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Nestlé Philippines launches NIDO NutriSnax for toddlers

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Nestlé Philippines has unveiled NIDO NutriSnax, a nutritious and fun toddler snack drink in banana-carrot and strawberry-carrot flavours. It contains real milk, fruits, and veggies, with calcium, fiber, and immunonutrients (vitamins A, C, D, and zinc). It is free of artificial sweeteners.

Strawberry Carrot:

Ingredients: Whole MILK Powder, Carrot Puree (5%), Strawberry Puree (5%), Grape Juice Concentrate, Banana Puree, Oligosaccharides, Minerals (Tricalcium Citrate, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Phosphate, Trisodium Citrate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenate), Vitamins (C, E, Niacin, B5, B1, A, B6, B2, B9, K1, B7, D, B12), Flavors, Gellan Gum (Stabilizer), Carmine (Colour).

Banana Carrot:

Ingredients: Whole MILK Powder, Carrot Puree (5%), Strawberry Puree (5%), Grape Juice Concentrate, Banana Puree, Oligosaccharides, Minerals (Tricalcium Citrate, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Phosphate, Trisodium Citrate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenate), Vitamins (C, E, Niacin, B5, B1, A, B6, B2, B9, K1, B7, D, B12), Flavors, Gellan Gum (Stabilizer), Carmine (Colour).

The drink provides 1.8g of protein (8% of RDI), 18% of fiber, and 22% of calcium per 110ml serving.

NIDO NutriSnax is a convenient and healthy snack option for parents, and it exposes toddlers to the taste of vegetables to prepare them for a nutrient-dense diet. Nestlé is innovating with NIDO NutriSnax to extend the relevance of the NIDO brand into older babies.

Click here for more information.

HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Tiger Chinese Education Charity Concert Raised RM 3.9 million for UTAR Hospital

By
Tan Heng Hong
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The programme raised over RM 3.9 million towards enhancing the facilities and amenities at UTAR Hospital, Kampar, Perak.

Kuala Lumpur, 3 November 2023 – HEINEKEN Malaysia hosted its annual Tiger Chinese Education Charity Concert (Tiger CECC) programme to raise funds for UTAR hospital in Kampar. The charity concert took place at the HGH Convention Centre, Sentul, and is one of the eight shows organised by Tiger CECC this year, playing a role in assisting communities across Malaysia. This is the first year the social impact program extended its support beyond schools to a hospital, contributing to the hospital’s overall development by raising RM 3,911,853.00 to benefit both the local communities and medical students.

Since its inception in 1994, Tiger CECC has been bringing local communities together. The programme funded more than 535ocal schools for almost 30 years through charity concerts, organised alongside its media partner. To date, the programme has successfully raised more than RM390 million, making a lasting impact on thousands of students and playing a role in the nation’s educational foundation.

Reflecting on this year’s Tiger CECC, Roland Bala, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia, shared “We are proud of Tiger Beer’s role in gathering local communities to celebrate the Joy of True Togetherness. As a responsible and progressive company, we believe that our growth is connected with the well-being of our communities. Through Tiger CECC, we aim to provide a platform to raise much-needed funds that help shape and develop Malaysia’s communities and future leaders. At the same time, we are encouraged by the amazing response and generosity shown by UTAR as well as all who have contributed to this cause.”

As UTAR stands as a not-for-profit private university, its medical institution seeks to provide the community in Kampar and surrounding towns with affordable medical services in both Western and Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) treatments. The Western Medical Department UTAR Hospital in Kampar officially opened in August, while its T&CM Department began operating last year. Tiger CECC’s contribution to the hospital will further boost the hospital’s outpatient and in-patient treatment facilities, diagnostics, and medical and mental health support. The funds will also make an impact in enriching the hands-on training, education, and research for UTAR’s medical students and future healthcare professionals.

During the Tiger CECC, over 64 tables were arranged for the dinner at the HGH Convention Centre, Sentul, with more than 1,000 attendees, marking an enthusiastic response to the event.

Notable attendees included Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik, Chancellor of UTAR; Ir. Academician Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Chuah Hean Teik, Chairman of UTAR Hospital Board; and Ir. Professor Dato’ Dr. Ewe Hong Tat, President/CEO of UTAR.

Grateful for the support for the charity concert alongside the positive turnout, Ir. Professor Dato’ Dr. Ewe Hong Tat expressed, “We sincerely thank Heineken Malaysia and the Tiger CECC programme for their collaboration and efforts in bringing everyone together to support UTAR Hospital. This will go a long way in benefitting our local communities, especially those who are in need. It is heartwarming and inspiring to see so many people step forward to contribute, this will enable us to provide improved facilities and better services to serve our community.”

That night, attendees were treated to an engaging cultural performance by seasoned performers from the Malaysian community.

The Tiger CECC resonated with energy as the event commenced with a medley of hit songs, performed by artists Wu Jia Hui, Yee Yee, Victor Lee, Z Yan, Zac Chi Chiang, and Jyin. Accompanying the opening act, the graceful movements of the Tiger CECC dancers added an elegant touch to the evening’s vibrant display.

Amidst lively music, guest singer Chris Cheong, acclaimed winner of the Astro 2020 Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition, delivered a special performance, lending her support to the event’s cause.

Amidst lively music, guest singer Chris Cheong, acclaimed winner of the Astro 2020 Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition, delivered a special performance, lending her support to the event’s cause.

Further igniting the audience’s excitement, renowned Malaysian Chinese music group, Freddie & Catz, breathed new life into timeless melodies with their contemporary adaptations, infusing the evening with a fresh and modern rhythm.

The unplugged session by Z Yan, Yee Yee, Zac, Jyin, Wu Jia Hui, and Victor Lee drew the event to a mesmerising close, leaving attendees captivated by a seamless sequence of soulful tunes.

For more information on Heineken Malaysia Berhad and its other initiatives, please visit http://heinekenmalaysia.com/.

 

Lemonilo healthy noodle has a new Soto Kare flavour

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Lemonilo has launched a new healthy instant noodle flavour in Indonesia, Soto Kare, which joins the recent launch of Soto Koya. This delicious instant noodle, made with spices and baked noodles, is affordably priced at only IDR 5,000 per pack.

The Woodleigh Mall Celebrates a Successful Grand Opening With 100% Tenant Occupancy Achieved

By
Tan Heng Hong
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The mall marks a significant milestone with strong tenant demand, robust sustainability and CSR initiatives

Singapore, 2 November 2023 – The Woodleigh Mall, the new integrated community and lifestyle hub in the Bidadari Estate, celebrated its grand opening today, six months after welcoming shoppers in May 2023. The mall’s opening was officiated by Guest-of-Honour, Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth, together with Ms Denise Phua, Mayor, Central Singapore District, Mr. Gerald Yong, Chief Executive Officer, Cuscaden Peak Investments Private Limited, as well as Mr. Shuichi Oishi, Chief Executive Officer, Kajima Development Pte. Ltd.

With the opening of the Woodleigh Neighbourhood Police Centre and Bidadari Community Club, The Woodleigh Mall will serve as one of the key pillars in the integrated development which offers seamless connectivity to the Woodleigh MRT station, upcoming bus interchange and hawker centre. As a holistic centrepiece of the Bidadari estate, The Woodleigh Mall provides shoppers with a convergence of a natural interlude and refreshing retail concepts to add value and vibrancy to the surrounding growing communities.

Taking a cue from the Bidadari Master Plan – in which placemaking was a central theme towards designed communal spaces for interaction – The Woodleigh Mall integrates with surrounding green spaces such as the upcoming Bidadari Park with Alkaff Lake in a sustainable fashion. The Woodleigh Mall’s nature-inspired gathering spaces will shape it into a tranquil urban oasis where contemporary amenities and greenery coexist perfectly, creating a people-centric building where communities can gather.

Mr. Gerald Yong, Chief Executive Officer, Cuscaden Peak Investments Private Limited, said: “We take immense pride in announcing that The Woodleigh Mall has achieved 100% occupancy – a testament to our tenants’ trust in our vision and capabilities. We worked hand-in-hand with our tenants to ensure that The Woodleigh Mall meets our shoppers’ lifestyle needs. Soon, shoppers can look forward to the opening of more unique F&B concepts along Heritage Walk and enjoy dining close to nature. Looking ahead, we remain committed to The Woodleigh Mall’s role in contributing to placemaking efforts. We envision the mall, along with its adjacent amenities, to grow to become the heart and soul of the Bidadari district.”

Mr. Shuichi Oishi, Chief Executive Officer, Kajima Development Pte. Ltd. said: “Central to our design philosophy for this project was the creation of spaces for social interaction to encourage residents to come together, nurture a sense of belonging, and foster a sense of unity. We believe that this will ignite community development, allowing ideas and initiatives to flourish and take root. Today’s successful grand opening of this mixed-use development is a testament to what can be achieved when collaboration transcends borders and cultures. Blending our international experience with projects and Cuscaden Peak Investments’ local expertise in managing best-in-class malls, we are confident that The Woodleigh Mall will bring shoppers a unique combination of retail experiences and nature while becoming the hub of the future inhabitants of this bustling estate.”

Strong Tenant Demand 

Since its soft launch, The Woodleigh Mall has seen a strong tenant demand, achieving full occupancy – a testament to the tenants’ trust in the vision of the mall and Cuscaden Peak Invesment’s asset management capabilities. The mall now houses 160 brands, featuring key tenants such as the largest Pepper Lunch (#01-54) outlet in Singapore, the world’s first award-winning plant-based burger joint VeganBurg (#01-37), the first Food Republic (#B1-09/10) outlet in Singapore to offer kids’ meal options. The mall also houses one of Singapore’s very few 24-hour FairPrice Finest (#B1-32/33), where shoppers can look forward to experiencing a range of unique in-store concepts like The Grocer Café, The Grocer Bar and The Grocer Kitchen.

To complete its grand opening, shoppers can look forward to the opening of established F&B tenants along the Heritage Walk that are sure to delight the taste buds of any gastronome. The highly anticipated Surrey Hills Grocer (#01-52/53) is also set to open as Singapore’s first grocer and cafe for consumers and pets. The newest outlet features a train-themed decor with a moving Mornington train centrepiece, exclusive Pancake Parlour creations and complete with a whole new pet grocer. As a pet-friendly destination, Surrey Hills Grocer at The Woodleigh Mall is designed as a pet-inclusive lifestyle space for patrons to enjoy shared dining and shopping experiences with their furry companions. Additionally, Little Italy (#02-48), which is opening towards the end of the year, will serve as a new respite where friends and family seek refuge from the hustle and bustle, while enjoying a delectable Italian menu and wines from illustrious Italian producers.

For communal dining options suited for large gatherings, shoppers can anticipate the opening of K.Cook Korean Buffet (#02-49/50) for an all-you-can-eat extravaganza of meats, seafood and other Korean dishes. Shi Jian Hot Pot (#02-51) delivers an authentic Sichuan Hotpot experience at reasonable prices – from meat and vegetable combination platters to unique variations of marinated meats. There will be something for everyone to enjoy as they come together for a feast!

Moreover, The Woodleigh Mall will welcome another new healthcare tenant to its premises. My Family Dental / My Little Teeth Children’s Dental Clinic (#02-23/24), offering professional and affordable dental services, are set to meet the functional needs of the young families and their children respectively. This addition will complement the well-established assembly of healthcare and wellness offerings that reside in the mall such as Parkway MediCentre (#02-25/26/27), Thomson Specialists (#02-03/05/06/07) and Eu Yan Sang Premier TCM Centre (#02-33/34) – all of which are situated on the same level for ease of access.

Ongoing Sustainability and CSR Initiatives 

As a proud recipient of BCA’s Platinum Green Mark award, The Woodleigh Mall has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability as one of its pillars, carrying through from the mall design to its operations and with the ultimate goal of reducing carbon footprint. In order to achieve the mall’s sustainability goals, tenant engagement is vital to align interests between stakeholders.

Recently, Cuscaden Peak Investments has partnered with Singapore Polytechnic and Singapore Environment Council to provide sustainability courses and offer the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme to our tenants. This is in the hopes of cultivating a deeper appreciation towards the wellbeing of the environment and a responsible energy consumption culture in the mall.

In creating a positive impact on the community, Cuscaden Peak Investment and Kajima Development Pte. Ltd. have also donated $10,000 to ART:DIS, Singapore’s leading non-profit organisation dedicated to creating learning and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts. During the The Woodleigh Mall’s Grand Opening ceremony, Mr Raymond Lau, an ART:DIS artist, was commissioned to paint his impression of The Woodleigh Mall and the painting was presented to Mr. Gerald Yong and Mr. Shuichi Oishi in appreciation of Cuscaden Peak Investment and Kajima Development’s contribution.

Grand Opening Promotions at The Woodleigh Mall

In celebration of the grand opening, The Woodleigh Mall will be organising a wide array of opening promotions. From 2 November to 30 November, shoppers can check out The Woodleigh Mall’s website, Instagram page and Facebook page for more information about the opening deals at Bidadari’s newest hangout.

From 2 November to 13 November, shoppers stand a chance to receive exclusive vouchers for delectable treats with the mall’s Daily Flash & Redeem treats. To redeem the day’s special treat, simply follow The Woodleigh Mall on both their Facebook and Instagram pages and flash the post at their Information Counter at Level 2 to receive the voucher. Shoppers can redeem $5 F&B vouchers from participating F&B outlets such as VeganBurg (#01-37), OLLA Specialty Coffee (#01-55), Sogdo Korean (#B1-K16), Beans.Factory (#B1-K43/K44) and more. Take this opportunity to try out some of the new and unique dining experiences at The Woodleigh Mall!

Brewed with 100% renewable energy in Vietnam, Heineken® continues to create good times with consumers

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Ho Chi Minh City, 19 October 2023 – On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, Heineken®, one of HEINEKEN Vietnam’s most premium brands, has officially announced that all Heineken® products are now brewed with 100% renewable energy. For the past 150 years, Heineken® has been delighting consumers in over 190 countries around the world with its superior quality and the experience of good times over a drink. Committed to another 150 years of good times and beyond, the brand is adding renewable energy to its brewing and contributing to HEINEKEN Vietnam’s sustainability ambition of “Brewing A Better Vietnam”.

All the products in the Heineken® franchise, including Heineken® Original, Heineken® Silver, and Heineken® 0.0 – as such, are now being brewed with 100% renewable energy in Vietnam. The thermal energy in the brewing process comes from biomass, with input from agricultural by-products like rice straw, rice husks, and sawdust. Electrical demand in the production, meanwhile, is being covered by Energy Attribute Certification (EACs) sourced from certified solar projects in Vietnam. Towards the future, HEINEKEN Vietnam is also exploring some bolder renewable electricity solutions, including Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA).

For one and a half centuries, malted barley, hop extract, A-yeast and water have been the four main ingredients to make the highest quality Heineken® products. To celebrate the brand’s 150th Anniversary, Heineken® is adding renewable energy as the fifth natural ingredient to the brewing of Heineken® in Vietnam. This new ingredient will become an indispensable element of all Heineken® products and form part of many good times the brand will be creating with its consumers well into the future.

Commenting on this milestone, Ms. Anna Bizon – Marketing Director of HEINEKEN Vietnam, said “This wonderful world is where we grow the natural ingredients, brew our products, and experience good times with our consumers. At HEINEKEN Vietnam, we are working every day to brew products of superior quality, create meaningful connections with people and communities, and realize our sustainability vision of ‘Brewing a Better Vietnam’. As our flagship brand Heineken® is turning 150 years old this year, we are proud to announce that Vietnam has become the next country where Heineken® is brewed with renewable energy – after the Netherlands and Brazil. This is truly a remarkable progress on HEINEKEN Vietnam’s journey towards “Brewing A Better Vietnam”. At the same time, with one more natural ingredient added into the brewing of Heineken®, we look forward to many more good times with our consumers in the next 150 years and beyond.”

For more detailed information regarding this renewable energy claim, please visit this page.

New Bia Viet launched with truly Vietnamese identity and taste

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Ho Chi Minh City, September 18, 2023 – Today, Bia Viet has officially launched its upgraded version, with some enhancements truly Vietnamese to the product’s look and taste. The new Bia Viet continues to stay true to the brand’s aspiration of becoming the beer representative for the spirit of Vietnamese people. As part of the launch, Bia Viet is running a creative communication campaign, collecting real consumers’ experience as they enjoy the new beer and compiling into an authentic, first-of-its-kind video advertisement.

Developed by HEINEKEN’s Vietnamese brew-masters, Bia Viet since first launched 3 years ago, has constantly been listening to the feedback of consumers, and looking for ways to address evolving needs and elevate enjoying experience. With this new version, Bia Viet is unveiling a bolder taste in a more modern and premium look and bringing a more aspiring product to Vietnamese consumers.

The new brand design draws inspiration from elements that are recognizable all Vietnamese people, including the Lac bird and the symbolic yellow star, blending modern tones of silver with traditional red and leaving the New Bia Viet with a touch of contemporary and dynamic identity. The new product is also presented in a green bottle, imparting a refreshing feeling to the beer, and exuding a more premium look to the offering. Brewed from the highest quality hops, the new Bia Viet comes with a rich aroma, a bold taste, and a smooth aftertaste, which is expected to delight Vietnamese drinkers across the country.

The new Bia Viet is launched with quite a unique communication campaign, in which the brand seeks and collects feedbacks for the beer from consumers and turns them into a video advertisement. For 17 weeks, consumers from across Vietnam are being invited to share their opinions about the new Bia Viet. The campaign was kickstarted on 13 August 2023 and has gathered 3,000 ideas to date, with some featured in the first video here.

On the launch of the upgraded Bia Viet, Ms. Anna Bizon – Marketing Director of HEINEKEN Vietnam shared: “The New Bia Viet exemplifies our commitment to prioritize consumers at the forefront of HEINEKEN Vietnam, as well as Bia Viet’s aspiration to become the national beer brand that stands for all Vietnamese people across the nation. Carrying ‘truly Vietnamese’ taste, identity and introduced through a first-of-its-kind communication campaign, the all-new Bia Viet will be elevated to become a beloved beer brand of all Vietnamese moving forward.”

The new Bia Viet is currently available in 330ml cans and 355 ml bottles, and 12- and 24-can cartons, offering a range of choices to Vietnamese consumers. To share how you feel about our new beer,  and/or for more detailed information, please visit www.facebook.com/BiaVietOfficial.

Louis Dreyfus Company and Instanta Inaugurate Instant Coffee Joint Venture in Vietnam

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Photo credit: ILD Coffee Vietnam

Singapore, September 29, 2023 – Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and Instanta Sp. z o.o. (Instanta) today inaugurated ILD Coffee Vietnam, a joint venture freeze-dried instant coffee facility located in Binh Duong province, Vietnam, with annual production capacity of 5,600 metric tons of freeze-dried instant coffee.

The new facility was established to meet rising global demand for instant coffee, particularly more premium freeze-dried instant coffee. The facility’s product offering is tailored to meet the preferences of consumers across established markets, such as Europe, and emerging markets in Asia.

“This venture with Instanta supports our global strategy to diversify through more value-added products, reflects our ongoing commitment to Vietnam as a key market for LDC, and complements our existing global Robusta green coffee business, expanding our product portfolio to meet customers’ needs,” said Ben Clarkson, LDC’s Global Head of Coffee. “Leveraging our expertise in coffee sourcing in Vietnam and extensive global network, combined with Instanta’s leadership in the instant coffee business, ILD Coffee Vietnam is well positioned for success.”

“ILD Coffee Vietnam marks a significant milestone in our journey at Instanta. This state-of-the-art facility in Binh Duong province demonstrates our passion for coffee. We are excited to bring our expertise to this strategic joint venture with LDC, a renowned global merchant and processor of agricultural goods,” said Jacek Szymczyk, Chairman at Instanta.

The new facility is equipped with the latest extraction and freeze-drying technology, and is certified FSSC 22000 and SMETA audited, reflecting the companies’ commitment to safety. In line with the partners’ commitment to sustainable coffee production and distribution, the site’s equipment is also designed to minimize the plant’s environmental footprint – for example, through utilization of a biomass boiler that harnesses spent coffee grounds from the plant to generate steam.

The inauguration event was attended by members of LDC and Instanta’s global and regional senior management, local government representatives including Mr. Nguyen Van Danh, Vice Chairman of Binh Duong’s People Committee, Mr. Alexander Nowakowski, Chargé d’affaires ad interim from Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Hanoi, and local coffee associations.

Nestle Pure Life Reinforces Its Number One Position in Drinking Water Market in Southern Thailand

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Nestle Pure Life Reinforces Its Number One Position in Drinking Water Market in Southern Thailand, Holds Activity to Introduce New Landmark on Patong Beach to Welcome and Refresh Millions of Tourists

Friday 03 November 2023 – Nestle Pure Life Drinking Water, a product of the Water Business Unit of Nestle (Thai) Ltd., recently held an activity to introduce a new landmark under the concept “Nestle Pure Life Freshtival.” The activation drove brand visibility by transforming Phuket’s world-famous Patong Beach into a refreshing landmark complete with Nestle Pure Life beach chairs and umbrellas, the Nestle Pure Life Water Bar serving the brand’s quality drinking water, and popular water sports such as parasailing and banana boats.

The exciting new landmark reflected Nestle Pure Life’s brand identity of being lively and refreshing to increase engagement with consumers and over 18 million visitors who are expected to return to Phuket this year as tourism rebounds(1). It also reinforces Nestle Pure Life’s position as the number one best-selling drinking water in (Thailand’s southern region(2).

Brand presenter James Jirayu Tangsrisuk led activities that showcased the freshness of Nestle Pure Life to tourists and the Thai public at Patong Beach. The brand also collaborated with Super Cheap, a major trading partner, to offer an exclusive sunset cruise with James Jirayu to delight southern consumers.

According to Ms. Naritta Vipulyasekha, Business Executive Officer – Water Business Unit, Nestle (Thai) Ltd., “As a leading drinking water brand with a long-established operation in Thailand, Nestle Pure Life aims to reinforce our position as the quality drinking water that meets world-class standards. It is produced with Intelligent Micro Filter technology from Switzerland that uses filters as fine as 0.2 microns during the production process to ensure pure drinking water that is high quality, clean, safe, tasteless, and odorless while still delivering health benefits. Having received NSF certification from the United States and the Thai FDA Quality Award for six years in a row, everyone can trust the quality of Nestle Pure Life, which continually receives excellent consumer feedback.”

Nestle Pure Life has held its position as the number one drinking water brand in southern Thailand for three consecutive years. The Nestle Waters Factory in Surat Thani province serves as a hub for producing and distributing drinking water to southern consumers under the Nestle Pure Life brand. It is also one of the two Nestle Waters factories that produce drinking water in Thailand that are both certified to Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) international standards.

Ms. Naritta added, “Building on our success as the number one drinking water brand in Southern Thailand, this year we increased engagement with Thai consumers and welcomed tourists with the ‘Nestle Pure Life Freshtival’ campaign. Using a brand visibility strategy, we transformed Patong Beach in Phuket into a landmark of ‘refreshness’ with beautiful beach chairs and umbrellas. We invited everybody to refresh themselves with famous water sports activities such as parasailing and banana boat rides. We expect this campaign has reached more than 7,000,000 Thai consumers and tourists during the activation.”

In collaboration with Super Cheap, Phuket’s No. 1 retailer, Nestle Pure Life offered 30 lucky consumers the opportunity to go on a cruise with James Jirayu to watch the sunset. They enjoyed fun games and surprises while getting closer to James Jirayu and experiencing his exuberance throughout the trip. This activity was part of a marketing campaign for consumers who bought Nestle Pure Life drinking water. By dropping their receipts into the activity box at the main Super Cheap store location or at participating Super Cheap mini marts, they were eligible to enter a lucky draw to win a spot on the sunset cruise.

  1. Source: Bank of Thailand
  2. Source: Survey by Nielsen

Bask Bear scores a first with a drive-through at GPO Malacca

By
Tan Heng Hong
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Bryan Loo (right), Founder and CEO of Loob Holding Sdn Bhd, serving the first symbolic cup of Bask Bear to Charles Brewer, Group CEO of Pos Malaysia Berhad, who “drove through” in a traditional Malacca trishaw.

MALACCA, 3rd November 2023: Bask Bear, the Malaysian innovative coffee disruptor inspired by the basking Malayan sun bear, today opened the first drive-through coffee and toasties outlet in a post office here in collaboration with Pos Malaysia Berhad, (“Pos Malaysia”).

Charles Brewer (left), Group CEO of Pos Malaysia Berhad, with Bryan Loo, Founder and CEO of Loob Holding Sdn Bhd, cutting the ribbon to launch of Bask Bear’s first drive-through outlet in a post office at Malacca’s General Post Office.

It has chosen the iconic building that housed the State’s General Post Office for 34 years here to kick-off this partnership with the national post and parcel service provider.

Loob Holding Sdn Bhd founder and CEO Bryan Loo described this drive-through as a significant step forward where customer convenience is concerned. “We will continue to focus on developing more drive-throughs wherever we can and we plan to end the year with seven drive-throughs,” he said.

Charles Brewer (left), Group CEO of Pos Malaysia Berhad, with Bryan Loo, Founder and CEO of Loob Holding Sdn Bhd, at the launch of Bask Bear’s first drive-through outlet in a post office at Malacca’s General Post Office.

With its compact design, the GPO drive-through allows Bask Bear to serve customers how they want to be served, leaving ample space for multiple cars and quick, convenient pick-up. The efficient design can also cater to the high foot traffic, ensuring that customers in need of a quick beverage can seamlessly utilize the drive-through option.

“Our commitment to customer convenience is at the heart of our expansion, making it easier than ever for Malaysians to enjoy their favourite Bask Bear beverages,” he said.

Pos Malaysia Berhad’s Group CEO, Charles Brewer said, “Pos Malaysia’s unrivalled reach, market leading service and network lie at the core of our transformation. Every month, over 1.5 million Malaysians choose to connect with us through more than 630 Pos Malaysia retail outlets. The task of transforming this remarkable 200-year-old company has kept us tirelessly engaged. Our strategically located Pos Malaysia retail points are so much more than the traditional hub for postal and parcel services.”

“I am incredibly proud to welcome Bask Bear to the network, as we further expand what we provide, ensuring we continue to serve the unserved and remain relevant for the next two centuries – we aim to differentiate our retail solutions by providing ultimate convenience, a digital and enjoyable customer journey, and the basket of products we offer. I look forward to welcoming our customers to a refreshed retail experience – let’s be passionate about building trust to connect lives and businesses for a better tomorrow!”.

Charles Brewer (left), Group CEO of Pos Malaysia Berhad, and Bryan Loo, Founder and CEO of Loob Holding Sdn Bhd, with their traditional Malacca trishaws during the launch of Bask Bear’s first drive-through outlet in a post office at Malacca’s General Post Office

To mark this first-ever Bask Bear drive-through in a post office, Loo served the first symbolic cup of Bask Bear to Charles Brewer who “drove through” in a traditional Malacca trishaw.

To reward customers for their continuous support, Bask Bear is now offering an exclusive promo for Pos Malaysia customers, where they’ll get 50% off on their drinks when they show their receipt from the post office. The promo will be valid until November 23rd. At the same time, Pos Malaysia staff have the luxury of getting 15% for an unlimited time upon producing their identity tags.

“We are grateful for the support of all our customers for having come thus far. Bask Bear was introduced just before the pandemic hit Malaysia and we had to quickly transform ourselves into a virtual brand.

“With the tremendous support of Malaysians, we quickly became the most delivered virtual coffee during the lockdown. We’re now happy to celebrate this second drive-through outlet with them. For this next one month, customers get 50% off their drinks provided they have a receipt from the post office,” Loo said.

Bask Bear’s first drive-through was in partnership with Shell in Johor. The brand has since opened another drive-through at Taman Daya DT in Johor Bahru.

With continued emphasis on convenience, Loo said, there were plans to have seven drive-throughs in Penang, Kedah and East Malaysia by the end of the year. “That is the current plan. There may be more if there are suitable locations offered to us by development partners, just like the Malacca GPO here,” he adds.

Back in September, Bask Bear celebrated its 100th physical store milestone including two flagship Bask Bear Supreme outlets. It now has reached 110 physical outlets and, with 120 virtual stores, the network is now 230 strong.

Bask Bear has a heritage of close affinity with Borneo as it features a unique Bornean palm sugar called Aren® that is naturally sourced and produced by local farmers in Borneo.

“This exclusive Aren® Palm Sugar supply arrangement with Loob not only enables more consistent income for these farmers but also provides a healthier option with a lower glycaemic index than brown sugar or even honey.

“We’re the first coffee brand to infuse this Aren® Palm Sugar, which is well-loved for its delicious savoury sweetness with a tinge of caramel!” he enthused.

Goodday Charge Debuts Revamped Campaign In Legitimising Esport As A Sport, Collaborating With Malaysia’s Top Esport Athlete, xNOVA As The Face Of The New Campaign

By
Tan Heng Hong
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As the first milk brand to advocate for esports, GooddayCharge, is packed with energy and ten nutrients of Multipro® to charge up athletes of today

31st OCTOBER 2023, KUALA LUMPUR – Fresh off their launch of the repackaged Goodday Charge, Goodday unveils xNOVA, Malaysia’s leading esports athlete and 2022 Asian Games bronze medalist, as the face of their campaign to create greater acceptance and legitimise esports as a sport on par with sports. Officiating the launch was Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh, Santharuban Thurai Sundaram, Etika’s Chief Executive Officer of Etika Group of Companies for Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, as well as Amy Gan, Etika’s Vice President of Marketing, in the presence, Ahmed Faris Amir, CEO of Esports Integrated, xNOVA, stakeholders and members of the media.

L-R: Santharuban Thurai Sundaram, Etika’s Chief Executive Officer of Etika Group of Companies for Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei, Amy Gan, Etika’s Vice President of Marketing, Yap Jian Wei (xNOVA), Youth and Sports Minister, Hannah Yeoh, Ahmed Faris Amir, CEO of Esports Integrated

The launch follows Goodday’s recent partnership announcement during the launch of the
National Esports Development Guidelines (NESDEG) under the purview of Hannah Yeoh; a
guide for stakeholders to ensure more effective governance, rights and responsibility among esports enthusiasts and industry players. Under Core 6 of the guideline; Application of Science and Sports Medicine in Esports, this is part of Goodday’s efforts to support the esports community by destigmatising myths surrounding esports, particularly in the area of health and fitness.

While esports itself has grown in status in the last decade, it is still widely viewed by many as a vocation that promotes a sedentary lifestyle. However, this can’t be further from the truth. Many studies* prove the link between better physical fitness and cognitive abilities which in turn improves reaction times, a trait crucial in ensuring success for professional gamers. Like these studies, Goodday is debunking the myths surrounding esports and wants to support the push for wider acceptance from both the public and sports communities, acknowledging that esports is in fact a legitimate form of sports like any other, demanding the highest levels of physical and mental strength.

In Malaysia, esports has garnered the country international recognition and medals. Most
recently, the Malaysia esports team took home three gold medals at the Commonwealth
Esports Championship held in Birmingham, England.

Through this campaign and collaboration with xNOVA, Goodday wants to elevate esports
athletes, bringing awareness to not just his journey, but all his peers in the community to
change current perceptions around esports. As Malaysia’s top esports athlete, xNOVA
advocates for more support for the game. Starting at the age 14, xNOVA whose real name is Yap Jianwei, has risen in the ranks to become Malaysia’s highest earner of a prize pool and top esports player. His rise to the top was not without hardship, faced with obstacles and ridicule when he first began. However, xNOVA has since proven to the naysayers that esports isn’t simply just a game.

Yap Jian Wei (xNOVA)

xNOVA says, “I experienced firsthand the stigma of esports when I first started, which is why I advocate for greater support for esports because it showcases incredible talent in the new generation, offers endless opportunities for players and fans and teaches discipline. I am also thrilled that we now have brands such as Goodday Charge who have taken the lead in elevating the awareness of esports to the masses.”

Amy Gan, Etika’s Vice President of Marketing

Amy Gan, VP of Marketing, Etika Sdn Bhd, said, “As the 3rd largest game market in the
region and 14 million players in Malaysia***, we see a definitive rise of esports with many
talented Malaysian esports athletes being recognised internationally. Yet, with all the
potential surrounding esports, it is confounding that parents rarely encourage their children to pursue it. The negative perception painted towards esports is that it is a sedentary habit where kids stay up all night and neglect their studies, and well-being needs to be addressed and we felt that this was a role that Goodday could play in changing mindsets and giving esports athletes the same level of recognition as their peers in sports.

We want to be the first brand to support esports. Through our research, we found that
contrary to popular belief, e-sport is a competitive game that requires the utmost discipline from its athletes. From a strict fitness and sleep regime to sharpening reflexes and concentration, nutrition also plays a vital role in ensuring sustained energy to focus
throughout the long game-play hours.

Goodday Charge is a chocolate milk formulated with ten nutrients and vitamins, including
vitamin B complex- which helps to support sustained energy through the day; and
regardless of the sporting activity, athletes get the goodness of milk plus the energy they
need to play at the highest level.”

She adds, “This is more than just a packaging relaunch for us. It is a vessel for us to get our message out there that esports is a force to be reckoned with as much as any other sport and further inspire conversation and consideration for the esport in society; we are proud to have xNOVA as the face of our Goodday Charge campaign as a kickstart to other initiatives soon.”

An Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) representative, said, “We have numerous studies on the
effects of milk on athletes. They all show positive impacts that milk has on muscle recovery, water retention and improved energy storage. Notably, Vitamin B Complex is needed for the release of energy from proteins, fats and carbohydrates. A 2019 study in the International Journal of Sports Science** on the effects of dairy milk on recovery and response to endurance exercises shown milk is superior to water/non caloric drinks when taken as a recovery beverage due to its protein and carbohydrate content that helps in muscle building and energy replenishment.”

“So just like any other sports, we believe esports professionals require the same nutrition
and health provisions due to the physical and cognitive demands during training and
competitions and milk will be one of the options as recovery drink post training and
competition.”

The repackaged Goodday Charge packs are now available nationwide across all leading
convenience stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets and partner outlets. Enjoy the same
delicious chocolate milk that’s packed with energy and 10 nutrients of Multipro® to keep you charged up all day long.

For more on Goodday and their efforts to legitimise esports, follow them on
www.facebook.com/gooddaymilkmalaysia or www.instagram.com/gooddaymilkmy

 

*Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences
*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9399313/
**https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335420386_Systematic_Literature_Review_The_Effect_of_Dairy_Milk_on_Markers_of_Recovery_Optimisation_in_Response_to_Endurance_Exercise
***https://themalaysianreserve.com/2023/09/11/esports-as-emerging-sector-boosting-malaysias-economy/#:~:text=With%20more%20than%2014

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