Tourism Malaysia selects its five agencies

By Staff Reporters, Adoi on Feb 9, 2011

filed under Advertising, Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR - Five Malaysian advertising agencies have been awarded advertising contracts by Tourism Malaysia for the 2011 to 2013 period.

The five agencies were among the 34 that submitted applications for the advertising tender bid, worth around RM600 million (US$198 million) in total, which closed on 16 August 2010.

The appointed agencies are Naga DDB for ASEAN; Smascom & Designs for North and East Asia; Sen Media for South Asia, West Asia and Africa; M & C Saatchi for Europe, America and Oceania; and Impact Creations for Domestic and Events.

Questions had been raised surrounded the pitch process as current contracts expired 31 December 2010 and the announcement deadline of 12 February 2011 loomed. Tourism Malaysia was also drawn into the spotlight by incumbent ISC Group’s withdrawal from the pitch, stating concerns about "ambiguities in the process."

A senior agency executive told Campaign this is not the first time controversy has surrounded the Tourism Malaysia business, saying that mulitnational networks had previously queried unknown and non-4A agencies involvment in business pitches.

ISC founder and president Austen Zecha yesterday lashed out at Malaysia’s 4A’s following remarks made by its president Vincent Lee.

“All I can say is that I have never been to a single 4As meeting here in all 36 years of Malaysian agency life as I’ve never felt that the 4As here have championed its members’ cause and Datuk Lee’s comments have reinforced my stance as they have undermined ISC’s integrity in its endeavour to try and create a more open and transparent tender process, a decision which was well thought through and definitely not one taken lightly or made last-minute, given that the contract was due to start 1 January this year,” said Zecha.

Blackberry: Corporate dominance under treat as bankers opt for iPhone

At face value, life is good for BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion (RIM). Profits soared with net income for fiscal 2010 at US$2.46 billion, up nearly 30 per cent compared to 2009.

So where did Blackberry go wrong? This is how i see it. Blackberry = work. iPhone = fun+work. (Taru Jain, MD XM Media Asia-Pasific Singapore)

From a branding perspective, Blackberry is under threat from iPhone and Andriod and RIM is almost invisible in comparison. (Andrew Knott - CDO Asia Pacific, Euro RSCG)

So which one is you?

info by Media

photo by Blackberry

RM200 Million Creative Industry Fund Takes Off

A RM200 million fund to help stimulate the creative industry took off the ground on Thursday.
- 31Dec2009 - BERNAMA -

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the credit facility of between RM50,000 and RM5 million, which was meant for commercial creative activities, offered competitive interests and flexible conditions.

"As the credit facility is meant for commercialisation, it has to be governed by conditions imposed by the authorities and this is contrary to assumptions that the fund is free.

"There is no such thing as a free fund for business. But with interest rates of between two and four per cent, the rate is not only very low and flexible but also fair," he told reporters after launching the Creative Industry Fund here on Thursday.

The fund, which will is meant for filmmaking, musical production, animation, and related activities, was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the 2010 Budget in October.

Rais said the credit facility, which would be disbursed through Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), would also be extended for asset purchases to facilitate commercial activities.

"Only sole owners, joint partners and private limited companies, and business entities with 51 per cent Malaysian ownership are eligible for the loan.

"Those, who are getting grants from the government agencies for projects or products are not entitled to the loan," he added.

He said 22 creative activities in four sectors, namely audio visual and new media (animation, interactive, film and television production), design (fashion, accessories), arts and craft (arts performances, handicraft, galleries), and print media (publishing, writing) can apply for the fund.



On the interest rates, he said it would be two per cent a year, calculated on a monthly basis for short-term projects and four per cent per year for projects lasting five years.

He said applicants could seek financing up to 90 per cent of their cost from a special committee set up by the ministry.

"The contract documents can be pledged as collaterals, which could be handed to the banks subject to conditions imposed, by producing eligible guarantors or by determining the adequacy of company assets," he added.

On the repayment, he said BSN would fix the instalments throughout project period, loan period or fast track repayment for those posting "blockbuster" revenue.

Rais said the credit facility could be taken in stages or one lump sum based on the conditions set by the bank.

image courtesy http://www.kakireka.com/

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Happy Twenty Ten

Happy New year everybody. Well this is the first post in 2010. Whoaaa!! feel like 2009 has just miss us in blink of an eye. Lotsa stuff has been goin on in 2009. Hopefully this 2010 will be a great year for us all!

Have a great start on 2010 ya'll...

Jom Tengok Sinbad!

Korang tau apa itu Bangsawan? Kalau korang ta tau, jom tengok Bangsawan Sinbad-Batu Permata Dewa bermula esok sampai ahad di Panggung Bandaraya DBKL.

Bangsawan Sinbad - Batu Permata Dewa merupakan bangsawan terbitan Jabatan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan Negara dengan kerjasama DBKL.

Bangsawan ini merupakan penutup kepada program Semarak Bangsawan 2009 anjuran JKKN. Masuk PERCUMA. Datang awal untuk memastikan tempat duduk. Persembahan akan diadakan pada 11-13 Disember, 8.30-10.30 malam.

Sinbad arahan Rosnan Nordin ini membariskan artis seperti A.Aris kadir, Syafinaz Selamat and Farawaheeda sebagai pendukung utama. Jom sama-sama memeriahkan bangsawan Sinbad - Batu Permata Dewa.

Tetamu kehormat ialah YB Menteri KPKK. Untuk keterangan lanjut hubungi 03-2052 3600/3702 (Ezlina) atau 3703 (Hassanal). Layari web jkkn di sini

Sime Darby calls creative pitch in Malaysia

by Asiya Bakht

KUALA LUMPUR - Sime Darby, one of Malaysia’s biggest multinational conglomerates, is believed to have issued a tender for the creative business of its food division, Sime Darby Food.

Sources suggest that the company has requested technical specifications from several creative agencies and will then draw up a shortlist.

Sime Darby Food is looking at expansion in the growing local and global markets for horticulture products, livestock and processed food. Its business is represented by Sime Aerogreen Technology, Golden Hope Food & Beverages, Sime Farm, Agri Bio Corporation, Sime Darby Food Marketing and PNB Enterprise.

Sime Darby Group is currently in the process of finalising a media agency for its entire business. The company has shortlisted three agencies including Mindshare and Carat after calling a pitch in September.