Firms urged to embrace mobile marketing

More than 400 executives representing local and foreign businesses, brands, agencies, publishers, and technology companies took part in the 2018 Mobile Marketing Association Forum held in HCM City on October 26 to discuss the opportunities and challenges for enterprises from the explosive growth of mobile marketing.
  • HCMC to host Crypto Expo Asia 2018
  • PM lauds Coca-Cola’s operations in Vietnam
  • National brands to be announced in December
  • New Textile & Garment and Footwear Machinery and technology to be displayed in HCM City
  • Vietnam attends Global Agriculture Leadership Summit in India
A panel discussion at the 2018 Mobile Marketing Association Forum held in HCM City on October 26. (Photo: VNA)

A panel discussion at the 2018 Mobile Marketing Association Forum held in HCM City on October 26. (Photo: VNA)

"Shape the Future" covered topics like leadership perspective: how to manage today’s complex marketing landscape; how digital marketing can lead and enrich brand experience introduction; reaching rural mobile consumers; and the secrets to operating successfully on mobile platforms.

Rohit Dadwal, managing director of the Mobile Marketing Association Asia Pacific Limited, said mobile phones have drastically changed the way consumers are accessing media content.

This year nearly 50 percent of Vietnamese who are connected to the internet did so via smartphones, with mobile devices growing to account for 50 percent of all digital minutes in Vietnam, and this in turn has profound effects at the business level, he said.

The shift in mobile consumption is shaping the way businesses across sectors are conducting themselves in the marketing world, he said.

Businesses are transforming themselves to embrace and maximise mobile marketing efforts, he said, pointing out that, for instance, video advertising is becoming a key focus for many industry players as online video content consumption increases across all age groups in Vietnam.

“We are at a juncture where it has become imperative for business to leverage mobile marketing to create a deep, authentic connection with consumers.

“As an industry, we need to look to the future and take charge of shaping the future of not just mobile marketing, but also our businesses.”

According to David Porter, vice president, Global Media, at Unilever Asia, Africa, Middle East, Turkey and Russia, marketing is evolving faster than ever. As a result, it has put tremendous pressure on marketers to rethink their organisational structure to best take advantage of mobile marketing, he said. “Vietnam is at the centre of mobile growth.”

Brands have to be prepared to meet customers where they are, they should prepare to have assets really mobile-ready, including optimising websites for small screens with contents repurposed for any screen, pre-aligning creative and media teams to build relevant assets, and understanding viewability, he added.

Delegates said in the context of increasing demand for effectiveness of marketing campaigns from clients, traditional media methods no longer bring maximum value any more, and keeping up with the latest trends in the market is the key for marketers to nimbly meet clients’ needs.

In a fast changing world, marketers tomorrow must be agile and adaptive to understand emerging trends which shape the future of human beings and always be ready to serve consumers in novel, exciting and better ways, they said.

At the forum, Indian firm POKKT released a new report titled The Power of Mobile Gaming in Vietnam in association with MMA and Decision Lab.

With mobile gaming registering phenomenal growth across multiple demographics in Vietnam, the largest mobile gaming market in Southeast Asia, advertisers have an unparalleled opportunity to optimise audience engagement and drive higher returns on investments, according to the report.

Participants also heard presentations on the best campaigns from the 2018 Smarties Vietnam Awards.

Phan Bich Tam, country manager, Mobile Marketing Association in Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, said the annual event provides a good opportunity for participants to network and seek potential partners.

VNA

Other News

A view of a container port in Singapore. (File photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Vietnam-Singapore trade cooperation gains fresh momentum

Analysts noted that Vietnam-Singapore ties are increasingly moving beyond traditional goods trade towards green growth, innovation and high-quality supply chains, laying a stronger foundation for more substantive and sustainable cooperation in the years ahead.

Vietnamese products make strong impression at Foodservice Australia 2026

Vietnamese products make strong impression at Foodservice Australia 2026

International visitors expressed positive impressions of Vietnamese products displayed at the fair. Nelma Sanjines, senior supervisor at ESP Catering in Sydney, praised the flavour of Vietnamese chilli sauce and soy sauce as well as the attractive packaging of confectionery products.

Digital technology helps standardise supply chains, sustain export competitiveness

Digital technology helps standardise supply chains, sustain export competitiveness

Experts noted that supply chain optimisation and risk management are no longer isolated tasks for individual companies but a requirement for the entire export ecosystem. With guidance from regulators, support from industry experts and their own efforts, Vietnamese exporters are expected to enhance their competitiveness and turn technical barriers and market volatility into opportunities for sustainable growth in global markets.

Vietnam seen as attractive investment destination for 2026–2035

Vietnam seen as attractive investment destination for 2026–2035

The article described Vietnam as strategically positioned along major regional maritime routes, including the East – West corridor linking the Americas, the Middle East, India and Europe, and the North – South corridor connecting China and Southeast Asia, helping make the country a gateway for international trade.

Eco-industrial parks seen as catalyst for higher-quality FDI

Eco-industrial parks seen as catalyst for higher-quality FDI

The eco-industrial park model will help Vietnam meet international environmental standards while creating opportunities to improve growth quality and economic competitiveness. Many multinational corporations now view green standards, emissions reduction and energy efficiency as key conditions when selecting investment destinations.

Promoting Vietnamese Brands at an International Food Fair in Gwangju

Promoting Vietnamese Brands at an International Food Fair in Gwangju

Alongside exhibition activities, trade promotion, and business networking programs, the “Gwangju Global Food Fair 2026” also witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Vietnam–Korea Businessmen & Investment Association (VKBIA) and the Gwangju Tourism Organization of South Korea.

Hanoi proposes subsidies to accelerate shift to electric vehicles

Hanoi proposes subsidies to accelerate shift to electric vehicles

Under a draft resolution currently open for public feedback by the municipal People’s Committee, residents with permanent or temporary residence registration in Hanoi for at least two consecutive years, who own petrol-powered motorbikes registered before the resolution takes effect, will be eligible for support when purchasing electric motorbikes priced at 10 million VND or more.

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.