Today’s online buyer expects a direct approach, an authentic dialogue and excellent service anytime and anywhere, according to iAdvize.

“Consumers don't want to get a product sold, they want advice so that they can buy the product that best suits them”, says the International Marketing Manager of iAdvize.

‘Digital challengers’ are looking to extend their reach at the expense of traditional high street banks, according to leading banking industry experts.

GlobalData’s Retail Banker International asked leading industry figures for their views on the coming year, and digital banking was high on the agenda.

LEWIS, the global marketing consultancy, recently revealed the findings of its Bay to Bay research campaign that surveyed 351 U.S. marketers on their perceptions and priorities in the China market.

Verizon Media shared findings from its 5G Advertiser and Consumer Outlook Study SEA 2020 that surveyed more than 600 consumers and 140 marketing professionals from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines – countries that are targeting to launch commercially viable 5G networks as early as 2020.

Using AR effectively is no simple matter. As with any innovative technology, new benefits come with new challenges. Before embedding an AR solution in your business, it’s important to consider four questions:

Worldwide spending on augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) is forecasted to be $18.8 billion in 2020, an increase of 78.5% over the $10.5 billion International Data Corporation (IDC) expects will be spent in 2019.

The latest update to IDC's Worldwide Augmented and Virtual Reality Spending Guide also shows that worldwide spending on AR/VR products and services will continue this strong growth throughout the 2019-2023 forecast period, achieving a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 77.0%.

Both Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are expected to have a bright future in terms of opportunities, but they are entering the race with unequal conditions. Both technologies  are already mature and considered useful applications in different areas: since the triumph of Pokémon GO, most marketers are open to these new technologies.

There are already many companies that use augmented reality (AR) in e-commerce. But what do consumers think about such applications?

In the area of entertainment television, sports TV or shopping, 40% of consumers are currently very enthusiastic about video-triggered AR. This is a variant of AR, in which the user holds his smartphone or tablet camera on a moving image and is offered information and interaction options at the same time consistent with what he sees: 34% of those surveyed wish that video-triggered AR applications are generally available in all television programs.

A new study from Juniper Research found that global spending on digital commerce will fall by 14% in 2020 as lockdowns and reductions in consumer spend are felt. Spending will fall from $11.2 trillion in 2019 to $9.7 trillion.

The coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has underscored the importance of digital adoption amongst enterprises, reigniting concerns regarding business continuity, data security, collaboration and seamless customer experience. Against this backdrop, the demand for digital transformation presents IT vendors in Asia-Pacific with a substantial revenue growth opportunity in the medium to long-term, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Every day, thousands of IP addresses are being reported for abuse. Not to mention that  spam, hacking, scams, and similar malicious online activity cause huge losses to businesses. Vicious online activity affects millions of internet users and IP address abuse is one of the severe issues that both enterprises and IP suppliers need to tackle.

PropertyGuru just launched a new digital feature ‘StoryTeller’ into its market leading sales enablement platform ‘PropertyGuru FastKey’.

FastKey digitizes and automates the entire property sales process from project launch to close of sale and currently serves over 500 projects from 100 property developers in Southeast Asia.

The integrated communications consulting firm Ruder Finn Asia just announced new leadership appointments in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia and senior-level appointments in the regional Luxury, Automotive and Integrated Marketing practices, strengthening the firm’s capabilities and expertise across Asia-Pacific.

In Hong Kong, Winnie Lai joins as Vice President and General Manager, Ruder Finn Hong Kong. She brings 20 years’ experience in providing award-winning communications counsel to clients in Greater China and Asia-Pacific including Microsoft, GE Healthcare and Jebsen. Most recently VP, Greater China at Waggoner Edstrom, she strengthened revenues and profits, grew the team to 50 executives and established the firm as one of the largest communications consultancies in Hong Kong. Prior to WE, she was Senior Reporter at ComputerWorld and Senior Consultant at Hill & Knowlton.

In Singapore, Brian Witte has been promoted to Deputy General Manager, Ruder Finn Singapore. He is leading the firm’s corporate and technology practice since 2014, representing clients including Visa and DBS. With 15 years’ experience, Witte has been responsible for providing clients with strategic counsel across Asia-Pacific, from integrated strategy and stakeholder engagement to reputation management and internal communications. Prior to Ruder Finn, he held senior positions at Porter Novelli and Burson-Marsteller China.


In Malaysia, Elya Eusoff joins as General Manager, Ruder Finn Malaysia. Eusoff brings more than a decade of experience representing corporate, consumer and technology clients, including Cetaphil, Suntory and Lenovo. In his most recent role as Director of Digital PR at Bonsey Jaden, he focused on designing and implementing tailored, end-to-end, integrated branding campaigns for both local and regional clients. He also led activation work across Malaysia, Asia-Pacific and the United States.


Within Ruder Finn, Gao Ming has been named Senior Vice President, Managing Director, Luxury Practice, Ruder Finn Greater China. This new role will see him expanding the firm’s China luxury stronghold to additional markets. Having led Ruder Finn’s National Luxury Practice in China since 2015, Gao Ming has been instrumental in developing a network of industry-leading clients, including Chaumet, Hermes, Mont Blanc, Longines, Hennessy and Cartier. Before joining Ruder Finn in 2005, he was founder and partner at West Village Agency, a boutique Shanghai-based communications firm.


Long Xi has been promoted to Leader, Integrated Marketing Practice, Ruder Finn Greater China, growing the firm’s focus in consumer digital marketing communications after launching the new practice in China in 2017. Representing clients including Almond Board of California, MHD, and 3M, she has since led the data-driven business unit through a period of double-digit growth, ensuring Ruder Finn delivers a complete arc of strategy, web, digital, online, media, social media and advertising capabilities for clients. Prior to Ruder Finn, Xi previously held senior positions in Michael Kors, Edelman and Giorgio Armani Group.


Completing the appointments and promotions at Ruder Finn Asia, Will Yuan joins as Leader, Automotive Practice, Ruder Finn China. Yuan has 15 years’ industry experience and was previously General Manager at Genedigi Group and Deputy General Manager at HighTeam Marketing Communications. He will lead market growth strategies for the firm, overseeing clients including Audi, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen Group China, Lamborghini, and other automotive clients.

The South China Morning Post announced the appointment of Adrian Lee as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Events, who will lead its growth strategies to build SCMP’s global brand.

With SCMP’s exponential international readership growth at over 25 million monthly active users, Lee’s appointment bolsters its focus on market and audience development across Asia and broader global markets. Lee’s responsibilities include raising brand awareness, increasing traffic to SCMP’s digital platforms, overseeing product and digital marketing, as well as driving SCMP’s event’s business.

With a passion for combining data, technology and cultural insights to revolutionize company marketing strategies, Lee has transformed some of the world’s most influential brands for the digital economy. He has worked in executive leadership roles in London and across Asia and was previously Head of Digital Client Solutions at global media agency Wavemaker where he helped lead the Hong Kong agency's direction, growth, profitability and people development as well as directing global marketing campaigns for clients. Prior to that Lee was the Global Digital Strategy and Innovation Director for Vizeum in London, leading innovation across a global network for clients including Burberry and Honda.

Lee also directed digital growth and marketing for multinational companies at MediaCom in Hong Kong.

Lee’s appointment is effective from 2 December 2019 and he will be based at SCMP’s global headquarters in Hong Kong.

LG Electronics Inc. appointed PHD as its Global Media Agency of Record following a competitive market review that included Dentsu, Horizon and Carat. The appointment will see the Omnicom Media Group owned network manage the media planning and buying duties for the full portfolio of LG products in over 50 international markets.

Effective from January 2020, PHD will be tasked with supporting LG’s global growth through media, strategy, technology and data expertise. The assignment will see a global team of strategy leads based in key markets, in addition to a central team managing the business from a global hub in Seoul.

The appointment spans all regions, with Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain, UK, USA and Vietnam being amongst the 50+ markets. LG will continue to use Korean agency HS Ad for local activations.

Aqilliz, a blockchain for marketing solutions provider, announced the appointment of Prateek Dayal as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO).

Prior to joining Aqilliz, Prateek held the role of APAC Innovation SVP at HSBC, one of the largest banking and financial services institutions in the world. With over 15 years of wide-ranging international exposure, Prateek previously served as Head of Strategy at Royal Bank of Scotland; VP of Mobile and Digital at Barclays Bank; and McKinsey & Company. Across these roles, Prateek led cross-functional teams to build new, innovative, and commercially viable business lines across payments, mobile and digital.

With a wealth of experience across the financial services sector, Prateek will lead the Aqilliz team in driving the adoption of blockchain and emerging technologies within the marketing sector. Led by Gowthaman Ragothaman, former Global Client Lead at WPP, Aqilliz addresses sector-specific challenges in the field of digital marketing and actively collaborate with various partners in the advertising, data, marketing, technology, and analytics industries.

This year, marketing and media experts will have to develop new skills, engagement models and assessment methods to appeal to consumers in the crowded media landscape, Kantar found out in its global study "Media Trends & Predictions 2020".