Growing the Asia Route

One of the world’s leading express integrators, TNT announces its further investment of €4.5 million (about RM17.95 million) in its successful Asia Road Network (ARN). It is currently serving six countries and 127 cities in Southeast Asia and Southern China.

This brings its total investment to date in the fully integrated ARN to more than €12.5 million (around RM 50 million). A large portion of the new investment will be used to acquire a fleet of trucks specially designed to suit pan-Asian routes. The 41-foot trucks and trailers are larger and more environmentally friendly than its predecessors. The announcement coincides with its fifth anniversary of TNT’s unique ARN.

Onno Boots, Regional Managing Director of TNT Southeast Asia and India says: “Five years ago, we announced our intention to develop a road network in Asia, very much like our Europe Road Network. We were the first to attempt such an ambitious project in Asia, and we faced a set of unique challenges.

“TNT did what we do best, which was to innovate, facilitate and create an unrivalled road network that offers our customers a combination of cost efficiency, speed, security and reliability. Over the years, we have seen the profile of freight diversify to include more high-value goods, such as electronics, healthcare products and automotive and industrial equipment.”

A Home-grown Loyalty Programme

The Chief Marketing Office (CMO) Asia Council honours Malaysia Airlines’ Raja Dato’ Nordiana Zainal Shah, General Manager of Corporate Marketing and Loyalty Programme by awarding the Brand Super Achiever Award for her outstanding leadership and consistent innovation.

Raja Dato’ Nordiana says: “The award singled out Enrich as a product that stood out amongst the other competitive global airlines. It’s something to be very proud of since we’ve been working to evolve the brand to be relevant, innovative and fresh in its product offering to our members.

“Winning this Brand Super Achiever award will certainly add more fuel to Enrich not just as a product with exclusive offerings but also as a brand itself.”

The award is the first-of-its-kind, as it recognises organisations and decision makers across industry segments in Asia. Its jury is comprised of seasoned professionals from various industries within the marketing sector.

Among some of the winners and contenders include Nokia, Yahoo!, Hewlett-Packard, Astro, AirAsia, Maxis and Maybank. Global airlines such as Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airliners are also Malaysia Airlines’ contenders.

Prestigious Award Nomination for P1

The prestigious 2010 Malaysia Effie Awards, the marketing industry’s highest honour is back again. This year’s nominees include Packet One Networks (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (P1), for its successful and effective marketing campaign – ‘Sudah Potong’.

The Malaysia Effie Awards is jointly organised by the Malaysian Advertising Association (MAA), Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) and Media Specialists Association (MSA), in association with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

As a finalist, the WiMAX service provider will pit against numerous other established industry players across the nation. The awards ceremony is happening this month.

Building the Brand in Asia

Coordinated by Ducati APAC and organised by the official importer in Malaysia, Ducati riders in Asia will be participating in its first and largest gathering during the Asia Ducati Week 2010.

The event is expecting to boost the local motorcycle market by at least 15% and will be held in conjunction with the Malaysian round of the MotoGP championship from 8th to 12th October 2010.

This MotoGP experience is expected to be followed by the two-day Ducati Riding Experience Asia – an exclusive riding course conducted by Ducati Italy.

NAZA Group of Companies Joint Group Executive Chairman Dato’ Hj SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin said that the event would further accelerate the market growth as it gave customers additional value in owning the Ducati of their dreams.

“Owning a Ducati is like a dream. It is the ultimate motorcycle and the ownership experience is not just about the bike, but it extends to the whole lifestyle of the made in Italy experience: sportiness, adrenalin and excitement created by activities such as the Asia Ducati Week. This experience simply adds value to what we, at NAZA, provide to our customers” says Nasimuddin.

Happy Aidilfitri for Shelter Home

The spirit of giving during Hari Raya Aidilfitri soars high for Tune Group of Companies, as it brings cheer to the residents of Rumah Titian Kasih – a shelter home for orphans, displaced children and single mothers.

The team from Tune Group presented a cash donation totalling RM2,012 days before the festivities started. The money was raised during the company’s buka puasa event. Along with cash donation, company members also contribute goodies and merchandises.

The representatives from Tune Group include Tune Hotels, Tune Talk, Tune Money, Kuala Lumpur Education City (KLEC), Lotus Racing and Asean Basketball League.

Early Payout for Customers

Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad (Great Eastern) the Smart Early Payout CriticalCare – the first plan in Malaysia that pays at the early stages of various critical illness.

Through today’s advancement in medical technology and the awareness on early screenings and regular check-ups, critical illnesses are likely to be detected at a much earlier stage compared to a decade ago. Early treatment can help these patients to increase their survival rates.

Nevertheless, many customers face dilemma as most critical illness insurance pays out only when the illness reaches a critical stage. With the Smart Early Payout CriticalCare, customers need not worry as it gives customers a payout at the early stages of a critical illness, hence enabling customers to seek early medical treatment before the illness progresses to a more severe and critical stage.