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SAMA Alliance Unites Asian Digital Marketing Agencies Under Its Banner
- October 14, 2024
Digital marketing in Asia has thrived now that the consuming class’s expenditures and smartphone usage for media consumption are projected to rise exponentially in 2025. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many digital marketing agencies have sprung forth in Asia, each offering its competitive advantages. Realizing this phenomenon, several experienced digital marketing service providers have joined forces to create an alliance that unites those agencies: SAMA (Strategic Asia Marketing Alliance).
SAMA Alliance’s Background Story
SAMA Alliance was born to capitalize on the massive potential of Southeast Asia’s digital economy, e-commerce, and online-based services. Its founders realized that many digital marketing agencies in Asia are scattered. Yet, the industry’s challenge proved to be more complex with changes in consumer habits and the rise of artificial intelligence in marketing.
Therefore, the agencies under SAMA Alliance’s banners have set aside their competition to focus on providing a holistic learning platform for digital marketing service providers across Asia and helping Asian brands more easily tap into new regional markets.
This philosophy is reflected in SAMA Alliance’s logo, which features the letter S, which resembles a long piece of ribbon. The design shows the founders’ and committee members’ vision of connecting all Asian marketing agencies and brands with potential customers.
List of SAMA Alliance Members
The SAMA Alliance consists of 4 Southeast Asian countries represented by 17 digital marketing companies experienced in handling many multinational clients with localized services, and the number is slated to multiply as time goes on. Who are the founders and committee members? You can learn more about them here:
Indonesia
The Indonesian side of the SAMA Committee is represented by various stakeholders from expert digital marketing agencies: Arianto Bigman (IDEOWORKS), Raymond Buana (Omeoo Creative Advertising & Digital Agency), Andrew Halim (Meson Digital), Elga Yulwardian (Ivosights), Fanny Suwarni (KIM Communications), Felix Ramli (GameLevelOne/GLO), Albert Susanto (Se7en Ads), Yunus Halim Tjin (Naikreatif), Indra Jaya (Krona) and Elbert Toha (ADX Asia).
They provide diverse digital marketing services—including gamification, creative campaigns, integrated campaigns, SEM, website development, and analytics, to name a few–to cater to brands’ various needs. True to their experience, they have worked with many local companies looking forward to launching their marketing campaigns overseas and multinational brands that wish to establish their presence in Indonesia.
Malaysia
Indonesia is not the only country contributing to SAMA Alliance’s progress. Malaysia, its neighbor, is represented by Chan Leong Teng (CEO of Skribble), Mark Lee (Co-founder and CEO of BLWN), Shakthi DC (CEO of iWisers), and Bentley Tee (General Manager of Battle Mind Creative). As part of the leading forces in Malaysia’s digital marketing, their involvement helps strengthen the alliance’s efforts in innovative marketing strategies.
Singapore
Singapore is also a key player in the SAMA Alliance. Vary Yong from iFoundries and Nadine W. from Superminted represent the country. They are known for their focus on digital marketing solutions, and their respective leadership enhances the alliance’s commitment to technological advancements in marketing.
Thailand
Antonio Fernández (CEO and founder of Relevant Audience) and Jeffery Chow (CGO of C-Eye) contribute their expertise from Thailand. Both are digital marketing agencies with a solid regional presence. Their role in the alliance ensures that Thailand stays competitive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, and multinational brands wishing to tap into the Thai market can do so seamlessly.
SAMA Alliance Launching Highlights
SAMA Alliance made its presence known to the public during a press conference held on 29 August 2024 at GranDhika Hotel, South Jakarta. Many industry experts in the media and entertainment field attended the event to express their support. Another noteworthy guest among the attendees was a representative of the MDEC, Malaysia’s government institution created to support the creative economy.
They all shared their insights on the latest industry trends and warmly welcomed the birth of the SAMA Alliance. Then, during a speech by the alliance’s founders to introduce SAMA’s branding and objectives, they all encouraged Asian brands and marketing agencies to create a comprehensive ecosystem to advance digital marketing.
After the speech, presentation, and Q&A session concluded, the alliance’s representatives signed an MoU. Finally, attendees were encouraged to network in a more casual luncheon setting.
SAMA Alliance strives to unite all Asian digital marketing agencies to build a robust network of learning, development, and support for brand expansion. This advantage will aid local brands’ digital marketing strategies in penetrating a new market and seizing the rise of the consuming class. Therefore, Southeast Asian countries will no longer remain consumers; they can contribute to the digital economy and gain a competitive advantage in the international market. Visit SAMA Alliance’s website to learn more about its latest developments and initiatives!