Winning Customers This Mega Holiday with GCash

Spent the evening at the GCash Insider event in BGC as they bare news about this supposed MEGA HOLIDAY happening in the Philippines. They also shared information about how to win customers at the most competitive days since everybody's having their own mega sales season.  It's timely and apt for Pinoys since we do start the holidays quite early, a cultural phenomenon that even Mariah Carey understood.

The number 1 finance app in the country GCash knows how important this is not just for their consumer base but for the countless businesses that are also on the platform. They have pioneered a lot of things in the past and this time, services have changed tremendously because of the demands of the economy pre and post pandemic. Connecting to consumers have evolved and it is critical to reach your target consumers which is why they have personalized the experience year on year. 

The rise of e-commerce channels , tons of promos and discounts means you need to make your brand stand out. It needs clearer communication and better strategies. 

GCash B2B Marketing Head on New Businesses Katrina Ronquillo says "Christmas is extraordinary in the Philippines and to note, we celebrate it as early as September. We also see consumer spending, movement, brand spending increase both online and offline. People are excited about it, even if it means going through traffic everywhere. You need to know your customer, and we know how mega it's going to be this season."

Carlos Bauza the Innovations and AdTech head for GCash says "The past few days we scoured the internet and found some of the most weird items are being highly reviewed online. From flavored soda, haunted items, a jail cell for phones. Value, Volume and Users increased and people value safety in transactions when it comes to digital transactions. Some segments are not as natural, some people buy things online, some don't. Mostly it's the convenience that makes them buy. Despite the massive growth of online, almost half still do offline purchases because of security and value of the product. Consumer spending also has grown in both, and it has to be in targeted driven channels that we need to be in so we can drive sales. GCash Voucher Ads can get your products where your customers are."

Sarah Venturina Chief Data Officer of Gcash adds "I've been working 24 years in this data industry, that's 1999. We have little information of our customers, but these days we have a lot and it's not just age and gender. At GCash, we try to understand our customers with our shopaholic segments. From GDP, employment, and income growth, we have seen this increase over the years especially for the shopaholics... most of which are also doing transactions on GCash. These are across different segments. And it's not just women. We need to support their passions, invest in cross selling, revisit typical consumer data. At GCash we have over 50 different affinities, and we did it today in this room. 90 percent of you are shopaholics, luxury shoppers are 21 percent, 76 percent are Salon Lovers, these are your GCash personalities."

Claude Gomez of Insights Analytics and Globe Synergies says "We are in sales and marketing so we look at the data points especially the money that goes in and out of wallets. Lending penetration has also grown, 9x in the past 3 years. It's because it is a convenient and is expected to increase in December. This is a lot of retail, more of wants rather than needs during this time. Much of the purchases are gadgets, and by targeting your customers to get personalized offers, it will be more effective with GCash Hyper AI Ads (beta). It maximizes campaign revenue and optimize learning about your customers. This doesn't just drive growth to GCash products but partner brands as well."

These are just some of the things GCash does and if you want to win customers through mega mobility, affinities and spenders, choose the e-wallet and tech company that does these all. They have Mega Shopper Booster, Shopper Pulse Push, Cross Shopper Trigger and Merry GCash packages you can avail if you're interested and plan to do big things this 11.11, 12.12 and Christmas season.

To Celebrate Your Life: Marissa Sanchez Releases "Farewell Slam Book"

 

It was a fun afternoon, over lunch, seated with blogger friends and writers at the launch of Ms. Marissa Sanchez's book called "Farewell Slam Book". Yes, it's unconventional, and talks about something that people may think is taboo. Though at this day and age, what's a topic that can't be talked about?

Ms. Marissa Sanchez is a really well rounded actress, a really good comedienne, so I'm sure naysayers would probably ask what is she doing writing a book?

She says "I think this is timely, it's fleeting, and I've seen people who have death in the family who don't know where to go to, who cry and stress over it. People find it morbid talking about it, and the subject is being oppressed, but we really have to talk about it. I've said this to a lot of friends, when I shared it with Ogie he was squeamish. It was Tita Aster Amoyo who thought I should start it, and I've had friends who supported me in this book. I've always wanted to be a journalist, to write, and it's something that I wanted to do but didn't have the guts to do so.  She said I shouldn't procrastinate, I should go ahead and do it."

She adds "Happiness is a choice, I'd be a hypocrite when  I say I'm not. Writing this made me realize there's a lot that needs to be said, but you kinda don't because you don't want to hurt their feelings. There's also some parts where you need to think, the whole pandemic gave me time to really think about what to include here."

Asked about who this book is intended for, she says "It'll be good for Cancer patients, old people, almost everyone, young and old should have this." 

When I flipped the pages and saw much of the literature, it wasn't something that I'd think Ms. Marissa Sanchez would write. She's different on TV, and on the book it was more of her sharing her views. 

I could say those bible verses she shared was something unexpected, because you don't see her preaching on TV for most of the days she's spreading "funny" on it. Though in hindsight, it's something she didn't want to do. It didn't come off as that, her Christian views was easy to digest and really relatable. The book also had a lot of things that needed much of your input in preparing for the inevitable. The gist of it lies on you (in some way or form) measure your relationships, to say things you need say to people, talk about those whom you might have not talked to in years but actually matter to you. It also presents a place to become organized, from the things you prefer like flowers, location, insurance, which would be good to know when the time comes.

 

I also asked about being single, and we kinda connected on that a LOT.

She says "Being single is not something you need to be sad about, you can find happiness from a lot of things, it's just that we are partly to be blamed about it because we see them as someone to fix, someone we can change but that is just not realistic, and in a way, yes, our standards are high."

If you're ready to take that step to make sure everything is organized, and you care about the people you leave behind, maybe try it first, see how it will impact your life. And I quote from Lt. General Baden Powell (founder of Scouting) who said "Try to leave this world a little better than when you found it, so if your turn comes to die, you will have a happy feeling that you have not wasted your time, but have done your best."

The book is now available at Shopee and Lazada, but to make things easier, here's a link for it HERE. It only costs 950 there, but if you're seriously considering more, you can directly message Ms. Marissa Sanchez' social channels to arrange more copies. Thank you to Sir Ogie Diaz and the men and women who made this media conference possible. One of my favorite authors and host Ms. Julie Yap Daza also graced the occasion and supported Ms. Marissa on her new book. That alone says a lot no?

Watching the FIBA World Cup 2023 with the TCL C648 QLED TV

The FIBA World Cup is indeed something we all looked forward to since announcements were made a couple years ago. With the hosting done in 3 countries, it was already making history. The Philippines very own Gilas Pilipinas has beaten China but before that happened, we got invited to watch the match versus Angola at a sports bar in Makati.

To tell you honestly, I am rooting for the Philippines but ranks and numbers tell otherwise. It must have been nice to see this live but with the logistics to get there, I wouldn't want to do that since it's too far and crowded. We watched it all unfold via the TCL C648 QLED TV which was all over the venue. It was nice because even before the games, we got to look at the actual TV and how it performed for the livestream.

It's bright, clear and crisp, it's got really vibrant colors and you can see the details on screen so even if I was a few meters away from it. The perfect word that would describe it, is immersive. I could still see the players, the scores and the actual game without squinting and that's a lot for the TCL C648 QLED TV.

TCL is also a global partner of FIBA so at the venues, TCL also wanted people to experience the TCL C648 QLED TV. This is why they put up booths at Mall of Asia Arena, the Araneta Coliseum and the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Folks were able to see the actual TV's on display and use the various IOT products made by TCL. TCL also provided the TCL Player of the Game trophy for the best of the best player in every game.

According to TCL Philippines Brand Manager Joseph Cernitchez, he says "We are excited for people to see our TCL booths at the FIBA venues here in the Philippines. People could start trying our different appliances and sets especially the Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, Washing Machines and new QLED TV's."

Since they are celebrating their FIBA partnership, you too will benefit from it as they cut the price of these TCL C648 QLED TV's to Php 24,995 (from it's original 32,5++). This will only last until September 17th so if you're looking for something to replace your old one, this might be the best one to fit your living room. Imagine the things you'll enjoy watching here aside from the FIBA finals. 

 

Who knows, you might just be lucky and take one home too (make sure you join their promos by following their social channels!). Thanks for the love TCL!

Making History, Leaving a Legacy with Gatorade

 

Wasn't the last FIBA game of the Philippines fun? Gilas Pilipinas won against China and it's a whopping 96-75, contrary to early predictions. Dwight Ramos wasn't just eye candy, but really went against some of the big men in the league. He's been training a lot and played in teams from the EU region. He knows how to play, and part of that is hydrating a lot.

He goes through these challenges with a Gatorade in hand. It replenishes his electrolytes, and makes him not experience dehydration. It also helps him with the nutrients he need while playing on the court. With it, he also doesn't experience cramps during warmups.

During the game, heat and exhaustion can really hamper these players performance especially since they've been at the peak of their physical efforts. Some players stop mid game because they lose so much fluids and cramps become a problem. Good thing there's the official electrolyte drink for FIBA to help them in the games. They are making history for their respective countries, that includes the Philippines... and we saw that happen during this week. 

 

That sweet end with the victory against China was the cherry on top.