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VIETNAM FOCUS: Top 10 brands by Nielsen

HO CHI MINH CITY - Together with Nielsen, Campaign has compiled a Top 10 brands report offering insights into Vietnam’s consumer base as part of Campaign Singapore's focus on Vietnam this week.

Nick Handel joins MRM Worldwide after mere weeks at Huge

SINGAPORE - Nick Handel, the former regional director of digital for Leo Burnett & Arc Worldwide, has joined McCann Worldgroup’s digital and relationship marketing arm, MRM Singapore, as managing director.

VIETNAM FOCUS: Nielsen Vietnam's Darin Williams offers insight into the market

HO CHI MINH - Darin Williams (DW), MD of Nielsen in Vietnam, offers an insight into the opportunities and challenges that Vietnam offers to brands intending to set up their base and its consumer sentiment poised for the next decade.

Nestle makes US$100m investment to target emerging wealth in Indonesia

WEST JAVA - With emerging markets strengthening its sales figures in the first half of 2010, Nestlé Indonesia has announced an investment of US$100 million with a focus on manufacturing nutrition-based branded products at affordable prices.

Toyota, Mitsubishi vie for Thailand's car market

BANGKOK - Thailand, which aims to become one of the top 10 car-producing countries in the world within five years, has attracted US$265-535 million in investment from car companies Toyota and Mitsubishi Motors.

Amway ends 13-year relationship with Y&R in Thailand

BANGKOK – Direct sales company Amway has ended its 13-year relationship with incumbent Y&R, and appointed Ogilvy & Mather as the creative AOR for all its brands in Thailand.

Haier partners with O&M to promote its refrigerator brand in Thailand

BANGKOK - Chinese electrical appliances firm Haier has chosen to partner with Ogilvy & Mather to develop its Thai market.

Lowe Singapore appoints creative duo as joint CCOs

SINGAPORE - Creative duo Dominic Stallard and Clinton Manson are to take up the post of joint chief creative officers at Lowe Singapore with immediate effect.

Heineken launches a TTL campaign for the holiday season

SINGAPORE - Heineken's year-end campaign set to launch at Clarke Quay next week includes TVC, radio, OOH, digital executions and activation.

Amway calls a creative pitch in Thailand

BANGKOK - Retail consumer products company Amway is seeking a creative partner in Thailand.

Somkiat Larptanunchaiwong to head up BBDO Bangkok

BANGKOK - Managing director of Leo Burnett Thailand, Somkiat Larptanunchaiwong, has jumped ship to head up BBDO Bangkok.

APB launches Tiger Crystal TVC in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Asia-Pacific Breweries has launched Tiger Crystal with its very first TVC that will run across various media in Singapore.

Indosat launches creative and media review in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Telco giant Indosat has launched a biennial creative and media review for its roster of agencies in Indonesia.

Manulife's 'For your future' branding campaign kicks off in Singapore

SINGAPORE - The new positioning statement is aimed at reinforcing Manulife’s attributes of being a strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking company.

Pratama scoops Esia's US$10m media business in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Indonesia's second largest telecommunications player, Esia, has retained Pratama as its media partner following a competitive pitch.

Thai Airways pitch moves ahead despite pitch fee deadlock

BANGKOK - Thai Airways has reportedly shortlisted five agencies for its creative business that will start creative work from January 2011.

Ovaltine Super 5 inspires kids to think creatively in Vietnam

HO CHI MINH - On the back of last year’s successful Ovaltine Smart Challenge Campaign, Y&R Vietnam has launched a new campaign for Ovaltine inspiring children to be imaginative and think creatively.

Audi revs up to A8 launch in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Audi has launched a three-series pre-launch print and TVC campaign driving up to its impending launch from 1 to 3 December.

McCann, Bangkok Writers clinch Thai Tourism business

BANGKOK - McCann Worldgroup and Bangkok Writers has won the Thai Tourism creative pitch with Universal McCann taking home the media business.

Ruth Stubbs takes APAC president role within Aegis

SINGAPORE - Former president of Mediabrands Ruth Stubbs will join search firm iProspect, an Aegis Group agency, as its president for Asia-Pacific.

Mandate tipped to secure Singapore Army's creative account

SINGAPORE – Creative agency Mandate is believed to have retained the creative account for Singapore Army. The agency has held the account since 1998.

Carrefour joins hands with rival Big C in Thailand

BANGKOK - Big C Supercenter and Carrefour has joined hands to increase financial returns as well as double presence in Thailand.

Mediabrands Malaysia launches social media outfit Rally

KUALA LUMPUR - Mediabrands Malaysia has launched social media outfit Rally, to offer its clients measurable media solutions and enable them to build communities and engage with their direct customers.

Singapore tops the Asian ranking of country brands : Futurebrand, BBC

SINGAPORE - The sixth installment of research carried out by Futurebrand and BBC World News has found  Singapore leading the  Asian Country Brand Index.

HPB encourages Singaporeans to get healthy together

'Let’s get healthy together', this year’s National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign (NHLC) 2010 by DDB Singapore is aimed to inspire Singapore residents to take small and enjoyable steps with friends, family or colleagues to fight obesity together.

Motorola VP of marketing Andrew Morley relocates out of Singapore

SINGAPORE - Andrew Morley (pictured), vice-president of marketing for Europe, Middle East, Africa, Russia and Asia at mobile manufacturer Motorola, has relocated out of Singapore.

VIDEO: Air Asia’s Kathleen Tan on opportunistic marketing and being a challenger brand

SINGAPORE - In an exclusive interview with Campaign, Kathleen Tan, the regional head of Commercial for Air Asia, spoke about the opportunistic marketing that the budget carrier carried out that left rival Tiger Airways defenceless.

Coca Cola adds Minute Maid Nutriboost to its milk-based drink segment

HO CHI MINH CITY - As a part of its marketing strategy to appeal to a wider audience including children and health conscious adults, Coca Cola has introduced Minute Maid Nutriboost, a milk-based beverage in Vietnam

Petronas seeks a media partner in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian oil and gas giant Petronas is reportedly looking for a media partner for its multi-million dollar business.

OCBC Bank partners with youth to market new Yes! debit card

Using a rather unconventional marketing approach than usually expected in the banking sector, OCBC Bank has launched a campaign to promote its new Yes! debit card targeting the youth.

Industry professionals remain tight-lipped on Tourism Malaysia tender

KUALA LUMPUR - Just a few months from the announcement of Tourism Malaysia's selection of its agency roster, the industry remains tight-lipped about the ongoing global creative pitch.

MPG wins Resorts World Sentosa media account

SINGAPORE - Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), which opened its doors earlier this year, has reportedly handed its media duties to MPG

McCann Erickson ECD Farrokh Madon resigns

SINGAPORE - Farrokh Madon, ECD at McCann Erickson, has decided to move on after three years with the agency.

Burger King’s Eric Foo speaks about being irreverent and fun

SINGAPORE - In a conservative country like Singapore, Burger King’s edgy yet culturally sensitive marketing tactics have aided the fast food chain's sales and popularity.

Mobile under the shadows of digital : MMA

SINGAPORE - Under the leadership of a newly elected board of directors, MMA (Mobile Marketing Association) will focus on the next generation of mobile marketing and advertising opportunities.

Mobile under the shadows of digital : MMA

SINGAPORE - Under the leadership of a newly elected board of directors, MMA (Mobile Marketing Association) will focus on the next generation of mobile marketing and advertising opportunities.

Robbie Hills tipped to depart after short stint as Rock You GM

ASIA-PACIFIC - Group M's former regional head of search, Robbie Hills, who joined social media content distributor Rock You a mere six months ago, is said to have been made redundant from the company.

McCann Worldgroup GM Dorothy Yew calls it quits

SINGAPORE - Dorothy Yew, general manager of McCann Worldgroup Singapore has resigned unexpectedly.

Microsoft marketing officer Yu Sasamoto resigns

SINGAPORE - Yu Sasamoto, previously marketing officer for Microsoft's consumer and online business for Greater Asia Pacific, has left the company.

Nokia shares prove it is neither down nor out of the Asian market

ASIA PACIFIC - The recent research findings by In Mobi, the mobile advertising network, suggests that Nokia remains a dominant player, with 47 per cent of impressions globally and 61 percent share of impressions in Asia.

Nokia shares are up but CEO to slash 1,800 jobs

GLOBAL - Less than a month after new CEO Steve Elop took to the helm at Nokia, he has confirmed he will be looking to axe 1,800 jobs as part of his mission to streamline operations.

Leo Burnett Philippines tipped to clinch full McDonald's creative

MANILA - Leo Burnett, which split the fast food giant's account with DDB, is tipped to secure the full creative duties for McDonald's in the Philippines.

Lowe Singapore wins Carte D'Or creative account

SINGAPORE - Lowe Singapore has been appointed by Unilever Food Solutions Asia to launch Carte D’Or Desserts in Southeast Asia.

Facebook apologises for breach of online privacy

GLOBAL - In another blow to the privacy settings of the social networking site, Facebook has been accused of relaying personal information such as names, and in some instances friends' names, to advertisers and internet tracking companies.

UPDATE: Changi Airport loss could impact Eye Corp's future in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Out-of-home advertising company Eye Corp's future in Singapore could be under threat following the loss of the Changi Airport account.

Marketers push for a higher transparency of media buying and performance-based remuneration

SINGAPORE - At the recently concluded World Federation of Advertisers’ event, marketers from various industries gathered to discuss communication channels, ROI metrics and better collaboration for improving the returns for advertisers

Zenith Optimedia wins M1 media account

SINGAPORE - Singapore - M1, Singapore's third largest cellular service provider, have reportedly selected Zenith Optimedia as its media partner, replacing incumbent OMD.

Android sees phone sales grow by 400 per cent in Asia

SINGAPORE - With Android device sales up by 400 per cent across Southeast Asia, Google's 'more affordable' smartphone option is set to shake up the region‘s mobile internet market.

Ng Tian It to depart Lowe Singapore following relocation in January

SINGAPORE - Lowe Singapore's chief creative officer Ng Tian It is set to leave the agency in November following his relocation from the Shanghai office earlier this year.

Android phone sales grow by 400 per cent across Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE - With Android device sales up by 400 per cent across Southeast Asia, Google's 'more affordable' smartphone option is set to shake up the region‘s mobile internet market.

VIDEO: Microsoft's Carolyn Everson is committed to getting mobile right

GLOBAL - Carolyn Everson, corporate vice-president of global advertising sales at Microsoft, spoke to Campaign about getting back on track, their new product Mobile 7, the learning curve for Bing and their pending partnership with Yahoo.

Lowe launches new retail activation arm Open in Asia

ASIA-PACIFIC - Lowe has chosen Asia as the launch pad for its new retail activation arm, Open, and aims to include over 20 markets in its network by January 2011.

An impressive display of talent marks the finale of Spikes Asia

SINGAPORE - An impressive awards line-up marked a spectacular end to the three-day Spikes Asia 2010 event which attracted over 1,400 delegates.

Regional business strategy director Zayn Khan leaves O&M

KUALA LUMPUR - Zayn Khan (pictured), regional business strategy director, will leave Ogilvy & Mather after almost 10 years with the company to pursue other opportunities.

David Lian to head Text 100's social media practice in APAC

KUALA LUMPUR - Text 100 has promoted David Lian (pictured) to head for social media practices across the region.

Facebook passes five million mark in Thailand

BANGKOK - Thailand has passed five million users on Facebook, amounting to one per cent of the social media giant's worldwide population.

JWT creates engaging experience of undiscovered Asia for Silk Air

SINGAPORE - JWT has launched the second series of its SilkAir Explorers campaign that will run as on-ground activation from 4 September until 8 October 2010 at various locations across Singapore.

U Mobile picks Publicis Malaysia for brand relaunch

KUALA LUMPUR - U Mobile has selected Publicis Malaysia to re-launch its brand after an exhaustive pitch process launched only six weeks ago.

Profile: Vice-president of HP Asia-Pacific Ivy Liang

Ivy Liang, HP’s vice-president of printing and imaging, sells the experiences created because of digital developments.

Profile: Vice-president of HP Asia-Pacific and Japan Ivy Liang

Ivy Liang, HP’s vice-president of printing and imaging, sells the experiences created because of digital developments.

DDB tops award tally for Singapore CCA Awards

SINGAPORE - The Creative Circle Awards (CCA) saw a total of 98 awards handed out in Singapore yesterday, with DDB winning Agency of the Year.

Banned TVC 'Sorry Thailand' garners over one million views

BANGKOK - Banned TVC 'Sorry Thailand' reminds the Thai society of the hurt and pain that was inflicted on the country earlier this year through strong visuals that is both humbling and haunting.

Pom Chaiyaporn joins Lowe Thailand as chief creative officer

BANGKOK - Pom Chaiyaporn has been appointed as chief creative officer at Lowe Thailand. He will partner with CEO Tony Prehn in building the agency’s creative capabilities and reputation.

VIDEO: ZenithOptimedia global digital officer Fred Joseph on trends in Asia

SINGAPORE - Fred Joseph, worldwide digital director for Zenith Optimedia spoke to Campaign about the digital trends in Asia, the challenges relating to the switch from traditional to new media, mobile ad platforms and issues relating to data privacy.

Euro RSCG wins creative duties for Sania cooking oil in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Euro RSCG has won the creative duties for Sania cooking oil to compete with the major league brands in Indonesia.

DBS Bank partners with Tribal DDB in Hong Kong and Singapore

SINGAPORE - DBS Bank has appointed Tribal DDB as its creative agency-of-record in Singapore and Hong Kong with effect from 1 October, following a competitive pitch between three shortlisted agencies including BBDO and Rocket Asia, a WPP-owned outfit.

Starcom's Joanna Chan-Mojica steps up as MD in the Philippines

MANILA - Starcom Mediavest (SMG) has promoted deputy managing director Joanna Chan-Mojica to the role of managing director to helm the agency’s operations in the Philippines.

Icon International scoops PR AOR for Barclays Singapore Open

SINGAPORE - Singapore-based Icon International Communications has been appointed as the public relations agency-of-record for Barclays Singapore Open, the premier golf tournament and the richest national Open in Asia.

Canon Pixma promotes Wifi printer hip-hop style in Thailand

Canon is bringing some hip-hop hotness to the printer category for its Pixma Wifi printers in the Thai market.

Sara Lee partners with local shop Advantage in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Sara Lee Indonesia has handed over creative duties for the brands She, Sanex and Brylcream to Advantage without a pitch. The brands were previously with Ogilvy Indonesia.

Lisa Hezila to helm Y&R Malaysia as group general manager

KUALA LUMPUR - Lisa Hezila has been appointed as group general manager at Y&R Malaysia, following six years with the Y&R Group.

Paul Bradbury steps up as CEO of Whybin TBWA Tequila in Sydney

SYDNEY - Paul Bradbury has been appointed as the CEO of Whybin TBWA Tequila in Sydney, encompassing all divisions of the Sydney operation, including Tequila Digital and Activations.

Microsoft Advertising strengthens its Asia-Pacific team

ASIA PACIFIC - Microsoft Advertising has strengthened it regional management team with the appointment of Richard Dunmall as VP for Greater Asia-Pacific and the Americas. Todd Paris, Kerry McCabe, Heidi Lau and Jaclyn Yap also join the team.

Fruitamin beverage calls creative pitch in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Fruitamin, a Pepsi-Cola Indo Beverage, has plans to expand in Indonesia and refresh its brand image.

Airport media specialist EYE appoints Chelsea Tan as account director

SINGAPORE - Chelsea Tan has been promoted as account director from her current position as account manager at airport media specialist EYE Singapore.

Charles Hogan joins BM Indonesia as technical adviser

JAKARTA - Burson-Marsteller has appointed Charles Hogan as technical adviser to develop the agency's client base in Indonesia and provide senior level counsel to existing clients.

Leo Burnett appoints Neil Hudspeth as digital director for APAC

SINGAPORE - Based in Singapore, Neil Hudspeth (pictured) will helm Leo Burnett and Arc’s digital practice across the region including Japan and Australia with a focus on digital business development as well as growth through acquisitions.

Tsurumaru and Khan take up top roles at Catcha Media in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - COO Alex Khan and CEO Ken Tsurumaru (pictured) will be working together to drive Catcha Media to become Asia’s largest new media group.

BBS PR appoints Jane Hardey as managing director

SINGAPORE - Jane Hardey (pictured), who has worked at BBS Singapore as a senior consultant since 2008, will take over the day-to-day management and growth of the agency from 1 September as managing director.

NTU makes its mark at the Crowbar Awards in Singapore

SINGAPORE - Nanyang Technological University garnered Best of Show accolades for their film entry 'Epiphany' at the advertising community’s regionally lauded Crowbar Awards.

Barclays Singapore Open appoints Iris as marketing agency

SINGAPORE - Event promoter World Sport Group has tasked Iris with launching an integrated campaign including TV, digital, print, online, experiential and out of home, for the Barclays Singapore Open from 11 to 14 November.

MEC appoints Achie Francia-Munar as executive director in Indonesia

JAKARTA - Achie Francia-Munar has been appointed to the key role of executive director to oversee client relations and business development for MEC in Indonesia.

Singapore's Property Guru and Australia's REA ink partnership

SINGAPORE - To capitalise on Asia Pacific’s buoyant property market, an international partnership has been inked between Singapore's leading property site Propertyguru.com.sg and Australia's REA Group.

Ong Ting Nee takes up dual role at SPH in Singapore

SINGAPORE - SPH has appointed Ong Ting Nee (pictured), former Editor of ZbBz, as its director, Creative Services Unit (CSU) and editor for 24:7 magazine.

Click True and Media Cliq partner in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Click True, a subsidiary of SPH Magazines, and Media Cliq, a service provider and technology enabler, has joined forces to offer clients traffic generating and branding solutions through search engine marketing in Malaysia.

VIDEO: Lowe's worldwide CEO Michael Wall talks about regrouping the regional portfolio

Lowe's worldwide CEO Michael Wall talks about regrouping the regional portfolio

VIDEO: Lowe global CEO Michael Wall on regrouping the regional portfolio

SINGAPORE - Michael Wall, CEO of Lowe Worldwide, believes that Singapore has regained its prominence on a global basis and spoke to Campaign about his plans to regroup Lowe's regional portfolio and offer ground-breaking work.

Iris tasked to promote DKNY Fall/Winter 2010 collection globally

GLOBAL - Denim fashion label DKNY Jeans has tasked creative agency Iris with launching an integrated global campaign to promote its new Fall/Winter 2010 collection.

Leo Burnett appoints Hilda Sadang as planning director in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Hilda Sadang has joined Leo Burnett as strategic planning director in Malaysia, reporting to Tan Kien Eng, CEO of Leo Burnett Group Singapore and Malaysia.

Profile: Adidas SEA MD Ralph Kotterer aims for the top

Adidas managing director for Southeast Asia Ralph Kotterer wants to connect with customers through digital, retail and PR experiences.

Nike appoints Ogilvy to AFF Cup 2010 creative brief

SINGAPORE - Nike has appointed Ogilvy & Mather to handle its creative duties for the upcoming Asean Football Federation (AFF) Cup 2010 in Singapore.

All about social media games creator Zygna

Founded in 2007, Zynga has made its reputation as a creator of social media games such as FarmVille and Mafia Wars. Now the company is looking towards the extremely lucrative Asian gaming market, with both China and Japan targets for Zynga's growing empire.

Carat clinches Asia Brewery in the Philippines

MANILA - Asia Brewery, one of the Philippines’ leading beverage companies, has awarded Carat with the media duties for four of its fastest growing brands, including steering the market positioning for the launch of its new Manila Beer.

All about social media games creator Zygna

Founded in 2007, Zynga has made its reputation as a creator of social media games such as FarmVille and Mafia Wars. Now the company is looking towards the extremely lucrative Asian gaming market, with both China and Japan targets for Zynga's growing empire.

Tinus Strydom returns to BBH Asia-Pacific as creative director

Madhavi Tumkur