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Mining Weekly Audio ArticlesPlatinum's 1.4% tariff knock to be eclipsed by strong investment, jewellery demandThis audio is brought to you by Astec Industries, a Global Leader in manufacturing equipment for infrastructure, including asphalt production, construction, and material processing, driving innovation and sustainability.
The direct impact of tariffs on forecast platinum demand in 2025 is estimated to total only 112 000 oz, or 1.4% of total demand. While the indirect risks through slower GDP growth over the next few years could be more significant in terms of lower automotive and industrial demand, currently this is being more than eclipsed by the strength in demand for platinum investment and jewellery products as a result of the high gold price...2025-07-1605 minMining Weekly Audio ArticlesRising platinum price unlikely to dampen demand, World Platinum points outThis audio is brought to you by Astec Industries, a Global Leader in manufacturing equipment for infrastructure, including asphalt production, construction, and material processing, driving innovation and sustainability.
The rising platinum price is unlikely to dampen demand or stimulate additional supply, meaning that forecast market shortfalls are here to stay, says the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC).
'Inelastic' is a term used by economists to describe a situation where a change in price has a relatively small impact on the quantity demanded of a good or service. In other words, consumers will continue to purchase roughly the same...2025-07-0403 min
The NegotiationJacob Cooke on 618, China’s Consumer Climate & What Tariffs Mean for Global BrandsIn this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes back WPIC CEO Jacob Cooke to share insights around two pivotal developments for global consumer brands: the framework trade agreement between the US and China, and China’s massive 618 shopping festival.Jacob breaks down the implications of the new framework agreement between the US and China, explains how tariff policies are shifting brand strategies, and highlights key recommendations for both U.S. and non-U.S. companies looking to grow in the APAC region. He also shares what’s different about this year’s 618 shopping event, how platforms like T...2025-06-1823 minMining Weekly Audio ArticlesPlatinum attracting broad spectrum interest, SFA Oxford attendance the highest everThis audio is brought to you by Astec Industries, a Global Leader in manufacturing equipment for infrastructure, including asphalt production, construction, and material processing, driving innovation and sustainability.
SFA Oxford Platinum Lectures 2025 attracted the broadest spectrum of platinum interest amid the highest attendance ever, with a similar top-notch turnout evident at the London Platinum Week that followed.
"We had good representation across the board," an upbeat SFA Oxford CEO Henk de Hoop told Mining Weekly in a Zoom interview. (Also watch attached Creamer Media video.
Moreover, the platinum jewellery component presentation in London had twice as many...2025-05-3014 minThe NegotiationBringing European Brands to Asia with WPIC’s Director of Growth Emmanuel Poupelle (French Language Episode)In this special French-language edition of The Negotiation, we welcome Emmanuel Poupelle, WPIC’s newly appointed Director of Growth, for a conversation hosted by Charles Lavoie, VP of Marketing at WPIC.Emmanuel brings years of on-the-ground experience in China’s retail and e-commerce industry. He has now joined WPIC to help more European brands expand into the dynamic markets of China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. In this episode, he shares his unique perspective on how the Asia-Pacific region has evolved, what makes it such a compelling growth opportunity, and why European brands—especially in categories like f...2025-05-0634 minThe NegotiationChina’s Consumer Comeback: Jacob Cooke Breaks Down 2024 Consumption DataIn this episode of The Negotiation, we’re joined once again by Jacob Cooke, Co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies. Jacob walks us through the key insights from WPIC’s latest data report profiling the fastest-growing consumer segments in China’s e-commerce market. Drawing from GMV data across Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin, the report reveals a story of recovery, consumer optimism, and evolving channel strategies.Jacob kicks off with an overview of China’s current consumption environment, highlighting a return of consumer confidence fueled by government stimulus, higher disposable incomes, and a willingness to spend. He then...2025-04-0819 minThe NegotiationPeter Park on Growing Australian Brands in APACIn this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley sits down with Peter Park, WPIC’s latest addition in Melbourne and a recognized expert in Australia’s consumer brand sector and the APAC e-commerce landscape. Peter delves into his professional journey, his role at WPIC, and why the firm is an excellent partner for Australian consumer brands, especially in the F&B and health supplements sectors. He shares his insights on the rising trends in these categories. He highlights the untapped potential in markets like South Korea and Vietnam, discussing strategies for Australian brands to make impactful entries into thes...2025-03-0442 minThe NegotiationUnlocking Japan: E-Commerce Strategies and Insights with WPIC’s Anton LapunovIn this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley sits down with Anton Lapunov, WPIC’s Key Account Manager and Strategy Lead for Japan. Anton shares his extensive experience and insights into the unique aspects of Japan's e-commerce landscape—and offers strategic advice for brands looking to enter this lucrative market.Anton begins by detailing his journey from China to Japan. He provides a comprehensive overview of Japan’s e-commerce ecosystem, highlighting the major platforms, market penetration rates, and consumer expectations around delivery times which differ significantly from those in the West and China.The di...2024-12-3059 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke on China's Singles Day Shopping FestivalIn this episode of The Negotiation, Todd Embley speaks with Jacob Cooke, co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing and Technologies, about the recent Singles Day shopping festival in China. They discuss the evolution of Singles Day, its performance in 2024, innovations in e-commerce, logistics challenges, and the competitive landscape of e-commerce platforms in China. Jacob shares insights on consumer behavior, marketing strategies, and the future of sales events in the region.TakeawaysSingles Day has evolved into a major shopping festival.2024 saw a 16% increase in sales compared to last year.Collectibles and premium products gained popularity this...2024-11-1418 minThe NegotiationZarina Kanji on Leading WPIC in Europe, Growing UK and European Brands in APACIn this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley sits down with Zarina Kanji, WPIC’s newly appointed Managing Director for the UK and Europe. Zarina shares insights into her career, the evolving e-commerce landscape in China, and the promising opportunities for UK and European brands in APAC markets.The conversation begins with Zarina recounting her career journey, including her lengthy stint at Alibaba, detailing the experiences that shaped her expertise in Asian e-commerce and her strategic vision for WPIC’s expansion in the UK and Europe. She discusses the motivations behind her decision to join WPIC...2024-07-0331 min
Green RushHydrogen vehicles will be the biggest source of platinum demand by 2030 — WPIC’s Edward SterckChallenges with mine supply in South Africa, by far the world’s largest platinum producer, should support prices for the auto catalyst metal, says Matt Watson, founder of Precious Metals Commodity Management LLC. On June 5 Watson recorded an episode of Green Rush with guest Edward Sterck, director of research, World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC). Watson referenced a chart showing platinum supply decreasing to 2030, as operational expenditures rise and miners close unproductive shafts. “We’re heading into a zone where we’re going to be in a structural deficit going forward,” he said. Sterck agreed, stati...2024-06-1033 min
Girls Money Club Podcast115: Nawyki, które sabotują Twoje bogactwoNasze nawyki budują naszą codzienność. To, co robimy regularnie, wpływa na całe nasze życie - a co za tym idzie, oczywiście także na nasze pieniądze. Dziś opowiem o tych nawykach, przez które wielu osobom trudno jest dojść do finansowej stabilności, a tym bardziej do dużego finansowego komfortu czy wręcz bogactwa. Zobacz, czy któryś z tych nawyków nie szkodzi także Tobie.Partnerem tego odcinka podcastu jest Giełda Papierów Wartościowych w Warszawie.🔥🔥 Więcej informacji o Warsaw Passive Investment Conference (WPIC):https://wpic-gpw.pl/#wpiConference🔥🔥 Zapis...2024-04-0937 min
The NegotiationCharles Lavoie - Head Of Creative Labs @ WPIC | Douyin & The New China Playbook For BrandsIn this episode of The Negotiation, we welcome back to the show, Charles Lavoie, VP of Marketing & Head of Creative Labs at WPIC Marketing & Technologies and longtime guest of the pod. In our conversation, we explore the transformation that China's e-commerce scene has witnessed due to the rise of Douyin, which has provided global brands with a new platform to connect with Chinese consumers We examine how Douyin fostered consumer trust by initially incentivizing local brands to lower their prices, gradually cultivating a habit of buying through the app. As trust in...2024-01-2152 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke, CEO @ WPIC Marketing + Technologies | The 2024 Outlook for PDD, Douyin, Alibaba, & The Chinese ConsumerWe dive into the evolving e-commerce and consumer trends in China for 2024, starting with analyzing the performance and tactics of leading e-commerce giants like Douyin, Pinduoduo, Taobao, and Tmall. What drove ByteDance's revenue growth of 30% to $110 billion? How is Pinduoduo's western-facing discount platform Temu adding to its incredible growth, if at all? And where does all of this leave Alibaba, the darling of e-commerce in China for over a decade?Our discussion also touches on the influence of changing consumption patterns and consumer confidence on the market dynamics. This episode offers a comprehensive overview of China's digital...2024-01-1017 min
The Digital Deep Dive With Aaron ConantChina Market Entry Deep DiveJacob Cooke is the Co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, a leading eCommerce and technology consultancy driving growth for global brands in China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Under his leadership, the firm has built an expansive solution set in data analytics, eCommerce activations and store management, brand strategy, creative campaigns, merchandising, and more. Having lived in Beijing since 2003, Jacob frequently contributes to Bloomberg on eCommerce, retail, and technology trends in China. In this episode… As sales growth in the US declines, brands are launching in the China and APAC markets to drive additional sales. eC...2023-11-0941 minThe NegotiationOur 200th Episode Featuring Jacob & Joseph CookeWelcome to our landmark 200th episode of The Negotiation Podcast! The last four years have been rich with meaningful discussions, profound insights, and memorable moments—and we’re excited about what the future will bring.In this celebratory episode, we are delighted to host the co-founders of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, Jacob and Joseph Cooke. We delve into WPIC's impressive expansion in China, particularly their new office in Shanghai, and reminisce about the company's significant growth since the podcast was launched four years agoWe further explore the evolution of e-co...2023-10-2625 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke, CEO & CoFounder @ WPIC Marketing + Technologies | Golden Week Consumption Boost, Singles' Day Projections, & South Korea ExpansionIn this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to welcome back Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies. In our conversation with Jacob, we talk about the consumption surge during China's Golden Week, which saw over 800 million domestic trips and more than $100 billion in spending. He highlights other booming sectors like travel, athleisure, and lifestyle, despite macro pressures on Chinese consumers. Jacob also talks about the rise of "special forces tourism" and predicts continued growth in off-the-beaten-path destinations. We also touch on the upcoming Singles Day and the relationship between real estate pr...2023-10-1218 minThe NegotiationMJ Park | South Korea’s Booming E-commerce LandscapeIn this episode of The Negotiation, we are excited to welcome MJ Park, Key Account Manager at WPIC Marketing + Technologies, to discuss the South Korean e-commerce market. With over a decade of experience in marketing and business management in both Korea and Canada, MJ Park brings a wealth of knowledge about the e-commerce landscape in South Korea, the world's fifth-largest e-commerce market. In our conversation, MJ discussed popular platforms like Naver Shopping and Coupang and booming consumer sectors such as wellness and health supplements. We touch on the market for secondhand goo...2023-10-0529 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke, CEO @ WPIC Marketing & Technologies | Why WPIC Is So Bullish On The Chinese ConsumerIn this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to welcome back Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies. Jacob is based in Beijing where he oversees the China and broader APAC operations for WPIC. Jacob recently returned to China after a summer trip to Canada, so we thought it would be a great time to bring him back on the show to share what he’s seeing on the ground in China and APAC’s e-commerce landscape. After sharing his thoughts on China’s domestic and international travel sector, Ja...2023-09-1430 minThe NegotiationSu Cheng Harris-Simpson | Empowering Women in Business in China and BeyondIn this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to speak with Su Cheng Harris-Simpson. Su Cheng is the visionary founder of the Women Empowerment Council (WEC), an organization dedicated to promoting gender equality in business in China and beyond. Su Cheng has been an active member of the Beijing business community for three decades. Before moving into entrepreneurship and eventually founding the WEC, she worked at Boeing, the Capital Club in Beijing, and United Technologies Corporation. She’s also a long-standing board member of the American Chamber of Commerce in China....2023-08-3146 min
Eco-ishEpisode 12: Waste Knot Weddings - How to Easily Plan Environmentally Conscious WeddingsEpisode 12: Waste Knot Weddings - How to Easily Plan Environmentally Conscious WeddingsAre you planning a wedding in the future and want it to be as environmentally conscious as possible but feel overwhelmed? Tune in to today’s episode with Mallory Gladman of Waste Knot weddings to learn a sustainable minded wedding planner’s top eco-friendly wedding tips! Join us as we embark on a green journey with Mallory, founder of Waste Knot wedding planning where her love for weddings meets sustainability, and together with her clients, she crafts weddings that leave a positive footprint on th...2023-07-2656 minThe NegotiationXiang Chen | Why Expanding Your Brand Into Asia Successfully Requires Data-Centric InsightsIn this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we are joined by Xiang Chen. He is the VP of Strategy and Insights at WPIC Marketing + Technologies, a company that provides market data solutions for brands looking to enter the Chinese market. Xiang is a bilingual individual with deep knowledge of Eastern and Western cultures. With a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, he began his career as a Project Planner at a leading Canadian telecom company, overseeing major network upgrades. Xiang later joined a Beijing-based tech startup as a Product Director, where he successfully established the IT team and managed diverse...2023-06-1444 minThe NegotiationAlex Palmer | The Asia Multi-Market Entry Strategy Brands Have Been Waiting ForIn this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we are joined by Alex Palmer. Alex is a highly accomplished marketing executive and currently serves as the Executive Vice President at WPIC Marketing + Technologies,. With extensive experience and a strategic mindset, he drives growth, fosters client relationships, and leads innovative marketing strategies, contributing to the company's success and its position as an industry leader helping brands successfully expand into Asia. In our conversation with Alex, we get valuable insights into his recent trip to WPIC's offices in Japan and China, as well as WPIC's latest initiative, the A...2023-05-3137 minThe NegotiationDaniel Mabey | Nutraceuticals - One Of The Fastest Growing Market Segments In AsiaIn this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we are joined by Daniel Mabey. Daniel is the Asia Region President of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA). He is also the director of UNPA's Market Development Cooperator Program with the U.S. Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, which aims to increase exports of US-made natural health products to China through a new export certification and quality program. Daniel’s role is crucial to the newly established export certification and quality program, which aims to expand the export of natural health products produced in the United States to China. 2023-05-1734 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke | Japan's Booming E-commerce MarketIn this episode of The Negotiation, we are excited to welcome to the program, Jacob Cooke, the Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing and Technologies. Jacob is usually based in Beijing where he oversees the China operations for WPIC Marketing and Technologies, however today he is joining us from Tokyo, where WPIC also has a significant and growing presence. We thought it would be perfect timing for him to join us and tell us what he sees in Japan and update us on the country's booming e-commerce landscape. We cover all the significant topics one would expect i...2023-05-1131 min
Nic Za Darmo#134 "Złoto jest dla dojrzałych portfeli" - Bogusz Julian KasowskiDuże zawirowania na rynkach, wybuch wojny na Ukrainie, inflacja - cena złota zbliża się w okolice swoich rekordowych 2.000 dolarów za uncję, a wielu inwestorów dopiero zacyzna przygodę z tym historycznym surowcem. Ja to działa? Gościem odcinka jest Bogusz Julian Kasowski, inwestor, prowadzący program Surowcowe Info! *Zapiszcie się koniecznie na WPIC - konferencję, o której mówiłem w trakcie podcastu*Warsaw Passive Investment ConferenceW programie poruszamy takie tematy jak m.in.:Jaka jest rola złota w portfelu?Ile w złocie defensywy i stabil...2023-04-1856 minThe NegotiationJoseph Cooke | Boots On The Ground - China's Business Climate Is BoomingIn this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we are thrilled to be joined by Joseph Cooke. Joseph is the Co-Founder and President of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, and he recently returned from his first trip to China in 38 months, having spent a week and a half there. As one of the first North American business people to visit China since the initial COVID lockdowns in 2019, we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring him back on the show to share his insights on the current situation in China. Today, Joseph provides insights into the c...2023-03-0136 min
Global eCommerce Leaders PodcastPeter McMath, CRO for WPIC Marketing + Technologies live from GELF 2022 in NYCGreetings and welcome to a special episode recorded live in the on-site Stream Commerce podcasting studio at the New York City Global eCommerce Leaders Forum in September 2022. These episodes are presented by Stream Commerce, a full-service, full-funnel e-commerce consultancy bringing together the boldest and brightest innovators, strategists, and e-commerce experts. They are the Shopify Plus expert that does more than build sites.The Global eCommerce Leaders Forum NYC 2022 brought together thought leaders from retailers and brands selling direct-to-consumer. Top global consumer brands were joined by digital natives and digitally-led brands from the fashion and apparel world, health...2023-01-0515 minThe NegotiationYear In Review, Part 2 | The Greatest Hits Of 2022!!This episode is our Year In Review: 2022 Greatest Hits Part 2! We've put together some of our favourite clips and moments for you to enjoy over the holidays, and look forward to seeing you again in 2023 for some of our best guests to date!The 2022 guests featured in this episode are:#1 - Louis Houdart, E150 & E151, October 5th & 12th 2022Episodes 150 and 151, released on October 5th and 12th, brought us Louis Houdart, Founder of Creative Capital. Louis is an entrepreneur, a business and investment coach, a board member and an advisor to m...2022-12-2125 minThe NegotiationYear In Review, Part 1 | The Greatest Hits Of 2022!!This episode is our Year In Review: 2022 Greatest Hits Part 1! We've put together some of our favourite clips and moments for you to enjoy over the holidays, and look forward to seeing you again in 2023 for some of our best guests to date! The 2022 guests featured in this episode are:#1 Patrick Deloy, E146 & E147, September 7th & 14th, 2022Our first feature comes from episodes 146 and 147 on September 7th and 14th with Patrick Deloy, Managing Director at Merkle, an award-winning e-commerce solutions provider which supports medium to large B2C a...2022-12-1433 minThe NegotiationCharles Lavoie Part 2 | Using Creative To Fuel Growth In AsiaIn this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we continue our conversation with Charles Lavoie. We talk about creativity and the role it plays in APAC marketing. Charles is the VP of Creative & Head of Creative Labs at WPIC Marketing + Technologies. Among other topics, we discuss the growth of digital commerce, evolutions in that space, why it might be necessary to create cartoon characters for brands, gamification and the digitalization of the shopping experience in Asia. Charles also gives insights into brand localization and how best to activate a multi-market strategy. Enjoy! Topics Discussed and Key P...2022-11-1628 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke | Assessing The 2022 Singles’ Day 11/11 Shopping Festival And Consumption Trends In ChinaIn this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Jacob Cooke to the show. As the CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, Jacob is the perfect guest to discuss what’s going on in Asia right now, and how brands can take advantage of the growth opportunities. In this conversation, we dive deep into the current state of China's consumers, and what Jacob is seeing from his vantage point as we are in the midst of the 11/11 Singles’ Day shopping festival. We also discuss Douyin's evolution as a platform for commerce, how it compares to other Chinese platf...2022-11-0923 minThe NegotiationCharles Lavoie Part 1 | How Creative Drives Impact In APACIn this episode of The Negotiation, we welcome back Charles Lavoie to talk about creativity and its role in APAC marketing. Charles is the VP of Creative & Head of Creative Labs at WPIC Marketing & Technologies. Over the course of the conversation, Charles shares insights on how technology is transforming the creative space in APAC and illuminates why it is critical for brands to lean into creative marketing if they hope to drive growth in the region. He talks about how brands and marketers can harness the significant evolutions in digital platforms and digital commerce in Asia today to improve t...2022-11-0235 min
Go Fish Village: Personal WealthEP 38: Talking Real Estate with Bill Jones, President – Bill Jones & Associates!Bill Jones has over thirty years of experience as the CEO or a senior executive in public and private real estate development organizations. He formed Bill Jones & Associates LLC, a Real Estate Development and Consulting Firm in 2001. The firm assists Not-for-profit and for-profit developers in the analysis, financing and implementation of their residential and commercial real estate projects. Prior to organizing his firm, he served simultaneously as Executive Director of the Fund for Community Redevelopment and Revitalization (the Fund) and the Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Corporation (WPIC), two community development corporations serving the Woodlawn and North Kenwood/Oakland on Ch...2022-06-021h 29
The Bilateral—A CCBC Podcast#18 | 2020 Business Excellence Award Winners Miniseries: WPIC Marketing + TechnologiesThe Bilateral is delighted to welcome Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, who joins us in Beijing to discuss his nearly 20 years as an entrepreneur in China. WPIC won Gold in the Exceptional SME category. Jacob and his organization have grown from a fledgling tech startup in China to serving major multinationals from around the world with their in-house expertise and native big data analytics for China’s e-commerce landscape. In this wide-ranging talk, he discusses WPIC’s incredible growth story, his views on the Chinese consumer mindset post-COVID, new adaptations in retail, case stud...2022-05-2739 min
Go Fish Village: Personal WealthTalking Real Estate with Bill Jones, President – Bill Jones & AssociatesBill Jones has over thirty years of experience as the CEO or a senior executive in public and private real estate development organizations. He formed Bill Jones & Associates LLC, a Real Estate Development and Consulting Firm in 2001. The firm assists Not-for-profit and for-profit developers in the analysis, financing and implementation of their residential and commercial real estate projects. Prior to organizing his firm, he served simultaneously as Executive Director of the Fund for Community Redevelopment and Revitalization (the Fund) and the Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Corporation (WPIC), two community development corporations serving the Woodlawn and North Kenwood/Oakland on Ch...2022-05-191h 29The NegotiationLiam Mather | Inside the Beijing Olympic BubbleTopics Discussed and Key Points:● Liam’s work in Public Affairs and Communications at WPIC● Becoming involved with the Olympics● Looking back at the Beijing Olympics● The level of interest of the Chinese population in the Olympic games● The stars of the Olympics● The state of Chinese hockey post-Olympics● Lesser-known notable news stories in China that did not make the headlines● The lasting impact of the Olympics on winter sports in China Episode Summary:Today on The Negotiation, we talk with Liam Mather, Head...2022-03-1540 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke | Exploring and Explaining Another Record-Breaking 11/11 Singles DayTopics Discussed and Key Points:● How Singles’ Day performed relative to Jacob’s expectations● Platforms that will gain traction at next year’s 11.11● Notable creative or marketing tactics used at this year’s festival● How this year’s GMV may compare to 2020s● Whether there is still room for foreign brands going forward● What to know about Pipl (Personal Information Protection Law)● WPIC’s plans for Southeast Asia● Demographic differences in China versus Southeast Asia Episode Summary:Today on The Negotiation, we speak with Jacob Cooke w...2021-11-1720 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke | 11/11 2021 - A look ahead to the world's largest shopping day of the yearTopics Discussed and Key Points:● Trends that shaped consumer behaviour in 2021● How different categories have fared over the past year● How consumer trends have evolved in the past 18 months● Sectors to lead the charge in China’s economic growth going forward● Which categories are predicted to be successful on Singles’ Day● New tactics brands will use aside from discounts● How important it is to have inventory on the ground for Singles’ Day● How the impact has impacted manufacturing and logistics● Potential long-term effects of this year’s 11.11● ...2021-10-2728 minThe NegotiationJustice Hampton | Merchandising In The Digital Era & How To Do It Effectively In ChinaTopics Discussed and Key Points:● How has merchandising transformed in the age of eCommerce?● Justice’s typical day as Director of Merchandising at WPIC● Examples of companies that exemplify effective online merchandising● Why it is so difficult to master online merchandising● Global merchandising trends, specifically focusing on trends in China● The future of merchandising globally and in China● Why did WPIC develop its merchandising capabilities? Episode Summary:Today on The Negotiation, we speak with Justice Hampton, Director of Merchandising at WPIC Marketing + Technologies.2021-08-3134 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke | China's Economic Recovery, Live-Commerce, JD Logistics' IPO, & the 6.18 Shopping Bonanza ForecastTopics Discussed and Key Points:● The state of COVID in China going into the second half of 2021● Why a work-from-home culture is probably not the future for China● How consumer trends have evolved in the past 18 months● Sectors to lead the charge in China’s economic growth going forward● What to expect at the 6.18 shopping festival this year● The development of the live streaming/commerce craze● How the IPO of JD’s logistics division will impact consumer behavior, shipping, and logistics in the China market, along with Alibaba’s competitive relati...2021-06-0925 minThe NegotiationCharles Lavoie | Staying Consistently Creative in ChinaTopics Discussed and Key Points:● Charles’s history doing business with China and his current role at WPIC● How Charles defines “creativity”● Maintaining creativity in-house versus outsourcing creativity to KOLs and KOCs● How brands should go about looking for KOLs or KOCs in order to maximize ROI● Teaching creativity● Differences in creative processes between the West and the East● How brands can stay creatively consistent in different markets● How foreign brands can cut through the noise in the Chinese market Episode Summary:Today on The Negotiati...2021-05-0531 min
The NegotiationJacob Cooke | US - China Relations Outlook 2021 & BeyondTopics Discussed and Key Points:● U.S.-China relations under President Biden● What Biden’s top priorities should be with regard to China● How much of the tariff war is really just about knowing how to apply for exemptions?● How the tech sector has been impacted by tariffs● The changes in manufacturing, distribution, and consumption throughout 2020● China’s shifting relations with other countries regarding supply chain logistics and commerce● Addressing “cracks” in the Belt and Road Initiative● Will U.S. business and consumers benefit under a Biden administration? 2021-02-1624 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke | Returning To A New ChinaToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Jacob Cooke, co-founder of WPIC Marketing and Technologies, and his experiences since returning to China recently.Jacob notes the huge amount of digitization efforts since his last time in China. eCommerce is booming. What was once a convenience has now become a necessity. Digitization now encompasses all parts of society and users now include people of all ages, not just the youth.Masks have always been normal in China. Today, 90% of people continue to wear them despite no reported COVID-19 cases since Jacob’s return. However, contact tracing ha...2020-11-1738 minThe NegotiationHendrik Laubscher | Why China is Leading the World in eCommerce Logistics & WarehousingToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Hendrick Laubscher on current and future developments around shipping, warehousing, and logistics networks in China.At first glance, distribution in China may appear more or less similar to the networks and processes of other countries, particularly in the West. However, Hendrick explains that China, by virtue of its 1.3 billion-strong population and well-known penchant for speed, operates at a scale unrivaled by other markets. He points to eCommerce giants JD and Tmall as prime examples of companies that embody this level of speed and scale.Another reality that sets...2020-09-0849 minThe NegotiationAnne Stevenson-Yang Part 2 | Unemployment Rates, China's Housing Bubble, & the RMB Exchange Rate ExplainedToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Anne Stevenson-Yang, Co-Founder and Research Director of J Capital Research.Asked about how China deals with its unemployment rates, Anne says that those who manage these developments “come out of the security systems” in the public sector. Unemployment is a “security function” as opposed to an “economic function”. The focus is not on random people who are unemployed, but rather those who were previously employed who are legal residents of a certain area. The higher these numbers, the higher the risk to social stability.“China excels at campaign-driven activities tha...2020-09-0123 minThe NegotiationAnne Stevenson-Yang | China's Position as an Economic Powerhouse, The US Election, & Whether Alibaba is a Good Investment TargetToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Anne Stevenson-Yang, Co-Founder and Research Director of J Capital Research.China’s manufacturing industry developed in three stages: cheap labor, superseded by cheap IP, superseded by cheap capital. What has brought foreign businesses to China is not so much the low-cost of labor as the low-cost of capital. Anne says that the average American citizen has not been hurt by the competition from cheap labor, “but the way in which the U.S. political system has recycled the profits from China back into the pockets of the top 1% of the popu...2020-08-2529 minThe NegotiationJames McGregor | The Future of TikTok & WeChat, What We Always Get Wrong About China, & Made In China 2025Today on The Negotiation, we speak with James McGregor, author, journalist, and Chairman of APCO Worldwide, Greater China.WeChat is the most popular social media platform in China and has over 19 million users in the US, many of whom are Chinese-Americans who use the app to stay in touch with families back in China. A number of American companies based in China do transactions through the platform as well. To James, these are some of the reasons why the current administration’s decision to ban WeChat is short-sighted. However, he also acknowledges that the Chinese government uses We...2020-08-1737 minThe NegotiationXinYi Lim | Pinduoduo's Change in Leadership, Differentiating and Understanding C2M, and Why Live Streaming is Everything Right NowToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Xin Yi Lim, Senior Director of Corporate Development at Pinduoduo and former Technology Analyst for GIC in Singapore and New York.Xin Yi discusses some of PD’s latest developments, including founder Colin Huang Zheng’s recent move into an executive chairman role and news on the company’s agritech initiatives, which include its Smart Agriculture Competition to encourage innovation in both AI and traditional strawberry planting methods. She then goes into the role of live streaming in PDD’s marketing efforts and defines the relationship that the company has with its...2020-08-0449 minThe NegotiationWei Liang | Digging Into US/China Foreign Policy, Discussing The Belt & Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment BankToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Wei Liang, Professor of International Policy Studies at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She discusses the current state of the Belt and Road Initiative in-depth, as well as China’s current reputation on the world stage amid a variety of crises, not least of which are COVID-19 and the country’s strained relationship with Hong Kong.The Belt and Road Initiative was first announced in 2013 by President Xi Jinping with the ambitious (and ever-evolving) plan to connect Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The belt begins in the...2020-07-2838 minThe NegotiationGen Kanai | Tech in Japan: How Google Won, eBay Lost, and Why Twitter Couldn't Lose, & Lessons Learned Growing Mozilla in AsiaToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Gen Kanai, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Animoca Brands and Mentor at Chinaccelerator.Regarding the challenges of entering the Japanese market, Gen says that Japanese customers generally do not pirate software and content. Japan “can be a very profitable market if you can crack the market.” At the same time, it is a challenging market, with many non-Japanese companies having failed in Japan. eBay is a prime example of a failure, while Google, Twitter, and Snapchat fared better due to a number of factors that Gen enumerates.Sales cycl...2020-07-1742 minThe NegotiationBenjamin Qiu | China's First RMB Accelerator Fund, The Development of China's Legal Landscape, & Exit Options For Startups in ChinaToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Benjamin Qiu, Partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP. Benjamin is an “attorney focused on the capital market, venture financing, corporate governance, IP asset development, and technology protection & licensing.” He discusses the legal side of startup financing in China, of which he first developed expertise during his time at Innovation Works (China’s answer to Y Combinator), where he served as both fund director and a key member of its legal team.Benjamin had the opportunity to join Innovation Works in 2009, an interesting time in the startup world. With his background in intern...2020-07-0742 minThe NegotiationShanshan Tang | Alibaba as a "Digital Economy", Tmall vs. Tmall Global, and Alibaba's Leveraging of AIToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Shanshan Tang, Global Business Lead for Canada at Alibaba. Alibaba’s Vancouver office was opened in 2018 with two main goals: to help Canadian brands (especially smaller ones) sell to China using their eCommerce platform, and to promote cross-border tourism and online and in-store enablement of Alipay.Alibaba was founded as an eCommerce company 20 years ago. Today, it has evolved well beyond that. According to Shanshan, today the platform provides “a marketplace, logistics, payment services, marketing, call computing, big data, lifestyle, entertainment, and health.”With the many unique challenges presen...2020-06-2623 min
Curators ClubHow to grow by building the right team with Richha Arora from Arora EventsIn this episode we are in coversation with Richha Arora from Arora Events. Richha started her business in 2006 and is now an established and recognized name for South Asian and Multicultural Weddings. She has planned weddings across Americas and Europe and has won numerous awards through WPIC. Key take aways from her journey were: 1) Don't lose sight of your numbers. 2) Build a network of like minded people. 3) Hire team members who will bring different skills on the table Join our Facebook Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/curatorsclubpod/?ref=s...2020-06-2300 minThe NegotiationBarbara Finamore | Energy, Pollution, & Why China's Electric Vehicle Industry Might Just Save Our PlanetToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Barbara Finamore, Senior Strategic Director for Asia at the Natural Resources Defense Council and the author of Will China Save the Planet (2018). She started her career with the NRDC as an environmental litigator, a position she left after getting married to a U.S. diplomat in the 1980s. Her husband took her to China in 1990, when the country was considering its earliest initiatives for sustainable development.Barbara was there to witness first-hand the country’s signing of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as the drafting of the wo...2020-06-1739 minThe NegotiationXinYi Lim, Senior Director of Corporate Development @ Pinduoduo | Interactive eCommerce, Observable Trends in Consumer Behaviour, & Pinduoduo's Long Term Growth StrategyToday on The Negotiation, we speak with Xin Yi Lim, Senior Director of Corporate Development at Pinduoduo and former Technology Analyst for GIC in Singapore and New York.Xin Yi discusses interactive eCommerce, a relatively new term that aims to reproduce the experience of offline shopping by “trying to understand human needs through the community that surrounds each and every one of us.” Pinduoduo has created a team purchase model on a mobile-first, mobile-only platform where, if you buy something with a friend or anybody else in your social network, you enjoy lower prices.According to X...2020-06-0840 minThe NegotiationTR Harrington | Exiting in China as a Foreigner, Social Media for Customer Service, & Investing in SE AsiaToday on The Negotiation, we speak with TR Harrington, Co-Program Director at Mobile Only Accelerator and Program Director at SOSV. He is also a Startup Mentor at Antler, Mucker Capital, and Chinaccelerator.TR discusses the mindset and strategies he used to run a Shanghai-based marketing agency in China, and gracefully enact an exit strategy after over a decade of serving as CEO. He says that the key to his success as a foreigner was his ability to adapt to the culture and expectations of the local market.By extension, TR encouraged foreign brands, who approached...2020-05-2248 minThe NegotiationJames Lalonde | Innovation in Japan vs China, The Future of Work in China, & The One Belt One Road PerspectiveToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with author, speaker, university professor, and serial entrepreneur James Lalonde. He shares decades of experiences working in Asia, comparing and contrasting the social, cultural, and political characteristics of Japan, China, and North America to illustrate how these similarities and differences impact each country’s influence on the world stage.James believes that building a business in China as a foreigner does not present any more challenges than building a business anywhere else does. Having worked in multiple countries, James does not see any particularly unique barriers for outsiders looking to start a...2020-05-1329 minThe NegotiationJustin Mallen | Handling Data Servers for the Largest Shopping Day in the World, How 5G Will Change the Internet, and Huawei's FutureToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Justin Mallen, Founder, and CEO of Silk Road Telecommunication. He shares what it is like being one of the few successful foreign entrepreneurs in China, having entered the market during a time when it was far from the economic powerhouse that it is today.Justin says, “China’s telecom infrastructure is owned and operated by three incredibly large, state-owned enterprises: China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile. Back then, they had the one key resource which you needed: networking; and they did not want people in their space.”Justin...2020-05-0742 minThe NegotiationAndrea Fenn | How the New Rich Changed Luxury Fashion Marketing and the Phenomenon of Live Streaming for CommerceToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Andrea Fenn, a sinologist and journalist who regularly publishes articles and conducts lectures on China’s fast-paced, ever-evolving digital ecosystem. Andrea is also the founder and CEO at Fireworks, which he refers to as a “post-digital agency”. This is due to his belief that brand growth in today’s digital landscape should go beyond vanity metrics such as likes and followers. Instead, Fireworks focuses on actual conversions.Andrea sheds light on how luxury fashion marketing has changed dramatically in China when the advent of the “new rich” coincided with the rise of soci...2020-05-0447 minThe NegotiationMark Greeven | China's 4 Types of Innovators & Building Resiliency Through Organizational StructureToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with author and educator Mark Greeven. He is a former Associate Professor at Zhejiang University’s School of Management in Hangzhou, China. Today, Mark serves as Professor of Innovation and Strategy at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland.The biggest difference between teaching at Zhejiang and at IMD is that the former “has all the features of a bureaucracy that you could imagine when it comes to state-run public institutions.” Despite the limitations imposed on Mark during his time at Zhejiang, he found it refreshing that the students were nevertheless eager to lea...2020-04-2833 minThe NegotiationMichael Zakkour Part 2 | Amazon Laid Bare, How Integrated Systems Helped Chinese eCommerce Rebound, and Thriving by Focusing on the Three "C's"Today on The Negotiation, Michael Zakkour returns to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the state of retail in China and the rest of the world.Setting the context for the discussion, Michael says that it is not a question of which retailers are doing well, but which integrated systems are. One of the factors that held China together during the worst of the crisis was the “ecosystems for retail, commerce, and communication that Alibaba, JD, Tencent, Pinduoduo, and Kaola had built.” These ecosystems reliably put products into the hands of consumers regardless of distance and are made...2020-04-2134 minThe NegotiationBay McLaughlin | Exploring the World of IoT, Innovation Outside the G8, & Juxtaposing Eastern European and Asian Entrepreneurs With North AmericanToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Bay McLaughlin, Co-Founder, and COO at Brinc.io, an early-stage venture accelerator. He describes his partnership with fellow Co-Founder Manav Gupta as unorthodox in that they were not wholly familiar with each other’s backgrounds when they first met. What they did have individually, however, was the self-confidence needed to dive headfirst into a new venture. This attitude of purpose over profit drives many of Brinc’s thoughts on the IoT startup space.The founding of Brinc goes against the grain of conventional startup journeys. For one, Bay and Manav inve...2020-04-1751 minThe NegotiationDr. Julie Klinger | Rare Earth Metals - Not Rare, In Everything From Magnets To Missiles, & China Dominates The IndustryToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Dr. Julie Klinger, an expert on the rare earth elements industry whose research focuses on finding solutions for current and potential sustainability issues.Rare earth metals are, in fact, not actually rare. They are as common as copper or lead in terms of their occurrence on the Earth’s crust. The term refers to a family of elements located in the lanthanide series, which makes up the top bar of the “island” found south of the periodic table.Each rare earth element is distinct and unique, but what they h...2020-04-1349 minThe NegotiationRick Watson | Amazon vs. Alibaba, Including Seller & Buyer Experiences and Influencer ImpactToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Rick Watson, founder, and CEO at RMW Commerce Consulting. With over 20 years of experience in the eCommerce industry, Rick shares his thoughts on industry giants in China and the U.S.Asked how different Alibaba is from Amazon, Rick starts off by addressing the Western notion that these two eCommerce companies essentially share the same business model—the only difference being that they were founded in different countries. It is inaccurate to assume that Alibaba is simply “China’s Amazon”. Relating Alibaba to the West, he refers to the company as a com...2020-04-0831 minThe NegotiationJoshua Eisenman | China's Asymmetric Global Advantage and Defining "Relational Power"Today on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Joshua Eisenman, an Associate Professor of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame and a senior fellow for China studies at the American Foreign Policy Council.Joshua goes over his four published books on the topic of China and the developing world: China and the Developing World: Beijing’s Strategy for the Twenty-First Century (2007), China and Africa: A Century of Engagement (2012), China Steps Out: Beijing’s Major Power Engagement with the Developing World (2018), and Red China's Green Revolution: Technological Innovation, Institutional Change, and Economic Development Under the Commune (2018).Jo...2020-04-0337 minThe NegotiationAshley Dudarenok | How COVID-19 Has Changed The China eCommerce LandscapeToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Ashley Galina, a bestselling author, global speaker, and founder of two companies: the social media agency Alarice, and the marketing training organization ChoZan. She discusses how Chinese businesses will approach brand strategy as the world starts to recover from the COVID-19 crisis and move towards the new normal.Ashley says that first and second-tier cities in mainland China have already shown signs of recovery, as people are now back out on the streets, socializing, and shopping. However, many other lower-tier cities will be slower to recover. An air of uncertainty...2020-03-3144 minThe NegotiationSarah Weyman | The Impact of COVID-19 & Adjusting To The New Marketing Normal In ChinaToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Sarah Weyman, Chief Growth Officer at Dentsu Aegis Network. She discusses the impact of COVID-19 on Chinese businesses and the future of marketing as the whole world marches on towards the new normal.The outbreak of Coronavirus at the beginning of 2020 fundamentally changed the business world. A few months into the pandemic, those who continue to not only stay afloat but thrive are those companies that, according to Sarah, are the most authentic. These are the brands that have managed to keep consumer needs at the forefront of their strategy...2020-03-2637 minThe NegotiationBen Robinson | The Japanese Market - Shopify Success, Building Brand Loyalty & Consumer TrendsToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Ben Robinson, Merchant Success Manager at Shopify Plus. He shares his experience working with a growing number of large Asia-Pacific brands on the ecommerce platform, with a focus on the Japanese market.Many of the brands Ben works with today are generally “high-growth, high-volume stores that are looking to increase their presence in different markets.” Ben and his team evaluate each company’s business model and operational capability in order to help them maximize the platform’s features. Two examples of brands who have successfully gone global are Koala Mattress and Allb...2020-03-1939 minThe NegotiationAnn Lee | Myths & Misconceptions About China, Wall Street to Best Selling Author X2, & The Impact of COVID-19Today on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Ann Lee, author of What the U.S. Can Learn from China (2012) and Will China’s Economy Collapse? (2017). Having risen to fame for predicting the market crash of 2008, today she is a leading authority on international finance and economics.Ann worked on Wall Street soon after graduating from business school, but made the transition to academia in 2006 once she foresaw the credit crisis. In 2008, she was invited to teach on credit markets and credit derivatives as a visiting professor at Peking University in Beijing. Chinese policymakers quickly caught wind of An...2020-03-1442 minThe NegotiationMarian Danko | Weathering The VC Winter, Why China Will Win The AI Race, & Second Tier Cities To WatchToday on The Negotiation, Todd speaks with Marian Danko, founder of the tech innovation platform weHustle; and TECOM, a conference for tech entrepreneurs. A native of Ukraine, Marian experienced culture shock upon arriving in China, particularly when it came to the rapid speed that defines the nation’s startup ecosystem.Speaking on Shanghai’s tech startup landscape, Marian says that “the ceiling is very high and the floor is very low”. That is, while Shanghai can be regarded as “an expensive city”, from an entrepreneur’s perspective, it can actually be a wellspring of highly lucrative investment opportunities...2020-03-1231 min
ChinaPowerChina's Booming E-Commerce MarketThis episode explores the evolution of the e-commerce market in China, the challenges it presents, and its impact on the Chinese economy. Our guest, Mr. Jacob Cooke, examines fundamental differences between the e-commerce markets in China and the United States, and discusses the shifting consumer landscape toward digital trends. He also analyzes the outlook for e-commerce in China, including the potential impact of outside events like the COVID-19 epidemic and the US-China phase one trade deal.Jacob Cooke is co-founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, a digital marketing and consulting firm based in Beijing. Mr. Cooke s...2020-03-1015 minThe NegotiationScott Laprise | Communism, Guanxi, Innovation vs Adaptation, & Trying to Financially Analyze ChinaToday on The Negotiation, Scott Laprise discusses his transition from a career in diagnostic medicine to a financial analyst and researcher for emerging markets specifically within China.Scott considers Chinese languages the most important to study because of the country’s position as a key player in world business. Additionally, it is not enough to converse in English because the Chinese express themselves in a way that is fundamentally different from how Westerners communicate. Scott, therefore, always seeks to understand the Chinese point-of-view on any given topic before negotiating or simply engaging in conversation with them....2020-03-0645 minThe NegotiationOlivia Plotnick | All About WeChat - Mini-Programs, The Power of WOW, & Building Awareness vs. Building RelationshipsToday on The Negotiation, Olivia Plotnick talks about her entry into China as an entrepreneur from the United States. She shares how she was able to grow WeChat accounts at a massive rate in a fast-paced marketplace whose consumer culture is so different from her home country’s. She also explains how brands can capitalize on certain WeChat features, such as Top Stories, the “Wow” function, and WeChat groups.When asked how companies should look at WeChat in 2020, Olivia recalls how WeChat gradually transitioned from a purely consumer-based social media platform to a brand-building tool. Before, you could...2020-03-0439 minThe NegotiationKevin Johannes Wörner | Helping Chinese Corporates Innovate, Mobile-First Mobile-Only Differences For B2C & B2B, and the Future of AI and Big Data AnalyticsToday on The Negotiation, Kevin Johannes Wörner discusses his background in venture capital and the startup space in China. The German-born entrepreneur developed an “appetite” for the Chinese market at an early age. He studied at Tongji University before working for some time in Germany as a management consultant. Following this, he founded the business accelerator Properas in Berlin.It was around this point, however, that he decided it was time he made the move to China. He got in touch with Wei Zhou, founder of XNode, and today Kevin works on the company’s startup acceler...2020-02-2633 minThe NegotiationCyril Ebersweiler | eCommerce Pre iPhone, Building the Worlds's #1 Hardware Accelerator, & The Next Big ThingToday on The Negotiation, Cyril Ebersweiler shares 20 years of business experience working with various brands in China.Cyril began his career as an eCommerce project manager for Carrefour, launching China’s first online retail platform. From there, he worked with Adidas for four months before making the switch to Air France, where he would work for the next three years. Air France at the time was taking major steps to invest and promote greater relationships in China.From Air France, Cyril joined TBWA and became heavily involved in the company’s marketing efforts. Initially, Cyril inte...2020-02-1841 minThe NegotiationJacob Cooke | Special Edition Coronavirus UpdateFor the past 7 months, this show has been all about China and the amazing opportunities that lie in wait for companies willing to put in the work to be successful there. China’s business landscape and culture have been our bread and butter, it’s what this show has been built upon, and because of that, we need to talk about the tragic events that have been happening there over the last month due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus. The past month has been a difficult one for China and those impacted by the Coronavirus. We at The Nego...2020-02-1308 minThe NegotiationSarah Kutulakos | The Rise of the Middle Class and How eCommerce Has Changed Corporate InfrastructuresToday on The Negotiation, Sarah Kutulakos talks about her experiences working for the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) for twelve years, and how doing business between both countries has changed over the last decade.Sarah talks about the evolution of the “depth of companies’ activities in China”. She highlights eCommerce as a big game-changer for the consumer market, as well as brands’ bolder attitude as a whole towards the creation of IPs.Sarah says that if you do not figure out how to compete in China, you will not know how to beat Chinese competitors in your...2020-02-1030 minThe NegotiationScott Silverman | Context Over Content, The Demand for Immediacy, & Experiential MarketingToday on The Negotiation, Scott Silverman emphasizes efficiency and localizing new technologies as the two keys to brand success.When it comes to promoting your product, your service, or even your company, you must influence the perception around the thing you intend to bring exposure to. As to “what’s in the soup”, the most sacrosanct are 1) the product, and 2) the key benefit. The brand must be aware of the sensibilities of its target consumer and market accordingly.Scott brings up Lenovo’s ThinkPad as an example. Instead of simply translating the copy into Chinese word-for...2020-01-3141 minThe NegotiationLauren Hallanan | Live Commerce, Private Traffic & Idle FishToday on The Negotiation, marketing specialist Lauren Hallanan talks about all things digital marketing, influencers, and social media for brands in China. Lauren shares her insights on what platforms are on top and which are soon to be left in the past by consumers and brands alike. Listen in to learn what tactics are being used by domestic Chinese brands and why studying their approach could be the key to attracting superfans for a brand or product in China. We kick off this episode by asking Lauren for a breakdown of the social media landscape i...2020-01-2847 minThe NegotiationTom Nixon | The Speed of China, An Innovation Mindset, & Reaching the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tier Cities With Your MarketingTom points to social changes as most fundamental to the rapid growth of the Chinese market, particularly with how quick consumers are in adopting new technologies. There are three keys to this change: 1) Immersion, or maximizing the buyer experience (i.e. standardizing vertical video); 2) Innovation, and framing these novel platforms as a positive lifestyle change; 3) Entertainment, which was never a huge factor to the Chinese consumer in the past.According to Tom, there are two types of content: 1) Marketing content, which is produced by brands; and 2) User-generated content (UGC), which is created by the consumers themselves. When...2020-01-2451 minThe NegotiationRebecca Fannin | The Race for Technology Supremacy & Alibaba Life After Jack MaThe China tech scene has been on the rise for the past decade. However, challenges still exist (and are actually increasing in number) for foreign companies looking to enter China and vice versa. As the first foreign correspondent to interview Jack Ma, Rebecca was witness to the eCommerce tycoon’s early days as an entrepreneur. She remembers him as being charismatic, honest, and open. She notes that he did not seem to have any handlers around him listening to their conversation—although the situation is quite the opposite today. With Jack Ma’s departure as Chairman of Alibab...2020-01-2119 minThe NegotiationShawn Graham | From Politician to Chinese Business Consultant & The Importance of Building On-The-Ground Human Relationships in ChinaToday on The Negotiation, Shawn Graham discusses his transition from a politician in Canada to a business consultant in China. As the 31st Premier of New Brunswick, Shawn participated in a highly successful trade mission to China which brought an influx of new business for the Atlantic province.Speaking of the various Canadian business leaders that Shawn accompanied on his trade mission, the former premier refers to the experience as a “baptism by fire”. At the time, China was quickly evolving and rapidly expanding its access around the world. There was huge potential for growth in this emer...2020-01-1530 minThe NegotiationDoug Pearce | Chinese Megabrands, Agency Pitching Best Practices, & Using KOLs and Social Marketing in ChinaToday on The Negotiation, Doug Pearce discusses the rapid transformation in recent years of the media and advertising landscape in China.Doug says that the media scene in China “is like nowhere else”. In place of Google, Facebook, and Amazon, the country has BAT, Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and now TikTok creator ByteDance. The difference between these Chinese companies and their Western “counterparts” is that investments made by megabrands in China give them a huge number of platforms for advertisers to buy into. “They leverage everything to secure as much investment as they can from advertisers.”Any company...2020-01-0938 minThe NegotiationWilliam Bao Bean | China's First Startup Accelerator, The Chinese Entrepreneur's Modus Operandi, & SOSV's Asia Investment ThesisToday on The Negotiation, William Bao Bean discusses what makes China one of the most competitive markets in the world. He points to the quick adoption of new technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—as one of the main drivers of the country’s economic growth. William says that machine learning allows for personalization of consumer experience on a virtually infinite scale, and many Chinese companies are using these resources relentlessly to their advantage. William observed that internet entrepreneurs in China operate with the mindset of, “Let’s see what worked somewhere else and make it better.” He refers to it as “Lean Sta...2020-01-0749 minThe NegotiationBessie Lee | 3 Decades of Marketing in China, Marketing Technology Startups, and How AI Is Disrupting it All EverywhereToday on The Negotiation, we talk with Bessie Lee, founder of Withinlink. She shares her experience working for WPP, a marketing and communications holding company. She discusses WPP’s challenging journey as it steadily grew into one of the leading advertising groups in China, from its timely entry into the market during the foreign investment boom in the mid-1970s to the rise of the internet and digital marketing in the country. It was during this latter period, in which online transactions drastically altered the economic landscape when Bessie Lee realized the difficulty of updating the mindset of large tr...2019-12-2042 minThe NegotiationElizabeth Campbell | PPC West vs. East, Forming Chinese Marketing Teams, and the Value of Custom Built China Data Analytics SoftwareToday on The Negotiation, Elizabeth Campbell discusses her experiences working in marketing communications in the Chinese market. She considers building up her businesses’ digital marketing capabilities as a “critical part of the overall growth strategy” in the country.We start out diving into the differences in Pay-Per-Click in China vs. the West. When Elizabeth began looking into digital marketing in China, she and her team started by working with paid search in order to raise awareness and drive traffic to their websites. This was followed by a focus on SEO. As per her experience doing marketing in the wes...2019-12-1831 min