Digital moves this week from Groupon, RenRen.com, DG and more

Groupon Hong Kong and Macau.com forged a new partnership that enables both locals and travelers access to local deals in Macau. The partnership will offer consumers 'unbeatable prices' in Macau, as well as deliver local merchants significant exposure and a steady stream of new customers.

Online property site GoHome.com.hk appointed Catherine So as regional general manager, based in Hong Kong. Previously, So was deputy general manager of strategic planning and business development at the TOM Group

Foreign investments and regional acquisitions have boosted iProperty Group’s market share in Southeast Asia. In addition to operating portals in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, it has entered into an agreement to buy two of the three largest property portals in Indonesia.

DG, a digital media services provider is acquiring online advertising network MediaMind for US$517 million. DG provides digital media services to the advertising, entertainment and broadcast industries, while MediaMind provides integrated digital advertising solutions.

The Singapore government has set aside US$12.1 million to fund the development of mobile apps for the retail, food and beverage, and tourism industries. The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore said possible applications would include a wireless payment system for restaurants or a mobile food and drinks menu. 

RenRen.com announced a net loss of US$2.6 million in the first quarter this year since it listed on the New York stock exchange in May. On the bright side, this improved by 75 per cent from the US$10.7 million lost over the same period last year, while online advertising revenues doubled to US$8.1 million on the back of the growth of its social networking platform.

Zenith Media Shanghai was awarded the media duties for Dianping.com, covering comment sites, location-based services and group buying. The largest local searching and urban consumption portal in China leads the mode of providing avenues for consumer feedback on a range of urban consumption fields including shopping, entertainment and coupons.

Burson-Marsteller  and Kantar Health released a study that revealed eight in ten Chinese will look up their suspected illnesses online before consulting a healthcare professional. Across digital channels, news websites are a key source of healthcare information (69 per cent), second only to doctor’s advice, which registered 73 per cent. 

Women’s website and forum CozyCot.com launched a women’s magazine on its website and in print. While both editions will have the same look and features, he online version would have an added feature of interactivity and rich media content.

Market research company GfK Asia published a study showing that 261,000 tablets of almost ten brands valued at US$167 million were sold across seven Southeast Asian markets over the first four months in 2011. The research also revealed that average prices of tablets have been sliding gradually across the region, down by 23 per cent from January.

The Singapore government launched two new portals as part of its new five-year e-Government masterplan. The portals, data.gov.sg and mGov@SG, aims to create more idea exchanges between government and citizens, as well as improve systems for delivering data.

M1 became the first telecommunications company in Southeast Asia to launch fourth-generation (4G) mobile network services. The US$226 million long-term evolution (LTE) will cover major outdoor areas within Singapore’s financial district, including Marina Bay, Shenton Way and around Suntec Convention Centre.