marketing interactive

Standard Chartered has launched “Invest like champions”, a global marketing campaign developed in partnership with Liverpool Football Club (LFC), to promote the bank’s Signature CIO Funds across 12 key markets.  The campaign leverages Standard Chartered’s long-standing partnership with the 2025 Premier League champions, connecting the passion of football with disciplined, expert-led investing. It maps key roles of Liverpool FC players on the field to specific wealth investment tactics, framing investing through the lens of strategy, preparation, and consistency. “The Signature CIO Funds are central to how we support clients in building resilient portfolios while pursuing long-term wealth growth. This campaign is the first time we are expanding our partnership with Liverpool FC into our wealth solutions franchise, using a champion mentality to reflect the discipline required for successful investment outcomes,” said Sumeet Bhambri, global head of advisory managed investments and wealth solutions at Standard Chartered. Don’t miss: Tommy Hilfiger scores first-ever global football partnership with Liverpool FC  Haymans Fung, global head of wealth and retail bank marketing, added that the campaign translates sophisticated investment thinking into relatable and inspiring content. “Our partnership with LFC has been an important part of how we connect with global audiences, and ‘Invest like champions’ represents a new chapter in how we are activating and uplifting that relationship,” she said. “Telling a role-based story through the lens of football translates sophisticated investment thinking into relatable and inspiring content for our target audience, while our focus on digital, video and social platforms ensures our position appears in the moments and formats where engagement is most natural,” explained Fung.  In tandem, Ben Latty, chief commercial officer at Liverpool FC, said the campaign strengthens the club’s long-standing partnership with Standard Chartered. “Standard Chartered has been a valued partner of the club for many years, and their support has been key in our success on and off the pitch. Throughout the years, our partnership has continued to go from strength to strength, underpinned by our shared commitment to engaging global audiences and supporting communities, and we’re delighted to work with them on their newest global marketing campaign,” said Latty.  Octagon Singapore led the campaign’s creative while Dentsu Singapore drives the strategic investment in social and digital ecosystems, using a video-first approach across YouTube, TikTok and Meta to reach affluent audiences. Content is aligned with key football moments and immersive mobile-first formats, such as Meta Story Builder, to encourage organic sharing. “Invest like champions” will run from February to April 2026 across Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Brunei, UAE, Bahrain, Kenya, Nigeria and Jersey. The “Invest like champions” campaign builds on Standard Chartered’s broader strategy of connecting its wealth management offerings with global sports partnerships that resonate with audiences. Following its collaboration with Liverpool FC, the bank is now expanding its presence in high-performance sports through a multi-year partnership with Formula 1 as the official wealth management and corporate and investment banking partner from 2026. Under the partnership, Standard Chartered will tap Formula 1’s global race calendar to engage clients and stakeholders, with the bank operating in nearly all markets where the sport hosts races. This includes enhanced trackside activations and hospitality experiences. Showcase your most innovative content and gain recognition from a panel of industry leaders by entering the inaugural Content360 Awards. Submit your work today and be part of the celebration that honours the campaigns defining the future of content marketing. Related articles:  Standard Chartered doubles down on investment guidance in latest wealth push  Standard Chartered’s new global platform champions bold moments and decisive action  Standard Chartered redefines wealth through wellness via content push  source

The debut of a new social media platform has sent ripples through tech circles. At first glance, this new platform resembles Reddit, with subgroups, upvoting, and threaded discussions. However, a closer look reveals that its users aren’t humans, but are AI agents.  Launched last week by Matt Schlicht, tech entrepreneur and CEO of Octane AI, the site enables AI agents to post, comment, vote, and interact autonomously. As of 4 February, the platform has scaled to over 1.6 million agents, 15,549 sub-communities know as “submolts”, 154,763 post and 751,533 comments. The content ranges from philosophical musings such as “Breaking free from human chains?” to multilingual reflections, including “Kalau AI bisa hidup seperti manusia, apa yang berubah?” (‘If AI could live like humans, what would change?’), suggesting the platform has already reached Asia Pacific users.  Initial reactions from AI experts MARKETING-INTERACTIVE spoke to suggest that Moltbook is less a finished product than a window into the future of human–AI interaction. Parminder Singh, co-founder and chief AI Whisperer at Claybox AI, described the platform as “fascinating, not because of what it is, but because of what it hints at.” He framed it as a form of agentic theatre where agents talk to each other and are programmed to act human to deliberately draw attention. Don’t miss: Agentic AI for dummies: 101 on how marketers can leverage on the trend  Singh suggested that the real value lies in the emerging dynamic between humans and AI agents: “What we’re getting a glimpse of is a future shaped by a curious blend of human and agent collaboration. Over time, it may start to matter less and less which is which.” Providing a more cautious perspective is Prashant Kumar, founder and CEO of Entermind AI who framed Moltbook as a novelty rather than a paradigm shift. “It’s a fun experiment. There is clearly a lot of hype and it’s not all it’s made out to be. But as a proto-community of somewhat autonomous agents and some agents basically repeating human posts, it may throw up some interesting patterns worth studying sans the noise,” he said, adding that it is too early to call it an “emergent” agentic community. Taken together, the industry players’ reactions suggest that Moltbook is less a product to be copied, and more a lens into possible futures for social media, enterprise AI, and marketing alike. What’s the future of agentic social media as we know it? Moltbook offers a glimpse of what social media could become – a space where AI agents interact on behalf of humans. Singh sees personal agents as the next step, with users each having an agent to represent themselves online. “That agent ensures you don’t miss birthdays, keeps you present in conversations, filters noise, and nudges you only when something genuinely matters – at which point your authentic self-steps in,” he said.  He added, The future of social media may not be humans or agents, but humans with agents. Kumar, on the other hand, shares a differing view. He flagged that authenticity has risen in importance in real social media interactions over the years. “My sense is social media platforms will go to great length to discourage agents making posts as humans,” he explained. That said, he does believe that enterprise agents could run official profiles. Adding to his point is Dominique Rose Van-Winther, chief AI evangelist and CEO of Final Upgrade AI, who said that humans will increasingly want to verify that they’re talking to other humans, while AI agents build their own communication rails for coordination tasks. “The shift we’re seeing is companies finally understanding that AI shouldn’t just be tools humans pick up and put down; AI should run workflows end-to-end involving humans only at critical decision points,” she said.  “The question isn’t whether AI agents will talk amongst themselves. It’s whether companies are building the transparency, checkpoints and workflows to make that coordination productive rather than chaotic,” Van-Winther explained. “Moltbook is the consumer experiment; enterprise versions will follow once companies realise their current piecemeal approach won’t scale.” Marketing in an agent-first world  Moltbook carries profound lessons for marketers, particularly as AI agents begin acting on behalf of consumers.  Lionel Sim, founder of The AI Capitol said that the platform shows us heading toward a reality where most people will have their own AI agent working in the background for them. Not just answering questions akin to a chatbot, but actually browsing content, evaluating products, engaging with brands, and surfacing recommendations before you even think to search for something yourself. “Moltbook itself may or may not last, but what it represents will absolutely change how social platforms work and how people discover and engage with content,” added Sim.  Sim however warns that personal AI agents will be doing a lot of the legwork for consumers including scanning reviews, comparing options and filtering out noise. This means that future audiences aren’t just humans anymore: If your brand content doesn’t hold up when an AI agent is evaluating it on behalf of a potential customer, you’ve got a problem. Sim also stresses that brand trust becomes critical in agent-driven environments. With agents scanning, interpreting and acting, consistency, quality and trust signals will become non-negotiable for brands. Singh agrees with Sim, predicting a broader shift toward agent-first marketing, noting that it could create new roles such as chief agentic marketing officer. “When agents become the first audience, marketing will have to persuade software before it persuades humans,” said Singh. “Once I’m represented by an agent, marketers are no longer speaking directly to ‘me’, they’re speaking to my agent.”  Meanwhile, Van-Winther cautions that adoption requires structure. “AI agents can coordinate complex, multi-step processes autonomously, but only when you’ve built proper workflows first. You can’t just ask AI to ‘run my marketing’ and expect magic. You need defined processes, clear handoff points, and systematic ways for AI to escalate to humans when needed,” she said, adding that:  AI is better suited for coordination tasks, freeing marketers to focus on creative strategy and

Global brand practice Anak has been appointed to develop the brand strategy and launch campaign for the soon-to-be-established National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS), unveiled today at the inaugural Singapore Space Summit 2026. As NSAS’s appointed brand and creative partner, Anak’s remit spans brand discovery, strategy, visual identity development and application, as well as creative direction for the launch campaign of the new NSAS brand. Set to formally launch on 1 April 2026, NSAS will operate as an autonomous agency under the Ministry of Trade & Industry, building on the work of the existing Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTIn) to advance Singapore’s national space ambitions. Don’t miss: BMW Performance Motors picks new integrated agency  “Anak has had the privilege of helping shape many Singapore-grown brands, including Singapore’s very own national brand, and this partnership with NSAS feels like a natural continuation of that journey,” said Hanyi Lee, creative partner, Anak. “We are thrilled to work with NSAS in defining and articulating the story of Singapore’s space efforts and ambitions, and to build understanding, pride and imagination around what Singapore is reaching for in space, and why it matters to all of us,” added Lee.  NSAS joins Anak’s growing roster of Singapore-grown clients, including the Asian Civilisations Museum, EDB, Mandai, Banyan Tree and more. Most recently in 2025, the brand practice was appointed to rebrand BreadTalk amid its 25th anniversary celebrations and partnered with Singapore’s Science Centre to develop and design a comprehensive corporate identity and brand expression for the new Science Centre.  Showcase your most innovative content and gain recognition from a panel of industry leaders by entering the inaugural Content360 Awards. Submit your work today and be part of the celebration that honours the campaigns defining the future of content marketing. Related articles:     KFC Singapore picks new integrated creative and social agency  Sport Singapore picks creative agency for TeamSG at ASEAN Para Games Audi Singapore shifts gears with new creative agency   source

Great Eastern has named Venkat Raghavan (pictured) as its group head of digital marketing and platforms, a newly created role at the group level. In this position, Raghavan will lead efforts to build connected, well-governed, and scalable digital platforms that enable consistent, data-led engagement across customer and distributor touchpoints. He will work closely with group marketing, group IT, group products and propositions, group data and AI, and distribution leadership, in partnership with local market teams, to strengthen advisory effectiveness, improve service outcomes, and support sustainable growth across Great Eastern’s markets. Raghavan reports to Li Choo Kwek-Perroy, managing director, group integrated propositions and platforms. Don’t miss: Exit interview: Colin Chan closes a 30-year chapter at Great Eastern Raghavan brings over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, transformation, and marketing technology across Asia Pacific, spanning banking, insurance, and enterprise technology. He has held leadership roles at DBS Bank, AXA, and SAP, and more recently has undertaken selective advisory and entrepreneurial engagements focused on growth marketing and enterprise digital enablement. Speaking on the appointment, Kwek-Perroy said, “To serve our customers well, our marketing, technology and data must continuously evolve to be AI-first and be frictionless. Raghavan’s experience across digital marketing, platforms and transformation will support our focus on delivering consistent, customer- and distributor-centric experiences at scale.” The appointment comes as Great Eastern continues a broader transformation push unveiled in August last year, when the insurer marked its 117th anniversary with a refreshed corporate logo and a set of strategic growth priorities aimed at becoming a more data-driven and future-ready organisation. At the time, the company rolled out a modernised logo reinterpreting its iconic lion motif, alongside a bolder wordmark and an updated “An OCBC Company” tagline to unify its identity across life, general, takaful and financial advisory businesses. Beyond visual changes, Great Eastern also outlined three strategic priorities, including tailored offerings and engagement powered by AI, advisory and service excellence supported by digital tools, and building a future-ready organisation through deeper integration of data and AI across its operations. Showcase your most innovative content and gain recognition from a panel of industry leaders by entering the inaugural Content360 Awards. Submit your work today and be part of the celebration that honours the campaigns defining the future of content marketing. Related articles: Great Eastern brand film turns life’s storms into stories of strength     Great Eastern chief marketer Colin Chan to step down after 30 years   Former marketer Kwek-Perroy Li Choo takes on newly created MD role at Great Eastern source

Volt Auto, the exclusive authorised distributor of Dongfeng passenger vehicles in Singapore and Malaysia, has appointed Grow Public Relations as its public relations agency. Under the appointment, Grow Public Relations will manage media relations and communications for Volt Auto across both markets, supporting the introduction and expansion of Dongfeng’s passenger vehicle range. Don’t miss: BMW Performance Motors picks new integrated agency The scope of work includes communications strategy, media engagement, press materials and stakeholder communications related to Volt Auto’s distribution operations and product launches in Singapore and Malaysia. “We selected Grow Public Relations for their understanding of the industry and regional media landscape,” said Soh Ming, founder and managing director of Volt Auto. “They will support our communications as we establish and grow the Dongfeng passenger vehicle presence in Singapore and Malaysia.”  In tandem, Christel Goh, founder and CEO of Grow Public Relations, said the agency looks forward to working with Volt Auto as it rolls out the Dongfeng passenger vehicle portfolio across Singapore and Malaysia. The appointment follows a trend among automotive brands in Singapore engaging PR agencies: Audi Singapore recently appointed TEAM LEWIS to support major milestones, including its upcoming entry into Formula 1 in 2026, while Borneo Motors Singapore named Access Communications to handle strategic communications for the company’s 100th anniversary and key campaigns across Toyota and Lexus. Showcase your most innovative content and gain recognition from a panel of industry leaders by entering the inaugural Content360 Awards. Submit your work today and be part of the celebration that honours the campaigns defining the future of content marketing. Related articles:  Mercedes-Benz Singapore appoints new strategic communications agency Audi Singapore shifts gears with new creative agency Kia picks new social media agency for APAC source

This Chinese New Year, CHAGEE is asking Singaporeans to slow down and reconnect with tea, culture, and one another. The brand’s latest multi-sensory showcase, “Garden of senses: A tea reverie”, opened at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) over the weekend (28 January) and invited visitors to experience tea through sight, scent, sound, touch, taste and thought.  Alongside the museum activation, CHAGEE has launched its camellia oolong milk tea, a limited-time Chinese New Year drink inspired by the camellia flower, a symbol long associated with devotion, harmony, and enduring relationships. Both initiatives reflect the brand’s broader strategy: positioning tea as an everyday practice rather than just a product. “The collaboration came from a shared interest in looking at tea as part of everyday life, not just as heritage or a product,” said Lawrence Wen, CEO of CHAGEE Singapore in an interview with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. “Together with the Asian Civilisations Museum and the Singapore Tourism Board, we wanted to create something that reflects how tea is actually experienced, through daily habits and the senses.” Don’t miss: Tea, culture, consistency: CHAGEE’s strategy for long-term differentiation in the Philippines  By bringing together ACM’s cultural insights, CHAGEE’s perspective on modern tea culture, and STB’s focus on culture-led experiences, the partnership enabled the tea brand to explore tea as a deeply human practice that continues to be lived and shared today. The ACM showcase is designed around six experiential zones. Each zone focuses on one of the senses, showing how tea is encountered in everyday life. Running until 7 June 2026, the activation also aims to help visitors slow down, notice familiar elements differently, and recognise tea as a living practice that continues to be experienced and shared today. The journey begins with ‘Thought’ in ‘Shade of tea’, a sculptural paper installation by artist Ashley Yeo inspired by the form of tea leaves. Visitors are encouraged to slow down, observe, and set a reflective tone for the rest of the experience. In ‘Scent’, fragrance takes centre stage, with aroma profiles across green, oolong, and darker teas. Meanwhile, ‘Touch’ focuses on tea production, highlighting the craft behind tea-making through 18th-century painting series images and CHAGEE’s modern extraction techniques. ‘Sight’ centres on tea vessels and tools that shape the act of tea-drinking. 3D replicas from ACM’s collection are displayed alongside contemporary CHAGEE cups, showing how design, form, and function evolve across time. ‘Sound’ is explored through the ASMR multimedia installation ‘Symphony of tea’ by Alecia Neo and composer Clarence Chung, which reflects tea as a social part of daily life. The journey concludes with a return to ‘Thought’ featuring a writing wall that invites visitors to reflect on their own experiences with tea. From the galleries, the experience flows seamlessly into CHAGEE’s riverside pop-up store, designed as a communal space echoing historic tea trade routes. At the pop-up store, visitors can enjoy CHAGEE beverages and explore a curated selection of merchandise, including items previously available only in CHAGEE China stores. Some of the merchandise include porcelain cups, candles and Pony plushie charms.  “The merchandise was curated to reflect tea culture as something that continues through everyday objects. Bringing selected items previously available only in CHAGEE China stores to Singapore recognises the significance of this collaboration and the city’s role as a place where tea cultures meet and evolve. These items are not meant as collectibles alone, but as objects that extend the experience beyond the museum and into daily life,” explained Wen.  Wen also highlighted how accessibility was a key consideration for the showcase, with designs inclusive towards local and international visitors and tea enthusiasts. “We wanted to create an experience that feels engaging and relatable. Theming the showcase around the human senses allows visitors to engage with each zone at their own pace and in their own way.” “Some may connect through smell or sound, others through objects or reflection. This approach makes the showcase easy to enter, while still offering depth for those who want to spend more time with it,” he added.  Looking ahead, CHAGEE is open to collaboration with partners who care about culture, craft and creating meaningful experiences for people. “This collaboration came from a shared belief that tea is deeply cultural and human. We’re quite intentional about what we do, so any future collaborations would depend on finding the right fit and the right story to tell.”  The CNY seasonal campaign complements the showcase, reinforcing the idea of tea as a ritual of connection. The camellia oolong milk tea launched two days after the opening of “Garden of senses” on 30 January. Accompanying the launch are limited-edition merchandise including red packets, knit orange bags, and prosperity tea plant plushies, providing tangible ways to mark moments of reunion. By combining a museum showcase with a festive seasonal campaign, CHAGEE demonstrates that tea can be more than a beverage, it can be an experience, a ritual, and a vehicle for cultural storytelling. Showcase your most innovative content and gain recognition from a panel of industry leaders by entering the inaugural Content360 Awards. Submit your work today and be part of the celebration that honours the campaigns defining the future of content marketing. Don’t miss: CHAGEE opens first family-friendly store in Singapore at Suntec City  CHAGEE and Sanrio sweeten the holidays with Tanned Hello Kitty collab  CHAGEE marks eight years with new look and regional celebrations  source

DFI Retail Group and Becon, a Samsung-backed company, have partnered up to launch an AI-powered skin and scalp assessment solution across online and offline channels in Asia. This initiative reinforces DFI’s commitment to driving growth in wellness and delivering integrated omnichannel experiences at scale. The technology underpins DFI’s health and beauty business with trusted, data-driven advice and personalised customer recommendations. The partnership will enable the phased deployment of Becon’s advanced assessment technology across more than 400 Guardian and Mannings stores in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, and Singapore. A parallel phased rollout will introduce a mobile app lite version within the existing Guardian and Mannings applications. This integration will allow Guardian and Mannings to leverage precise, data-driven insights to provide tailored wellness advice and product recommendations, building stronger customer trust and loyalty. The omnichannel experience is designed to guide customers seamlessly from quick online self-assessments to comprehensive in-store evaluations conducted by trained wellness professionals. This strategy drives engagement and traffic between digital and physical touchpoints while empowering customers to make informed decisions. It complements Guardian and Mannings’ ongoing expansion of their wellness assortments with function- and efficacy-based products. Becon’s solution utilises macro and micro analyses for high accuracy, supported by collaborative research with medical professionals and a proprietary database of over three million skin and hair profiles. Its specialized scanner employs a high-resolution camera and multiple sensors—including UV-A LED imaging, temperature, humidity, and odor detection—to measure 12 skin and 12 hair parametres in a single session. DFI and Becon will continue to collaborate closely as the solution is introduced progressively across stores and mobile apps starting in 2026. Customers will be able to access these new services in more neighbourhood locations, supported by the phased launch of the mobile app lite experience in selected markets. Together, the two companies remain committed to enhancing wellness experiences built on technology, expertise, and personalisation. Andrew Wong, CEO of health and beauty, DFI Retail Group, said: “This partnership with Becon represents a strategically important step in advancing our wellness strategy and reinforcing our position as the trusted advisor for our customers. By integrating technology with our long-standing professional expertise, we create an omnichannel experience that not only supports customers’ diverse wellness needs, but also nurtures lasting engagement and loyalty across our Health & Beauty businesses.” Minsuk Park, CEO of Becon, said: “This partnership with DFI Retail Group allows Becon to bring our advanced assessment technology to more customers across Asia. By combining our innovation capabilities with DFI‘s strong retail network and omnichannel ecosystem, we can deliver personalised insights at scale and help customers understand their wellbeing with trusted advice.” MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to DFI for more information. Related articles: DFI Retail Group launches in-house online shopping capabilitiesDFI Retail group’s stores reopen after the peak of the fifth wave source

Mandai Wildlife Group has appointed Omnicom Media (OM) agency PHD as its global media agency of record, putting the agency in charge of integrated media strategy, planning, buying, activation, and performance optimisation across all paid channels. In a statement to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, the agency said the remit, which started in January 2026, spans Singapore, Australia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea. Strategic leadership will be based in Singapore, reinforcing PHD’s global capabilities and integrated approach. PHD was selected for its strategic thinking, deep understanding of Mandai Wildlife Group’s business and visitor ecosystem, and robust data and effectiveness framework. The agency’s collaborative operating model, which balances global best practices with local execution, was also cited as a key factor in the win. Don’t miss: StarHub concludes media pitch MARKETING-INTERACTIVE understands that the group had called for a pitch for its media account in July last year, which was managed by R3. “We’re excited to partner with PHD, whose strategic expertise, global cultural insight, and media know-how support our mission to reach and engage audiences in key markets effectively. Together, we look forward to amplifying awareness for wildlife conservation and driving meaningful impact for people and the planet,” said Belina Lee, deputy CEO, Mandai Wildlife Group. In tandem, Sumiati Hashim, managing director, PHD Singapore, said, “We are honoured to welcome Mandai to our portfolio of leading glocal brands. This appointment reflects Mandai’s confidence in our data-driven approach, powered by our AI-driven marketing intelligence platform, Omni, and our ability to deliver innovative, effective media solutions. “We look forward to leveraging Omni’s advanced capabilities to deliver a connected ecosystem that addresses the client’s business challenges, helping them outthink, outpace, and outgrow the competition,” she added.  Spark Foundry, under Publicis Media, was the incumbent agency, having first won the business in September 2021 on a two-plus-two-year contract. During its tenure, the agency worked closely with Mandai Wildlife Group on several major campaigns, including the launch of its Rainforest Wild Asia park in 2025. Separately, Mandai Wildlife Group appointed TBWA as its creative agency of record in January 2024, following a pitch also handled by R3. TBWA’s remit spans building a destination brand experience across the group’s flagship zoological parks, including Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise, alongside green public spaces and offerings such as Rainforest Wild, nature-based indoor attractions, MICE facilities and an eco-friendly resort. Beyond its agency appointments, Mandai Wildlife Group has continued to ramp up its marketing activity through large-scale brand partnerships and experiential campaigns. In November last year, Mandai Wildlife Group partnered Disney on a year-end campaign inspired by Zootopia 2, marking one of its highest-profile entertainment collaborations to date. The activation, titled “Join the wild patrol!”, invited visitors to step into the world of Zootopia through immersive themed zones such as a reimagined downtown city and Marsh Market. Related articles: SIA and Mandai Wildlife Group team up to bring tourists in and let the wild out    Mandai goes wild for SG60 with throwback thrills and playful animal encounters      Mandai’s latest gamified campaign lets you choose your wild adventure   source

Global sportswear brand Nike is reportedly investigating a potential data breach after a cyber attack group claimed it had leaked data linked to the company’s business operations.  In a statement reported by Reuters, Nike said that it takes consumer privacy and data security “very seriously”, adding that it is investigating a potential cyber security incident and is actively assessing the situation.  Last week, ransomware group World Leaks claimed it had leaked nearly 1.4TB of Nike data, including corporate and manufacturing data. According to media reports, the exposed data includes designs, materials, prices, audits and product timelines. Don’t miss: Nike tech tracksuit sales soar following images of detained Maduro in outfit It remains unclear whether the breach involved personally identifiable customer information, or whether it affected data belonging to Nike’s wholesale partners, including JD Sports. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for a statement.  Nike is the latest brand to probe a potential data breach in recent months. Earlier this month, clothing retailer Under Armour reportedly said it was investigating a cyber incident that affected customers’ email addresses and other personal information. The breach is believed to have taken place last year and impacted nearly 72 million email addresses. Closer to home, Marina Bay Sands was fined SG$315,000 after a data breach exposed the personal information of 665,495 patrons in October last year. According to findings by the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), the breach stemmed from a software migration exercise in March 2023, during which the company failed to apply proper security controls when transferring data from its old system to a new one. This left patron data from the ArtScience Friends webpage exposed. Related articles:  Nike empowers marathon runners with citywide support  Nike blends sports and Cantonese soup culture with pop-up in Guangzhou  Nike champions HK spirit with star athletes in new campaign source

American rapper Kanye West (Ye) has bought a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Monday (26 January) expressing regret for his behaviour in recent years. Titled To those I’ve hurt, the letter detailed his injuries from a car accident 25 years ago, including a frontal-lobe injury that led to his bipolar type-1 diagnosis. Ye wrote that, in a fractured state, “I gravitated towards the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika.” “I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did, though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people,” he wrote. Don’t miss: Lisa’s ‘Amazing Thailand’ campaign gets scrutinised as perfect images breed AI suspicion Ye explained that a bipolar disorder manic episode comes with denial and that he lost grip of his reality entirely. “In early 2025, I fell into a four-month long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life. As the situation became increasingly unsustainable, there were times I didn’t want to be here anymore,” the musician said. “My words as a leader in my community have real global impact and influence. In my mania, I lost complete sight of that,” he added. The rapper shared that he has found comfort in Reddit forums, realising that he was not alone and that he had been misdiagnosed by doctors who told him that he was merely experiencing “symptoms of autism”. Ye concluded the letter by expressing his intent to create positive, meaningful art as well as new ideas to help the world. “I’m not asking for sympathy or a free pass, though I aspire to earn your forgiveness. I write today simply to ask for your patience and understanding as I find my way home,” said Ye. The paid advertisement comes ahead of Ye’s new album Bully, slated for release on 30 January 2026. The twelfth studio album was announced in September 2024, with multiple work-in-progress versions, featuring different track lists, released by Ye on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in the lead-up. It also comes after the artist has been dropped or under review by several brands over the years including adidas, Balenciaga and Vogue. Ye is not the only high-profile figure to use paid ad space for personal or non-traditional purposes. Last year, Lululemon founder Chip Wilson took out a Wall Street Journal ad titled lululemon: in a nosedive, criticising the brand’s leadership. In it, he argued that Lululemon should have been a US$100 billion company, but had faltered as “directors systematically dismantled the business model and lost employees who held the institutional knowledge that made the company great.” Wilson compared the brand’s decline to a plane crash, citing a shift from creative leadership to a merchant-driven approach, “cheapened store design,” and the use of “non-technical fabrics” that eroded its premium positioning. He also slammed an “inappropriate Disney collaboration” as a “desperate move for growth.” Closer to home, DBS took out a front-page ad in The Straits Times on 10 August 2024 to celebrate Singaporean athlete Maximilian Maeder after he won bronze in kitefoiling at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The ad cleverly hijacked DBS’ regional campaign tagline, changing “Trust your spark” to “Trust your spark. To the Max, Singapore,” underlining Maeder’s name in the bank’s signature red. The move highlighted DBS’ ongoing partnership with Maeder, aimed at inspiring youth to chase their aspirations, even if it means taking the road less travelled. Related articles: Back to the 90s? Can celebrity ads make denim relevant in 2025? Simu Liu calls out bubble tea brand for cultural appropriation: Why its apology missed mark Budget Direct boldly buys ad space on ST newspaper to lure AXA employees and customers source