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“You Gotta Be” Music Video Premieres Online Today

13 world-class international artists from 9 countries brought together by True Colors Festival.

 

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 14 June 2021 – Performing from their homes, the cast presents a new take on R&B classic, You Gotta Be, by Des’ree in the latest True Colors music video.

Artists include Mandy Harvey, whose performance on America’s Got Talent earned Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer; Raul Midón, a Grammy-nominee who devoted his life to music after being told that blindness would be an obstacle; Kenta Kambara, an accomplished aerial performer who featured in the Rio 2016 Paralympics; Signmark, the first deaf artist to be signed to a major record label; and Alienètte Coldfire, who placed third in France’s Got Talent.

The technical process of producing this music video involved countless WhatsApp, Messenger and Zoom calls, working across time zones, and using Google Translate in real time. “The real challenge, though, was to develop a relationship with each artist, such that trust and freedom would allow them to perform and be themselves, with their spirit and energy coming through in a real and palpable way,” explains Dr Sydney Tan, Creative & Music Director.

Adds Mandy Harvey: “Even though we haven’t met in person…you can feel that every person put their heart into the entire process. Being a part of this team is another reinforcement to me that what’s within you is so much stronger than the barriers we face. This is a reminder to reach farther and dream bigger. My hope is that people are encouraged to try!”

Says Ichiro Kabasawa, Executive Director of The Nippon Foundation, presenter of True Colors Festival: “People everywhere have been going through such a prolonged period of uncertainty, isolation and fear. We chose this classic, You Gotta Be, for everyone, everywhere at this time, to realize the potential in ourselves; to choose to be bolder, stronger, wiser, whatever each day may bring. It’s a reminder that when it comes down to it, we’re all human, living together in our one world.”

The True Colors music video comes with Closed Captions (for the Deaf) & Audio Description (for the Blind), and an accompanying video Transcript (for the Deafblind).

Visit: True Colors Festival website

#TrueColorsFestival

OneMALL Announces Limited Time Offer for Setup of Online Stores

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 14 June 2021 – Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), micro SMEs and individual entrepreneurs have to bear the brunt of the lockdown imposed nationwide to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections. In the face of these challenges, TFP Solutions Bhd’s e-commerce solution provider, OneMALL, announced a limited-time offer for the setup of online stores.

The offer allows merchants to sign up with just a few clicks to have their products appear across OneMALL’s online marketplace without paying any sign-up charges. OneMALL, a new and trendy online marketplace in Malaysia that gives a refreshing digital shopping experience for consumers, has introduced this limited-time offer in order to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to take their business online.

Speaking on the limited-time offer, YM Puteri Munawarah Syammiyah binti Munir, the Group Executive Director of TFP, said, “In our continued effort to support underserved micro and small businesses community in Malaysia to shift towards e-commerce, we’re making it even easier for businesses to get onboard with our online platform. We have all seen the importance of e-commerce during this pandemic, and our goal is to drive the online success of our partners and merchants.”

This limited-time offer will provide opportunities for micro and small businesses to continue running their business despite of the recent lockdown imposed nationwide recently. This is important as many SMEs and micro-enterprises are struggling with cashflow during this pandemic.

According to the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), many employers and micro enterprises have reached a breaking point under the total lockdown and “have zero cash flow to sustain businesses.”

The offer by OneMALL, will provide a lifeline for micro and small businesses and cushion the impact on businesses.

Aside from the setup of online stores at zero costs, OneMALL will also provide free promotional video for FIVE selected NEW registered merchants. “This will help to increase their visibility on the e-commerce platform, which would drive their online sales. As we have seen during the pandemic, digital marketing has evolved significantly, with video marketing being one of the most effective ways to reach out to consumers” mentioned TFP Solutions’ Group Managing Director, Datuk Hussian @ Rizal A Rahman.

While there are other more established online e-commerce platforms such as Lazada, Shopee, Mudah, and Carousell, OneMALL stands out from the competition by leveraging TFP Solutions’ i) FinTech digital community, which has over 22,000 members, ii) a FinTech mobile payment solution, a delivery platform, and iii) an additional revenue stream for entrepreneurs by promoting OneCALL mobile Fintech to their members.

Merchants who set up their online stores with OneMALL will benefit from the wider audience that they would be exposed to. For businesses that are already on board with existing e-commerce platforms, their presence at OneMALL will improve their visibility and reach to consumers. This is as multichannel selling empowers e-commerce store owners to build their own brand and increase conversions. It will also help sellers to grow through economies of scale, assuming that the merchants increase their output with more channels.

Channel diversifications will also help to reduce risks as it diversifies the merchants’ revenue streams, which would help them stay ahead of the ever-changing landscape of e-commerce.

Given the benefits offered by the setup of online stores with OneMALL, micro and small businesses could take advantage of the limited-time offer to get onboard. Online businesses can be intimidating for sellers who are new to the platform, but OneMALL offers assistance throughout the entire process, from the setup of the online stores to the management of inventory, payment options as well as consolidation of shipping for merchants.

Online shopping has gained momentum following the pandemic, and this trend is expected to continue in the post-COVID world. We have also seen a surge in retailers and merchants on the online platform, leading to overcrowded competition in the e-commerce space.

Retailers and merchants will need to set themselves apart from their competitors in order to reach out to consumers. Unlike the mainstream online shopping platform, OneMALL will prioritize the growth of its merchants and partners by providing a self-initiated and personalized guide on social media marketing tools.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a business owner with an existing presence on the e-commerce platform or an enterprise that are new to online business, OneMALL’s limited-time offer provides you with an opportunity to penetrate the e-commerce market. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and OneMALL welcomes you to take the first step together.

About TFP Solutions Berhad

The TFP Group aims to continually innovate and evolve itself to be at the forefront of business productivity.

In 2020, the Group launched OneCALL, its mobile fintech services, in collaboration with mobile virutal network operator (MVNO) Tune Talk Sdn Bhd. OneCALL offers e-remittance, e-wages, virtual ATM, game PIN, lifestyle tool and bill payment services, among others.

In January 2021, TFP Solutions announced that it was teaming up with LEAP Market-listed ACE Innovate Asia Berhad to launch a digital gold trading platform. The Company is branding the gold as OneGOLD which is a shariah-complaint gold trading business. The main difference between OneGOLD and other gold trading platform is that TFP Solutions integrates its gold trading platform with its e-wallet, which enables its members to easily invest in gold whenever they want.

#TFPSolutionsBerhad #OneMALL

Twitter is critical tool for K-pop artists, with current artists Tweeting more than seven times a day

  • The fourth generation K-pop groups Tweet more than seven times a day, multiple times more than previous generations of K-pop artists
  • Twitter and K-pop Radar analyzed K-pop stars’ Twitter use for the first time, including analyzing Twitter use by each generation
  • Increasing Twitter use reflects the growing global fanbase of the global phenomenon of K-pop


SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach – 14 June 2021 – Twitter, together with K-pop Radar, analyzed K-pop stars’ use of Twitter for the first time and found it to be a critical tool for artists as they built global audiences, as the fourth generation of K-pop stars actively communicates with global fans on Twitter. This analysis, “K-pop Generations Analysis by Twitter Usage”, looked at 69 total K-pop artists with more than 300,000 Twitter followers as of May 1, 2021, and analyzed the artists by generation.

Notably, K-pop the fourth generation averages 323 Tweets before their official debuts. This may be a key factor in the fourth generation artists’ global fanbases and successes, as fourth generation artists release their first overseas album, on average, 9 months earlier than the previous generation did.

▲Photo Description: K-pop Artist Generation Analysis

K-pop stars’ method of communicating with their fans has changed in line with the development of the K-pop industry, as well as the media. First and second generation K-pop stars communicated with their fans through closed communities, such as fan cafes. From the third generation onward, artists shared content with their fans through global media platforms such as Twitter, and started to communicate with wider fan bases through live streaming and text messaging channels. Recently, beyond releasing content, K-pop stars are diversifying ways to communicate with their fans by actively utilizing new features such as Fleets and Spaces on Twitter. In addition, as offline concerts and fan signing events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are actively communicating with global fans through online concert streaming, as well as #TwitterBlueroom live Q&A on Twitter.

▲Photo Description: Different Twitter Use Behavior by Artist Generations

In terms of Twitter usage, there is a clear difference between the way that each generation used Twitter, especially in the following areas.

Tweets per day

Excluding the first generation, who were active before Twitter launched, K-pop stars averaged:

  • 1.2 Tweets per day for second-generation stars
  • 3.5 Tweets per day for third-generation stars
  • 7 Tweets per day for fourth-generation stars


Fourth generation stars Tweeted 5.8 times more than second generation stars, and 2 times more than third generation stars.

▲Photo Description: Cumulative Tweets by Generation for the Period of One Year After Debut

First Tweets

Comparing first Tweets to stars’ official debut dates, Twitter and K-pop Radar found, on average:

  • Second generation stars Tweeted for the first time 1,154 days (more than three years) after their debut
  • Third generation artists Tweeted for the first time 132 days (more than four months) after their debut
  • Fourth generation artists Tweeted for the first time 116 days (more than four months) BEFORE their debut

Analyzing the amount of Tweets for a year following artists’ debuts reveals other differences between the generations as well. Most second- and third-generation artists did not post Tweets before their debut, and slowly increased their amount of Tweets after their debut. However, a notable exception is BTS: BTS opened its Twitter account in December 2012, six months ahead of debut, and actively communicated with fans globally. Currently, BTS has 36 million Followers on Twitter.

Fourth generation artists, such as ATEEZ, THE BOYZ, ENHYPEN, Stray Kids, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and TREASURE, communicated with their fans after opening their Twitter accounts, months ahead of their respective debuts. On average, fourth generation artists Tweeted an overwhelming amount before their debuts compared to second and third generations, with each artist uploading an average of 323 Tweets, and accumulating 562,377 Followers even before debuting.

▲Photo Description: Comparison of The Third and Fourth Generation K-pop Artists regarding Overseas Advancement

Global content

In addition to communicating with fans globally via Twitter earlier than other generations, fourth generation artists also released content for their fans globally faster than previous generations, on average:

  • The Fourth generation artists released their first overseas albums 9 months earlier than third generation artists
  • The Fourth generation artists also held their first overseas concerts 13 months earlier than third generation artists

“Direct communication with global fans through Twitter has now become a success formula for K-pop artists,” said YeonJeong Kim, Head of Global K-pop and K-Contents Partnerships at Twitter, who has led this analysis. “When BTS, a 3rd generation K-pop group, had intimate real-time conversations with its global ARMY, it set an example for the 4th generation to make this a feature of their engagement with fans. Fourth generation artists like THE BOYZ, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, GIDLE, ITZY, TREASURE, ENHYPEN, and aespa, who have been using Twitter as an active communication channel even before their debut, are advancing to the global stages faster than the previous generations, which demonstrates that digital-based communication has a significant impact on growing their fandom.”

This survey included the following artists:

The Second generation – TVXQ(@TVXQ), Super Junior(@SJofficial), Girls’ Generation(@GirlsGeneration), SHINee(@SHINee), 2PM(@follow_2PM) etc.

The third generation – EXO(@weareoneEXO), BTS(@BTS_twt), GOT7(@GOT7Official), MAMAMOO(@RBW_MAMAMOO), Red Velvet(@RVsmtown), MonstaX(@OfficialMonstaX), SEVENTEEN(@Pledis_17), TWICE(@JYPETWICE), NCT(@NCTsmtown), BLACKPINK(@BLACKPINK) etc.

The fourth generation – THE BOYZ(@Creker_THEBOYZ), Stray Kids(@Stray_Kids), GIDLE(@G_I_DLE), ATEEZ(@ATEEZofficial), ITZY(@ITZYofficial), TOMORROW X TOGETHER(@TXT_BigHit), TREASURE(@TreasureMembers), aespa(@aespa_official), ENHYPEN(@ENHYPEN_members) etc.

Since most of the first generation groups, like HOT, Sechs Kies, SES, and Fin.K.L., were active before the launch of Twitter, and do not currently have Twitter accounts, they were excluded from this data analysis. Among first generation artists, however, Shinwa (@ShinhwaCompany), continue to be active as a group, and share their latest news through Twitter. Also, Seo Taiji (@SEO_TAIJI), known as the ‘President of Culture’ and the originator of this chapter of modern K-pop, debuted as the group Seo Taiji and Boys in 1992. After the launch of Twitter, he opened his own Twitter account in April 2010, and has changed the account name to SEOTAIJI 서태지(@SEO_TAIJI) in March 2021. Currently, he is connecting with fans globally by holding concerts via global livestreams on Twitter.

In the run-up to ‘World Music Day’, which is celebrated worldwide on June 21, Twitter is preparing to host #KpopTwitter campaign where K-pop fans can participate and communicate. Twitter also plans to organize various events such as #KpopFirstTweet campaign to find and share the first tweets of K-pop artists for a week period starting from June 14 on Twitter Music account (@TwitterMusic) and Twitter Korea official account (@TwitterKorea). #KpopMasterpiece campaign to recommend hidden masterpieces is another event Twitter is currently preparing. Any K-pop fans around the world can participate by posting a tweet with the hashtags. Tweets that have garnered enthusiastic responses from fans will be collected and published on Twitter blog.

About Twitter, Inc.

Twitter is what’s happening and what people are talking about right now. To learn more, visit about.twitter.com and follow @Twitter and @TwitterKorea. Let’s talk.

#Twitter

New Covid-19 Case in Luang Namtha Draws Concern

Covid-19 Update

Laos has confirmed six cases across three provinces today, with a case in Luang Namtha drawing public attention.

Tropical Storm Koguma Sees Heavy Rainfall Hit Laos

Tropical Storm Koguma

Tropical Storm Koguma is making its way across Vietnam today, extending into Northern Laos and causing heavy rain.

Lao Government Approves Pakse Expressway Route Selection

Artist's Impression of Vientiane-Paksé Expressway (photo credit: laoedaily.com.la)
Artist's Impression of Vientiane-Paksé ExpresswayArtist's Impression of Vientiane-Paksé Expressway (photo credit: laoedaily.com.la)

The Lao government has approved route recommendations for the Vientiane-Pakse Expressway Project.

Authorities Order Trucks to Reduce Weight in Rainy Season

Trucks in Laos ordered to reduce weight

Vientiane Capital authorities have ordered heavy trucks to reduce their weight by 20 percent during the rainy season.

Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Puts Productivity in the Spotlight

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 11 June 2021 – The Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organization (APO) in partnership with the Japan Productivity Center held the International Conference on the Centrality of Productivity on 10 June 2021. The virtual conference celebrated the 60th anniversary of the APO and examined the importance of productivity as a driver of growth for nations, firms, and individuals amid new, demanding challenges including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leading experts on productivity, human resources, and technology spoke at the conference. Japan Productivity Center Chairman Yuzaburo Mogi, who is also Chairman and Honorary CEO of Kikkoman, remarked that, despite the turbulent situation, “Each one of us must develop our potential to the fullest to create value added and improve productivity.”

APO Secretary-General AKP Mochtan acknowledged that the challenges ahead are demanding, complex, and urgent. He introduced the Tokyo Statement on the Centrality of Productivity, a declaration encapsulating the resolve of APO member countries to continue promoting productivity.

Nobel Prize Winner in Economics (2008) Paul Krugman, in a recorded keynote address, expressed optimism for a brighter future despite the tragedies brought by the pandemic. He believed that “productive globalism” and well-intended public policies behind the development and distribution of vaccines indicated progress toward a better world.

Two panels of experts explored pressing issues affecting productivity. The first discussed imperatives for building a quality workforce, highlighting the need to shift toward performance-based, inclusive, diverse human capital. The second panel examined smart transformation by leveraging new drivers of productivity including digital technologies, AI, and big data. Digital Minister Audrey Tang shared experiences on how people–public–private partnerships had helped to counter the pandemic in the Republic of China. Japanese technopreneur Katsuya Uenoyama advocated an improved ecosystem that promotes coexistence between people and AI.

The conference closed with a call for renewed actions and courage in creating a more productive, sustainable, inclusive tomorrow.

About the APO

The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1961, the APO contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region through policy advisory services, institutional capacity-building efforts, sharing of productivity best practices, and dissemination of productivity data and analyses.

The current APO membership comprises 21 economies: Bangladesh; Cambodia; Republic of China; Fiji; Hong Kong; India; Indonesia; Islamic Republic of Iran; Japan; Republic of Korea; Lao PDR; Malaysia; Mongolia; Nepal; Pakistan; Philippines; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Turkey; and Vietnam.

#AsianProductivityOrganization #APO