, the FPACC is the largest Filipino-American business organization.

On the business side, Marie Cunning is a developer.  She owns a construction company. She builds shopping centers and high-rises in Arizona. She also owns several flooring stores, cabinets and countertops shops, and a real estate business. Recently, she bought a door shop in Mexico. Topping all these businesses is her own fashion boutique which is a personal interest business because Marie herself used to be a model.

FPACC is a regular attendee of the PCCI's Philippine Business Conference & Expo. Their members have been coming to PCCI’s event for the past 20 years. They try to do it every other year. Next year, the FPACC will be hosting the US business conference in Arizona, Marie's home state. Arizona is one of the original members of the federation. It was 20 years ago when it started. Marie’s group was one of the first chambers to join. “I have 180 Filipino businesses in Arizona - just Arizona. That’s just one state. Texas is even bigger, and California, of course," said Marie.

She further revealed that in their 20 years, it is actually the first time in their federation's history that they are doing a humanitarian mission. She wants the federation to be known as social entrepreneurs. Marie further said “You know, it’s not just the almighty dollar. I want people to know that we’re also an organization with a heart. I just didn’t want us to be known as business people.” 

According to her, they have raised over $300,000 for this mission. They are going to Calapan, Mindoro on Sunday where they will help 2,500 Mangyan families. “We’re doing free plastic surgeries for cleft palates. We’re doing cataract surgeries. Right now, it’s a trade mission. Next week, it’s a medical mission.” Marie added.

With regard to FPACC’s trade mission, she explained that they bring businesses from the US that want to do business in the Philippines. They are in constant communication with PCCI who looks at the mix of the businesses that they are bringing and matches them with PCCI members with the same businesses. With this, Marie said, “We have generated  over 6 billion dollars worth of business.”

Meeting Marie Cunning was indeed a great pleasure. She is a living proof that Filipinos remain Filipinos regardless of the heights and miles that they have reached. They will always find their way back to their roots. And wherever they may be, they can excel if they wanted to. 

Digital Marketing Multiplied

The country's very first digital congress, the "IMMAP DigiCon, The Power of X: Digital Multiplied", hosted by the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the  Philippines (IMMAP), promises to be as enlightening  and exciting as the first event hosted by IMMAP 10 years ago.

"This groundbreaking event will be like no other that IMMAP has hosted in the past - more attendees, more learning tracks and most importantly, an even bigger line-up of speakers who will talk about everything digital in the 21st Century. Collectively, they will share their thoughts on this industry that is taking the world by storm", says Donald Lim, Chief Digital Officer of ABS-CBN and touted as the founding father of digital marketing in the country.

The digital landscape in the Philippines continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace; as such, the congress is the perfect venue for the country's digital marketers to keep in step and to learn from digital marketing experts from all over the world, who will share their  knowledge during the 3-day event.

"More industries today are now going purely digital and we are expecting this kind of transformation among many more companies in the future", Lim adds.

For the first time, through "The Power of X: Digital Multiplied", IMMAP fuses together other regular digital marketing conferences - the Mobile Marketing Summit, Digital Commerce Summit, and the IMMAP Summit - into one event, expecting to draw around 3,000 delegates from various industries across the country.

Lim says this congress will be 10 times bigger than before as IMMAP once again enjoins members of the Philippine digital marketing industry and demonstrates to them how brands can grow exponentially with the power of digital, multiplied.

Why "Power of X"? Lim explains that "X" is one of the most powerful letters in the alphabet. It has many possible usages, but it also stands for the unknown. "When it comes to digital, it's up to you to determine what 'X' stands for. In many ways, digital is still misunderstood , and so it gets the 'X' mark or is crossed out of an advertiser's consideration list. How will you be able to amplify your brand in the digital space? It's for you to define your 'X'', he says.

The IMMAP DigiCon will have 10 subject matter tracks and 10 speakers in each track, for a total of 100 speakers. The topics for the 10 tracks include "Branding and Marketing", "Content and Distribution", "Start-ups", "Creatives", "Social and Search", "eCommerce and Payment", "Marketing Technology", "CRM, Data and Analytics", "Research and Measurement", and "Media and Ad Networks".

The likes of Dan Neary, Vice President for Asia of Facebook, Wendy Hogan, Head of Strategy and Marketing Transformation of Oracle, and chief executivesof local companies like Ernest Cu, CEO of Globe Telecom, Kenneth Yang, President and CEO of Golden Arches Development Corp., Fred Uytengsu, President and CEO of Alaska Milk Corp., will be on hand to speak during the plenary sessions. Meanwhile, Sunita Kaur of Spotify, Anna Liechtenstein, Global Chief Startegy Officer of Havas Media, Paul Azzola, COO of PayMaya Philippines, Guy Hearn, Chief Innovation Officer of Omnicom Media Group, Simon Kahn, Chief Marketing Officer of Google Asia Pacific, Gwendolyn Regin, Head of Strategy and Business Development of Asia Mashable, and Sandhya Devanathan of Facebook SEA,to name a few, will be among the 100 speakers expected to provide the learning and sharing of knowledge on digital marketing in the 21st Century.

"Trust is earned, not given... CNN Philippines will continue to provide information you can trust on TV and digital platforms."
- Armie Jarin Bennett, Executive Vice President / Managing Editor, CNN Philippines

"Creativity offers us the ability to reduce, the ability to get things down to the simplest possible form.
 Creativity demands simplicity. You cannot be creative unless you make things simple."
- David Guerrero of BBDO

"Digital is the only type of medium that allows you to react as fast as you get the message."
- Tonypet Sarmiento of Havas Media Ortega

The first "IMMAP DigiCon, The Power of X: Digital Multiplied", will be held on October 10-12, 2016 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Vicente Sotto Street, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Pasay City. For more information and registration details, go to www.immap.com.ph or www.powerofx.ph. Also, visit Facebook page, www.facebook.com/immapPH/ and Twitter, @immapPH.

Propel's DETOUR BOOTCAMP 2016: Embracing Life's Unexpected Turns

A most-awaited annual life enrichment boot camp will happen this year entitled DETOUR: EMBRACING LIFE’S UNEXPECTED TURNS. 

This meaningful 3-day camp is scheduled to be held on 27-29 October 2016 at the Boso-boso Highlands Resort in Antipolo, with Propel Mentoring Partnership Co. as its main organizer and facilitator. The boot camp offers its 150 campers fun and unique experiences with an opportunity to explore the outdoors, meet new friends, and discover new interests as they rediscover themselves through the 7 journeys of the 7 speakers from the country’s leading industries. Camp fee is  PhP 4,000.00 which  includes food and hotel accommodation for the entire 3-day stay in the camp. The event's main beneficiary are the children cancer survivors here in the Philippines. 

This is Propel's 2nd camp and to elevate this year’s camp they invited young, innovative and successful company owners, start-up founders and famous speakers to share their incredible pieces on success, failure, persistence and hard work. Along with Life Coach Mary Jane Vega, Propel's President and CEO, the speakers are:

• David Lim, president and founder of MyPhone Philippines
• Francis Kong, one of the Philippines' most outstanding motivational speakers
• Rachel Harrison, owner and founder of ZAMBAWOOD
• Andrew Cua, CEO and Founder of TRALULU and 
• Rachel de Villa, co-founder and CTO of CROPITAL. 
• Flip Ruby, Head of Human Resources & Corporate Services Department of ZALORA Philippines

There will be breakout sessions wherein the 7 speakers will share their stories from how the concepts of their businesses were developed; how funding was acquired; what were the most memorable and challenging birth pains, and how the company adapted and flourished despite these; and how all of these made them as better individuals. 

“There are a lot of things that can happen to a person, a lot of detours that can change us. As much as possible, we would want our plans to go the straight path, unfortunately it doesn’t happen that way all the time," says Life Coach Mary Jane Vega. She also promises that Detour will be "3 days of fun packed with excitement as 7 speakers share 7 journeys of their lives." She also invites those interested to "be there, be motivated and be encouraged: Have a DETOUR with us!”

For more information and  registration details, visit the Facebook page DETOUR or call them at (02) 959-6429 or email info@propelmentoring.com 

© Propel  Mentoring Partnership Co.

© DETOUR 2016

PHD Appoints Eileen Ooi to Lead Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur | 11 October 2016 – In an effort to sharpen the focus on the continued growth of Malaysia, PHD has appointed Eileen Ooi to lead its Malaysia operations. As Head of PHD Malaysia, Eileen will lead all business functions with a mandate to drive business momentum and transforming the agency to the next level of success. Eileen will be reporting to newly appointed CEO of Omnicom Media Group Singapore & Malaysia - Ranga Somanathan and her appointment is effective from mid-October.

Eileen joins PHD with more than 14 years’ experience in communication & media planning, brand strategies, client leadership and team management. Prior to PHD, Eileen was the General Manager, Strategy & Platforms at Maxus Malaysia responsible for leading Maxus' operations with a focus on enhancing client relationships and growth strategy for the agency in the areas of commercial, digital, strategy, and innovation. Over the course of her career, Eileen has worked in senior leadership roles in media agencies (including being a regional strategic planner on the P&G account) and built her strengths in brand management and strategy, leading change in teams and mentoring the next generation of talent.

Commenting on the appointment, Susana Tsui, CEO, PHD APAC, said, “PHD markets in SEA have been gathering strong momentum over the past few months and the Malaysia is a key market within the region. Eileen is a highly self-motivated, creative and versatile agency leader who can build on PHD’s strong foundation in communications planning, innovation, digital and grow our capabilities in Malaysia. Eileen’s experience will not only strengthen our operations but act as a catalyst of change to drive PHD Malaysia to be a leading player in the industry.”

On her new role, Eileen Ooi said, “It is truly exciting to be part of a fast growing and forward thinking agency. PHD's philosophy of being a planning-led media agency and its bold culture are qualities that sets it apart in the industry. We are at an interesting tipping point today, as the era of Artificial Intelligence converge with communication planning. With its renowned global planning platform - SOURCE, I believe PHD is in a great position to partner with our clients to innovate and build successful brands. I look forward to continue to build upon PHD's strong foundations and take Malaysia into greater heights."

# # #

For more information, please contact: Arundhati Saha (Arun), Marketing Communications Director APAC

Arundhati.saha@omnicommediagroup.com

+65 6876 6809 (DL) +65 96609741 (M)

Notes to editors:

About PHD (www.phdmedia.com)

PHD Worldwide is known globally as an innovator in communications planning and buying across broadcast, print, digital, mobile, social and emerging media. Built on a culture of thought leadership, PHD’s philosophy is “Finding a Better Way.” PHD is one of the world’s fastest growing and most awarded media and communication agencies, with over 3,000 staff working in over 80 offices worldwide.

PHD’s was named Global Media Agency of the Year 2013 at the Cristal Awards and also received Agency of the Year accolades in the UK, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Shanghai, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Sweden for the same year.

PHD was the most successful media network at the 2014 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, winning more Gold Lions than any other agency. A total of four Gold and one Bronze were awarded, with a further 38 awards as the credited media agency, bringing PHD’s tally of awards to 43.

The PHD network is part of the Omnicom Media Group (www.omnicommediagroup.com), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).

Manila Harley Owners Group Rally 2016: The Loudest Motorcycle Event of the Year

Harley-Davidson®️ of Manila and the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.®️) - Philippines Chapter are gearing up for the Manila H.O.G.®️ Rally on November 12, 2016 at the Greenhills Promenade.

Beyond the passion for riding and motorcycles, the members of H.O.G.®️ share a brotherhood. Thus, this H.O.G.®️ Rally aims to strengthen ties among members, enthusiasts, and other motorcycle clubs, and at the same time, have all participants contribute to society as one family.

Now on its fourth year, this highly anticipated event will feature a motorcade from the north and south of Luzon, a Harley-Davidson®️ bike show, live performances by legendary local rock bands and artists, bike competitions, good food, and refreshments. The organisers also lined up a beauty pageant to select the 2016 Miss Manila Motorcycle Rally.

"We aren't a group, we are a family."

"Let's throttle together."

Attendees will get a sneak peek of the 2017 Harley-Davidson®️line-up, while aficionados and aspiring Harley owners will surely be excited about the raffle of not one but two Harley-Davidson®️ motorcycles — an Ultra Classic®️ Low and the new Harley-Davidson Street™️ 500.

For tickets & other inquiries, please go to https://www.facebook.com/manilamotorcyclerally/ or manilamotorcyclerally.com