COMCO marks 6th Anniversary with its new global headquarters, Middle East & Africa branch full rollout, and major account and metal wins

Tweet

Coming from its groundbreaking Blazing Sapphire milestone, COMCO Southeast Asia (SEA) celebrates its Sweet 6th year this 2022 with the unveiling of its global headquarters, the full rollout of its COMCO Middle East & Africa (MEA) branch, major account wins, and awards from prestigious international award-giving bodies.

COMCO Southeast Asia’s growing team during the unveiling of the COMCO Mundo global headquarters

COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises Unveils New Global Headquarters

This year brings yet another milestone for COMCO SEA as it opens its global headquarters in Makati’s Central Business District as part of its expansion. The new headquarters will house COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises’ current and upcoming ventures - COMCO Southeast Asia (SEA), COMCO Middle East & Africa (MEA), Camp COMCO Alumni Society, Citizen COMCO Advocacy Program, SEA Wave Pop Culture Studio, and Taro Digital AOX. 

Each area is inspired by different pop culture references rooted in COMCO’s love for movies, series, music, books, and all the emerging platforms out there. The COMCO SEA workstation is called the “Millennium Falcon” while the executive office is dubbed the “Cerebro”. The rest of the areas are “Rivendell” for the Corporate Services Unit, “Black Castle” for the Digital and Multimedia Arts Unit, “Watch Tower Hall” for the conference room, “Bifrost Bridge” for the reception, “Room of Requirements” for the stock room, and “Wooley Hall” for the lounge area.

COMCO Middle East and Africa in Full Swing

Following its launch during COMCO SEA’s Blazing Sapphire anniversary event last year, COMCO Middle East and Africa is now in full blast servicing various brands in the market. In its first year, COMCO MEA has already worked with notable brands in the Middle East such as Buono Buono, Nolte, Open Thrill, Paus, POPC Live!, Red Shrimp, TruCARE, Victor, Yas Plaza Hotels, Belcanto Restaurant, Empire Movies, Central Park Towers, Dubai London Hospital, Electric Pawnshop, GESS Education, R&B Kids, Playbook, Universal Trading Company LLC, MaKiRa Dubai, Hudson Tavern Dubai, Katsuya, Najah Connect and Middle East Film & Comic Con. COMCO MEA, together with COMCO SEA, also recently conducted the property roadshows for Phiippine property firm RLC Residences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as among the group’s first of many synergy initiatives.

COMCO Southeast Asia’s Major Account Wins

The Agency also continued to strengthen its client portfolio for its 6th year, winning major accounts in recent inter-agency pitches for premiere brands/organizations such as MR. DIY, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Lenovo, Skechers, Takeda, ASEANA City, Lalamove, and Philusa Corporation together with its wide range of brands - Rhea Generics, Cleene Cotton, Cleene Clio, Babyflo Baby Care, and Love My Honey, Phinma Education, Remy Martin, AXA Philippines, and European Union.

Harvest of Metals Across the Globe

In its 6 years, COMCO Southeast Asia has won recognition garnering a total of 135 awards from various prestigious local, regional and international award-giving bodies with the most recent wins and citations from PR Awards Asia-Pacific, PRCA APAC (Public Relations and Communications Association Asia-Pacific) Awards, CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) Excellence Awards, The Gold Standard Awards, Asia-Pacific Tambuli Awards, Stevie Awards, and IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) Quill Awards.

Ferdinand L. Bondoy, COMCO Southeast Asia’s Regional Integration and
Chief Executive Director

The Agency made the cut in this year’s PR Awards Asia-Pacific organized by Marketing Interactive Asia held in Singapore. COMCO Southeast Asia’s Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director, Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy, bagged the Gold Award for the PR Champion of the Year (Agency). COMCO SEA’s initiatives “Dear Survivor: The COMCO Southeast Asia Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2" and "Blazing Sapphire: The COMCO Southeast Asia 5th Anniversary Celebration” received finalist citations in the Best Use of Micro / Niche Influencers and Best Anniversary Campaign categories respectively. The Agency is also a finalist for the PR Team of the Year (Agency) award.

COMCO Southeast Asia's flagship initiative "Dear Survivor: The Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2" is the big winner of the much-coveted Purpose Award of the PRCA APAC Awards, besting other campaigns in the Asia-Pacific region. COMCO SEA also received finalist citations for the Medium Consultancy of the Year Award, Workplace Champion Award, and Strategic Communications Award for the Blazing Sapphire 5th Anniversary Celebration campaign. Meanwhile, Mr. Bondoy is among the top five finalists for the PR / Communication Leader Award.

COMCO SEA also received finalist citations in The Gold Standard Awards for Professional Excellence for Mr. Bondoy and APAC Tambuli Awards for Eastern Communications. Ultimately, COMCO SEA emerged as among the top five finalists in the highly acclaimed global CIPR Excellence Awards for Small PR Consultancy of the Year, organized by the United Kingdom-based Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

Last but not the least, COMCO SEA bagged a total of 30 awards including 4 top award nominations from the prestigious IABC Quill Awards. COMCO SEA is also a nominee for the Agency of the Year, Top Award in Communication Management for Corporate Social Responsibility as well as for Media Relations for “Dear Survivor: The Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2”, and Top Award in Communication Training and Education for “The Force of Learning in New PR and Smart Social: The Camp COMCO House Wars”.

Mr. Bondoy shared, “When you are with like-minded and like-hearted people, when you create masterpieces and accomplish great things together, when you slay 'monsters' and do the impossible as a team, and when you enjoy exploring the world and celebrating life with the people you belong to, you won’t realize six years have passed so fast. And with the rollout of our 10-year master plan, we can’t help but get excited about what else we can do for our partner brands and organizations, our industry, our growing teams in SEA and MEA, and the communities and advocacies that we support.”

To know more about COMCO Southeast Asia, visit comcosea.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcosea, and @comco_sea on both Instagram and Twitter.

-----------------------------------------

About COMCO Southeast Asia

COMCO Southeast Asia, based in the Philippines and with affiliate network presence in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, is a powerhouse and global award-winning integrated communications agency. With the unique brand of Meaningful Storytelling, the Agency has done groundbreaking works for more than 90 local, regional, and international brands including reputable development and humanitarian organizations. COMCO SEA has been awarded twice as Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up at the IABC Quill Awards; Agency of the Year - Silver Award at the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards; Finalist for Boutique PR Consultancy of the Year at Campaign Asia Pacific’s PR Awards Asia, PRCA APAC Awards, Marketing Interactive’s PR Awards Asia-Pacific, and the global CIPR Excellence Awards; and 135 metals from various local and international award-giving bodies.

COMCO Southeast Asia is part of the COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises.

COMCO Southeast Asia is the lone Philippine agency finalist in PRCA APAC Awards 2022

Tweet

Global award-winning and trailblazing communications agency COMCO Southeast Asia is the lone Philippine communications agency to be included among the finalists in the prestigious PRCA APAC Awards 2022. COMCO Southeast Asia is a finalist in 5 categories in the industry acclaimed award-giving body in the region.

PRCA APAC Awards 2022 is organized by the Public Relations and Communications Association Asia-Pacific (PRCA APAC), the world’s largest professional PR body representing more than 35,000 PR professionals in 70 countries worldwide and a global advocate for excellence in public relations.

The Agency is vying for the Purpose Award for their “Dear Survivor: COMCO Southeast Asia’s Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2” co-presented by Eastern Communications and Jobstreet, sponsored by AirAsia and Xiaomi Philippines and supported by Teleperformance. It aimed to inspire and empower everyone affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the stories of bloggers and content creators across the country.

Another campaign that caught the award-giving body’s attention is the “Blazing Sapphire: The COMCO Southeast Asia Year-Long 5th Anniversary Celebration”. The campaign is for the Agency’s 5th-anniversary celebration where their growth from a start-up to a multi-awarded boutique communications agency has been celebrated through a 5-part celebration – the Blazing Sapphire kick-off which unveiled COMCO SEA’s brand evolution; the Camp COMCO Alumni Society “Unity Games”, a celebration of the company’s strong alumni culture; the Dear Survivor: Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2; Citizen COMCO Advocacy Program’s “5 Gifts to the Community” via the Cause Marketing for Good initiative with World Vision; and Blazing Sapphire Main Event where several major initiatives were unveiled including the launch of COMCO Middle East & Africa and COMCO AOX League of Enterprises which will house the current and upcoming ventures and initiatives of the group.

Another category group that the agency dominated is the Team Awards, wherein COMCO Southeast Asia lands finalist spots for the Medium Consultancy and the Workplace Champions Awards. At the core of COMCO SEA is its unique brand of Meaningful Storytelling based on its corporate mantra and the mission to Ignite Brand Love, Social Change, Talent Growth and Regional Collaboration. In just 5 years, the Agency has done groundbreaking works for more than 70 local, regional and international brands including reputable development and humanitarian organizations and won 85 metals from various local, regional and international award-giving bodies.

In 2021, the Agency has posted a 50% increase in revenues vs. 2020, with 75% growth in gross profits. From 2020 to 2021, COMCO Southeast Asia grew its team by 17% and has a retention of 79%. Of its homegrown talents who started as associates, 46% have been promoted to Partners, Managers, Associate Managers and Officers.

Lastly, COMCO Southeast Asia’s Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director Ferdinand Bondoy, a global award-winning communications practitioner and a certified digital marketer and crisis counselor in Asia-Pacific, is a finalist for the PR/Communications Leader Award under the Individual Awards Category. From a PR Academic Scholar in his collegiate years to a PR Industry Thought Leader at present time, Ferdinand is a champion of strategic integration and meaningful storytelling and an advocate of environment conservation and children and youth education.

“This citation from our peers in the Asia-Pacific region is a confirmation of the trailblazing work we do not just in the Philippines but in a global scale. This inspires us to further continue our commitment to excellence in public relations and communications and ultimately contribute to social change,” Ferdinand Bondoy shared.

The unveiling of winners and awarding ceremony of the PRCA APAC Awards 2022 is on March 30, 2022.

To know more about COMCO Southeast Asia, visit www.comcosea.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcosea and @comco_sea on both Instagram and Twitter.

COMCO Southeast Asia Appoints New Deputy Account Operations Director as Part of its Expansion

Tweet

Coming from its successful Blazing Sapphire 5th anniversary celebration in 2021 and as part of its expansion plan in 2022, trailblazing and global award-winning integrated communications agency COMCO Southeast Asia proudly announces the appointment of seasoned public relations and communications practitioner Joyce Yu as the Agency’s newest Deputy Account Operations Director for Marketing PR.

Joyce Yu is a public relations and communications expert with more than a decade of experience working in the field. A graduate of AB Journalism from the University of Sto. Tomas, she specializes in media relations, copywriting, social media management, event management, and journalism.

Joyce has been the lead of several successful campaigns including European Higher Education Fair 2017-2020, Levi’s x Justin Timberlake PH Launch, EuroPinoy Virtual Concert & Bersong EuroPinoy Poetry Reading 2020 and Cine Europa 2019-2020. She is a former PR Officer for Lifestyle & Performance Brands of Skechers Philippines and has worked for accounts such as PLDT, EU Delegation to the Philippines, Embassy of Hungary Manila, Belo Medical Group, Rider Philippines, and Vision Express PH.

As COMCO's Deputy Account Operations Director for Marketing PR, Joyce will lead the team managing Eastern Communications, Jobstreet, Sunlife ASCP, Skechers, Lamoiyan Corporation’s Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She joins the senior team of COMCO Southeast Asia spearheaded by Ferdinand Bondoy as Regional Integration & Chief Executive Director (who also leads COMCO AOX League of Enterprises) and composed of Tricia Cusi-Jimenea as Business Development Director (who also leads COMCO Middle East & Africa), Rachel Syfargo as Supervising Account Operations Director, Joan Icotanim-Maslang as Corporate Services Director, Carl Cuevas as Deputy Account Operations Director for Corporate PR, Peachy Taculod as Supervising Digital and Social Strategist, Jane Ibay CPA as Finance and Compliance Adviser and Atty. Leo Lim as Corporate Legal Counsel.

“Prior to joining COMCO, I’m already familiar with the company, the team, and the projects that they’ve accomplished through common friends in the industry. I’m very excited to be part of an award-winning dynamic team, to learn from the leaders, and hopefully give back through mentoring those who want to learn about the ins and outs of the industry. I’m really thankful to be given this opportunity,” said Ms. Joyce Yu.

The Agency is also thrilled to welcome its newest staff members, dubbed as COMCO SEA All-Stars, who are graduates of the Camp COMCO Mentorship Program. They are Louise Macaraeg and Cherry Gajito as Brand Communications Associates, Bea Cabrera as Digital and Integrated Communications Associate, and Narah Faigal as Digital and Multimedia Arts Associate.

“Despite recent challenges and limitations brought by the pandemic, I’m immensely proud to see our COMCO Squadron thrive and grow. Joyce, Louise, Cherry, Bea and Narah joining the team is very exciting as we cap off our Blazing Sapphire anniversary and expand to new horizons this 2022,” said Mr. Ferdinand Bondoy.

 

About COMCO Southeast Asia

COMCO Southeast Asia is a powerhouse and global award-winning integrated communications agency formed by the coalition of premier brand architects, inspired storytellers, and communication trailblazers in the region. Based in the Philippines and with affiliate network presence in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, COMCO SEA takes the lead in the innovation of premier brands and growth of up-and-coming businesses through the emerging global disciplines of New PR – a strategy based, content-driven, and channel-agnostic way of doing PR, and Smart Social – a holistic, authentic and integrated approach in the maximization of digital and social channels.

At the core of COMCO SEA is its unique brand of Meaningful Storytelling based on its corporate mantra and the mission to Ignite Brand Love, Social Change, Talent Growth and Regional Collaboration. In just 5 years, the Agency has done groundbreaking works for more than 70 local, regional and international brands including reputable development and humanitarian organizations. COMCO SEA has been awarded twice as Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up at the IABC Philippine Quill Awards, Finalist for Boutique PR Consultancy of the Year in Asia at Campaign Asia Pacific’s PR Awards Asia, Best PR Agency in ASEAN - Silver Award, and 80 metals from various local and international award-giving bodies.

 

To know more about COMCO Southeast Asia, visit www.comcosea.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/COMCO.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/COMCO-hq, and @COMCO_sea on both Instagram and Twitter.

COMCO Southeast Asia Bags Diamond and Silver ASEAN PR Excellence Awards and Gold Marketing Events Award

Tweet

As COMCO Southeast Asia culminates its Blazing Sapphire 5th Anniversary celebration with the launch of COMCO Middle East & Africa and COMCO AOX League of Enterprises, the trailblazing regional integrated communications agency also bags Best PR Agency in Southeast Asia - Silver Award and Best COVID-19 Response - Diamond Award for its work with Jobstreet Philippines at the 2021 ASEAN PR Excellence Awards, and a Gold Award for its work with Eastern Communications at the Marketing Events Awards 2021.

The agency’s work with brand partner Jobstreet Philippines for the #TogetherAhead initiative won a Diamond Award in COVID-19 Response in the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards for its efforts in supporting job seekers and hirers during the pandemic, while COMCO SEA’s longtime partner, Eastern Communications, won a Gold Award in Best B2B Brand Experience Category in the Marketing Events Awards for its Link VIP Club Loyalty Events which featured an educational webinar series, online magic show series and virtual thanksgiving event to help businesses learn about digital transformation and uplift their spirits during the pandemic.

COMCO Southeast Asia's Write to Ignite Blogging Project is also a finalist at the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards for Best Comm Use of Social Media and Best PR Campaign in ASEAN while Jobstreet's #TogetherAhead initiative is also a finalist as Best PR Programme in ASEAN.

In its 5 years, COMCO Southeast Asia has won recognition from various prestigious local, regional and international award-giving bodies, garnering a total of 85 awards and has worked with over 70 brands in diverse industries including Eastern Communications, JobStreet, Sunlife ASCP, Teleperformance, Xiaomi, Defensil, Lista.ph, World Vision, WWF, Lenovo and Lamoiyan Corporation’s Licealiz plus its recently won accounts from inter-agency pitches such as global bioresearch and pharmaceutical company Takeda, well-loved milk brand Alaska, international footwear Skechers, global technology company Emerson’s Copeland, development organizations United Nations (UN) Office for Project Services and United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA) and premium artisan chocolate Theo and Philo.

In 5 years, COMCO Southeast Asia has worked with 70 brands or accounts and has won 85 awards from local and international award-giving bodies

The ASEAN PR Excellence Awards is a biennial event organized by the Jakarta-based ASEAN PR Network (APRN) in collaboration with World Communications Malaysia (World Comm) and Institute Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM). As a globally recognized organization, the APRN’s ASEAN PR Excellence Awards serves as a distinctive badge to recognize and celebrate achievements in public relations practice in the ASEAN region.

The Marketing Events Awards is organized by leading Asian news agency Marketing-Interactive. Designed to discover, recognize and reward the very best in event marketing, the Marketing Events Awards is open to entries from across Southeast Asia, South Asia and ANZ regions.

To know more about ComCo Southeast Asia, visit www.comcosea.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comco-hq and @comco_sea on both Instagram and Twitter.

About COMCO Southeast Asia

COMCO Southeast Asia is a powerhouse and global award-winning integrated communications agency formed by the coalition of premier brand architects, inspired storytellers, and communication trailblazers in the region. Based in the Philippines and with affiliate network presence in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, COMCO SEA takes the lead in the innovation of premier brands and growth of up-and-coming businesses through the emerging global disciplines of New PR – a strategy based, content-driven, and channel-agnostic way of doing PR, and Smart Social – a holistic, authentic and integrated approach in the maximization of digital and social channels.

At the core of COMCO SEA is its unique brand of Meaningful Storytelling based on its corporate mantra and the mission to Ignite Brand Love, Social Change, Talent Growth and Regional Collaboration. In just 5 years, the Agency has done groundbreaking works for more than 70 local, regional and international brands including reputable development and humanitarian organizations. COMCO SEA has been awarded twice as Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up at the IABC Philippine Quill Awards, Finalist for Boutique PR Consultancy of the Year in Asia at Campaign Asia Pacific’s PR Awards Asia, Best PR Agency in Southeast Asia - Silver Award at the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards, and 85 metals from various local, regional and international award-giving bodies.

Former PRSP Academic Scholar in PLM leads student programs of PRSP and IABC and joins PRCA APAC’s Next Gen PR World Cup Jury and CIPR International Committee

Tweet

From an academic scholar of public relations to a thought leader in the communications field, award-winning communications practitioner and COMCO Southeast Asia’s Regional Integration & Chief Executive Director, Partner and Co-Founder Ferdinand L. Bondoy has been appointed to lead the industry’s student programs – the Students’ PR Congress (rebranded to Students’ PR Con) and Grand Prix (Hack Sprint edition) of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) and the Student Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines.

COMCO Southeast Asia’s Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director Ferdinand L. Bondoy together with some of the graduates of Camp COMCO Mentorship Program

Mr. Bondoy also served as one of the regional jurors of the ICCO (International Communications Consultancy Organization) Next Generation PR World Cup. The Southeast Asian leg of the competition for young PR practitioners was organized by the Public Relations and Communications Association Asia Pacific (PRCA APAC). He was also elected as a member of the United Kingdom based Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) International Communications Committee composed of PR leaders from across the world - Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.

Ferdinand Bondoy

Ferdinand Bondoy has also been elected to the IABC Philippines’ Board of Trustees for 2021 to 2023. He was named as Corporate Secretary and Chair of Digital Communications and Public Relations Committee. He is also serving as the Co-Chair of the Philippine Student Quill Awards and is spearheading a special project for youth and students. Those who want to participate in the Philippine Student Quill Awards can submit their entries at www.philquill.com.

Earlier in 2021, Mr. Bondoy was elected to this year’s Board of Trustees of PRSP. He is also appointed as Chair of the Students’ PR Congress (rebranded to Students’ PR Con) and Grand Prix (Hack Sprint edition) and under his term, he will be introducing and leading the 1st virtual, interactive and nationwide edition of the said student activities. The PRSP Students’ PR Con is happening this November 20, 2021 and interested parties can register at www.prspstudentsprcon.com/register.

Ferdinand started young in the communications field having been an academic scholar of PRSP in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) where he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Bachelor of Mass Communication. In his young professional years, he has been assimilated to IABC Philippines as he led projects for the Digital Communications Committee of the Philippine Quill and Student Quill Awards and eventually serving as an evaluator of the prestigious award-giving body.

“Spearheading the Students’ PR Con and Grand Prix Hack Sprint edition of PRSP and the Student Quill Awards of IABC Philippines is close to my heart as my career and craft started through the industry’s student programs. It is an honor and an opportunity for me to give back to the industry by preparing the next generation of communications and public relations professionals and leaders, just like how I was honed in the field. It has come full circle and I think this is the reason why I was given this position, to complete the narrative that the seed sowed yesterday are the fruits harvested today,” said Mr. Bondoy.

“It is also an honor and a responsibility to represent the country and work for the industry in a global scale through the landmark projects and programs organized by PRCA and CIPR. And we will continue to contribute, be heard and be part of this global community of PR experts and leaders to further grow the discipline across the globe and impact social change.”

In the same spirit of paying it forward, Mr. Bondoy together with COMCO Southeast Asia’s pool of experts, built the Camp COMCO Mentorship Program, an intensive and comprehensive talent incubation initiative, industry linkage course and apprenticeship program designed to transform communication, marketing and multimedia arts students and fresh graduates into revolutionary practitioners of the industry. Now on its 16th Cycle, Camp COMCO has been recognized for producing high-caliber young communications practitioners since 2016. He is also fondly called as “Coach” by those whom he took under his wing and mentored extensively in the practice.

In 2016, Mr. Bondoy co-founded COMCO Southeast Asia, a global award-winning integrated communications agency headquartered in the Philippines with affiliate network presence in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which champions the practice of the emerging global disciplines of New PR and Smart Social. In just 5 years, the trailblazing communications agency has done groundbreaking work for more than 70 local, regional and international brands including reputable development and humanitarian organizations. Under his leadership, COMCO SEA has been awarded twice as Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up at the IABC Quill Awards, Best PR Agency - Silver Award at the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards and Finalist for Boutique PR Consultancy of the Year in Asia at Campaign Asia Pacific’s PR Awards Asia, and 85 metals from various local and international award-giving bodies.

COMCO Southeast Asia culminated its Blazing Sapphire 5th anniversary celebration with the launch of COMCO Middle East & Africa and the unveiling of its 10-year growth masterplan which includes the formation of COMCO AOX League of Enterprises, the umbrella organization for the Agency’s existing and upcoming ventures, initiatives and advocacies.

To know more about ComCo Southeast Asia, visit www.comcosea.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comco-hq and @comco_sea on both Instagram and Twitter.

World Vision and ComCo SEA join forces for Cause Marketing for Good initiative for MSMEs

Tweet

Global development and advocacy organization World Vision and regional integrated communications agency ComCo Southeast Asia through its Citizen ComCo initiative continue their mission of giving companies and brands opportunities to give back, this time with a focus on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference.

(From top left) World Vision Donor Education Specialist Caroline Veronilla, ComCo Southeast Asia Regional Integration & Chief Executive Director Ferdinand Bondoy, Lazada Strategic Partnerships Senior Associate Yshana Wong, AirAsia Head of Branding and Creatives David Viray, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, World Vision National Director Rommel Fuerte and IdeasXMachina Group Of Hakuhodo CEO Third Domingo

Created and organized by World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia, the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference is part of the organization’s larger initiative to orient MSMEs on the value of cause-related marketing or CRM, which is especially relevant in today’s pandemic environment, and to equip them on how to champion social issues through their marketing efforts.

Happening on July 21, 2 p.m., the online conference will include sessions on defining CRM, CRM’s impact on sales from AirAsia, and how to use e-commerce to forward your cause from Lazada. There will also be a panel discussion on how to create effective CRM campaigns featuring experts and practitioners of the field such as ComCo Southeast Asia for public relations and Ideas X Machina for creatives.

The ongoing pandemic has had a massive effect on the economy, with MSMEs taking the brunt of this as they make up 99.5% of business establishments in the Philippines and employ 62.4% of the country’s workforce according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. MSMEs are currently facing huge hurdles to keep their businesses afloat, especially in the face of quarantine regulations and economic slowdown.

But with the challenge brought about by the pandemic comes bayanihan spirit – the value of Filipino community as they work together towards a common goal. This has urged individuals, communities, organizations, and even brands and companies, to band together and help each other during this crisis. It has also shown us how Filipino consumers, especially millennials and Gen Zers, are responding positively to brands and companies who support advocacies and stand for causes and values that they believe in.

According to the Global Millennial Survey 2021 by professional services firm Deloitte, millennials and Gen Zers are concerned about the positive impact of businesses on society. These generations of consumers tend to make decisions aligned with their values, with more than a quarter of respondents saying that businesses’ impact on the environment influence their buying decisions, expecting brands to be aligned with their personal values before they invest in their products or services.

In the eyes of consumers, businesses can and have the responsibility to do good – and doing good actually makes for good business. Through the Cause Marketing for Good Campaign and Virtual Conference, World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia look forward to helping more MSMEs build strong connections with their customers through effective and sustainable cause-related marketing campaigns – ones that allow them to sell while also creating a positive social impact in the Philippines.

Participants may register for the Cause Marketing for Good Virtual Conference at wvph.co/CauseMarketingForGood.

To know more about World Vision and ComCo Southeast Asia’s partnership, visit www.worldvision.org.ph or follow World Vision’s official social media pages /worldvisionph on Facebook, @worldvisionphl on Instagram, and @worldvisionph on Twitter. 

For more information on World Vision Philippines and its other initiatives, call the World Vision hotline number at 8372-77-77 or Ms. Wichelle Cruz of Private Sector Partnerships Manager at 0917-511-6640.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

About ComCo Southeast Asia

ComCo Southeast Asia or ComCo SEA is a trailblazing and global award-winning integrated communications agency powered by the coalition of premier brand architects, inspired storytellers, and communication trailblazers in the region. Based in the Philippines with affiliate network presence in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, ComCo SEA takes the lead in the innovation of premier brands and growth of up-and-coming businesses through the emerging global disciplines of New PR – a strategy based, content-driven, and channel-agnostic way of doing PR, and Smart Social – a holistic, authentic and integrated approach in the maximization of digital and social channels, to effectively reach and engage audiences and help influence change. To know more about ComCo Southeast Asia, visit www.comcosea.com.

ComCo Southeast Asia’s authentic campaigns with clients recognized at the 18th IABC Quill Awards and Marketing PR Awards in Singapore

Tweet

Trailblazing communications agency ComCo Southeast Asia, as it kicks off its 5th-anniversary celebration this year, wins Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up and 13 Quill Awards at the 18th Philippine Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and emerges as a finalist in the Marketing PR Awards in Singapore organized by Marketing Interactive.

Its longtime partner, Eastern Communications bags awards for the entries, “Happy Eastern: Supporting Employees Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic” for Internal Communication and Employee Engagement, “Celebrating Customer Loyalty: The Eastern Link VIP Club Anniversary Event” for Special and Experiential Events, and “Connected: Eastern Communications’ #SafeAndStrongAtHome video series during the COVID-19 pandemic” for Audio/ Visual.

ComCo Southeast Asia’s work with its partner brand, Jobstreet Philippines such as “#TogetherAhead: JobStreet’s Response to the Covid19 Impact” and “The Future Workforce: JobStreet’s Find the Job You Love Campaign” are recognized for Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication, Media Relations, and Corporate Social Responsibility.

ComCo Southeast Asia’s partnership with WWF-Philippines for the “No Plastics in Nature – The Reinforcement of WWF-Philippines' #AyokoNgPlastik Initiative” and World Vision for the “One for Children – The World Vision “Mother-Baby Friendly Philippines” Initiative” and “CovidComms 2020: Continuing the Race for a Better Future – The World Vision Virtual Run for Children” also made waves at the Non-Profit Campaigns category.

ComCo Southeast Asia’s flagship project for 2020, “Igniting the Nation – The ComCo Southeast Asia Write to Ignite Blogging Project” and its recently launched online magazine, SEA Wave with entry, “Igniting Southeast Asia: The SEA Wave Digital Pop Culture Magazine” were declared winners for Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication, and Publications, respectively.

ComCo Southeast Asia’s client, Teleperformance also scores win for their entries, “TP is a Safe Place to Work for All” for the Safety Communication category and “A Message from Mike” for the Leadership Communication category.

In Marketing PR Awards, ComCo Southeast Asia’s Write to ignite Blogging Project co-presented by Eastern Communications and sponsored by Electrolux, Jobstreet and Teleperformance, is also a finalist in the Best Use of Niche / Micro Influencers category and is competing against other commendable entries in the Asia-Pacific region. The awarding ceremony for the Marketing PR Awards is happening on April 7.

“We are honored that our authentic and life-changing initiatives that we worked on together with our existing clients and brand partners have been recognized by our peers in the industry, here in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region. This inspires us to do more great work and make a difference along the way, as we kickoff our 5th anniversary celebration this year,” said Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy, ComCo Southeast Asia’s Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director.

With these recent wins, alongside other industry recognition from Marketing Event Awards in Singapore, MarCom Awards in USA, Kidlat Awards, Anvil Awards, Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, ARAW Awards, Mumbrella Asia, PR Awards Asia in Hong Kong, and Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity, the Agency was able to garner a total of 76 metals since its founding on March 16, 2016.

Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Quill Award is the world’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communication. It has been bestowing the seal of approval to the most reputable organizations and corporations in the nation for almost two decades, emphasizing the use of excellent communication to achieve business goals and to make a difference in society.

Back for its eight-year, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE is proud to present the PR Awards 2021. Designed to discover, recognize, and reward the very best in the PR and communications industry, entries are open from across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and ANZ regions. The PR Awards is also known to be the definitive awards programme for all PR professionals.

About ComCo Southeast Asia

ComCo Southeast Asia is a trailblazing and globally award-winning integrated communications agency powered by the coalition of premier brand architects and communication trailblazers in the region. Based in the Philippines and dedicated to the Southeast Asia market, ComCo SEA takes the lead in the innovation of premier brands and growth of up and coming businesses through the emerging global disciplines of New PR – a strategy based, content-driven, and channel-agnostic way of doing PR, and Smart Social – a holistic, authentic and integrated approach in the maximization of digital and social channels, to effectively reach and engage audiences and help influence change.

 

ComCo Southeast Asia Hits 3rd year with Big Wins in IABC Quill Awards, PR Awards Asia and New Business

Tweet

As ComCo Southeast Asia marked its 3rd year in the industry, the new communications powerhouse won 9 Excellence and Merit Awards and emerged as Agency of Year 2nd Runner-up at the prestigious 17th Philippine Quill Awards, represented the country in PR Awards Asia in Hong Kong, and celebrated major account wins. 

ComCo Southeast Asia at the 17th Philippine Quill Awards represented by (from left): AC Recio, Digital and Multimedia Arts Officer; Jam Bufi, Senior Brand Communications Associate; Rachel Syfargo, Brand Communications and Operations Director; Ferdinand Bondoy, Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director; Joan Icotanim, Brand Communications and Administration Director; Queenie Resmundo, Senior Brand Communications Associate; and Harvey Llamosa, Executive Initiatives Officer.

Local and International Recognition

Aside from winning Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up, ComCo Southeast Asia also reaped IABC Quill Awards for “Eastern @ 140: A Celebration of 140 Years of Strong Connections” in the Communication Management Division: Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication Category; “Where Movies Come Alive and Move You - The SM Cinema Reel to Real Campaign” for both the Communications Management Division: Customer Relations Category and Communication Skills Division: Special And Experiential Events Category; and “Be A Play Champion – Unilab Foundation’s Play Advocacy Week Toolkit” in the Communication Skills Division: Publications Category.

ComCo SEA also won for “#AyokoNgPlastik: The WWF-Philippines’ Movement Against Single-Use Plastics”; “#Connect2Earth: The WWF-Philippines Earth Hour 2018”; “Together Possible: the WWF-Philippines Environment Communications Program”; and “Art for a Cause: the WWF’ “Art, Heart, Earth” PR Program”, all under the Communications Management Division: Non-profit Campaigns Category.

The Agency’s mentorship program for communication students and young professionals, the Camp ComCo Mentorship Program, also won a Quill Award in the Communication Training and Education Division. 

Organized by the International Association of Business Communications (IABC), the Quill Award is the world’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communication. It has been bestowing the seal of approval to the most reputable organizations and corporations in the nation for almost two decades, emphasizing the use of excellent communication to achieve business goals, and to make a difference in society. To win a Philippine Quill means being recognized as achieving the highest Global Standard for business communication practices.

ComCo Southeast also earned 2 citations as finalist for Boutique PR Agency of the Year and PR Event of the Year for SM Cinema’s Reel to Real initiative at the equally prestigious PR Awards Asia in Hong Kong. The Agency represented the Philippines in Boutique PR Agency category, and competed against other finalists in Australia, China, Myanmar and Singapore. Organized by Campaigns Asia Pacific, PR Awards Asia celebrates the most outstanding, inspired, and successful communication campaigns in the Asia-Pacific region. 

New Business Wins

ComCo SEA also continued to strengthen its client portfolio, winning major accounts in recent agency pitches for SM Retail, Teleperformance, Jobstreet, SMDC, Essilor and World Health Organization. Premier brands Electrolux, SM Cinema, Eastern Communications, Lamoiyan Corporation, Dragonpay, Goodyear as well as reputable global organizations WWF, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and World Vision also renewed its communications partnership with the trailblazing agency.

Ferdinand Bondoy, Partner, Co-Founder and Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director of ComCo Southeast Asia shared, “We are honored with the recognition given to us by our colleagues in the industry, our fellow communication practitioners, not only in the Philippines but also in the Asia-Pacific region. It validates the kind of work we have been doing for our clients - our partner brands and organizations, our industry and our society, and our own people.”

To know more about ComCo Southeast Asia, visit www.comco-hq.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comco-hq and @comco_sea on both Instagram and Twitter. 

ComCo Southeast Asia sweeps 10 honors for impactful campaigns at the 54th Anvil Awards!

Tweet

Coming from a streak of local and international industry recognition in just 3 years since its creation, trailblazing and fast-rising communications agency ComCo Southeast Asia harvested 10 metals at the recent 54th Anvil Awards organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP)

The most-coveted Anvil award is given to outstanding public relations programs and tools after thorough screening and evaluation by notable industry professionals and multisectoral jury. Dubbed as the Oscars of PR, the Anvil has become an emblem of excellence in Public Relations.

ComCo Squadron with the much-coveted metals bagged for impactful campaigns. In photo are (from left): Ace Cruz, Brand Communications Manager; Joan Icotanim, Brand Communications and Administration Director; Jam Bufi, Brand Communications Associate; Christine Li, Internal Affairs Director; Rachel Syfargo, Brand Communications and Operations Director; Ferdinand Bondoy, Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director; Queenie Resmundo, Brand Communications Associate; Harvey Llamosa, Senior Executive Initiatives Associate; AC Recio, Senior Digital and Multimedia Arts Associate; and Gian Viterbo, Digital Solutions Lead. 

ComCo Southeast Asia won three Gold Anvil Awards for “Igniting Talent – The Camp ComCo Mentorship Program” for Specialized Public Relations Program; “Where Movies Come Alive and Move You – The SM Cinema Reel to Real Campaign” for Public Relations Tools: Exhibit and Special Event - Fan or Consumer Experience; and “Our Strong Connection – The Eastern Communications Internal Rebranding Campaign” for Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders - Employees.

The Agency bagged seven Silver Anvil Awards for “KilusangKontra Kuto led by Lamoiyan Corporation's Licealiz” for Public Relations Program on a Sustained Basis - Youth / Children’s Welfare; “The Gift of Education: The AirAsia-World Vision See the World Initiative” for Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders - Consumers, Specialized Public Relations Program, Public Relations Program on a Sustained Basis - Education, and PR Tools: Exhibit and Special Event - Fundraising; “Raising Awareness for Conservation through Art: WWF's "Art, Heart, Earth" Program” for Specialized Public Relations Program; and “Where Movies Come Alive and Move You – The SM Cinema Reel to Real Campaign” for Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders - Consumers. 

Prior to the big win in the recently concluded 54th Anvil Awards, ComCo Southeast Asia, together with its clients, was also recognized in the global and local scene such as the Marketing Event Awards in Singapore, MarCom Awards in USA, 2018 and 2017 Quill Awards, 2018 Anvil Awards, Kidlat Awards, Mumbrella Awards, and Spikes Asia.

Now at the onset of its fourth year in the industry, ComCo Southeast Asia remains committed to its passion and mission to craft impactful and relevant campaigns for its partner brands and organizations, anchored on its three agency thrusts of Igniting Brand love, Igniting Social Change, and Igniting Talent. As shared by its Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director, Ferdinand Bondoy, “We are truly elated with the honor given to us by our peers in the industry because it validates the monumental work we’ve done for our clients, our partner brands and organizations. What we do in ComCo Southeast Asia is what we consider as our life’s work, hence we make sure we autograph it with excellence not just for client and industry recognition, but because the campaigns we run are real, and impacts the lives of people around us, and the society as a whole.”

To know more about ComCo Southeast Asia, please visit www.comco-hq.com or follow www.facebook.com/comco.southeastasia.

Be a Play Champion! Unilab Foundation and partners invite everyone to be part of this year’s ‘Play Advocacy Week’

Tweet

Every child should have access to play. Be it disaster or disease, children are exposed to different situations where they become vulnerable, and they are forced to put their childhood on hold. They may already be suffering from trauma and distress, and there is often no space or opportunity for them to play.

Unilab Foundation believes that play is essential to a child’s holistic development, which is why Play It Forward (PIF) was launched in 2012. All of PIF’s activities are designed to highlight play and its significance to the mental health of children, especially in vulnerable situations. Play It Forward uses therapeutic play to provide psychosocial support to pediatric patients and to children in post-disaster or disaster-prone communities. 

This year, PIF takes play further with Play Advocacy Week 2018, a week-long campaign to encourage everyone to take play seriously and to explore how play can be integrated in today’s society. Happening from November 18 to 24, Play Advocacy Week 2018 aims to make the public recognize the importance of play in a child’s holistic development.

Play is not “laru-laro lang” (it’s just play and it’s not important). According to Dr. Bles de Asis of the Mindfulness, Love and Compassion (MLAC) Institute for Psychosocial Services, “Play is not just important for the child’s healthy and total development—it is essential.” Play can allow children as well as adults to rise up from challenges and regain the strength to live a full life. 

Play It Forward has enabled access to play for thousands of children by facilitating play sessions in hospitals and communities, therefore providing them with safe spaces they need to release stress and build resilience. “Play It Forward hopes to reach more communities and organizations through Play Advocacy Week. We invite everyone to join our cause,” says Lilibeth Aristorenas, Executive Director of Unilab Foundation.

Companies, organizations, families and individuals can all become Play Champions to help make play happen for Filipino children, for a healthier Philippines. Be part of the Play Advocacy Week celebration by organizing your own activity in your respective communities and groups, or spreading the word through social media. 

Play Advocacy Week is led by Unilab Foundation's Play It Forward and endorsed by the Council for the Welfare of Children. This activity is supported by the Department of Education, UNICEF, World Vision, City of Tacloban, City of Valenzuela, City of Malabon, DepEd Ilagan, Isabela, Municipality of Atimonan, Quezon, DepEd Marinduque, DepEd Surigao City, DepEd Bicol, Gawad Kalinga, Fundlife International, Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychology Services, Miriam College, MLAC Institute, The Mind Museum, PETA, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, Rizal Medical Center, National Kidney Transplant Institute, Capitol University Medical Center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital, Dr. Arturo Pingoy Medical Center, Lariosa Clinic and Hospital, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Tebow Cure Hospital, Metro Davao Medical & Research Center, Inc., National Children’s Hospital, HealthServ, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, My Brave Little Warrior, Metrobank Purple Hearts Club, Cherubs Therapeutic Massage Therapy Advocates, Inc., Kythe Foundation Inc., World Surgical Foundation, Unilab, Gurufirm, Philippine School of Interior Design, Philam Foundation and ComCo Southeast Asia.

For partnerships and more information about the Play Advocacy Week, please contact the secretariat at (+632) 858-1000 local 8163 or email partnerships@unilabfoundation.org. You may also visit www.facebook.com/PlayItForwardPH and www.unilabfoundation.org.

Pioneer Insurance’s #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition wins two Anvil Awards

Tweet

Pioneer Insurance together with Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP) and its communications / public relations agency ComCo Southeast Asia bagged two Anvil Awards at the recent 53rd Anvil Awards organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).

Pioneer bags two Silver Anvil Awards for the Move On Movement. The campaign won in the category “Public Relations Programs on a Sustained Basis” under two sub-categories: External Consumers, Communities, Special Interest/Advocacy Groups and Youth/Children’s Welfare. (From L-R) Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) Board Member Chito Maniago, Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP) General Manager Atty. Thursday Alciso, Pioneer Life Inc. First Vice President and Marketing Head Len Pozon, FILSCAP Chairman Nonoy Tan, ComCo Southeast Asia Regional Integration and Executive Director Ferdinand Bondoy, and Anvil Awards Committee Chairman Owen Cammayo.

Promoting resiliency and inspiring hope among the Filipino youth through arts and music, Pioneer’s #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition won a Silver Anvil for External Consumers, Communities, Special Interest/Advocacy Groups category and another Silver Anvil under Youth/Children’s Welfare category.

Dubbed as the Oscars of Public Relations, the Anvil is the symbol of excellence in Public Relations. It is awarded to outstanding public relations programs and tools after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multi-sectoral jury.

After organizing successful competitions in film-making and playwriting that generated inspiring stories of friendship and hope, Pioneer Insurance launched a songwriting competition in 2016 through the #MoveOnLang campaign, which encouraged the youth to draw inspiration from their own personal stories and taught them to translate these into original song compositions.

“This campaign really means a lot to our company and we are delighted for this recognition by PRSP,” says Pioneer Life Inc. First Vice President and Marketing Head Len Pozon. “Definitely, Pioneer Insurance will be more encouraged and inspired to support the arts through our initiatives and advocacy programs, and we’re extremely excited for our next.”   

Together with FILSCAP and ComCo Southeast Asia, Pioneer Insurance’s #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition was promoted through channels that resonated with Filipino youth: through influential OPM songwriters and artists; through campus tours and songwriting workshops; and on various digital platforms and media partners including ABS CBN’s One Music PH, for extensive mileage in spreading the advocacy. 

“FILSCAP is dedicated to empower our music enthusiasts, especially the Filipino youth. It’s our pleasure to have been part of this meaningful campaign by Pioneer Insurance and we’re glad that the effort has been recognized and appreciated by the communications industry,” shares FILSCAP President Rico Blanco.

“We have always been supportive of our clients and partners that foster life-changing advocacies,” says ComCo Southeast Asia Regional Integration and Executive Director Ferdinand Bondoy. “We make sure that our engagements have impacts to the lives of our audience and the #MoveOnLang with Pioneer Insurance is definitely a milestone for our agency.”

Pioneer’s #MoveOnLang garnered more than 150 composition entries from 42 different schools nationwide.

Yosef Escoto from San Beda College Alabang emerged victorious as the Grand Winner and won a prize of PHP 100,000 for his original composition “Invincible.” The first runner-up, Benjamin Quijano (“Aking Mundo”) from University of the Philippines Los Baños, and the second runner-up, Kenneth Roquid (“Alive”) from University of the Philippines Diliman won PHP 50,000 and PHP 30,000 respectively.

To recognize the songwriting prowess of the remaining seven finalists, Pioneer awarded PHP 10,000 each to CK Sabillo (“Chronosphere”) from University of Santo Tomas; Julia Dichoso (“Hand In Hand”) from Sorsogon State College; Julien Cloma (“From Now On”) from STI College Novaliches; Luigi Balazo (“Make It Through”) from University of San Carlos; Marie Salvaleon (“Martsa Ni Marta”) from Southwestern University PHINMA; Marie Tayag (“The Biggest Leap”) from De La Salle University Manila; and Patricia Monsod (“Time”) from University of the Philippines Diliman. Julia Dichoso’s song “Hand In Hand” was crowned as Online Favorite, for which she was awarded PHP 10,000. To listen to the songs from the Move On Movement, check out #MoveOnLang (A Songwriting Competition) playlist on Spotify.

Aside from the cash prizes, Pioneer Insurance granted PHP 100,000 worth of insurance coverage to all the 10 finalists for #MoveOnLang Songwriting Competition its Finals Night held at Hard Rock Café Makati last February 2017. 

Keeping their promise to promote Philippine arts, Pioneer Insurance recently launched a T-Shirt design contest entitled “Big Heart” in colleges and universities to uphold acts of kindness among Filipinos.