August 2, 2024

Award-winning app supporting insurance sales intermediary digitalization, Ignite by Igloo, launches in the Philippines


  • The streamlined and user-friendly app that helps partners sell easier, faster, and more effectively won Mobile App of the Year (Vietnam) at the recent Insurance Asia Awards

  • To mark its third year, Ignite introduced a new iLearn feature for the upskilling of agents and a new microsite to aid partner recruitment


Marking Ignite by Igloo’s (“Ignite”) third year since its launch, regional insurtech Igloo has announced Ignite’s launch in the Philippines to help insurance sales intermediaries in the country digitalize and employ effective digital tools to enhance their sales processes, streamline client management, and provide superior customer service.


“We understand that insurance is still very relationship-based in the Philippines and most insurance sales here are being facilitated in person by insurance intermediaries and brokers. The lack of technology integration or a consistent platformized approach has posed multiple challenges - most of the process is being conducted via a single insurance intermediary, single product, single insurer, leading to limited ability to earning more and referring more product,” said Raunak Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Igloo. “By launching Ignite in the Philippines, Igloo is on a mission to help boost the efficiency and productivity of nearly 271,000 active life and non-life insurance intermediaries in the country."


Ignite is a digital platform that helps agents sell easier, faster, and more effectively. The app, launched in Vietnam in 2022 and Indonesia the following year has 42 products across 9 categories including Travel, Pet, and Motor protection plans from leading insurers. Ignite was recently awarded the Mobile App of the Year - Vietnam at the Insurance Asia Awards 2024.


Ignite’s features aim to foster seamless processes in interactions with customers and teams, including a user-centric interface for faster browsing, a fast quote system for quick premium calculations and quote generation, secure payment processing for confident transactions, and team and data management tools to streamline manual reporting and analysis. Additionally, they can track and report referral fees in real time directly to their bank accounts.


Insurance sales intermediaries are burdened with tasks such as filling out applications, issuing policies, processing premium payments, and settling claims, this is why digital tools like Ignite are essential for them to enhance their efficiency and help increase insurance penetration in the Philippines, which remains low at 1.75% despite overall growth in the financial sector.


“Through Ignite, we are addressing these pain points by consolidating product offerings from multiple insurance companies, helping them digitalize their processes, and providing a secure all-in-one platform for all they may need as insurance intermediaries,” Mehta explained.


New Ignite features to aid insurance partners

There is a growing emphasis on value-added services and financial advisory roles beyond selling. As consumers become more informed and discerning, insurance partners are transitioning from mere policy sellers to trusted advisors offering comprehensive financial planning and insurance solutions. 


To support this shift, Igloo is introducing a new feature called iLearn, which provides sales agents with access to training content in various formats, including PDFs, infographics, videos, and quizzes. This comprehensive training will enhance their insurance product knowledge, technical skills, sales strategies, and customer handling skills, ensuring their success as trusted advisors.


“We see Ignite as a key product in furthering the region’s insurance penetration,” shared Mehta. “Despite rapid digitization, agents remain crucial in Southeast Asia's insurance sales. Ignite provides them with the tools and skills they need to succeed. We're also looking to improve the app with new product offerings and features. We've received very positive feedback from insurers across multiple markets, especially about Ignite's partner onboarding, management, and performance functionality, which benefits both general and life insurance sales."


Igloo has also launched a new microsite to aid partner recruitment, providing a centralized platform to attract and inform potential partners about the platform and sign up to become full-time and part-time Ignite insurance sales intermediaries. 


As Ignite continues to evolve, Igloo continues to explore ways to offer insurers the platform as a tech solution, enabling their agents to digitize operations and enhance sales effectiveness. Through continuous innovation and the integration of new product offerings and features, Igloo aims to bridge the gap between traditional insurance practices and the digital future, ultimately ensuring that more people can benefit from reliable and affordable insurance coverage.

Squid Game Season 2 to Premiere on December 26; Director Hwang Dong-hyuk Shares News About the Series Future


The real game begins with Season 2 on December 26, 2024.

The final season is coming 2025.


Netflix announced that Season 2 will premiere on December 26, 2024 and that the final season is coming in 2025. This news was conveyed to global fans through a heartfelt letter written by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the Executive Producer, Writer and Director of the series.



ABOUT SEASON TWO 

  • Synopsis: Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 remains determined to find the people behind the game and put an end to their vicious sport. Using this fortune to fund his search, Gi-hun starts with the most obvious of places: look for the man in a sharp suit playing ddakji in the subway. But when his efforts finally yield results, the path toward taking down the organization proves to be deadlier than he imagined: to end the game, he needs to re-enter it. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who made history at the 74th Primetime Emmys® becoming the first Asian to win Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, once again helms the series as director, writer, and producer. Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo reprise their roles from Season 1 with an impeccable list of new cast members including Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yu-ri, and Won Ji-an rounding out the ensemble of colorful characters in the new season.


  • Premiere Date: December 26, 2024

  • Written and Directed by: Hwang Dong-hyuk

  • Executive Producers: Kim Ji-yeon, Hwang Dong-hyuk

  • Production Company:  Firstman Studio

HONOR Magic6 Pro is now available via Globe Postpaid Plans for as low as Php 2,499 monthly!


Leading global technology provider, HONOR, announced the availability of HONOR Magic6 Pro via Globe Plan for as low as Php 2,499 monthly with FREE HONOR Watch GS3 worth Php 11,999. The GPlan 2499 for HONOR Magic6 Pro comes with unli all-net calls and text, landline calls, and 3GB Go Wifi with a one-time payout for only Php 28,000.

“We’re continuously growing and expanding with Globe and we’re happy to offer more flexible payment methods. They can now get the HONOR Magic6 Pro known for its Falcon Camera System and latest AI Camera features that will enhance their productivity and camera experience,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.

The HONOR Magic6 Pro has an impressive 180MP resolution coupled with a large F1.49-inch telephoto sensor, ensuring exceptional clarity for zoomed-in shots of distant subjects. The telephoto camera integrates innovative in-sensor zoom technology, supporting 2.5x optical zoom, seamless 5x/10x zoom, and an astounding 100x digital zoom.

The phone also incorporates two innovative features—Magic Capsule and Magic Portal—to enhance user interaction and productivity. Magic Capsule expands upon tapping the notifications banner, delivering additional information and relevant options directly without the need to navigate multiple apps, thereby maximizing efficiency.

Grab the HONOR Magic6 Pro exclusively online via Globe Plan here https://bit.ly/GPlan_M6Pro_PR.

To know more about the complete lineup of HONOR devices available, you may visit HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

THE SCRIPT is coming back to Manila with SATELLITES WORLD TOUR in 2025


With over 10 billion streams, 12 million album sales, six UK #1 albums and two Platinum-certified US singles, the multi-awarded and platinum-selling Irish band, THE SCRIPT is coming back to Manila and bringing their SATELLITES WORLD TOUR on February 11, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. 

Presented by Midas Promotions and Wilbros Live. Tickets go on-sale on August 10, 10AM via TicketNet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets nationwide.

 

After reuniting for select shows with The Script family in 2023, the band is ready to hit the road and head out to big stages of their own. This will see them play to over 2 million fans around the world this year and more next year. The Script will be performing their biggest hits and fan favourites from their six studio albums like “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”, “Breakeven”, “For The First Time”, “Hall of Fame”, “Superheroes”and songs from their highly anticipated new album ‘Satellites’ featuring the new hit song “Both Ways”.

 

Glen Power says, “.. we’re The Script, and now we have something to prove: that there is life and light after the darkness.” Vowing to pay tribute to their friend (Mark Sheehan) by continuing the band they had built together, vocalist Danny O’Donoghue returned to the studio and experimented in a number of ways. What emerged is ‘Satellites’, an utterly uplifting collection of songs that forges a new future for The Script while remembering that although Mark may no longer be here, he remains a vital part of everything that they do.

 

Danny explains“The album cover is silhouettes of me, Glen and Ben Sargeant, our bassist.. Then we have a hooded silhouette, because the air of Mark is still there. He always will be, but it's also giving a tip of the hat to the future. It'll never be the same Script. We're just trying to get on and do what it is that we all feel is the next right thing to do and that’s to keep making more great music.”

High Res ArtworkThe Script - Manila Artwork

Over 70% of Filipino industrial organisations experienced an OT attack in 2023—Palo Alto Networks


Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, has published its State of OT Security: A Comprehensive Guide to Trends, Risks, and Cyber Resilience report. The report surveyed 1,979 operational technology (OT) and IT business leaders across 23 countries globally, including 51 leaders in the Philippines, to understand the trends, risks, and cyber resilience strategies within OT environments, offering insights into the challenges faced by organisations across the globe.
 
  • In Philippines, over 70 % of industrial organizations experienced cyber attacks in their OT environments in the past year

  • 38 out of 51 organisations agreed that AI will be key to stopping OT attacks


Industrial operations are increasingly under regular and widespread cyberattacks, forcing operational shutdowns which result in lost revenue and significant remediation costs. At the same time, operators face increased compliance requirements as well as new risks posed by their adoption of new technologies and processes, including AI, remote access, cloud, 5G, and robotics. As a result, industrial operators are increasingly conscious of the need to adapt cybersecurity to the new demands of the day.


The report’s key findings reveal a concerning landscape in OT security: 


Industrial operations are at high risk of cyberattacks – Industrial operations were once believed to be immune to cyberattacks given their air-gapped systems, legacy assets, proprietary technologies, and fragmented end markets. This is no longer the case. 76.5% of the Filipino respondents stated that their organizations had experienced at least one cyberattack in the past year. Equally alarming is the frequency of these attacks, with about half (48.7%) of the respondents experiencing attacks often monthly or weekly. 


Cyberattacks can shut down local OT operations – The impact of these attacks has been significant, with 23.1% of Filipino organisations needing to shut down industrial operations in the last year due to a successful attack. This dangerous state of affairs is driving industrial operators to increasingly focus on security for their OT environments, with more than 70.6% of Filipino respondents considering it a high priority, and more than half (56.9%) expecting to increase spending on OT cybersecurity in the next two years.


Friction between OT and IT is a challenge – Despite the urgency, there remains a disconnect between OT and IT teams, hindering coordinated responses to threats. When asked to describe the relationship between OT and IT, more than half (54.9%) stated that it was either siloed or frictional, with only 17.6% answering that their teams are aligned. Furthermore, only 37.3% of respondents reported shared responsibility for OT cybersecurity purchase decisions between the two teams. This disparity is due to the historical roles of both teams, with IT traditionally being in charge of company-wide security, while OT has historically focused on industrial operations. 


AI is a double-edged sword  AI has already caught the attention of industrial operators, but the judgement on its value is split between fear of AI-enabled attacks and demand for AI-enabled protection. The survey found that 70.6% of respondents in the Philippines identified AI attacks against OT as a critical issue today, but 4 out of 5 also agreed that AI will be key to stopping OT attacks.


The move to cloud will reinforce OT security  AI is not the only new technology making its way into OT environments, with operators also getting ready to implement cloud solutions, among others. The report found that 92.2% of organizations in the Philippines believed the move to cloud will reinforce OT security. However, 64.7% of them also stated it would create increased cybersecurity challenges in the next two years.  


Zero Trust is the North Star – The report also underscores the criticality of embracing a Zero Trust approach to OT security, with over 80% of industrial respondents endorsing it as the right strategy. However, deployment rates remain relatively low, with just over 20% having fully implemented Zero Trust solutions for their OT/IT environments.


Oscar Visaya, Country Manager, Philippines at Palo Alto Networks, said, "The growing attacks on industrial operators highlight the urgent need for proactive risk mitigation and system resilience. As industrial operations undergo digital transformation in the AI era, traditional security measures are inadequate against advanced cyber threats. AI-driven defenses must be adopted to quickly analyze large data sets and detect patterns of impending threats, often before an attack occurs. Further, close collaboration between IT and OT teams is essential to ensure a unified and effective approach to cybersecurity.”


For more information,please visit: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/zero-trust-ot-security


Click to read more:

State of OT Security report 

Blog post: Palo Alto Networks Surveys the State of OT Security

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