Curtin_IoT from Curtin University Malaysia is the national winner of #ShellSelamatSampai Varsity Challenge 2024 

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  • The crew faced off against five other contenders to win.
  • Kids used STEM to come up with solutions to road health problems.

Curtin_IoT with Dr. Nor Fuad Abdul Hamid (4th from left), Siti Sulaiman (5th from left) and their lecturers.

Shell’s road protection program for primary individuals, the# ShellSelamatSampai Varsity Challenge, crowned Team Curtin_IoT from Curtin University Malaysia as its 2024 great success.

Themed Modern! Captivate! The problem, called” Save Lives!,” asked Malaysian university and college kids to use STEM to come up with creative solutions to address road safety concerns.

” Every year, life are painfully lost due to reckless driving, neglect, and lack of awareness. As responsible people, we may join to make a variation”, said Siti Sulaiman, Country Chair of Shell Malaysia and Senior Vice President of Integrated Gas &amp, Upstream Malaysia. Shell says,” We are committed to giving our children the foundation for driving safety values and enabling them to think critically and take initiative to improve the tradition of road safety in their communities.”

The winning group, comprising Wong Zhe Ming, Gigi Hii Shu Qi, and Kho Jia Ann, presented Vision Integrated E-Nose (VIEN): Advanced Vehicular Alcohol Detector and Classifier with IoT-Enabled Surveillance Platform. The program quickly recognizes and classifies drinking, distinguishing between sour beverages and non-toxic alcohol-based products like hand sanitizers. VIEN aims to improve road health and promote responsible travelling by preventing drunk drivers from driving.

Team Curtin_IoT competed against five other finalists from Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation ( APU), Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi MARA ( UiTM) Shah Alam, Multimedia University ( MMU), and UCSI College Kuala Lumpur.

The implementation of our project was facilitated by the Shell# ShellSelamatSampai program, according to Team Curtin_IoT. We hope that our job will increase road safety and reduce road-related accidents.

A recognized judging board, including Ir. Mohd Yusop bin Mohamad, Director of Automotive Engineering, Road Transport Department Malaysia ( JPJ), Dr Ahmad Azad Ab. Rashid, Senior Researcher at the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research ( MIROS), and Harnamdav Singh, High-Risk Transport Road Safety Advisor at Shell Malaysia.

Shell’s devotion to highway safety in Malaysia began in 1957. The# ShellSelamatSampai Varsity Challenge, which was introduced in 2017, aims to motivate students to come up with creative solutions for road safety. Over the years, the problem has fostered creative young minds and urged unconventional ideas to improve street safety conditions across the nation.

For more information about Shell’s STEM and community initiatives, visit https ://www .shell.com/sustainability/communities/education .html

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EdgePoint’s Suresh Sidhu highlights towerco role in ASEAN’s digital revolution

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  • Towerco&nbsp, expands local footprints with 15k&nbsp, locations across ASEAN
  • Region’s youth-driven mobile-first society energy 5G and 4G development

EdgePoint founder and CEO, Suresh Sidhu believes collaboration is key to unlocking efficiencies and driving sustainable growth in the region.

EdgePoint’s Suresh Sidhu highlights towerco role in ASEAN’s digital revolution” ASEAN is very mobile-centric. Even in nations like Malaysia, where broadband penetration is over 50 %, mobile devices account for 30 % of web traffic, according to Suresh Sidhu ( pic ), CEO and founder of EdgePoint Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, in his keynote address at the TowerXchange Meetup Asia 2024 in Kuala Lumpur last week. ” Our fresh, tech-savvy people pulls this. With 25 % of ASEAN’s people under the age of 18, smart is the private wifi of every individual”.

Suresh used these insights to frame the critical role of tower companies ( towercos ) in enabling Southeast Asia’s connectivity revolution. His presentation, Positioning to Win: Towercos Place in Digital ASEAN, outlined the possibilities and difficulties that the business faces as it transitions to 5G and above.

ASEAN’s communication progress through cooperation

He remarked that” shared networks are fundamental to everything that is happening today,” citing collaboration between mobile network operators ( MNOs ) and infrastructure providers. He praised Malaysia’s long history of network discussing, that began in the early 2000s, as a model for different countries in the region.

EdgePoint System has been at the frontline of this move, operating over 15, 000 buildings in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and supporting 25, 000 residents. The business has delivered 500 build-to-suit buildings for Indonesia’s IOH besides running 10, 800 buildings it, and manages 2, 900 places in the Philippines, with 450 fresh requests for build-to-suit and coworking received this year alone.

In its home business of Malaysia, the business operates 1, 500 buildings serving 3, 400 landlords, with potential opportunities planned to tackle urban and suburban communication needs.

Sandy emphasized that sharing shared infrastructure shortens the time to roll out, especially in underserved areas, and reduces duplication. Collaboration is essential to unlocking efficiency and fostering green growth in the area.

4G’s enduring part in a 5G time

While 5G is a key focus for institutions and users, the continued necessity of 4G system cannot be overlooked. ” You can’t manage a great 5G network without wonderful 4G”, Sandy explained. ” In truth, 4G will be the 2G of tomorrow, especially in areas like Indonesia where covering large, complex regions takes moment”.

Strong 4G sites are a necessity because ASEAN relies on portable devices for both personal and professional communication. ” When a man drops from 5G to 4G, the experience must be seamless”, he said, pointing to the position of demographic changes in shaping system desire, noting that young populations across ASEAN are natural adopters of mobile-first technologies.

The opportunities and challenges for Towercos

Suresh outlined the importance of reliability, speed, and innovation in meeting MNO demands. Towercos must focus on providing holistic solutions that are tailored to the needs of the operator rather than just providing infrastructure. ” Scale is necessary, but skill sets you apart”.

He also cited potential opportunities for towercos in nearby industries. ” Adjoining sectors like micro-edge data centres, fibre integration, and IoT offer immense potential”, he said, though this is over the longer term where many more sites will be needed.

” It’s about the expansion of the network and AI to the edge as well as machine and private networks, such as for municipal parking, infra monitoring, etc..”

Towercos managing power for sites is also becoming more popular, which could make things easier for MNOs while lowering costs.

Suresh noted that the demands on networks will increase as data consumption increases and artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in daily life. He contends that towercos must make plans to support the growth of data traffic while maintaining effectiveness.

” You must have indomitable will. Be persistent, consistent, and committed”, he stressed, urging the industry to remain resilient in the face of rapid technological advancements and evolving market conditions.

As AI adoption, data consumption, and 5G rollouts accelerate, towercos like EdgePoint Infrastructure are positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping ASEAN’s digital future. The challenges remain, but the opportunities to drive connectivity and innovation are greater than ever, and EdgePoint intends to be a key player with Sesh’s call to action.

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NTT Data announces land acquisition for new data center in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

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  • For AI requirements, the service will apply liquid cooling and green designs.
  • It will grow to be one of APAC’s largest data centre colleges.

NTT Data announces land acquisition for new data center in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

NTT Data, a global pioneer in business and technology companies, announced its proposed merger of a 68.5-acre area piece in Gelang Patah, Johor Bahru.

The site will be transformed into one of the largest data center schools in the APAC region, with the addition of six distinct houses, each with a 290 megawatt ( MW) total IT load capacity. The second tower, with an original power of 48 MW, is expected to launch in April 2027.

” With APAC emerging as one of the fastest-growing areas for IT and data centres, this corporate property merger in Malaysia underscores our commitment to local development”, said Doug Adams, CEO and President of Global Data Centers, NTT Data. Due to its close proximity to Singapore, Johor Bahru is gaining an increasingly significant financial area.

Yasuo Suzuki, Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Japan and APAC at Global Data Centers, NTT Data, added,” Expanding in Gelang Patah strengthens Malaysia’s modern equipment, supports APAC economic development, fosters innovation, and creates new job opportunities”.

NTT Data now operates six features in Cyberjaya, near Kuala Lumpur, with a combined IT weight capacity of 20 MW. Using NTT Data’s regional partnerships, the new Johor Bahru initiative aims to strengthen Malaysia’s modern facilities.

To meet the growing demand for AI applications, the facility will feature energy-efficient, green designs, according to the company, which includes advanced technologies like direct liquid cooling.

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DNB leads the digital transformation of Malaysian manufacturing with 5G and AI 

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  • Visitors explored 5G’s impact on manufacturing with situation reports &amp, operations
  • DNB, KPJ Healthcare signed an MoU to observe 5G for better care &amp, performance

DNB leads the digital transformation of Malaysian manufacturing with 5G and AI 

Digital Nasional Berhad ( DNB), in collaboration with China Mobile International, ZTE, and Ericsson, and supported by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, hosted the” Connected Industries Day: Transforming Manufacturing with 5G and AI” workshop. This second installment of the series aimed to inspire Johor-based manufacturers in the Southern region to embrace digital products.

Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, the factory was inaugurated by the chancellor of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo. State and federal government representatives from the production and technology sectors were present at the full-day function.

Through interactive classes and discussions, the occasion provided a crucial forum for business leaders, website experts, and stakeholders to influence the direction of manufacturing. Participants presented case reports of 5G Shop applications and illustrations of 5G answer deployments that increased operational efficiency, demonstrating the transformative potential of 5G in production.

In his handle, Gobind underscored the importance of modernization, technology, AI, and 5G in revolutionising Johor’s manufacturing industry. He remarked,” As a major hub for modernization in the country, with 13 information areas spanning over 1.65 million square feet, Johor is poised to get billions in foreign funding. It is crucial for state-owned businesses to adopt 5G use cases and electronic solutions to fully exploit this possibility.

DNB CEO Azman Ismail highlighted the organisation’s development in deploying a world-class 5G network foundation, which presently covers over 80 % of Malaysia’s filled areas—a full time ahead of schedule. He added,” Our 5G system is recognized by Ookla, the online tests and testing company, as one of the fastest and most consistent world. We have even earned accolades from OpenSignal, Global Telecom Awards, and FutureNet for functionality and creativity, showcasing our network’s eagerness for 5G-Advanced systems”.

He added,” As we transition to a dynamic, dual-network environment, DNB remains committed to supporting the Government’s online mission by driving 5G implementation to stimulate economic growth and change how Malaysians live, learn, function, and play”.

Additionally, DNB and Johor Corporation’s subsidiary KPJ Healthcare Bhd exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding. This collaboration seeks to harness 5G technology to improve healthcare services, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver better patient outcomes.

In addition, DNB conducted research with regional municipal mayors and city councillors to look into potential smart city transformation opportunities. This initiative builds momentum towards the Smart City Expo 2025, scheduled for the end of next year, in conjunction with Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship.

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Bridge Data Centres, TNB sign MY07 400MW deal and green energy partnership, boosting Malaysia as a digital hub.

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  • Contract signs M’sia’s fastest ESA supply for a cutting-edge data center
  • When completed, MY07 did meet country’s growing digital system needs

Bridge Data Centres, TNB sign MY07 400MW deal and green energy partnership, boosting Malaysia as a digital hub.

Bain Capital-backed Bridge Data Centres ( BDC ), a leading Southeast Asia-based hyperscale data centre solutions platform, has announced the signing of the MY07 Electricity Supply Agreement ( ESA ) with Malaysia’s leading energy solutions provider, Tenaga Nasional Berhad ( TNB).

This arrangement, which was finalized in a quicker period window, represents Malaysia’s quickest ESA delivery, argues TNB, to meet the urgent energy requirements of a cutting-edge data center. The two parties signed a Bilateral Energy Supply Contract ( BESC ) Head of Terms ( HOT ) under the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme ( CRESS).

The MY07 information center is BDC’s newest ability, currently under construction in Johor Ulu Tiram, Malaysia. When completed, MY07 will be a state-of-the-art hyperscale information center designed to cater to the state’s growing demand for digital system.

Speaking at the event, Megat Jalaluddin Bin Megat Hassan, President and CEO of TNB, emphasised the agency’s responsibility to delivering modern and sustainable energy solutions with a customer-centric method.

” Now marks a major step forward in our collaboration with Bridge Data Centers as we strengthen our shared efforts to accelerate Malaysia’s transition to energy. Through the TNB Green Lane Pathway program, combined with our One-Stop Centre solutions, we are happy to ensure rapid implementation of power solutions within only 12 months”.

He continued,” BDC becomes the first partner under the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme construction, a step that our wholly owned subsidiary, TNB Renewables Sdn Bhd, helped facilitate. Collectively, we are not only expanding Malaysia’s data center equipment but also advancing technology, conservation, and economic development for future generations”.

Meanwhile, Eric Fan, CEO of Bridge Data Centres, expressed his appreciation for TNB’s dedication and efficiency, stating:” The MY07 Electricity Supply Agreement is important in ensuring dependable power availability, enabling BDC to keep fast delivery timelines for our hyperscale data centre services and meet the powerful demands of our customers.

The Green Energy Partnership establishes a foundation for BDC’s operations to include clean energy, demonstrating TNB and BDC’s commitment to sustainability and coal decline. This partnership supports Malaysia’s efforts to transition to renewable energy and coincides with global trends in natural data center operations.

This partnership strengthens Malaysia’s status as a vibrant hub for data center operations in the area and underlines TNB’s excellence in providing high-quality energy solutions. By incorporating green power through the Green Energy Partnership, BDC is well-positioned to be at the forefront of sustainable development in the modern infrastructure sector.

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Equinix energises digital landscape in Singapore with additional 58.5 MWp of solar energy 

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  • Agreement help Singapore’s move towards a brighter economy
  • Equinix will receive 133.5 MW of solar energy from Sembcorp Power.

Equinix energises digital landscape in Singapore with additional 58.5 MWp of solar energy 

The digital infrastructure company® Equinix, Inc., has signed its second renewable energy power purchase agreement ( PPA ) with Sembcorp Power Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, in an effort to help reduce the effects of global climate change. Sembcorp Power announced in a statement that it will support Equinix’s expanding data center portfolio with a maximum of 133.5 Megawatts ( MWp ) of renewable energy with this second PPA.

According to the report, Equinix’s continuing investment underscores its commitment to providing modern facilities for economic growth while reducing carbon emissions in accordance with the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Beginning in 2029, this minute PPA will allow Equinix to generate a maximum capacity of 58.5 MWp of solar power generated by JTC’s qualities on Jurong Island. This renewable energy source may significantly reduce carbon emissions by 30 to 30 to 200 tonnes annually, making that number comparable to the power of over 17, 200 four-room HDB condos. This PPA may allow fresh energy to help the country’s transition to a green economy by aligning with the Singapore government’s commitment to make Jurong Island a sustainable energy and substances park.

Lee May Leong, Managing Director, Singapore, Equinix, said:” Data centres serve as the foundation of the online business, but the increasing power demands of AI are impacting national energy constraints and emissions targets. Equinix is positively addressing these issues by putting forth energy-saving best practices and procurement strategies that are in line with our climate commitments. We’re delighted to announce our next PPA in Singapore, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting our customers ‘ efforts to advance their businesses and achieve conservation goals.

Meanwhile, Vickrem Vijayan, Head of Energy Commercial ( Singapore ), Sembcorp, said:” We are pleased to deepen our ongoing partnership with Equinix, supporting them in advancing their sustainability goals and helping to shape a more sustainable digital economy. We look forward to future partnerships that will advance Singapore’s 2030 Green Plan and promote the change of strength.

Highlights/Key Information:

  • The houses of five JTC houses, including Jurong Rock Caverns ‘ above-ground services and Jurong Island Checkpoint, will be covered by this thermal deployment on Jurong Island, which will also include 60 hectares of vacant land.
  • Equinix and Sembcorp signed their first long-term PPA in Singapore in April 2024, which is anticipated to produce about 75 MWp of renewable energy starting on January 1, 2027.
  • Since 2015, Equinix has executed 25 PPAs worldwide, including arrangements in Australia, India, and Singapore in 2024. These agreements are expected to contribute approximately 3, 250, 000 megawatt hours ( MWh ) of renewable energy annually to local grids across the US, Australia, France, Finland, India, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Singapore once operational.
  • In 2023, Equinix achieved 96 % solar cover across its international operations. In Asia-Pacific, Equinix achieved 100 % renewable coverage in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, and Singapore markets in 2023.

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Cyberview, Futurise launch National Drone Sports Roadmap

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  • Drone Hub positions Cyberjaya as a hub for drone sports, talent & industry
  • NADSAR guides Malaysia’s drone sports growth through talent, partnerships & regulations

Najwan Halimi officiated the Drone Hub Innovation for Future Talents (DRIFT) and simultaneously launched the National Drone Sports Strategic Roadmap

Cyberview Sdn. Bhd., together with its subsidiary Futurise Sdn. Bhd., hosted the Drone Hub Innovation for Future Talents (DRIFT) event, showcasing Malaysia’s commitment to advancing drone innovation and talent development. The event featured the announcement of the Cyberjaya Drone Hub, the unveiling of the National Drone Sports Strategic Roadmap (NADSAR) 2023–2027, and the launch of the Cyberjaya Drone Hero (CDH) programme.

The Cyberjaya Drone Hub, an initiative by Cyberview, is designed to establish Cyberjaya as a thriving drone ecosystem built on key pillars such as drone sports development, community engagement, talent cultivation, commercial opportunities, and industrial growth. With facilities like the Drone Testing Zone (DTZ) and testbeds, the hub fosters innovation and collaboration. Since 2019, the DTZ—supported by Drone Academy Asia, one of the first CAAM-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTO)—has trained over 2,300 remote pilots, conducted more than 150 training sessions, and logged over 2,000 flight hours, cementing Cyberjaya’s leadership in Malaysia’s drone sector.

A highlight of DRIFT was the unveiling of NADSAR 2023–2027, an initiative by Futurise via the National Academy for Drone Sports Excellence (AKSADRON). This roadmap serves as a blueprint for Malaysia’s growth in drone sports, emphasising talent cultivation, industry partnerships, and regulatory enhancements. It aligns with the government’s Visi Sukan Negara 2030, advancing both emerging sports and technological innovation.

Speaking at the event, Cyberview, Futurise launch National Drone Sports Roadmap Abdul Samad, CEO of Cyberview Sdn. Bhd. (pic), underscored DRIFT 2024’s significance in advancing Malaysia’s drone ecosystem. “Cyberjaya has been at the heart of Malaysia’s digital journey since the MSC days, evolving into a thriving ecosystem for technology, talent, and innovation. Today, we are proud to take another step forward, solidifying Cyberjaya as Malaysia’s Drone Hub.”

The Cyberjaya Drone Hero programme, a collaboration between Cyberview and he Cyberjaya Drone Hero programme, a collaboration between Cyberview and Futurise through AKSADRON, was introduced as a core initiative of the Cyberjaya Drone Hub. Focused on developing talent in drone sports, the programme provides hands-on training, competitive opportunities, and exposure to advanced technologies. By aligning with NADSAR’s objectives, it equips students and drone enthusiasts with STEM skills while encouraging participation from schools and universities nationwide. To date, the programme has trained over 200 students from 14 academic institutions, including SMK Cyberjaya, Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya, Politeknik Banting, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and Universiti Tun Abdul Razak.

During the event, two Letters of Intent (LOIs) were exchanged to strengthen Malaysia’s drone technology and talent cultivation efforts. The first LOI was signed between Cyberview and Drone Academy Asia, and the second between Futurise and UMPSA Advanced, a subsidiary of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, supporting AKSADRON initiatives.

Beyond industry innovation, DRIFT 2024 seeks to engage local communities by raising awareness about drone sports and fostering a tech-savvy culture. Schools, universities, and stakeholders are encouraged to drive grassroots participation, creating excitement and ownership in this emerging field.

“As we move forward, Cyberview is committed to creating an inclusive and dynamic drone ecosystem. Through today’s engagements, let’s spark new ideas, collaborations, and inspiration to build a future that thrives on innovation and talent,” said Kamarul Ariffin.

The collaboration between Cyberview and Futurise reflects a unified effort to advance Malaysia’s technology ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the Cyberjaya Drone Hub, NADSAR, and the Cyberjaya Drone Hero programme, Cyberview is building a dynamic ecosystem that bridges industry and community through sports, positioning Malaysia as a global leader in drone innovation and technology.

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CelcomDigi appoints Dennis Chia as chief financial officer

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  • Brings over 30 years of financial leadership experience to the role
  • Previously served as the CFO of StarHub in Singapore for nearly a decade

CelcomDigi appoints Dennis Chia as chief financial officer

CelcomDigi Berhad has announced the appointment of Dennis Chia (pic)  as its new chief financial officer (CFO). Chia will assume his position on 2 January 2025.

Chia previously served as chief financial officer at StarHub in Singapore for nearly a decade until September 2024. Before StarHub, he held various CFO and finance leadership roles across major industries, including information technology, semiconductors, automotive, and oil and gas. His past roles include senior vice president and CFO at STATS ChiPAC Worldwide and vice president of finance at Lear Corporation.

With over 30 years of experience as a finance leader, Chia is a Certified Public Accountant. He holds an accounting degree from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and an MBA in marketing and finance from the University of Hull in England.

Chia will succeed current CFO Lucy Tan, who departs CelcomDigi at the end of her contract. Tan has been a key part of CelcomDigi’s management team since the merger in December 2022. As CFO, she strengthened the company’s growth and operational efficiency focus and led key finance transformation initiatives, establishing a strong foundation for future performance.

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Mercedes-Benz Malaysia expands EV charging network through corporate collaborations

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  • Additional privileges at partner hotels for Mercedes-Benz customers
  • Partners with hotels, golf courses to expand EV charging in Malaysia

Amanda Zhang, CEO & president, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (6th from left), together with prestigious hotels, golf course, & charging partners announcing a transformative corporate collaboration nationwide

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has unveiled plans to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network through collaborations with hotels and golf courses across the country. The initiative is part of the company’s strategy to enhance accessibility for EV owners and integrate sustainable mobility with luxury experiences.

The company is adopting a multi-channel approach to strengthen its EV infrastructure by offering Charge@Home Wallbox installations for private residences, Charge@Retail EV charging facilities at Mercedes-Benz retail outlets, and Charge@Public branded charging stations at partner hotels, resorts, and golf courses.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is also working with Charge Point Operators (CPOs) such as EV Connection, ChargeEV, and Gentari to develop a nationwide EV charging infrastructure.

The initiative includes partnerships with establishments in key regions such as Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang and Marriott Hotel in Penang, The RuMa Hotel & Residences and Saujana Golf & Country Club in Klang Valley, and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas in Johor. Mercedes-Benz customers can enjoy additional privileges at these partner hotels by presenting their Mercedes-Benz Card or App upon check-in.

Amanda Zhang, CEO & President of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, stated, “Mercedes-Benz has always been at the forefront of driving the future of mobility and luxury through meaningful and synergistic collaborations. By seamlessly integrating electric mobility into luxury lifestyle experiences, we are redefining the essence of being a Mercedes-Benz customer.” 

Edmin Naidoo, Vice President of Customer Services at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, added, “Our partnerships are designed to address the diverse needs of our customers while supporting Malaysia’s transition to sustainable mobility. By expanding the EV charging ecosystem and offering customised solutions, we are addressing today’s customer trends and expectations and further laying the foundation for a more sustainable customer centric future.”

The company is exploring potential collaborations with additional luxury hotels, shopping malls, and golf courses to expand its portfolio of exclusive lifestyle offerings.

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Cult Creative launches Creator Platform to enable modern storytellers to enjoy better cashflow 

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  • Since brands pay upfront for the services, creators are paid within 30 days
  • Aims to simplify campaign management, performance tracking and payments

Shermaine Wong, co-founder and CEO of Cult Creative (Left) and Lina Esa, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Cult Creative

“Content creators are now the modern storytellers as they resonate with Gen Zs and millennials especially,” said Shermaine Wong, co-founder and CEO of Cult Creative. Consumers are always searching for experiences with different creators and types of content, she adds. 

According to a 2022 report by Cube Asia Research, Southeast Asia’s social commerce is estimated to be worth US$42 billion (RM186.65 billion)

In tandem, a report ‘E-commerce influencer marketing in Southeast Asia’ was published in Oct by Impact.com in collaboration with Cube Asia, revealing that by 2027, social commerce in the region could reach an impressive US$125 billion (RM555.49 billion)

Moreover, within the report, results of a survey consisting of 400 Malaysian adult respondents (above 18 years) indicate that celebrity and mega influencers hold significant sway over Malaysian consumers’ purchasing decisions by 62% and 61% respectively.

To address the rising demand of UCG, Cult Creative has beta launched its Creator Platform, – an all-in-one solution designed to streamline and optimise UGC marketing campaigns for content creators.

“Cult Creative’s efforts aim to position Malaysia as a regional hub for the creator economy with the launch of Creator Platform to tap into the growing trend of influencer-driven storytelling,” Shermaine said.

Lina Esa, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Cult Creative said that the creator economy is about building genuine connections. “Through the platform, we help brands grow their audiences, get the quality UGC that we can provide them, while ensuring creators have an easy way to manage their campaigns and scale their earnings.” 

In the last 12 months, Cult Creative has paid over US$157,514 (RM700,000) to 2,800 creators, with brand partnerships such as Grab, Hotlink, Astro, Farm Fresh and Marriot Bonvoy Group.

Emphasising its commitment to serve creators and assist them on the business side of matters, Cult Creative has emerged as one of the quickest paymasters in its space. “We are one of the only companies that pay creators within 30 days, whereas most of our competitors pay within three to six months, which is an industry standard,” said Shermaine. It is able to do this as brands pay upfront for the work they wish creators to deliver for them.

Furthermore, depending on a creator’s reliability and quality of work, creators can also obtain a form of certification known as “Cult Certified”, which allows them to obtain their earnings within 24 hours.

The platform operates on a pay-per-use model, charging brands for UGC campaigns based on creator engagement with additional services like activation fees, platform margins and support. 

Brands can also opt for annual agreements with continued platform use or tailored campaign management for more customised solutions.

Key features

While still in its beta stage, the platform’s key features include:

  • Professional Media Kits: Creators can automatically generate “media kits” that link their social media profiles and display relevant audience insights, such as engagement rate.
  • Discover New Campaigns: The Discovery page is where creators find their brand deals. To opt in for a campaign, creators can submit a text or video ‘pitch’ to get noticed. 
  • Personalised Campaign Matching: A data-matching algorithm connects creators with brands that align with their content and audience.
  • Automated Workflows: Admin such as creator agreements and creator invoices are done for them. Tasks are automatically generated to give time back to creators to stay creative.
  • Streamlined Communication: An integrated chat feature keeps all campaign-related conversations organised, which eliminates the need for multiple messaging platforms and switching between different chat groups.
  • Feedback Management: Creators can track changes and confirm drafts in one place to ensure efficient feedback processing.

The platform aims to simplify campaign management, performance tracking and payments that is aligned with Cult Creative’s mission to empower creators with tools to elevate content creation and brand partnerships.

Down the pipeline

It had taken ten months to build the platform with the tech support venture firm Nexea Ventures, which served as Cult Creative’s tech consultant. Nexea is an investor in Cult Creative.

Shermaine declined to disclose how much it has cost to build the platform.

However, when the tech collaboration with Nexea ends by January, Shermaine will grow Cult Creative’s in-house tech team.

Cult Creative expects its 2024 revenue to hit US$405,026 (RM1.8 million), a fivefold increase over 2023. 

Creators can sign up and try their hand at pitching for brand deals and earning through their content via www.cultcreativeasia.com.

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