Tech Talk wrap-up: WeChat health stickers, Blis, GigaGigs, Outbrain, more

McCann India uses WeChat to express sticky health problems

McCann Health India launched a range of WeChat health-themed stickers, designed to help people easily express a range of ailments, whilst avoiding embarrassing and prolonged explanations.

Designed in collaboration with WeChat and Narayana Health, one of the largest healthcare services providers in India, the stickers are accessible to anyone in India who has downloaded and signed up on the WeChat app.

WeChat is one of the largest chat platforms in India, with more than 40 million users, and Narayana Health was looking to better leverage this platform. Starting with an initial set of more than a dozen stickers, which cover a range of conditions from back pain to headaches, more designs will be added to this health sticker family.

Users can also share their suggestions for the next health expressions and put them up for voting on the WeChat social pages.

Dr Harshit Jain, SVP and country manager, McCann Health India:

We are excited to partner with Narayana Health and WeChat in creating this unique new language for health, which people from all states across the country will be able to use.

Blis launches private marketplace for location-based ads

Blis has launched Blis Prime, a private marketplace for location-based advertising, offering access to high-quality and brand-safe inventory.

Global inventory from publishers such as News International and Forbes, combined with location data, is made available programmatically via exchange partners across the Blis platform. This is touted to offer more precise audience targeting and increased efficiencies due to automated processes.

In addition, the company has partnered with leading global analytics company Moat for ad viewability and attention metrics within Prime.

Malaysia’s GigaGigs appoints Khoo Kar Khoon as chairman

Mobile technology startup GigaGigs has appointed former communications director of Nestle Malaysia Khoo Kar Khoon as chairman.

The company is a joint venture with WeiChaiShi, a B2C mobile crowdsourcing platform in China. The company has been working with more than 100 clients, completing in excess of 7.5 million 'micro tasks', all via the mobile application called weichaishi.

Established in June, the company intends to offer Malaysians an opportunity to earn extra income by participating in micro-jobs offered by clients.

It aspires to disrupt the way marketers reach out to consumers, execute in-store activation, monitor competitive activities and act promptly with real time updates. Enabling marketers to “pull” real time information on what’s happening in the marketplace by crowdsourcing shoppers.

Khoo was also recently appointed as the non-executive director of publishing conglomerate, Media Chinese International Ltd (MCIL).

Grapeshot to add contextualisation to SPH’s advertising solutions

Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SPH) has engaged Grapeshot to be its contextual categorisation and targeting solution provider.

The company’s contextual categorisation technology will enable SPH to maximise its English language digital advertising inventory and provide advertisers with ad options most relevant to their audiences.

The focus on context will also help to ensure that ads do not appear next to inappropriate content, reinforcing SPH’s brand safety offering at scale.

Chris Pattinson, SVP, Grapeshot Asia Pacific:

Analysing each page contextually enables publishers like SPH to unlock more digital advertising options for advertisers. For example, lifestyle brands are no longer limited to lifestyle pages within a website, as Grapeshot’s lifestyle keyword segments include pages with relevant content even if they are not hosted on a site’s lifestyle section.

Cartoon Network gets mobile in the Philippines

Turner Asia Pacific and Globe Telecom have announced that two upgraded Cartoon Network apps will soon be made available to Globe customers.

An authenticated version of the Cartoon Network Watch and Play app unlocks its full functionality, including a live stream of the channel and additional video-on-demand content. Cartoon Network Anything will also be bundled, showcasing the network’s best short-form content on mobile devices.

Phil Nelson, Turner’s MD for Southeast Asia:

Cartoon Network Anything and Cartoon Network Watch and Play are two of our most popular apps with very good reason. They capture the best of the Cartoon Network brand and deliver captivating content – games, video and quirky quizzes – across mobile devices. Offered to Globe customers, these products provide a convenient avenue for Filipinos to enjoy the most popular kids’ content wherever they are, and in a safe and flexible way.

Glispa opens Singapore office

Glispa Global Group, mobile marketing solutions provider has operations in Singapore, it’s second in Asia after Beijing. With the expansion, the company has appointed former Google executive and mobile marketing veteran, Christian Nguyen, as GM of Southeast Asia to oversee growth and operations in the region. Current include Bukalapak, Traveloka, Lazada, Shopee, GrabTaxi, Matahari Mall and Gumi.

Outbrain Academy opens its doors in Southeast Asia

Content discovery platform, Outbrain has introduced its proprietary Certification Programme—called Outbrain Academy—in Southeast Asia, after its May 2016 debut in Australia.

The programme features development of practical skills including campaign set-up and management, measurement and performance optimization and video storytelling, is touted as industry-first for video and content discovery.

The first instalment was held on 12 July and saw participation by representatives from Omnicom Media Group, Starcom, King Content, Brand New Media and DeVries Global Singapore.

Outbrain Academy will be releasing additional course dates for eligible executives representing all aspects of using content in marketing, media and the agency landscape.

Ayal Steiner MD of Outbrain Asia Pacific:

Native content discovery has become an integral part of the marketer’s digital toolkit, encouraging Outbrain to evolve quickly to stay ahead of the strategic needs that marketers have both globally and in Southeast Asia. Our goal is to provide professional training and recognition to individuals who have the skillsets required to deliver concrete outcomes and positive ROI for their brands.