F(DEV) drives seamless operations with advanced eProcurement solution for a new F&B in BGC

F(DEV) drives seamless operations with advanced eProcurement solution for a new F&B in BGC

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Baker J redefines the pastry and coffee shop experience by infusing delectable and creative flavors. It is reminiscent of casual and comfortable Parisian cafés — brimming with life and great food.

Since its successful operations in Chroma Hospitality’s brand of hotels: Crimson Hotel Alabang, Quest Hotel Clark, Quest Hotel Tagaytay, and Timberland Resort San Mateo Rizal, Baker J proudly introduces its first standalone branch nestled within the bustling Bonifacio Global City.

The Baker J team worked with Filinvest’s innovation arm, F(DEV), to reimagine how they can manage back-end operations effortlessly so they can focus more resources on creating excellent customer experiences.

“We are elated with this partnership between Chroma Hospitality and F(DEV). This pilot eProcurement solution makes it easier for us to scale up our F&B business. Now, Baker J can focus on delivering the finest culinary creations to customers at full potential,” said Francis Gotianun, First Senior Vice President of Filinvest Hospitality, on behalf of Filinvest Group’s F&B Transformation and Baker J.

Innovation behind the scenes

Each F&B business, as we all know, needs to be an efficient operations machine to effectively serve its customers. From ordering ingredients from suppliers and getting deliveries to producing its delicious products and accepting payments, BakerJ was built to be customer-centric. 

In the past few months leading up to the opening, Baker J and its management company, Chroma Hospitality Inc. have been working with F(DEV), the Filinvest Group’s innovation arm, to design and craft an F&B operating platform powered digitally. What has launched together with Baker J’s BGC store opening is a new and modern e-procurement and supply chain tech solution that streamlines the enterprise's procurement experience. 

Previously bogged down by complex manual interactions, pen and paper-based activities, multiple systems, and disjointed processes, Chroma's purchasing team can now confidently manage all procurement and supply chain-related activities in one dashboard, as well as efficiently track supply quality and supplier performance, even with a diverse base of suppliers. The MVP of Baker J’s enterprise-grade platform was achieved in just three months, just in time for the new store opening.

Xavier Marzan, CEO of F(DEV) says, “We’ve given Chroma and Baker J new superpowers by working with them closely to develop an entirely new operating experience and ensuring that multiple diverse systems operate as one, to bring the best possible experience to their end customers. But this is just the start. Our goal is to bring this type of innovation-led experience to the rest of the conglomerate and beyond to ensure that the companies lead in an accelerated digital future.”

Baker J's procurement solution provides a user experience akin to online shopping, with a sleek, modern interface. The platform's modular, data-driven architecture integrates proprietary data and AI algorithms for precise procurement modeling and forecasting. As a result, Chroma's leadership benefits from improved operational visibility and data-driven decision-making, which significantly improves the quality and speed of operations, and puts the customer at the forefront of its effort.

F(DEV) is at the forefront, fueling Filinvest Group's transformation in this exciting new digital decade. With an unwavering commitment, F(DEV) empowers the company’s businesses in real estate, townships, banking, hospitality, and energy and utilities to evolve into thriving digital enterprises, propelling our country toward a brighter and more innovative future, helping to address the needs of the underserved segments in the Philippines.

Want to dive deeper into their world of innovation? Check them out at www.teamf.dev and don't miss their latest adventures on TikTok @fdevfilinvent. It's where tech meets the trend!

Read More

Discover the Future of Fast Pizza: GOPIZZA, Korea's No. 1 Single-Serve Pizza, Now Available at Changi Airport with Cutting-Edge AI Technology

Discover the Future of Fast Pizza: GOPIZZA, Korea's No. 1 Single-Serve Pizza, Now Available at Changi Airport with Cutting-Edge AI Technology

Renowned pizza brand from South Korea, GOPIZZA, made its debut at Changi Airport's Terminal 2, marking its 25th establishment in Singapore with new flavour and AI-technology introductions within the company.

GOPIZZA’s Next-Gen AI-Technology for Perfect Pizza Anytime, Anywhere

Pizzas are often thought to be a shared-serving meal that requires substantial time to be prepared. However, the launch of GOPIZZA challenges this very mindset by introducing single-serving pizzadelivered just like a fast-food meal. Every step of the pizza-making process is strictly controlled with the incorporation of the AI Smart Topping Table, GOBOT Station, and its latest iteration of GOVEN.

This new series of AI-Technology roll-out is especially prominent in GOPIZZA’s Changi Airport outlet, where it ensures consistent and fresh baked pizza for hungry travellers who often face the urgency of purchasing food-on-the-go.

“We're thrilled to bring GOPIZZA to the heart of Changi Airport's Terminal 2. Our core belief is that time is of the essence, and this is also reflected in our motto, 'Fast, But Delicious'. Incorporating breakthrough technology in our processes, we aim to redefine the dining experience by merging speed with taste. At Changi Airport, travellers can now enjoy quick, freshly baked on-the-spot pizza, ensuring they don't have to compromise quality for time." shared Jay Lim, global CEO of GOPIZZA.

GOPIZZA’s Five Minutes Pizza Journey

Each pizza is assembled on the AI Smart Topping Table, where a smart camera is installed overhead to swiftly identify and track pizza toppings, guiding the staff through each step of assembling the toppings. At the AI Smart Topping Table, the consistency of the ingredients and its quantities are maintained through correction alerts.

It is then baked for 3 minutes in an AI-controlled GOVEN that is twice the temperature as compared to its conventional counterpart.

In just a couple of minutes, the freshly baked GOPIZZA lands on the GOBOT, which is designed to automatically slice the pizzas into GOPIZZA's signature shape and keep them warm until they are served to the customers.

Airport-Exclusive Flavour & Classic K-Food Delights

With already over 12 different flavours in its menu, GOPIZZA seeks to spoil patrons’ choices even further with another new addition – The Chilli Crab Pizza. Paying homage to the iconic local dish, this airport-exclusive flavour is infused with the rich and tangy flavours that Singaporeans adore, where every bite promises a symphony of sweet, spicy, and savoury notes, mirroring the beloved taste of the classic chilli-tomato sauce. GOPIZZA’s Chilli Crab pizza aims to satiate both the international traveller's curiosity and the local's craving for a taste of home. Alongside the Chilli Crab Pizza, GOPIZZA also launched a series of creatively fresh offerings, such as the Jalapeno Pepperoni Pizza and Truffle Cheese Pizza, also available only at their Changi Airport outlet.

Among other delectable offerings, GOPIZZA remains true to its brand as a Korean pizza brand, introducing Korean delights like Bulgogi Pie, specially curated for the breakfast menu, as well as presenting a classic favourite, Topokki, embodying the essence of Korean street food culture. 

All of GOPIZZA’s delicious pizzas are served on GOPIZZA’s Crispy Basak Dough, where it achieves the perfect pizza texture – crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. The Crispy Basak Dough is also engineered to withstand delivery, guaranteeing that every pizza, whether enjoyed on the spot or delivered to your door, maintains its oven-fresh taste.

GOPIZZA’s Expansion - Locally and Globally

Locally, GOPIZZA has established an impressive count of 25 outlets across the island after the brand first opened its doors here in 2020. Simultaneously, on a global scale, GOPIZZA is experiencing remarkable growth, with projections indicating that the total number of outlets will reach an impressive 200 by October. 

This global expansion plan is in full swing, and GOPIZZA is set to open its fifth outlet in Central Park, Indonesia in November 2023. This expansion comes on the heels of the successful inauguration of CGV Grand Indonesia in 2022 and the recent launch of an outlet in Mall of Indonesia. 

GOPIZZA's innovative approach to pizza-making, driven by cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to taste-consistency, has made it a beloved choice for pizza enthusiasts worldwide, ensuring a bright and promising future for the brand both locally and globally.

Store Information

Nestled between Dunkin Donuts and Boost Juice Bar, GOPIZZA is located at T2 Departure/Transit South, Unit No. 02-K15 at Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 Departure Hall. Operating hours are from 6AM to 1AM daily.

Read More

Palo Alto Networks: 1 in 3 SMEs not confident in hybrid work security

Palo Alto Networks: 1 in 3 SMEs not confident in hybrid work security

Global cybersecurity leader Palo Alto Networks revealed in its 2023 State of Cybersecurity in ASEAN Report that one out of three small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines and Southeast Asia is not confident in tracking cybersecurity breaches amid a hybrid work environment. With 41% of their infrastructure and processes running in the cloud for onsite and work-from-home setup, SMEs are most concerned about password attacks (63%), malware attacks (56%), and account takeovers (53%). 

Steven Scheurmann, Vice President for ASEAN at Palo Alto Networks, shared, "In observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, we are reinforcing our mission of empowering SMEs with a stronger cybersecurity posture, recognizing their pivotal role as the backbone of our economy. It's crucial to remember that SMEs, just like larger organizations, hold valuable data sought after by cyber attackers for financial gain.”

For two years in a row, adopting cloud security has been a top cybersecurity strategy for SMEs. However, hybrid work continues to pose challenges for SMEs in securing their cloud applications and services due to risks associated with unsecured home networks and personal devices. These risks include data breaches, which can threaten both SME employees and customers, potentially leading to identity theft and unauthorized financial transactions. These vulnerabilities make it challenging for almost one-third of SMEs to procure a broader range of cybersecurity solutions for hybrid work.

To stay ahead of threats, Scheurmann underscored non-negotiables that SMEs should look for when securing cloud infrastructure in hybrid environments.

Holistic visibility of network traffic. Imagine your company's network as a bustling airport, where employees work from different 'terminals' or physical locations, such as offices, homes, or remote sites. The challenge resembles airport security—knowing who's allowed to board 'network flights' and who's not. The airport needs to have visibility on every 'passenger' (devices and users) and verify their 'boarding passes' (access permissions). This holistic visibility ensures SMEs that only authorised users and devices get access to data and applications. 

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). ZTNA operates on the principle of 'never trust, always verify.' If an SME's network is a mall establishment, not all of its tenants can freely move around the building. ZTNA acts as the diligent security manager, ensuring that each 'tenant' (employee) must show their identification and state their purpose before gaining access to areas reserved for authorized personnel only. 

AI and machine learning. Artificial intelligence (AI)-backed machine learning in network security is like having personalized content recommendations on your social media. Just as algorithms analyze your preferences for tailored suggestions, AI-driven firewalls with machine learning analyze network traffic, predict, and prevent cyber threats that are also increasingly sophisticated due to AI. They continually adapt, ensuring SMEs are equipped to protect themselves from emerging threats. 

"Even small-sized and resource-constrained businesses can establish a formidable security posture, rendering it challenging for attackers to breach, provided a strong cybersecurity hygiene culture prevails within the company. Holistic visibility, a zero-trust approach, and AI integration will help ensure that SMEs can scale up their cloud security to protect against both current and future threats, no matter where they choose to work,” concluded Scheurmann.

Read More

DoubleVerify announces appointment of Tinee Cruz as Senior Sales Director

DoubleVerify announces appointment of Tinee Cruz as Senior Sales Director

Friday, October 13, 2023

 

DoubleVerify (“DV”) (NYSE: DV), a leading software platform for digital media measurement, data, and analytics, today announced the appointment of Tinee Cruz as Senior Sales Director, Philippines. In her new role, Tinee will work closely with local partners to initiate, implement, and create new partnerships with a focus on business growth. Leveraging her extensive industry experience, Tinee will play a pivotal role in elevating DoubleVerify’s extensive suite of measurement solutions to brands and agencies to drive effective advertising spend outcomes.

The appointment is a testament to DoubleVerify’s commitment to regional growth with a focus on increasing in-market resources in the newly launched markets in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

“The Philippines is a unique market with a huge potential for advertisers to drive ROI for their media investments, and Tinee’s appointment is timely for forging new partnerships focused on performance for media buys,” said Conrad Tallariti, Regional Vice President of Sales, Asia. “Tinee has a track record of driving growth leveraging her exceptional leadership skills in developing strong client relations and delivering service excellence. Her expertise covers multiple functions and markets in the region which will be invaluable as we continue our expansion across Southeast Asia.”

With nearly 10 years in the marketing, media, and sales industry, Tinee joins DoubleVerify from InMobi, where she was the Country Sales lead for the Philippines, and played an instrumental role in localizing InMobi’s platform in the Philippines. Her career spans the gamut of the advertising ecosystem - agency, brand, publisher, and platform.

Commenting on her new role, Tinee Cruz said, "Digital ad spending in the Philippines is on the rise, being projected to reach 1.6 million USD in 2023, as customer preferences and habits continuously evolve. With emerging technologies, particularly AI, also set to make its mark, the Philippines advertising market is poised for long-term changes. I look forward to nurturing relationships with our customers and meeting their needs with DoubleVerify’s cutting-edge solutions, to drive a significant impact in the Philippines advertising market."

Read More

Revolutionizing Convenience: beep™ Partners with PalawanPay and Home Credit for Easy Card Reloading

Revolutionizing Convenience: beep™ Partners with PalawanPay and Home Credit for Easy Card Reloading

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Tap tap to top up in-app

beep™, the leading contactless and micropayments system, is bringing added convenience to its users through a strategic partnership with e-wallet PalawanPay and financing giant Home Credit. This collaboration empowers beep™ cardholders to reload their beep™ cards hassle-free with a few taps on their smartphone, eliminating the need to line up at transport terminals.

Reload with PalawanPay in 3 Easy Steps:

1. Open the app and log in or sign up for an account. From the home screen, tap “Pay Bills” then “Electronic Cash” or search for “BEEP” in the search bar.

2. On the next page, enter the 16-digit beep™ card number, your name, and the amount you want to reload.

3. Proceed to the payment page and choose to pay via your wallet, PalawanPay Points, or vouchers when available.

Reload with Home Credit in 3 Easy Steps:

1. In the Home Credit app, tap “Pay Bills” then “Transport” or simply search for beep using the search icon.

2. Enter the amount to reload, the 16-digit beep™ card number, and your name. Tap save, then Continue.

3. Confirm payment details by entering your mPIN.

Vital Reminder:

After purchasing load online, please remember that the purchased load must be retrieved from NFC-enabled phones or E-stations located in various transport terminals, including LRT1, LRT2, and MRT3.

“E-wallets and fintech services have become integral in our increasingly digital lifestyle, with their user base continually growing. The inclusion of PalawanPay and Home Credit in our roster of over-the-air reloading partners underscores our commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the convenience of public commuting. Simultaneously, we enable our business partners to expand their services and attract more customers,” said JJ Moreno, the President & CEO of AF Payments Inc.

PalawanPay is from the pawnshop and remittance company Palawan Pawnshop Group. It is compliant with QR Ph, allowing its suki users to send money, pay bills, shop at stores, and transfer funds to other QR Ph-compliant entities easily and securely.

Home Credit, on the other hand, has revolutionized consumer financing in the country by offering innovative services that help Filipinos manage their spending through the Buy-Now-Pay-Later option, product loans, and many more. It is also QR Ph-compliant.

The beep™ card is available for purchase at LRT1, LRT2, and MRT3 stations, select convenience stores, and online in the official Shopee, Lazada, and Facebook Marketplace stores. beep™ cards can be used to pay for fares in the elevated rail lines, select bus lines, P2P buses, and modern jeepneys, and in partner retail merchants nationwide.

The list of loading partners for beep™ continues to grow, enhancing the commuting experience for Filipinos. beep™ card holders can now load through popular apps and e-wallets such as Gcash, Maya, BPI, Shopee, AND Financial, Maya, Sharetreats, justpay.to, G-gateway mobile, Ventaja, Cebuana Lhuillier, with the recent addition of Home Credit and PalawanPay. With AF Payments’ commitment to enhancing the lifestyle of public commuters, customers and partners can anticipate more innovative, technology-driven solutions in the months ahead.

Businesses interested to partner with beep™ can email sales@afpayments.com or contact the Service Desk at (02) 87379600 (landline), 09175121319 (Globe), or 09985819675 (Smart). To be updated on news and promotions, follow beep™ on Facebook,  X (Twitter), and Instagram.  More information is available at the website.

Read More

Herbalife’s Asia Pacific Simply Recycle Challenge Results in Over 744,000 Product Canisters Submitted for Recycling

Herbalife’s Asia Pacific Simply Recycle Challenge Results in Over 744,000 Product Canisters Submitted for Recycling

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Plus 14,679 Trees will be Planted to Support a Thriving Planet 

The global premier health and wellness company, Herbalife, today announced the results of its second Simply Recycle Challenge in Asia Pacific, a regional initiative that motivated its Independent Distributors to submit used Herbalife product canisters for recycling. Held from April to September this year, the Challenge inspired 1,500 Herbalife distributors and Nutrition Club owners in 14 markets spanning the Asia Pacific region to submit 744,654 product canisters, which will in turn lead to 14,679 trees being planted to reduce the effects of climate change. 

First launched last year, Herbalife’s Simply Recycle Challenge covers markets in Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The regional Challenge sees a total of 1,456,654 canisters being submitted for recycling in 2022 and this year.

“The Challenge is an important part of our Go Green initiative in the Asia Pacific, demonstrating our continued commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Stephen Conchie, Regional President, Herbalife Asia Pacific, and China. “I’m delighted that it resulted in more canisters being submitted than last year. Together with our distributors, we are making positive impacts that not only help improve the health and well-being of people in our communities but also build a healthy planet for a sustainable future.”

For this year’s Challenge, Herbalife has again partnered with the non-profit organization One Tree Planted, which will plant one tree for every 50 canisters recycled by participants. According to One Tree Planted, a tree on average absorbs about 10 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year for the first 20 years. Hence, as 14,679 trees will be planted,this year’s Challenge can contribute to an estimated 146 tonnes of carbon dioxide being sequestered from the atmosphere each year for the next 20 years – equivalent to 21.5 around-the-world trips of carbon footprint generated by a diesel car. 

The Simply Recycle Challenge is helping drive Herbalife’s ongoing efforts to support recycling. Additionally, Herbalife has implemented initiatives at its facilities, as well as sales and distribution centers in more than 30 markets around the world, to incentivize recycling of Company product packaging and educate customers about recycling and waste reduction. In 2021 and 2022, these local programs resulted in 5,475 metric tons of materials recycled.

For more information on Herbalife’s sustainability efforts, please view the company’s Global Sustainability Report.

Read More

BayWa r.e. Solar Trade Honoured with Two Prestigious Awards at Solar Week Philippines 2023

BayWa r.e. Solar Trade Honoured with Two Prestigious Awards at Solar Week Philippines 2023

Monday, October 9, 2023

BayWa r.e. Solar Trade, a prominent global solar distributor, has been honored with two prestigious awards, Best Solar Service Provider of the Year and the Solar Company of the Year: Distributor, during Solar Week Philippines Leadership Awards 2023 organized by Solar Quarter Southeast Asia, the largest solar energy media network in Asia-Pacific & Africa, at New World Hotel Makati. 

BayWa r.e. Solar Trade's commitment to excellence and innovation in the renewable energy sector was celebrated during Solar Week Philippines 2023, showcasing the provider's outstanding contributions to advancing the solar energy landscape in the Philippines. The awards are a testament to BayWa r.e. Solar Trade's ongoing dedication to providing accessible solar solutions and supporting the country's renewable energy initiatives. 

Actively pursuing a renewable energy (RE) roadmap, the Philippines has highlighted its energy transition goals to increase its share of renewables in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2023. In addition, as detailed by the Department of Energy Philippines, the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) is set to increase renewable energy sources in the Philippines. The collaborative program is a significant initiative that would allow engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies to be provided with the necessary components for sustainable energy projects. 

Adding his view on winning the awards, Junrhey Castro, Director of Solar Trade in SEA, commented, "We are thrilled to be honored with these awards, especially since this is the third year we are named Solar Company of the Year. It affirms our unwavering commitment and dedication to delivering trusted solar solutions in the region and supporting the Philippines' renewable energy goals. At BayWa r.e., we continue to promote the drive for clean energy transitions and solutions for sustainable power generation for the future. These awards further motivate us to pursue greater heights in creating a Net Zero community."

In addition to winning Best Solar Service Provider of the Year and the Solar Company of the Year: Distributor during Solar Week Philippines 2023, Junrhey shared his insights in a panel discussion on 'Revolutionising Rooftops: A Discussion on the Progress and Technological Advancements of Rooftop Solar in the Philippines' speaking on BayWa r.e.'s commitment to advancing solar technology and its role in the future of renewable energy in the Philippines.

BayWa r.e. Solar Trade continues to be a vital partner in assisting the Philippines achieve their sustainable targets by consulting and supplying solar components that will contribute to the country's sustainable energy future and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Read More

Challenge the Usual: DM&A Co. secures partnership with Home Credit PH

Challenge the Usual: DM&A Co. secures partnership with Home Credit PH

Thursday, October 5, 2023

As the leading consumer finance company’s new PR agency on record, DM&A Co. envisions innovative, influential PR initiatives to further reach a diverse Filipino audience

Dugenia, Marayan, and Associates Company (DM&A Co.) announced today its appointment as the PR agency on record of Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the leading consumer finance company, for 2023 to 2024. 

This strategic move follows Home Credit’s 10th anniversary this year and its dedication to ensuring that it continues to deliver innovative financial services. 

Home Credit has been a trusted ally for every Filipino since 2013, empowering the country with innovative financial services that provide fast and convenient access to credit, helping people live the life they want. Staying true to its mission, Home Credit has undergone phenomenal growth over the years in its effort to expand its operations, products, and services to meet the changing needs of consumers. 

"As we celebrate a decade of trust and financial empowerment, we believe that DM&A Co.’s expertise can help us connect with our media friends and customers more effectively. The agency’s collaborative and people-focused approach aligns seamlessly with our values at Home Credit Philippines. Together, we will continue to innovate and challenge the usual to better serve and help empower Filipinos financially so they can realize the life they truly deserve,” said Kenneth Lerona, Head of PR, Home Credit Philippines. 

DM&A Co., a well-established, full-service, strategy-oriented, omni-channel marketing communications agency, now collaborates with Home Credit to ensure that its stories reach its stakeholders. DM&A Co.'s tagline, "Challenge the Usual," underscores its mission to bring fresh perspectives and creative vigor to the partnership. 

DM&A Co. Managing Partner Michael Dugenia expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration. "We look forward to working closely with Home Credit, a brand synonymous with financial empowerment in the Philippines. Our team is eager to embark on this journey as we dedicate ourselves to crafting creative PR initiatives that leave a lasting impact while helping reaffirm Home Credit's unwavering commitment to its customers.” 

DM&A Co. is composed of PR experts who are collaborative, client-centric, and people-focused. The team has more than 40 years of combined experience inproviding strategically sound marketing communications programs that add value to a brand's reputation, increase market share, and enhance the brand's standing in the industry. 

DM&A Co. External Director and Partner Alvin Marayan, Client Servicing Lead Maika De Castro, and Head of Content and Strategic Planning Officer Jj Ibarreta, along with PR and Content Writer Lorelee Yap, Media Relations Officer Jainy Carilla, and Junior PR Consultant Sheena Macinas, have been assigned to handle Home Credit’s PR requirements.

Read More

Filipino MSMEs can now tap into international markets through Shopee’s #TatakPinoy International

Filipino MSMEs can now tap into international markets through Shopee’s #TatakPinoy International

 

Shopee is breaking down barriers and opening up new horizons for Filipino Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the launch of #TatakPinoy International. This groundbreaking initiative empowers local sellers to expand their business and connect with international customers, strengthening the global presence of Filipino brands. It will also empower Filipino entrepreneurs and artisans to showcase their talents and products to an international audience, promoting Philippine culture, craftsmanship, and ingenuity globally. This free program will be available first to Shopee’s markets in Singapore and Malaysia.

#TatakPinoy International represents a significant stride towards Shopee’s mission of empowering Filipino businesses in the digital era by giving them opportunities to grow, develop, and reach a wider audience. This can be seen in Shopee’s efforts through their various services and features, such as Shopee Live, Shopee Affiliates, and Shopee University, which offer sellers an avenue to learn how to start their e-commerce business, upscale their brand, and form tight-knit communities with KOLs and buyers simultaneously. 

“Shopee’s core mission has consistently been to support the growth and success of Filipino entrepreneurs. We’re excited about their potential to expand their presence globally through #TatakPinoy International. This underlines our unwavering dedication to fostering local economic growth and forging sustainable opportunities for our community of local MSMEs. We will remain committed to harnessing the transformative potential of technology to facilitate long-term growth for our Filipino sellers,” shared Vincent Lee, Head of Shopee Philippines.

#TatakPinoy International will soon be open to all Shopee sellers, promising a shopping experience with seamless cross-border logistics support. This is similar to its present system, yet with a broader reach. It will help Filipino sellers connect with overseas buyers, which Shopee and its third-party logistics partners will process to fulfill the order successfully. Shopee sellers and brands can maintain their local selling experience but can now reach a wider buyer pool and higher order volume to expand their consumer base to Shopee users in other markets.

Shopee’s new program is a significant development for the Philippine e-commerce market and aligns with the Philippines’ broader economic goals. It is expected to benefit local sellers and enhance cultural exchange and collaboration across Southeast Asia.

Read More

From brands to fandoms: How Mintoo fosters customer loyalty and community by owning power of NFTs

From brands to fandoms: How Mintoo fosters customer loyalty and community by owning power of NFTs

In today’s era of digital innovation, the emergence of virtual currencies such as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have opened up new opportunities for businesses and brands to connect and engage with their audiences.

However, navigating its complex nature makes many Filipinos hesitate to embrace the relatively niche and new market. Collectors are wary of the fluctuating and unpredictable nature of the prices, as well as their lack of technical expertise and knowledge. They are also concerned of selling NFT projects fast while maintaining a competitive price point.

Mintoo, the exclusive NFT marketplace partner of PDAX, the Philippines’ leading homegrown cryptocurrency exchange and supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, recognizes this gap. By providing a welcoming and accessible space for digital collectors and NFT creators alike, Mintoo aims to revolutionize the way Filipinos perceive and engage with this technology by providing relatable and fun ways to engage with various target markets. This way, Mintoo can start owning the power and potential of community-driven NFTs in the digital space.

With Mintoo, collectors can purchase from carefully curated and exclusive collections with Philippine pesos, while artists can launch their projects through the platform without requiring from them any prior background or technical expertise knowledge on NFTs.

Mintoo is built on the Polygon proof-of-stake (PoS) protocol, a widely used Ethereum-scaling blockchain network that has attracted high adoption for NFT transactions because of its faster transaction speeds and lower gas fees. 

To further push NFT adoption in the country, Mintoo partners with brands, local artists and creators, and local communities to give their target audiences a highly localized and customized experience of having and enjoying the benefits of digital collectibles. Just after its launch in March this year, Mintoo has already collaborated with different organizations for tailor-fit, customer-centric programs.

Making NFTs mainstream through communities

The promising potential of NFTs are slowly being realized through the real-life uses and cases being pursued by Mintoo. By making NFTs’ value relevant to certain niche communities, Mintoo is able to capitalize on NFTs’ growing significance. By making NFTs more accessible to the general public, mainstream adoption becomes increasingly more possible.

Just recently, Mintoo collaborated with Newport World Resorts to launch a special edition Ang Huling El Bimbo digital collectible, wherein the special edition NFTs sold on Mintoo also acted as tickets to the event itself. These ticket holders were eligible for exclusive vouchers from partnered food merchants and digital souvenirs.

Mintoo, in partnership with local popular brand Pickup Coffee, also provided complimentary NFTs to all attendees of the brand’s app launch event through a QR code. Aside from brands, Mintoo also collaborated with fan-led communities in the country. In an event of ONCE HQ, the Filipino fans of K-pop group TWICE, Mintoo provided digital collectibles to those who purchased event tickets on their platform.

Companies can also utilize NFTs to foster community engagement among its employees. During the Gcash’s iGnite Innovation Summit last August 2023, employees who attended talks, or exhibits, or workshops received a free NFT as their Proof of Attendance. Those who attended the in-person culminating event held at the Globe Tower BGC also received a special edition digital collectible that gave them a chance to win exclusive prizes from partner brands such as Landers and PDAX. 

Aside from these partnerships, Mintoo has also launched their own NFT Project called Tambay OG. As a means to celebrate everything good and funny about being a Filipino, the Tambay OG project featured 505 pieces of unique Tambays that took inspiration from the nostalgic quirks of living in a Filipino neighborhood. Tambay OG resonated with many Pinoy netizens, gaining a cult following by making financial freedom topics relevant through distinct and relatable Pinoy humor. 

This project made use of two functions in the Mintoo Marketplace. First, the Whitelist Function allowed the collection to be sold at P250 to an exclusive set of collectors for a certain period of time, before the pieces were sold to the public at P500. Second is the Timed Image Reveal wherein collectors won’t know what piece they’re getting until the reveal.

Creating change through impact 

After delivering concrete and impactful results through these series of activities, Mintoo has proven that learning how to utilize NFTs in marketing and internal HR campaigns is an effective way to capture and pique audiences’ interest.

“With the NFTs that we’ve released, we came to the realization that the NFTs are the ultimate engagement tool, not just for customers but everyone that comes in contact with the brand: employees, vendors, partners.,” Meg Amat, Head of Marketing and Strategy of Mintoo, said.

“NFTs are appealing for brands because you now have a way to make grassroots efforts, word of mouth, cult followings attributable,” she added. “Once you have them in the hands of your target audience, the campaigns that you run through them are endless. You can conduct multiple campaigns, reprogramming the promo mechanics endlessly to reach your business objectives.”

Mintoo aims to build thriving communities within a brand’s ecosystem through accessibility and first-hand assistance. By offering unique and high-quality digital assets by local creators, as well as comprehensive educational guides about digital collectibles, Mintoo is growing to be a platform for local creators to showcase their talent and artistry to a wider audience.

Through partnerships with Mintoo, brands can continuously adapt and innovate multiple campaigns to resonate with the evolving preferences of their customers, as well as maintain a sense of belongingness among the users. NFTs and digital collectibles serve as tangible rewards to both loyal and new customers.

For Mintoo, creating a sense of ownership and belongingness, focusing on versatility and creativity, and building lasting connections with their communities is a way of redefining brand interactions in the digital age.

Read More