Netflix emerges as the region’s most preferred ad platform for consumers and YouTube continues to resonate with marketers 

SINGAPORE, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Over half of APAC marketers plan to further increase spending on online video, e-commerce, and influencer content in 2026, according to Kantar Media Reactions 2025. The annual study uncovering the attitudes of consumers and marketers also revealed that Netflix is officially the most preferred global ad platform among consumers in APAC.

Kantar’s APAC Head of Media Andy Gallagher says this is a significant shift in APAC’s media landscape because for the first time, Netflix with ads is the first streaming service to top the list in APAC.

“Almost two in five (37%) consumers believe Netflix delivers trustworthy ads and over one-third (35%) say they are of better quality. Notably, Netflix is the top-ranking media brand with highest ad equity in Korea and Japan. In particular, the Japanese say ads on Netflix are the most trustworthy and of the highest quality. This mirrors the Netflix’s top global ranking too for better quality ads and being known for hosting immersive content.

“Netflix is quickly gaining traction as the next big opportunity, with APAC marketers increasingly acknowledging its innovative ad formats and the highly positive consumer response contributing to its impressive rapid growth and appeal,” adds Gallagher.

“Ad equity matters. Our studies prove that campaigns are seven times more impactful among more receptive audiences. We are seeing steady growth over the last five years with more than half of APAC consumers are now receptive towards ads in general.”

The study also reveals that APAC marketers continue to rate YouTube as the best platform for capturing consumer attention, while Prime Video also features in the top five for both consumers and marketers, reflecting the growing influence of OTT platforms. Pinterest is the only social platform to break into the Top 5 for marketers, driven by Gen Z’s preference for its positive and inspiring content. Google Search remains a dominant force, especially in India and the Philippines while Amazon delivers a strong performance in Australia.

Social platforms also continue to be highly receptive for consumers on Southeast Asia with TikTok topping the consumer vote for ads that capture their attention; while for e-commerce, Grab has surpassed Shopee and Lazada in capturing consumers’ positive receptivity toward ads on its platform.

Top-ranking media channels in Asia Pacific 2025

Note: (x) refers to rank changes versus 2024

Offline touchpoints continue to be the media channels most loved by consumers.

Digital Out of Home (DOOH) ads have surged two spots from 2024, while the entry of cinema ads into the top five underscores a growing appreciation for immersive, high-quality advertising experiences. Gallager says that DOOH stands out for both consumers and marketers, recognised for its innovative, attention-grabbing formats and visually impactful campaigns.

“The rise of DOOH signals a strategic opportunity for brands to leverage public spaces for creative storytelling and deeper engagement. Importantly, these rankings demonstrate that consumer preferences extend well beyond digital media, reaffirming the enduring relevance of traditional channels across Asia’s diverse markets.”

“For marketers, this means that while digital innovation is crucial, integrating offline touchpoints into the media mix remains essential for maximising reach and resonance,” adds Gallagher.

“The blend of offline and digital priorities highlights the need for a balanced, omni-channel strategy that aligns with evolving consumer behaviours while capitalising on the strengths of both worlds. Test and learn to maximise the impact that new possibilities can bring for your brand.”

Generative AI has more of an influence for marketers, while consumer concerns are high.

Gallagher also cautions that while marketers are embracing AI to boost efficiency and creativity, consumers are becoming more discerning and expressing concern over fake content.

“Three in five APAC marketers (62%) are excited about the application of AI to ads (62%) and are using generative AI to work more efficiently (61%); but 56% of consumers say they can tell when an ad is AI-generated and 63% are concerned that generative AI can lead to fake ads.”

“When thinking of Gen AI for creative, remember that efficiency may capture time for marketers, but authenticity is what will capture the hearts and trust of consumers.”

Local, regional and global Media Reactions reports are available by contacting Marc.Toh@kantar.com or Carie.Lee@kantar.com.

About Media Reactions 2025: Media Reactions combines insights from both consumer and marketer studies to provide a comprehensive view of the current media landscape. 2025’s survey engaged 974 marketing professionals from advertisers, agencies, and media companies worldwide, alongside 21,300 consumers across 30 markets (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam).

About Kantar – Kantar is the world’s leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world’s top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioural data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future. www.kantar.com.

HANGZHOU, China and SHANGHAI and BOSTON, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lynk Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Lynk Pharmaceuticals”), a clinical-stage innovative drug development company focused on developing innovative therapies for immune and inflammatory diseases, today announced that its innovative TYK2 allosteric inhibitor, LNK01006, has been approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human clinical trials.

LNK01006 is a highly brain-penetrant, potent, and selective oral TYK2 allosteric inhibitor targeting the JH2 domain. TYK2 is a key regulator of the IL-12 and IL-23 signaling pathways, which promote Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation. Th1/Th17 cells play a central role in central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Inhibiting TYK2 reduces the activation of pro-inflammatory T cells, thus lowering CNS inflammation. LNK01006 demonstrated high brain penetration in preclinical species and promising efficacy in treating and preventing multiple sclerosis in MS disease models, presenting a great potential for treating neuroinflammatory diseases. 

Dr. Michael Lawrence Vazquez, Co-founder and Executive Vice President of Lynk Pharmaceuticals, said, “Obtaining FDA IND approval for LNK01006 marks a key milestone in our pursuit of innovative TYK2 allosteric mechanisms. Our CNS penetrant TYK2 inhibitor was specifically designed to cross the BBB (blood brain barrier) and afford high CNS exposure. We leveraged medicinal chemistry principles and molecular design to optimize the physical properties, potency and selectivity. Allosteric TYK2 inhibitors (binding the pseudokinase domain) can achieve high specificity, avoiding cross‑inhibition of JAK1/2/3, thus a selective TYK2 inhibitor could dampen pathogenic immune signaling without broadly suppressing other JAK pathways. We look forward to advancing this promising molecule into human clinical trials and bringing new therapeutic options to treat patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.”

Dr. Jun Wang, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Lynk Pharmaceuticals, said, “LNK01006 is a novel brain-penetrant allosteric TYK2 inhibitor designed to modulate CNS-relevant inflammatory pathways, including type I interferons and IL-12/IL-23 signaling. Supported by strong evidence from human genetics and patient gene-expression studies and by robust efficacy in preclinical neuroinflammation models, LNK01006 represents a promising new therapeutic approach for CNS diseases with significant unmet need. We look forward to advancing its clinical validation.”

About Lynk Pharmaceuticals

Lynk Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage company, was founded by senior drug R&D experts and executives from Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson. Lynk Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative drugs for the treatment of immune and inflammatory diseases. Driven by a higher goal, Lynk Pharmaceuticals aims to be a market leader to address unmet medical demands by the development of innovative therapies. We thrive to provide differentiated innovative therapies to benefit patients globally. To date, Lynk Pharmaceuticals has independently developed several innovative new drug candidates and successfully completed a number of clinical studies.

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SURFIRAN CO LTD has unveiled new premium products made with saffron—known globally as the world’s most expensive spice—further solidifying the company’s leadership in Korea’s emerging gourmet market.

The new lineup focuses on maximizing saffron’s golden color, deep aroma, and health properties while making the ingredient more accessible for everyday cooking. SURFIRAN CO LTD oversees sourcing, R&D, manufacturing, and distribution to maintain consistent premium quality.

“Although saffron remains unfamiliar to many Koreans, interest is rapidly growing with the rise of gourmet and wellness trends,” the company stated. “We are committed to offering saffron products that seamlessly fit into Korean dining habits.”

The company plans to expand its saffron portfolio into beverages, fermented foods, condiments, and other culinary categories.

Licence variation will enable Singapore merchants to accept payments from the rest of the world; global merchants to offer popular local Singapore payment methods.

SINGAPORE, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thunes today announced that it has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) for a variation of its Major Payment Institution licence (MPI) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

This In-Principal Approval marks a significant milestone in Thunes’ growth journey and demonstrates the company’s commitment to being one of the most trusted and innovative fintechs operating from Singapore. 

Subject to the grant of the MPI licence variation, Thunes will be positioned to expand its global offering in Singapore. This future state will empower merchants to access a wider range of payment solutions and accept payments from customers from the rest of the world using popular international and local payment methods. Specifically, this will allow Singapore merchants to accept payments via popular international methods, while also enabling global merchants in key markets across the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and Europe to accept leading Singapore payment methods such as PayNow and GrabPay.

Today, Thunes’ Network gives its Members access to more than 320 local payment methods worldwide, enabled by our group’s portfolio of over 50 financial service licenses across the globe.

Upon the grant of the MPI licence variation, Thunes Asia will be authorised, in addition to its existing cross-border money transfer service, to provide account issuance, domestic money transfer, merchant acquisition, and e-money issuance services.

Peter De Caluwe, Co-founder and CEO of Thunes Group, said: “This In-Principle Approval from MAS is a major step forward for Thunes’ global strategy and a catalyst for growth. As our global headquarters, Singapore is the center of our governance and innovation, and with this approval, we’re doubling down on our commitment to connect markets, empower merchants, and expand our trusted Direct Global Network across the world.”

Ruwan De Soyza, General Counsel at Thunes Group, added: “Strong governance and a commitment to regulatory excellence have always been at the heart of how Thunes operates. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to doing business the right way. Our Thunes’ robust Fortress Compliance Platform underpins everything we do, ensuring our Members can trust every transaction that flows through our Network.”

This In-Principle Approval is a key milestone in Thunes’ leadership in building a safer, more connected global payments ecosystem that empowers businesses and consumers to transact seamlessly across borders. The company continues to work towards meeting all remaining requirements for the approval.

FOOTNOTES

An In-Principle Approval (IPA) in respect of a licence variation application reflects MAS’ view that the applicant’s licence variation application may be approved upon the fulfilment of specified conditions and provided there are no material adverse developments affecting the applicant. An IPA does not constitute an approval for the Company to provide an account issuance service; a domestic money transfer service; a merchant acquisition service; and an e-money issuance service at this juncture. MAS reserves the right to rescind the IPA in circumstances where it considers appropriate.

ENDS

Contact:

WE Communications, thunes@wecommunications.com

Anna Birdsall-Strong, Director of Brand and Public Relations, anna.birdsall@thunes.com

• Three Singapore-headquartered companies were recognized for workplace culture in the inaugural 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For™ Southeast Asia list.
• Over 1.3 million employees from ten countries were invited to share their views.
• Placing third overall, Capella Hotels & Resorts are helping grow Singapore’s reputation for excellence in both hospitality and employee wellbeing.

SINGAPORE, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Singaporean employers have featured prominently on the prestigious, inaugural Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For™ Southeast Asia list, published today Fortune in collaboration with Great Place To Work® ASEAN & ANZ.

The Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list – first published in the US in 1998 – has long been one of the most recognised workplace benchmarks in North America. This year marks a major expansion of that legacy into Southeast Asia. More than 1.3 million employees across ten markets were invited to assess trust, fairness and support at work, with over 550,000 verified survey responses shaping the inaugural regional rankings.

Evelyn Kwek, Managing Director of Great Place To Work ASEAN & ANZ, said the list reflects a region-wide commitment to strengthening workplace culture.

“For decades, the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List defined the gold standard for great workplaces in the US. Following the list’s global expansion – with the launch of the inaugural Europe list in 2024 – Southeast Asia now joins this international standard of excellence. This first-ever list reflects a diverse and dynamic region that is coming into its own by recognizing organizations that have intentionally built environments where people feel trusted and supported to do their best work. The decades of research and millions of employee voices collected in our data has shown that when that trust is strong, businesses grow in ways that lift up people, communities, and entire economies.”

The Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia list is the region’s most comprehensive measure of the employee experience, based on Great Place To Work’s proprietary Trust Index™ Survey. Rankings are driven primarily by confidential employee feedback, with company-provided information used to confirm basic eligibility and context. Only companies with consistently high survey responses from employees, regardless of their role, department, or status in the company, can secure a placement on the list.

Singapore’s Leading Workplaces Recognized
The Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® Southeast Asia list is compiled using rigorous benchmarks that assess employee trust and workplace culture. Companies headquartered in Singapore, or with a significant local footprint, that ranked within the 100 include:

#3 Capella Hotels & Resorts (Singapore headquarters) 
“Being recognised in the inaugural Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For in Southeast Asia is a meaningful recognition for all of us at Capella Hotels and Resorts. It amplifies our belief that exceptional hospitality begins with a workplace where our colleagues feel valued, supported, and inspired,” said Richmond Kok, Senior Director, Human Resources (Learning & Talent Development)
#18 Micron Technology
#21 Visa
#33 HP
#31 SC Johnson 
#39 Jebsen & Jessen Group (Singapore headquarters) 
#86 ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Singapore headquarters) 

The full Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For™ Southeast Asia list is available here: https://greatplacetowork.com.sg/best-companies-to-work-for-southeast-asia-2025/