Author: admin

  • Synthetic data might be the next big thing in privacy-first advertising

    As privacy crackdowns intensify, marketers are being forced to rethink their data strategies. The latest solution grabbing attention? Synthetic data. This artificially generated, privacy-safe alternative is now being explored by a growing number of agencies and martech companies—particularly in Asia Pacific—as a way to fuel innovation without compromising user trust. Forrester recently named synthetic data…

  • Google taps Aunty M to make B2B ads fun again in Southeast Asia

    B2B marketing just got a lot less boring in Southeast Asia—thanks to a fiery sambal seller named Aunty M. Google Southeast Asia has launched Marketing Unfiltered with Aunty M, its first creator-led YouTube series aimed at demystifying its advertising tools. The campaign leans on comedy, cultural insight, and character storytelling to connect with marketers and…

  • Are we looking at AI-driven layoffs? inside Amazon, Shopify and Klarna’s staffing updates

    AI is triggering mass layoffs—but what does it mean for marketers? The next wave of tech layoffs isn’t being blamed on economic headwinds or pandemic overreach. It’s being driven by artificial intelligence. From Amazon and Shopify to Duolingo and Klarna, top tech companies are cutting jobs—or freezing new ones—as they double down on AI-powered operations.…

  • Xiaohongshu pivots from lifestyle guide to interest-led community

    Xiaohongshu, China’s influential lifestyle platform known internationally as RED, is leaning hard into a new identity: “Your Lifestyle Interest Community.” Previously positioned as “Your Lifestyle Guide”—where users discovered beauty routines, travel tips, and product recommendations—RED is now signaling a shift toward community-driven discovery. That’s more than a slogan—it’s a signal that RED wants to reshape…

  • How plush toys became the surprise heroes of brand marketing

    In an age where attention spans are short and brand-switching is easy, Southeast Asian brands are quietly rewriting the rulebook on loyalty—and they’re doing it with plushies. Yes, those soft, huggable toys once relegated to carnival booths and toy aisles are now front and center in multi-market marketing campaigns. Brands like Milo Singapore, Pizza Hut,…

  • What is ‘query fan-out’ in Google’s AI Mode

    Google’s search experience is going through its most significant shift in years. In June 2025, the company expanded its AI Mode to all U.S. users, quietly altering how results are gathered, ranked, and displayed. Unlike classic Google Search, where ranking was largely keyword-driven, AI Mode is designed to generate summarized answers that often don’t show…

  • 2025 mid-year ad forecast according to WPP and MAGNA

    A new mid-year forecast pegs global ad revenue at US$1.08 trillion for 2025, with growth now expected to land at 6%—down from the earlier 7.7% projection. While the numbers still show momentum, economic uncertainty and geopolitical friction are starting to drag on advertiser optimism. The Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast for 2025 from WPP Media and…

  • YouTube tightens monetisation rules to clamp down on repetitive content

    YouTube is making moves to clean up the monetised side of its platform. Starting 15 July 2025, the video giant will roll out a revised monetisation policy targeting what it calls “mass-produced or repetitive content.” This includes a clearer definition of “inauthentic” videos—something that’s long been a grey area for creators trying to stay in…

  • Standard Chartered puts human stories at the heart of wealth marketing

    Standard Chartered has launched a new branded content series, WealthNOW, in partnership with BBC Storyworks commercial production. But unlike typical wealth campaigns that hinge on numbers and charts, this one prioritizes something less tangible—and arguably more powerful: human emotion. I am delighted to share our new three-part global content series, WealthNOW, produced for us by…

  • Asia’s go-to content marketing agencies — 2025 edition

    Looking for a content marketing agency in Asia? Good call. Brands across Asia are investing in content marketing not just because it pulls in three times more leads than traditional ads (while cutting costs by 62%), but because it helps them show up on search engines, build real audience trust, and keep their content working…