marketing interactive

When Chinese actress Fan Bingbing was appointed as Melaka’s tourism friendship ambassador in August, and subsequently conferred a “Datuk” title, the news quickly became a social media talking point. Her appointment was credited with boosting Chinese tourist arrivals from 204,818 in 2023 to 664,687 in 2024, alongside reports of over 1.5 billion WeChat impressions from her campaigns. Fan was appointed Melaka’s state tourism ambassador mid-last year to promote Visit Melaka 2024, the state’s campaign aimed at repositioning itself as a key global destination. As part of her role, she has visited major tourist spots and showcased local culture, from traditional attire to tasting local delights such as durian cendol. Beyond the headlines and viral posts, the conferment of the Datuk title on Fan has reignited discussion around the strategy of appointing foreign celebrities as tourism ambassadors. Don’t miss: From fame to fit: What brands need for the perfect ambassador Online sentiment around Fan Bingbing’s appointment as Melaka’s tourism friendship ambassador has been largely positive, driven by pride and recognition, Isentia reported. Posts celebrated the ceremony with messages, photos, and short videos tied to Melaka’s tourism efforts. Support was strongest in Malay and Indonesian posts, where language and cultural familiarity boosted engagement. Some scepticism arose over the “value and cost of the title,” with phrases like “celebrity price tag” and “honorary Datuk title” appearing in discussions. Overall, 66.2% of mentions were positive, 22.7% neutral, and 17.2% negative. Criticism centred on Fan not being Malaysian and rumours linking her to a local entrepreneur, though these were outweighed by messages celebrating her recognition and the attention it brought to Melaka. Nikita Gundala, SEA marketing lead at Isentia, said cultural resonance and pride drive strong engagement. “It’s a signal to PR and communications leaders to prioritise authenticity and transparency as much as possible,” she said. “Because audiences value this.” Looking beyond the online chatter, Fan Bingbing’s Melaka moment raises the question: how effective is an international ambassador in the long run, and what are the potential risks? Storytelling is everything Fan’s appointment is also part of a growing global trend of leveraging high-profile foreign celebrities to boost tourism. From BTS for South Korea, Lionel Messi for Saudi Arabia, Shah Rukh Khan for Dubai, to Jackie Chan for Hong Kong, destinations are increasingly recognising the reach and influence that internationally recognised personalities can provide. Sharifah Menyalara Hussein, CEO and founding partner of M+C Saatchi Malaysia, stressed that tourism is ultimately about storytelling, and the right storyteller can change everything. A global ambassador isn’t just a face for a campaign. “They can transform how the world sees a place and how quickly audiences are drawn to experience it.” she added. International celebrities can elevate a destination’s profile almost instantly, building awareness and credibility far faster than traditional campaigns. Fan Bingbing, Sharifah noted, brings “enormous visibility and aspiration to Melaka in China, something a local figure simply couldn’t achieve there.” She also highlighted the ambassador’s role in amplifying local culture: “When someone like Fan Bingbing experiences Melaka’s culture, heritage and food and shares that with millions, she becomes a cultural bridge. Her followers are inspired to come and experience the same things she did.” Foreign vs local However, should Melaka have considered appointing a local celebrity instead? All three industry players which A+M spoke to, emphasised that foreign and local figures play complementary roles. Shermaine Wong, co-founder and CEO of Cult Creative, said that “picking a foreign celebrity is like borrowing trust from someone with a large fan base. They can help open new markets that were previously out of reach.” She added: “The best campaigns continue to tell stories and engage audiences even after the initial announcement.” Local figures, meanwhile, provide cultural grounding and long-term connection. Stephanie Looi, country general manager of Hepmil Malaysia, said: “The best strategy isn’t to pick one over the other, but to combine both. global stars to pull attention in, and local heroes to showcase the heart of the culture.” Wong concurred, and shared that having international reach provides visibility, but authentic local experiences create lasting influence. A celebrity can bring fame to your destination, yet only locals can add depth and authenticity. She suggests combining star power with local creators who excel at conveying culturally rich, emotionally compelling stories, for a combination that ensures an enduring impact. Risks and measuring impact Celebrity campaigns are not without risks. Sharifah stressed the importance of strategic market focus. “Would we consider using an Indian star to promote Malaysia to Indian travellers, or is China the main focus? These are important questions when planning for the long term.” She explained, that her main concern was cost. “These partnerships are expensive, and may have a limited campaign window. It’s important to think strategically about the markets we want to prioritise and how we use the ambassadors.” Meanwhile, Looi warned that “if the partnership feels fake, people can see through it. Celebrities are human too; if they get into controversies or bad press, it can reflect badly on the destination.” Wong added that celebrities may overshadow local culture if not managed carefully, but with the right approach, “celebrities can draw attention while giving local voices a platform to share authentic stories.” Additionally, measuring success for such campaigns requires looking beyond impressions. Looi explained: “True ROI for tourism needs to cover the whole journey. At the awareness stage, I’d look for social-first signals. Then at the consideration stage, I would see if people are engaging with destination content, saving posts, tagging friends or clicking through to tourism websites.”  Impressions are just the starting point. The real ROI is when social buzz turns into travel intent, and then into real-world impact. And that’s tourists who not only travel to the destination, but stay longer, explore more, and spend in ways that benefit the local community. Related articles:HK eyes Michelle Yeoh as tourism ambassador, while debate in MY ensues around Yeoh and tagline Melaka picks actress Fan Bingbing as ambassador to promote tourism | Marketing-InteractiveMelaka trends on WeChat following Fan Bingbing’s ambassador role

Happy Friday, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE readers and welcome back to Gen Z Perspectives, your go-to feature where we unpack the week’s top stories and trending topics through the eyes of Gen Z. From the biggest industry moves to viral moments and marketing controversies worth dissecting, we’re bringing the heat with authenticity, awareness and probably a few unfiltered takes. This week: Publicis Groupe snapped up SEA influencer agency HEPMIL, CHAGEE Singapore debuted its first tea-and-retail concept in Chinatown, and PepsiCo showed off a fresh global look after 25 years. Sip, snack, dive in. Don’t miss: Gen Z perspectives: Mediacorp files police report, Apple’s Jane Goodall collab & Deepavali 2025 1. Publicis Groupe to acquire SEA influencer agency HEPMIL Publicis Groupe has signed a definitive agreement to acquire parent company of SGAG HEPMIL Media Group, a leading influencer, content, and social agency in Southeast Asia. The move will combine HEPMIL’s expertise in building digital communities and managing local creators with Publicis Groupe’s data capabilities, including Lotame and Epsilon’s ID graph covering more than 800 million consumer profiles in the region. Read more here.  2. Where tea meets tradition: CHAGEE unveils Pagoda House in Chinatown CHAGEE Singapore has unveiled its first-ever tea and retail concept, CHAGEE Pagoda House, located along Pagoda Street in the heart of Chinatown. The new flagship blends the city’s cultural heritage with modern tea culture, offering an immersive space where visitors can “Sip, stay, and shop”. Designed as a reimagined teahouse for a new generation, the store draws inspiration from Chinatown’s legacy as a meeting place for merchants and storytellers. Read more here.  3. PepsiCo unveils new global brand identity after 25 years PepsiCo has unveiled a new global brand identity for the first time in nearly 25 years, reflecting what the company says is its evolution into a “modern, forward-thinking” food and beverage powerhouse. The rebrand includes a refreshed logo, new colour palette, and a custom lowercase typeface designed to convey approachability and the “consumer-centric spirit” of its brands. Read more here.  Related articles: FairPrice Group debuts new unit FPG ADvantage to connect brands across 570 touchpoints     Evelyn Lee joins Subway Malaysia as marketing director    Sun Life concludes media pitch for APAC    source

PUMA has unveiled a major shake-up of its brand marketing structure as it looks to strengthen storytelling across product and brand touchpoints. The sports company will merge its product creation, innovation, go-to-market, and brand marketing functions into a single structure aimed at delivering more consistent and impactful brand narratives.  Under the new structure, product creation and storytelling will run in parallel, a move designed to ensure authenticity and alignment from concept to consumer. Don’t miss: PUMA celebrates runner’s high in new ‘Go wild’ brand positioning As part of the reorganisation, Maria Valdes (pictured), previously chief product officer, has been appointed chief brand officer and will oversee the newly consolidated division at the management board level. Valdes, who joined PUMA’s management board in 2023, will now lead brand marketing, product, creative direction, innovation, and go-to-market. Brand marketing had previously reported to CEO Arthur Hoeld, while go-to-market fell under chief commercial officer Matthias Bäumer. Meanwhile, sports marketing will be separated from brand marketing and continue to report directly to Hoeld. The organisational changes take effect immediately. “With our amazing archive and our cutting-edge sports-performance products, including our NITRO-technology, we have the clear opportunity to tell stories that resonate, but PUMA’s previous approach to storytelling was too fragmented,” said Hoeld. He added, “By putting storytelling and product creation side by side, we will strengthen our product icons and sports performance products and create the clarity and structure that is needed to better position PUMA against its competition in the sporting goods industry.” The reorganisation comes as PUMA strengthens its regional marketing leadership. The brand recently appointed Gabriel Yap as senior director of marketing for Southeast Asia. Yap, who most recently served as regional senior marketing director at ASICS, unveiled his departure on LinkedIn, marking the end of a seven-year stint with the brand. In his new role, Yap is tasked with driving the strategic development, execution, and performance of PUMA’s marketing initiatives across SEA, focusing on consistent brand positioning and stronger brand equity across key markets. He will oversee brand marketing efforts in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, reporting to Sanjay Roy, managing director for SEA and Oceania (SEAO). Related articles: Typo or tactic: PUMA ad plastered across OOH with PVMA  PUMA launches first-ever global basketball brand campaign    PUMA launches largest flagship store in SEA source

Hansaplast Singapore has brought back its beloved character Auntie Susan in a quirky new video campaign to promote proper wound care and its latest Hydrocolloid plaster. The Instagram video opens with a woman slicing fruits in her kitchen while chatting on the phone, surrounded by potential hazards such as sharp scissors and durians. As she reaches for a knife, her phone slips and injures her foot, kicking off a montage of everyday accidents. A businesswoman gets a papercut at work, a young girl scrapes her knee while skipping, and a woman falls off her bicycle, all played by the same actress. Don’t miss: McDonald’s SG serves up breakfast bars with new rap The video then cuts to Auntie Susan, who returns with a new rap performance to remind the injured characters to “heal it right”. She highlights two key steps: cleanse with Hansaplast Wound Spray to remove dirt and germs, and cover with the Hydrocolloid plaster to protect the wound and speed up healing. The campaign video ends on a cheerful note, with the characters following her advice and dancing along to the catchy tune. The caption on Hansaplast’s post reads, “Auntie Susan is BACK… and she’s got a fresh rap to keep your wounds in check.” The brand positions the Hydrocolloid Plaster as “thin, comfy, and advanced”, offering second-skin protection and faster, scar-free healing, a playful reminder, as Auntie Susan puts it, that there’s “no need to act smart and air your wound”. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more information.  Hansaplast joins a growing list of brands turning to music and pop culture to engage audiences. In July, McDonald’s Malaysia turned up the heat with a hip-hop collaboration featuring local artists MK K-Clique and TUJU to launch its new Spicy Chicken and Spicy Lemon Chicken burgers. According to Chin Mei Lee, chief marketing officer at McDonald’s Malaysia, the move was about “celebrating the bold, spicy flavour our fans love, while turning up the heat with a collaboration that feels truly local and fresh”. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola teamed up with SGAG and MGAG earlier this year for a humorous Chinese New Year jingle. The two-minute clip followed a young couple’s trip to Johor Bahru to visit family, using humour to highlight the social pressures of meeting extended relatives — and offering some lighthearted relief for festive stress. Related articles: Nike and Spotify turn music into motivation for girls worldwide   PropertyGuru Malaysia and iamNEETA turn neighbourhood memories into music    Maybelline reimagines iconic jingle with Miley Cyrus as global face source

Maybank Singapore has launched 65 fully wrapped buses in partnership with Moove Media, marking the largest corporate bus fleet campaign in the nation. The activation coincides with the bank’s 65th anniversary and follows updated Land Transport Authority (LTA) guidelines allowing 100% full wraps for the first time in nearly a decade. The 12-week campaign is part of Maybank’s “Served your way” brand platform and will cover nearly 80% of Singapore’s road network, connecting communities across heartlands, business districts, and cross-border routes. In conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Annie Lee, head of country corporate office at Maybank Singapore said the brand campaign focuses on the bank’s commitment to client-centricity and its promise to deliver reliable services and expertise for its clients. “This is where partnering with Singapore’s efficient and reliable bus network becomes a natural metaphor.” Don’t miss: Maybank Malaysia responds to public backlash: ‘Emblem on Merdeka 118 building a symbol of continuity’ The buses act as roving billboards tailored to different services. Business banking content will appear in industrial and commercial districts, wealth management in affluent precincts, and cross-border services on Causeway routes. The creative concept is based on the insight that Maybank is deeply embedded in the daily lives of its clients and reflects the bank’s commitment to journeying with them. Of the 65 buses, 15 single-deckers operate on the Causeway, highlighting Malaysia–Singapore connectivity, while the remaining 50 double-deckers feature wealth management, business banking, and community financial services messages. Lee added: “The activation is part of our ‘Served your way’ brand expression and ties closely to our purpose of humanising financial services — meeting customers where they are, both digitally and physically.”  The campaign was executed by Moove Media through Arena Media, with Blak Labs providing creative concepts. “Moove Media is not a new partner to us. However, we were excited to learn about the new guidelines allowing full bus wraps, and it was timely that we were (literally) looking for a vehicle to bring our brand messages across the island,” explained Lee. “It was natural to settle on 65 buses in celebration of our 65th anniversary, and this follows from 65 days of ice-cream giveaways at locations around Singapore shaped like 65,” she added. The buses are part of Maybank’s multi-year campaign, which uses relatable moments, including food as a cultural touchpoint, to build connection with audiences. The campaign also extends to digital and social platforms, with messages served at bus stops, shelters, commercial buildings, and across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Google. Highlighting the significance under the updated LTA guidelines, Lee said “It’s the largest double decker corporate bus fleet campaign in the nation’s history, following updated LTA guidelines for full wraps. This marks a new era for 100% full bus wraps, signaling renewed opportunities for creative storytelling in Singapore’s OOH landscape”   The campaign extends beyond buses, with “Served your way, Maybank” initiatives that blend ASEAN food culture with modern banking. Key activations include “Kopi kakis” informal sessions over coffee and food, where customers co-create ideas and give feedback directly to senior management. The bank is also celebrating Singapore’s food heritage in partnership with Makansutra, contributing SG$65,000 to the Central Singapore CDC’s SG60 Silver Buddies initiative. The anniversary campaign also highlights Maybank’s ESG and cross-border banking initiatives, including the social campaign “The hungry neighbours”, which demonstrates cross-border transactions between Malaysia and Singapore through QR payments, instant fund transfers, and linked accounts. Hosted by Singaporean content creator Pamela Lee Nur Shuhadah and Malaysian comedian Ho Ming Yue, the series aims to make cross-border financial experiences “simpler, more intuitive and human-centred,” according to a Maybank spokesperson at the time.  Related articles:  Maybank Singapore and American Tourister turn everyday spending into a getaway  Humanising finance: How Maybank is putting people first  Maybank inks partnership with Microsoft to supercharge digital and AI transformation  source

Denim never really goes out of style, it just finds new faces to wear it. In the 90s, those faces were unforgettable. Brooke Shields whispering, “Nothing comes between me and my Calvins”. Cindy Crawford sipping a Pepsi in her cut-off Levi’s. Those campaigns didn’t just sell jeans, they sold attitude, rebellion and a snapshot of an era when denim defined cool. Fast forward to 2025 and the formula feels familiar. From Beyoncé’s cinematic Denim Cowboy film with Levi’s to Gap’s Y2K revival featuring girl group KATSEYE, and American Eagle’s cheeky Sydney Sweeney campaign that sparked a cultural debate, denim brands are clearly dusting off a familiar playbook: the celebrity-fronted ad. Don’t miss: With influencer marketing taking over, what values do celebrities bring to marketers?  However, today’s audiences are not the MTV generation. Attention is fragmented, authenticity is currency and nostalgia can cut both ways. Hence, the question is, can celebrities still make denim a cultural moment, or are brands chasing a kind of mass cool that no longer exists? With celebrity-fronted denim ads plastered around the world again, the industry is split between those who see it as creative revival and those who see it as a strategic safety net. VJ Anand, founder and chief creative officer of Ballsy, who has worked for the likes of VaynerMedia, BBDO Worldwide and TBWAWorldwide, said this resurgence is simply part of an inevitable creative loop. “It just needed one person to open the floodgates and the rest followed up trying to one-up each other,” he said. “And then someone is sure to come in with a great piece of work with no celebrity or an unknown and set the trend again. It’s a cycle and a loop.” But not everyone sees it as creative momentum. Vinod Savio, chief creative officer at DDB Group Singapore, called it what it is — a defensive strategy. “Denim is a utility product. A brand without a strong idea can’t command attention. So, what do they do? They borrow it. They use a celebrity as a human billboard,” he added. Star power or shortcut?  In today’s attention economy, celebrities can give brands an instant jolt, but it only works if the partnership has substance. Anand stressed the importance of aligning the celebrity with the brand’s DNA, while Savio warned that using stars as shortcuts risks producing “noise” without meaning. Farrokh Madon, chief creative officer at Pirate, noted that the temptation to lean on fame is as old as advertising itself. “Celebrities and advertising have always gone together like apple and pie,” he said. “The smarter brands use them to build their own story. If you don’t, the eyeballs you got via the celebrity fly away the moment your contract ends.” Celebrity appeal is only part of the story. Nostalgia plays a key role, with denim brands leaning on 90s aesthetics to make their campaigns feel culturally relevant. Anand pointed to the resurgence of 90s trends, from sold-out Adidas collabs to Nirvana blasting in Gen Z bars, noting that the era’s advertising styles are back too. Savio explained that the nostalgia goes beyond aesthetics. “They’re borrowing from the past because it’s simpler than inventing a new future,” he said. “The 90s aesthetic works for two reasons: comfort and cultural solace. The relaxed, baggy fits neutralise the competition by being genuinely comfortable. That’s the product truth.” Madon agreed that the nostalgic link can work, but only if brands don’t rely on it to do the heavy lifting. “It’s the easiest way for a brand to get noticed,” he said. “But most brands don’t even feel they need to be creative if they have a celebrity. Like those cringe shampoo ads where the celebrity is used just for a hair toss.” When the Internet claps back Backlash has become the cost of entry in today’s cultural arena, but how a brand handles it can define a campaign’s impact.  Take American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney ad, Sydney Sweeney has great jeans. A pun linking jeans and genes sparked controversy, with some critics reading it as insensitive or even eugenics-adjacent. The brand defended the campaign, emphasising the focus was on the product and sales of the featured jeans surged. Still, the ad drew mixed reactions online, showing just how quickly celebrity campaigns can generate both hype and heat in today’s hyper-visible cultural landscape. Anand said the strongest brands are open to criticism: if you fear negativity, you won’t do anything great. Haters and critics are inevitable, but controversy can fuel exposure and even sales. Madon and Savio added nuance: campaigns that appear divisive or stray from a brand’s core values risk turning backlash toxic. “It created massive noise and got noticed, but it provided nothing useful about the product. The focus was on controversy and the star, not the brand truth. When you prioritise noise over meaning, you deserve the backlash,” added Savio.  When done right, celebrity-led denim campaigns still pack a punch, but only if they remain true to the brand. Anand noted that the best ads stand for something clear and unapologetic, even if they playfully poke at competitors. Savio explained that the difference between a fleeting hit and a lasting cultural icon comes down to intent: the celebrity should amplify the brand’s best self. The Levi’s partnership with Beyoncé, he noted, illustrates this perfectly, blending music, style, and cultural resonance to create a campaign that would still work even without the superstar attached. Ultimately, for Savio, the best celebrity campaigns don’t just buy attention, they build cultural legacy, answering the unspoken question: Why should I wear your jeans over literally anything else? Related articles    Nostalgia is not enough: How brands can get the rising trend right Why IKEA is killing it despite being a decade late to the Harlem Shake     Nostalgia meets novelty: Netizens respond to MILO’s SG60 campaigns source

The Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU) has criticised Twelve Cupcakes for what it described as a lack of due process and consultation in the lead-up to its closure. According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), the union said it was only informed of the company’s shutdown on Wednesday, the same day Twelve Cupcakes revealed its liquidation to employees. FDAWU said the company, despite being unionised, had failed to engage the union early or explore alternative options to support affected workers. The union reportedly added that while the business decision may have been commercial in nature, its execution was irresponsible and failed to account for the human impact. Workers were reportedly given insufficient notice and were left scrambling to secure alternative employment while facing uncertainty over owed payments. Don’t miss: Singapore private club 1880 abruptly shuts down as financial troubles mount   FDAWU general secretary Sankaradass also reportedly said that the sudden notice was “unacceptable and unfair” to both the workers and the union. He added that the union has called on the appointed liquidator to work closely with FDAWU to address employee claims. The comments follow Twelve Cupcakes’ announcement that it has been placed under provisional liquidation and has ceased operations as of 29 October 2025. In a statement on its website, the company said, “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your kind support and partnership over the years.” The brand, founded in 2011, had been a popular player in Singapore’s dessert scene, known for its variety of cupcakes and baked goods. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more information. The shuttering of Twelve Cupcakes marks a turning point for a brand once seen as a local success story. Twelve Cupcakes is currently owned by Indian tea company Dhunseri Group, which bought the brand in 2016 for SG$2.5 million from its founders, local radio personalities Daniel Ong and Jamie Teo. Although the company’s 2021 conviction for underpaying employees occurred after the sale, Ong and Teo were also reported to have allowed the chain to underpay the wages of its foreign staff between 2013 and 2016. According to The Straits Times at the time, there were also instances where some workers, between 2012 and 2013, did not receive any income. In 2021, Twelve Cupcakes was fined S$119,500 for underpaying seven employees, according to multiple media reports. The company was convicted under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act on 15 counts of underpaying its employees in 2017 and 2018. Citing court documents, reports stated that all seven employees were S-Pass holders at the time of the offence. While their monthly salaries ranged from SG$2,200 to SG$2,600 each, Twelve Cupcakes only paid them between SG$1,400 and SG$2,050. In May 2018, the company reportedly paid them their full salaries but instructed them to return a portion in cash. Twelve Cupcakes’ closure comes amid a challenging period for Singapore’s F&B landscape. Just two months earlier, Privé Group revealed the closure of all its outlets effective 1 September 2025, citing rising operational costs and difficult market conditions. In a statement released at the time, Privé called the decision “incredibly tough” and expressed gratitude to customers, staff, and partners. The company said it was seeking professional financial advice to guide its next steps. Related articles: Cathay Cineplexes enters voluntary liquidation amid creditor demands   Singapore’s indie cinema The Projector to close after a decade   Jetstar Asia’s shutdown: Does marketing even matter with price conscious customers?  source

Independent brewer Brewlander has teamed up with BLKJ Havas to launch a new campaign that invites drinkers to create their own beer ads using AI. The activation takes aim at the big-budget world of traditional beer advertising — the kind filled with million-dollar shoots, glossy beaches and celebrity cameos — by letting anyone generate their own cinematic Brewlander commercial through text-to-video AI tools such as Sora and Qwen 2.5. Instead of filming commercials, Brewlander printed them. The campaign rolled out across posters, billboards and magazines featuring detailed AI prompts that users could type in to instantly create their own high-production beer spot. Don’t miss: Heineken takes a swing at AI friendships with cheeky OOH ad  Examples included “Surfers ride black sea horses rough an underwater world of neon coral reefs, past glowing jellyfish, raising their ice-cold Brewlanders” and “A colossal Brewlander bottle floats in a galaxy of bubble-planets and star-balls.” Fans who generated their own Brewlander ads also received exclusive discounts on the beer. Through the campaign, Brewlander positions itself as a brand that invests not in commercials, but in the beer itself.  MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more. Brewlander is not the only brewer taking cheeky swings recently. While it taps AI to jab at competitors who spend on ads rather than products, Heineken in the US took a playful approach with a campaign that reminds consumers that real connections happen over a beer. Leaning into the hype around AI friendship devices, Heineken launched a functional bottle opener necklace, a tongue-in-cheek take on “wearable tech.” The tagline, “The best way to make a friend is over a beer”, appeared across high-impact OOH placements in New York City and Heineken US’ social media channels, blending humour with a long-standing brand message: the best relationships are built offline. Related articles:  Carlsberg creates retro streets and vibes with Jalan Carlsberg  Kronenbourg 1664 brings fashion fizz to the streets in bold OOH takeover  Tiger Beer roars with Singaporean pride in eclectic campaign  source

Bill Bernbach once said creativity was the most powerful force in business. As Omnicom and Interpublic Group move closer to finalising their US$13.5 billion merger, market forces may yet prove him wrong. Rumours have intensified this week that Omnicom will retire the DDB network as part of its global integration plan with IPG, effectively dissolving one of the most influential agency brands in modern advertising. Founded in 1949 by Bernbach, James Doyle and Maxwell Dane, DDB helped define the creative revolution through campaigns like Volkswagen’s iconic Think Small. DDB is one of Omnicom’s three main creative agency networks alongside BBDO and TBWA. Following the merger, Omnicom will also inherit several overlapping IPG networks, including McCann Worldgroup, FCB and MullenLowe, making consolidation almost inevitable.  SEE MORE: Omnicom to close IPG deal by November The US Federal Trade Commission approved the merger in late September under an integration framework that consolidates the combined group’s creative operations around three core global networks – BBDO Worldwide, McCann (dropping “Worldgroup”) and TBWAWorldwide.  MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Omnicom for comment but had not received a response at press time. In a statement to Adweek, an Omnicom spokesperson said the company is “undertaking a rigorous and considered process to ensure we have the very best solutions for the future for us and for our clients,” adding that Omnicom and IPG remain independent entities until the acquisition is finalised.  If confirmed, the retirement of DDB would mark the end of a 75-year legacy synonymous with creative excellence and brand storytelling. The move follows a series of structural shifts within the network. In Canada, DDB was merged under the Omnicom Advertising Group banner last year, while in New York, Adam&Eve merged with DDB Worldwide to form Adam&EveDDB – a decision that signalled the beginning of deeper brand integration.  In markets across Asia, DDB remains a significant creative force with clients including Coles, Volkswagen and DoorDash in Australia, McDonald’s Hong Kong, Google in key APAC markets such as Indonesia, plus Audi in Singapore. This year, though, it has lost several major accounts including McDonald’s and Westpac in Australia. In 2023, long-time DDB leader David Tang stepped down as CEO of DDB Asia, marking the end of a 25-year career with the network. Tang, who previously led DDB Singapore for two decades before handing the reins to Jeff Cheong, was instrumental in building the agency’s creative reputation across the region. His departure underscored a period of wider leadership transition across DDB’s Asia operations. Omnicom Group chairman and CEO John Wren previously hinted that brand consolidation would be part of the integration process, telling analysts the company would make “appropriate decisions based upon what’s going to lead to greater growth and greater career opportunities for our best and most talented people.”  Wren said the merger will create “the industry’s most talented team and a powerful platform designed to accelerate growth through strategic advantages in data, media, creativity, production and technology.”  The combined group will become the world’s largest advertising holding company, with estimated annual revenue exceeding US$25 billion and more than 100,000 staff globally – overtaking both Publicis Groupe and WPP.  However, the washout across regional markets, including Australia, remains unclear. Staff from Omnicom and IPG’s local agencies have reportedly been instructed not to discuss the merger until its completion, expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. Globally, Omnicom’s severance costs more than doubled this year to US$127 million, a possible sign of network rationalisation already underway. As Bernbach himself might have said, great advertising builds brands; but great business decisions build empires. source

Skincare labels, shelves and ads have long promised the impossible: poreless skin, cellulite elimination, wrinkle-free faces. The Ordinary says it’s time for a reality check. The brand has launched a new campaign, “The periodic fable”, which exposes what it calls the myths behind common beauty claims. At its core is a “scientific table with zero science” featuring 49 terms engineered to overhype products. According to the brand, it’s designed to help consumers separate fact from fiction—and science from story. The campaign is anchored by a 60-second film that opens in a stark, classroom-like setting. Students dressed in white recite terms such as “poreless” and “wrinkle erasing,” gently patting their faces or performing literal interpretations of exaggerated claims, such as rubbing ice on the skin for “fat freezing”. Don’t miss: Dove celebrates courage by empowering Filipino women to #FreeThePits   As the pace quickens, the students rise and the lights cut out, leaving a screen with the message: “We’ve been taught beauty wrong. It’s time we all learnt the truth”. The film closes with the campaign name, “The periodic fable”. The Ordinary said the initiative is part of its wider effort to promote transparency in the skincare industry, challenging exaggerated claims and the perception of “miracle” ingredients. “The truth should be Ordinary,” the brand stated. The campaign follows a growing trend of skincare brands challenging conventional beauty narratives. Earlier this year, Kiehl’s drew attention with its January campaign, “Pubic display type”, which created a font from actual human pubic hair in a statement against censorship and in celebration of self-care for all skin, including intimate areas. The launch coincided with the debut of Kiehl’s intimate care category, featuring products such as ingrown hair and tone corrective drops, and cream-to-powder deodorants designed for all skin types and tones. The campaign also included authentic imagery of models with visible pubic hair, some of which were censored in select store windows and on social media. That same month, Dove launched #NewYearsUnresolution, encouraging women to ditch unrealistic beauty standards when setting New Year’s resolutions. Participants were invited to write resolutions on sticky notes, and tear them up, or share digital versions on TikTok. British influencer Imogen Horton took part, writing “no more wrinkles” on a note before tearing it up, symbolising her commitment to rejecting societal pressures and embracing Dove’s message. Related articles: Sephora rolls out ‘Perfect Shade’ to redefine beauty across Asia   Dove, Atleta Filipina join forces to tackle body insecurity in sports    Closeup gets a beauty glow up with Gen Z rebrand source