Clout Kitchen raises $4.45M from a16z SPEEDRUN, Peak XV’s Surge, & AppWorks to build ‘AI twins’ of top creators like Tyler1, Emiru

Clout Kitchen raises $4.45M from a16z SPEEDRUN, Peak XV’s Surge, & AppWorks to build ‘AI twins’ of top creators like Tyler1, Emiru

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Clout Kitchen, a consumer AI startup with operations in Los Angeles and Manila, today announced its $4.45 million seed funding round.

The round was co-led by a16z SPEEDRUN and Peak XV’s Surge – with participation from Taiwan’s AppWorks, Antler, Hustle Fund, Founders Launchpad, Orvel Ventures, and founders & creators like Gabby Dizon (YGG), Kun Gao (Crunchyroll), Voyboy, Jankos and Perkz. 

Established in 2024, Clout Kitchen builds creator-powered interactive experiences in gaming and pop culture that unlock new ways for top creators to engage and expand their fan base. 

Clout Kitchen is led by serial gaming and creator economy builders. 

● Justin Gorriceta-Banusing (CEO) founded and scaled AcadArena (SEA and LatAm’s leading campus gaming platform) to series A and an exit while in college. In high school, they built CONQuest Festival – the largest creator event in SEA with 80K+ attendees.

● Marcel Feldkamp (CBO) was a pioneering League of Legends pro/creator, playing in the 2013 World Championship. After retiring, he founded the gaming talent agency Prime – who later joined United Talent Agency via Press X.

Clout Kitchen’s first product is Backseat AI, an in-game “buddy” for League of Legends co-built with Tyler “Tyler1” Steinkamp – one of the world’s biggest gaming content creators with over 20 million followers. Backseat AI is Riot-compliant and guides players on how to best play the game in real-time – from what characters to pick to which items to buy, all by an AI voice twin of their favorite creator. Since launching early access testing in June, the product has hit over 45,000 waitlist signups. 

“Our thesis at Clout Kitchen is to build things that grow the pie and add value for fans, creators, and game developers alike,” said Justin Banusing, CEO, Clout Kitchen. “We grew up in this space, so it’s our way of giving back.”

Pricing starts at US$4.99 monthly for each creator “buddy,” who earns from every subscription. Backseat AI’s buddies roster continues to expand with streamer & cosplayer Emiru and pro player Jankos – with more top creators lined up in the coming months.

“As a creator myself, I know how difficult it is to keep your community and business growing,” said Marcel Feldkamp, CBO, Clout Kitchen. “It’s easy when you’re starting and have all the time in the world – but it gets harder to keep giving the same love to everyone as you scale. We want to solve that problem.” 

With this financing round, Clout Kitchen looks to expand Backseat by scaling its team, establishing its US office, and building out its shared internal tech stack for future creator-powered game companion apps and experiences. 

“As a gamer and a creator myself, I’m excited to support Justin and Team Clout Kitchen in their journey to unlock new frontiers for our community,” said Jamie Lin, Chairman & Partner, AppWorks,“ Justin and the founding team showcased exceptional hearts, heads and hands from the moment we met them, the very traits we look for in founders.”

"At a16z, we believe in the transformative power of technology and games to reshape how we connect, create, and experience the world. Clout Kitchen embodies this vision wholly, and we are thrilled to support their journey as they pioneer new ways for fans to engage with the creators and games they love," said Jack Soslow, Investment Partner, A16Z GAMES.

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ManageEngine Rolls Out First-Ever Decision Intelligence Platform for Enhanced IT Operations

ManageEngine Rolls Out First-Ever Decision Intelligence Platform for Enhanced IT Operations

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Company's Flagship IT Analytics Solution Introduces Spotlight for Intelligent, Data-Driven Strategic Recommendations

ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corporation and a leading provider of enterprise IT management solutions, today announced a significant upgrade to its flagship IT analytics solution, Analytics Plus. Version 6.0 introduces Spotlight, a contextual recommendations engine powered by AI, designed to identify key inefficiencies in IT operations and suggest corrective strategies.

The 2023 State of Analytics Engineering report found that time to business insight is the biggest challenge for nearly 50% of surveyed directors. Spotlight dramatically reduces the time IT managers and CIOs spend analyzing various IT metrics and coming up with remedies to fix structural fault lines in operations. By incorporating decision-intelligence capabilities, Analytics Plus now facilitates contextual decision-making, addressing a crucial gap in traditional analytics software.

For instance, Analytics Plus can analyze correlations between the age of IT assets, their frequency of failure, and the meantime to repair. Based on these parameters, it suggests the optimal time frame for asset replacement. This approach ensures that organizations neither dispose of assets prematurely, losing usable value, nor retain them for too long, negatively impacting employee productivity. With the introduction of Spotlight, ManageEngine reinforces its commitment to enhancing IT operations through intelligent, data-driven solutions.

"While traditional analytics tools excel at providing a platform for analyzing any type of data, they often lack the necessary context of the data they are analyzing. Deriving meaningful and context-specific insights is becoming increasingly challenging due to a significant disconnect: the people performing the analysis are skilled at mining data but often lack the IT context, making it difficult to translate findings into actionable business decisions," said Samantha Hall, Service Delivery Manager, Leathams Ltd., a UK-based food supplying company.

Analytics Plus' built-in AI engine is programmed to study common IT processes and identify solutions to achieve desired results more quickly. Spotlight acts like an assistant, constantly monitoring for bottlenecks or operational inefficiencies and offering tips for corrective action. By bringing in IT context and leveraging AI capabilities, Analytics Plus ensures that organizations can address issues more effectively and efficiently.

"Organizations no longer want to spend hours mining data for actionable insights. They require ready-made strategies that they can implement immediately to see rapid results," said Rakesh Jayaprakash, product manager and chief analytics evangelist at ManageEngine. He added, "There are sufficient tools in the market that promise automation and remediation for day-to-day network and application failures, but there's a lack of focus on strategic decision-making. This is the gap Spotlight aims to bridge."

Root Cause Analysis

Quick decision-making is only half the journey; IT managers and CIOs also need a way to backtest their decisions to ensure a new strategy or model will achieve the desired results. In addition to decision intelligence capabilities, ManageEngine is introducing the Root Cause Analysis feature, which automatically identifies the top factors contributing to a particular trend. This feature allows IT managers and CIOs to verify whether their changes or decisions are having a positive impact.

For instance, if tools are implemented for auto-remediation of L1 network issues, Root Cause Analysis can look at the increased uptime and highlight the reduction in L1 network issues as the major contributor to better network uptime.

No-Code Auto-ML for Deep Analysis

The new version of Analytics Plus empowers IT teams to create custom machine learning (ML) models without writing a single line of code. Traditionally, developing and deploying ML models was restricted to experts. However, Analytics Plus’ no-code ML platform democratizes this process, allowing IT managers to develop ML models directly on the data they are familiar with.

With this capability, IT managers can build ML models for prediction and classification, such as a predictive model to derive the probability of ticket escalations based on various factors or related events. This approach ensures the development of highly specific and accurate models because they are built on the organization's unique data and validated by the very people who use it daily.

Unified IT Metrics Library

Analytics Plus serves as a command center and decision hub for IT by contextually analyzing all IT data, enabling organizations to cross-correlate metrics and identify interdependencies. Analytics Plus version 6.0 introduces the Unified IT Metrics Library, listing all KPIs from an IT environment in a single view, effectively acting as a comprehensive directory of metrics. This makes searchability and reusability easier, breaking down silos created by various IT tools and serving as a single source of truth for any metric that IT teams need to track.

"Traditional IT data analysis is often confined within individual tools. For instance, resolution time of incidents is limited to ITSM while mean time to repair a device is restricted to IT operations management. This inhibits cross-correlation and prevents organizations from obtaining a complete picture of their IT infrastructure. By analyzing all these metrics together in a centralized platform, organizations can unlock significant value," said Jayaprakash.

The Unified IT Metrics Library democratizes data by making a catalog of KPIs readily available for technicians to conduct their analyses, which can also be consumed by other IT applications for contextual integration. This comprehensive approach enhances governance and ensures that all relevant metrics are easily accessible and managed effectively, driving quick decision-making.

In addition to these key features, Analytics Plus version 6.0 includes a range of productive enhancements such as multivariate forecasting, workflow charts, support for distributed processing (on-premises) and more than 10 new integrations with popular IT tools, detailed here.

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Carlos Yulo: Financial Growth Beyond Gold with EastWest

Carlos Yulo: Financial Growth Beyond Gold with EastWest

EastWest, one of the Philippines' fastest-growing universal banks, recently introduced Carlos Yulo, two-time Olympic gold medalist, as its newest brand ambassador. The exclusive event in Makati honored Yulo’s outstanding achievements in gymnastics and his inspiring financial journey as a loyal EastWest client. This partnership reinforces EastWest’s commitment to empowering Filipinos through sensible financial management, a mission the bank has upheld for over 30 years.

Carlos Yulo: A Global Icon and Financial Success Story

Carlos Yulo has made a remarkable impact on the global gymnastics stage, proudly representing the Philippines. His discipline and relentless pursuit of excellence perfectly align with EastWest’s core values of pushing boundaries and striving for greatness. Just as Yulo excels as an elite athlete, EastWest provides world-class financial services, guiding Filipinos in their pursuit of their own dreams.

Yulo shared his personal connection with EastWest, saying, “This partnership began before I won my Olympic gold medals. EastWest helped me manage my financial goals from the start. I started with simple deposits, and now I have investments that support my plans. We share the same mindset—always striving to improve, which makes this partnership feel so natural.”

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

The event highlighted the strong alignment between Yulo and EastWest’s values. What began as a client relationship has now evolved into a full-blown partnership, with Yulo becoming the face of the brand. His focus on mastery and perseverance is mirrored in EastWest’s commitment to supporting clients’ financial journeys, ensuring they have the confidence to achieve their goals.

Rafael S. Algarra Jr., SEVP and Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management at EastWest, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “Carlos Yulo represents the passion and dedication that EastWest stands for. His journey from raw potential to world champion reflects the path we aim to provide for our clients—guiding them towards financial success, whether through our priority services, consumer loans, or investment management.”

Carlos Yulo's Financial Growth with EastWest

Yulo’s financial journey began with basic banking products, using them to save and cover training expenses. As his earnings grew, EastWest provided Yulo with expert financial advice, helping him transition into smart investments. Yulo credits EastWest with helping him create a solid financial plan, allowing him to stay focused on his athletic career. “EastWest has been a huge help in my journey, not just as an athlete but in managing my finances. They taught me about smart financial decisions and investments, ensuring I’m prepared for the future.”

EastWest Celebrates 30 Years of Financial Excellence

As EastWest marks its 30th anniversary, the partnership with Carlos Yulo underscores the bank’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric service. For three decades, EastWest has provided personalized financial solutions, supporting clients like Yulo every step of the way. By combining cutting-edge technology with a human touch, EastWest continues to empower Filipinos to achieve their financial goals.

EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo proudly shared, “Carlos Yulo embodies resilience, focus, and the pursuit of excellence—values EastWest has upheld for 30 years. As we continue to innovate and grow, we welcome Carlos as a partner who inspires Filipinos to push their boundaries and achieve their financial dreams with EastWest by their side.”

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HAVAS Red expands Offering in ESG with Red Impact Launch

HAVAS Red expands Offering in ESG with Red Impact Launch

Sunday, September 29, 2024

HAVAS Red, the PR arm of HAVAS Ortega, has announced the launch of Red Impact, a global ESG communications offering that integrates environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) expertise. This new platform strengthens HAVAS Ortega’s legacy of creating a meaningful difference by bringing purpose-driven communications designed to inspire brands and organizations to make lasting positive changes.

“With Red Impact, we aim to ignite real change,” said Jos Ortega, CEO of HAVAS Ortega. “Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity for future-proofing businesses. Our mission is to guide brands in creating meaningful impact that not only stimulates growth but also benefits society as a whole.”

Co-Creating Change at La Conférence Bleue

The launch of Red Impact took place at the inaugural La Conférence Bleue, the sustainability summit organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (CCI France-Philippines). As the conference partner, Red Impact played a pivotal role in co-creating the event’s theme and program, which aimed to share stories of various organizations and their journeys into sustainability. 

“We’re excited to help brands and organizations transform their pledges into progress,” shared Jeuls Hermosisima, Head of Red Impact. “By leading with purpose, we hope to build a more sustainable legacy for generations to come.”

For more information, please visit the Havas Red LinkedIn page.

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Eastern Communications Expands Reach to Roxas City’s Emerging Digital Hub

Eastern Communications Expands Reach to Roxas City’s Emerging Digital Hub

Eastern Communications, the Philippines' pioneering telecommunications company and ICT solutions provider, continues its mission to empower more businesses across the Philippines as the company launches its services in Roxas City, Capiz. The telco provider officially expanded to the city through its “Via Eastern” launch event held on September 13, 2024, at the San Antonio Resort, Baybay, Roxas City.

“We have Eastern Communications, another partner locator here in Roxas City, as we aim for more practical and efficient IT solutions. As a digital city, our LGU is heavily investing on infrastructure, talents, and utilities,” said honorable Roxas City Mayor, Ronnie Dadivas, in his speech during the Via Eastern Roxas launch event. “On behalf of the city government, we in Roxas City would like to extend our gratitude to Eastern Communications, for its presence and entrance in the city,” he added.

Roxas City Mayor, Ronnie Dadivas welcomes Eastern Communications in the city.

The expansion will provide Roxas-based enterprises with access to cutting-edge digital tools and insights on how digital transformation can propel their growth in an increasingly competitive landscape. As Eastern Communications marks its presence in the area, it plans to extend its services to other cities across Capiz in the future.

"We are excited to bring Eastern Communications' services to Roxas City, supporting its growth and helping it thrive in the digital age," said Mike Castañeda, Vice President and Head of Sales at Eastern Communications. “We are proud to support Roxas City’s vision of becoming a center for business and technology through our ICT solutions by offering business-grade connectivity and digital tools that address the unique needs of the local business landscape.”

Empowering Roxas City’s evolving digital and business landscape

Eastern Communications' expansion into Roxas City aligns with the city's anticipated growth in the coming years, especially after being recognized as one of the digital cities by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

Roxas is currently gearing up to establish the nearly 700-hectare Pueblo De Panay Township, which is expected to become the Philippines’ largest techno hub. The township project aims to generate over 40,000 jobs and boost the IT-BPM industry, the key focus area for the city. With a commitment to providing businesses with reliable and scalable digital solutions, Eastern Communications will help Roxas City achieve its goal of becoming a digital hub and fueling local economic growth.

Reliable connectivity and ICT solutions for Roxas City enterprises

With Roxas City's emerging micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), the growing sectors of IT-BPM sector and tourism, Eastern Communications is ready to support businesses in driving economic development through its business-grade connectivity and customized ICT solutions. The telco provider’s expansion will bring its signature connectivity services in Roxas City, including Eastern Fiber 1, a shared high-speed fiber service designed for SMEs to ensure optimal performance during business hours, and Eastern Internet Direct Service (IDS), a dedicated internet solution tailored for uninterrupted, round-the-clock operations. These services will ensure that businesses of all sizes have access to fast, reliable, and secure internet connections, essential for day-to-day operations and growth.

Eastern Communications will also offer an array of ICT solutions, such as Network Solutions, Cybersecurity Solutions, Cloud and Data Center Solutions, and Business Applications. These services are designed to equip local businesses with the tools they need to succeed in a highly competitive and evolving marketplace. The telco provider’s entry into Roxas City fortifies its nationwide expansion through the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN), the longest undersea fiber cable network in the Philippines spanning 2,500 kilometers. This initiative, in partnership with Globe Telecom Inc. and InfiniVAN, Inc., reinforces Eastern Communications’ mission to provide resilient and reliable internet connectivity across the country. To learn more about Eastern Communications’ products and services, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

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Asticom joins forces with GTI to broaden global reach, targets US and Singapore market

Asticom joins forces with GTI to broaden global reach, targets US and Singapore market

Friday, September 27, 2024

Asticom Technology Inc. has entered into a strategic partnership with GTI Telecom (GTI) to expand its global reach, with a focus on the United States and Singapore markets.

This move underscores Asticom and GTI’s shared vision of harnessing their collective strengths and networks to expand into new territories and seize additional growth opportunities.

With almost a decade of experience as a digital-first shared services and outsourcing provider, Asticom boasts a comprehensive range of solutions across talent management, employee experience, IT, engineering, and BPO services. It serves more than 200 clients in 40 diverse industries, including telecom, fintech, e-commerce, health-tech, IT, energy, and banking.

GTI, a subsidiary of GTI Business Holdings, Inc., has a well-established international presence. It provides connectivity, co-location, voice, top-up, A2P, and ICT solutions between the United States and Asia Pacific, empowering clients to harness technology for business and personal growth.

“We are excited to join forces with GTI in this endeavor. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to enhance our global footprint and deliver unparalleled value to our clients,” said Mharicar Castillo-Reyes, President and CEO of Asticom. “This partnership is a significant step towards achieving our international growth ambitions and reinforcing our position as a trusted outsourcing partner.”

“Partnering with Asticom is a natural extension of our mission to support clients globally. Together, we are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for high-quality outsourcing services. Our combined efforts will drive innovation and growth, benefiting businesses worldwide,” said Ramon Aesquivel, GTI Telecom President.

Asticom and GTI, both part of the Globe ecosystem, are also dedicated to sustainable development, fostering global partnerships that drive economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.

To learn more about the partnership, you may visit https://asticom.com.ph/ and www.gticorporation.com.

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Wellness Whispers’ Journey: Building a Wellness Brand on TikTok Shop

Wellness Whispers’ Journey: Building a Wellness Brand on TikTok Shop

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of health and wellness, Wellness Whispers has emerged as a standout example of how digital innovation can drive substantial growth. Founded by celebrity mom, podcast host, and entrepreneur Dani Barretto, this Filipino brand is revolutionizing the wellness sector with products designed to enhance daily well-being, from soothing winter melon milk tea to immunity-boosting pomelo juice. By tapping into TikTok Shop’s dynamic platform, Wellness Whispers has expanded its market reach and set new standards for consumer engagement and digital sales.

“We started Wellness Whispers with a vision to offer products that cater to the wellness needs of our customers,” said Dani Barretto, CEO and Owner. “TikTok Shop has been instrumental in turning that vision into reality. The platform’s innovative tools have allowed us to connect with a broader audience and deliver our wellness solutions in a way that resonates deeply with consumers.”

The integration of TikTok Shop’s features into Wellness Whispers’ strategy has been nothing short of transformative. Embracing the platform’s live streaming capabilities and promotional tools, the brand has experienced significant growth, including a remarkable 183% increase during the 8.8 sale. This success story reflects a broader trend where digital platforms are reshaping how businesses connect with consumers and drive sales.

Harnessing the Power of Live Streaming and Promotions

At the core of Wellness Whispers’ success is its strategic use of TikTok Shop’s live streaming feature. By hosting engaging live sessions, Dani Barretto has been able to interact directly with viewers, showcase the brand’s products, and offer exclusive deals. These live interactions have led to a substantial 107% month-over-month growth in live GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) for 2024. The impact of this approach is evident in the impressive sales figures, with live sessions contributing over $171,000 to the brand’s total GMV year-to-date.

“Our live streaming efforts have proven to be a game-changer for us,” Barretto added. “It’s not just about selling products; it’s about creating an engaging and informative experience for our customers. This has helped us build a stronger relationship with our audience and significantly boost our sales performance.”

Innovative Digital Strategies Drive Growth

Wellness Whispers has also adeptly utilized TikTok Shop’s promotional tools to enhance its market presence. During the May 29-31 Payday sale, the brand offered significant discounts, including up to 30% off on Wellness Whispers Sets and exclusive bundles featuring movie tickets and freebies. These promotions were crucial in driving consumer interest and increasing sales.

The brand’s exclusive bundles and flash deals contributed to a notable increase in product sales, with over 40,500 units sold year-to-date. Additionally, Wellness Whispers achieved an overall GMV of $171,000 in 2024, with video GMV contributing $12,000. The brand’s targeted promotions and flash deals were instrumental in achieving these results, underscoring the effectiveness of TikTok Shop’s tools in driving sales and engagement.

"TikTok Shop has been more than just a platform for us; it has been a catalyst for growth. It taught me how to market my brand and myself effectively, boosting my confidence to scale our business. I believe TikTok Shop is a platform where anyone can thrive, and our success with Wellness Whispers is a testament to that potential. As we continue to innovate and grow, we are excited about the future and the endless possibilities that lie ahead,” concluded Barretto.

Future Prospects and Continued Innovation

Wellness Whispers remains committed to evolving within the digital landscape, with plans to further expand its presence on TikTok Shop. The brand's achievements so far demonstrate the opportunities that digital platforms offer for business growth and customer engagement.

“TikTok Shop is dedicated to empowering creator-entrepreneurs and emerging brands like Wellness Whispers,” said Franco Aligaen, Marketing Lead, TikTok Shop Philippines. “Our platform offers robust tools and support to help new businesses grow and connect with their audience. By leveraging features like live selling and targeted promotions, we enable these businesses to establish a strong market presence and drive meaningful engagement. We look forward to seeing how Wellness Whispers and others continue to thrive and innovate on TikTok Shop.”

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Zoho Invests in Enhancing Philippine Businesses' Human Capital Development and Promoting Digital Transformation

Zoho Invests in Enhancing Philippine Businesses' Human Capital Development and Promoting Digital Transformation

Friday, September 6, 2024

Zoho Corporation, a leading global technology company, recognizes the significant growth opportunities for Philippine businesses through effective software solutions. According to Statista, leveraging digital technologies could unlock US$101.3 billion in annual economic value by 2030 in the Philippines. However, the digital skills gap among the workforce remains a key challenge. As Zoho continues to innovate with new product features and AI enhancements, it remains crucial for us to engage customers actively, ensuring their employees are equipped with the necessary skills to maximize the benefits of our solutions.

This year, Zoho has intensified its training and outreach initiatives to enhance the technological capabilities of employees in Philippine businesses. Zoho CRM, the company's flagship product for managing sales processes and customer relationships, hosted a Customer Experience Workshop in Manila. This event trained over 100 attendees, helping them explore the software's extensive features and set up automated workflows to improve process efficiency. Beyond Manila, Zoho expanded its reach by organizing "Discover Zoho," an introductory workshop highlighting key Zoho products, in Cebu. Additionally, Zoho participated in DEVCON's 2024 Summit in Mindanao, further extending its engagement with the local tech community.

Zoho's User Conference, Zoholics, convenes in Manila with the biggest attendance in South East Asia

In our constant effort to engage more closely with our customers, Zoho hosted its annual user conference, Zoholics, on August 30, 2024, at Edsa Shangri-La in Manila. The event featured four distinct tracks covering customer experience, developer tools, collaboration solutions, finance, HR, and various other applications essential for business operations. Attendees benefited from insightful presentations by Zoho's product teams, live demonstrations of product updates, and engaging customer panels where Philippine business owners shared their experiences with Zoho solutions.

With over 400 attendees, the Manila edition of Zoholics remains Zoho's most highly attended event in the region. This underscores the vibrant enthusiasm within the Manila business community for discussions on digital transformation and their proactive search for support across various Zoho products. This event culminates Zoho's extensive local engagement initiatives in the Philippines, facilitating direct interaction between users and our product teams. It serves as a cornerstone in nurturing stronger relationships with our clients and partners.

Zoho's Enhanced Top Products in the Philippines

In the dynamic business landscape of the Philippines, Zoho's suite of products continues to thrive, with year-over-year customer growth exceeding 20%. Zoho is positioned as a trusted partner for businesses embarking on their digital transformation journey. For more than a decade, Zoho has integrated AI (Zia) across its product portfolio, leveraging proprietary technology hosted on its private cloud to drive Generative AI capabilities within Zoho solutions now. The key products favored by businesses in the Philippines include:

Zoho CRM: Streamlining customer relationship management and sales processes, Zoho CRM enhances interactions with customers. Powered by Generative AI, users can extract and summarize key information from customer records, provide predictive deal analysis, create personalized emails and templates, and perform grammar checks, among other functionalities. Attendees at Zoholics Manila will also be the first users in Zouth East Asia to preview CRM for Everyone, a new update to Zoho CRM that will help businesses improve the customer journey, by reducing communication gaps, shorten turnaround time and improve the quality of customer experience that can be delivered by existing teams.

Zoho One: Offering an integrated suite of over 40 applications, Zoho One is the preferred choice for organizations seeking comprehensive solutions to streamline operations and enhance productivity.

Zoho Workplace: Empowering teams with collaboration and communication tools, Zoho Workplace supports efficient teamwork and project management. Generative AI enhances productivity tools by suggesting headlines, titles, improving word choices, punctuation, and content length in documents. Additionally, users can ask questions within Writer and seamlessly integrate answers.

Zoho Desk: Ensuring exceptional customer support and ticket management, Zoho Desk enables businesses to deliver superior service. Leveraging Generative AI, customer management agents can automatically summarize tickets, analyze customer mood based on tone, generate replies from knowledge base articles, and more, significantly boosting agent effectiveness and efficiency.

Zoho Creator: Enabling businesses to develop custom applications without coding, Zoho Creator provides flexibility and customization tailored to unique business needs.

Accelerating Growth: Zoho's Vision for the Future of Philippine Business

Zoho remains committed to driving the digital transformation journey for Philippine businesses, empowering them with innovative solutions and robust support. As we look ahead, we are dedicated to expanding our local presence, fostering deeper engagements through educational initiatives and community partnerships. With our comprehensive suite of products and unwavering commitment to customer success, Zoho is poised to continue playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of business operations in the Philippines.

Zoho Privacy Pledge

Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products. More than 100 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho everyday to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, please visit: https://www.zoho.com/privacy-commitment.html

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How Happy Skin Utilized TikTok Shop to Enhance Sales Performance

How Happy Skin Utilized TikTok Shop to Enhance Sales Performance

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

As the beauty industry continues to evolve, Filipino brand Happy Skin is at the forefront, blending innovation with a commitment to skin-friendly products. From its humble beginnings, Happy Skin has become a household name by offering makeup that cares for the skin. Recently, the brand has embraced the digital shift, harnessing the power of TikTok Shop to reach a wider audience and redefine customer engagement through live selling and strategic promotions.

“Our partnership with TikTok Shop has allowed us to meet our customers where they are most active,” said Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez, CEO and Co-founder of Happy Skin. “Through live selling and targeted promotions, we have been able to create more meaningful connections with our audience, turning each interaction into an opportunity to showcase the value and quality of our products.”

A key driver of Happy Skin’s success has been its strategic use of TikTok Shop’s Assortment, Content, and Empowerment (ACE) indicator system. By aligning its efforts with these indicators, the brand has effectively enhanced its digital strategy, leading to significant sales growth.

Leveraging Product Diversity to Drive Sales

During the May 29-31 Payday sale, Happy Skin introduced notable discounts, including 50% off the bestselling Lip Mallow Tint and Lip Mallow Mousse. This promotion significantly contributed to the brand’s gross merchandise value (GMV), with these products alone accounting for 81% of total sales. The Kiss and Bloom Water Lip and Cheek Tint, a favorite on TikTok, also saw a surge in customer engagement, achieving a product conversion rate of 5.81%. Over 22,200 units of Lip Mallow products were sold, illustrating the impact of targeted promotions on sales performance.

Creating Engaging Shopping Experiences

Happy Skin leveraged TikTok Shop’s dynamic platform by scheduling several multi-hour live streams, collaborating with the Multichannel Network (MCN) Vertical Megabeauty and top live affiliates. These sessions, supported by Live Shopping Ads (LSA), were instrumental in boosting content-related GMV, which accounted for 70.3% of the total GMV—a significant increase of 16,240%. The brand-led live streams achieved GMV per session, which was 4.2 times higher than its usual performance.

“Our live streams have become a vital part of our strategy on TikTok Shop,” added Yuengtian-Gutierrez. “By engaging with our customers in real-time, we’re not just showcasing products, but we’re building a dynamic community around our brand. This interactive format has driven significant increases in both engagement and sales, proving essential for a modern, digital-first shopping experience.”

Amplifying Reach through Targeted Advertising

To bolster its live selling efforts, Happy Skin invested in LSAs and Video Shopping Ads (VSA), which were complemented by shop-exclusive vouchers and subsidies during peak periods. These initiatives led to ads GMV contributing nearly 20% to total shop sales, with an impressive Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) of 21.7. This period of strong performance earned the brand the #1 spot in Total Beauty, #2 in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and #5 across all categories on May 30.

“TikTok Shop's ACE Indicator System was crucial in amplifying Happy Skin’s campaign,” said Franco Aligaen, Marketing Lead, TikTok Shop Philippines. “Through our advanced features like targeted ads and live selling, we were able to help the brand reach its audience more effectively, showcasing the potential for substantial growth on our platform."

Building on Digital Success

Happy Skin’s recent performance on TikTok Shop, including a 19.6x uplift during the 6.6 sale, underscores the brand’s successful adaptation to digital platforms and its ability to drive substantial growth. The brand continues to explore innovative strategies to engage with customers and expand its reach, setting a benchmark for other beauty brands on TikTok Shop.

Beyond business success, Happy Skin is also leveraging its partnership with TikTok Shop and HOPE to make a meaningful social impact. Through the ‘Build a Classroom’ program, every purchase on TikTok Shop contributes to funding classroom construction in underserved communities, reflecting the brand’s commitment to community betterment.

“Our recent success with TikTok Shop underscores the platform’s importance in our strategy,” added Yuengtian-Gutierrez. “As we continue to innovate and expand, TikTok Shop remains integral to maintaining our momentum in the beauty industry and amplifying our efforts to give back to the community.”

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Emirates doubles partnership connectivity in a year, opening opportunities for travelers to reach nearly 1,700 global cities beyond its network

Emirates doubles partnership connectivity in a year, opening opportunities for travelers to reach nearly 1,700 global cities beyond its network

Monday, September 2, 2024

In the past year, Emirates has doubled the number of cities it offers beyond its own network, unlocking nearly 1,700 additional cities beyond its own global network. This has enabled an average of over 61,000 passengers to seamlessly connect on the shared networks of Emirates and its partners every week.

By forging new partnerships and deepening existing ones across the transport ecosystem, the airline is delivering an array of additional travel choices alongside 31 codeshares, 118 interline, and 13 rail and helicopter services partners. Having 162 partners in over 100 countries means an expanded network reach with more and better connections for travelers, seamless single ticket itineraries, enhanced baggage transfers, frequent flyer benefits, lounge access, and other advantages to ensure a smooth travel experience at every touchpoint.

For customers of partner airlines flying on Emirates, popular destinations are even closer through Emirates’ robust network over 140 destinations and frictionless connectivity offered at DXB, complemented by industry leading experiences on the ground and in the skies, all easily within reach.

In the last year, Emirates launched 16 new partnerships which include codeshares with Avianca and Batik Air Malaysia and the airline also finalized and implemented interline arrangements with KAM Air, Sri Lankan Airlines, Condor, Flynas, Viva Aerobus, Sun Express, Maldivian, Siberia Airlines and Kenya Airways.

From plane to train, Emirates customers are now one ticket away from fast connections to cities across Europe through codeshare partnerships with Trenitalia, Spanish Rail Renfe, Austrian Rail OBB and Swedish Rail SJ. The airline was also the first full-service carrier to enter an innovative interline partnership with BLADE, an urban air-mobility company to provide Emirates customers with helicopter flights between Nice and Monaco on a single ticket.

“In the last year, we’ve doubled down on our strategy of deepening our global presence and expanding our footprint across six continents by forging new partnerships with like-minded airlines, rail partners and air mobility operators to provide a huge choice of onwards destinations, connectivity options and seamless ‘last mile’ access for travelers like never before. While organic growth will always at the heart of our plans, we’ll continue to leverage the strength of our partners’ complementary networks as part of our commitment to help our customers reach every corner of the globe in the easiest way possible. World-class connectivity keeps economies strong and resilient, and our partnership growth ambitions align with Dubai’s D33 strategy to make our home and hub the most connected city in the world, attracting business, tourism, and investment from all over the globe,” said Emirates Airline Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim. 

Over the years, Emirates’ many partnerships have paved the way for the airline to form robust networks that not only connect customers to unique points but also provide the advantages of schedule optimization, seamless connectivity at DXB with access to Terminal 3, as well as reciprocal loyalty benefits. Its cornerstone partnership with flydubai is an exceptional example of how cooperation yields smoother journeys and more customer benefits. Today, customers have access to over 230 destinations across 100 countries, with 275 codeshare flights to choose from on an average day. Emirates customers can book flights to over 90 unique flydubai destinations and flydubai customers can choose from over 100 Emirates destinations. As a result, over 17.5 million passengers have connected on the joint networks of Emirates and flydubai since the partnership launched in 2017.

For leisure travelers heading to popular destinations like the Maldives, Emirates’ unique interline partnership with Maldivian enables customers to access 16 islands beyond Male. Emirates’ partnership with Pro Flight Zambia provides access to 13 points served by the southern African airline, including unique regional getaways like Lower Zambezi National Park, a short trip from Lusaka that offers a captivating safari experience. 

The airline’s major partnerships with United, Air Canada and Qantas continue to deliver unmatched access for its customers to more than 350 destinations across North, Central and South America, Australia, and New Zealand, expanding connection opportunities, providing unrivalled reciprocity across loyalty programs, as well as other world-class customer benefits like lounge access. 

Emirates continues to expand city pairs on a single ticket and boost connectivity and choice across numerous other strategic partnerships in the airline’s network including:

The Americas: Emirates customers can access more than 375 cities through United, Air Canada and other partner airlines across Canada, Mexico, Caribbean Islands and Central and South America. Customers connecting on Emirates’ network onwards from Dubai can choose from unique destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Central and South Asia.

Europe: Travelers can access over 380 cities through seven codeshare, 33 interline & 12 rail and air mobility partners including Condor, ITA Airways, Air Malta, Air Baltic, Aegean Airlines, TAP Portugal and Siberia Airlines, in addition to Emirates’ rail partners across Germany, Spain France, Italy, Austria and Sweden that provide on-ground transfers and flexibility to explore multiple cities on a single ticket.

Asia: Emirates’ Asian network is further bolstered through the airline’s 12 codeshare partners and 42 interline partners reaching over 500 popular cities across the Far East, West Asia and Indian Ocean, as well as Middle East.

Australia: Emirates long-standing partnership with Qantas provides access to over 85 Australian cities, while Qantas customers can fly Emirates to Dubai and access over 45 cities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa beyond Qantas’s existing international network.

Africa: Emirates’ footprint across Africa expands to over 210 regional points through 5 codeshare and 18 interline partners, offering superior connectivity and value for customers with more flight options to smaller regional points across the continent.

Emirates Skywards, the airline’s loyalty program and Emirates SkyCargo also work closely with codeshare and interline partners to support and complement network and loyalty program frameworks that ensure both passengers and cargo customers reap the full benefits of the airline’s major partnerships. On the operational side, Emirates Airport Services play a vital role to ensure teams are on hand to assist customers so they can connect seamlessly from one flight to another and access the airline’s Dubai and outstation dedicated lounges.

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Trend Micro Platform Exceeds 10K Large Enterprise Customers, Extends Proven Solution to SMEs

Trend Micro Platform Exceeds 10K Large Enterprise Customers, Extends Proven Solution to SMEs

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

AI-powered platform with built-in risk management bridges cybersecurity talent shortage, supports vendor consolidation

Global cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704)has achieved new growth and availability milestones for its cybersecurity platform. Trend Vision One™ now serves over 10,000 enterprise customers worldwide and has also been extended to help small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) better manage their cyber risk. Enhanced with new management and operational tools designed specifically for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), the platform simplifies risk management for enterprises while also allowing MSPs to gain operational efficiencies, expand their services and monetize the market opportunity.

“SMEs are often the most attractive targets for cybercriminals,” said James Rocker, CEO at IT service provider Nerds That Care. “By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, Trend Micro helps level the playing field for organizations that don’t staff large security teams. Our team is looking forward to this next evolution in Trend Micro's offering for managed services providers and customers."

Unlike other cybersecurity vendors stitching together disconnected capabilities, Trend Micro’s AI-powered cybersecurity platform goes beyond single solutions to more efficiently manage the full cyber risk lifecycle. Risk management is powered by AI to improve managing asset profiles, predicting attack paths and enabling custom remediation guidance. This means a single security tool can enable teams of all sizes to assess and prioritize risk in real time and take action to build enterprise resilience.

Ian Felipe , Country Manager at Trend Micro Philippines: “This is a major growth period for SMEs in the Philippines, and it’s important to build on secure foundations. According to the Department of Trade and Industry’s MSME Statistics, 99.59% of businesses established in the Philippines are MSMEs. This indicates that this sector plays a crucial role in shaping our economy. We see a critical need to address growing attack surface risk while enterprises are facing a significant lack of cybersecurity talent—that’s a valuable opportunity for the channel. Our expanded platform offering empowers MSPs to seamlessly deliver enterprise-grade cyber risk management to SMEs, enhancing customer business resilience and confidence while increasing the market opportunity for our partners.”

Managing cyber risk is one of the most difficult challenges that SMEs face as threats continue to evolve and multiply, with many lacking sufficient staffing to meet security needs. According to industry association CompTIA, 35% of small and 27% of medium-sized US businesses are assessing risk, but without a formal framework for doing so. A further 15% and 9% respectively are still only at the discussion stage regarding risk management.

Trend Vision One™ for Managed Service Providers offers partners a broad range of proven, enterprise-grade capabilities from a single platform with the integrations they require to efficiently manage their operations. In an industry first, MSPs can now deliver comprehensive, precise and continuous cyber risk management for their customers in a multi-tenant platform, leveraging broad security capabilities for endpoint, email, network, identity, and cloud combined with powerful built-in modules like XDR and Attack Surface Risk Management (ASRM).

To learn more about Trend Vision One™ and powerful capabilities like Attack Surface Risk Management, visit here.

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How Al Quitangon is Transforming Filipino Families' Future as Sun Life's Chief Distribution Officer

How Al Quitangon is Transforming Filipino Families' Future as Sun Life's Chief Distribution Officer

Thursday, August 22, 2024

In the Philippines, where the concept of life insurance is still gaining widespread acceptance, Sun Life emerges as a pioneering force, guiding Filipinos toward greater financial security. Leading this transformative journey is Al Quitangon, a seasoned expert in finance, who now serves as Sun Life's Chief Distribution Officer.

With a career deeply rooted in financial planning, Quitangon brings a wealth of experience and a client-first approach to his leadership. His journey with Sun Life began as an advisor, giving him unique insights into the challenges and aspirations of clients. This background fuels his commitment to leading with values centered on the needs of the people he serves.

“Insurance is more than just a career; it’s a calling,” Quitangon emphasizes. “It’s about empowering Filipinos to take control of their future, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate life’s uncertainties.” His belief in the power of financial education as a cornerstone of long-term prosperity drives his approach to leadership.

Under Quitangon’s guidance, Sun Life continues to uphold its mission of helping Filipinos achieve lifetime financial security and healthier lives. He inspires Sun Life employees and advisors to stay true to this purpose, ensuring that the company remains a trusted lifetime partner to its clients.

As Chief Distribution Officer, Al Quitangon leverages his over 30 years of experience to spearhead Sun Life’s efforts in reaching new heights. His leadership is driving a movement towards financial security, changing the lives of Filipino families, one at a time.

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TikTok Shop Partners with L'Oréal for Digital Beauty Academy in the Philippines

TikTok Shop Partners with L'Oréal for Digital Beauty Academy in the Philippines

Monday, August 19, 2024

TikTok Shop and L'Oréal are joining forces to advance the Digital Beauty Academy, an initiative designed to empower aspiring beauty entrepreneurs across the Philippines. Now in its second year, the program builds on the successes of its inaugural run in Quezon City, with this year's expansion to Makati City. This collaboration integrates L'Oréal’s extensive beauty education with TikTok Shop’s dynamic social commerce platform, creating new opportunities for participants.

The Digital Beauty Academy provides comprehensive beauty training and social commerce education, equipping participants with essential skills in beauty, grooming, and personal care while integrating effective strategies for leveraging TikTok and TikTok Shop for business growth. The initiative is designed to empower women from diverse backgrounds, enhancing their socio-economic status and creating opportunities for growth and success within the beauty industry.

"L’Oréal together with TikTok Shop Philippines recognizes the transformative power of beauty in driving positive societal transformations. The expansion of L'Oréal Digital Beauty Academy in Makati and Quezon City, amongst the bustling cities in the Philippines, signifies a significant step towards a more inclusive future. By the end of the year, over 1800 Makati residents are set to gain access to fundamental beauty and digital commerce tools, aving the way for enhanced economic opportunities through beauty among Filipinos", shares Yannick Raynaud, Managing Director of L’Oréal Philippines.

Running from August to December, the Digital Beauty Academy will conduct six sessions focused on content creation, social commerce strategies, and the effective use of TikTok Shop to market and sell beauty products. 

The curriculum includes an introduction to TikTok and TikTok Shop, livestreaming essentials, and best practices in content creation. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with TikTok creators and industry experts, gaining valuable insights and practical skills to enhance their entrepreneurial endeavors.

“We are thrilled to partner with L'Oréal to bring the Digital Beauty Academy to life. This initiative perfectly aligns with TikTok's mission to democratize access to digital platforms and provide opportunities for growth and empowerment,” said Paolo David, Country Head for Brand Growth and Partnerships at TikTok. “Through this program, we aim to equip participants with the skills and tools they need to thrive in the digital economy, while also supporting local communities and fostering inclusive growth.”

Looking ahead, TikTok Shop and L'Oréal are exploring opportunities to expand the Digital Beauty Academy and continue their collaboration. Future phases of the program will aim to reach even more aspiring entrepreneurs, further broadening its impact and extending its reach.

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