Shows
ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsOpening the Mailbox: Chinese Innovation, Chinese Dating Apps, Learning Chinese & LabubuWe bring back ShanghaiMailbox! Thanks for your questions. Here are the questions you submitted that Ali and I answered on today's podcast. Enjoy!1. If you had your own money, what’s one Chinese startup or trend you’d invest in right now that most foreigners have never heard of?2. Learning Mandarin used to be the rage, but now it’s less popular. With all the powerful apps and AI is it still worth learning a second language?3. How do you think of online dating in China? That is, the online “Relationship-shopping” culture.4. What differe...2025-08-0438 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Uncertain Future of the Agency Holdco Model with Mark HeapHas agency consolidation begun to backfire? The media agency is undergoing a massive transformation as holding companies consolidate their operations & rebrand around unified entities. What does this seismic shift mean for the future of the industry? Will the industry's current path lead to better outcomes or just more cost-cutting? Is this the independent agency's big moment?Joining us is Mark Heap, Founder of Mark Heap Consulting. Mark advises businesses on growth strategy, organization transformation & leadership development. He's the former CEO of Mindshare in EMEA and Mediacom in APAC. He spent 10 years in China from 2003 to 2013 serving roles at PH...2025-07-1355 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsBeing an Innovative Leader in Today's New Reality with Nishta MehtaChina's business landscape in 2025 is unforgiving—consumer spending is down, competition is fiercer than ever, and companies face a brutal reality: adapt or die. The old playbooks aren't working, traditional marketing approaches are falling flat, and while everyone knows they need to change, most don't know what to do or how to do it. In this environment, the difference between companies that thrive and those that merely survive comes down to one thing: innovative leadership that can actually navigate the messy, uncomfortable process of transformation in real-time. Today, we're diving deep into what it takes to transition into your innovative su...2025-06-2650 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Dark Side of the China Media BusinessToday's episode delves into a facet of the China media business that everyone is aware of, but few are willing to discuss. Media corruption was so prevalent in the early days of the digital industry in 2010 that it became a competitive advantage for some companies. We all knew that it was big, but how big? We discovered this later, following the news about the GroupM scandal in 2023. Today's guest goes by the pseudonym "F. B." and is the author of the memoir, "Confessions of a Chinese American Swindler: My Rise, Fall, and Exile from the Cutthroat World of Chinese Advertising." T...2025-06-0748 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsAI as Co-Creator: Redefining the Marketing Process with Pierre BerardHow will AI impact marketing teams, agencies, and processes? While 85% of marketers report using AI tools, they struggle to integrate AI into the workplace. How can you make work? We’re joined by Pierre Berard, former China hand and a senior marketing executive who’s led some of the world’s top luxury and consumer brands and is now the founder of alphabrand.ai. This new platform helps marketers work faster, smarter, and more creatively with AI.1. What parts of marketing are most impacted by AI right now?2. Is it the way that content is created? How will it...2025-05-2353 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsDecoding Brand China Using Semiotics: Panos DimitropoulosHow can brands visually connect with Chinese consumers? What cultural codes effectively resonate with consumers, leading to trial and purchase? Today, we speak with Panos Dimitropoulos, a seasoned semiotician and cultural strategy expert. Panos helps brands connect culturally in China. He spent over a decade in China, leading Kantar's cultural intelligence team and guiding clients through China's evolving symbolic landscape. He's also the founder of Two Words Agency.1. What exactly is semiotics? Why should marketers care?2. What does it mean to see cultural codes in daily life? How can strategists start training themselves to do this, or...2025-05-0656 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsTapping into China's Wellness Revolution: Strategic Opportunities for Brands with Henry ShenChina has become a country obsessed with wellness. Over the past few episodes, we have had several guests highlight the growing importance of wellness, whether it relates to fitness or changes in the country's demographics. We thought we'd take the opportunity to take a deeper look at wellness. According to a McKinsey study, 87% of Chinese consumers consider wellness a top priority in their lives. Why is wellness such an important topic these days in China? Is this something that all brands should be incorporating into their communications? To discuss the growing importance of wellness for brands, we are proud...2025-04-2147 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Rise of Female Automobile Power in China: Grey/AQKA's Janice Kok & Reiko WuOver the past decade, women in China have become a driving force (pun intended) in car purchases, from compact EVs to high-end luxury vehicles. But how are brands adapting their marketing to meet the needs of female consumers? What trends are shaping their buying decisions? To help us unpack this, we’re joined by Janice Kok, Head of Strategy, and Reiko Wu, Planning Director, both at GREY & AKQA China. Janice is a seasoned strategist with over 20 years of experience in brand and marketing strategy, particularly in the Chinese market. Janice and Reiko recently released a white paper, “Her Choic...2025-04-0749 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChina's Retail Revolution: How SHEIN, Temu, and TikTok are Reshaping Global Commerce - Ed Sander4 out of the top 8 Apps on the US Apple Store come from China. Many are shopping platforms such as SHEIN, Temu and TikTok Shop. These platforms have strong algorithms, massive supply chain networks, and seemingly bottomless investment pockets. Is the West slowly becoming addicted to Chinese-style online shopping? We talked to Ed Sander, who is the co-founder of ChinaTalk, a Dutch service provider specializing in knowledge transfer about China. Ed also writes for the TechBuzz China substack.1. You arrange business tours in China. Tell us about the upcoming Spring Exclusive Investor Electric Vehicle Trip. Is it too late to...2025-03-2253 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsOpening the Mailbox: Branding, Retail, Livestreaming, Media & More: Stephen DrummondIt's time to open our listener mail! We solicited questions on LinkedIn and WeChat and are ready to answer your questions about China marketing and advertising. We're joined with China's leading brand strategist consultant, Stephen Drummond. Steve is an industry legend who has worked for agencies and clients. He's now a freelance brand consultant, based in Shanghai:1. Question: 1: Are brands in China talking more about brand building these days?2. Question 2: How do we keep our brand at the top of people's minds when most people ignore ads?3. Question 3: Do eCommerce systems in China with immediate links fr...2025-03-0443 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsA China Slowdown: From Patience to Profit with Alex Duncan We challenge the narrative surrounding China's economic slowdown to reveal an unexpected truth: today's market conditions might be ideal for patient brand builders. Alex Duncan, former co-founder of a Chinese social media platform and a 15-year China veteran, shares fresh insights from his recent return to Shanghai, making a compelling case for why now – when consumer confidence is at historic lows and competitors are scrambling for quick sales – might be the perfect moment for strategic brand entry. This episode offers a masterclass on turning market challenges into long-term opportunities in the world's second-largest economy, from the paradox of convenience-killing convenience store...2025-02-1652 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Big China Market Correction of 2025: Trend Spotting with Chris Baker & Minnie WangIn this report, it's called the 20/80 rule. Are we going to see a lot of brands exiting the Chinese market, or are there still opportunities? We're back for round #2, covering Totem Media's 2025 Marketing & Media Trends. Today, we talk about the 25 considerations, although we go through all of them, just the key ones. We're honored to have Totem Media Founder Chris Baker back on the show. Joining Chris is Minnie Wang, Senior Reporter for Campaign Asia. Minnie covers the marketing and advertising issues of Greater China for the magazine.1. Looking at the considerations, #4 "Brands Still in Disbelief" - Can yo...2025-02-0245 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Decline of TikTok, the Rise of Rednote, and End of App Loyalty - With Olivia PlotnickWord on the street that Chinese app Xiaohongshu or Rednote, as it is now called, was not expecting nor prepared for the 500K and counting American TikTok Refugees that have downloaded and migrated to the app. Is Rednote a short-lived thing? Will people eventually move back to TikTok, or has the West entered the world of "App Fluidity," where communities move from place to place without little concern for the platform they are on? To discuss this, we are joined by Shanghai-based Wai Social's Founder, Olivia Plotnick. 1. What is Xiaohongshu or Rednote? How is it different from TikTok?2...2025-01-1849 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe 2025 China Brand Equity & ROI Paradox - Totem's Chris Baker & OMD's Ahle KuangWelcome to Season 4! Today, we're also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2025 Totem China's Marketing & Media Trends Report. We hope to solve the biggest challenge in China marketing: is performance marketing, and are brands nowadays just focused on short-term sales gains? According to Totem's report, 48% of marketers plan to decrease their 2025 marketing budgets, and 31% now rank sales conversion as their top objective. Amid this, an economy that's shaping up to be the "new normal," a normal that surprisingly looks like everywhere else in the world. To discuss, Totem's Chris Baker joins us again this year, along with OMD China's General Man...2025-01-1055 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsSocial Media Intelligence vs. Traditional Research: Target Social's Wang Tao on the Future of Consumer InsightsHow has consumer research evolved since the advent of social media? Can social media drive insights, or do we still need interviews and focus groups? We speak with Wang Tao, who is the Head of Strategy & Innovation for the Shanghai-based agency Target Social 仟传网络. Target Social is China's largest full-service social performance consultancy, providing a complete range of services that help brands take control of their social media investment.1. What's your current job, and what does Target Social do?2. What's the difference between your consulting role at your current vs. previous job?3. How do you extract data from socia...2024-12-2651 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsSpring Festival to Singles Day: Festivals in Modern China Marketing: Hope HongAre traditional festivals still essential drivers in the Chinese marketing calendar? Or are they overshadowing the modern shopping days that seemingly overpower attention? We welcome Hope Hong, founder of Chuanmer, a non-profit organization specializing in cross-cultural marketing consulting, experience planning, curation, and promotion. Hope is based in Vienna. Besides being a cultural ambassador, Hope is a mom and a digital marketing leader working at Austria's largest telco.1. What is Chuanmener?2. How important is Chuanmener rooted in being a Chinese mother?3. Do you see Chinese festivals as being more critical when you're living abroad?4. Are the moder...2024-12-1037 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsFrom Mass Appeal to Micro Moments: The Future of China Livestream E-CommerceWe're thrilled to re-broadcast an insightful episode from the Sinica Podcast, where host Kaiser Kuo sits down with Bryce Whitwam to delve into the ever-evolving world of Chinese livestream e-commerce. Bryce's latest research highlights a fascinating shift: Chinese consumers increasingly gravitate toward smaller, more personalized livestream shows that foster greater interaction with hosts. While large-scale shows with millions of viewers still exist, they’re gradually being replaced by micro-targeted streams on platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin, which offer a more authentic and engaging experience. This evolution carries significant implications for brands looking to connect with highly targeted audiences in China. It...2024-11-2658 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsTime for Brands to Do a Discount Detox? With Jacques RoizenWe’re unpacking a critical issue affecting luxury and prestige brands operating in China’s discount-heavy e-commerce landscape. With platforms like Tmall and JD and emerging competitors like Douyin and Pinduoduo, brands are constantly pressured to use aggressive discounting strategies to boost sales and visibility.Jacques Roizen, managing director of China Consulting at Digital Luxury Group, joins us as an industry expert who guides some of the world’s top prestige and luxury brands through these challenges. Together, we’ll explore the long-term impact of discount culture on brand equity, why some brands are starting to ‘detox’ from discounts, a...2024-11-1541 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsTargeting Outbound Chinese Travelers with Subramania Bhatt and Mark ShrivesChinese outbound travel is returning, which is great news for luxury brands. To many brands, overseas travel has always been a source of awareness, validation and purchase. How can brands take advantage of this opportunity? We speak to Subramania Bhatt, CEO of the China Trading Desk, a digital marketing and research firm targeting these travelers. Subbu's company recently published a travel insights study that shows a changing Chinese travel demographic. Joining Subramania is Mark Shrives. Mark leads Marriott Digital Services for Asia, which is based in Bangkok. Alongside his team of 35 digital consultants, Mark guides Marriott International's APEC portfolio of h...2024-11-0351 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChinese Women in Tech with Dr. Susan ZhangWhat are China's technology opportunities for Chinese women? Are Chinese companies becoming more gender diverse, or are coveted STEM careers still largely avoided by Chinese women? We asked Dr. Susan Zhang about the state of Chinese women in tech. Dr. Zhang is a high-energy business executive and serial entrepreneur. Her journey has taken her to incredible heights in Australia, China, and the UK. She has inspired many young entrepreneurs with her legacy at Google, ByteDance (TikTok), Amazon, and Canva. She is the book author of 'Life Outside My Comfort Zone', a TEDx speaker, and an award-winning role model for Women in...2024-10-1739 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChina CRM Redefined: Navigating Clienteling with Aurelien RigartWelcome to the world of Clienteling: it's a world where the brand manages the client relationship. It's an online/offline integration ecosystem that is alive in China, but the West has no equivalent. In the clienteling world, retail sales become online sales associates, and brands promote their products directly to the customer database, all possible thanks to WeChat. Shanghai-based digital transformation consultancy ITC Consultis co-founder and Vice President Aurelien Rigart takes us through this journey. When will Clienteling come to the rest of the world?Listen and discover!1. What are the biggest challenges for foreign brands embracing di...2024-09-231h 03ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Post-Olympics Show: Opportunities for Chinese BrandsWhat opportunities exist for Chinese brands post-Olympics? In this world of micro-targeting and community building, smaller brands can take advantage of sponsoring Chinese athletes who may not be as expensive as sports celebrities like Eileen Gu. Did the Paris Olympics help break China's overseas travel slump? Ali and Bryce take a China marketing take on the recent Paris games.1. Opening Ceremony: Was it successful for a social media audience?2. Will the Paris Olympics encourage more Chinese to travel abroad?3. Ali talks about Yili Milk and his POV on their alternative sponsorship strategy4. Social media advertising Olym...2024-09-0430 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe China Outbound Education Industry & the Impact of AI: Jimmy LimIn 2023, over 1 million Chinese students went abroad to study, and this number is increasing as the job market sours back home. Today, we speak with Sydney-based Jimmy Lim, co-founder and Managing Director of AIG Education Group, about the Chinese overseas education phenomenon and why it shows no signs of slowing down. AI will come into play in the application process as Australian universities are now flooded with applications. 1. Why is Australia still popular for Chinese students studying abroad?2. Who is applying? What are the roles of the international schools in China? 3. How do you get into a...2024-08-1943 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChina Livestream Commerce 2.0: This Next Evolution Will Go GlobalWhat's the new evolution of Chinese e-commerce, and why will it impact how Westerners shop?Ali and Bryce discuss China's new livestream e-commerce transformation. It has evolved from the days of the big livestreamers to hundreds of thousands of mini-livestreamers competing for attention with only several hundred viewers. This evolution is happening on Douyin, TikTok China's cousin, which has used its sophisticated algorithm to serve just-in-time content that intuitively knows what you might just want to buy.1. Overview of Bryce's recent trip back to Shanghai2. Who did Bryce interview for his live stream study? What...2024-07-2935 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsWorking for a Local Agency or Brand- China PR Expert: Harriet GaywoodHave you ever considered working for a local Chinese company? We thought we would ask 20-plus-year PR expert, ultra-marathon runner, and ethnic musicologist Harriet Gaywood, who previously worked at Chinese firm Blue Focus and recently was the VP of Public Relations at Huawei. How is it different from working at a foreign firm? What are the challenges? Is this a viable career option for new recruits?1. What's your elevator pitch?2. What's the state of the Chinese PR industry? Is there room for advertising and PR agencies in today's social media world?3. What was it like working f...2024-07-1352 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsNavigating Chinese Beauty Slang for Growing Niche Brands: Red Ant's Elisa Harca & Ching XieEpisode 60! Yeah! To talk to beauty consumers on social media, beauty brands have to be adept at Chinese social media beauty slang. What's the difference between the #Boiled Water Look (白开水妆容) and #Rich Daughter Makeup (富家千金妆) )? Elisa Harca, Co-Founder and Asia CEO of Red Ant, and Ching Xie, Client Partner at Red Ant Asia, join us in unpacking the important lingo. Red Ant is an award-winning agency that specializes in fashion and beauty, working with some of the world's coolest brands, including LUSH, tarte, CREED, and Amika, to name a few.1. What's the deal with Red Ant? How did you get into myrmecology?2. Tell...2024-06-2453 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsIdea to Launch & Beyond: Introducing "The Map" of Shenzhen: Henk WernerHow do you bring a product idea to life in the area of the world that produces over 80% of the world's electronic consumer products? Meet Troublemakers' founder, Henk Werner. He's lived in Shenzhen for almost 12 years and guides many worldwide who might have a cool product idea but don't know how to make it a reality. Henk serves as their guide to the Greater Bay network of over 270,000 factories, connecting them with experts in product design, product development, and manufacturing. He's not called "The Map" for nothing.1. Why are you called "the Map"?2. Why Shenzhen? What makes Shenz...2024-06-0756 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe 2024 Beijing Autoshow: an Auto Industry Wake-up Call, with Bill RussoAccording to this week's guest, automobile industry expert Bill Russo, this year's Autoshow China, held in Beijing, was a wake-up call to the global automobile industry. China has clearly leapfrogged the global auto industry, making products that aren't just transportation vehicles but literally smartphones on wheels. According to Russo, the global auto industry is still living in the 20th century. With the EV tariffs looming in the U.S., are Westerners deprived of owning the next and best iPhone?1. What was big at this year's Beijing auto show compared to previous ones? What made this year's show a re...2024-05-2456 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Temu + Shein Chinese E-commerce InvasionWelcome to the latest invasion; it's not TikTok but Shein & Temu!It's hard to imagine that 4 of the top 8 U.S. iPhone App Store apps are from China. While TikTok and Capcut make the list, the two big surprises are e-commerce juggernauts Temu and Shein. These companies operate unique, manufacturer-to-customer business models and do not manufacture products; they simply work with armies of factories throughout China to use powerful algorithms to serve up a plethora of options. Shein reached an estimated $24 billion in revenue in 2022, while Temu reached 161 million users worldwide. What's the future of these two platforms? H...2024-05-0945 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChina's 10 Considerations for Marketers in 2024: Chris Baker & Minnie WangHow can brands take advantage of China's new transformation? We decided to invite our livestream episode guests, Chris Baker, founder of Totem, and Minne Wang, Senior Reporter with Campaign Asia, for an in-depth discussion on 5 of the 10 considerations in Totem Media's 2024 report. The report (with links below) is a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of marketing in China for the next few years.1. Consideration 1: Value Purchases rule - will this impact brands with weak value propositions? We think so.2. Consideration 2: Wealth Divides Growing - are we seeing changes in the ever-important middle class?3. Con...2024-04-2354 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsMade Better by China: Authors, Bessie Lee & Peter BomerAli and Bryce welcome authors Bessie Lee and Peter Bomer of the book, "China Inside Out," which explores themes of innovation, entrepreneurship, and challenges through interviews with some of China's leading business minds. The interviews were taken from Bessie's popular podcast, Bei Wang Lu(贝望录). Bei Wang Lu showcases the thoughts and actions of leading market and business leaders in China. Bessie is the former CEO of WPP and GroupM and is currently CEO of JLL. Peter is currently CEO of The China Hack.China Inside Out explores themes such as the digital transformation in Chinese retail, the distinctive charact...2024-04-0952 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsLivestream Recap Episode: 2024 China at the Crossroads: What Stood Out to UsWhere is China heading in 2024? Ali and Bryce decided to do a quick recap of our livestream event last week to highlight a couple of the major trends that stood out for us. You can watch the livestream event by clicking below OR download the entire report yourself. Check out the link below.1. What surprised you? How will advertisers react based on the trends based on the investment scenarios? Brands will spend a lot more on last-mile.2. The reconfiguration of media spending blew Bryce away, especially. the rise of Xiaohongshu and Douyin and the importance of socia...2024-03-2333 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsAd Fraud: How Bad is it? With FouAnalytics Founder, Dr. Augustine FouChina ad fraud has been in the headlines recently, and we wanted to have a show about it. As expected, getting someone on the show to discuss this sensitive topic has been impossible. But we finally found one: Dr. Augustine Fou. He is the Founder of Fou Analytics and a leading expert in the field, boasting a profound understanding of digital marketing, cybersecurity, and advertising. With a Ph.D. from MIT, Dr. Fou has been on the frontline of programmatic and digital marketing for three decades.1. What is ad fraud? What is it, and how does it work?2024-03-0849 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Best of the Best 2024 China Marketing Trends ShowWhat are the big marketing, advertising, and technology trends facing China in 2024? Ali and Bryce scoured the internet so you don't have to, uncovering 3 trends we think everyone should be paying attention to. What are the "meh" trends - the ones we have seen before, ones without context or thought, or ones simply that won't happen at all? We call these "BS Trends."Ali's Trends:1. China's Rise of Mindful Consumption: How can brands take advantage of this trend?2. Personalization & AI: What do you win/lose as a marketer with hyper-personalization?Bryce's Trend: The Revenge of Creat...2024-02-2231 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsFuture Proofing the China Agency: Mindshare China's CEO: Ben ConditWill AI become a hindrance or a revolution to Chinese media? Mindshare China CEO Ben Condit says bring it on! Condit sees AI as the answer to much of the overcomplexity in China's tech platforms, some of which require over 11 stops to book a single piece of media. Ben gives us an insider perspective of why Mindshare China is constantly recognized as one of China's largest, most successful, and awarded agencies.1. Why is your life like a box of chocolates as China CEO? Or is it a roller coaster?2. Map out the evolution of Mindshare China and the...2024-02-0951 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsPerformance Marketing China: The End of Advertising as We Know It?Has performance marketing signaled the end of traditional marketing in China? Traditional marketing focuses more on slowly building brand awareness, creating a slow burn, and driving an emotional connection with consumers. On the other hand, performance marketing is more about results in the quest to drive sales and leads. Thanks to digital platforms, China's advertising is now 79% devoted to performance marketing. Brands are throwing away long-term emotive ads and are going for communications that quickly drive the bottom line.Is this simply lazy marketing? Can advertising be both emotive AND performance-led? Ali and I debate this on today's ep...2024-01-2634 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe China Entrepreneur Show: Jing-A Beer & the Making of a Local BrandWhat does starting a successful brand from ZERO in the Middle Kingdom take? We spoke to Alex Acker and Kristian Li, co-founders of Jing A Beer. Based in Beijing, Jing-A now has ten tap rooms in the capital, with one in Shenzhen. Jing-A is also available in Singapore.Jing-A describes itself as a brewery that is in constant motion. Started by Kris and Alex in 2012, Jing-A is obsessed with hunting down rare ingredients and unexpected flavors to brew beers, intertwining its distinctive Beijing roots. Alex and Kris also collaborate with brewers from all over the world with the g...2024-01-1255 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsWill Livestream Commerce Become a Hit Outside China? Agree or Disagree?Welcome to Season 3 of ShanghaiZhan! We thought for this season, we would try something a bit different. In addition to our popular interviews, Ali and I will cover pressing issues ourselves in a series called Agree or Disagree.Will live stream commerce become a hit outside of China? Livestreaming is projected to hit $65 billion in the U.S., representing 5% of total e-commerce. Livestream channels on TikTok have made it more approachable to consumers outside of China, and viewer numbers, although still relatively small, are growing. In China, live streaming is an enigma, with over 500 million consumers regularly engaging in...2023-12-2929 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChinese Design & the Making of a Multinational Brand: Danny DuThis episode focuses on the elements behind Chinese design, its unique characteristics, and how it's shaping global design ethos. Please welcome Danny Du, whose work in Shanghai, particularly with the Geely Design Global and now at BASF's Creation Center as APAC design lead, has marked him as a leader, bringing Chinese design aesthetics to the world.1. What does it take for a Chinese brand to be truly multinational? Do they design for China or a global audience? Which comes first?2. Is "less is more" now more accepted by Chinese consumers, or do they prefer design elements tha...2023-12-1847 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsCharting China's Hotel & Travel Industry's Post-Pandemic CourseWe're talking about the Chinese hotel and travel industry today and are joined by Hugh Xu, a veteran in the travel and hospitality sectors with over 20 years of experience. Hugh has held critical roles in several Fortune 500 companies. Most recently, he served as the General Manager of Sales & Marketing at Sunmei Hotel Group, overseeing over 500 properties and 28 brands. Before that, he was with the Huazhu Hotel Group, managing sales and marketing for their upscale brands. Hugh's expertise extends to digital marketing and e-commerce, having driven significant initiatives at the NH Hotel Group and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. 1. How do a...2023-11-1858 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsManaging Businesses & Talent in Low Growth China - Mark Wang of Grace BlueFor 20 years, China was about speed and scale, but it seems now that era has ended for many agencies and companies. Sales are dropping; budgets are being cut. Project pitching is now a weekly thing for many agencies as brands focus solely on performance marketing. How should China businesses adjust for times that may not go as quickly as before? This week we speak to Mark Wang, Senior Consultant at Grace Blue, focusing on executive talent in marketing and communications in China. Mark previously led Edelman China and was Managing Director at OgilvyOne Beijing. Mark has also held positions at L...2023-10-2041 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsShanghai Ning in NYC: Estee Lauder's Gary Chu & Mark JiangAli and Bryce were expats in Shanghai; what's it like for two Chinese senior global marketing executives working and living in New York? Today's podcast interviews Gary Chu and Mark Jiang from the Estee Lauder Companies, based in New York. ELC includes brands such as Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, La Mer, and Tom Ford Beauty. Gary was VP for the Online business from 2014 to 2020 and was responsible for leading the company's dominance in China e-commerce across 12 flagship stores. Mark was previously VP and Brand General Manager for MAC Cosmetics China. Mark and Gary are now senior VPs leading E...2023-09-2255 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsRocking China with Dr. Andrew FieldWe're talking rock and roll with Dr. Andrew Field, Associate Professor of Chinese History at Duke Kunshan University. Andrew is the recent author of "Rocking China", a book that traces the rise and spread of indie rock from the rock capital of Beijing to Shanghai and other places in China. Through interviews with key players, Dr. Field explores the meanings of rock music in China society and the many obstacles to developing indie rock in the country.1. Let's start from the beginning of the "Chinese New Wave" : how did indie rock make it to China?2. Why Beijing? Why...2023-08-2654 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChina Transforming Digital: Insights from Wiredcraft's CEO, Ronan BerderWhat does it take for brands in China to transform their businesses to be digital-ready? We asked Wiredcraft CEO and Co-founder Ronan Berder to provide his insights into what companies need to evolve their businesses. Ronan has been instrumental in driving digital innovation and transformation for such brands as Starbucks, Nike, and Hilton and provides us with stories and strategies behind China's digital revolution.1. What is digital transformation? How can you work with these major companies, and what lessons can other businesses learn?2. What has led to such rapid adoption of digital transformation in China? How hav...2023-07-2854 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsUnmasking China's Underrepresentation at Cannes: A Missed Opportunity?Why was China almost a no-show at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity this year? Is it the quality of the work, or is it because China is no longer interested in participating on the global stage? We talk to 2 people who have just returned from Cannes Lions, and they give us their unique perspectives.Today's guests are Robert Sawatzky, Asia Editor Director at Campaign Asia, a part of Haymarket Media. Robert's work has been showcased across various platforms, from CNN to Campaign UK, highlighting his significant influence in the media landscape.Joining Robert, we have R...2023-07-0747 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsInside China's Beauty Business with Stéphane WilmetStéphane Wilmet, a highly accomplished executive in the consumer beauty industry, joins our show today. With over 30 years of experience, Wilmet has held prominent positions in both the United States and China. Notably, he served as the Chief Consumer Officer at L'Oréal China, where he oversaw consumer strategic branding, insights, foresight, and M&A activities, playing a crucial role in shaping the company's brand strategies and understanding the Chinese market. During the pandemic, Wilmet returned to the United States and worked as the Senior Vice President, of M&A, at L'Oréal USA in New York. He w...2023-05-2750 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Future of Brands, Creativity, & Technology: A Conversation with Ogilvy China CEO, Chris ReitermannWe recently had the opportunity to speak with Chris Reitermann, the Co-Chief Executive of Ogilvy Asia and CEO of Greater China, about the role of AI in the advertising business in China. With an impressive 28-year career at Ogilvy, Chris has been instrumental in the successful rise of advertising in China. Ogilvy China is one of the country's largest and most respected agencies, and it was awarded Integrated Marketing Agency of the Year by Campaign Asia in 2022. So, what does Chris have to say about the future of AI in branding in China? 1. Are we at another crossroads w...2023-04-2854 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsHow China is Leading in Innovation & How the West Can Catch Up: Author, Joanna HutchinsJoanna Hutchins is the author of "Chinafy: How China is Leading In Innovation and How the Rest of the World Can Catch Up," now available on Amazon & Kinokuniya. In the book, Joanna explores 9 key catalysts that all businesses can effectively "Chinafy" their business. Joanna has over 25 years of experience leading B2B and B2C businesses globally, with over 20 years of experience in China. In addition to her many agency roles, Joanna spent over 9 years at Unilever, rising to a Global Brand Director, based in Shanghai.1. What's the reason for the book, and why are you writing it now?2023-03-2646 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsMarketing Consumer Occasions on Douyin/Tik Tok with VMLY&R's JJ WangCan Tik Tok market to specific consumer occasions, encouraging trial and purchase? Meet JJ Wang, Senior Business Leader at WPP agency VMLY&R, based in Shanghai. She's the recent author of an interesting whitepaper about occasion marketing, co-authored with Douyin/Tik Tok. JJ has been in the industry for about 10 years and believes in building brand culture, even in digital times. For Myers Briggs fans, JJ is an ESFJ.1. What's Occasion Marketing, and how is it different from Mass Marketing?2. How does Occasion Marketing work in the digital space?3. The evolution of China beverage produ...2023-02-2437 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsTapping into China's Great Outdoors - Matthew Jung of Jack WolfskinRecreational camping used to be a niche in China, but now it's become a bit of a rage. The China outdoor market reached $60 billion in 2018 and is expected to hit $100 billion by 2025. By all estimates, around 100 million Chinese go camping every year, which is a small number relevant to the population, but that's a higher number than the 40 million Americans who go camping! What's causing the sudden rise in interest in camping?To discuss this, we have industry veteran Matthew Jung, General Manager Greater China for the German outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin. Mathew, or as his f...2023-02-1044 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsCivilization's Andrew Lok & the Business of CreativityWelcome to Season 2!Today we are talking about creativity in the marketing and advertising industry, and we’re honored to have one of China’s most award-winning Creative Directors, Andrew Lok, on today’s show. He started his career in Singapore as a journalist for UPI, but decided it was more fun to create news than report it, so he joined the advertising industry. After stints raising the creative rankings of Ogilvy China, based in Guangzhou and Beijing, he moved to Shanghai, where he served as Executive Creative Director for BBDO. In 2012, he founded Civilization, based in Shanghai, now one o...2023-01-2747 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms(ENCORE PERFORMANCE): Annie Su & the Intersection of Food & AdvertisingMeet Annie Su: she's a full-time marketing executive and part-time foodie. Originally from Taiwan, most of her career has been in advertising agencies before recently joining the client side. She spent the prime of her career with Ogilvy, first in Taipei, then Beijing, and finally, Shanghai. Annie is also the author of 2 books, 1. 日尝时光：下班陪你进厨房 2. 当冰箱：只剩下乌鱼子, books about food, stories, culture, and the human experience. You learn why Annie has had a successful career in the fine art of listening to others.1. Food & advertising: how are they connected2. Cooking food & telling stories: about Annie's first book3. Traveling, Conversations & Stories: about Annies 2nd book4. A future in adve...2023-01-1723 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms(ENCORE PERFORMANCE): Evolving From KOLs to Chinese Influencer Groups: Julien LapkaEncore Performance: (Recorded, Feb 8, 2022) - Our #1 most downloaded episode from Season 1! What's the future of influencer marketing in China? To insights expert Julien Lapka, successful brands focus on influencer groups rather than KOL powerhouses such as Austin Li. It comes down to uncovering unique insights not often found in databases. Julien is the founder of Inner Chapter, an agency that turns insights into commercial IP. Julien is also co-owner of Revolving Door, a speakeasy behind a small coffee shop located near XinTianDi in Shanghai. 1. Why open a speakeasy, and what's behind the name Revolving Door?2. How e-co...2023-01-1033 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChina Marketing During the Tough Times: Inner Chapter's Julien LapkaSeason 1's Final Episode welcomes back our #1 most downloaded guest, insights expert, and Founder of Inner Chapter, Julien Lapka. Julien gazes into his crystal ball and gives us some "healthy" predictions for 2023 and gives suggestions for marketing during the tough times. And despite the recent opening of Zero Covid, Julien remains optimistic for 2023.1. Why is 2022 his best year of business so far.2. Moving from brand to product-based marketing3. Reaching difficult target groups, especially the +55-year-olds, 2022's most sought-after demographic.4. Product marketing's origins come from e-commerce search results5. Doing ethnography research during the Covid lockdown times2022-12-1945 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsBig 2023 China Retail Predictions with Kantar's Jason YuWe've spent a lot of time in the past talking about China's e-commerce boom, but what about traditional trade? 9 out of 10 purchase decisions in China are aided by a trip to the store. Today we're talking about traditional trade and big retail trends, and we're honored to have Jason Yu, Managing Director for Greater China at Kantar Worldpanel. You'll quickly learn why Jason is the undisputed expert on China retail.1. What's the World Panel, and how does it work? How does it measure e-commerce?2. Given all the data out through e-commerce, why should brands buy a panel subscr...2022-11-2545 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Road to China Marketing Effectiveness with Dhiren AminHas China’s obsession with achieving sales targets sacrificed long-term brand growth, or does it matter anymore? Now with another Single's Day shopping event behind us, we look at the state of brand building in a market dominated by e-commerce sales campaigns.We're talking to Dhiren Amin, currently CMO at NTUC Income, based in Singapore. H was previously Asia CMO for Kraft-Heinz, based in Shanghai. Dhiren is one of the most active CMOs in the effectiveness awards space and is a big proponent of their participation. 1. Being a regional CMO based in Shanghai under Covid meant 6 quaranti...2022-11-1142 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsExporting Made in China Through Influencers: Relay Club's Jim FieldsCan Chinese brands get a voice abroad? Today we are talking to Jim Fields. He's a social media influencer on YouTube and Bili Bili with tens of thousands of followers - and he recently founded an influencer management platform for Chinese brands going outbound called relay.club, which has just finished a round of angel fundraising. 1. What is Relay Club, and what problem is it set up to solve?2. What's the advantage of a China-based influencer service? It's about authenticity. 3. What are the differences between influencer marketing in China and the West?4. Is there a diffe...2022-10-2846 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Rising China Sports Fashion Industry: Gavin Lum of LululemonWhat's new with the sports fashion industry in China? Now at $45 billion US annually, it continues to expand and grow. Everyone is getting into the game, including luxury brands. Gucci, Prada, and LV are all getting into street fashion to attract younger targets. And with the strength of local brands, will market leaders Nike and Adidas weather the storm?We are talking to Gavin Lum, who's spent the last 14 years in China working for leading agencies and brands, all dedicated to the sports industry. Gavin previously worked at the agency Weiden + Kennedy before moving to a career at Adida...2022-10-1435 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe China/America Education Connection: NYU Shanghai's Jeffrey LehmanIs China still a great place to study? Despite our differences, some institutions keep the spirit of positive collaboration between China and America alive, and one of them is NYU. We spoke to NYU Shanghai's Vice Chancellor, Jeffrey Lehman, about the globalization of education. Why, despite Covid restrictions, should students consider China a place to study? 1. Shanghai to Shenzhen: what's China's big draw?2. What's NYU Shanghai about? What makes it different?3. The magic of the Chinese student/foreign student split 4. The difference between globalized education and studying abroad5. Employee training and the role of universitie...2022-09-3037 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Future of the Chinese Metaverse: Unilever's Tom Hui YoungTom Hui Young talks about his real passion, the metaverse, and how it will change how we live, shop, work, and interact with products. Tom is a molecular biologist but, his true passion lives in the human experience in a virtual world. If you thought the metaverse was about geeky Mark Zuckerberg avatars and bulky Oculus glasses, this is the episode for you!Tom is an innovator, software architect, data scientist, futurist, runner, and entrepreneur. He holds a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology. Tom has spent a long time re...2022-09-1639 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Eventual Demise of the Automobile & The Rise of Chinese Mobility - Bill RussoOUR 25th EPISODE!Meet Bill Russo, Founder and CEO of Shanghai-based Automobility. Bill founded a strategy and investment advisory firm that helps its clients build and profit from the future of mobility. In this episode, Bill provides a bleak outlook for the foreign automobile manufacturers in China who have missed the opportunity to re-think mobility as something more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and fundamentally more profitable than the current model, which relies purely on a one-time sale of a product and its eventual maintenance and repair. To Bill, the automobile is the least efficient device on Earth, but China co...2022-09-0255 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsReimagining the Chinese Workspace Under the New Normal - Dominic PenalozaWhat's the state of the workspace in Shanghai these days? What are the latest trends in work environments what's the role of technology? Will China go with the rest of the world and adapt the hybrid working model?Meet ex-Naked Hub/ex-WeWork China executive Dominic Penaloza to answer these questions. Dominic is a serial entrepreneur and has lived in Shanghai for 16 years. He was previously the founder of the professional social platform, You Shi, before moving into a role as Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Naked Hub, a Shanghai-based company where he, his team, the technology products they buil...2022-08-1947 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChina + Europe: The Cross Continental E-Commerce Connection: Victoria GlanzMeet Victoria Glanz, a 12-year expert in bringing foreign brands to China and successfully launching them in e-commerce. Until recently, she led international expansion for Baozun, China's leading e-commerce service provider, launching its offices in Paris. She is launching a new company called Sesame that helps brands sell better online, taking her experience from China. You'll quickly discover there isn't much about China e-commerce that Victoria doesn't know.1. I never chose e-commerce in the first place, but not it's my obsession day and night.2. The demand is ready in Europe for e-commerce, but the offer is not yet bei...2022-08-0548 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsTaking Brand China to the World: Ogilvy PR's Scott KronickWe sat down with former Asia-Pacific CEO of Ogilvy PR, Scott Kronick, who is indisputably the father of modern PR in China. Scott lived in China for 29 years and is easily one of the longest serving agency leaders, foreigner or Chinese, in the China ad business. What's it going to take for Chinese brands to go abroad? This is the question we asked Scott, who's been behind the effort to take many successful and large-scale brands outside of China. China used to be about cheap goods, but now it represents attributes largely unknown back when Scott first came to Ch...2022-07-2237 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsMaking Documentaries in China: Oscar Winner, Malcolm Clarke + Producer, Han YiWe are talking about making documentary films in China with 2-time Oscar-winning, 4-time nominated Academy Award documentary film director, Malcolm Clarke. We are also joined by Han Yi, a Golden Horse-winning producer of documentary films. Malcolm is originally from the UK while Yi is from Chengdu, but both are currently living in Shanghai.Malcolm and Yi reside at Artefact Entertainment, and have collaborated on a number of recent films, including "Better Angels"; a mini-series, "A Long Cherished Dream", and most recently, the controversial, "Hong Kong Returns". Malcolm & Yi share both the joys and challenges of making documentaries in Chi...2022-07-0847 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Next Generation of China Advertising: Super KOL, Mia LiuOur 20th Episode! Today we meet Mia Liu, she's a famous influencer and fashion blogger, or, as they say in China, Key Opinion Leader (KOL). With over 3 million fans on Weibo, Mia creates engaging content for big global brands including, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, and L'Oreal. Armed with a Master's in Marketing, Mia represents the new face of China advertising..1. Why on earth would you want to be a Chinese KOL? For Mia, it was being a fashion editor2. What’s Mia’s typical day look like? How does she get clients?3. Is being a KOL a str...2022-06-2429 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Leaving China ShowThis episode is for those who are thinking of leaving China, maybe now or in the future.In this episode, we're joined by 2 "experts of experience" who left China to return home and can share their experiences about adjusting, why they left and what they really miss. For many, especially the expatriate population, the Shanghai lockdown has become a time to re-evaluate future priorities as foreign companies consider reducing both staff and investments in the country. Meet Milo Chao who is currently the Chief Strategy Officer for ad agency, DDB Chicago. Milo was formally CSO for DDB...2022-06-1046 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Future Of The China Media Agency BusinessWe've seen a lot of change in the Chinese media landscape over the past 20 years, so what about the next 20? Where is it going, and is there a future for media agencies given all the sophisticated technology, in-housing and big platform plays that control the data?We're joined by Doug Pearce, the former Chairman, and Group CEO at the Omnicom Media Group. Doug left OMG in 2018 to form his own company, the Doohken Network. We're also joined by Jun Yuan, who is the Founder and CEO of Cross-Border Digital Marketing Consulting firm, SparkX.1. Doug and Jun’s beginn...2022-05-2738 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsIs There a Future for SaaS Marketing Platforms in China?Do SaaS Marketing platforms have a future in China? Yes, the platforms here are different, but there are also a lot of cultural reasons why SaaS hasn't taken off here. According to McKinsey, China is still 10 years behind other markets in SaaS platform development. Why? What needs to change?We spoke to our good friend, Alex Duncan, Co-Founder of social media SaaS platform, KAWO, who has lived in China for 15 years, where his passion for adventure, user experience, and technology has flourished.1. What on Earth is Saas? Why do marketers need it? 2. Why did Alex come to...2022-05-1539 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsCan Chinese Beauty Brands Go Global? - Lisa Shiqi Yu + Elijah WhaleyWe're taking a much-needed break from Shanghai's recent Covid lockdown to talk about the globalization of C-Beauty. What will it take for Chinese beauty brands to go global? How important are influencer networks and what is the role of technology? Will fast-fashion platform, Shein.com's use of AI predictive analytics be a beauty industry game-changer?We're joined by Lisa Shiqi Yu, Founder, and CEO of GENLAB Group, based in Shanghai. GENLAB is a selective incubator supporting purpose-led entrepreneurs to complete their global vision. We are also joined by Elijah Whaley, who is VP of Marketing for Gainfluence, a company speci...2022-05-0244 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Great Shanghai Lockdown's Impact on MarketingShanghai's Lockdown will enter its 5th week starting next week. How are brands in China reacting now or should they react at all? And more importantly, how will the lockdown impact the market in the long term and how should brands prepare for the future? Is this a great moment in advertising to connect with the masses?Please welcome McCann Health China's Chief Strategy Officer, Henry Shen, and Ogilvy Shanghai's Strategy Director, Arjun Paul Vendanayagam, to discuss this with Ali and Bryce. 1. Living the life of a strategic planner under Shanghai lockdown2. Two sides of the co...2022-04-1741 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsShanghai Under Lockdown: the Global Supply Chain & Future of BusinessWe are now in the 4th week of the great Shanghai lockdown. How will the lockdown impact business and the supply chain? To answer this question, we have invited supply chain expert, Cameron Johnson, Head of APAC Strategy for FAO Global. Mr. Johnson is also an Adjunct Professor at NYU Shanghai as well as a Board of Governors for the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai.
1. Business impact: how will the lockdown affect business and how does it compare to 2020?
2. Impact of the Supply Chain: it's about the trucks, not the ships
3. Covid and China Decoupling: Will companies now leave China?
4...2022-04-0935 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsShanghai Under Covid Lockdown: Praises, Frustrations & Predictions1. Shanghai under lockdown overview: From "Zero Covid" to "Dynamic Zero"2. Living Under Covid: Shanghai vs. the Suburbs3. Shanghai's Older Population Under Threat4. Switching Gears Given the Logistical Nightmare5. From High Tech Health Apps to Decorative Phone Stickers6. Hard Tactics vs. Self-Management: Which works better?7. Shanghai's Emotional Weather Report: Locals & Foreigners8. Painting into a corner with never dry paint: keeping the economy going9. What's next? Can we hold out for another lockdown level?10. Communication under Covid: by neighborhood via WeChat11. China's lack of healthcare infrastructure for a pandemic12. A/B Test With Andre...2022-03-2941 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsAnnie Su & the Unique Intersection of Food and AdvertisingMeet Annie Su, she's a full-time marketing executive and part-time foodie. Originally from Taiwan, most of her career has been in advertising agencies before recently joining the client side. She spent the prime of her career with Ogilvy, first in Taipei, then Beijing, and finally, Shanghai. Annie is also the author of 2 books, 1. 日尝时光：下班陪你进厨房 2. 当冰箱：只剩下乌鱼子, books about food, stories, culture, and the human experience. You learn why Annie has had a successful career in the fine art of listening to others.1. Meet Annie: Taipei to Beijing to Shanghai2. How has the advertising business transformed since 2007?3. Annie's 3 big ad agency accomplishments: A Taiwanese female introver...2022-03-1032 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsGenesis Motor China CEO Markus Henne: Building a Luxury Auto Brand in ChinaMeet Genesis Motor China's CEO Markus Henne as he describes his experience of building a luxury auto brand in China from the ground up. Markus joined Genesis Motor in 2019 from a distinguished career at Mercedes-Benz, and it has only been since October of 2021 that they have begun to distribute cars. How to build a luxury brand amongst all the competition? How to keep customers interested for 6 months after they have put down their deposits? Today's episode is sponsored by our friends of Campaign Asia.1. How did you end up in China and what are you driving these days?2...2022-02-2844 min
ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsEvolving From KOLs to Chinese Influencer Groups: Insights Guru, Julien LapkaWhat's the future of influencer marketing in China? To insights expert, Julien Lapka, successful brands focus on influencer groups rather than KOL powerhouses such as Austin Li. It comes down to uncovering unique insights, not often found in databases. Julien is the founder of Inner Chapter, an agency that turns insights into commercial IP. Julien is also co-owner of Revolving Door, a speakeasy behind a small coffee shop, located near XinTianDi in Shanghai. Today's episode is sponsored by our friends of Campaign Asia.1. Why open a speakeasy and what's behind the name, Revolving Door?2. How did you get int...2022-02-0947 min
ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsThe Beijing Winter Olympics Preview: Covid, Sponsorships & Eileen GuMeet China's most famous and insightful sports insider, Mark Dreyer, who's a regular commentator on the Chinese sports industry. Now that the Winter Olympics is just around the corner, we felt it was time to get Mark's opinion on sponsorships, the events, and what it's like in Beijing these days. Mark writes weekly columns for SupChina & SportsBusiness & is co-host of his own show, the China Sports Insider Podcast. Mark has also released his first book "Sporting Superpower: An Insider's View on China's Quest to Be the Best".1. Mark's experience in Beijing 20082. I would love to see China win t...2022-01-2650 min
ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsWavemaker APAC CEO’s Gordon Domlija: Bold Predictions for 2022: PART 2Here's part 2 of our fantastic interview with Wavemaker's APAC CEO, Gordon Domlija. In this episode, Gordon discusses the challenges of managing a regional agency during Covid, and how his focus has been on creating a corporate culture in some markets that may have not seen each other for the past 2 years. Gordon also discusses the need for structural organization in his agency to meet the changing needs of his customers. You can also get Gordon's take on the Prada Wet Market - his agency did the work!1. Hiring & retaining people & how Covid-19 has affected agencies in Asia2. How d...2022-01-2029 min
ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsWavemaker APAC CEO’s Gordon Domlija: Bold Predictions for 2022: PART 1What’s in store for the industry in 2022? During the first half of our two-part series, we speak to Gordon Domlija from WPP media agency, Wavemaker, about what brands in China need to do to stay relevant, and why client in-housing agency work isn’t necessarily that easy of a task. Gordon also reflects on his career, why he came to China and the first place, and, despite being the Asia-Pacific leader, chooses to remain in China, despite Covid restrictions. This episode is sponsored by our good friends at Campaign-Asia.1. Gordon’s path to the ad business: it started in...2022-01-1336 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsBONUS EPISODE: Bryce Whitwam: Why China Has Leapfrogged the World in Digital MarketingShanghaiZhan podcast host, Bryce Whitwam, expounds on the sophisticated Chinese consumer and innovations in the Chinese marketplace on "The Reorient! Podcast", interviewed by Jesse Freidlander on September 1, 2021.1. Bryce's life story: from South Dakota to Shanghai2. China's marketing evolution, starting 20103. The early days of China advertising: expanded distribution makes any ad campaign look successful4. 2015: The marketing transformation of China begins with the growth of social media & e-commerce5. Global vs. China market: what are the key differences? - Think 14 different engagement channels to buy a printer!6 . The world of China's influencers: 5 different layers serving different purposes2022-01-021h 05ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsShiseido’s Carol Zhou on C-Beauty & Big China Beauty Trends for 2022China’s Beauty market is #2 behind the US at US$71 billion (Euromonitor 2020), and it’s expected to be the world’s biggest in 3 years. Chinese women today are notably confident and embrace their own identity and style. Popularly, we call this "C-Beauty" as it competes with the more identifiable ‘J’ & ‘K-Beauty’. ShanghaiZhan welcomes Carol Zhou, Sr. Vice President for Innovation & Investments at Shiseido China to talk to us more about defining Chinese beauty and the big trends for the upcoming year.In this episode we talk about:1. Our newfound stardom as KOLs by hitting over 8000 downloads2. Carol’s 2...2021-12-2836 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsTalking Trash on China: The Sustainability Race With Richard BrubakerChina is one of the fastest-growing economies and faces serious sustainability challenges. Like the hosts, today’s guest completes 20 years in China, all of it helping China and the rest of Asia with real issues on waste, waste management, and social responsibility. Richard Brubaker is Founder & Managing Director at Collective Responsibility and Executive Volunteer at HandsOn China. He draws comparison to the US and has lessons to offer on what they can do better.1. Picking sustainability because of a mega Sichuan earthquake.2. Exporting sustainability to the rest of the world.3. Look out the window, you don’t need...2021-12-1744 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsChina: Luxury's 2021 Comeback Story feat. Artefact's Mike Zhu & Serena ShenWhen the pandemic hit, the luxury business was doomed, or was it? China was not only Luxury's comeback kid, but it also helped redefine the category for the post-pandemic world. How can you define luxury through a complete mobile experience? In this episode, we have modern luxury experts Artefact's Mike Zhu & Serena Shen talk about how China made it happen, and what are the lessons for the world.In this episode we cover:1. What makes luxury tick?2. Controlling supply & creating desire3. Empty malls and the metaverse4. Day day up up luxury5. Personal service on live...2021-12-0229 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsPernod Ricard's Pierre Delfosse on 11/11: the Day After the Dust SettledIn this episode, we talk with Pierre Delfosse, E-commerce Director at Pernod Ricard China, on the world's largest shopping festival, Double 11, which climaxes on the 11th of November of every year.
We are still big in Japan. We are a lot bigger in Hong Kong (S.A.R.) and even bigger in the USA.
In this episode we discuss:
1. What we shopped for Double 11
2. How has the spirits business evolved over the past 7years
3. What Chinese consumers drink, white, yellow, and brown.
4. Jiu Jiu or September 9 is Spirits Day in China
5. Imported spirits hold 1.5% of share of spirits (minuscule when you put...2021-11-1731 minShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & PlatformsAfter 20 Years of China Advertising: Is There a Bright Future?Welcome to Shanghai Zhan, aka. Shanghai Station. The only station in Shanghai’s world-famous metro that exists as a podcast.
Listen to Bryce Whitwam and Ali Zein Kazmi debate with guests on their experiences and aspirations for China. Bryce and Ali are connected to China for over 20 years and are still in Shanghai working in the industry. Both fluent Mandarin speakers, Bryce writes the language while and Ali gets away with using his thick Beijing accent.
In their inaugural episode, “After 20 Years of China Advertising: Is There A Bright Future?” Bryce and Ali discuss:
1) Being in China for over 20 years in Chi...2021-11-0530 min