It’s time to take a stand against bland marketing

AI can crunch data, but can it truly create magic? Anathea Ruys, CEO of UM Australia, urges brands to use it wisely—or risk fading into the noise. Australian marketing professor Mark Ritson once said, “AI will make us all masters of efficiency, but slaves to mediocrity. The more we automate, the harder it becomes to

UM challenges brands to evade blandness with ‘Full Colour Media’ strategy

Singapore – UM, a global media agency network under IPG Mediabrands, is challenging brands to be distinct and evade blandness with the launch of its ‘Full Colour Media’ strategy. Urging brands to take a more vibrant approach to media, UM’s ‘Full Colour Media’ is an omni-channel planning proposition and philosophy that aims to change the agency’s

The Gen AI search surge: What marketers need to know

Digital remains the driver of advertising growth for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. According to the latest report by MAGNA, overall digital advertising revenues are projected to experience a 11.1% year-on-year increase in 2024. Representing US$103 billion in 2024, search commands a 47% share, the largest proportion of total advertising budgets across APAC, as well

Non-profit organisation Canteen appoints UM Australia to amplify support for people affected by cancer

Australia – UM Australia has been selected as Canteen’s media agency of record, with effect immediately. UM’s Canteen responsibilities include performance, above-the-line media strategy, planning, and purchasing. The goal in this mandate is to grow supporter numbers in order to reach more young people impacted by cancer. The mandate, made effective following Canteen’s recent brand revamp,

Why brands should tap social communities for conversion

UM Philippines’ Jesca Bantayan explains how brands can use the power of fandoms as an engagement tool to connect with their consumers. Social media usage in the APAC region, notably in China, India, and Indonesia, continues to increase. Beyond personal connections, social media’s sites and apps now encompass commerce, discovery, entertainment, and professional networking, genuinely making

When creator content goes mainstream

There’s no denying that creators have completely changed the entertainment landscape, and now AI is only going to empower them further, suggests UM’s William Wun. Home to 60% of the world’s population, the APAC region is also the home of the most social media users worldwide. They make up 64% of global audiences, and in

UNIVERSAL MCCANN STANDS PROUD AS THE ONLY MALAYSIAN AGENCY TO SWEEP A GOLD AT THE FESTIVAL OF MEDIA APAC 2024

Universal McCann, the media agency under the IPG Mediabrands network, has once again taken home a coveted ‘Gold’ award at the prestigious Festival of Media Asia Pacific (FOMA) Awards 2024, the only Malaysian agency to be awarded the top award. OneVue, a global division of Universal McCann which acts as the global media agency of record for leading global consumer health company Kenvue, took home a Gold for ‘Best E-Commerce Campaign’ with Listerine Malaysia for the #SwishAwaySuay campaign, alongside a Bronze

Levi’s picks UM as global media agency

SCOOP: Jeans brand spent $142 million in global media spend last year. Levi’s Jeans has consolidated its global media account with UM after working with the agency in the Americas for more than four years, Campaign US has learned. Following a review, the IPG Mediabrands agency was named Levi’s media agency of record in the

Keeping the Universal McCann name flying high

It’sma been 100 days since Sue-Anne Lim was appointed as CEO to steer media agency Universal McCann (UM) Malaysia to a higher level. StarBiz recently caught up with her and got her take on what her plans are for the agency, its key priorities, expansion initiatives and the importance of incorporating sustainability values in the

Universal McCann & Munchy’s Cream-O Spread Happiness & Joy For World Happiness Day

For the recent World Happiness Day, Universal McCann (UM), the global media agency network of IPG Mediabrands, developed a campaign with Munchy’s Cream-O. The Munchy’s Cream-O Happiness Box campaign, as part of the Munchy’s Cream-O Choco Happiness ONz Movement, aimed to connect with individuals at Ramadan bazaars around the Klang Valley to plant seeds of