Newsroom | MarketersMEDIA

April 23, 2024

Stockland and Ampol Launch One of Australia’s Largest Networks of Fast and Ultra-fast Electric Vehicle Charging Bays Across Town Centres

Stockland (ASX: SGP) has today announced a long-term strategic partnership with Ampol (ASX: ALD) to roll out one of the biggest Australian shopping centre networks of AmpCharge fast and ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Customers and tenants at Stockland town centres will soon have access to over 100 AmpCharge charging bays across 16 retail town centres. These bays will allow customers to fully charge their cars in about 60 minutes or less, under the current roll-out plan. Stockland’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Tarun Gupta said the partnership with Ampol is in line with the enterprise’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy, which is focused on innovation, scale and economically sustainable solutions. “Across our portfolio, we are continually exploring ways in which we can support our customers’ transition to a low-carbon future. Last year, our town centres saw nearly 1.8 million visits on average each week, and as the uptake of EVs grows in Australia, we will be providing customers with simple and accessible charging,” Mr. Gupta said. “Our ESG strategy is where our ambition meets tangible, real-world actions – actions that can facilitate more connected, resilient and future-ready communities. This partnership provides an opportunity for us to expand the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure across Stockland’s workplaces and communities in the future, making it easier for people to charge their vehicles wherever they live, work, socialise or shop.” Ampol’s Managing Director and CEO Matt Halliday said Ampol is continuing the expansion of its AmpCharge network as more EV drivers seek convenient places to charge, wherever and whenever they need. “This new partnership enables us to broaden our EV infrastructure network to Stockland’s diversified property portfolio, marking a significant progression in our commitment to supporting our customers and partners as they navigate their energy transition journeys,” Mr. Halliday said. “We look forward to rolling out this critical infrastructure to accommodate an ever-growing number of EVs on our roads.” Mr. Gupta and Mr. Halliday were at Stockland Wetherill Park, in Sydney’s western suburbs, to launch the partnership. The EV charging infrastructure will be installed across Stockland’s town centres over the coming 18 months, with the number of charging bays per centre ranging from six to 12 based on current customer demand. Each AmpCharge charger can service two cars, providing one car up to 150kW or two cars up to 75kW when charging simultaneously. In 2023, EV purchases in Australia more than doubled from 2022, with the total number of EVs on Australia’s roads exceeding 180,000 . Together Ampol and Stockland will continue to look at opportunities to meet the evolving needs of Stockland’s customers. Ampol’s AmpCharge fast and ultra-fast EV charging bays are expected to be available across Stockland’s town centre portfolio which includes Burleigh Heads, Baringa, Birtinya, Hervey Bay and Rockhampton in Queensland; Point Cook and Wendouree in Victoria; Harrisdale and Baldivis in Western Australia; and Merrylands, Wetherill Park, Shellharbour, Glendale, Green Hills, Forster and Piccadilly (Sydney CBD) in New South Wales. Stockland’s ESG strategy is focused on areas where the enterprise has the opportunity to lead, meet and exceed stakeholder expectations. The strategy is underpinned by four pillars – decarbonisation, circularity, social impact and resilience. Media contact: media@ampol.com.au

April 23, 2024

Finance & Loan

Munich Re posts quarterly result of €2.1bn

Munich Re has made a strong start to the year. With a preliminary net profit of approximately €2.1bn in the first quarter of 2024, the Group significantly surpassed analysts’ expectations of €1,476m*. The operational performance of all lines of business was better than expected for the full year: In property-casualty reinsurance, the combined ratio was approximately 75%, attributable in particular to below-average major-loss expenditure. Life and health reinsurance recorded a total technical result of around €0.6bn. ERGO’s net result stood at approximately €0.3bn. Buoyed by a favourable capital market environment, Munich Re achieved a high investment result, with an ROI of approximately 3.8%, and a positive currency result. Munich Re still anticipates a net result of €5bn for the 2024 financial year. Surpassing this target has become more likely due to the Q1 result. Munich Re will provide final Q1 2024 results on 8 May as scheduled. * Mean value derived from the estimates of 11 financial analysts. Munich Re is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. The group consists of the reinsurance and ERGO business segments, as well as the asset management company MEAG. Munich Re is globally active and operates in all lines of the insurance business. Since it was founded in 1880, Munich Re has been known for its unrivalled risk-related expertise and its sound financial position. Munich Re leverages its strengths to promote its clients’ business interests and technological progress. Moreover, Munich Re develops covers for new risks such as rocket launches, renewable energies, cyber risks and artificial intelligence. In the 2023 financial year, Munich Re generated insurance revenue of €57.9bn and a net result of €4.6bn. The Munich Re Group employed about 43,000 people worldwide as at 31 December 2023. Disclaimer This media release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current assumptions and forecasts of the management of Munich Re. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the forward-looking statements given here and the actual development, in particular the results, financial situation and performance of our Company. The Company assumes no liability to update these forward-looking statements or to make them conform to future events or developments.

April 23, 2024

Business

AWC Continues Global Partnership, in Preparation for the Launch of "AEC FOOD WHOLESALE PRATUNAM," Thailand's Groundbreaking Global Food Hub, Opening June 26

(In photo) Mr. Thanasis Tsepisis (Front, far left), Chairman, Hellenic - Thai Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Om Udomkitsakul (Front, 3rd left), Economic and Commercial Assistant, Embassy of Portugal, Mr. Dharmendra Singh (Front, 4th left), First Secretary (Economic & Commerce), Embassy of India, Ms. Rafika Arfani (Front, 5thleft), Commercial Attache, Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre Bangkok, Ms. Laurent LOURDAIS (Front, 6th left), First Counsellor , Agriculture,SPS, Environment, Delegation of the European Union to Thailand, Ph.D. Maria Rakhovskaya (Front, 7th left), Regional Agricultural Attaché, Foreign Agricultural Service | USDA, U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Mr. Alvaro Gil-Navarro (Front, 8th left), Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of Spain in Bangkok, Ms. Jeongju Lee (Front, 9th left), Commercial Attache, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand, Mr. Norbert Bak (Front, 10th left), Head of Foreign Trade Office – Bangkok, Polish Investment and Trade Agency, and Mrs. Wallapa Traisorat (Back, center), Chief Executive Officer and President, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC) Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, furthers its global partnership momentum by hosting a special “PARTNERS TO BETTER FUTURE” luncheon for distinguished guests from Embassies and international trade organizations in Thailand. The event aimed to synergize and attract a network within the global food wholesale industry and expressed gratitude to partners who will take part in enhancing the global food ecosystem through the 'AEC FOOD WHOLESALE PRATUNAM', a global food wholesale hub set to launch on June 26, 2024. ‘AEC FOOD WHOLESALE PRATUNAM' is poised to revolutionize the food wholesale market as the first fully integrated food wholesale platform that connects online and offline realms under the concept of "Integrated Wholesale Platform for Non-Stop Opportunity." 'AEC FOOD WHOLESALE PRATUNAM' is also enhanced by "PHENIXBOX", an omni-channel wholesale platform that is designed to become a year-round Food Ecosystem Destination, setting new trends in the industry. The event, which was honored by guests from the Embassy of India, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand, the Embassy of Portugal, the Embassy of Spain in Bangkok, the U.S. Embassy Bangkok, the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, the Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre Bangkok, the Hellenic – Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Mrs. Wallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), was held at the Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse on April 23, 2024. Guests from Embassies and international trade organizations also share the same vision to drive growth for the food industry and promote Thailand as a global food wholesale hub.

April 22, 2024

Gadgets

“INSTAX mini Evo™ Brown” wins the “Best of the Best Award” of Red Dot Design awards

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation is pleased to announce that 16 of its products including imaging and medical devices have been awarded the “Red Dot Design Award: Product Design 2024,” a product design award program organized by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen based in Essen, Germany. Of the products, “INSTAX*1 mini Evo™ Brown” has received the program’s highest-ranked “Best of the Best Award.” This remarkable achievement marks the first time that all 16 products submitted by FUJIFILM have won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. The Red Dot Design Award is an international design award program launched in 1955. The award is given to products with excellence in design innovation, functionality, ergonomics, ecological compatibility, and durability. It is one of the world's three most prestigious design awards, alongside Germany's “iF design award” and the United States' “the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA)”. In the development of all its products and services, Fujifilm not only pursues product functionality and performance, but also engages in design development that leverages superior functionality and performance. The 16 products have recognized their beautiful appearance and design achieving outstanding functionality and performance by a panel of internationally renowned design experts. The company will continue to work on creating designs that not only have beautiful appearance but also reflect commitment to offering portability and operability for ease of use and comfort, thereby creating new product values. “Best of the Best Award” logo “Red Dot Design Award 2024” logo *1 INSTAX is a trademark or registered trademark of FUJIFILM Corporation. 16 Red Dot Design Award 2024 winning products ①Hybrid instant camera “INSTAX mini Evo™ Brown”【Best of the Best Award】 The “mini Evo™” is a hybrid instant camera incorporating digital technology and supporting the card-size “mini format film.” Released in 2021, it has been a global sensation since its launch due to its hybrid nature of analog and digital function. It comes with ten lens effects including “Soft Focus” and “Light Leak,” and ten film effects, including “Monochrome” and “Retro.” These two types of effects can be freely combined to create 100 different shooting effects, allowing users to express their emotions through INSTAX prints. The camera body sports a premium and classical look and features analog-like operation with the lens dial, film dial and print lever, designed with attention to details such as operation noise. ②Instant camera “INSTAX mini 12™” ③Instant camera “INSTAX SQUARE SQ40™” ④Digital Camera “INSTAX Pal™” ⑤Mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM GFX100 II” Vertical battery grip “VG-GFX100 II” ⑥Mirrorless digital camera “FUJIFILM X-S20” ⑦Interchangeable lens for the GFX Series of mirrorless digital cameras “FUJINON Lens GF110mmF5.6 T/S Macro” ⑧Interchangeable lens for the GFX Series of mirrorless digital cameras “FUJINON Lens GF55mmF1.7 R WR” ⑨Interchangeable lens for the GFX Series of mirrorless digital cameras “FUJINON Lens GF30mmF5.6 T/S” ⑩Interchangeable lens for the X Series of mirrorless digital cameras “FUJINON Lens XF8mmF3.5 R WR” ⑪FOCUS DEMAND “EPD-51A-G02” ⑫Broadcast zoom lens “FUJINON HZK24-300mm” ⑬Long-range camera with integrated lens “FUJIFILM SX1600” ⑭Portable Identification System of Medicine “PROOFIT iQ” ⑮Wide Format Inkjet Printer “Acuity Prime Hybrid” ⑯Assist function for CT scan “AutoPositioning” Contact Media Contact FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation Corporate Communications Division, Public Relations Group +81-3-6271-2000 * Please note that the contents including the product availability, specification, prices and contacts in this website are current as of the date of the press announcement and may be subject to change without prior notice. * This news release is issued by FUJIFILM Corporation in Japan. Fujifilm makes no representation that products on this news release are commercially available in all countries and regions including the US and EU. Approved uses of healthcare products vary by country and region.

April 22, 2024

Charity

Coles enlists Richmond Tigers’ top guns to help support Aussie veterans

Coles has enlisted the help of Richmond Football Club’s very own ‘top guns’ Jack Graham and Seth Campbell to encourage customers to get behind military charity Bravery Trust in the lead up to Anzac Day. Graham and Campbell put their baking skills to the test by making their own batch of Anzac biscuits under the tutelage of Coles team members at Punt Road Oval today. Until Anzac Day (April 25), Coles will donate 40 cents from the sale of every 12-pack Coles Bakery Anzac Biscuits to Bravery Trust. As well as the perennial favourite Anzac biscuit, the 40 cents donation will also apply to all other 12-pack Coles Bakery biscuits and cookies sold in-store or on Coles Online during the appeal which commenced last week. Funds raised will enable Bravery Trust to support hundreds of Aussie veterans who are transitioning from military service to civilian life, particularly those who have been injured as result of their service. From helping pay for groceries, rent and other essential bills to providing veteran-specific financial counselling, Bravery Trust has been making a difference in the community for over 11 years. Two-time premiership Richmond midfielder Jack Graham said the Club was pleased to throw their support behind the important appeal. “Richmond Football Club has supported Bravery Trust for the past three years, helping to raise awareness for Aussie veterans who are doing it tough. It’s a cause that strongly resonates across the club – many of our players and supporters know someone, directly or indirectly, who has served for our country,” he said. “We’re excited to play our part in getting the message out there about the impactful and often life-changing work of Bravery Trust through our Anzac Day Eve clash and supporting initiatives like the fundraising campaign at Coles.” Lieutenant Colonel Garth Callender, Bravery Trust Interim CEO, who will be lighting the cauldron at the Anzac Day Eve match, said funds raised will help some of Australia’s most vulnerable veterans and their families. “The lead up to Anzac Day is a great time to show our veterans that they have the support of the nation,” he said. “While most Defence personnel have a great experience and leave Defence with new skills to prosper in a civilian career, sometimes service can take a toll. I believe that we all have an obligation to provide those in hardship with the support they need at the time they need it.” “Bravery Trust works proactively to reduce or avoid the stress that financial hardship can bring veterans and their families. Seventy per cent of those we assist are aged 50 years or younger and nearly three quarters have children to support.” “We hope Coles customers can support Bravery Trust over the next few days by making a donation at the checkout or by buying a participating 12-pack Coles Bakery biscuit or cookie. We are also asking customers to get together with friends, family and workmate and reflect on the sacrifices being made by our veterans.” Coles General Manager Bakery Kate Roff said Coles is proud to continue its longstanding community partnership with Bravery Trust. “Coles has a long and proud history of supporting Bravery Trust and assisting team members who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force or Reserves, including our founder GJ Coles who fought in World War 1,” she said. “Our bakers rise to the occasion for Bravery Trust every year, making nearly 500,000 Anzac biscuits in the week leading up to Anzac Day. It’s a cause our bakers love getting behind and we hope our customers can support too by buying a 12-pack Coles Bakery Anzac biscuit on or before Anzac Day.” For media enquiries, please contact Coles Media Line (03) 9829 5250 or media.relations@coles.com.au

April 22, 2024

Travel & Leisure

AirAsia Malaysia welcomes first flight from Jaipur, connecting Kuala Lumpur to the Pink City in India’s north

AirAsia Malaysia today celebrated another major milestone, welcoming its maiden flight from Jaipur to Kuala Lumpur with full grandeur. The inaugural flight, with a load factor of 100%, departed from Jaipur International Airport at 11.40PM and landed in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) at 7.05AM local time. Excited guests onboard flight AK18 were warmly greeted upon arrival by several Allstars who handed out exclusive goodie bags to the delighted travellers. This route is extra special for AirAsia Malaysia ‒ marking its first venture into the stunning Pink City, world-renowned for its vintage forts dating back to the 16th century as well as the majestic Jal Mahal. Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group, Bo Lingam said: “We’re thrilled that our first ever services for AirAsia Malaysia between Jaipur and Kuala Lumpur route took flight today and are honoured to be the only airline in Malaysia to offer this direct connectivity. Jaipur ‒ often known as the ‘Jewel of Rajasthan’ ‒ is an exquisitely-beautiful city with plenty to offer, as is Kuala Lumpur thanks to our world-famous sky-scrappers and cultural melting pot of local delights. “AirAsia first commenced flights from between India and Malaysia in 2008 with the sole aim of enabling travellers to experience the beauty and wonder of both countries with ease and affordability. We have since gone on to fly millions of guests between India and Malaysia in the last decade and a half. The inauguration of this route commemorates AirAsia’s steadfast commitment to further expand our network in India, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to our homeland Malaysia, particularly following the government’s announcement of visa free entry into the country last year.” Continuing the celebratory momentum, AirAsia is offering limited-time-only promotional fares to India with a whopping 20% discount. Fly from Kuala Lumpur to a myriad of exciting destinations in the country such as Bhubaneswar*, Visakhapatnam*, Ahmedabad*, Trivandrum, Amritsar and so much more from only RM179 all-in-one-way.** Book your flights now till 28 April 2024 and travel from 6 May to 30 November 2024. AirAsia currently flies directly from Kuala Lumpur to an incredible 13 cities in all of India with 78 flights weekly to Trivandrum, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, (flights to commence on 28 May 2024), Visakhapatnam (flights to commence on 26 April 2024) and Ahmedabad (flights to commence on 1 May 2024). Medium haul affiliate airline AirAsia X Malaysia (flight code D7) also provides two direct routes from Kuala Lumpur to New Delhi and Amritsar with 8 flights weekly. Stay tuned to @flyairasia for all-things AirAsia. *The travel period for Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Ahmenabad is 28 May 2024, 26 April 2024 & 1 May 2024 to 30 November 2024 respectively **Includes airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees. Terms and conditions apply

April 22, 2024

Business

JD.com Debuts AI Digital Representative of Founder Richard Liu During Livestream, Drawing 20 Million Views in Under One Hour

During a livestream on April 16th, JD.com introduced an AI digital representative of its founder, Richard Liu (Qiangdong Liu), nicknamed “procurement and sales manager Brother Dong (采销东哥).” Liu appeared in both JD Home Appliances and JD Supermarket’s livestreaming rooms, attracting over 20 million views within the first hour and generating RMB 50 million in sales throughout the entire livestream. The digital representative almost perfectly replicates Liu’s facial expressions, body language, gestures, and voice, capturing even the subtlest movements of his fingers. Behind this technology is JD Cloud’s ChatRhino, an advanced large language model (LLM) that brings the avatar to life. Behind the Technology The LLM precisely mirrors Liu’s distinctive expressions and movements, naturally weaving in his occasional finger twiddles while he speaks, accentuating points with hand gestures, and adding nods at just the right moments for emphasis, creating a natural and authentic representation. Perfecting the voice proved to be a greater challenge. Those who have heard Liu speak are well-acquainted with the distinct inflections of his Suqian accent—a characteristic touch from his small-town roots in Jiangsu province. Observers will note the brisk pace of his speech, lighter enunciation, and his tendency to meld words in a seamless flow. His “sh” sounds carry a nasal quality, and he often addresses people as “brothers” to boost morale. While programming the standard Mandarin dialect is relatively straightforward, teaching the AI to adopt the nuances of the Suqian dialect and Liu’s unique vocal patterns required a precise level of customization from the ChatRhino LLM. For example, the LLM had to provide accurate judgments on when to introduce the nasal tonality or the specific moments to merge words, ensuring the AI’s linguistic output mirrored Liu’s signature speaking style authentically. Beyond replicating vocal characteristics, the AI’s voice must also be suitable for the casual, dynamic atmosphere of e-commerce livestreaming, such as adopting colloquialisms like “xiong di men” — a phrase comparable to “folks” or “guys” in English — to create a friendly rapport with the audience. JD Cloud’s ChatRhino team fine-tuned the model to focus on sociable nuances. The initial dataset for the LLM consisted predominantly of Liu’s formal speeches—spirited and compelling, yet too ceremonious for the interactive world of livestreaming. To cultivate a more congenial and approachable persona, the team utilized Liu’s recent casual conversations as the primary source material, rich with personal anecdotes and travel tales. This approach shaped the AI’s voice into one that is that is not only natural and approachable but also genuinely engaging for the end user. As a fully self-developed technology product of JD Cloud, the ChatRhino Digital Representative solution has already served over 4,000 brand merchants, contributing to a 30% increase in order conversion rate during idle hours and helping merchants reduce livestreaming costs, enhance operational efficiency, and optimize user experience. Equipped with 50,000 hours of voice data, this technology enables digital representatives to intelligently adapt to various livestreaming styles dynamically. The AI is also adept at managing 70% of routine live chat inquiries autonomously without any manual intervention, while also optimizing its responses with a self-improving algorithm. For instance, digital representatives can autonomously fields questions using product details and scripts, and post-livestream, and assimilate new information. Mirroring the acumen of seasoned sales professionals, it boasts a 90% accuracy rate in offering tailored product recommendations when solicited by customers. The recent introduction of a cutting-edge livestream control console serves as the “brain” for the digital representative solution. It diligently monitors real-time inventory, adjusting the showcased products in the livestream and tailoring the script to ensure relevance—sidestepping items that are out of stock and spotlighting those in high demand. It also gauges and fine-tunes the frequency and style of interactions based on live audience engagement. With this advanced platform, businesses managing multiple livestreams can effortlessly operate thousands of sessions concurrently via cloud services, bypassing the need for intricate local setups. This innovation yields a substantial cost reduction of 30%. Human-Machine Synergy The intention behind digital avatars is not to outshine or compete with human talent but to harness the potential of technology to work in concert with livestreamers, maximizing overall growth. Essentially, the digital representative solution serves as a tool for brands and merchants to leverage long-tail traffic once real livestreamers conclude their broadcasts. JD’s analytics indicate this strategy can boost order conversion rates by 30% during off-peak hours, such as late into the night. Digital representatives also excel in specific product categories that require detailed explanations, such as health products like nursing beds, electric wheelchairs, and oxygen concentrators. The solution can provide constant, round-the-clock guidance, adding substantial value to livestreams when traffic is typically lower. Last week, JD.com announced an investment of one billion yuan into video content creation. This investment underscores JD’s commitment to leveraging the power of short videos and livestreams to transform the online shopping experience for its users and create new growth avenues for brand merchants. ( yuchuan.wang@jd.com )

April 21, 2024

Business

CapitaLand Investment and SG Eco Fund Unveil Partnership to Enhance Community Engagement on Sustainability Initiatives in Singapore

CapitaLand Investment (CLI) and SG Eco Fund will be entering a two-year partnership to drive greater environmental awareness and community engagement on sustainability initiatives in Singapore, in celebration of Earth Day on 22 April. CLI is a leading global real asset manager with a strong Asia foothold, while the SG Eco Fund supports ground-up sustainability initiatives that engage the community. Together, they will leverage their combined expertise to engage and inspire individuals, communities, and businesses in advancing environmental sustainability initiatives across CLI’s retail and workspace network in Singapore. As part of the partnership, CLI and SG Eco Fund are aiming to jointly curate ten events and engagement activities. These initiatives aim to enhance awareness of environmental issues, involve communities in sustainability initiatives, and spotlight both the SG Eco Fund and its grant recipients. They are set to extend until 2026 and include: A Go Green Hub design project with Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design. Under this project, students will develop a concept design for a physical exhibition that promotes environmental awareness and engages the public on sustainable practices, in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and CLI’s 2030 Sustainability Master Plan. A public showcase of the ground-up sustainability solutions and initiatives supported by the SG Eco Fund at a CapitaLand mall. The showcase aims to educate and engage shoppers on the topic of sustainability through informative booths and workshops which will be facilitated by SG Eco Fund grant recipients. The showcase also aims to leverage CLI’s extensive outreach to encourage individuals to adopt sustainable practices. Engagement with CLI’s retail and workspace tenants to share about the SG Eco Fund and facilitate connections between CLI’s tenants and grant recipients to support the co-creation of sustainability initiatives. Networking sessions to connect SG Eco Fund grant recipients, CLI’s tenants, non-profit organisations and individuals interested in sustainability. These sessions will foster learning about different sustainability topics, explore collaboration opportunities and share CLI’s sustainability initiatives. Ms June Tan, Head, Digital Platforms, Strategic Marketing & Business Partnerships, Retail & Workspace, CLI said: “We are pleased to embark on this partnership with SG Eco Fund to contribute to the environmental and social well-being of the communities that we operate in. This is in line with CapitaLand Investment’s refreshed 2030 Sustainability Master Plan. We hope to collaborate with like-minded partners, tenants and the public to jointly drive sustainable impact for Singapore’s built environment sector through our extensive network of retail and workspace properties as well as omnichannel platforms.” Ms Phua Mei Pin, Trust Secretary, SG Eco Fund, said : “The SG Eco Fund is dedicated to supporting ground-up community projects that contribute to Singapore’s sustainability goals. We are heartened by CapitaLand Investment’s commitment to environmental sustainability. This partnership is a great opportunity for us to reach out together to more communities and organisations, to play an active role to achieve meaningful environmental impact.” Go Green Hub Design Project with Temasek Polytechnic To kickstart the partnership, the Go Green Hub design project will begin in May 2024 with the development of the design guidelines by CLI and SG Eco Fund, together with Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design. This will be followed by the development of the concept design and visitor experience by students from the Diploma in Interior Architecture & Design, and the Diploma in Communication Design programmes. The final concept design is expected to be ready by February 2025. The concept design is envisioned as an interactive and functional exhibition that allows the public to: (i) learn about sustainability topics including waste reduction and recycling, climate change, energy and water conservation, food production, or biodiversity conservation; (ii) engage with the digital and/or physical displays through interactive components and/or hands-on activities; and (iii) be inspired to take action after visiting the exhibition. There may be opportunities to showcase or implement the students’ concept design at suitable spaces or events within Temasek Polytechnic or at public venues such as a CapitaLand mall, with funding support from the SG Eco Fund. Mr Elvis Tay, Head of BeyonDesign Centre at Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design, said, “Temasek Polytechnic is deeply committed to fostering environmental sustainability in Singapore. We have woven this into the fabric of the whole polytechnic’s curriculum and implemented concrete measures to achieve net zero carbon emissions on campus. Our students, educators, and industry partners work together on myriad eco-friendly initiatives across diverse fields and disciplines. Through this collaboration, both staff and students will have the opportunity to cultivate practical skills and engage in a meaningful project aimed at heightening public awareness and fostering a culture of sustainability in everyday life.”

April 20, 2024

Business

JD.com Unveils Ambitious Plans for 618 Grand Promotion: Aiming to More Than Double High-Performing Merchants

JD.com is gearing up for this year’s 618 Grand Promotion with an ambitious goal: to more than double the number of merchants achieving sales over one million yuan on its platform. At the recent Conference of Merchants and Ecosystem Partners on April 18, JD.com introduced a range of supportive initiatives aimed at achieving this ambitious target. Sandy Xu, CEO of JD.com, noted at the conference that the company will dedicate significant resources to bolster traffic support, incorporate advanced AI technology, and enhance service capabilities. These efforts are particularly focused on empowering third-party merchants, including small and medium-sized enterprises in its marketplace. Key initiatives include optimizing the platform’s traffic distribution ecosystem to prioritize highly-rated stores and products and competitively priced products through enhanced search and recommendation mechanisms. Additionally, JD.com will continue to offer merchants free access to high-traffic channels, which include significant incentives such as the popular 10-billion-yuan discount and free shipping programs. To engage more content creators, JD.com recently announced that it will allocate over one billion yuan in cash incentives and traffic resources. This investment aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem that supports merchants’ traffic, business growth, and innovation. At the core of JD.com’s strategy is technological innovation, which involves integrating AI-driven solutions into merchant operations. This includes the deployment of JD’s proprietary large language model, ChatRhino, and an AI-empowered merchant operation platform that offers are variety of free AI applications, and more. These technologies streamline various operations scenarios, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs for merchants. For instance, On April 16th, JD.com unveiled an AI digital avatar of its founder, Richard Liu, as a sales host on its livestreaming platform. This event attracted 20 million viewers in just one hour and generated sales exceeding RMB 50 million ($6.9 million). This AI-driven virtual host technology, developed by JD Technology, is now supporting over 4,000 brands on the platform. Additionally, merchants such as a sashimi knife seller can utilize JD.com’s AIGC content generation tool to quickly produce high-quality demonstration images, bypassing traditional costs associated with product photography. JD.com also continues to enhance its service capabilities, particularly for small and medium-sized merchants. This includes personalized business guidance, comprehensive training programs, and upgraded after-sales services, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for customers. As of March 2024, JD.com has seen a significant increase in active third-party merchants on its platform, surpassing one million. This growth is a testament to the platform’s effectiveness and its appeal to both new and established merchants. ( vivian.yang@jd.com )

April 18, 2024

Business

JD Super’s Ninth Annual “Baby Party” Campaign: Supporting Families with Newborns

JD Super, JD.com’s omni-channel supermarket division, successfully concluded its ninth annual “Baby Party” campaign, which ran from April 1st to 14th. Collaborating with leading brands from home and abroad, the campaign introduced new products and services designed to improve the shopping experience and reduce expenses for families with newborns. Pioneering services included the “Fresh Milk Powder Express,” guaranteeing delivery of farm-to-consumer baby formula within 28 days, and the “Free Diaper Offers for Newborns” initiative, set to distribute one million diaper packs annually. Moreover, the “Life’s First Bottle” project significantly reduces the costs of high-quality milk bottles by offering them exclusively online at a 50% discount. JD Super’s specialized after-sales services extend to over 90% of the company’s self-operated products, offering services such as free returns or exchanges. Another highlight was the introduction of the Chun Rui milk formula, developed in partnership with Feihe, a leader in infant milk production. This collaboration ensures top-quality products at better value for families. Additionally, JD Super launched an online portal dedicated to public welfare activities, which promotes cost-saving measures, shares knowledge on baby care, and supports charity initiatives. As part of its commitment to philanthropy, JD Super donated essential baby supplies valued at over one million yuan to 1,000 families in the economically disadvantaged Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, supporting local parents in this region. The 2024 Report on Cost of Childbearing and Childrearing in China shed light on the challenges faced by parents, including limited free time and growing anxiety over rising costs and product safety. JD Super aims to mitigate some of these concerns by providing support to families nationwide. ( vivian.yang@jd.com )

April 18, 2024

Business

Yamaha Motor Receives Globally Renowned Red Dot Design Award for 2 products

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo:7272) announced today that the company's motorcycles MT-09 and XMAX300 have won the "Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024," a prestigious international design award. These honors mark the 13th year in a row - every year since 2012- that a Yamaha Motor product has received a Red Dot Design Award. The award-winning MT-09 is the fourth generation of road sport model, launched in 2013. The 2024 model is designed to allow riders to enjoy riding more freely than ever before, with a concentrated form that is integrated from the front mask to the fuel tank and tail. Every detail has been designed with technology and design that is close to the rider's senses, from the handlebar switches that support intuitive operation to the acoustic amplifier grille that conveys the sound of the intake air. Since launching in 2006, the XMAX has established itself as Europe's leading city commuter for 18 years and now being developed as a global model. The award-winning 2023 model focuses on the relationship between man and machine, while enhancing the dynamism, convenience and comfort that are the hallmarks of the XMAX. The functional elements of the front fork and engine unit's power delivery, which are equivalent to those of a sports bike, are visualized in the tight silhouette, expressing an attractive sense of exuberance. In terms of convenience, the space efficiency under the seat has been thoroughly reviewed, with a seat shape that improves leg room and fit, still providing storage capacity for two full-face. MT-09 XMAX300 [Design Award Website] https://global.yamaha-motor.com/design_technology/design/awards/ ■Contact us from the Press Corporate Communication Division, PR group Headquarters : +81-538-32-1145 Tokyo Office : +81-3-5220-7211　 ■News Center: https://global.yamaha-motor.com/news/

April 18, 2024

Business

Vicinity welcomes Monopoly to 47 shopping centres with $4 million in prizes on offer

Vicinity’s popular Monopoly Shop Scan Win campaign, in partnership with HASBRO, is back for a third year, returning to 47 centres across Australia with the biggest ever prize pool of over $4 million on offer. Kicking off 18 April 9am AEST, Monopoly Shop Scan Win provides a fun gamified shopping experience, rewarding customers for their in-centre visitation and spend, encouraging them to explore new retailers and support local businesses. By spending $10 or more at participating retailers, customers have a chance to win instant prizes and enter weekly prize draws. The 2024 campaign boasts over $4m in prizes Credit: Vicinity Centres Vicinity General Manager Brand & Marketing, Amy Wotton said: “Vicinity’s Monopoly Shop Scan Win has proved popular with customers and retailers and we’re confident with a bigger prize pool, including instant wins and weekly prize draws, the 2024 campaign will continue to excite.” “We’ve taken feedback from customers and retailers following the first two years of the campaign and made improvements to help create a more rewarding experience, encouraging further connections between customers and new retailers.” Customers today are more discerning and value-conscious while looking for additional value from their shopping experience which, with its $4 million prize pool of carefully selected items, Monopoly Shop Scan Win delivers in spades. Amy Wotton Vicinity General Manager Brand & Marketing First introduced in 2022 to assist the recovery of retailers from the challenge of COVID-19, Vicinity’s Monopoly Shop Scan Win campaign, has proved effective, doubling the frequency of customer visits and delivering an increased average spend during the campaign period of almost 50% when compared to the average annual spend. Extending beyond the central campaign, selected centres will also provide customers with more chances to win with activations including Monopoly Live Play, Cash Grab and visits from, the man himself, Mr. Monopoly. Mr Monopoly will make appearances at centres throughout the campaign Credit: Vicinity Centres Monopoly Shop Scan Win runs 18 April 9am AEST – 29 May 11:59pm AEST at the following centres: AU16+ only. Ends 29/5/24 11:59pm AEST. Keep receipt/s. Limit 1 registration permitted per person & mobile no. Limit 1 game play permitted per qualifying transaction. Limit 5 game plays permitted per entrant per retailer (per day). T&Cs apply, see monopolyshopscanwin.com.au . ©1935, 2024 Hasbro.

AWC Continues Global Partnership, in Preparation for the Launch of "AEC FOOD WHOLESALE PRATUNAM," Thailand's Groundbreaking Global Food Hub, Opening June 26

JD Super’s Ninth Annual “Baby Party” Campaign: Supporting Families with Newborns

Yamaha Motor Receives Globally Renowned Red Dot Design Award for 2 products

FEATURED NEWS

SELECT NEWS

Stockland and Ampol Launch One of Australia’s Largest Networks of Fast and Ultra-fast Electric Vehicle Charging Bays Across Town Centres

Munich Re posts quarterly result of €2.1bn

AWC Continues Global Partnership, in Preparation for the Launch of "AEC FOOD WHOLESALE PRATUNAM," Thailand's Groundbreaking Global Food Hub, Opening June 26

“INSTAX mini Evo™ Brown” wins the “Best of the Best Award” of Red Dot Design awards

Coles enlists Richmond Tigers’ top guns to help support Aussie veterans

AirAsia Malaysia welcomes first flight from Jaipur, connecting Kuala Lumpur to the Pink City in India’s north

JD.com Debuts AI Digital Representative of Founder Richard Liu During Livestream, Drawing 20 Million Views in Under One Hour

CapitaLand Investment and SG Eco Fund Unveil Partnership to Enhance Community Engagement on Sustainability Initiatives in Singapore

JD.com Unveils Ambitious Plans for 618 Grand Promotion: Aiming to More Than Double High-Performing Merchants

JD Super’s Ninth Annual “Baby Party” Campaign: Supporting Families with Newborns

Yamaha Motor Receives Globally Renowned Red Dot Design Award for 2 products

Vicinity welcomes Monopoly to 47 shopping centres with $4 million in prizes on offer

SUBSCRIBE TO MARKETERSMEDIA NEWS

ALL NEWS

ON INSIDER

OPINION PIECES