Susie Sell

Mentos urges Singaporeans to boost population levels on National Day

Mentos urges Singaporeans to boost population levels on National Day

SINGAPORE – Mentos is encouraging Singaporeans to “do their duty” and give a patriotic boost to Singapore’s population with the launch of a rap song to coincide with National Day next week.

The next phase of marketing

The next phase of marketing

A report by Accenture shows 72 per cent of marketers in China and 83 per cent in Singapore expect fundamental changes to the marketing function in the next five years – a larger proportion than in other markets, such as France, Germany and the UK.

McCann Worldgroup wins Pizza Hut Delivery business

McCann Worldgroup wins Pizza Hut Delivery business

JAKARTA – McCann Worldgroup has been selected to launch PHD-Pizza Hut Delivery across Indonesia following a four-way competitive pitch against JWT, Colman Handoko and De A Team.

Ogilvy Indonesia appoints head of social

Ogilvy Indonesia appoints head of social

JAKARTA – Ogilvy Indonesia has beefed up its social media capability with the appointment of digital specialist Patrick Searle as head of social.

SE Asia consumers put added emphasis on social responsibility

SE Asia consumers put added emphasis on social responsibility

SINGAPORE – Consumers in Indonesia and Malaysia have much higher expectations on brands to be socially responsible than their counterparts in the US and Western Europe, a global study has shown.

Brands not seizing mobile marketing opportunities: MMAF

Brands not seizing mobile marketing opportunities: MMAF

SINGAPORE – Brands have not taken advantage of mobile marketing opportunities, with mobile consumption continuing to far out-strip investment in mobile advertising, agencies have warned.

Smartphone demand soars 400 per cent in the Philippines: GfK

Smartphone demand soars 400 per cent in the Philippines: GfK

SINGAPORE - Telcos must focus marketing efforts in Southeast Asia, experts have urged, after research showed smartphone demand grew by 402 per cent in the Philippines since last year.

Y&R's Jonny Lang global winner of Microsoft Advertising Story Awards

Y&R's Jonny Lang global winner of Microsoft Advertising Story Awards

SINGAPORE – Y&R Singapore’s Jonny Lang has won Microsoft Advertising’s global competition to design a hypothetical digital creative or media plan for a brand.

Bates Indonesia scoops Unilever Rexona, Kratingdaeng

Bates Indonesia scoops Unilever Rexona, Kratingdaeng

JAKARTA – Bates Indonesia has bolstered its portfolio, winning accounts for energy drink Kratingdaeng and Unilever’s Rexona.

Air Asia ramps up Queens Park Rangers sponsorship

Air Asia ramps up Queens Park Rangers sponsorship

KUALA LUMPUR - Air Asia has stepped up its sponsorship of English Premier League team Queens Park Rangers (QPR), inking a deal to become the official playing kit sponsor and main club partner.

MEDIA PROFILE: Reporter at heart relies on BBC values

MEDIA PROFILE: Reporter at heart relies on BBC values

Richard Porter, head of global news at the corporation, says its standards of independence, objectivity and reliability will ensure its success in a changing media world.

Music Matters: Top tips on choosing artists as brand advocates

Music Matters: Top tips on choosing artists as brand advocates

SINGAPORE – Brands must seek authenticity and subtlety when choosing artists as brand advocates, and be patient as it can take three to five years to see real benefits, industry experts said on day two of Music Matters.

Digital Matters: Key lessons for social and digital advertising

Digital Matters: Key lessons for social and digital advertising

SINGAPORE - Industry experts on day two of Digital Matters 2012 in Singapore were keen to highlight the benefits of social media and digital advertising. But they also set out a number of lessons to be heeded before taking the plunge.

Digital and Music Matters: Focus should be on branded content, the second screen

Digital and Music Matters: Focus should be on branded content, the second screen

SINGAPORE - Branded entertainment must be a major focus, and brands also need to integrate content across multiple platforms and prioritise the second screen over connected TV, delegates at the Digital and Music Matters 2012 conference heard Tuesday.

JWT enters Myanmar; signs affiliation agreement with Mango Marketing

JWT enters Myanmar; signs affiliation agreement with Mango Marketing

YANGON - JWT has become the latest international agency network to move into Myanmar, signing an affiliation agreement with Mango Marketing in the newly opened market.

Singapore Tourism Board reaches decision; switches creative to JWT

Singapore Tourism Board reaches decision; switches creative to JWT

SINGAPORE – Singapore Tourism Board has concluded its full-service pitch, switching its creative business from BBH to JWT but retaining media and digital incumbents MEC and XM Asia.

Healthcare brands change communications tack

Healthcare brands change communications tack

ASIA-PACIFIC - Run-ins with regulators, bribery allegations and even criminal cases have seen pharma companies rethinking their marketing strategies.

Nominations please: Campaign Asia-Pacific to showcase 40 women under 40

Nominations please: Campaign Asia-Pacific to showcase 40 women under 40

ASIA-PACIFIC – Campaign Asia-Pacific will showcase 40 of the industry’s top women under 40, and is looking for your nominations.

Asia's Top 1000 Brands: Ten years of brand building in Asia

Asia's Top 1000 Brands: Ten years of brand building in Asia

The changing fortunes of top performers tell the tale of shifting consumer tastes and customer engagement in the early years of the Asian century.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort hires sales, marketing director

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort hires sales, marketing director

SINGAPORE - Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort has appointed Jennifer Yong as its director of sales and marketing.

WPP's Media Innovation Group ventures into Asia, headed by James Welch

WPP's Media Innovation Group ventures into Asia, headed by James Welch

SINGAPORE – WPP’s digital media investment consultancy Media Innovation Group (MIG) has officially launched in Asia, headed by Innocean’s former business director James Welch.

CASE STUDY: Indian two-wheeler brand TVS raises awareness in Indonesia

CASE STUDY: Indian two-wheeler brand TVS raises awareness in Indonesia

As a recent entrant to the Indonesian market, Indian motorcycle brand TVS worked with MEC Indonesia and GroupM ESP Indonesia to raise awareness at the Jakarta Fair. Augmented reality was used to bring a touch of Bollywood to Indonesians and raise TVS' profile.

Maxus to run worldwide operations out of Asia, Vikram Sakhuja appointed global CEO

Maxus to run worldwide operations out of Asia, Vikram Sakhuja appointed global CEO

ASIA-PACIFIC – Maxus has become the first media network to run its global operations out of Asia, with Vikram Sakhuja appointed as its new global CEO, based in India.

Tata Motors selects McCann Worldgroup for Indonesia launch

Tata Motors selects McCann Worldgroup for Indonesia launch

JAKARTA –Indian automotive brand Tata Motors has selected McCann Worldgroup Indonesia to support its corporate launch campaign in the market.

ABC revamps guidelines, includes digital editions in circulation figures

ABC revamps guidelines, includes digital editions in circulation figures

SINGAPORE – The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) Singapore has revamped its guidelines to include digital editions of newspaper and magazine in circulation figures for the first time.

Social media shop Vocanic ventures into Thailand

Social media shop Vocanic ventures into Thailand

BANGKOK – Social media marketing agency Vocanic has increased its regional footprint with the launch of a shop in Bangkok.

Maxus crowned one of Asia’s best employers for talent management

Maxus crowned one of Asia’s best employers for talent management

SINGAPORE – Maxus has been crowned one of Asia’s best employers for its talent management and HR strategy at the third Asia’s Best Employer Brands awards.

3M’s consumer and office unit appoints Wunderman for digital duties

3M’s consumer and office unit appoints Wunderman for digital duties

ASIA-PACIFIC – 3M’s consumer and office eHub in Asia-Pacific has selected Wunderman as its preferred digital agency partner.

Y&R Singapore retains cornerstone M1 account

Y&R Singapore retains cornerstone M1 account

SINGAPORE – Y&R has held onto its creative account for telco M1, following an intensive closed-door review.

MEC Access launches research tool, shows value of Olympic sponsorship

MEC Access launches research tool, shows value of Olympic sponsorship

ASIA-PACIFIC – The level of interest in London 2012 is the highest of any sporting event in many Asia-Pacific markets, offering strong opportunities for sponsorship brands, a new research tool from MEC Access has shown.

Huda Beer hands creative to Lowe Vietnam's Stitch

Huda Beer hands creative to Lowe Vietnam's Stitch

HO CHI MINH - Local brand Huda Beer has appointed Stitch, Lowe Vietnam’s through-the-line division, for its creative duties following a competitive pitch.

TSLA scoops creative for Danone's Dumex in Singapore

TSLA scoops creative for Danone's Dumex in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Danone's baby nutrition division Dumex has appointed The Secret Little Agency to handle creative duties, replacing incumbent OgilvyAction.

CEO appointment marks official PHD Indonesia launch

CEO appointment marks official PHD Indonesia launch

JAKARTA – Omnicom Media Group is growing its capabilities in Indonesia with the official launch of PHD in Jakarta, headed by Rajat Basra.

Damien Cummings takes on digital and social marketing role for Samsung

Damien Cummings takes on digital and social marketing role for Samsung

SINGAPORE – Samsung Asia has appointed Dell’s Damien Cummings as its regional marketing director for digital and social media.

Kenny Powar on the transition from Blue Interactive to Possible Worldwide

Kenny Powar on the transition from Blue Interactive to Possible Worldwide

SINGAPORE – Last year saw the merger of Blue Interactive with three agencies globally to form WPP's global interactive network Possible Worldwide. Kenny Powar, formerly Blue Interactive group CEO and now APAC president for Possible Worldwide, talks about how it has all played out.

Notch launches social media unit to mine "huge opportunities"

Notch launches social media unit to mine "huge opportunities"

HO CHI MINH CITY - Independent digital marketing agency Notch Digital has launched a social media unit in a bid to mine the “huge opportunities” for social in the market.

OMG inks one-year global partnership with MediaMind

OMG inks one-year global partnership with MediaMind

ASIA-PACIFIC – OMG has inked a global partnership deal with independent digital advertising provider MediaMind, with the aim of increasing adoption of digital advertising for its clients.

Vietnam Airlines concludes global creative and media pitch

Vietnam Airlines concludes global creative and media pitch

HANOI – Vietnam Airlines has completed its global pitch, awarding its creative business to JWT and media account to MPG.

Visual Jazz Isobar launches innovation unit in Australia

Visual Jazz Isobar launches innovation unit in Australia

MELBOURNE - Digital agency Visual Jazz Isobar has launched global innovation unit NowLab in Australia in a bid to accelerate innovation through technology within the network.

Notch appoints Nguyet Quang Nguyen in Vietnam

Notch appoints Nguyet Quang Nguyen in Vietnam

HO CHI MINH CITY – Independent digital marketing agency Notch has appointed Nguyet Quang Nguyen as its account director.

Strategic content: Beware of diving in head-first

Strategic content: Beware of diving in head-first

Brands need to take stock of their content marketing initiatives and ensure they fit into the bigger business picture.

Telcoms race in Myanmar intensifies; Vodafone and China Mobile bid for licences

Telcoms race in Myanmar intensifies; Vodafone and China Mobile bid for licences

YANGON – The race to tap Myanmar’s newly liberalised telecommunications sector has intensified as major players Vodafone and China Mobile reveal plans to jointly bid for a licence in the market.

Opportunities for Singaporean brands in China on the rise: Mintel

Opportunities for Singaporean brands in China on the rise: Mintel

SINGAPORE – The opportunities for Singaporean businesses in China are on the rise as food scares and a lack of trust for domestic companies shifts consumer behaviour, according to research firm Mintel.

Changi Airport Group selects JWT Singapore as creative AOR

Changi Airport Group selects JWT Singapore as creative AOR

SINGAPORE – Changi Airport Group has selected JWT Singapore as its creative agency of record following a competitive pitch.

Big pharma in uphill battle

Big pharma in uphill battle

As the dynamics of healthcare change, brands need to define their selling points.

BBC World News and BBC.com begin major repositioning

BBC World News and BBC.com begin major repositioning

SINGAPORE – BBC World News and BBC.com are to launch a major repositioning exercise, rolling out the channel's most significant global marketing campaign amid increased competition for viewership and audiences.

Lenovo selects We Are Social as global social-media AOR

Lenovo selects We Are Social as global social-media AOR

SINGAPORE - PC manufacturer Lenovo has appointed We Are Social as its global social media agency of record, following a four-way competitive pitch.

Magna Global downgrades 2013 media owner revenues forecast; expects 3.1 per cent growth

Magna Global downgrades 2013 media owner revenues forecast; expects 3.1 per cent growth

ASIA-PACIFIC - Global media owner advertising revenues are expected to grow 3.1 per cent in 2013—1.4 per cent less than previously forecast, according to Magna Global.

Magna Global forecasts "explosive" advertising growth in emerging markets

Magna Global forecasts "explosive" advertising growth in emerging markets

SINGAPORE - Emerging markets in Asia like Malaysia and Vietnam will experience “explosive growth” in advertising during 2013, according to Magna Global’s latest predictions.

Super Group re-brands; aims to elevate position in Southeast Asia

Super Group re-brands; aims to elevate position in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE – Singapore F&B brand owner Super Group has undergone a rebranding exercise, launching a new identity as it looks to enhance its global presence and elevate its position in Southeast Asia markets.

ADK and Maxus form partnership to offer media services for Japan-based clients

ADK and Maxus form partnership to offer media services for Japan-based clients

ASIA-PACIFIC - Asatsu-DK (ADK) and Maxus have formed an Asia-wide partnership to provide regional media planning and buying services for Japan-based clients.

Andy Greenaway to leave Saatchi & Saatchi for SapientNitro

Andy Greenaway to leave Saatchi & Saatchi for SapientNitro

SINGAPORE – Andy Greenaway is set to depart Saatchi & Saatchi to assume the role of executive creative director for Asia-Pacific at SapientNitro.

Merck pitches consumer health products media business

Merck pitches consumer health products media business

GLOBAL – Pharmaceutical company Merck is understood to be pitching its global media planning and buying account for its consumer health products.

Meckoy Quiogue to depart GroupM Philippines; Puneet Arora named CEO

Meckoy Quiogue to depart GroupM Philippines; Puneet Arora named CEO

MANILA - Puneet Arora has been appointed as CEO for GroupM Philippines, with Meckoy Quiogue set to depart to take on a role on the media owner side.

Media Prima TV Network appoints creative AOR

Media Prima TV Network appoints creative AOR

KUALA LUMPUR – Leading terrestrial television network Media Prima TV Network has appointed Y&R Malaysia as its agency-of-record, following a three-way pitch.

Publicis Groupe acquires global mobile agency Monterosa

Publicis Groupe acquires global mobile agency Monterosa

SINGAPORE – Publicis Groupe has acquired global mobile agency Monterosa in a bid to boost BBH’s profile in mobile marketing.

BBC pay-TV channels set to launch in Myanmar

BBC pay-TV channels set to launch in Myanmar

SINGAPORE - The BBC is set to expand its presence in Myanmar, with the launch three pay-TV channels in the market early next year.

Happydent creates upside-down chin-mouth talent show

Happydent creates upside-down chin-mouth talent show

JAKARTA – Chewing gum brand Happydent has created an upside-down chin-mouth talent show as part of its latest campaign in Indonesia.

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore selects We Are Social

Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore selects We Are Social

SINGAPORE - The Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore Organising Committee has selected We Are Social to manage social media activity around its marathon event next month.

Havas Media’s Mobext eyes mobile marketing dominance

Havas Media’s Mobext eyes mobile marketing dominance

ASIA-PACIFIC – Havas Media’s Mobext has revealed its ambition to become a dominant player in mobile marketing, with the launch of a further two operations in Indonesia and Hong Kong.

Charles Dickens on Twitter? What the ad world can learn from the literary legend

Charles Dickens on Twitter? What the ad world can learn from the literary legend

ASIA-PACIFIC – Literary legend Charles Dickens would have almost certainly been a regular Twitter user, but even if he is not generating 140-character missives, the ad industry can still learn a great deal from his approach to storytelling.

Top tips on branded content; how to manage conflicts with filmmakers

Top tips on branded content; how to manage conflicts with filmmakers

ASIA-PACIFIC - Branded content is on everyone’s radar, but marketers will need to battle to stand out as well as work to manage the conflict with filmmakers who will “fight to their teeth” to protect content integrity.

Industry in Asia is still a follower, not a leader: Dominic Proctor

Industry in Asia is still a follower, not a leader: Dominic Proctor

ASIA-PACIFIC – The industry in Asia-Pacific is still a follower not a leader, with too few examples of world-class work coming from too few places, Group M president Dominic Proctor said in a hard-hitting address at Spikes Asia 2012 this morning.

Naked: Stop the song and dance and get consumers to act

Naked: Stop the song and dance and get consumers to act

ASIA-PACIFIC – Marketers should stop the song and dance act to ingratiate themselves with consumers and instead make them do something for the brand, Naked Communications founding partner Adam Ferrier has said.

Industry still doesn't get mobile; taking wrong approach and lacking creativity

Industry still doesn't get mobile; taking wrong approach and lacking creativity

ASIA-PACIFIC - Despite many attempts to welcome the “year of mobile”, the industry still doesn’t get mobile advertising. But telcos could soon be a “force to be reckoned with” as they make strong efforts to understand consumer habits on mobile devices.

Thailand 3G auction concludes; strong growth in mobile advertising expected

Thailand 3G auction concludes; strong growth in mobile advertising expected

BANGKOK – Industry experts predict significant growth in the mobile advertising and e-commerce sectors in Thailand after the long-awaited auction of 3G licences drew to a close on Tuesday.

Malaysia Airlines settles global media account; selects IPG Mediabrands

Malaysia Airlines settles global media account; selects IPG Mediabrands

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia Airlines has concluded its global media pitch, handing its planning and buying account to IPG Mediabrands.

IPG Mediabrands expands shopper insights division to Southeast Asia

IPG Mediabrands expands shopper insights division to Southeast Asia

JAKARTA – IPG Mediabrands has expanded its retail marketing and shopper insights consultancy, Shopper Sciences, across Asia with the launch of the service in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Maxus launches global technology R&D division in Asia

Maxus launches global technology R&D division in Asia

SINGAPORE – Maxus has launched a global technology R&D division in Asia in a bid to kickstart the uptake of technology solutions among clients.

Bloomberg Television launches its largest regional campaign

Bloomberg Television launches its largest regional campaign

SINGAPORE – Bloomberg Television has launched its largest advertising campaign in the region in a bid to promote its expanded ASEAN coverage and new studio in Singapore.

Nielsen: Southeast Asia consumer confidence rises over past year

Nielsen: Southeast Asia consumer confidence rises over past year

SINGAPORE – Consumer confidence in many Southeast Asian markets has risen since last year, with the Philippines and Indonesia recording the highest year-on-year gains, according to Nielsen’s latest global survey.

APAC consumers world's most optimistic, but some markets face pressure: Nielsen

APAC consumers world's most optimistic, but some markets face pressure: Nielsen

ASIA-PACIFIC – Asia-Pacific consumers remain the world’s most optimistic despite Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan facing pressure from deteriorating global market conditions, a Nielsen Global survey reveals.

John Kyriakou: Singapore must become creative heart of Asia

John Kyriakou: Singapore must become creative heart of Asia

SINGAPORE – As he prepares to leave Singapore after 20 years, ad veteran John Kyriakou said the creativity that first put Singapore on the map has largely disappeared, but it's not too late to get it back.

Tiger Beer appoints We Are Social as social-media agency

Tiger Beer appoints We Are Social as social-media agency

SINGAPORE – Tiger Beer has appointed We Are Social to help develop its global social media strategy in a bid to further its online engagement with a new generation of drinkers.

Bates Vietnam appoints Yerry Indrajaya as CD

Bates Vietnam appoints Yerry Indrajaya as CD

HO CHI MINH CITY – The creative who brought home Indonesia’s first Cannes Gold Lion has been appointed as creative director for Bates Vietnam.

Singapore Workforce Development Agency selects three media agencies

Singapore Workforce Development Agency selects three media agencies

SINGAPORE - The Workforce Development Agency has appointed ZenithOptimedia, OMD Singapore and IPG Mediabrands' UM for its marketing and publicity campaigns.

Maxus wins Perfetti Van Melle account in Indonesia, appoints MD in the Philippines

Maxus wins Perfetti Van Melle account in Indonesia, appoints MD in the Philippines

JAKARTA – Maxus has won the Perfetti Van Melle confectionery business in Indonesia, following a four-way pitch.

ADB: Myanmar's rise spells opportunities across "all sectors"

ADB: Myanmar's rise spells opportunities across "all sectors"

NAYPYIDAW – Myanmar could become “one of the next rising stars in Asia” offering investment opportunities in “virtually all sectors” if reforms stay on track, the Asian Development Bank has said.

Fonterra launches tender to appoint media agency for 10 markets

Fonterra launches tender to appoint media agency for 10 markets

SINGAPORE - New Zealand-based dairy company Fonterra has launched a tender to review its media agency partnership across 10 markets.

Consumer confidence drops in Indonesia but rises in Malaysia: MasterCard Index

Consumer confidence drops in Indonesia but rises in Malaysia: MasterCard Index

SINGAPORE – Consumer confidence in Indonesia is showing “significant deterioration” while consumers in Malaysia and Thailand show increasing optimism, the latest MasterCard Worldwide survey shows.

XM Asia launches consumer experience lab with eye-tracking technology

XM Asia launches consumer experience lab with eye-tracking technology

SINGAPORE - XM Asia-Pacific has launched a Consumer Experience Lab that will use eye-tracking technology to better understand how Asian consumers absorb information on digital ads, websites and traditional media.

Perodua to pitch media business

Perodua to pitch media business

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian car manufacturer Perodua is to review its media business in a closed-door pitch this month.

Garuda ramps up efforts to become global brand; inks deal with Liverpool FC

Garuda ramps up efforts to become global brand; inks deal with Liverpool FC

GLOBAL – Garuda Indonesia has been selected as the official airline partner for English Premier League team Liverpool FC as part of its aim to become a global player in the aviation industry.

Ex-Omnicom Asia-Pacific CEO Michael Birkin takes on Acer CMO role

Ex-Omnicom Asia-Pacific CEO Michael Birkin takes on Acer CMO role

ASIA-PACIFIC – Former Omnicom Group Asia-Pacific chairman and CEO Michael Birkin is set to return to Asia to take on the chief marketing officer role for tech brand Acer.

Danone calls media pitch in Japan

Danone calls media pitch in Japan

TOKYO – Danone is believed to have called a review of its media planning and buying business in Japan.

Havas Media launches Mobext in Singapore and Malaysia

Havas Media launches Mobext in Singapore and Malaysia

SINGAPORE – Havas Media is to launch its mobile marketing brand Mobext in Singapore and Malaysia, headed by Michael de Souza.

Coca-Cola makes first delivery to Myanmar in 60 years

Coca-Cola makes first delivery to Myanmar in 60 years

YANGON - Just three months after announcing its intention to re-enter Myanmar, Coca-Cola has made its first product delivery in the market for more than 60 years.

Big name brands increasingly sign up to rich media initiatives

Big name brands increasingly sign up to rich media initiatives

SINGAPORE – Big name brands are making stronger efforts to use rich media as they look for deeper engagement with consumers, with experts suggesting 2012/13 will a be seminal year for the technology.

HBO Asia to launch its first original series

HBO Asia to launch its first original series

SINGAPORE – HBO Asia is making its first foray into original series, launching a prime-time, locally produced drama in collaboration with ABC TV.

Perfetti Van Melle strengthens relationship with BBH Asia Pacific

Perfetti Van Melle strengthens relationship with BBH Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE – Confectionery company Perfetti Van Melle has appointed BBH Asia Pacific on a project basis for its chewing gum brand Happydent White.

O&M Philippines forms joint venture company with A+B Expedio Integrated Marketing

O&M Philippines forms joint venture company with A+B Expedio Integrated Marketing

MANILA - Ogilvy & Mather Philippines has joined forces with below-the-line agency A+B Expedio Integrated Marketing Communications to form a joint venture company called OgilvyAction.

US companies to diversify investment from China to ASEAN markets

US companies to diversify investment from China to ASEAN markets

SINGAPORE – US companies are set to diversify some investments from China to ASEAN markets over the next two years as the region signals a “bright spot” in the global economy, a survey of senior executives shows.

Digital spend to outstrip newspapers sooner than expected: Carat

Digital spend to outstrip newspapers sooner than expected: Carat

GLOBAL – Global investment in digital advertising will overtake newspaper spending sooner than expected, with the switch expected this year rather than 2013, according to Carat’s latest spending forecast.

Movember to launch first official campaign in Singapore, selects AKA Asia

Movember to launch first official campaign in Singapore, selects AKA Asia

SINGAPORE – Charity Movember is launching its first official campaign in Singapore, appointing AKA Asia to promote the facial hair fundraiser.

Vocanic grows regional team to support wins, two ex-staffers return

Vocanic grows regional team to support wins, two ex-staffers return

SINGAPORE – Ivan Ng re-joined social media marketing agency Vocanic to take regional head of creative role as the agency chalks several new business wins across the region.

Brands show 'tremendous interest' in 2013 SE Asian Games, Myanmar

Brands show 'tremendous interest' in 2013 SE Asian Games, Myanmar

NAYPYIDAW – As the 2012 Olympic Games officially closes in London, brands are now eying the 2013 Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar as a catalyst for long-term opportunities in the newly opened market.

Marketers' Outlook study: Where will budgets go in 2013?

Marketers' Outlook study: Where will budgets go in 2013?

ASIA-PACIFIC - Following a better-than-expected year, marketers are more optimistic, but will place greater emphasis on growing brand loyalty, integrated campaigns, ROI and overall effectiveness.

Fonterra shortlists three agencies in media review

Fonterra shortlists three agencies in media review

ASIA-PACIFIC - New Zealand-based dairy company Fonterra has further shortlisted agencies in its ongoing planning and buying media review.

INTERVIEW: Sony Mobile's Ola Lilja Molén

INTERVIEW: Sony Mobile's Ola Lilja Molén

SINGAPORE - It’s been a year of change for Sony Mobile as it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, before pushing through a major restructure globally. Ola Lilja Molén, head of Southeast Asia markets at Sony Mobile, talks about the impact of moving closer to the parent company, as well as Samsung's recent success.

AKQA ventures into Japan, opens Tokyo office

AKQA ventures into Japan, opens Tokyo office

TOKYO – Digital agency AKQA has expanded into Japan, marking its first office launch in Asia following its acquisition by WPP earlier this year.