by Ferry Bayu | Aug 18, 2023 | Business
SYCARDA, CUE Group Join Forces To Revolutionize Retail Solutions in ASEAN
SYCARDA, a Malaysian leading retail data analytics platform, has joined forces with Singapore’s digital solutions giant, CUE Group. On this year, the two companies solidified their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration is set to revolutionize retail solutions, starting in Malaysia and Singapore, with plans to expand across Asia. The primary motivation behind this alliance is to address prevalent challenges in the retail sector, notably pilferage and sweethearting issues faced by a Malaysian grocery chain. By synergizing CUE’s advanced computer vision analytics with SYCARDA’s cutting-edge retail data analytics solution, they aim to equip businesses with profound and actionable insights, enhancing both operations and customer experience.
Retail data analytics platform SYCARDA and Singapore-headquartered digital solutions provider CUE signed an MoU on February 2 to begin an era of innovative collaboration to produce more comprehensive and effective retail solutions across Malaysia, Singapore, and eventually the rest of Asia.
Both organisations have consistently prioritised their dedication to adding value to clients’ systems and ways of working towards more dynamic retail data solutions, knowledge exchange in data analytics, visual AI, and machine learning. Upon officiating this collaboration, SYCARDA and CUE will integrate their expertise and develop a bespoke retail solution to address a Malaysian grocery chain’s pilferage and sweethearting issue.
SYCARDA’s mission is to assist traditional brick-and-mortar retailers to reduce their costs and increase their revenue in a rapidly challenging retail landscape by using data analytics and business intelligence. The platform is completely independent and can be used across most Points-of-Sale (POS) without the need for integration, which enabled SYCARDA to be deployed across 2,000 retail and food and beverage outlets across Southeast Asia.
Similarly, CUE Group’s customised and flexible commerce solutions and range of practice in various industries speak to its understanding of the value of research and development. From standardising security systems to improving the customer journey with visual AI, CUE Group’s solutions result in-depth consumer tracking and seamless transactions, spelling the difference for businesses across the food and beverage, automotive, FMCG, and pharmaceutical industries. Products such as RetailX enable retailers to improve and tailor their in-store experiences to better serve their customers, as well as to develop an accurate target audience profile that will boost precision marketing strategies.
With the rest of 2023 predicted to be a time of slow economic recovery in Asia, there is some room for market confidence with declining inflation rates. Still, with many businesses suffering an average pilferage rate of 5%, solutions more intelligent and enterprising than supply chain vigilance are required. By combining CUE’s computer vision analytics and SYCARDA’s POS data points, this partnership enables businesses to obtain more accurate and actionable insights into their business operations and customer experience.
“We see that the SME retail sector tends to go disappointingly under-served, with many of its problems unaddressed,” said Vernon Chua, CEO of SYCARDA. “What we’re hoping to create together [with CUE] is a way to see these problems and solve them pretty much as they happen – more than saving money, it’s about making businesses the best they can be and at an affordable rate that allows them to multiply their ROI.”
“We see a fellow enabler in SYCARDA and we’re optimistic about where this partnership can take the Southeast Asian market,” said Zainudin Nordin, Executive Director of CUE Group, SEA. “Neither of us is a big proponent of development for development’s sake; just as our services and solutions [at CUE] are ‘smart’ in the technological sense, we strive to also fulfill that in the business sense.”
SYCARDA is a leading retail data analytics platform designed to empower brick-and-mortar retailers in navigating the modern retail environment. The platform’s strength lies in its adaptability, allowing seamless deployment across over 2,000 retail and food and beverage outlets in Southeast Asia without the need for intricate integrations. With a focus on reducing operational costs and boosting revenue, SYCARDA offers retailers real-time, actionable insights to stay agile and ahead of market trends. Committed to innovation, SYCARDA ensures that businesses, regardless of size, have the tools and insights necessary to thrive in today’s challenging retail landscape.
See Lik Weng (Bob)
+60123315099
bo*@*****da.ai
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 16, 2023 | Business
Philippine Travel and Tourism Industry: Ready for Takeoff
A new study shows that Filipinos are now more confident about traveling internationally, despite the COVID-19 situation. However, the rising cost of travel remains a major concern.
What’s holding Filipinos back from traveling? Study reveals top concerns
The travel and tourism industry in the Philippines is a crucial driver of economic growth, the country is looking for a strong comeback after facing significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2019, the industry contributed a remarkable 12.7% to the country’s GDP, amounting to PhP 2.48 trillion, and employed around 5.7 million Filipinos, making it a vital source of income for local communities.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to the sector, causing massive disruptions and job losses over the past few years. In 2021, the sector was only able to contribute 5.2% to the country’s GDP. Tourism employment in 2021 also took a nosedive at an estimated 4.90 million, which, while higher than the 4.68 million recorded in 2020, is still significantly lower than pre-COVID numbers.
Amidst the adversity, promising signs of recovery are evident. According to a new study by Standard Insights, 76.63% of Filipinos feel safe and secure when traveling internationally despite the COVID-19 situation. Only 6.2% feel insecure about international travel this year. This resurgence of confidence signals a potential revival of the travel and tourism industry.
However, the study also revealed that the increased pricing of travel has become the biggest worry of 67.48% of Filipinos about travel in 2023, particularly with inflation and soaring commodity prices looming in the backdrop. This signifies the growing financial constraints of Filipinos, as they are now finding it more difficult to afford to travel.
Nonetheless, industry experts and government officials remain optimistic about the sector’s recovery. They are determined to capitalize on the newfound confidence among Filipino travellers and collaborate closely with businesses and the local community to rejuvenate the industry, reigniting economic growth. The collective efforts of businesses, government agencies, and the Filipino community will be vital in ensuring a successful comeback for the travel and tourism industry in the Philippines.
“The travel industry has always been a major driver of economic growth in the Philippines. However, our insights show that people are now more concerned about the rising cost of travel than they are about health and safety issues, which were a top concern last year. I am convinced that the tourism industry will rebound, and I am eager to see how the public’s opinion and behavior evolve in the coming months.” – Florian Gaudel, Founder & CEO of Standard Insights
Standard Insights is a market research firm that offers the best quality consumer insights using an innovative methodology. Our team of experts reaches real, representative respondents to give our clients the confidence they need when making important decisions about their brand’s future.
Standard Insights
Rémi Marié
Head of Digital
re**@***************ts.com
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 16, 2023 | Business
Binance files for protective order against SEC
Crypto exchange Binance late on Monday filed for a protective court order against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, saying the regulator’s requests for information were “over broad” and “unduly burdensome.”
BAM Trading, Binance U.S.’ operating company, and BAM Management in a court filing in the US District Court of Columbia said the group had already provided sufficient information to the regulator.
The protective order seeks to limit the SEC, among other things, to four depositions from BAM employees and to drop the deposition of BAM’s chief executive and of its chief financial officer, without naming anyone.
Binance did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while the SEC declined to comment.
U.S. regulators sued Binance and CEO Changpeng Zhao in June for allegedly operating a “web of deception,” listing 13 charges including claims the company artificially inflated its trading volumes, diverted customer funds, failed to restrict U.S. customers from its platform and misled investors about its market surveillance controls.
“The SEC has still yet to identify any evidence suggesting that customer assets were misused or dissipated in any way,” the filing said.
The SEC has declined BAM’s proposals to meaningfully limit its requests and is opposed to the motion for a protective order, the filing said.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 16, 2023 | Business
Gripping is one of the most common and natural tasks that people perform, but for robots, it is not as intuitive. To achieve human-like gripping abilities, robots need computer vision and deep learning to detect the type of objects in front of them as well as their orientation. The dexterous and adaptive gripping solutions developed by the RoPlus team can be used universally to handle a wide range of products and can automatically decide how best to pick and place objects with the aid of computer vision to minimize the necessity of intensive human intervention.
Universal Intelligent Soft Robotic Gripping Solutions
Gripping is one of the most common and natural tasks that people perform, but for robots, it is not as intuitive. To achieve human-like gripping abilities, robots need computer vision and deep learning to detect the type of objects in front of them as well as their orientation. The dexterous and adaptive gripping solutions developed by the RoPlus team can be used universally to handle a wide range of products and can automatically decide how best to pick and place objects with the aid of computer vision to minimize the necessity of intensive human intervention.
With the aim of developing robotic grippers that are as dexterous as human hands, the RoPlus team came up with hybrid robotic grippers consisting of three or four soft fingers, which can reconfigure automatically on demand. The 3D-printed soft fingers are air-driven and equipped with a novel locking mechanism for adjustable stiffness. The 3D-printing method used to produce the soft fingers is low-cost and offers flexibility in customizing the actuator design based on actual gripping requirements.
Different types of grippers were developed for food and consumer goods manufacturing processes. The gripper bases are reconfigurable so that they can accommodate items of various sizes. The soft rotatable gripper fingers allow delicate grasping of items of various shapes, and the embedded retractable vacuum suction cup can maneuver more awkwardly positioned objects such as the corner of a tote bin.
RoPlus’ gripping solution is also fully customizable to adapt to specific client needs and space constraints. This approach offers a wide variety of gripping options that can handle objects of different shapes, sizes and packaging materials. The RoPlus team’s customizable technology has been deployed at People Bee Hoon Factory, a Singapore-based rice vermicelli manufacturer, for optimizing the packing of rice vermicelli packets into carton boxes.
Commenting on the company’s decision to adopt RoPlus’ technology, Mr Desmond Goh, Director of People Bee Hoon Factory said, “Most of our existing staff are mature workers, so we sought to tap on new technology that can ease the workload of our existing staff, while simultaneously boosting their productivity. We selected this technology because it is able to meet our purpose, and provides flexibility for different deployments that we require.”
Other than grippers, RoPlus also develops computer vision system which can be integrated into the gripping system to command and control the configurations of the grippers automatically, based on the items detected. This can minimize human interventions during the pick-and-place tasks to fully automate the whole process.
RoPlus offers commercial partners different options of deploying the robotic gripper systems – they can be bundled together with a robotic arm, or purchased individually since the grippers can be easily mounted onto commercial robot arms for companies that already have their own.
About the RoPlus Team
The reconfigurable hybrid robotics gripping systems were created based on inspirations from the natural dexterity of the human hand by a team of entrepreneurs from the National University of Singapore (NUS). This technology is expected to impact a range of industries, involving food assembly, vertical farming and fast-moving consumer goods packaging, which will progressively automate more of their operations in the coming years.
The team comprises of Associate Professor Raye Yeow from the NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering and the NUS Advanced Robotics Centre, ex-NUS researchers Low Jin Huat, Khin Phone May, Chen Chao-Yu, Benjamin Ang and NUS alumni Han Qian Qian. The hybrid robotic grippers use soft, flexible 3D-printed fingers with a reconfigurable gripper base. The robotic innovation has now been commercialized and deployed at end-users facilities to increase productivity and efficiency of the production lines.
“An object’s shape, texture, weight and size affect how we choose to grip them. This is one of the main reasons why many industries still heavily rely on human labour to package and handle delicate items,” Assoc Prof Yeow said. “Our hybrid robotic gripper technology revolutionizes traditional pick-and-place tasks by offering advanced capabilities that allow robots to safely interact with delicate items of various shapes, sizes and stiffness, just like the human hand.”
Incorporated in 2021, RoPlus aims to help local companies (food and consumer goods manufacturers) automate their production lines for more innovative and faster production processes by providing intelligent soft automated gripping solutions with computer visioning.
RoPlus is supported by the National University of Singapore which seeds startups created by the University’s staff and researchers. The relevant research for the gripper systems also received support from the National Robotics Programme and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research.
Han Qian Qian
81815142
qi******@****us.sg
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 16, 2023 | Business
CyberDSA 2023: Forging a Resilient Digital Future Through Unprecedented Collaboration
The highly anticipated inaugural Cyber Digital Services Defence & Security Asia (CyberDSA) 2023 commenced today at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, graced by the Minister of Communications and Digital, YB Fahmi Fadzil. Embracing the theme of “Advancing Digitalisation and Security Through Collaboration,” this three-day expo, running from 15 to 17 August, seeks to create a platform for networking, idea exchange, and forging alliances that will drive the nation towards a more secure digital future.
Organised by Aerosea Exhibitions Sdn. Bhd. with robust support from CyberSecurity Malaysia and the Malaysian Armed Forces through Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Division, CyberDSA spotlights cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies and innovations, with over 100 exhibitors demonstrating their expertise. The event encompasses keynote addresses, talks, roundtable discussions, and exhibits covering topics such as cyber defence, land & cellular network security, big data, cloud computing solutions, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology.
“The cybersecurity landscape has witnessed a surge in increasingly sophisticated and persistent threats, and it is evident that no single entity, nor state can tackle this challenge alone,” remarked YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Digital. “The theme of “Advancing Digitalisation & Security Through Collaboration” is apt, as we must unite governments, businesses, academia, and civil society to leverage collective intelligence, resources, and expertise to fortify our defences and respond effectively to cyber incidents.”
Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin, Chairman of Aerosea Exhibitions Sdn Bhd, expressed, “We are incredibly proud to present the inaugural Cyber Digital Services Defence & Security Asia (CyberDSA) 2023. Our vision is to create a transformative platform that fosters collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange among cybersecurity experts, decision-makers, and industry leaders. Through CyberDSA, we aim to strengthen the cybersecurity landscape, paving the way for a more secure digital future.”
Running in parallel with CyberDSA 2023, two significant events—Siber Siaga and CSM-ACE—are underway. The annual CyberSecurity Malaysia Awards, held during gala dinner, organised by CyberSecurity Malaysia, provides a platform for cybersecurity communities to network while recognising the invaluable contributions of individuals and organisations in the field. Siber Siaga, an embodiment of the Defence Cyber & Electromagnetic Division, underscores Malaysia’s journey towards cyber sovereignty through collaboration between the Malaysia Armed Forces (ATM), industry players, universities, cyber security practitioners, and the public.
CyberDSA 2023 casts a global spotlight, facilitating high-level discussions involving over 100 international cybersecurity leaders and delegates. Prominent events include the eighth INTERPOL Digital Forensics Expert Group (DFEG) meeting 2023 and the ASEAN CYBER Defence Network committee roundtable, providing platforms for experts to exchange ideas, address challenges, and foster collaboration in digital forensics.
General Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Haji Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zin (Retired), Chairman of CyberSecurity Malaysia, emphasised, “We are keenly aware of the rising cyber threats, posing significant risks to valuable information and national security. The potential economic consequences are immense, impacting both our country and the global economy. CyberDSA’s primary goal is to unite decision-makers from governments and private sectors, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing to create a more secure digital landscape. CyberDSA therefore plays a vital role in strengthening our cybersecurity and ensuring digital border safety.”
CyberDSA 2023 marks a pivotal step towards fortifying cybersecurity and securing our digital future. The event’s highlights include high level conferences delving into critical topics such as “Digital Transformation – Safely Full Speed Ahead” and “Winning in the Face of Financial Cybercrime”. The expo also features enlightening Flash Talks by exhibitors, notably including a key networking event, spotlight on celebrating women in digital transformation by YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital. Attendees can also engage in Technical Labs organised by Siber Siaga, offering hands-on training on topics like “Bluetooth HackMe” by Slawomir Jasek and “JupyterLab for Network Analysis” by Abd Halim Bin Mahmood.
The event also features a Hackathon Competition sponsored by Telekom Malaysia and a Special Opening Ceremony on 16 August 2023 by Siber Siaga, further amplifying the collaborative spirit of CyberDSA 2023.
Cyber DSA aspires to be the leading content-driven event, serving key stakeholders who are protecting national, public and business interests in cyberspace. It aims to connect decision makers in governments and private sectors to accelerate their cyber defence and security agenda. This event aims to impart latest knowledge and intriguing insights about cybersecurity while showcasing cutting edge technologies that would safeguard digital economies and foster global competitiveness
Cyber DSA
+603 2702 7700
in**@****************ns.com
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 16, 2023 | Business
Rice ‘sufficient’ but DTI, DA to monitor prices: Palace
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday tasked the trade and agriculture departments to closely monitor rice prices and go after hoarders and “price manipulators,” Malacañang said on Wednesday.
“Rice supply is sufficient,” Marcos said, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office.
“Prices are, however, very variable,” he added.
The President said the government is working with the private sector to keep prices stable and continue providing affordable rice in Kadiwa stalls.
“The President will go after hoarders and price manipulators who take advantage of the lean months before harvest season,” Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.
The Department of Agriculture had said it would not be easy to ascertain price manipulation now that the NFA has been stripped off its regulatory function.
“Sa ngayon kasi hindi basta-basta pwedeng sabihin na price control, ano basehan natin? We are not in the position of a national emergency para mag price control,” DA spokesperson Rex Estoperez had said.
Rice price has been steadily rising in the past few months, further triggered by India’s export ban.
Marcos assured the public last week that the country would have enough rice supply until the height of the El Niño phenomenon next year.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 15, 2023 | Business
Global Wellness, Cultural and Tourism Convention 2023 Sets the Stage for Industry Revival and Innovation
The Global Wellness, Cultural, and Tourism Convention 2023 (GWCTC2023), a landmark event aimed at shaping the future of wellness, culture, travel, and tourism industries, held its Soft Launch on the 15th of August 2023 at Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur. This event provided a preview of forthcoming discussions that will not only influence post-pandemic recovery but also define the trajectory of resilient and sustainable industries. The discussions will be led by international experts and thought leaders from around the world. The occasion was graced by the esteemed presence of YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Ammar Bin Abd. Ghapar, Director General of Tourism Malaysia served as the Guest of Honour represented by YBrs. Mr. Shahrin Mokhtar, Director Package Development Dision, Tourism Malaysia.
Organised by Confexhub Group in partnership with China (Sanya) Public Diplomacy Institute (SPDI), ASEAN-China Commerce Association, and Persatuan Kerjasama Ekonomi dan Perdagangan Antarabangsa (MIETC) with strong support from Tourism Malaysia, GWCTC2023 promises to be a pivotal milestone in driving innovation, collaboration, and growth across these interwoven domains.
Amidst the backdrop of unprecedented global challenges posed by health and economic crises, GWCTC2023 provides an unparalleled platform for the convergence of industry stakeholders, thought leaders, and innovators; to discuss, deliberate, and co-create pathways to a more resilient, sustainable, and interconnected future to revitalise and reshape the wellness, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Championing Transformation in Global
Industries
GWCTC2023 holds a unique position as a
catalyst for global industry transformation. With the theme ‘Unveiling
Wellness, Cultural, and Tourism Destinations of Tomorrow’, the
convention is poised to explore cutting-edge strategies, unveil innovative
solutions, and harness the potential of emerging technologies to shape a future
where wellness, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism are paramount.
“The challenges faced by the
wellness, cultural, and tourism sectors in the wake of recent crises demand a
paradigm shift in our approaches. GWCTC2023 is not just a convention; it is a
crucible for transformation,” remarked Dato’ Seri Dr Abdul Aziz S.A. Kadir,
Organising Chairman of GWCTC2023. “By fostering cross-industry
collaborations and facilitating knowledge exchange, this event will set the
stage for the revival of these industries on a global scale.”
Expecting the Largest China Delegation to Unveil
the Vision of Shared Prosperity
At the heart of GWCTC2023 lies a
vision of shared prosperity, a vision further exemplified by the participation
of China’s (Sanya) Public Diplomacy Institute leading a delegation of over
1,000 health, wellness, and tourism industry stakeholders from China. This
collaborative effort underscores the convention’s commitment to global
solidarity and the exchange of expertise, resources, and innovations for mutual
growth.
A hive of events is to be expected
during the Global Wellness, Cultural and Tourism 2023 convention, including a
welcome and networking reception to forge meaningful collaborations in a
relaxed and friendly atmosphere, a high calibre conference where industry
experts, thought leaders and renowned speakers to share their insights,
expertise and experience; a gala dinner with signature cultural exchange, an
international exhibition, technical presentation by China enterprises and a
cultural study tour to Malacca.
Admission to the exhibition is Free.
For more information about the Global
Wellness, Cultural and Tourism Convention 2023, visit www.gwctc.org
The Global Wellness, Cultural and Tourism Convention 2023 (GWCTC2023) is a flagship event by Confexhub Sdn Bhd. GWCTC emerged as a paramount gathering that brought together industry frontrunners, pioneers, and influencers to explore new dimensions in wellness, culture, and tourism. Organized by Confexhub Group in partnership with China (Sanya) Public Diplomacy Institute, ASEAN-China Commerce Association, and Persatuan Kerjasama Ekonomi dan Perdagangan Antarabangsa, GWCTC2023 has set a new trajectory for industry collaboration, innovation, and international solidarity.
Hooi Sookmei
(603) 2771 1668
so*****@*******ub.com
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 15, 2023 | Business
MicroSourcing bolsters Southern NCR presence, debuts 11th service delivery center in Parañaque
MicroSourcing, the pioneer and largest offshore provider of managed services in the Philippines, powered up its Southern Metro Manila presence with the launch of its eleventh service delivery center, nestled in the Paranaque City.
This new service delivery center allows MicroSourcing to take advantage of the rich talent pool in nearby provinces, including Cavite, Las Pinas, Batangas, and Laguna. The newly established site will serve as a nexus for a diverse range of industries, including software development, accounting, information technology, engineering, digital marketing, and contact center services.
With the presence of esteemed guests and industry leaders, the inauguration ceremony was nothing short of a grand affair. Under Secretary Jocelle Batapa Sigue, who represented the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), praised MicroSourcing’s pivotal role in boosting the Philippines’ standing on the global outsourcing stage through its unwavering commitment to quality services and advancement of the ICT industry. She also applauded the company’s initiatives in generating job opportunities in neighboring provinces of the NCR and extending work-from-home options across the Philippines, thereby creating positive change in the communities where they operate.
MicroSourcing’s CEO, Haidee Enriquez, expressed her excitement at the inauguration of the new facility, which is designed to highlight the Philippines’ capabilities and celebrate local festivals.
“As the leading offshore provider of managed services, we are expanding our operations across different talent markets, employing 8,000+ professionals, 70% of whom enjoy the flexibility of hybrid and permanent work-from-home arrangements. This is a fitting closure to our financial year, and we’re looking forward to adding at least two more service delivery centers in the countryside in the upcoming year, contributing to a more inclusive growth. ”
In a show of trust and support for MicroSourcing’s expanding operations, executives from the Wilson Group, a client since 2015, were present at the inauguration. Ethel Contreras, Vice President of Operations, rejoiced at this robust support from clients. “The overwhelming response from our select clients shows the enduring trust they have placed in MicroSourcing. Impressively, even before the site’s official launch, 68% of the space has already been secured by clients for their staff. We are deeply happy and thankful for their continued partnership,” Contreras noted.
Located on the ninth floor of the Harton Corporate Center, this new hub provides a productive and secure workspace, complete with complimentary coffee and refreshments in the spacious pantry, ample meeting rooms for seamless team collaborations, and 24/7 security for the 280 in-center employees. With advanced IT resources, the center guarantees smooth operations, minimal disruptions, and enhanced employee productivity. Moreso, the center’s prime location allows for easy access via many modes of transport, and its proximity to shopping areas, retail stores, and cafes ensures a better overall experience for its dedicated professionals.
MicroSourcing’s eleventh service delivery center in the Philippines further solidifies their active support and leadership in the industry’s goal to add 1.1 million jobs by 2028, playing a pivotal role in the expansion and innovation of the IT-BPM sector.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 15, 2023 | Business
AnyMind Group CEO Kosuke Sogo is appointed to the APAC board of MMA Global
AnyMind Group [TSE:5027], an end-to-end commerce enablement company, is today announcing that Kosuke Sogo, CEO and co-founder of AnyMind Group, has been appointed to the Asia Pacific board of MMA Global.
On his appointment, Sogo said: “This appointment is justification for the impact that AnyMind has had on the industry in our young seven-year lifespan. Our technology across the commerce and marketing ecosystems means that I can bring a unique perspective to the table, and I’m looking forward to working with the other board members to further the industry and shape the future of how businesses grow, reach and engage with their customers.”
AnyMind Group started out in the digital marketing and influencer marketing space in 2016, and expanded its technology and offerings to serve publishers and creators. In 2020, the company further expanded into the business supply chain by developing platforms for e-commerce, logistics, conversational commerce and manufacturing.
Rohit Dadwal, MMA Board Member and Managing Director APAC, MMA Global APAC, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Kosuke Sogo from AnyMind to the board of MMA Global APAC. With his extensive experience in commerce and marketing technology and his passion for driving growth, we are confident that he will be a valuable addition to our association. MMA is the only association that brings together the full ecosystem of marketers, martech and media companies, and with Sogo’s expertise, we can continue to work towards architecting the future of marketing and delivering growth today.”
The Asia Pacific board of MMA Global comprises executives from Google, Meta, Grab, TikTok, Publicis, Procter & Gamble, Inmobi, Income Insurance, DEPT, UN:ventures, Advent International, Anzu.io and H+.
About AnyMind Group
Founded in April 2016, AnyMind Group [TSE:5027] is an end-to-end commerce enablement technology company with a purpose to make it exciting for everyone to do business. The company provides two broad offerings to brands and businesses, publishers and influencers: Brand Commerce and Partner Growth. Brand Commerce provides businesses with the company’s platforms for manufacturing, e-commerce enablement, marketing and logistics, whilst Partner Growth provides web and mobile app publishers along with influencers and content creators with platforms for monetization and optimization. Partner Growth customers can also tap on the company’s Brand Commerce offering. AnyMind Group has over 1,300 staff across 19 offices in 13 markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, India and the United Arab Emirates.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 15, 2023 | Business
Canva Philippines Negosyantrends Expo 2023 empowers businesses, teams of all sizes with design tools, activities
MANILA, Philippijnes — Canva Philippines held Negosyantrends Expo 2023, its biggest face-to-face event for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, last August 5 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.
The event featured one-on-one consultations with brand and design experts, interactive stations and design activities to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Headlined by Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and co-founder of Rags2Riches; Andre Chanco, head of product and co-founder of Yardstick Coffee; and Cara Paguio, senior creative for photography at Canva and owner of the local beachwear brand Guppy PH, the expo featured insightful discussions on starting and managing a business, building a brand, implementing innovations and nurturing communities, among others.
“Negosyantrends marks an exciting time for Canva Philippines. It is our first face-to-face event since the pandemic and a testament to our stronger commitment to Pinoy negosyantes. It’s very inspiring to witness how Canva has empowered businesses, and we look forward to where this new chapter takes us,” Maisie Littaua, Canva Philippines head of marketing and growth, said.
The expo featured interactive stations such as the Design Playground for an immersive Canva experience; the Brand Classroom, where event attendees got a 15-minute consultation with a brand expert; the Sari-Sari Street, where select businesses showcased and sold their products. The attendees also enjoyed games and brought home printed items designed on Canva.
Unleash creativity, collab and design content for your biz
When COVID-19 hit, Filipino businesses turned to social media to reach their customers. With Canva’s design solutions, businesses of all sizes were able to build their brands, create engaging content, and publish them all within the platform.
“During the lockdown, Canva helped us a lot in developing our branding, designing our product labels and packaging, ads and social media content, and on overall business visibility. Canva is our go-to tool for designing our new products, collections and content. Now that Canva has upgraded features, that would help the users more,” shared Soyscape PH owners Christopher Banaag and Mark Calica.
Chanco shared how their team leveraged the power of social media to connect with their customers: “The number one thing we did for two years was to be the loudest online. Being able to engage digitally with existing customers saved Yardstick during Covid.”
Canva also offers customizable templates you can update with your brand colors, fonts and logos. Choose from Canva’s media library of over 100 million visual and audio assets. Canva Pro users can also access features like Magic Resize, Background Remover, Folders and Brand Kits.
For businesses with a group of two or more, Canva for Teams enables you to collaborate together, streamline your workflow, keep projects organized, and stay on-brand with Brand Kit, Shared Folders and Brand Controls.
Canva’s Visual Suite consists of an array of features that provide end-to-end design solutions for business owners.
Canva Docs lets your team create visually engaging documents, from business proposals to reports and even checklists.Whiteboards allow teams to collaborate, brainstorm, and plan on an infinite canvas.Canva Presentations let you create presentations that will surely captivate your audience.Online video editor allows you to create professional and engaging videos, complete with animation and speed controls.Canva Websitesmakes it easy to design a responsive one-page website, perfect for landing pages and event invitations, especially for those who need a website without coding experience.
Leira Dumalay, owner of Baked Goodies by Leira, highlighted how Canva makes designing easier for business owners like her: “I love how Canva is accessible to everyone. They have pre-made designs that businesses can use to make their projects. I also love that Canva listens to their users to improve their services.”
Empowering Pinoy entrepreneurs through design
In 2020, Canva Philippines launched Canva for Negosyo, which provides entrepreneurs with free branding and graphic design resources, marketing toolkits, photo collections and video tutorials.
The Canva for Negosyantes community on Facebook has since reached over 60,000 members and continues to be a platform for many business owners to share ideas, collaborate on designs and provide insights to each other.
As Pinoy entrepreneurs take their businesses online, we want to be right there with them,” Littaua said. “When it comes to design and branding, Canva for Negosyo is the Filipino business owner’s partner in creativity and productivity for their digital presence.”
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