ClickInsights has come up with its October edition of the APAC Digital Digest wherein they cover the latest developments in advertising, telecommunications, e-commerce, cybersecurity, blockchain, social networks, fintech, and eSports. The report aims to shed light on various updates from within these industries, which can help marketers come up with effective marketing strategies.
Here are the major highlights of the report.
1. Telstra Unveils 5G Prototype to Help Visually Impaired AFL Fans Enjoy Football Better
Telecommunications company Telstra announced a new prototype that harnesses the power of 5G to improve the game-day experience of visually impaired AFL fans. According to Telstra, over 400,000 people in Australia are either blind or have low vision, and a third of them support an AFL Club. In response, Telstra has developed the 5G Touch and Track prototype to create an enjoyable experience for visually impaired AFL fans so they are not left behind.
2. Homegrown Telecom Aprecomm Signs Distribution Pact with Singapore’s TDS
Homegrown telecom startup Aprecomm has signed a pact with Singapore-based Technology Distribution Specialists (TDS) with an aim to tap markets outside India. The pact will allow TDS to become one of Aprecomm’s distributors, and consequently, the company will distribute Aprecomm’s network intelligence solutions for the telecom industry across the Asia Pacific region, an official statement said on Wednesday.
3. Digital Ad Spend in Australia Reaches $13.9bn for FY22
The local Australian online advertising market recorded a 22% increase year-onyear to reach $13.9 billion for the financial year ending 30th June 2022 according to the IAB Australia Online Advertising Expenditure Report prepared by PwC. Fuelled by the Federal Election as well as both the summer and winter Olympics, all categories recorded double-digit growth year-on-year, with video advertising peaking at 58% share of general display advertising, the report said.
4. WeAre8 Launches Australian Marketing Campaign as it Eyes New Zealand Launch
WeAre8, the sustainable social media app, has launched its first Australian marketing campaign as the company eyes its New Zealand expansion. The social media app, which pays users to watch adverts and donates 60% of its revenues to social and environmental causes, has kicked off its first consumer marketing activity and revealed the local celebrity' change makers' who will add content and clout to the app.
5. Microsoft Discloses 'High-Severity' TikTok Vulnerability
Microsoft has detailed the TikTok vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2022-28799, which could enable threat actors to hijack accounts and publicize private videos, send messages and upload videos under the users' accounts. While TikTok fixed the flaw and Microsoft confirmed it did not observe in-the-wild exploitation, the vulnerability heightened concerns over access to private data as well as the in-app browser functionality.
6. WhatsApp Bans 2.4 Million Indian Accounts in July
WhatsApp banned 2.39 million Indian accounts in July, the highest so far this year, the Meta-owned popular instant messaging app said late on Thursday in its monthly report. The Asian nation's stricter IT laws have made it necessary for large digital platforms to publish compliance reports every month.
7. 80% of Social Media Users in Asia Who Follow Influencers Are Likely to Purchase Recommended Products
To better understand social influencers and their increasing influence on audience purchasing behaviors, Nielsen has released new insights across Asia based on a study done in conjunction with Rakuten that analyzed 6,000 responses from proprietary panels in 12 Asian markets. According to the findings, 80% of social media users in Asia who follow influencers on social media in Asia are either more likely or much more likely to buy products when they are recommended by those influencers.
8. Asia’s Largest Metaverse Platform Zepeto Ramps up Global Expansion
Korean group plans to boost presence as it seeks to take on big US rivals building avatar-filled virtual worlds. Asia’s largest metaverse platform, Zepeto, is stepping up its global expansion as it looks to compete against the Big Tech groups that are betting billions on creating avatar-filled virtual worlds. Owned by Korean tech group Naver, Zepeto has attracted 340mn users since it launched in 2018. Unlike rival platforms developed by gaming companies, it is dominated by young female users.
9. Huawei Courts Thailand, Indonesia with Supply Chain Support
Huawei Technologies has taken its annual technology showcase to Southeast Asia as it steps up efforts to grow in countries where it can avoid a crackdown by the West. Digital and economic ministers from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Bangladesh were in Bangkok as the embattled Chinese company staged its Huawei Connect event overseas for the first time. All four countries have allowed mobile network operators to source 5th-generation telecommunications equipment from Huawei, despite security warnings and bans issued by the U.S. and European governments.
10. Naver Z Teams up with Thai Telecom Giant to Build Global Metaverse Hub
Naver Z, the metaverse unit of South Korean internet giant Naver, has partnered with Thai telecom conglomerate True to build a global metaverse hub for creators. Naver Z, which operates the popular South Korean metaverse platform Zepeto, has signed a memorandum of understanding with True to develop the metaverse ecosystem on Zepeto.
Wrapping Up
There’s much more in store for you in our October edition of the APAC Digital Digest. Did you know that Singapore’s largest bank DBS will be offering crypto services to 300,000 investors? Or can you believe that Aussies have already lost $242M to investment and crypto scams in 2022?
Well, to find more such valuable insights and delve deeper into the findings of the APAC Digital Digest, download the full report here.