by Ferry Bayu | Aug 23, 2023 | Business
Metrojaya Partners with TheNoor to Revolutionize Charitable Donations
Metrojaya, a prominent retail brand in Malaysia, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with TheNoor, an innovative online app dedicated to transforming the Muslim lifestyle experience in. This landmark collaboration aims to bring about significant social impact by seamlessly integrating Tabarru, TheNoor’s groundbreaking donation platform, into Metrojaya departmental stores transforming the landscape of charitable donations.
Tabarru, an Arabic term meaning “mutual help,”
perfectly encapsulates the essence of this transformative partnership. By
joining forces, Metrojaya and TheNoor aspire to empower customers to make a difference
by incorporating charitable giving into their shopping experiences. With a
simple scan of the QR code in-store, Metrojaya shoppers now have the
opportunity to contribute to a wide range of causes supported by TheNoor,
encompassing education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and environmental
conservation.
“We are delighted to partner with TheNoor, a company
that shares our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on
society,” said Karen Mak, Head of Marketing at Metrojaya. “By
seamlessly integrating Tabarru into our platform, we aim to provide our
customers with a meaningful and effortless way to give back to their
communities. This partnership displays our dedication to responsible business
practices and our collective pursuit of a better future for all.”
“We are incredibly excited about this strategic
partnership with Metrojaya. Together, we are revolutionizing the way charitable
donations are made, empowering individuals to make a meaningful impact in their
communities through seamless integration with Tabarru, our unique donation
platform,” said Mohd Izzairi Yamin, CEO of TheNoor. “This
collaboration exemplifies our shared vision of creating a better future for
all. By leveraging Metrojaya’s extensive reach and customer base, we can inspire
and enable individuals to make significant contributions to causes that matter
to them. It’s about turning everyday activities like shopping into acts of
compassion and social change.”
Vickneswaran Balasubramaniam, General Manager, Noor Luminous
“The Metrojaya and TheNoor collaboration was made possible by mutual consulting
partner to both parties The Protinus Group. The Protinus Group have been a great partner in adding new
revenue streams, introducing new technology and establishing valuable strategic
partnerships.
They are a regional digital transformation company that
identified this social conscience programme, as a means to unfold the “giving
nature” of Malaysians. Tabarru marks a significant milestone in the retail
industry, bridging the gap between commerce and compassion. As Metrojaya and
The Noor continue to pioneer innovation and adapt to the evolving needs of its
customers, this partnership reaffirms our joint unwavering dedication to
corporate social responsibility, solidifying our respective positions as leaders
in the retail and lifestyle sectors”.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Syed Adam
+60125709640
ad**@*****or.co
About Noor Luminous Sdn Bhd
TheNoor (Noor Luminous Sdn Bhd) is Malaysia’s first-ever
Islamic lifestyle super app. TheNoor (which means light in Arabic) is a
Shariah-guided company with an aim to bring Muslims closer to Islam through
continuous learning and exposure to the teachings of Islam via fresh,
accessible, interactive, and individualized methods. Aside from helping users
achieve their spiritual commitment, the faith-based app hopes to help more
Muslims live a holistic lifestyle through its variety of in-app features.
TheNoor app is available for download on the Google Play Store, Huawei App
Gallery, and the Apple App Store. For more information about TheNoor, visit www.thenoor.co/my/
About The Protinus Group
The Protinus Group is a global business transformation
consultancy headquartered in Singapore. They are a next generation innovation greenhouse accelerating scale and
growth for companies with global ambitions. Among their esteemed Clients are
The Noor, MUI Group, Corus Hotels and Metrojaya Department Stores in Malaysia,
Michael van Clarke in the United Kingdom.

The Protinus Group is a global business transformation consultancy headquartered in Singapore. They are a next generation innovation greenhouse accelerating scale and growth for companies with global ambitions. Among their esteemed Clients are The Noor, MUI Group, Corus Hotels and Metrojaya Department Stores in Malaysia, Michael van Clarke in the United Kingdom.
Jheeva Subramanian
jh****@*********rp.com
+61022125160
https://www.protinusgrp.com/
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 23, 2023 | Business
PH-SKorea eye FTA signing next month
Philippines and South Korea trade ministers have agreed to work for the signing of the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA), preferably during the 24TH ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit next month in Indonesia.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual relayed the new development after meeting with his South Korean counterpart Minister Dukgeum Ahn at the sidelines of the 55th AEM Meeting in Semarang, Indonesia over the weekend where both ministers discussed greater economic engagements between the two countries.
“Both Ministers welcomed the conclusion of the PH-ROK FTA negotiations and agreed to work for its signing, preferably at the sidelines of the 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ASEAN-ROK) Summit in September 2023,” the DTI said in a statement.
In addition, the ministers agreed to work on a possible supply chain resilience cooperation to ensure stability and predictability of business operations, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
Both parties concluded the FTA negotiations on Oct. 26, 2021, two years after it was launch in June 2019.
The concluded Korea-Philippines FTA negotiations cover Trade in Goods, Trade Remedies, Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Economic and Technical Cooperation, Competition, and Legal and Institutional Issues.
Both parties also agreed to further negotiate provisions for the Chapters on Trade in Services and Investment no later than one year after entry into force of the Korea-Philippines FTA. Philippines and Korea also committed to complete all necessary domestic procedures towards the signing of the Korea-Philippines Free Trade Agreement in early 2022.
The FTA would further liberalize trade in goods between the two countries, including gradual elimination of tariffs on Philippine bananas and canned pineapple exports and exports of Korean automobiles and autoparts.
Both parties acknowledged that the FTA will help contribute to the economic recovery efforts of the Philippines and Korea.
Once enforced, the FTA with South Korea will be an important vehicle for enhancing trade flows, and generating more investment and employment opportunities in the process. The bilateral FTA will be the third for the Philippines,
“We are glad that our trade negotiations with South Korea have come to a fruition. We also thank Minister Yeo and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) for their continued collaboration in facilitating a wider economic cooperation with our Philippine trade department,” Lopez said.
Both trade partners have acknowledged that the FTA can contribute to the swift recovery for the robust and resilient growth of the economies of the two countries.
At the conclusion of the trade talks, both parties called the deal mutually beneficial and paving the way for high level of liberalization on trade in goods.
Following the conclusion of negotiations, both parties were looking at signing the PH-ROK FTA during the 40TH AND 41ST ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in November last year in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The signing, however, did not materialize as both parties were still reviewing text and provisions of the trade deal.
Conclusion of the trade deal has been delayed for quite sometime already, largely due to market issues for goods, particularly on the exports of Philippine bananas and pineapples to South Korea. The Philippines fruits are being levied a 30-percent tariff, putting them a disadvantaged against competing exports from Vietnam which tariff rate will eventually reduce to zero.
The PH-ROK FTA Negotiations was launched in June 2019 in Seoul by former Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez and South Korea’s Minister for Trade Yoo Myung-hee.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 23, 2023 | Business
Antsomi Welcomes D.A.Consortium Inc. as Its Strategic Investor, Onboarding Regional Clients under the Partnership
SINGAPORE and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 22, 2023 — The Southeast Asia-based marketing technology company, Antsomi, is pleased to announce that D.A.Consortium Inc. (DAC), a leading digital advertising and marketing company, has made a strategic investment in Antsomi. This investment marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Antsomi and DAC, positioning DAC as a regional reseller of Antsomi’s innovative customer data platform, CDP 365, in the Southeast Asian region.
Antsomi’s collaboration with DAC has yielded remarkable results, with the successful onboarding of prominent clients in the region, including Dunlop Thailand. This achievement highlights the strength and potential of the partnership and showcases Antsomi’s and DAC’s commitments to providing cutting-edge solutions to their clients.
Antsomi is renowned for developing CDP 365, an artificial intelligence-enabled customer data platform that serves clients across the Southeast Asian region. CDP 365 enables businesses to unify customer data from various sources and deliver personalized activations with marketing automation capability across multiple channels. With its headquarters in Singapore and branch offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, Antsomi welcomed DAC as its strategic investor in its pre-series A investment round as DAC has been at the forefront of the digital advertising and marketing industry, driving the market formation and growth through its expertise in digital technology. With an undisclosed amount, the investment will be used for product development and regional expansions, including business development and client success capacities.
Serm Teck Choon, co-founder & CEO of Antsomi, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with DAC represents a pivotal step forward for Antsomi’s regional expansion and sustainable growth. DAC’s extensive industry expertise and strong market presence will accelerate our mission of transforming businesses into data-driven companies. We are confident that this strategic partnership will deliver exceptional value to our clients and drive unparalleled success.”
Michihiko Suganuma, Senior Executive Officer & Head of Global Business Group of DAC, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to invest in Antsomi and become their strategic partner. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions to our clients and driving their success in the digital age. With Antsomi’s innovative and data-driven technology, we can unlock valuable customer insights and enable our clients to deliver personalized experiences at scale. We believe this partnership will bring immense value to both DAC and our clients.”
The strategic partnership between Antsomi and DAC is poised to make a significant impact on the marketing landscape in the Southeast Asia market. By combining Antsomi’s advanced AI-driven customer data platform with DAC’s established market presence and expertise, both companies aim to revolutionize marketing practices, empowering businesses with data-driven insights and personalized customer experiences, ultimately leading to greater customer loyalty and business success.
About D.A.Consortium Inc. (DAC)
Since its establishment in 1996 during the early days of online advertising, DAC is leading the industry in market formation and growth as it steadily expands its operations with the digital transformation of information and lifestyles. Currently, DAC operates advertising and marketing businesses centered on digital technology both in Japan and overseas. The company provides comprehensive support, from consulting and planning to ad space purchasing, selling, management and results analysis. With a firm understanding of the characteristics of different media, DAC also produces creative, develops and provides solutions that bridge its wealth of data with advanced technologies, and supports global promotional initiatives. With the mission, “Empowering the digital future,” DAC will continue to be at the forefront in creating new forms of advertising and marketing and providing new value to society.
About Antsomi:
Antsomi is a regional marketing technology company building the first artificial intelligence-enabled customer data platform, CDP 365, in Southeast Asia, with the mission to transform businesses into data-driven companies. Antsomi CDP 365 helps companies unify their customer data from multiple sources, such as mobile apps, web, social media, digital ads, CRM, POS, offline channels, etc. It then delivers relevant activations with rich personalization across multiple touchpoints via both online and offline. Antsomi CDP 365 empowers companies to understand their customers’ behavior and intent across various channels and build a 1-to-1 customer journey at scale. Antsomi is headquartered in Singapore, with branch offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Antsomi
**@*****mi.com
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 22, 2023 | Business
Espionage drama ‘Gray’ makes PH premiere on Lionsgate Play
GOLDEN Globe winner Patricia Clarkson takes the audience on a thrilling roller coaster ride through the high-stakes world of spies in Gray, streaming now in the Philippines on Lionsgate Play.
The gripping series delves into a maze of espionage, where passion, deceit, the pursuit of truth, and the delicate fragility of life intersect in a captivating manner.
The captivating series centers around CIA agent Cornelia Gray, portrayed by Oscar nominee, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Patricia Clarkson. After twenty years in hiding due to suspicions of treason, she reenters her former life, only to uncover a new mole within her spy network, endangering her and her allies.
Gray is based on an original concept by David Baldacci (Absolute Power), a renowned author with over 40 national and international bestsellers. Bringing this tale to life are BAFTA nominee writer John J. McLaughlin (Point Pleasant; Black Swan) and award-winning director Ruba Nadda (Manifest; Magnum P.I.).
Lionsgate Play exclusively premieres Gray in the Philippines, marking the series’ first release on the streaming service in any market. Tune in to Lionsgate Play on PLDT Home to catch more exciting premieres.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 22, 2023 | Business
Twimbit launches ‘CX Stars’, a global program to benchmark and celebrate exceptional customer experience (CX)
Twimbit launches “Twimbit CX Stars” program to acknowledge companies who deliver exceptional customer experiences. With Genesys as a founding partner, the program will set higher CX standards and host the ‘CX Stars Gala Dinner’ in Bangkok on October 11, 2023. Inspired by the Michelin Star Guide, it evaluates organizations across four CX pillars: brand, digital, employee, and service. CX Mastery ratings range from Proficient to Advanced and Exceptional. There are no nomination fees, no hidden charges, no licensing.
Twimbit CX Stars is built to recognise Exceptional CX and celebrate companies with the best-in-class CX platforms, processes and practices
The ‘Twimbit CX Stars’ program recognises CX as the key differentiator for today’s businesses. As CEOs continue to change the industry landscape with new CX practices, the necessity for a comprehensive benchmark has proven more than relevant in today’s landscape.
With Genesys as the founding partner, we are thrilled to elevate the standards of CX excellence and celebrate exceptional organisations at the ‘CX Stars Gala Dinner’ in Bangkok on 11th October 2023.
“Inspired by the Michelin Star Guide, the Twimbit CX Stars program aims to inspire companies to cultivate leading practices and build exceptional customer experience.” – Manoj Menon (Managing Director and Founder, Twimbit)
Led by independent, research-driven, analyst-led benchmarks, the Twimbit CX Stars program will evaluate leading companies within the realm of 4 essential CX pillars: brand, digital, employee, and service. The evaluation will involve secondary research, interviews with organisations on their CX practices & metrics, social engagement trends and mystery shopping. The benchmarking information & analysis will then be assessed and validated by a panel of external judges.
Organisations will be assessed using the Twimbit Exceptional CX Mastery scale and given a CX rating of 5 stars along with their CX Mastery status ranging from Proficient to Advanced and Exceptional (Exhibit 1).
At the CX Stars Gala Dinner, all Advanced and Exceptional CX Stars will be recognised and awarded, along with leading CX Stars from different industry verticals ranging from Banking, Telecoms, Insurance, Travel & Hospitality, Digital & eCommerce, and Government Services.
Twimbit will reveal the leading CX Stars on 11th October 2023, starting with organisations in Asia. Organisations are welcome to nominate themselves and be part of the benchmarking exercise. Get a Twimbit CX Star badge and be recognised for your CX Mastery. Submissions are free and are open till 31st August.
Exhibit 1: Twimbit Exceptional CX Mastery Scale and 4 CX Pillars

“We hope to provide a mechanism for organisations to know their CX benchmarks and strive to become an Exceptional CX organisation. We are happy to offer the first step in that journey to all organisations that aim to deliver best-in-class CX” – Manoj Menon (Managing Director and Founder, Twimbit)
Ready to be a CX Star? Sign up now and get started.
https://www.cxstars.twimbit.com
Twimbit is a research and advisory firm driven by a singular mission: to empower businesses making a difference. We specialize in providing invaluable industry intelligence to executives and teams, acting as a catalyst for innovation and growth. Twimbit’s proprietary research platform seeks to revolutionize the way enterprises consume insights, making it effortlessly enjoyable and accessible to all.
More information on twimbit is available online at www.twimbit.com. Follow news and updates from Twimbit on Twitter and LinkedIn. Members of the media can find additional information in the Twimbit newsroom.
Vansh Sehgal
va***@*****it.com
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