AXA Philippines bags two Gold seals in Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brands of 2023

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Leading insurance provider AXA Philippines has been named one of the country’s most Trusted Brands by global magazine Reader’s Digest, signifying consumers’ continued trust in the AXA brand.

Reader's Digest Trusted Brands has been hailed as the preeminent measure of brand trustworthiness both locally and internationally for the past 25 years, rewarding companies that have gained the most customer trust via their products and services. The Trusted Brands survey for 2023 reveals customers’ true, unbiased opinions on each brand and awards those they truly trust.

AXA Philippines received Gold in the category of Most Trusted Health Insurance for 2023. For two decades, the company has provided dedicated quality health insurance services for many Filipinos, becoming one of the most prominent insurance brands in the Philippines. With products like Global Health Access, Health Care Access, and services like the award-winning Emma by AXA PH mobile app, AXA Philippines has made a significant impact in improving the healthcare needs of every Filipino. Health Care Access was also awarded Health Insurance Initiative of the Year at the Insurance Asia Awards in 2022.

AXA Philippines bagged Gold as well in the category of Travel Insurance, with the help of its comprehensive insurance offer, Smart Traveller. This product provides 24/7 emergency travel assistance alongside top-tier medical coverage and compensation for travel-related inconveniences. Smart Traveller’s Classic and Elite variants are also Schengen-accredited, which is helpful for visa requirements.

“At AXA, our customers are at the core of everything we do, and we aspire to be their partner for their financial goals and protection needs. We highly value the trust they have in us, and these awards inspire us to continue building products and services that protect what matters most to Filipinos,” said Bernardo Serrano Lopez, AXA Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer.

AXA remains committed to go above and beyond and continues to bring insurance to new heights of innovation, while maintaining the gold standard of trust with consumers. AXA Philippines is a joint venture between the AXA Group, headquartered in France, GT Capital Holdings, Inc., a leading listed conglomerate in the Philippines, and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (Metrobank), one of the country’s largest financial institutions. 

For more information, visit www.axa.com.ph.

Chowking Welcomes Jodi Sta. Maria and Thirdy Lacson to launch new and improved Chicken Lauriat

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Chowking, the #1 Chinese QSR brand in the Philippines, welcomes Jodi Sta. Maria and her son, Thirdy, as the newest endorsers of the Mas Pinasarap na Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Lauriat. The mother and son duo were unveiled alongside the launch of the brand’s newest TVC in a press event held last April 20, 2023 at the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.

The new and improved Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Lauriat still features an unbreakable combo of six Chowking favorites: Chinese Style Fried Chicken Chicken, Egg Fried Rice, Buchi, Siomai, Chicharap, and Pancit Canton. However, in pursuit of new Chinese-sarap levels of flavor to keep Filipino taste buds wanting more, mas lalo pang pinasarap ang Bagong Chinese Style Fried Chicken and Pancit Canton.

Chowking’s Chinese-Style Fried Chicken now has a new Chinese Chicken Flavor that is Deliciously Different! Pancit Canton, on the one hand, is now made with Fresh Egg Noodles! Kaya Expect a bagong, mas pinasarap na Chowking Lauriat experience.

By adding new twists on two iconic Chowking offerings, the new Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Lauriat provides a delectable sarap-saya experience.

“The Chowking Lauriat is a true fan favorite, loved by Filipinos across the country. As delicious as it is, we believe that there’s always room for improvement,” said Fran Leveriza-Maralit, Chowking Brand Director. “Whether you’re dining in or eating at home, on your own or sharing with loved ones, our mas Pinasarap na Chinese Style Fried Chicken Lauriat is part of our commitment to creating Chinese-sarap experiences with each meal we serve.”

Try the new Mas Pinasarap Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Lauriat available via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru at a Chowking branch near you.

Don’t miss out on Ed Sheeran's ‘Subtract’ Advanced Listening Event!

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Good news, Filipino Sheerios! You have the chance to be the first ones to listen to Ed Sheeran’s upcoming fifth studio album, ‘Subtract.’

Warner Music Philippines is holding an exclusive album listening experience at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Eye on May 4, 2023. This is the day before Ed Sheeran is set to release his latest album across all platforms.

Each cabin on the MOA Eye will be converted into a private ‘Subtract’ listening booth, where fans will have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of riding the ferris wheel while enjoying snippets of new music from Ed Sheeran. Those who want to take part in this event simply need to visit the MOA Eye during mall hours and pre-save the album on their listening platform of choice – it’s that easy!

As if being the first to hear ‘Subtract’ isn’t exciting enough, those who are lucky enough to be part of this event will also get the opportunity to win official Ed Sheeran merchandise.

Those who have been following the British singer-songwriter’s journey know that his upcoming album will be the most honest and vulnerable one yet, as it draws from hard-hitting events that Ed has faced in recent years.

Album pre save: https://es.lnk.to/subtract

He recently released a new single called “Eyes Closed,” which has an upbeat pop feel to it. However, closer inspection of the lyrics reveal that it captures the essence of love and loss, which is also reflected in the official video.

“This song is about losing someone, feeling like every time you go out and you expect to just bump into them, and everything just reminds you of them and the things you did together. You sorta have to take yourself out of reality sometimes to numb the pain of loss, but certain things just bring you right back into it,” Ed shared about the song and its video.

If this single gives any indication of what we can expect from ‘Subtract,’ it’s clear that Ed’s new album will be one that bares his soul and taps into his most genuine emotions.

So what are you waiting for? Mark your calendar as not to miss the opportunity to be one of the first people to experience Ed Sheeran’s ‘Subtract’!

Register here: https://wmp.lnk.to/SubtractatMOAEYE

Follow the official social media pages of Ed Sheeran and Warner Music Philippines for more information and updates on this special event.

Globe Group’s 917Ventures, Ayala Corp and Gogoro introduce new era of sustainable transport in PH

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Companies launch Gogoro Smartscooters® and Battery-Swapping Pilot in Metro Manila, announce public availability by Q4 2023

Globe Capital Venture Holdings Director Bernie Llamzon, Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Gogoro Founder and CEO Horace Luke, Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu, and 917 Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat at the launch of the Gogoro Smartscooters^®  and Battery-Swapping GoStation ecosystem in the Philippines. 

Globe Group’s 917Ventures, Ayala Corporation, and Gogoro Inc. on Monday made history as they launched Gogoro Smartscooters® and battery-swapping in the Philippines. The companies are introducing a new era in sustainable transportation that brings together smart, convenient and accessible electric two-wheelers to customers.

The announcement was made at a ceremony at the Globe headquarters in Bonifacio Global City where the three companies also announced the commercial public release of Gogoro Smartscooters® and battery-swapping stations in Metro Manila in Q4 2023.

“We in the Globe Group are very proud to bring Gogoro Smartscooters® and battery-swapping to the Philippines, a transport ecosystem that marries mobility innovation and sustainability. This year, Filipinos will have access to these electric two wheelers and Gogoro’s convenient and cost-efficient battery-swapping technology, another first in the Philippines,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu at the launch.

Gogoro’s launch is the Globe Group’s debut in the climate tech space, as it continues to deliver innovations that address Filipinos’ daily pain points. As a better transportation alternative, Gogoro aims to address commuter woes on expensive gas prices while helping curb carbon emissions, in line with the partners’ shared commitment to sustainability, and the Philippine government's sustainable development agenda.

It also marks the Philippine entry of Gogoro, a brand that has transformed two-wheel mobility in Taiwan and fostered a new smart mobility industry with a network of eco-friendly businesses and end-users. In addition to Taiwan and the Philippines, Gogoro is also operating in China, India, Japan, Indonesia, Korea and Israel. 

Horace Luke, Founder and CEO of Gogoro, said the company is excited to bring the Gogoro ecosystem to the Philippines and is committed to replicating its success in Taiwan, where Gogoro has 540,000 riders and has deployed more than one million smart batteries at 12,000 battery-swapping stations. Gogoro riders have swapped more than 450 million total swaps, 400,000 per day, and Gogoro has saved more than 627,000 tons of CO2 since it launched.

“Our partnership with the Globe Group and Ayala Corporation in the Philippines is a major milestone in our mission to transform urban transportation and provide an accessible path for riders to adopt sustainable urban mobility and play a key role in battling climate change and making the world better for all. We look forward to working together to deliver a sustainable transport system that will improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and provide a superior riding experience for consumers in the Philippines,” Luke said. 

At the event, the partners unveiled the first Gogoro battery-swapping station at The Globe Tower – the start of a network of Gogoro battery-swapping stations planned to be established initially in Metro Manila and eventually across the country. 

They also announced the Gogoro pilot in Globe, where 70 employees will be the first to try out the Gogoro Smartscooters® and battery-swapping. They will test the system for two months starting in May and share insights on their experience to ensure an even better customer experience once the e-bikes become available to the public later this year. 

"The Gogoro ecosystem is very convenient as its swap-and-go technology allows riders to swap out depleted batteries for charged ones in just seconds and go on their way. With the current traffic situation in the metro, these Smartscooters® will serve as an eco-friendly alternative to ease congestion while at the same time reducing carbon emissions,”  said Bernie Llamzon, Globe Capital Venture Holdings Inc. Director. 

917Ventures Managing Director Vince Yamat, meanwhile, thanked the government’s support for the shift to EVs as he cited the importance of enabling policy for electric vehicles to succeed in the country. 

It’s as easy as swap and go with the Gogoro battery-swapping station.

“The shift to EVs, particularly deploying Gogoro’s battery-swapping system, will go a long way with sustained government support that will allow private sector initiatives to prosper. Sustainable transportation projects are, after all, aligned with the government’s long-term agenda to promote environment-friendly transport options and foster digitalization as mobility needs of Filipino individuals and businesses rise,” Yamat said.  

The Globe Group, 917Ventures and Ayala Corporation consistently lead the way in utilizing technology to enhance the lives of Filipinos and safeguard the environment through their innovative change-making initiatives.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

The Psychology behind Corporate Giveaways

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Here’s how corporate gifting can establish deeper connections with employees, business partners, and customers.

The good nature that is inherent in every person always gives way to voluntary giving or sharing. In social psychology, reciprocity is a norm—when an individual receives a favor, a good deed, or a gift from another, they develop an innate feeling of wanting to give back or return the favor.

It is no surprise that the Theory of Reciprocity has become an effective strategy in marketing and human resources management across the globe. Marketing strategists have been using corporate gifting to further convince consumers to patronize their products or develop a stronger relationship with business partners. Meanwhile, human resources leads have been using the same approach to establish a deeper connection between the company and its employees. 

According to research published in The Harvard Business Review (entitled ‘The New Science of Customer Experience’), people tend to develop a greater emotional connection and have a higher satisfaction with a brand when they form a deeper relationship with that brand. That strong connection can be initiated through corporate gifts that symbolize how a brand or business strives harder to reach out and care for the recipient. The feeling of having the need to reciprocate the favor does wonders, indeed.

“Corporate giveaways do not only convey the message that you care about an individual but can also highlights your brand’s identity and business values,” said Raquel Romero, President of World Expos & Concepts, the organizers of the annual Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show. “The personal connection established between the brand and its employees, partners, or consumers can further be reinforced by a simple gift, which does not necessarily need to be costly, just useful.”

Building brand awareness

As a marketing tool, corporate giveaways can help boost awareness of a brand among consumers and prospective business partners. Through gift items that carry a company’s branding, a lasting impression is instantly created, and brand recall is strongly reinforced. The recipient also helps with brand exposure if they constantly use that item in their everyday lives.

Developing and strengthening customer loyalty

Research by international gift-sending company Sendoso in 2022 found that 83% of poll respondents feel closer to a brand or business that sends them corporate gifts. Referencing back to the Theory of Reciprocity, corporate giveaways can make a recipient feel more appreciated, cared for, or valued. Upon development of brand loyalty, the person also tends to recommend the brand to other people, which is a plus point for a company’s marketing program.

Improving employees’ morale

Internal corporate gifting to employees is an effective way to demonstrate how the company values the relationship it has with its workforce. These tokens of appreciation create a sense of belonging and deep connection between the company and its valued employees. It is also a strategic way to celebrate the team’s success and achievements, bolster retention rates, and increase overall satisfaction in the workplace. Aside from building trust and rapport, corporate gifts for employees help maintain their high level of productivity and loyalty.

Brands and businesses can make sourcing their year-round promotional items and gifting requirements easy by visiting the annual Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show, happening from June 14 to 16, 2023 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.

To learn more and pre-register for free admission, visit corporategiveawaysbuyershow.com or visit their FB page at www.facebook.com/CorporateGiveaways.