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Prime Minister Phankham Departs for United States to Join US-ASEAN Summit     

PM Phankham Viphavanh and Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Vientiane, Ms. Joy M. Sakurai at Wattay International Airport (photo: U.S Embassy in Vientiane).
PM Phankham Viphavanh and Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Vientiane, Ms. Joy M. Sakurai at Wattay International Airport (photo: U.S Embassy in Vientiane).

Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh departed Vientiane yesterday evening to attend the US-Asean Special Summit to be held in Washington, DC from 12-13 May.

Digital Business Lab: Over 50% of people would use VPNs for social media like Instagram if banned in Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 11 May 2022 – Digital Business Lab and Standard Insights conducted a survey campaign in Hong Kong to understand the active population’s perception, preferences, and opinions on potential restrictions of social media & communication platforms in the future. Hong Kong’s media landscape has witnessed a seismic shift in the last few years. From films being deemed a threat to national security law and therefore banned, to public broadcasters such as RTHK’s social media pages being paused, to social media platforms like TikTok being removed from app stores. There are 6.44 million active social media users in Hong Kong, equivalent to 85.6% of the total population, making social media one of the most influential media types in the city. During the research, 502 respondents, aged between 18 and 40 years old, were interviewed on their anticipated behaviours if international social networks were to exit the market.

The majority of people fear change in social media regulation.

68% of respondents expressed their concerns about possible limits on social media and communication platforms in the city, demonstrating the potential significant impact that platform regulations would have on the daily lives of Hong Kongers. 17% “did not know” how they felt when asked about potential restrictions, and the rest were not worried.

Currently, only 23% of respondents use a VPN to navigate online and 17% do not know what a VPN is.

The study, held at the beginning of 2022, found that 60% of respondents would use a VPN for YouTube and 55% of them would use one for Instagram if these platforms were restricted in Hong Kong.

The research discovered that Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube were the most popular social media and communication platforms in Hong Kong, with YouTube having the highest penetration rate.

Instagram is the top social media platform in Hong Kong, with 86.1% using it for following and sharing content whilst also using it to learn about new things.

WhatsApp surpasses all other platforms for communication and business, with 65.1% using it for such purposes.

The findings also showed that if YouTube and Instagram are restricted locally, WeChat, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu (RED) would be the top 3 preferred replacement apps.

Solutions & Opportunities for Brands and Marketers

As Social Media Specialists in the field, Digital Business Lab recommends 3 ways forward for brands and marketers to sustain close relationships with their audiences.

1. Sustain Continuous Communication with Audiences with or without a VPN

For enterprises in China, VPN is a grey area. If a VPN is to be used, a comprehensive legal check has to be initiated for eligibility to obtain a VPN licence and to source for a VPN operator. If a VPN is not the way out, the organisation’s marketing plan will likely be restructured.

In-house research was carried out using Facebook Ads as a barometer to understand the impacts of targeting & retargeting. Facebook was used as it is the most popular social media channel (including Instagram) and has a full scale of functions.

Here are the key findings based on Facebook Ad Manager:

  • Geographical targeting will not be accurate due to inaccurate IP addresses
  • Ads might also become irrelevant due to geographical impacts (e.g. ads in Dutch might be shown to users who switched their VPN location to the Netherlands but are physically browsing from Hong Kong)
  • Retargeting VPN users through website data as a source will be impossible, as Cookies will not be saved correctly with anonymous website visits
  • Social media-based or customer lists (e.g., email addresses) as sources will not be affected

To accurately target audiences going forward, programmatic advertising technologies are the solution.

“Digital Business Lab suggests accelerating your marketing collaboration with your/our ad tech partners, focusing on audience identification. Approaches such as proximity marketing data or app data can provide highly accurate audiences & automated expansions. To illustrate, our ad tech partner Adsquare can tell us that 294K people in Hong Kong are using Payme.”

2. Be Present in Replacement Apps

Without VPN services available in China, popular social media sites used by brands for global marketing campaigns, such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and WhatsApp, are not accessible to target audiences on the mainland, which might happen in Hong Kong in the future.

This is why brands and marketers should choose to develop their global online presence by joining replacement apps such as WeChat, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu.

A good starting point is to understand the local population’s current usage of the Chinese Apps, and then prioritise the platform usage based on marketing objectives. For example:

  • Xiaohongshu would be a priority for lifestyle-related brands
  • Use WeChat and Xiaohongshu first for brand development
  • Use Douyin (Taobao), Xiaohongshu (for opening RED stores), Weibo (Taobao), and WeChat (JD.com or WeChat e-commerce mini program) if marketing objectives are Sales-focused

Whilst the unpredictability of the future social media landscape in Hong Kong may be unnerving for marketers, there are still great solutions and potentially exciting opportunities for marketers and users to discover.

3. Implement Both!

About Digital Business Lab

We are social media mavens with an international flair, supporting brands with creative storytelling, comprehensive strategies, professional video production, meticulous data analysis and social media management in their digital marketing campaigns and needs.

Website:
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#socialmediamarketing #digitalmarketing #videoproduction #influencermarketing #genzmarketing #DBLHK #DBLSG

About Standard Insights
At Standard Insights, we believe there is a better and more useful way to conduct market research. Our mission is to provide evidence-based, practical market insights and actionable recommendations to our clients in order for them to make fast and well-informed decisions.

Website:
Linkedln –
Instagram –
YouTube –
Twitter –

#marketresearch #pulsesurvey #2022trends #AsiaInsights

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Truescope Singapore Expands into New Office

Truescope is a partner company of Dataxet, the fastest growing media intelligence group in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 11 May 2022 – Since opening shop in mid-2020, Truescope Singapore has quickly grown to 70 enterprise and public sector clients, including the ‘Whole of Government’ Media Monitoring and Online Analytics business. They will embark on their next phase of growth from new offices at 15 Scotts Road starting 29 April 2022. The new office will also act as Dataxet’s HQ guiding their operations and growth across the region.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of Truescope Singapore's new office along Scotts Road. (L-R Jason Lee, CEO of Truescope Singapore, John Croll, Co-Founder and CEO of Truescope and David Liu, Co-Founder and CEO of Dataxet)
Ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of Truescope Singapore’s new office along Scotts Road. (L-R Jason Lee, CEO of Truescope Singapore, John Croll, Co-Founder and CEO of Truescope and David Liu, Co-Founder and CEO of Dataxet)

Truescope’s media monitoring platform distils big data from media sources and platforms into real-time dashboard analytics and automated insight reports. Machine learning and natural language processing unlock insights that organisations use to inform communication strategy and activation.

The grand opening event celebrated current clients and high-profile members of the media, communications, and marketing communities. Key leadership addressing attendees included David Liu, Founder and CEO of Dataxet, John Croll, Co-Founder and CEO of Truescope; Jason Lee, CEO of Truescope Singapore; and Kelvin Koh, Commercial Director of Truescope Singapore.

The Truescope Singapore team
The Truescope Singapore team

John Croll shared, “The new Singapore office is a sign that our next gen media intelligence offering is resonating with the marketplace. We’re providing new levels of value and insights through a powerful platform, great user experience and top-tier talent”.

Jason Lee added, “Our new environment underscores Truescope Singapore’s commitment to our clients and our industry. The new, dynamic space within the heart of Singapore’s business district is the ideal place to collaborate, innovate and partner with clients looking to leverage media intelligence as a key strategic and information tool”.

Dataxet’s David Liu shared, “Our joint venture with Truescope is an important part of providing best in class Commstech solutions to our clients. Real-time, real-world big data is increasingly becoming a core driver of business and brand success. At Dataxet, we continually pushing AI-enabled ways of helping clients realize high-value insights at scale”.

Dataxet was established in 2020 with the Truescope Singapore joint venture and acquisitions of Sonar in Indonesia and NAMA in Malaysia. In 2021, Dataxet continued expanding in SEA when InfoQuest Thailand was welcomed to the group.

About Truescope

is the next generation of media intelligence; harnessing hundreds of millions of posts every day to deliver hyper-relevant, real-time media insights into the stories that influence brand, reputation, policy and competitive performance. Truescope combines and transforms data across media types and languages, into a single, coherent, and easily searchable metadata-enriched database.

#Truescope

About Dataxet

is a leading integrated data intelligence holding company operating in Asia. Its branded networks provide best-in-class media monitoring services along with localised research and data analytics expertise to deliver accurate, applicable and actionable data insights.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Celebrate With Huge Savings on Beauty & Alcohol With iShopChangi’s Attractive Promotions Lined Up Till June

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 11 May 2022 – Shop for your favourite alcohol and beauty products this May and June with two of iShopChangi‘s greatest promotions yet! Give yourself the pampering you’ve been waiting for with huge savings on iShopChangi’s beauty products, and liven up the party with massive discounts on selected duty-free alcohol storewide.

Not one, but two iShopChangi promotions are available to you throughout May and June this year. Travellers and non-travellers can enjoy discounts and celebrate with international best-selling liquor and beauty products.

Drink Around the World

From 6 May to 5 June, join iShopChangi and celebrate Drinks Around The World! Shake 8% off your total cart value with a minimum spend of S$100 using the promo code <BOOZE8> (discount capped at S$50). For more savings, enjoy 15% off when you check out with a minimum S$250 using the promo code <BOOZE15> (discount capped at S$80). You can buy a bottle of Edinburgh Gin for S$70.76, saving 43% off the original price of S$124.61. Or, get a bottle of Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz, for just S$90. Originally worth S$117.24, you’ll save 23% off already GST-absorbed prices at checkout. You must be of legal age to shop for alcohol on iShopChangi – enjoy responsibly!

Beauty Around the World

Take home your favourite beauty products and essentials at amazingly discounted prices with iShopChangi’s Beauty Around the World campaign! From 9 May to 2 June, snap up vouchers like S$20 off a minimum spend of S$180 when you key in the promo code <BEAUWORLD20>. Cart out with a minimum of S$400 and save S$50 when you apply <BEAUWORLD50>. Buy a La Mer Ritual Hydration Beauty Set for just S$255, down from an original price of S$306, or the Ést.Lab Eye Spa On-The-Go Beauty Set for S$106, discounted by 15% from S$124.

Discounts for Travellers and Non-Travellers

Travelling through Changi Airport? There’s no better time to shop on iShopChangi. Make your purchase 30 days in advance and up to 12 hours before your arriving or departing flight, and your products will be ready for pick up at our Collection Centres within the departure hall in every terminal or delivered to you if you are arriving in Singapore. Lock in the promo code <FLY7> to receive 7% off before 22 December, with a discount capped at S$50 and no minimum spend.

If you’re not travelling, iShopChangi remains Singapore’s number one destination for revelling in the best deals and discounts islandwide. Shop tax and duty-free prices even without flying, and have your products delivered to Singaporean residential addresses for free when you spend S$59 or more at the checkout! Lock in the promo code <VESAK3XGST> to receive 14% off S$400 before 18 May, with a discount capped at S$100.

More Deals on iShopChangi

There’s never an end to the celebration when it comes to iShopChangi. Sign up with Changi Pay for free to make the most of a S$5 Welcome Voucher, and join Changi Rewards – also for free – to receive 10% off your first purchase after registration! As with all promotions, redemption caps, product exclusions and T&Cs apply.

About iShopChangi

iShopChangi was launched in 2013 as an extension of Changi Airport’s promise to deliver greater comfort and convenience to travellers in its suite of airport retail offerings. Passengers can browse and purchase tax- and duty-free products across all terminals between 30 days to 12 hours pre-flight on the e-store – and choose to collect their items at Collection Centres within departure, upon arrival or have them delivered free in Singapore. Providing easy access to over 30,000 products across 900 brands and exclusives such as Changi First product launches, the site has since received global recognition with its award for Best Website – Retail Customer Facing at The Moodies: the Airport and Travel Retail Digital Media Awards 2018. In early 2020, the e-commerce store started to retail a selection tax- and duty-absorbed products to Singapore-based residents without the need to fly.

#iShopChangi

Celebrate With Huge Savings on Beauty & Alcohol With iShopChangi’s Attractive Promotions Lined Up Till June

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 11 May 2022 – Shop for your favourite alcohol and beauty products this May and June with two of iShopChangi‘s greatest promotions yet! Give yourself the pampering you’ve been waiting for with huge savings on iShopChangi’s beauty products, and liven up the party with massive discounts on selected duty-free alcohol storewide.

Not one, but two iShopChangi promotions are available to you throughout May and June this year. Travellers and non-travellers can enjoy discounts and celebrate with international best-selling liquor and beauty products.

Drink Around the World

From 6 May to 5 June, join iShopChangi and celebrate Drinks Around The World! Shake 8% off your total cart value with a minimum spend of S$100 using the promo code <BOOZE8> (discount capped at S$50). For more savings, enjoy 15% off when you check out with a minimum S$250 using the promo code <BOOZE15> (discount capped at S$80). You can buy a bottle of Edinburgh Gin for S$70.76, saving 43% off the original price of S$124.61. Or, get a bottle of Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz, for just S$90. Originally worth S$117.24, you’ll save 23% off already GST-absorbed prices at checkout. You must be of legal age to shop for alcohol on iShopChangi – enjoy responsibly!

Beauty Around the World

Take home your favourite beauty products and essentials at amazingly discounted prices with iShopChangi’s Beauty Around the World campaign! From 9 May to 2 June, snap up vouchers like S$20 off a minimum spend of S$180 when you key in the promo code <BEAUWORLD20>. Cart out with a minimum of S$400 and save S$50 when you apply <BEAUWORLD50>. Buy a La Mer Ritual Hydration Beauty Set for just S$255, down from an original price of S$306, or the Ést.Lab Eye Spa On-The-Go Beauty Set for S$106, discounted by 15% from S$124.

Discounts for Travellers and Non-Travellers

Travelling through Changi Airport? There’s no better time to shop on iShopChangi. Make your purchase 30 days in advance and up to 12 hours before your arriving or departing flight, and your products will be ready for pick up at our Collection Centres within the departure hall in every terminal or delivered to you if you are arriving in Singapore. Lock in the promo code <FLY7> to receive 7% off before 22 December, with a discount capped at S$50 and no minimum spend.

If you’re not travelling, iShopChangi remains Singapore’s number one destination for revelling in the best deals and discounts islandwide. Shop tax and duty-free prices even without flying, and have your products delivered to Singaporean residential addresses for free when you spend S$59 or more at the checkout! Lock in the promo code <VESAK3XGST> to receive 14% off S$400 before 18 May, with a discount capped at S$100.

More Deals on iShopChangi

There’s never an end to the celebration when it comes to iShopChangi. Sign up with Changi Pay for free to make the most of a S$5 Welcome Voucher, and join Changi Rewards – also for free – to receive 10% off your first purchase after registration! As with all promotions, redemption caps, product exclusions and T&Cs apply.

About iShopChangi

iShopChangi was launched in 2013 as an extension of Changi Airport’s promise to deliver greater comfort and convenience to travellers in its suite of airport retail offerings. Passengers can browse and purchase tax- and duty-free products across all terminals between 30 days to 12 hours pre-flight on the e-store – and choose to collect their items at Collection Centres within departure, upon arrival or have them delivered free in Singapore. Providing easy access to over 30,000 products across 900 brands and exclusives such as Changi First product launches, the site has since received global recognition with its award for Best Website – Retail Customer Facing at The Moodies: the Airport and Travel Retail Digital Media Awards 2018. In early 2020, the e-commerce store started to retail a selection tax- and duty-absorbed products to Singapore-based residents without the need to fly.

#iShopChangi

Laos Sends First Gymnast to SEA Games in Hanoi

Praewa Misato Philapandeth, young rhythmic gymnast.

Laos will send its first rhythmic gymnast to the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

7CAFÉ hits milestone of 600 stores! Hong Kong’s largest coffee network launches exciting activities for customers to join the fun!

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 11 May 2022 – 7-Eleven’s own brand 7CAFÉ provides customers with freshly brewed coffee that is quick, convenient, good quality and affordable. This April, 7CAFÉ reached the major milestone of 600 stores! With the largest number of outlets in Hong Kong, 7CAFÉ is the biggest coffee network in town offering “a cuppa round every corner”! So whether you’re on your way to work or heading to class, you always know you’ll be able to enjoy a cup of good quality, freshly brewed coffee on the go anytime, anywhere!

To mark this milestone, 7CAFÉ is launching a series of exciting promotions and activities! These include the “Make Your Own Good Coffee” Sure-Win Lucky Draw Game and the introduction of two all-new 600 stores limited-edition Ginger flavour drinks, Ginger Latte and Ginger Flavoured Milk, so all its customers can join in on the fun!

“Make Your Own Good Coffee” Sure-Win Lucky Draw Game^

“Make Your Own Good Coffee” will last for six consecutive days from 11 to 16 May, with an unprecedented 600 free cups of coffee up for grabs every hour! In the game, step into the shoes of a 7CAFÉ barista and experience the fun of making your own cup of great quality, freshly brewed 100% Arabica coffee according to the “golden ratio”! At the start, the game will select a popular 7CAFÉ coffee drink – a Café Latte, Cappuccino or Flat White – for the player to make. Coffee and fresh Australian milk will start flowing from the 7CAFÉ coffee machine. Players then need to use their skill and dexterity to tap the coffee and milk buttons on the left and right of the screen at just the right time to stop the flow to make the perfect cuppa!

After successfully preparing your cup of 7CAFÉ coffee in line with the ‘golden ratio”, you can then enter a lucky draw for a chance to win a 7CAFÉ Free Drink E-Coupon. Then head to your nearest 7CAFÉ store to redeem and chill out with your own real cup of great tasting coffee!

600 Stores Limited-Time New Flavours – Ginger Latte & Ginger Flavoured Milk*

To mark its milestone of 600 stores, 7CAFÉ has specially created a pair of all-new, innovative drinks – Ginger Latte and Ginger Flavoured Milk (Hot $14, Iced $16) – inspired by the familiar flavours of Hong Kong-style dessert Ginger Milk Curd to bring its customers a whole new coffee experience! The Ginger Latte is the perfect blend of zesty ginger flavours, aromatic freshly ground 100% Arabica coffee and high-quality Australian milk. 7CAFE’s rich and creamy Ginger Flavoured Milk is perfectly balanced and full of flavour, delivering a totally new yet uniquely Hong Kong taste sensation.

7CAFÉ is also giving its coffee cups a makeover with an exclusive 600 Stores limited-time design. Featuring the super cute Gullu Gullu coffee bean characters, the colourful design will be sure to brighten up your day! From now until 17 May, customers can use an e-coupon* to try the drinks at a special price of $10** for a limited time only to share in the joy of our 600 stores together!

**Download e-coupon: https://bit.ly/3vKd9SL

^The game will start on 11 May (7am). During the promotion period, visit the game site www.7cafe-minigame.com and follow the instructions to complete the challenge and enter the lucky draw. After registering a Hong Kong mobile phone number, you will receive a text message (SMS) on your mobile phone within one working day to obtain a link to your “7CAFÉ Free Drink E-Coupon” or “7CAFÉ $10 Special Price Coupon”. The “Make Your Own Good Coffee” Lucky Draw Game will give out 600 “7CAFÉ Free Drink E-Coupons” every hour, so you have a great chance of winning! Over the whole promotion period, each registered phone number can only win a maximum of one “7CAFÉ Free Drink E-Coupon”, but there is no limits on the number of times you can play the game. So keep on playing even if you’re not successful the first time round!

Please refer to the game site for terms and conditions.

* Valid from 3 May (7am) to 17 May 2022. This coupon is applicable to Ginger Latte, Ginger Flavoured Milk, Hazelnut Latte and Mocha. This coupon cannot be exchanged for cash or used in conjunction with other promotions. This coupon can only be used at 7-Eleven stores with the listed product(s) available. It cannot be used at certain stores in Hong Kong and Macau (including but not limited to Repulse Bay, Airport, Chek Lap Kok Air Terminal, AsiaWorld-Expo, Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre and Team Disney, Hong Kong Disney Resort stores and Food Kiosks, Ngong Ping Market, Macau International Airport Terminal Departure Level Store and 7CAFÉ+). If this coupon is altered or damaged, it will be considered void. Some 7CAFÉ stores do not offer hot milk or iced drink options. Some products are only available in selected stores. Limited quantity available, while stocks last. All prices listed are in Hong Kong dollars at Hong Kong stores and in Macanese Patacas at Macau stores. The product prices shown at the stores shall prevail. Product images are for reference only. In case of any dispute, 7-Eleven reserves the right of final decision.

About 7CAFÉ

7CAFÉ is one of 7-Eleven’s own brands. Available at over 600 stores, 7CAFÉ enables customers to enjoy freshly brewed coffee on the go that is quick, convenient, good quality and affordable. 7CAFÉ sources premium 100% Arabica coffee beans from Brazil, Honduras, Bali and Sumatra. The beans are then freshly roasted locally in Hong Kong to preserve their characteristic flavour. The house blend with its sweet, slightly nutty aroma is specially made for and totally exclusive to 7-Eleven.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

New Report Finds 75% of Hong Kong’s Hotel Industry Committed to Use Only Cage-Free Eggs Globally

HONG KONG – Media OutReach – 11 May 2022 – A new report finds the large majority of Hong Kong’s hotel groups have now set a timeline for ending the use of eggs from caged hens across their global operations. This marks the first time a farm animal welfare standard has become an industry norm in Asia.

The 2022 Hong Kong Hospitality Industry Cage-Free Scorecard, released by the non-profit Lever Foundation, surveyed the policies of leading domestic and international hospitality groups operating in Hong Kong, defined as companies with at least five hotels globally and at least 200 rooms in Hong Kong. It found that 75% of such companies have now set a timeline to use only cage-free eggs globally.

In 2022, Hong Kong-based hospitality groups Dorsett Hospitality International, Nina Hospitality, Regal Hotels International, SHKP Hotels, Sino Hotels Group, Swire Hotels, The Harilela Group, Miramar Group, Lan Kwai Fong Group, and New World Development set timelines for using only cage-free eggs globally. These follow similar commitments issued over the past two years by Hong Kong-based Ovolo Hotels, Langham Hospitality Group, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, The Peninsula Hotels and Wharf Hotels.

“It’s encouraging to see the majority of hospitality groups in Hong Kong pledge to use only cage-free eggs, which are more humane for animals and higher in food safety and quality,” said Angela Wong, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation, which worked with each company on its commitment. “Consumers have become more conscious of their food choices, so hospitality brands are increasingly emphasizing ethical sourcing. We are optimistic that all major hotel groups in Hong Kong will soon have a commitment to go cage-free.”

The only six hotel groups that have so far failed to set a timeline for ending the use of caged eggs are Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Rosewood Hotel Group/New World Hotels and Resorts, Tang’s Living Group, Asia Standard Hotel Group, Wing Tai Properties Limited, and Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts.

The European Food Safety Authority and a dozen international research teams have found battery cage egg farms have up to a 33 times greater risk of salmonella contamination. A 2021 survey of Chinese consumers by media agency FoodTalks found that 75% said they would be more likely to patronize businesses that use only cage-free eggs.

ABOUT LEVER FOUNDATION

Lever Foundation is a global NGO with staff operating across Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. Lever Foundation works with leading companies to help them upgrade their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, with a focus on cage-free eggs and alternative protein.

#LeverFoundation