Category: Entertainment

  • TAICCA Introduces 10 of Taiwan’s Beloved Characters to Malaysian Audiences for the First Time

    TAICCA Introduces 10 of Taiwan’s Beloved Characters to Malaysian Audiences for the First Time

    Taiwan’s Top Character Brands Debut in Malaysia at Taiwan IP EXPO 2025. Ten of Taiwan’s most iconic and beloved character brands will be making their first collective appearance in Malaysia at the Taiwan IP EXPO 2025, a five-day celebration of creativity, storytelling, and cross-cultural exchange. Organized by the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) with support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, and in collaboration with the Malaysia Creative Intellectual Property Association (MYCIP) and M\&M Creations Holdings Sdn. Bhd., the event will take place from 29 May to 2 June 2025 at Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall.

    Among the featured original Taiwanese IPs are fan favorites like Bugcat Capoo, JIMMY LIAO – The Moon Forgets, Mr. Shark, Barkley The Cat, Kuroro Space Exploration Team, doudle studio, Kittenisland, LUSASA, Ugly Rabbit, and VeryMissRabbit. These creative properties reflect a broad range of visual styles and storytelling genres, from heartwarming narratives to quirky humor and fantasy adventures, marking a significant introduction of Taiwan’s character IPs to the Malaysian audience.

    The Taiwan IP EXPO offers a unique blend of consumer engagement and business opportunities. Visitors will enjoy immersive exhibits, live mascot appearances, themed photo zones, and exclusive merchandise, while industry professionals will benefit from dedicated business matching sessions. These sessions aim to connect Malaysian retailers, SMEs, and brand managers with Taiwanese IP owners to explore potential licensing, co-branding, and creative collaborations.

    The event also highlights the global success and appeal of these IPs. Bugcat Capoo, known for its playful and whimsical appeal, boasts nearly two million fans and over 2,000 licensed products. Jimmy Liao, one of Taiwan’s most renowned illustrators, has seen his picture books translated into over 20 languages, with The Moon Forgets adapted into lifestyle merchandise. Meanwhile, the Kuroro Space Exploration Team—which tells stories from a cat’s perspective—has expanded its reach through licensing deals in Japan, Thailand, and Korea, and a recent distribution partnership with Kinokuniya has further extended its presence to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia.

    This showcase is part of TAICCA’s broader “Taiwan Content Island” strategy to promote Taiwan’s creative industries internationally. Through global events and trade shows like this, TAICCA supports Taiwanese IP creators in reaching new markets and forging international collaborations. The Taiwan IP EXPO also complements TAICCA’s flagship Creative Expo Taiwan, which serves as a global platform for cultural content buyers and licensing agents.

    With interactive displays, social media contests, and family-friendly activities, the Taiwan IP EXPO promises to be both an exciting cultural experience and a strategic bridge for creative industry partnerships between Taiwan and Malaysia. It offers a rare opportunity for Malaysian fans, collectors, and business leaders to connect with the vibrant world of Taiwanese intellectual properties, setting the stage for deeper regional cooperation in the creative economy.

  • EternityX Accelerates Global Expansion with Key Executive Appointments in Malaysia, Thailand, Guangzhou, and Shanghai

    EternityX Accelerates Global Expansion with Key Executive Appointments in Malaysia, Thailand, Guangzhou, and Shanghai

    EternityX Expands Regional Leadership to Accelerate Global Growth Across Southeast Asia and China. EternityX Marketing Technology is strengthening its global footprint with a series of strategic executive appointments across Malaysia, Thailand, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. This expansion marks a significant step in the company’s broader growth strategy, aimed at reinforcing regional market expertise and enhancing cross-border marketing capabilities. As the demand for China-ready solutions continues to rise, EternityX is positioning itself to deliver greater commercial value through localised leadership and data-driven execution.

    CEO Charlene Ree emphasized that this move goes beyond geographic expansion—it reflects a deliberate scale-up of leadership to support the company’s next phase of growth. “We’re investing in market-makers who bring deep local knowledge and regional vision,” Ree stated. “Our strengthened leadership footprint gives us the on-the-ground firepower to activate campaigns with speed, align with enterprise goals, and deliver results across borders. This is how EternityX scales—by transforming complexity into competitive advantage.”

    At the core of EternityX’s mission is enabling global brands to navigate and win in the complex Chinese media and consumer landscape. By operating at the intersection of East-West marketing transformation, the company delivers AI-powered precision marketing that connects brands with Chinese audiences both within China and abroad. The latest leadership appointments underscore EternityX’s commitment to scaling its operations through market-led execution and strategic agility.

    In Malaysia, Meera Thuraivel joins as Managing Director, bringing over two decades of experience in building high-performing teams and trusted client partnerships across industries like luxury beauty, fashion, and entertainment. Her leadership is complemented by Thresa Thian, appointed Executive Director, who adds deep digital media expertise and a proven track record in scaling regional initiatives. Supporting them is Valerie Tan, Senior Client Growth Manager, who brings valuable insights from her tenure at Meta and X (formerly Twitter), focusing on enhancing planner servicing and brand engagement with Chinese platforms.

    In Thailand, Chalida Raksanaves steps in as Business Development Director, leveraging over 10 years of strategic advertising experience and a sharp understanding of cross-cultural media engagement. She is joined by Nitiwat Jiraphatthasiri, Senior Business Development Manager, who brings full-funnel marketing expertise and a strong grasp of behavioral targeting to help brands achieve measurable business impact.

    On the innovation front, Simon Zhong leads as Head of Insights & Product Innovation in Guangzhou. A pioneer in marketing science, Simon brings extensive experience from working with top-tier brands and platforms such as BMW, Burberry, and Tencent. He is tasked with advancing PilotX, EternityX’s proprietary AI platform, into a category-defining solution that offers actionable insights and strategic clarity for brands operating in China.

    In Shanghai, Celin Chen serves as Deputy General Manager, contributing over 12 years of experience across leading brands and agencies. Her focus lies in driving go-to-market excellence and delivering commercial outcomes in one of Asia’s most competitive digital arenas.

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    Deric Wong, Chief Business Officer, Global, highlighted the importance of this leadership expansion: “With Meera and Simon joining the team, and with Thresa, Valerie, Chalida, Nitiwat, and Celin strengthening our presence across key markets, EternityX now has the strategic depth and operational excellence to lead our clients through the evolving China opportunity. We’re not just opening doors—we’re leading our clients through them with precision, purpose, and performance.”

    As Southeast Asia and China continue to converge as high-growth zones for Chinese consumer engagement, EternityX’s reinforced regional leadership signals a bold, forward-thinking approach to market expansion—one that blends innovation, local insight, and global ambition.

  • EternityX: Labour Day 2025 Sees 28.7% Rise in Chinese Outbound Travel, Signaling Shift Toward Digital-First, Experience-Led Tourism

    EternityX: Labour Day 2025 Sees 28.7% Rise in Chinese Outbound Travel, Signaling Shift Toward Digital-First, Experience-Led Tourism

    Labour Day 2025 Signals Powerful Comeback and New Era in Chinese Outbound Travel. China’s outbound travel market is experiencing a powerful resurgence, with fresh insights from EternityX’s Labour Day 2025 Travel Trends & Insights Report revealing a striking 28.7% year-on-year increase in cross-border travel over the holiday period. More than just a rebound, this trend marks a transformation in the way Chinese travellers experience the world, with digital fluency and a hunger for personalised, meaningful journeys reshaping the global tourism landscape.

    The report highlights double-digit growth across key travel indicators: 10.9 million border crossings, 11.15 million air passengers, and outbound tourism spending reaching ¥180.3 billion (~USD 25 billion), up 8.0% from the previous year. “This isn’t just a rebound. It’s a redefinition of how Chinese travellers explore the world,” noted Charlene Ree, CEO of EternityX. “They’re seeking depth over distance, driven by digital experiences that align with their lifestyle values.”

    A clear trend emerging from this travel boom is the prioritisation of experiences over traditional sightseeing. Attraction ticket sales soared by 150% year-on-year, with strong interest in scene-based travel such as anime-themed hotels in Japan and audio-guided museum tours in France. Adventure travel is also gaining popularity, with notable increases in bookings for snorkelling in Malaysia and trekking in Nepal. These shifts indicate that today’s Chinese travellers are seeking experiences that are not only memorable but deeply immersive and personally enriching.

    Digital ecosystems continue to redefine the travel journey. Platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay saw a 30–50% surge in usage, now serving as full-service travel companions rather than just payment tools. In-app mini-programs guided everything from restaurant choices to museum tours, underscoring the need for international destinations to build seamless digital touchpoints that integrate directly with Chinese consumers’ preferred platforms.

    Airlines are responding to this renewed demand with an aggressive expansion of international routes. Air China added new services to Cairo, Toronto, and Central Asia while resuming popular routes to Tokyo and Paris. China Eastern launched a new Shanghai–Abu Dhabi connection, and United Airlines introduced seven new US–China routes. Cathay Pacific increased its Shanghai flights by 48% year-on-year, enhancing connectivity across both business and leisure travel segments.

    Looking ahead, Chinese outbound travel is forecast to reach between 177 and 185 million in 2025, with 111 to 116 million travellers expected during the summer season alone. Golden Week in Q4 could see a further 12.4 million Chinese tourists exploring the world, particularly seeking luxury and culturally immersive experiences in long-haul destinations such as Europe and the Middle East. “The rise of digital-native, experience-seeking Chinese travellers is no longer a trend—it’s the new market reality,” said Deric Wong, Chief Business Officer, Global at EternityX.

    EternityX emphasises that global brands must move beyond seasonal promotions to effectively reach this evolving market. A data-driven, full-funnel marketing approach, aligned with travel intent and powered by localised, platform-native content across ecosystems like WeChat and Alipay, is now essential. With the summer travel window rapidly approaching, the opportunity is substantial—but so is the competition.

    As Labour Day 2025 demonstrated, the future of Chinese outbound tourism is both dynamic and digitally driven. Brands that engage early with strategic precision and cultural intelligence will be best positioned to convert this momentum into lasting impact across global markets.

  • Clockenflap Unveils Early Bird Tickets and First Line-Up Featuring Rich Brian, Jacob Collier, Franz Ferdinand, Yoga Lin, Beth Gibbons, and Panther Chan

    Clockenflap Unveils Early Bird Tickets and First Line-Up Featuring Rich Brian, Jacob Collier, Franz Ferdinand, Yoga Lin, Beth Gibbons, and Panther Chan

    Clockenflap 2025 Drops Early Bird Tickets and Star-Studded First Line-Up. Hong Kong’s premier international outdoor music and arts festival, Clockenflap, has officially launched Early Bird ticket sales for its much-anticipated 2025 edition, scheduled to take place from Friday, 5 December to Sunday, 7 December at the iconic Central Harbourfront. Alongside the ticket release, organisers unveiled the first wave of an electrifying lineup that promises to set the stage for one of the city’s most memorable music events of the year.

    Headlining the first announcement are genre-spanning global artists including Indonesian rap sensation Rich Brian (Saturday), British musical polymath Jacob Collier (Friday), and Scottish indie rock giants Franz Ferdinand (Sunday). Joining them are Mandarin pop powerhouse Yoga Lin (Sunday), the enigmatic former Portishead frontwoman Beth Gibbons (Saturday), and beloved Hong Kong singer-songwriter Panther Chan (Friday), ensuring a diverse range of sounds for every fan.

    The weekend will also feature British troubadour Passenger and German electronic duo Digitalism (DJ set) on Friday; American alt-indie favourite Soccer Mommy, Japanese indie-pop group Chilli Beans., Thai singer-songwriter Phum Viphurit, and rising Japanese vocalist Akasaki on Saturday. Closing out the festival on Sunday, fans can expect powerful sets from Canadian post-rock legends Godspeed You! Black Emperor, California’s cult indie act TV Girl, UK-based DJ Riria, and the historic return of Hong Kong’s post-punk pioneers Bitter Tea of General Yeng, who will perform live for the first time after a 40-year hiatus.

    Set against the stunning backdrop of Hong Kong’s skyline and harbour views, Clockenflap 2025 is set to deliver the immersive festival atmosphere fans have come to love. In addition to an eclectic array of local, regional, and international artists across multiple stages, attendees can enjoy captivating art installations, interactive family-friendly workshops, and an impressive lineup of food and beverage offerings from top-tier local vendors.

    Early Bird tickets are available from 13 to 23 May 2025 exclusively via Ticketflap (www.ticketflap.com/Clockenflap2025). Prices start at HK\$1,790 for 3-day General Admission and HK\$1,150 for single-day passes. Discounted U18 tickets are also available, while children under three can attend for free without registration.

    With more major acts set to be revealed soon, music lovers are encouraged to secure their spots early for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of music, art, and culture in the heart of Hong Kong.

  • Enginemailer Expands Reach with Availability on Microsoft Azure Marketplace

    Enginemailer Expands Reach with Availability on Microsoft Azure Marketplace

    Enginemailer, a comprehensive email marketing and transactional email platform, has officially launched in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace—marking a significant milestone in its mission to provide scalable, cloud-based marketing solutions to businesses worldwide. With this new listing, organizations can now seamlessly integrate Enginemailer’s robust suite of tools into their existing Azure ecosystem, enabling more efficient deployment, streamlined management, and enhanced operational productivity.

    Designed to simplify email marketing and automation, Enginemailer empowers businesses to craft personalized campaigns and manage transactional emails with ease, all while ensuring enterprise-grade performance. By joining the Azure Marketplace, Enginemailer offers customers a trusted and secure environment to optimize their outreach strategies and elevate engagement across digital channels. The platform is particularly well-suited for businesses looking to scale their marketing efforts without compromising on efficiency or reliability.

    “At Enginemailer, our mission has always been to simplify email marketing and automation while delivering enterprise-level performance,” said Jeffri Shahul Hamid, Founder of Enginemailer. “Our presence in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace underscores our commitment to offering efficient, cloud-based marketing solutions that empower businesses globally.”

    Microsoft also welcomed the addition, with Jake Zborowski, General Manager of the Microsoft Azure Platform, noting, “Microsoft Azure Marketplace welcomes Enginemailer, which joins a cloud marketplace landscape offering flexibility and economic value while transacting tens of billions of dollars a year in revenues. Thanks to Azure Marketplace and partners like Enginemailer, customers can do more with less by increasing efficiency, buying confidently, and spending smarter.”

    The Azure Marketplace is a trusted online platform that connects organizations with certified cloud applications and services. Enginemailer’s inclusion in this ecosystem enhances its accessibility for a broad range of Azure users and aligns with its commitment to delivering innovative, scalable solutions tailored to modern business needs.