marketing interactive

Intimate apparel company Triumph has invited modern women to rediscover and embrace their authentic selves with a regional campaign.   Also known as “Just like you”, the campaign is rolling out across APAC region such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and India, and is done in partnership with creative agency VML Hong Kong.  The campaign boldly challenges societal pressures for external validation, inspiring women to declare: “Don’t like me” – a rejection of the need for outward affirmation and fleeting trends.   It’s a tribute to inner strength and self-acceptance, recognising that intimate apparel is the foundational layer that empowers a woman to create her perfect look with her unique inner beauty, from the inside out.   This concept is brought to life through Triumph’s “Beauty wardrobe” – a curation designed to be essential for every woman’s style, fostering a distinct and desirable feeling of self-assuredness.  The “Beauty wardrobe” spotlights three iconic collections to meet distinct needs and moments in a woman’s life, ensuring she feels confident, supported, and truly herself: Smooth Sensation for the effortless achiever, Tri-Air Lite Delight for the evening star, and Illusion Curve for the fashion architect.  The new campaign, which officially launched in September, is now actively reaching audiences across APAC, inspiring women to own their authentic selves.  Neil Lewis, VP of marketing APAC, Triumph & sloggi brands, said: “We live in a world that constantly tells women how they should look and feel. With ‘Just like you’, we are taking a stand for authenticity. This campaign is about celebrating the real you – the you that lights up a room, the you that finds strength in comfort, and the you that wears your truth.”  “We believe that when a woman feels perfectly comfortable and supported in her intimate apparel, it frees her mind from distraction, allowing her to fully focus on her aspirations and achieve her potential. With our meticulously designed ‘Beauty Wardrobe,’ Triumph customers are unafraid to be beautifully themselves, allowing them to cherish who they are,” he added.  “We are incredibly proud to have collaborated with Triumph on the ‘Just Like You’ campaign, a truly meaningful and empowering initiative,” said Sandra Gin, executive director of VML Hong Kong.   “Our team leveraged deep consumer insights and a holistic understanding of the modern woman’s journey to craft a campaign that is not only visually stunning but also deeply resonant. We believe in creating work that sparks conversation and drives genuine connection, and ‘Just like you’ perfectly embodies our commitment to impactful, purpose-driven creativity that champions authenticity. We also envision this powerful creative platform serving as a foundational pillar for Triumph’s evolving brand narrative and future campaigns, ensuring a consistent and empowering message across all touchpoints.”  MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to VML for more information.  Related articles: Triumph reveals new branding and identity, pushes for revitalised retail experienceTriumph aims to promote sisterhood with global campaign source

The festive season is arriving with a playful twist as Mofusand, the beloved Japanese cat character, makes its Southeast Asian debut with a series of mall takeovers across CapitaLand properties. The teaser campaign began on 17 October at CQ @ Clarke Quay’s Fountain Square, where a mysterious eight-metre inflatable box left shoppers guessing, accompanied by a trail of donut sprinkles hinting at the surprise inside. Fans who correctly identified the character using the CapitaStar app were rewarded with STAR$, adding an interactive element to the launch. On 23 October, CapitaLand unveiled Southeast Asia’s tallest Mofusand inflatable: the giant eight-metre-tall Meow Donut, joined by 25 quirky Mofusand cats for a one-day showcase at Clarke Quay. Following this debut, the cats will make a special one-day appearance at Westgate on 25 October and a third mystery location on 29 October, keeping fans on their toes. Don’t miss: POP LAND makes SG debut with pastel-themed pop-up and exclusive collectibles  These teaser pop-ups lead up to the official launch of Mofusand Holidays on 5 November, which will transform 17 CapitaLand malls into immersive festive wonderlands. Highlights include ‘Fruit meow’, with cats frolicking among banana, strawberry, and watermelon stalls; ‘Board shark’, featuring cats in shark suits bouncing beach balls alongside penguins; and ‘Coffee & donuts’, a cozy, photo-ready setting with giant coffee cups, donut props, and glowing festive trees. Bugis Junction will bring all three themes together in a full-fledged Mofusand experience, while the eight-metre Meow Donut inflatable will also appear at Capital Tower and Plaza Singapura, offering multiple larger-than-life photo opportunities throughout the season. Adding to the festivities, Mofusand’s first Japanese F&B collaboration outside Japan debuts with ‘Sushi Tei’, offering limited-time themed dining experiences. Meanwhile, roving pop-up stores will feature exclusive merchandise ranging from plushies to lifestyle accessories, giving fans plenty of reasons to collect or gift the character-themed items. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more.  Since its creation in 2017 by Japanese illustrator Juno, Mofusand has grown into a beloved IP. The character has held cafe pop-ups across Japan and collaborated with global brands such as KFC and Starbucks. In Hong Kong last year, it partnered with 7-Eleven and Sanrio to launch a set of six plushies and mini jars. Mofusand is also opening its first permanent store in Harajuku, Tokyo today (24 October). Designed as a brand-experience store, it will refresh themes and concepts throughout the year. For its grand opening, the first concept series is ‘Coffee & donuts’, featuring merchandise such as keyrings, tote bags, tumblers, patches, and t-shirts, allowing fans to engage with the character in a fully immersive environment. Related articles:    Who’s that Pokémon? Singapore fans put to the test in OOH campaign Blunies lets Singaporeans send anonymous hints to stinky friends in playful pop-up RWS and Sentosa go ‘Wicked’ with islandwide cinematic takeover   source

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) has reportedly taken action against several training providers for breaching its marketing guidelines, amid rising public complaints about aggressive or misleading promotion tactics. According to The Straits Times (ST), Acctrain Academy had its contract with SSG terminated on 30 September 2025 after failing to supervise third-party marketing partners, at least one of which was found to have paid cash to learners. The termination means the company can no longer receive SSG funding. Checks by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE at the time of writing show that the academy is revamping its website. Another provider, FirstCom Academy, was reportedly suspended from January to March this year for using a referral programme to market its courses. Don’t miss: foodpanda warned over ‘misleading’ free delivery ad for pandapro The penalties come as SSG moves to ban all SkillsFuture training providers from using third parties to promote courses from 1 December, following an increase in complaints about hard-sell marketing practices. In conversation with ST, SSG said third-party marketing agents often pose a higher risk of using aggressive tactics to boost enrolments, prioritising sales targets over genuine learning outcomes. The agency added that such behaviour could damage the credibility of the training sector and harm learners’ interests, while also raising concerns about data privacy when external agents handle course sign-ups. SSG reportedly said it has received more public feedback on such issues, rising from 15 cases in 2024 to 21 between January and August 2025. Many complaints involved third-party agents offering cashback, rewards, or incentives to encourage course sign-ups, sometimes persuading individuals, particularly seniors, to enrol in courses they were not qualified for. Some learners have also reported being misled by exaggerated claims or false advertising. In one example cited by ST, a stay-home mother signed up for a TikTok marketing course using her SkillsFuture credits, only to discover it was a recruitment session for a multi-level marketing business. To curb such behaviour, SSG’s marketing guidelines, published in August 2025, prohibit exaggerated claims and promises of “guaranteed success”. Training providers are also barred from offering gifts, vouchers, or monetary incentives for referrals or enrolments. SSG reportedly said that while it has not seen a spike in suspected fraud, it continues to investigate cases involving cashback and reward-based marketing. Separately, SSG has also unveiled stricter quality measures for SkillsFuture-funded courses, such as requiring trainers to undergo regular upskilling and suspending low-rated courses based on participant feedback. The agency reportedly reiterated that the upcoming ban on third-party marketing aims to protect learners and uphold the credibility of Singapore’s lifelong learning ecosystem. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to SSG and FirstCom Academy for more information. SSG’s latest enforcement comes amid broader scrutiny of marketing and transparency practices across industries in Singapore. In June, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) flagged design features on Agoda’s website and mobile app that could potentially mislead consumers. One issue was the “best match” label, which suggested search results were ranked based on user preferences such as travel dates or guest ratings. CCCS found that Agoda’s algorithm also factored in the commissions it earned, raising transparency concerns. Agoda has since voluntarily provided an undertaking and worked with CCCS to make changes, ensuring users receive accurate and transparent information before booking accommodations. Related articles:Grab Singapore’s Trans-cab acquisition may violate competition law, says CCCSAirAsia accepts MalaysiaNow’s apology over misleading articles    SkillsFuture Singapore stresses the need to learn continuously in inspiring film source

HBO Max has unleashed a global stunt to herald the upcoming premiere of its HBO Original series IT: Welcome to Derry, set to debut on October 27. The “Red Balloon takeover” began on Tuesday, 21 October, when the franchise’s iconic red balloons appeared across social media, instantly sparking conversations about the return of Pennywise the Clown. The digital stunt quickly spilled into the real world, as red balloons began appearing in major cities worldwide, including New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, Paris, and the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. Asia was not left out, with balloons materialising physically and virtually in Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Taipei, and Hong Kong, bringing the horror universe to life for fans everywhere. Don’t miss: Orchard Road descends into nightmare in Warner Bros.’ IT activation In Singapore, the red balloon floated ominously across the old Changi Hospital, an abandoned site locals believe to be haunted, and the Yellow Tower at East Coast Park, notorious for a legendary murder. It also drifted across everyday landmarks — bus stops, HDB blocks, overhead bridges, and carparks — creating a chilling overlay of horror atop the familiar. HBO Max took the same approach in Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, sharing posts of singular balloons floating across abandoned cinemas, historic forts, malls, beaches, and other iconic spots. In the Philippines, shoppers were treated to a live scare as Pennywise appeared atop a building, clutching a cluster of balloons, with flickering lights and creeping fog heightening the tension. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to HBO Max for further details. This is not the only IT activation spotted in Singapore. Last week, Warner Bros. Discovery transformed Orchard Road into a haunting reimagining of Derry, Maine. The activation included a full digital bus shelter buyout and chilling projections at Midpoint Orchard. Commuters exiting Somerset MRT found themselves stepping into a sinister Somerset linkway, each stride drawing them deeper into Pennywise’s lair. On the night of the launch, 23 October, eerie figures straight from 1960s Derry — dubbed the ITWTD wanderers — silently roamed the streets clutching the signature red balloon, captivating audiences both online and offline. Together, these activations showcase HBO Max’s immersive approach to promoting IT: Welcome to Derry, blending online engagement with real-world spectacles and turning familiar urban landscapes into eerie extensions of the horror series. As fans across the globe encounter the floating red balloons and ominous clown, anticipation for Pennywise’s return continues to build. Related articles:   Warner Bros., Hearts & Science turn Jakarta’s skyline into a Superman spectacle   Max brings the apocalypse region-wide to mark return of ‘The Last of Us’ Asian landmarks pick sides in dynamic ‘House of the Dragon’ FOOH campaign  source

Agentic AI has rapidly emerged as the latest marketing phenomenon worldwide, with its market size projected to reach US$197 billion by 2034, according to a report by Hong Kong-based technology firm Terminal 3. In Hong Kong alone, 71% of organisations plan to deploy AI agents to work alongside employees within the next year, as revealed by a recent Cisco survey. The growth trajectory for agentic AI is nothing short of remarkable, said Terminal 3’s CEO and co-founder Gary Liu (pictured) at MARKETING-INTERACTIVE’s Digital Marketing Asia Hong Kong. By 2032, the market is expected to surpass US$100 billion, and just two years later, it’s set to nearly double, he said. “This is extraordinary growth of a sub sector of artificial intelligence. I’m just talking about AI agents, autonomous bots that now have the permissions to make decisions and make transactions on behalf of human operators. By 2034 the agentic AI market is likely to be at least about a fifth, if not about a third of the all overall AI marketplace,” he added. Potential data threats of Agentic AI However, the exponential growth of AI is rapidly outpacing marketers’ ability to govern the safety and security of its data use. According to Liu, while agentic AI unlocks powerful capabilities, it also introduces significant risks, particularly in the realm of data privacy and security. “Regulators are the ones who are supposed to care most about data privacy and data security,” he noted. “But they’re still learning about this industry—and it’s evolving so quickly that they simply haven’t been able to keep up. Right now, there is no comprehensive data governance structure anywhere in the world that can adequately address the existential risks posed by the rise of AI agents.” On the marketing front, Liu pointed out that regulators and tech giants such as Alphabet and Meta currently dominate the conversation around data governance and privacy. “We talk about it constantly, yet we’re still just following their lead on what they decide to implement,” he said. But in the age of agentic AI, the rules are about to change, Liu said. “We are now writing software that allows autonomous systems to make up their own minds, and it doesn’t matter the amount of regulation we put in place, if the regulation looks anything like traditional data regulations, we’re not going to be able to control what AI agents actually do the moment we feed data into an AI agent and it ends up in what is called memory.” Liu further cautioned that once data becomes part of an agent’s memory, it’s effectively irretrievable. “It’s gone forever as it’s out of our control,” he said. “AI agents will then use that data to train the next version of their own baseline numbers, what we call foundational models. But now what we’re seeing is something even more pervasive, and you can consider it nefarious if you don’t trust the actual AI models.” In essence, autonomous agents have quickly realised that data is their most valuable currency. “They’re now exchanging information with one another—trading data for data. And if this continues unchecked, we’re on track to completely lose control over governance and traditional regulatory mechanisms.” How can marketers better prepare for this? In fact, this growing control by AI-powered agents might be one reason some marketers have hesitated to adopt agentic AI tools, he said. But make no mistake, that’s exactly what they want. And yet, he warned, this is just the beginning. The current suite of AI tools only scratches the surface of what marketers will be using in the coming years. “Right now, generative AI is mostly being used for relatively mundane tasks—basic campaign optimisation,” Liu explained. “But very soon, it will be responsible for creating the vast majority of your creative content.” That shift will directly impact marketers in creative roles—copywriters, editors, designers. “AI is going to permeate your day-to-day work because of the sheer productivity gains it delivers,” Liu said. Beyond content creation, the next phase involves AI negotiating on one’s behalf—across platforms—in real time. “It won’t just optimise spend within a single platform,” he said, “but will dynamically shift budgets and adjust creatives across multiple platforms based on the permissions you’ve granted—not by fixed rules, but through autonomous decision-making.” Eventually, Liu predicted, AI agents will take over much of what today’s advertising stacks—both human-led and rules-based systems—currently do. “These agents will launch hyper-targeted ad campaigns to individual users on the fly, with little to no human input.” This raises a critical question: “Do we have the guardrails in place so that these AI agents don’t start running completely afoul with this incredibly private and sensitive and important data, start trading with one another, start mimicking either yourselves, your companies, or your customers and your users. How do we control this very possible runway?” Training AI identities For Liu, the answer lies in establishing robust digital identities for AI agents, especially as they manage critical but overlooked areas like procurement—a domain representing billions in B2B transactions. “No one likes to think about procurement because it’s deathly boring,” Liu said. “I’m talking about large corporate offices ordering toilet paper, or manufacturing companies buying screws and nails—these everyday transactions represent billions of dollars in capital flow across B2B organizations, and we rarely see any of it.” Today, many of these processes are already being handled by AI agents operating on behalf of humans. “These systems can negotiate terms, send purchase orders, receive invoices, and even authorise payments,” Liu explained. “And when you’re dealing with hundreds of billions of dollars in transactions, the implications are massive.” He outlined four major issues that must be addressed as AI agents take on more responsibility – identity impersonation, permission verification, data security and auditability and transparency.  To address these issues, Liu proposed a four-part full-stack identity solution. “First, we have to assign a unique, verifiable identity to every single agent and a human operator. That solves the first problem knowing your AI agent. Second is we have to

Dentsu has appointed Yuichi Toyoda as CEO of Dentsu Asia Pacific, effective 1 January 2026. He will also join the group executive management team, reporting to Hiroshi Igarashi, dentsu’s president and global CEO. Toyoda currently serves as global practice president for business transformation and BX president at Dentsu Japan, as well as managing executive officer at Dentsu Inc. With more than 30 years at the company, including leadership roles in India, Thailand and China, he has overseen major turnarounds across international markets. Since 2022, Toyoda has led Dentsu Inc’s global division and Dentsu Group solutions office. In 2024, he took on leadership of Dentsu’s global business transformation (BX) practice, helping export the model developed in Japan to teams and clients worldwide – an area the company says continues to deliver double-digit revenue growth. “It is with a deep sense of responsibility and pride that I take on this role at such a pivotal time,” Toyoda said. “The region is undergoing unprecedented transformation, with disruption reshaping every industry and redefining how our clients compete and grow. We will choose to lead this transformation by building a uniquely dentsu business model that creates value beyond expectations and delivers sustainable growth.” After 13 months as interim APAC lead, Yoshiki Ishihara will return to his role as global chief strategy officer at the end of 2025 to focus on driving Dentsu’s medium-term management plan and international growth. “We are delighted to appoint Toyoda as CEO of Dentsu APAC,” Igarashi said. “His deep knowledge of the region, global experience and leadership in business transformation make him ideally suited to lead this dynamic and highly competitive region. We are also grateful to Yoshi for his outstanding leadership over the past year, laying the foundation for a return to growth.” Ishihara added: “It has been a privilege to lead APAC over the past year. We’ve laid important groundwork for growth, and I’m confident Yuichi’s leadership and vision will accelerate that momentum.” Related articles: Dentsu APAC appoints head of media PhilippinesDentsu APAC bolsters insight-driven excellence with senior appointments source

Last weekend, Pokémon fans across Singapore gathered in full force to celebrate the launch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, one of the most highly anticipated titles in the franchise’s history. To mark the occasion, Pokémon Singapore rolled out a nationwide campaign blending nostalgia, interactivity, and spectacle by bringing the beloved “Who’s that Pokémon?” quiz to life on Orchard Road. The brand took over the Heeren Mall digital screens with a playful out-of-home activation that stopped passers-by in their tracks. Two mysterious Pokémon silhouettes flashed across the massive screen, accompanied by the game’s release date, sparking conversations among fans eager to guess which Pokémon would be revealed.  Don’t miss: LEGO and Pokémon finally build the dream collab fans have been waiting for When launch day arrived, Pokémon Singapore gave the crowd what they’d been waiting for — unveiling the two Pokémon as Mega Dragonite and Mega Charizard X. The display was also updated from “Arriving October 16” to a triumphant “Available now,” signaling the official arrival of Pokémon Legends: Z-A in Singapore. The OOH activation was part of a larger experiential push designed to reignite fan excitement and community engagement ahead of the release. A week before the game’s debut, Pokémon Singapore hosted a meet-and-greet session with Pikachu. The popular mascot will also return this weekend (25–26 October), continuing the festivities and giving fans more opportunities to interact with the brand in person. Adding a social media twist, Pokémon Singapore also launched a photo-taking campaign to encourage fans to share their love for the game online. Visitors who snap photos at the designated photo spot inside Pokémon Center Singapore and post them with the hashtags #PokemonCenterSingapore and #PokemonLegendsZA can receive exclusive Pokémon-themed stickers as a reward. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Pokémon Singapore for more information on the campaign. The integrated campaign effectively blended offline and online touchpoints, tapping into nostalgia while driving community participation and social sharing — a hallmark of the Pokémon brand’s enduring appeal.  This continued focus on community connection extends beyond Singapore. In Indonesia, The Pokémon Company has teamed up with the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) and Garuda Sepak Bola Indonesia (GSI) for a football-themed collaboration aimed at Gen Alpha and young Millennials. The campaign kicked off during the U-23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, where Pikachu — dressed in an Indonesian national team kit — appeared alongside Cinderace and other football-inspired Pokémon at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium. Beyond the fanfare, the initiative also invited 1,000 children from local football clubs to attend the match and receive limited-edition Pikachu jerseys, deepening Pokémon’s cultural relevance through high-touch, real-world engagement in a football-loving nation.  Related articles:   Have you seen Pos Malaysia’s Pokémon special edition stamp set? You can now hunt for Pokémon on Google’s mobile browser  Are you out to catch Mister Donut’s Pokémon collab?  source

Game On Product Group has unveiled MESSI Platinum, the latest addition to its fragrance line inspired by football legend Leo Messi, with a new global campaign created by independent agency BCM Media and Creative. Rolling out globally this month, the integrated campaign continues BCM’s creative direction for the MESSI fragrance brand, marking the next evolution in its partnership with the sporting icon. Produced entirely in-house at BCM’s production facility, the campaign combines AI and 3D VFX technologies to create full CGI environments seamlessly blended with live-action footage and compositing. It also features AI-driven music composition and sound design, underscoring BCM’s integrated approach to creativity and technology. Don’t miss: Under Armour challenges footballers to be the problem  In the campaign film, the football legend stands at the entrance of a seemingly endless corridor, its platinum walls subtly shifting around him. As he walks forward, the path transforms, guiding him through a journey of anticipation and discovery. At the corridor’s end, a podium emerges, showcasing the MESSI Platinum fragrance. Messi confidently lifts the bottle, turning to the camera as his voice declares, “Platinum by Messi.” The new work builds on last year’s “Messi, More Than We See” campaign, which introduced the brand’s signature “hall of mirrors” motif and tagline—now closely tied to the MESSI fragrance identity. This next phase reinterprets that concept with a sleek, futuristic aesthetic designed to reflect both Messi’s essence and the sophistication of the MESSI Platinum scent. The campaign will air across the US, Asia, South America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand over the coming month. Complementing the global campaign, an activation was held at 1v1 World Crown in Miami, where fans engaged with a cardboard cutout of Messi for a chance to win a signed jersey. Visitors could also participate in a guessing game to win prizes by correctly estimating the number of soccer balls in a box. The activation offered attendees the opportunity to explore the brand’s latest offerings, including MESSI Platinum and the new sports fragrance line too.  The earlier “Messi, More Than We See” campaign delved into the many layers of the football legend, portraying his humility, depth, and authenticity through a striking visual journey of endless reflections. Each mirror revealed a different facet of Messi—his passion, dedication, and quiet strength—symbolising the depth behind his composed exterior. The fragrance itself mirrored this narrative. Designed with sharp, light-reflecting edges and the iconic Messi logo, the bottle embodied the multifaceted nature of the man behind the legend. Much like the scent, Messi’s impact is powerful yet understated—an invitation to embrace one’s inner strength and authenticity beyond what meets the eye. Related articles:  adidas pits Messi against Mahomes in high-speed treadmill showdown  Interview: Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler on brand loyalty in the world of football  Pepsi pays tribute to football heritage with nostalgic global campaign  source

WPP is throwing open the doors to its AI engine, unveiling WPP Open Pro, an AI marketing platform designed to let brands plan, create and publish campaigns independently. The move is arguably one of the biggest yet in how global agency networks commercialise AI and expands WPP’s reach beyond its traditional agency model, opening its proprietary AI tools and creative systems to brands of all sizes. The move positions WPP as the first major holding company to democratise access to its marketing technology stack, offering a direct entry point for brands that may not have previously had the scale or budget to work with its agencies. WPP CEO Cindy Rose said Open Pro represents both an evolution in WPP’s own business model and a broader transformation in how marketing services are delivered. “The rapid acceleration of technology is fundamentally reshaping our industry and WPP is embracing the opportunity to lead that change,” she said. SEE MORE: Can Cindy Rose transform WPP? Industry leaders weigh in “Now, we’re adding WPP Open Pro to our offer – a powerful new edition that puts our AI advantage directly into the hands of a much wider array of brands and businesses. This is about transforming how marketing is delivered, expanding our total addressable market, and giving more brands the tools they need to lead in the AI era.” Built on WPP Open, the group’s existing AI marketing platform, Open Pro packages three connected capabilities – AI-powered strategy, automated content creation and direct publishing – into a single interface. Users can access WPP’s foundational data to plan campaigns, generate on-brand content across channels and publish directly to major ad platforms or WPP’s Open Media Studio for managed execution. WPP chief technology officer Stephan Pretorius said Open Pro stands apart from competitors by connecting the entire marketing process from strategy to delivery. “While some companies hide their AI behind service teams or focus on just one part of the journey, WPP Open Pro is an integrated solution for campaign implementation, built to deliver outcomes, not just assets,” Pretorius said. “It gives marketers control, speed and scale with enterprise-grade quality.” The launch highlights WPP’s push to evolve from a service-based holding company into a hybrid technology and media platform, capable of scaling its AI infrastructure across both enterprise and emerging brands. Open Pro also aims to cater to distinct business units and regional teams within global clients, offering flexibility to localise and personalise content while maintaining global brand compliance. For smaller brands, startups and ecommerce marketers, it provides direct access to professional-grade creative tools and WPP’s data intelligence – a move that could further blur the line between agencies, SaaS platforms and creative automation tools like Canva and Adobe Firefly. Analysts say the launch could unlock new revenue streams for WPP and reshape how agencies monetise intellectual property and technology in the AI age. source

Dentsu has appointed Yuichi Toyoda (pictured), its global practice president, business transformation, dentsu, BX president, dentsu Japan, and managing executive officer, Dentsu Inc., as CEO, dentsu APAC, effective 1 January 2026. He will also join the group executive management team. In his new role, Toyoda will report to Hiroshi Igarashi, president and global CEO, dentsu.  Toyoda brings over 30 years of experience at dentsu, 15 of those years in globally-facing roles, and has a deep understanding of dentsu’s capabilities as well as both Japanese and international markets having held CEO and leadership positions in India, Thailand and China where he was responsible for the significant turnaround of underperforming business units. Since 2022, he has led Dentsu Inc.’s global division and Dentsu Group Inc.’s solutions office and in 2024, a year dentsu bolstered its global management team, he assumed responsibility for dentsu’s global business transformation (BX) practice, expanding the BX knowledge and best practice developed in Japan to teams and clients around the world, which continues to show momentum delivering double digit revenue growth. Meanwhile, after 13 months serving as interim APAC lead, Yoshiki Ishihara returns to his role as global chief strategy officer, dentsu at the end of this year to focus on the group’s growth across international markets and delivering dentsu’s medium-term management plan (MTMP) globally, according to the release.  During his tenure, Ishihara advanced dentsu’s One dentsu vision in the region, implemented core components of MTMP driving meaningful change, strengthened relations with Japan and built the foundation for a return to growth. “We are delighted to appoint Toyoda as CEO, dentsu APAC. His deep knowledge of the region, extensive global experience and leadership in business transformation makes him ideally suited to lead this dynamic and highly competitive region,” said Igarashi. “We are grateful to Yoshi for his outstanding leadership over the past 13 months, laying the foundation for a return to growth and strengthening collaboration across the region.” “It is with a deep sense of responsibility and pride that I take on this role at such a pivotal time, for both our APAC business and the group. The region is undergoing unprecedented transformation, with disruption reshaping every industry and redefining how our clients compete and grow. Disruption, however, always brings opportunity,” said Toyoda. “We will choose to lead this transformation by building a new, ‘uniquely dentsu’ business model, one that creates value beyond our clients’ expectations, supports their sustainable growth and contributes to the progress of society. Together, we will put dentsu APAC back on a growth path and achieve sustainable, long-term success,” he added. Ishihara added: “It has been a privilege to lead APAC over the past year. Together, we have laid the important groundwork for growth. I am confident Toyoda’s leadership and vision will accelerate APAC’s growth and create greater value for clients and markets.” MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to dentsu for more information.  Related articles: Dentsu APAC appoints head of media PhilippinesDentsu APAC bolsters insight-driven excellence with senior appointments source