by Ferry Bayu | Sep 4, 2023 | Business
NBA, vivo announce multi-year marketing partnership in the Philippines
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and vivo today announced a multi-year marketing partnership that sees vivo return as the Official Smartphone of the NBA in the Philippines.
The agreement builds on a previous marketing partnership in the Philippines that saw vivo serve as an official partner of the Jr. NBA – the league’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls – and NBA 3X Philippines, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament featuring men’s and women’s teams, interactive fan activities and authentic NBA entertainment.
Through the collaboration, vivo will be the Presenting Partner in the Philippines of NBA All-Star Voting – a platform that gives fans the opportunity to vote for the NBA All-Star Game starters via the NBA App and NBA.com – and return as an official partner of NBA 3X Philippines presented by Mountain Dew, which will take place later this year.
In addition, vivo will launch promotions that will provide fans in the Philippines with the chance to win authentic NBA prizes. The NBA and vivo will also co-develop content for the NBA’s localized Facebook and TikTok pages in the Philippines.
“We’re thrilled to welcome vivo back to our growing roster of marketing partners in the Philippines and align with a brand that shares our commitment to innovation,” said NBA Philippines Senior Director of Global Marketing Partnerships Mae Dichupa. “Our collaboration with vivo represents an excellent opportunity to elevate the NBA experience across digital, retail and events, and showcase vivo’s smartphones as a convenient and ideal device for fans to immerse themselves in the excitement of the NBA.”
“Our passion for innovation extends beyond the confines of technology, and we recognize that sports provide an ideal platform to bring communities together and inspire positive change in the way we live our lives,” said vivo Philippines management. “This guiding principle reinforces our efforts to collaborate with sports organizations such as the NBA that enable us to foster a deeper connection between our brand and the world of sports.”
Fans in the Philippines can shop for official NBA merchandise at the NBA Stores at SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia and at NBAStore.com.ph. For all the latest NBA news and updates, fans in the Philippines can visit www.nba.com, download the NBA App, and follow the NBA on Facebook, X, and TikTok.
For more information on vivo Philippines and vivo’s latest product offerings, visit vivoglobal.ph and follow the official vivo accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
by Ferry Bayu | Sep 4, 2023 | Business
Blue Duck Tech helps tenants beat the rental deposit blues
PETALING JAYA: Blue Duck Tech Sdn Bhd aims to replace up to RM500 million in rental deposits per year in the local property industry, which it hopes to achieve within the next five years via its Zero Deposit Programme.
Founder and CEO Earnest Wong said the programme, launched in 2021, intends to assist tenants in securing residential rental or commercial property without the need to pay a hefty upfront deposit. Instead, the tenant will pay a small fee to cover the cash deposit.
Wong said the company which is in the financial technology property segment, has replaced “more than RM12 million of rental deposits”. Based on reports, he said, the monthly gross rental value for residential and commercial properties in Malaysia totalled RM6 billion.
He reckoned that if the average was three months of rental deposits, it would be close to RM18 billion.
Wong said Blue Duck hopes to replace RM500 million in rental deposits per year and expects to achieve its target “five years from now”. Additionally, it aims to increase its market share to 5% within the same timeline.
However, he said the company is essentially focusing on zero deposit solutions, unlike other companies with similar offerings on the market.
“We work with all the stakeholders in the property sector to offer our solutions. We also have the USP (unique selling point) of giving focus on the tenant’s side rather than the landlords in terms of our product mainly because we need the tenant to actually commit,” he told SunBiz.
He said the company operates on business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) models. B2C consists of operators as well as property managers, which manage the properties on its platform. Consumers comprise tenants and landlords.
Currently, there are around 1,000 active tenancies on its platform and close to 90% of its tenants are below 35 years old.
In terms of revenue contribution, Wong said properties in Klang Valley contribute about 70%, followed by Johor Bahru 20% and Sabah 10%.
The company, he said, is targeting to grow by 50% this year, by partnering with players in the local property ecosystem.
“Previously, we worked with tenancy managers, now we’re expanding ourselves to property managers. So, we work with the property managers in town to expand our influence and increase adoption (for our offerings) and gain more market share.
“With property managers on board, then I can introduce more business tools and then we work with those ecosystem partners and they are already familiar with our products … it’s a natural growth, because the market is still very new and 50% is very conservative,” Wong said.
On outlook, he opined that the company is benefiting from increased interest rates due to the overnight policy rate hikes, as it discourages home ownership and indirectly uplifts the rental market.
“Loan costs are getting more expensive. In terms of buying a property, the cost will be slightly more than in the previous years, which will discourage a lot of people from … home ownership. With that, there’s an opportunity for us. Living is still a basic necessity for everyone, whether you are a home owner or renter.
“Our industry will continue to move (forward). (From what) we see on the market, if the interest rate goes up, it will also drive up the rental rate as well. For the past few months, the per square of the room and unit rental has increased more than 10% to 15%, which is alarming but that’s how the market goes.
“We are in the position to help the tenants … landlords and the industry. We need to position ourselves better in order to capture a bigger market share,” Wong said.
Blue Duck plans to expand to Thailand and Indonesia and is open to talking to investors.
We help residential and commercial tenants to save cash up front while landlords and agents are able to rent out faster to a verified tenant.
+6016 6117154
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by Ferry Bayu | Sep 4, 2023 | Business
Sustainable Plus Size Fashion Launched by Hello Curve
Hello Curve, is thrilled to announce the launch of their groundbreaking sustainable plus size fashion line.
[Singapore, 4 Sep 2023] — Hello Curve, a leading fashion brand dedicated to inclusivity and self-expression, is thrilled to announce the launch of their groundbreaking sustainable plus size fashion line. This latest addition to Hello Curve’s diverse collection not only empowers individuals to embrace their unique style but also champions environmental responsibility.
Hello Curve has always been at the forefront of the fashion industry, advocating for diversity, inclusivity, and body positivity. The introduction of their sustainable plus size fashion line reinforces their commitment to offering trendy, eco-conscious clothing options for individuals of all sizes.
Key Features of Hello Curve’s Sustainable Plus Size Fashion Line:
Eco-Friendly Fabrics: The new collection utilizes high-quality, sustainable materials that minimize the fashion industry’s impact on the environment. From organic cotton to recycled polyester, Hello Curve prioritizes eco-conscious choices without compromising on style and comfort.
Inclusive Sizing: Hello Curve understands that beauty and style come in all sizes. Their plus size fashion line ranges from 14 to 32, ensuring that everyone can find their perfect fit and flaunt their individuality. In particular, many of their plus size formal dresses offer size customization.
Versatile Designs: With an array of chic and versatile designs, this collection covers everything from everyday essentials to statement pieces for special occasions. Hello Curve’s sustainable plus size fashion line is perfect for any event, from casual outings to formal gatherings.
Ethical Production: Hello Curve is committed to ethical production practices, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for all involved in the manufacturing process. Customers can wear their Hello Curve pieces with confidence, knowing that their fashion choices support positive change.
Timeless Appeal: These sustainable pieces are designed to stand the test of time. Instead of fast fashion trends, Hello Curve’s collection focuses on timeless, enduring styles that can be cherished for years to come.
Affordable Luxury: Hello Curve believes that sustainability should be accessible to all. Their sustainable plus size fashion line offers affordable luxury, allowing customers to make eco-conscious choices without breaking the bank.
“We are excited to introduce our sustainable plus size fashion line as part of our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and sustainability,” said Hui C, Owner at Hello Curve. “Our goal is to provide fashion-forward individuals of all sizes with sustainable, stylish, and affordable clothing options that align with their values. With this new collection, we aim to empower our customers to express themselves confidently while making environmentally responsible choices.”
Hello Curve’s sustainable plus size fashion line is now available for purchase online at https://www.hellocurve.com/. Join us in celebrating diversity, self-expression, and a greener future with fashion that makes a statement not only about who you are but also about the planet you love.
Hello Curve is a pioneering fashion brand that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and self-expression. With a commitment to sustainability, ethical production, and affordable luxury, Hello Curve offers a wide range of stylish clothing options for individuals of all sizes, empowering them to embrace their unique beauty and style.
Samantha T
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by Ferry Bayu | Sep 2, 2023 | Business
Transforming Business IT Support: 4 Tools Leveraging Azure, Kubernetes, Docker.
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses rely heavily on robust IT support to drive efficiency, scalability, and innovation. With the advent of cloud computing and containerization, a powerful trio of tools has emerged: Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker. In this blog, we will explore how leveraging these tools can revolutionize your business IT support, enabling you to stay ahead of the competition and achieve remarkable success.
Azure: Empowering Scalability and Flexibility Microsoft Azure, a leading cloud computing platform, offers a wide range of services and tools to streamline IT operations. With Azure, businesses can leverage scalable infrastructure, robust data storage solutions, and seamless integration capabilities. From virtual machines and serverless computing to AI services and IoT capabilities, Azure empowers businesses to scale their IT support according to their evolving needs. Harnessing the power of Azure enables organizations to optimize resource utilization, enhance productivity, and reduce costs.
Kubernetes: Orchestrating Efficient Application Deployment Kubernetes, an open-source container orchestration platform, has gained immense popularity in the world of IT support. It simplifies the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications, offering unparalleled efficiency and flexibility. With Kubernetes, businesses can automate the deployment process, ensure high availability, and seamlessly manage containerized workloads across multiple environments. This results in enhanced agility, improved resource utilization, and accelerated time-to-market for new services or applications.
Docker: Simplifying Containerization and Development Docker, a leading containerization platform, revolutionize the way applications are built, shipped, and deployed. By encapsulating applications and their dependencies within lightweight containers, Docker eliminates compatibility issues and simplifies deployment across different environments. Docker provides a standardized and portable runtime environment, allowing developers and IT support teams to collaborate seamlessly. With Docker, businesses can achieve faster development cycles, consistent deployment processes, and improved resource utilization. Leveraging the
Synergy: Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker The true power lie in leveraging the synergy among Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker. By combining these tools, businesses can create a highly efficient and scalable infrastructure that optimizes application development, deployment, and management. Docker containers can be orchestrated and managed seamlessly using Kubernetes, which can be deployed and scaled effortlessly on Azure’s robust cloud infrastructure. This powerful combination enables businesses to achieve unprecedented levels of scalability, agility, and cost-efficiency in their IT support operations.
Conclusion: In the realm of business IT support, leveraging the combined power of Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker can transform the way organizations operate, innovate, and grow. Azure provides the foundation for scalable infrastructure, while Kubernetes orchestrates containerized applications, and Docker simplifies containerization and development processes. By embracing these tools, businesses can unlock unparalleled efficiency, agility, and scalability, gaining a competitive edge in the digital landscape. Harness the potential of Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker to revolutionize your business IT support and pave the way for remarkable success.
We are a highly productive and skilled team of IT professionals with expertise in Cloud solutions, DevOps, software development and all other IT services.
www.tekrella.com
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by Ferry Bayu | Sep 1, 2023 | Business
Easy Franchise unveils programs for PH entrepreneurs
EASY Franchise, the Philippines’ first go-to platform for franchising, kicked off its annual “Franchise Day” last August 28, marking the third consecutive year of the pioneering online franchise sale.
As the first and only online franchise sale in the country, Franchise Day aims to make franchising more accessible to Filipino business owners and investors.
Since its inception in February 2019, Easy Franchise has been helping interested franchisees to choose the right franchise or package that fits their needs.
Ongoing until September 28, interested franchisees can apply for franchises online and take advantage of deals and discounts, with savings of up to P100,000 on select franchises such as Mister Donut, Ate Rica’s Bacsilog, Razon’s by Glenn, Aquaskin, H2O Mineral Plus, Cha Tuk Chak milk tea and many more.
Easy Franchise also introduced its Franchise Incubation Program to help starting business owners expand and become the next big franchise. This program offers end-to-end solutions, distinguishing it from traditional franchise packages.
In addition, the Easy Franchise Brand Awards was also launched in this year’s edition of Franchise Day. These awards aim to recognize collaborative and fast-growing franchisor brands that are making notable contributions to the franchising industry.
For more information on the Easy Franchise Brand Awards winners and for franchising inquiries, visit www.EasyFranchise.com or Easy Franchise’s social media.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 31, 2023 | Business
Kyndryl and Twimbit reveal APAC banks’ remarkable progress in purpose-driven growth, achieving an impressive 9% aggregate revenue growth
The Bank of Tomorrow 2023 report, produced in collaboration with Kyndryl, aims to uncover the journey of the top 44 banks across the Asia Pacific region. Here, we meticulously assess the growth drivers that have propelled their success, benchmarking them based on five foundational pillars. Moreover, this report offers a strategic view, highlighting how top APAC banks can triumph in the market by capitalising on purpose-driven growth opportunities.
Within the top 44 banks across the region, fee-based income accounts for an average of 13.66% of revenues
SINGAPORE — Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, today announced the launch of the Bank of Tomorrow 2023 report in collaboration with research and advisory firm Twimbit. The report offers a thorough assessment of Asia Pacific (APAC) banks and outlines the projected 2023 outlook, tracking their advancements across five purpose pillars — Shareholders, Employees, Partners and Suppliers, ESG, and Customers.
Centred around Twimbit’s Purpose Index, which helps APAC’s leading banking and financial institutions migrate to the future desired state of being purpose-driven organisations, a couple of key trends emerged. Among the 44 top banks in APAC, a remarkable 16 new entrants were found to be making significant strides in both purpose-driven initiatives and growth. Additionally, spanning four purpose pillars — Customer experience, employee experience, supplier satisfaction, and ESG impact — DBS Bank retained its leading position. The bank not only commands the highest purpose score but also boasts above-average profitability. In close pursuit, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) secured the second-highest purpose score while maintaining a commendable level of profitability.
Chinese banks remained the most prominent, with the highest revenue size and above-average profitability whilst banks in India were seen to enjoy higher growth rates than many of their peers in other countries. Highlighted in Exhibit 1 are some of the key highlights.
Exhibit 1: A benchmark of the 44 banks according to the Twimbit Purpose Index
Source: Twimbit
“These insights are poised to exert substantial influence on the strategies of businesses and financial institutions, shaping their trajectory towards innovation and expansion. In the case of SCB’s strong performance, credit is largely attributed to their proactive endeavours in bolstering fee-based incomes,” said Manoj Menon, CEO at Twimbit. “We believe fee-based income will become a key growth driver for banks, enabling the generation of alternative revenue streams to drive profitability.”
Exhibit 2: Top 4 Banks to champion fee-based income via digital channels
Source: Twimbit
The importance of fee-based income in driving revenues
In APAC, banks allocated an average of 2.96 percent of their revenues toward information and communications technology (ICT) while the recommended benchmark should hover around 10 percent of revenues.
An example of such divergence is the Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI), which recently announced a significant 50 percent surge in IT spending, propelling its status as a digital frontrunner. Additionally, the National Australia Bank (NAB) stands out as a paragon, showcasing a growth of 16 percent in ICT spending year-on-year.
This increase in investment will drive digital transformation and boost fee-based income growth. Currently, fee-based income is at an average of 14 percent contribution to total revenues, with expectations that the four leading banks will increase their total contribution to 35 percent of revenues by 2030.
“Kyndryl is dedicated to designing, building, managing, and modernising the mission-critical technology systems that the world depends on everyday. We are proud to unveil the Bank of Tomorrow report in partnership with Twimbit, which will significantly impact how businesses and financial institutions will drive innovation and growth moving forward. This industry-wide initiative is aimed to drive invisible banking, achieve a ‘Carbon Neutral 2030’, champion sustainability and promote employee well-being.,” said Susan Follis, Managing Director of ASEAN at Kyndryl.
A purpose-driven future pressures banks to reassess their growth journeys
The report also highlighted that the increasing emphasis on adopting digital-first strategies has gained substantial traction, especially in the advancement of the four purpose pillars. This surge in digital channels has marked a transformative shift within the banking sector.
Prominent aspects include DBS’s sustained leadership in CX banking, evident through the accomplishments of DBS Rapid, DBS BetterWorld, and DBS PayLah. SCB’s efforts to harness state-of-the-art technology to propel sustainable financial practices and ESG initiatives, as demonstrated through applications and initiatives like Robinhood and SCB SME Academy. National Australia Bank’s (NAB) digitalised supply chain supporting invoice automation and online catalogues and BPI scoring 90 percent on employee engagement for implementing comprehensive training programs that significantly enhance EX.
“The financial world is undergoing a tectonic shift fuelled by fintech innovation, new technologies, volatile markets, digital finance, and rising cyber threats. In this transformative era, banks must be empowered to navigate change and unlock the true potential of data and AI to improve products and services for their customers. Kyndryl stands at the forefront of this change and is ready to steer businesses towards data-driven innovation and customer-centricity for banking success,” said Susan Follis.
Read the full report “The Bank of Tomorrow 2023: A Benchmark of the leading banks in APAC” for more information.
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
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