Enabling 492 million Fans in Southeast Asia to Enjoy the Region’s Premier Football Tournament at Home

GUANGDONG, CHINA – Media OutReach – 22 September 2021 – Midea, one of the world’s leading home appliances producers, has announced its official sponsorship of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Football Championship, also known as the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020, on the day of the official draw. Through supporting millions of football fans to enjoy the matches at home, this partnership is the latest move from Midea to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to Southeast Asian markets.

“We are delighted to showcase our commitment to accelerating growth and development in Southeast Asia through enabling millions of football fans to enjoy the AFF Suzuki Cup, one of the most successful football tournaments at home. At Midea, we are committed to integrate the world and inspire the future. Apart from bolstering our brand presence around the region, we also look forward to igniting excitement and bringing people together during this unprecedented time,” said Jackie Huang, General Manager of Asia & Pacific at Midea Group’s International Business Division.

Fandi Ahmad, the Singapore football legend, at the Midea sponsored pre-draw show

Due to the pandemic, the tournament has been rescheduled from last year to take place between December 5, 2021 and January 1, 2022. The official draw took place virtually, which spilt ten qualified countries into two groups. Group A: Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and QR winner (Timor-Leste or Brunei Darussalam.) Group B:  Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos. Each country will host a minimum of two matches and a maximum of four if they are able to make it to the Finals. The top two teams from each group will advance to Semi-Finals and Finals.

As the official sponsor, Midea supported a short pre-and post-official draw show at the tournament. Fandi Ahmad, the Singapore football legend, shared his insights into the tournament history and made predictions for some of the upcoming matches in December.

In addition to the shows, Midea will have significant brand exposures and fan engagement opportunities across the region through the sponsorship. The Midea brand will be featured on a series of promotional collaterals and platforms, including the tournament’s digital channels, official tournament materials, in-stadia TV commercials, and perimeter advertising boards in every stadium where a match is held. It will provide Midea with plenty of opportunities to showcase its brand and engage with millions of football fans across the ASEAN markets.

Major General Khiev Sameth, AFF President, shared, “We are thrilled to welcome Midea to join us in bringing the game to millions of football fans this year. AFF is devoted to supporting brands to expand their reach and exposure as we enable them to empower football fans with the spirit of unity and passion. We strive to support Midea in fostering connections to create an extraordinary viewing experience for fans around the region at the tournament.”

About AFF Suzuki Cup

The AFF Suzuki Cup is a biennial football competition organised by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), accredited by FIFA, and contested by the national ‘A’ teams of Southeast Asia.

In 2020, the 13th edition of the AFF Suzuki Cup will continue the format where 10 qualified teams will be split into two groups of five and play a round robin system, with each team playing four fixtures. The format of the knockout round remains unchanged, with semi-finals and the final played on two-leg format.

www.affsuzukicup.com

About the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF)

The ASEAN Football Federation comprises 12 Member Associations. The main objectives of the ASEAN Football Federation are to develop football in ASEAN through its activities, courses and competitions, to continue to nurture the AFF Suzuki Cup as the premier Football Tournament in Asia and to foster closer relationships between Member Associations in ASEAN and the Regional Federations across Asia.

http://www.aseanfootball.org

About Midea & Midea Group

Midea is one of over 10 brands within the home appliance business of Midea Group – a leading global high-technology company ranked #288 at 2021’s Global Fortune 500. Midea Group’s business goes beyond home appliances and comprises business pillars like Smart Home, Electro-Mechanical, HVAC & Building Technologies, Robotics & Automation, as well as Digital Innovation. All businesses of Midea Group are striving for one credo: #HumanizingTechnology.

Midea Home Appliances brand offers one of the world’s most comprehensive product ranges in the home appliance industry, specializing in air-treatment (commercial and residential air conditioning solutions), refrigeration, laundry, large kitchen and cooking appliances, small kitchen appliances, water appliances, floor care and lighting.

Midea believes in providing surprisingly-friendly solutions by adopting a consumer-centric and problem-solving approach. Going above and beyond for the future, constantly exploring and inventing to meet the ever-changing demand of our consumers.

Midea is, among many others, the world’s #1 Air Treatment Brand ^[1], the world’s #1 Small Cooking Appliances Brand ^[2], the world’s #1 Air Coolers Brand ^[3], the world’s #1 Cooling Fans Brand ^[4], and the world’s #1 Rice Cookers Brand ^[5].

Midea’s globally 34 production centers and over 150,000 employees in more than 200 countries and regions generated an annual revenue of more than USD 41.4 billion in 2020. Midea’s 28 worldwide innovation centers and the strong commitment to R&D have resulted in more than 62,000 authorized patents to-date.

https://www.midea-group.com/Our-Businesses/smart-home/midea

^[1] “Midea – World’s No.1 Air Treatment Brand”
Source:”Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Limited; Consumer Appliances 21ed, retail volume sales in units, 2020 data”

^[2] “Midea – World’s No.1 Small Cooking Appliances Brand”
Source:”Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Limited; Consumer Appliances 21ed, retail volume sales in units, 2020 data”

^[3] “Midea – World’s No.1 Air Coolers Brand”
Source:”Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Limited; Consumer Appliances 21ed, retail volume sales in units, 2020 data”

^[4] “Midea – World’s No.1 Cooling Fans Brand”
Source:”Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Limited; Consumer Appliances 21ed, retail volume sales in units, 2020 data”

^[5] “Midea – World’s No.1 Rice Cookers Brand”
Source:”Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Limited; Consumer Appliances 21ed, retail volume sales in units, 2020 data”

#Midea

• Record number of participants in Bybit’s World Series of Trading (WSOT) 2021 drove up total prize pool to a historic $4.09 million, up from last year’s $1.27 million
• 매억남 secured No.1 title as captain of top troop 유튜브매억남 with a staggering 2,044.90% P&L, followed by 금융인 강은호 (1,774.84% P&L) and PepeCup Army (1,417.15% P&L)
• A star-studded cast from the esports world: gaming legends from four elite esports clubs dabbled in competitive crypto trading

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 21 September 2021 – The 2021 edition of the World Series of Trading (WSOT) ended on a high note on Friday. The world’s best crypto traders can now kick back and relax after 20 intensive days of trading, having divided up a record prize pool at $4.09 million.

South Korean outfit demonstrated the value of team effort — 840,000 USDT to be exact, taking home the prize money on top of their stunning 2,044.90% P&L earnings. This year’s trading super stars also include winners by individual P&Ls: HeresJonny (P&L: 7,265.94%), chinesebirdman (P&L: 4,599.74%) and CHANS (P&L: 4,249.09%).   

Powered by Bybit, the world’s largest cryptocurrency trading event attracted more than 34,738 sign-ups this year, up 280.86% from last year. Team players from 136 eligible regions formed or joined 196 troops in the main event, with 19,592 independent traders opting to play solo in the individual competition.

WSOT 2021 has captivated crypto lovers worldwide this year with the sheer size of its prize pool of USDT and NFTs. The event has also extended its reach to another community with a group of special guests: A-list esports athletes.

12 gaming professionals from four prominent organizations — NAVI, Astralis, Alliance and Virtus.pro — put on their crypto trader hat and assumed the role of troop captains with 198 troopers slash fans from around the world, who followed their exhilarating performances live on the event website.

“We are in awe once again of the outpour of support from the global crypto community, and we are excited to have met all 34,738 participants this year. Whether you’ve just discovered WSOT or crypto, whether you are a seasoned trader or a budding crypto lover, you have found an incredibly creative and supportive community,” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit.

“We have returned bigger and better this year as promised. WSOT runs on the principles of fair competition, full transparency, access to opportunities and everything crypto is about. We hope everyone who took part in WSOT 2021 will continue to find joy in trading and explore the potential digital assets have to offer in the next 12 months as we build the next big thing,” Zhou added.

City of dragons, secret codes, surprise dropping of NFTs, WSOT 2021 was not for the faint of heart. Keeping up with its imaginative gamification tradition, this year’s tournament kept participants entertained and challenged with live tasks, mini games, and most importantly traders had to compete to deliver the most impressive final P&Ls and performances for the grand prizes and bonus prizes. Together, traders from around the world successfully unlocked the largest prize pool the crypto trading world has ever seen.

It takes imagination and dedication to win in a trading competition, which is why Bybit is committed to furthering its partnership with UNICEF to empower girls’ education in East Asia and the Pacific with another BTC donation equivalent to $400,000 in WSOT 2021, or 5% of the prize pool plus contributions from Bybit. The donation is dedicated to UN’s Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 towards “inclusive and equitable quality education” via UNICEF efforts. It helps fund, among other initiatives, digital education for girls in the region by making science and technology education within reach for marginalized groups with innovative education solutions.

Check out bybit.com/wsot2021 for the final rankings of WSOT 2021.

About WSOT

The World Series of Trading (WSOT) is a global cryptocurrency trading competition powered by Bybit championing the spirit of competition, fair play, and cultivating camaraderie between crypto lovers from around the world. WSOT celebrates the positive changes cryptocurrency and technologies have brought to our lives.

WSOT ranks contestants by the “profit vs. loss” percentage where traders compete on a level playing field regardless of the depth of their pockets.

Read the rules and sign up for WSOT 2021: bybit.com/wsot2021

About Bybit

Bybit is a cryptocurrency exchange established in March 2018 to offer a professional platform where crypto traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, excellent customer service and multi-lingual community support. The company provides innovative online trading services and cloud mining products, as well as API support, to retail and institutional clients around the world, and strives to be the most reliable exchange for the emerging digital asset class.

For more information please visit: https://www.bybit.com/

For updates, follow Bybit’s social platforms on Twitter and Telegram.

#Bybit

• CMA represents the first HNW broker to offer a unique value proposition in Europe
• Marco Liardo announced as Managing Director of Switzerland
• Luca Bertacchi announced as Managing Director Continental Europe and to lead the newly created private placement life insurance (PPLI) practice group

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – Media OutReach – 21 September 2021 – Charles Monat Associates (CMA) is expanding its operations in Switzerland. In addition to the recent appointment of Marco Liardo as Managing Director of the Swiss Operation, the Team in Zurich is broadening its capabilities even further with three senior executive hires. At the same time, CMA is launching a domestic business in the EU and creating a private placement life insurance (PPLI) practice group. Luca Bertacchi is joining CMA in Liechtenstein to build and lead the newly established team. The new hires and ambitious expansion strategy demonstrate CMA’s commitment to growing its business across Switzerland and Europe.

Simon Lo, CEO of International Business, Charles Monat Associates

Marco Liardo joins as the Managing Director of Switzerland for CMA. Based in Zurich, his role involves developing, leading, and managing sales consultants in Switzerland as well as tailoring bespoke solutions to clients’ liquidity planning needs. Marco has many years of experience in wealth advisory for international clients, having successfully developed and managed the Swiss hub for an international life insurance broker. Previously, he served as Head of Financial Analysis and Senior Merger & Acquisition Manager for a global insurance group as well as Vice President, Private Banking Life Insurance for an international Swiss private bank.

As part of CMA’s expansion in Europe, a new PPLI practice group has been created strengthening the Liechtenstein broker entity and creating a centre of competence for the full Group of CMA. Luca Bertacchi has been appointed to lead the new team, bringing with him 25 years of experience and expertise in the Industrial and Financial Sector. Previously, Luca was Global Director of Lombard International Assurance SA, working his way up from Head of Switzerland and Regional Director Central & Southern Europe. Prior to this, Luca was involved in various positions at UniCredit. Joining Marco and Luca in Europe and strengthening the team’s expertise further are three additional senior hires.

As a result, CMA is able to bolster its International Business Division which include operations in Dubai, Geneva, Liechtenstein and Zurich. Both Marco and Luca report to Simon Lo, CEO of the International Business Division.This new structure allows CMA to offer more effective cross-border support, more efficient services and brings truly global solutions to clients. With the increased presence in the growth markets outside Asia, CMA respond to the client’s needs for international solutions as well as addressing the increase in relocation. As a unit, CMA is global and able to address both domestic and international insurance needs of HNWI.

Yves Guélat, Group CEO of Charles Monat Associates, is extremely thrilled about the new appointments: “Our new team members are subject matter experts when it comes to insurance solutions. With their significant experience in wealth planning and tremendous network of contacts, they provide a real value-add to our bank partners, family offices and clients in the region. By expanding the capabilities of our International Business Division in Switzerland and Europe, we can enhance international synergies to create ‘one CMA’.”

A commitment to Switzerland and Europe – CMA only global HNW broker to cover all regions

CMA opened its Swiss subsidiary in 2012 as part of its international business. Since then, this business has seen annual sales growth of 20% year-on-year, largely driven from Switzerland and the EU. “With a high concentration of high-net-worth individuals, Europe is critical to our business,” states Simon Lo, CEO of International Business at Charles Monat Associates. “For this reason, there is an increased need for new hires in Switzerland and Europe to service the growing number of banks’ clients and referral partners. By strengthening our International Business Team, we are able to support our clients more efficiently and offer an extensive suite of knowledge from the pool of expertise within our organization.”

Global trends show that the number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) in Europe, along with China and APAC, is growing exponentially, a key driver for the life insurance industry. By expanding the Swiss business and establishing the PPLI practice group, CMA represents the first global HNW broker to offer a unique value proposition to the third-largest region globally in terms of number of HNWIs (5.4 million) and assets (US$17.5 trillion).

The company plans to continue expanding its offerings in the future, focusing on Universal Life insurance and solutions for protecting international assets abroad. “We want to expand our products across the region and create synergies with other regions in a more connected world,” says Guélat.

In Europe, which is highly developed in wealth planning and wealth advisory, CMA aims to meet the evolving needs of clients while offering international customized strategies. The major global leadership changes announced in June 2021 highlight CMA’s commitment to providing global access and options. The current expansion plans in Europe serve to further advance the company’s business growth strategy and build greater synergies across regions, asset classes and liquidity solutions.

About Charles Monat Associates

Charles Monat Associates (CMA) is a leading global insurance broker with more than 200 professionals operating in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Switzerland, Miami, Kuala Lumpur, and Liechtenstein. Founded in 1971 by Charles S. Monat, the company has established a reputation as Asia’s most trusted premier consultancy. With 50 years of experience, CMA delivers world class expertise in liquidity planning and wealth transfer for Ultra-High-Net-Worth and High-Net-Worth individuals, families and businesses. For more information, visit www.monat.com.

#CharlesMonatAssociates