Globe Telecom is Asia’s Best Brand

CMO Asia has conferred Asia’s Best Brand Award to Globe Telecom in recognition of its marketing leadership in the telecommunications sector both local and regional.

                Globe was chosen based on the following criteria:  a) Mind Share – indicates a brand’s strength inside the minds of the consumers of the respective product category; b) Market Share – shows a brand’s strength in a certain market in terms of consumers’ actual buying behavior; and c) Commitment Share – indicates a brand’s strength in encouraging consumers to buy that brand in the future.

                “Branding is important since it provides the interface between the consumers and the company and shows how much a service or product is accepted by the public.  Currently, Globe continues to sustain its growth momentum complemented by robust subscriber acquisitions which leverage on the success of our various marketing efforts across all brands.  This Award, therefore, is proof that we are on the right track,” said Yoly Crisanto, Head of Globe Corporate Communications.

                The 4^th CMO Asia Awards for Excellence in Branding & Marketing recognizes Organizations, Chief Marketing Officers and Professionals who have shown leadership in building brands combined with consistent innovation and strategic marketing.  It is also dedicated to high level knowledge exchange through thought leadership and peer networking amongst decision makers across industry segments in Asia. 

The Awards was represented by 25 countries across Asia with about 200 Senior Leaders and decision makers who attended the awarding ceremony at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore.

               

Earlier, Globe My Super Plan for postpaid users was awarded the Most Innovative Telecom Project Award in the Asia Telecom Awards for its huge impact in the market.  Globe My Super Plan as well as Go Sakto for prepaid subscribers, are both pioneering services that allow users to create their own plan or promo according to their needs, budget, usage levels, and preference and are testament to the strength of the Globe brand.

Philam Life’ s Nationwide Family Talk School Tour

Philam Family Talk led by Love Institute co-founder Maribel Dionisio with her son David

Mr. Rex Mendoza, PhilamLife President/CEO shares insights during Family Talk Forum Media Briefing at the Apo View Hotel

Financial planning is not only for the businessmen and the rich, it is also for the average Filipino breadwinner who works hard to make ends meet and reach the family’s dreams. In line with its mission of empowering Filipinos to achieve financial security and prosperity, Philam Life, the country’s premier life insurance provider, seeks to debunk the Filipino’s deflection towards financial planning through a financial literacy campaign that involves a nationwide school tour, dubbed “Family talk”.

In partnership with Love Institute- a pioneering company in the Philippines that promotes good family relationships, the school tour teaches parents about responsible parenting and financial planning, urging them to think seriously about how they raise their children and what steps they are taking to secure their family’s future.

Parenting consultant and Love Institute co-founder Maribel Dionisio talks about the ABCs of parenting which include Attention-Giving, Building Self- Worth, Communicating regularly and Disciplining with love, Enhancing the marital relationship and being Financially responsible. To emphasize the need for financial planning, she asks parents to list down their financial goals in a timetable and the budget they need for each goal.

To help parents meet their financial goals, Philam Life shares six basic steps to follow:

1) Set your financial goals

2) Know your net worth

3) Stay out of unnecessary debt

4) Save before you spend

5) Make your money work for you and;

5) Prepare for the unexpected

“Parents need to balance their family relationships and their finances. If they don’t plan well for their financial need, it becomes a major source of conflict. Financial problems can break a home,” Dionisio said.

Philam Life, the Filipino’s family planning partner

As a leading life insurance provider in the Philippines, Philam Life offers plans to help parent reach their financial goals and protect their family’s future.

Family Provider and Family Secure are unit linked life insurance plans wherein benefits are linked to the returns of one’s chosen Philam Asset Management Inc. (PAMI) investment funds.

Family provider is a protection plan that offers life insurance coverage equal to 25 times the yearly payments or even higher. It is conveniently payable in three, five, seven, or ten years, allowing breadwinners to protect their family’s future- a lifelong commitment, without them having to worry about lifetime payments.

Family secure is a high value insurance plan that can be converted into a retirement fund as the breadwinner reaches the end of his critical working days and the start of his golden years. For as low as Php 44 a day or Php 16,000 a year, the breadwinner’s family can receive as much as Php 1.5 Million if anything happens to him. Later, Family Secure allows him to decrease his life insurance coverage so that more of his premium payment can go into building up his savings for retirement.

He can boost his savings through “top-up” payments as low as P 1,000 every year or as much as 5x the yearly payment. With top-ups, the breadwinner can build a bigger savings fund to help him enjoy his retirement.

“Family Talk” goes to Stella Maris Davao and Davao Christian School on September 14 and Ateneo de Davao on October 12.

< this is a press release from the Philam Life>

Globe Telecom promotes use of renewable energy through solar lantern distribution

Globe Telecom reinforces its commitment to environmental sustainability by promoting the benefits of using renewable energy among its partner communities in far-flung places which are deprived of electricity.

                Globe, together with Stiftung Solarenergie Philippines, is spearheading a solar lantern distribution program in Batangas, Davao, and Benguet.  The said provinces are part of the Community of Practice (CoP) strategy of Globe which brings together various advocacies and initiatives of the company in areas of environment, good governance, social services, entrepreneurship, and volunteerism.

                “We employ a wholistic approach in the communities that we serve that is why we provide them with the tools to make their lives better.  In this case, we decided on distributing solar lamps so that the people could avoid using coal and kerosene which are hazardous to their health and environment.  More importantly, it is expected that the use of solar lamps will generate significant household savings which they can use for more productive undertakings,” said Fernando Esguerra, OIC, Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

                Globe has identified specific communities in the three provinces which are not part of the main electrical transmission grid, thus, they rely heavily on fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum to provide light in the evening.  However, the use of fossil fuels has raised considerable concern among environmentalists since they are non-renewable resources and take millions of years to form.

                As an initial activity, 80 solar lamps will be distributed to the boatmen and tour guides of Taal who live in Barangay Caliwit, Balete, Batangas.  Balete is a fifth class municipality along Taal Lake which provides a panoramic view of Taal Volcano. Calawit is one of the 13 barangays in Balete. 

                In Arakan Valley, at the border of Davao and Northern Cotabato, recipients of the solar lamps are the 132 members of Bantay Gubat, a group of tribal people who protect the habitat of the Philippine Eagle. 

                On the other hand, public elementary schools hosting seedling nurseries will be the beneficiaries of 257 solar lamps in Benguet to lessen and eventually end their reliance on kerosene. 

                Solar lamps for distribution are either portable or for installation in homes and can provide from four hours of continuous use under maximum setting to as long as 100 hours under bedtime setting.  They can also be used to charge mobile phones.

                Globe currently has existing partnerships with Pusod, Inc. on the protection of the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape, Philippine Eagle Foundation for the Forest Corridor Initiative Program in Arakan Valley, and Cordillera Conservation Trust on the Roots & Shoots Nursery Program in Benguet. 

Globe Telecom moves to a new home

Philippine telecommunication company Globe Telecom announces its move to its new corporate headquarters in Bonifacio Global City in late August.

“The move to The Globe Tower is momentous for us because it is an important component of the company’s transformation journey,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, in reference to the company’s efforts to further enrich customer experience through its network and IT modernization initiatives.

The Globe Tower will be the main hub of company transactions and will bring together close to 4,000 employees currently housed in several business offices situated in different areas in Metro Manila.

Since the groundbreaking in 2010, construction phase of the facility had been in full swing.  The building has a floor plan of more than 70,000 square meters spread across 18 office floors, 9 parking levels, 2 floors of conference rooms, a store and corporate showroom and a dining level.

According to Cu, the building is aligned with the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) standards, a green building rating system from the United States Green Building Council.

This means that the design and construction of the building took into account its impact on location and surrounding environment.

The rating system has further driven the company to incorporate construction routines that do not contribute to environmental degradation by maintaining proper waste disposal and exterior area protection.  In the long run, and during the building’s operational phase, it will also generate minimal or zero impact on the environment, Cu said.

Following energy efficiency standards, the building makes use of LED lights which will significantly reduce lighting use. Using LED lights for the entire building will make the new Globe headquarters 20% more energy efficient.

The building is also aiming for reduced water consumption through a grey water collecting system that will bring the building’s water efficiency to around 30% in terms of probable water consumption.

Furthermore, the new Globe building envisions having a clutter-free and paperless environment.  In line with this vision, employees will be working through an online platform that will allow a green office transaction initiative.

Prior to the transfer, the Globe Telecom has been holding its main office in Mandaluyong City.

Globe Telecom board OKs cash dividend following strong 1H performance

Globe Telecom said its board has approved a cash dividend of P33.50 per common share following encouraging financial performance results for the first half of the year.

The dividend is payable to shareholders on record as of August 22. Payment date has been set on September 13.

The brings total cash dividend payments this year to P67/share totaling P8.9 billion, representing 86% of the company’s 2012 core net income of P10.3 billion, a 2% rise from a year earlier. In February this year, the company’s board approved its first semi-annual cash dividend payment of about P4.4 billion.

The leading telecommunications company also said its board also approved a change in the frequency of the cash dividend distribution from semi-annual to quarterly beginning in the first quarter of 2014. The quarterly cash dividends will continue to be based on the policy of distributing 75% to 90% of prior year’s core net income.

               

The amended frequency in the payouts will provide the company with better cash planning and liquidity management and at the same time ensure a more consistent dividend distribution to the shareholders.

Last month, Globe Telecom was recognized by the regional publication Alpha Southeast Asia Magazine as one of the Philippine companies with the most consistent dividend policy on their 3^rd annual Southeast Asia Institutional Investor Corporate Awards. In June, Globe Telecom was also cited by FinanceAsia Magazine’s annual poll of Best Managed Companies for its commitment to a strong dividend policy. Globe was cited by both publications for the same categories last year.

The company sustained its strong performance in the first half of the year, reporting consolidated service revenues of PHP44.5 billion, up 9% from a year earlier. The topline growth was broad-based with the mobile, broadband and fixed line data businesses growing by 8%, 25% and 12%, respectively from a year earlier.

                    

Globe goes Google

Globe Telecom will start using Google business solutions and tools that will empower employees of the Philippine telecommunications company to serve its customers better.

            “This collaboration will help build the capability of our people and transform the way we work to deliver superior customer experience,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

            According to Cu, Globe Telecom’s collaboration with Google will provide the company with flexibility to deliver more for its customers by enhancing mobility of close to 6,000 Globe employees, supportive of a 24-7 service.

“The decision to go Google will change the way we work as the new tools and applications will give our employees greater freedom to connect and collaborate anytime, anywhere, using any device. We believe that a collaborative workforce enhances employee engagement which, in turn, will delight our customers,” he emphasized.

The Google Apps is a suite of online productivity and collaboration tools that include products like Gmail, Google Drive, Google++ and Google Calendar. These tools are expected to provide in-house communication breakthrough, allowing employees to hold meetings online, share videos or data with ease, as well as chat and meet online.

The move is in recognition of market-changing global advances in mobile technology which has been changing the way people communicate and industries conduct business.

According to Cu, any telecommunications service provider, with a desire to attract and keep customers cannot afford to ignore the gains in mobile technology. “This collaboration with Google will enable us to future-proof our working environment in step with our future-proof network and IT infrastructure,” he said, referring to the massive $790 million network and IT transformation project that the company recently embarked on.

“Globe is on a journey to transform the way it conducts business with technology and Google is very privileged to support them on this journey. Globe join over 5 million businesses around the world that have already discovered the benefits of working together at any time on any device with Google Apps and we look forward to seeing what the Globe team will do when they have access to these tools.” said Ricky Kapur, Head of Google Enterprise Asia.

Globe Telecom recently announced that it will move to its new corporate headquarters later this month. The Google Apps will support a clutter-free and paperless environment envisioned at the new headquarters as employees will be working through an online platform that will allow a green office transaction initiative.

Located in premier business district of Bonifacio Global City, The Globe Tower will be the main hub of company transactions and will bring together close to 4,000 employees currently housed in several business offices situated in different areas in Metro Manila.

Globe strengthen rewards program with Philippine Airlines partnership

Subscribers can now convert PAL Mabuhay Miles to Globe rewards points and redeem from ten (10) partner merchants, the biggest for a telco loyalty program

           

            Strengthening its customer loyalty program Globe Rewards, Globe Telecom forged a partnership with Philippine Airlines (PAL) to allow its frequent flyers to convert their PAL Mabuhay Miles to Globe rewards points.

            For every 2,000 Mabuhay Miles converted, subscribers can earn 400 rewards points; 1,500 Mabuhay Miles can be converted to 300 rewards points; and 1,000 Mabuhay Miles can earn subscribers 200 rewards points.

            Subscribers can use rewards points to redeem items from the Globe Rewards catalog such as Globe services, shopping, dining and leisure items, gadgets, and gift certificates. Recently, using the point-to-peso conversion of 1 point = P1.00, subscribers are given more options to redeem their points, where rewards points can now be used as cash to purchase items from partner merchants.

            Retail brand Bench, fastfood chain KFC, and gadget store Memo Express are now part of Globe Rewards’ growing list of merchants accepting Globe rewards points as a form of payment. Current list of partner merchants include Ayala Malls Cinemas, Figaro Coffee Company, Wendy’s, Sunglass Hut, Enchanted Kingdom, Rose Pharmacy, and Petron.

            With the addition of Bench, KFC, and Memo Express, Globe Rewards has grown its partner merchants to ten (10), the biggest number of partners for a telco loyalty program to date.

“Converting PAL Mabuhay Miles to Globe rewards points is an initiative that promotes further engagement and customer delight to both loyal Globe subscribers and Philippine Airlines customers,” said Jay Beltran, Head of Customer Lifecycle Management at Globe. “This initiative spearheads the long-term goal of Globe Rewards to enable partners to offer rewards to their loyal customers through the Globe Rewards points earning and rewards redemption. With this partnership, Mabuhay Miles members can enjoy more rewards with their miles.”

Added Beltran, “We are excited with this partnership with PAL especially that our list of partner-merchants expands further, giving consumers more ways to enjoy their miles and rewards points.”

"Our partnership with Globe is a Mabuhay Miles commitment to offer more exciting redemption opportunities to our loyal members. Aside from travel award tickets and flight service class upgrades, our members may enjoy exciting freebies from Globe and their partner-merchants through this new non-flight mileage redemption offer,” said Ria Carrion - Domingo, Head of Frequent Flyer Program and Loyalty at Philippine Airlines.

To convert PAL Mabuhay Miles to Globe rewards points, members can call 855-8888 for Manila or (032) 340-0191 for Cebu. Members may also visit the Mabuhay Miles Service Center at Mabuhay Miles Service Center Makati. A text notification will be sent to the member indicating that the Globe rewards points have been credited to his or her mobile number.

Globe Rewards points are earned every time a prepaid subscriber tops up, or a postpaid subscriber uses his Globe postpaid plan. Subscribers can also receive points shared by fellow Globe subscribers for bigger rewards. Aside from new partner merchants, the Globe Rewards catalog includes Globe call and text services, shopping, dining and leisure items, and gadgets. To date, over 12 million Globe/TM subscribers have been actively using their points to redeem rewards.

            Mabuhay Miles members earn miles from Philippine Airlines flights and program partners such as credit card rewards program, hotels, resorts, car rentals and telecommunications.

Redemption of Globe rewards from partner merchants can be done by texting BUY <space> MOBILE # OF MERCHANT <space> AMOUNT to 4438. To check available points, text BAL to 4438. For more details, visit www.rewards.globe.com.ph.

Globe Telecom seeks to install ODAS solution in Forbes Park

Globe Telecom is seeking an approval to install outdoor distributed antenna system (ODAS) in Forbes Park in Makati City in a bid to improve connectivity in the upscale subdivision.

The first telecommunications company to make use of the ODAS technology in the country, Globe Telecom is offering the use of ODAS as part of efforts to deliver stronger mobile phone signal for its subscribers, in step with its network modernization initiatives.

“The ODAS solution is best suited for urban and suburban areas that require signal enhancement. It will address perennial wireless signal concerns as well as future mobile service needs of the residents while meeting the height restrictions, social acceptability and aesthetic issues of the community,” said Emmanuel Estrada, Globe Head of Network Technologies Strategy.

The ODAS technology is a network of small cell sites, instead of typical macro cell sites with shared equipment connected through fiber optic links. The solution makes use of a specialized lamp posts with radio signal transmission capability deployed along sidewalks.

“The solution effectively enhances coverage by bringing radio signals closer to subscribers and that it enables both outdoor and indoor signal coverage.  In addition, the technology’s design can be integrated with newer technologies such as WiFi, FTTH and LTE depending on the coverage objectives of the village,” Estrada said.

The ODAS infrastructure supports all frequency bands used by wireless carriers and the technology has a scalable system to future-proof the system for new technologies, he stressed.

In addition, the ODAS technology’s low profile antenna system has less visual impact compared to a traditional tower or rooftop cell sites

“The ODAS technology has been marked as best solution for high-profile subdivisions as it blends-in aesthetically with lamp post design and it also enables signal coverage in both outdoor and indoor areas,” he added.

Moreover, the use of  multiple low-power, ranging from 3-10 watts distributed antennas  allows for  greater coverage reach compared to  a traditional macro cell site that requires  a power output of  anywhere between  100 to 300  watts.

Other advantages of the ODAS solution include possibility for faster implementation due to fewer zoning or permitting hurdles, low maintenance and easy to upgrade.

                The ODAS technology has been successfully deployed in Forbes Park’s neighboring subdivision of Dasmarinas Village.

THAILAND-PHILIPPINES PARTNERSHIP EMPOWERS ASEAN MICE INDUSTRY - GEARING UP FOR AEC FORMATION IN 2015

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) in collaboration with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI)        join forces to forge new MICE frontiers, entering a new era of ASEAN MICE leadership. The Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony saw agreements between Thailand’s public sector and Philippines private sector organizations, collaborating to further improve and expand trade promotion and MICE industries between the two countries.

Speaking at the MOU Signing Ceremony on behalf of an official Thai counterpart, Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, TCEB’s President said, “As a government agency under the Prime Minister’s Office, The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, or TCEB, is mandated to promote Thailand’s meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions - or MICE - industry. Thailand's MICE sector has been growing strongly in recent years. In 2012 we welcomed 895,224 MICE visitors, exceeding our annual target by 19 per cent, with 7,382 MICE events and earnings of US$2.66 billion. MICE travelers from Asia have been largely responsible for this strong growth, representing 65 per cent of all MICE travelers last year. The Philippines is one of Thailand’s priority countries.”

The bilateral relationship between Thailand and The Philippines has long been established since 1949 – and trades and investment is vibrant.  A 2012 report from the Thai Ministry of Commerce (MOC) ranked the Philippines as the 12^th export destination for Thai products with total value amounting to US$ 4,861.17 million. The same report showed that the Philippines was Thailand’s 20^th largest supplier of goods in 2012, with trade valued at US$2,724.21 million.

As an Asian economy on the rise, The Philippines will play an important role in contributing to the success of Thailand’s MICE industry.  Last year, The Philippines was ranked ninth in terms of numbers of MICE visitors to many business events in Thailand, accounting for 16,745 MICE visitors in total. In addition, TCEB expects the figure to grow by a further 10 per cent in 2013, in line with the dynamism and rapid growth of the broader economy. The formation of the AEC in 2015 will take this positioning to a whole new dimension, when the 10 member states of ASEAN will become a single market with free flow of goods, services, skilled labour and investment. The MOU agreements will amplify TCEB’s ongoing efforts to further improve and expand trade promotion and MICE industry between Thailand and The Philippines.

The Memorandums also highlight the importance of a long-term strategic partnership in the MICE industry in order to create long-term competitiveness and sustainability for the service sectors of the Philippines and Thailand in the international arena. There will also be exchange of support and business trade missions to launch, transplant, and participate in successful trade shows, and meeting industry initiatives.

Underlining the importance of building strategic partnerships, Mr Nopparat added, “The two agreements that we are launching today will play a central role in driving this growth. This is the start of a long-term strategic partnership among our organisations that will be of immense benefit to our respective MICE industries and to the broader economic partnership between The Philippines and Thailand.”

Following the agreements, which prioritize the cooperation between the two countries especially in the areas of trade missions, business promotions and information exchange, TCEB will continue to work closely with all strategic counterparts to further propel Thailand’s MICE industry. The meetings and incentives focused activities also include the Bangkok Carousel: TCEB-TG Philippines Familiarization Trip 2013, and the Philippines Roadshow with the Association of Thai Tourism Marketing (ATTM). Apart from cooperation within the meetings and incentives frameworks, Thailand also has opportunities to showcase the advance in major industries in Thailand and the ASEAN region in several flagship business events including Horti Asia for the agriculture industry, Propak Asia for the manufacturing industry, Food & Hotel Thailand for the food and hospitality services industry, and Thailand Lab for the medical industry. All of these offer an ideal platform for market players from The Philippines.

TCEB also aims to tap into new markets within the Philippines including Clark and Cebu, by organizing a trade mission with ASEAN collaboration. TCEB has also prepared a special incentive programme, ‘100 A-HEAD’, for Philippine-based trade promoters to visit trade exhibitions in Thailand.

This year Thailand has welcomed a number of MICE visitors from the Philippines in several exhibitions such as VIV Asia, ISRMAX Asia, THAIFEX – World of Food Asia, Food Ingredient Asia and TFBO & TRAFS, and in meetings and incentives groups including Yokohama Tires Philippines.  In addition, Thailand is home to a wide range of international MICE events, including the 65^th World Newspaper Congress, 20^th World Editor Forum, 23^rd World Advertising Forum, 11^th International Congress on Aids in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) 2013, Herbalife Asia Pacific Extravaganza 2013 and ITU TELECOM WORLD 2013.

“In line with the 10 per cent growth target for the Philippines market, TCEB also expects Thailand’s overall MICE industry to continue to grow by 10 per cent by revenue, with a year-end target for 2013 of 940,000 visitors and earnings of US$3.14 billion. With the strong collaboration between TCEB, PCCI and CCPI, we are confident that we will be able to achieve our goal in the near future.” Mr Nopparat concluded.

Nokia, Globe Labs bring Nokia Asha Developer Day to RP

Participants to Nokia, Globe Labs Asha Developer Day are given a briefing on the suite of tools for the Nokia Asha platform

Developers, students and IT professionals joined mobile communications giant Nokia and Globe Labs, a fast-growing developer community of Globe Telecom, in the Asha Developer Night held recently at the Nokia headquarters in Makati City.

               The first Asha Developer Community Meetup highlighted the various business opportunities which developers can explore.  They were given an introduction to the Nokia Asha user interface as well as the Nokia Asha SDK - a suite of tools that help with the development of Java apps on the Nokia Asha platform.

                "The event was a great place to do networking, meet other developers, and ask questions about the Nokia platforms.  We want to help local developers reach their full potentials, assist them in creating applications using Nokia Asha platforms as well as give them a chance to dig deeper into Asha's realm,"  said Michelle Santos, Developer Relations Manager of Globe Labs. 

Launched by Globe Telecom in 2008, Globe Labs is an innovative community composed of IT professionals, students, and business managers with primary focus on mobile and future technologies which can later on be deployed to the market.

                Developers can use their IT skills to come up with applications suitable to Nokia Asha family which currently includes 19 different high-end design and innovation at various price points and on sale in over 130 countries worldwide.

                Nokia continues to enjoy broad consumer reach with an installed base of more than 675 million devices.  To date, the company has sold more than 20 million Asha Touch units since its debut in June 2012.

Globe sustains leadership in postpaid with double-digit growth in revenues, subscriber base

Globe Telecom maintained leadership in postpaid amidst the intense switching drive of its competitors after the segment posted double-digit growth in revenues and subscriber base in the first half of 2013, providing solid contribution to the company’s overall mobile business.

“Globe Postpaid sustained its robust performance during the first half of the year on the back of our fully-customizable and best-in-class postpaid plans, exclusive device offers, and expanded sales channels reaching out to more subscribers,” said Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid Business and Devices.

Postpaid revenues as of end-June 2013 stood at P13.1 billion, up 20% from previous year’s P10.9 billion and 10% more than the 2^nd half of 2012 at P11.9 billion. Postpaid revenues now account for 37% of total mobile revenues, up from 33% in 1H12, as subscriber build-up continues.

The segment’s subscriber base likewise grew in double-digits year-on-year. Postpaid subscribers for the first semester of 2013 totaled 1.9 million, an 18% increase from previous year’s 1.6 million. Postpaid gross acquisitions for the first half of the year were over 348,000 subscribers, up by 18% from over 294,000 as of the first half of 2012. On the other hand, net incremental postpaid subscribers were 160,715, an 11% growth from 144,897 a year ago.

To drive switching and attract new postpaid customers, Globe Postpaid unveiled its Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, a next-generation postpaid plan with fully-customizable plan components, combos and boosters, a plan value almost twice the value of prepaid load, and more contract periods to choose from ranging from 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. With the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, subscribers get the ultimate flexibility in creating a postpaid plan that best fits their needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Just recently, Globe Postpaid also launched its most extensive array of device offerings all available for free at Plan 499 in response to the growing demand for affordable smartphones in the country. At Plan 499, subscribers can avail of a free device of their choice, ranging from Android devices Samsung Galaxy S Duos or CloudFone 501D, Windows phones Nokia Lumia 520 or Huawei Ascend W1, a BlackBerry 9320, or a CloudPad and CloudFone 352g bundle.

Strengthening its after-sales services, Globe Postpaid also introduced Gadget Care, a pioneering mobile phone protection program that safeguards devices against theft and accidental damage.

“From fully-customizable plans, world-class and exclusive devices, innovative and value-for-money postpaid deals, to a differentiated customer experience, Globe Postpaid will remain the benchmark for postpaid in the country,” added Macatangay.

To know more about Globe Postpaid and its offers, visit www.globe.com.ph/postpaid or call the Globe Sales Hotline at 730-1010.

Globe Telecom board OKs cash dividend following strong 1H performance

Globe Telecom said its board has approved a cash dividend of P33.50 per common share following encouraging financial performance results for the first half of the year.

The dividend is payable to shareholders on record as of August 22. Payment date has been set on September 13.

The brings total cash dividend payments this year to P67/share totaling P8.9 billion, representing 86% of the company’s 2012 core net income of P10.3 billion, a 2% rise from a year earlier. In February this year, the company’s board approved its first semi-annual cash dividend payment of about P4.4 billion.

The leading telecommunications company also said its board also approved a change in the frequency of the cash dividend distribution from semi-annual to quarterly beginning in the first quarter of 2014. The quarterly cash dividends will continue to be based on the policy of distributing 75% to 90% of prior year’s core net income.

               

The amended frequency in the payouts will provide the company with better cash planning and liquidity management and at the same time ensure a more consistent dividend distribution to the shareholders.

Last month, Globe Telecom was recognized by the regional publication Alpha Southeast Asia Magazine as one of the Philippine companies with the most consistent dividend policy on their 3^rd annual Southeast Asia Institutional Investor Corporate Awards. In June, Globe Telecom was also cited by FinanceAsia Magazine’s annual poll of Best Managed Companies for its commitment to a strong dividend policy. Globe was cited by both publications for the same categories last year.

The company sustained its strong performance in the first half of the year, reporting consolidated service revenues of PHP44.5 billion, up 9% from a year earlier. The topline growth was broad-based with the mobile, broadband and fixed line data businesses growing by 8%, 25% and 12%, respectively from a year earlier.

Thailand, PHL sign trade accord

The Philippines and Thailand have taken concrete steps to increase bilateral trade with more trade agreements scheduled to be signed this month.

Aimed towards realizinv the ASEAN Community in 2015, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI) is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) this month to establish a long-term strategic partnership in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E.) Industry between the two countries.

Signing the agreement were Atty. Miguel Varela and Consul Jose Luis Yulo Jr., for PCCI and CCPI, and TCEB president Nopparat Maythaveekulchai.Thailand Ambassador Prasas Prasasvinitchai to the Philippines witnessed the signing last July 24.

The development comes in the light of an accord reached between local officials and Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s during an official visit to the Philippines last year which coincided with the celebration of 63 years of dynamic and fruitful partnership between the two countries.

The Philippines is considered one of the priority countries for Thailand because of the long-established trade relations and growing trade volume between the two countries.  A 2012 report from the Thai Ministry of Commerce (MOC) ranked the Philippines as the 12th export destination for Thai products with total value amounting to USD4.86 M.

The same report showed that the Philippines is Thailand’s 20th largest supplier of goods with value worth USD 2.72M. Bilateral trade for 2012 registered at USD 7.58M.

Thailand’s top imports from the Philippines include vehicle parts and accessories, electronic integrated circuits, electrical machinery and parts, computer parts and accessories, metal ores, scrap metal and products, stranded wire and cable, tobacco products, machinery and parts, fresh aquatic animals; chilled, frozen, processed and instant products; and scientific, medical testing appliances and instruments.

The Philippines welcomed at least 30,000 Thai tourists last year, which helped stimulate local businesses and created more job opportunities in the country. With a population of approximately 600 million people, the Asean region has a massive USD1.9 trillion economy. The integration of the ASEAN economic community in 2015 will make ASEAN more attractive with a market larger than the EU in terms of population. xxx

TCEB is a Thai government agency whose role is aimed towards building competitiveness in the MICE industry.

Globe Telecom mobile subscriber base reaches new record high

Globe Telecom’s total mobile subscriber base reached a fresh record high, exceeding 36 million at the end of the first half, driven by the success of its customizable and value-based product offerings amid rising demand for mobile browsing services.

The company’s total subscriber base of 36.1 million at the end of June this year is a 14% increase from a year earlier and a 3% improvement from the previous quarter.

 “The company’s robust revenue growth in the first half was driven by strong performance of all  our business segments complemented by the strong subscriber growth during the period, stemming from aggressive acquisitions in both the postpaid and prepaid business,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said.

Overall subscriber net additions remained robust with close to 3 million in the first half, a 76% surge from a year earlier, while keeping blended churn to 5.6%, a slight improvement from 5.7% a year earlier.

Globe Postpaid subscribers are now approaching the 2 million mark, as subscribers reached 1.9 million at the end of the first half, an 18% increase from a year earlier and a 2% hike from the previous quarter.

On the other hand, Globe Prepaid subscribers reached a total 16.9 million at the end of the period, a 5% rise from a year earlier while TM subscribers totaled 17.2 million, a 23% jump from a year earlier.

On a year to date basis, gross acquisitions increased by over 2.4 million subscribers, a 20% increase from a year earlier.

The company said subscriber acquisitions in the second quarter alone remained strong at 7.4 million subscribers, over 85,000 SIMs higher than previous quarter’s level, which came mostly from the company’s mass market brand TM.

According to Mr. Cu, the company’s modernized network infrastructure, which is now approaching completion, will lift capacity and boost network performance and thus further enhance Globe branding moving forward.

Globe sustained topline growth momentum in the first half, reporting total revenues of P44.5 billion, a 9% jump from a year earlier, resulting in a core net income of P6.4 billion, a 13% rise from a year earlier.

Get a chance to meet Xian Lim when you get a Cloudfone bundle or handset with the Globe Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN

Exclusive Kadayawan offer to Globe subscribers

Celebrating its strong presence in the region, Globe Telecom is extending a special and exclusive offer to its subscribers in Davao as part of the Kadayawan Festival, Davao’s biggest annual festival that celebrates life, culture and thanksgiving.

From August 1 to 15, 2013, all Davaoenos who avail of a Cloudfone 352g and Cloudpad bundle FREE at Plan 499 with the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN will get a chance to win an exclusive Meet and Greet session with one of today’s hottest heartthrobs and Cloudfone endorser Xian Lim. 

Apart from the phone and tablet bundle, subscribers can choose from other Cloudfone handsets bundled with a Globe postpaid plan. All a subscriber needs to do is to go to any of the participating Globe Davao Stores in Ayala Abreeza, SM City Davao, SM Lanang Premier or Gaisano Mall Davao, apply for a Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN with a Cloudfone of his/her choice, and wait for the approval of the postpaid plan application.

Each approved postpaid application will allow the subscriber to pick a prize such as the Meet and Greet Session with Xian Lim as grand prize, Xian Lim’s autographed “It’s So You” CDs as major prizes, and Globe premium items as minor prizes.

Eighty (80) grand prize winners or twenty (20) winners per participating Globe Store will have the privilege to meet Xian up close and personal. Meanwhile, there will be forty (40) winners of the limited edition autographed CDs and one hundred (100) winners of Globe premium items.

The popular actor, singer and model will fly to Davao on August 18, 2013 to celebrate the Kadayawan Festival with Davaoenos and will visit the four (4) participating Globe Stores in the region to meet the lucky winners of the promo.

“Davao will always be an important market for Globe so we’re very excited to offer this exclusive promo to our subscribers in the region in celebration of the Kadayawan Festival,” said Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid. “We invite all Davaoenos to take advantage of this special offer and avail of the Cloudfone bundle or any Cloudfone handset with the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, and get the chance to meet Xian Lim up close and personal or bring home premium items from Globe.”

Globe Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN is a next-generation postpaid plan with fully-customizable plan components, a plan value almost twice the value of prepaid load, and more contract periods to choose from, ranging from 6, 12, 18, to 24 months. With the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, subscribers get the ultimate flexibility in creating a postpaid plan that best fits their needs, lifestyle, and budget. To know more about the Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, visit www.globe.com.ph/postpaid or call 730-1010.

FDCP’s All-Masters National Filmfest at SM Cinemas nationwide

The country’s most accomplished and celebrated film directors - with respective bodies of work that have spanned decades to substantially form part of Philippine cinema heritage - join forces for this year’s Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013. 

Dubbed All-Masters Edition, this year’s Sineng Pambansa festival, presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in cooperation with SM Cinema, gathers the latest films from Elwood Perez (Otso), Gil M. Portes (Isang Tag-araw ni Twinkle), Romy Suzara (Tinik), Maryo J. de los Reyes (Bamboo Flowers), Mel Chionglo (Lauriana), the directorial tandem of Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes (Sonata), Tikoy Aguiluz (Eman), Chito Roño (Badil), Joel Lamangan (Lihis) and Jose Javier Reyes (Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap). 

The festival promises to be the biggest and most distinguished motion picture event of the year. A grand reception to formally kick off Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival 2013 is slated on September 7 at the Atrium of SM Mall of Asia. Full selection of festival films will screen exclusively at SM cinemas in over 45 SM malls nationwide from September 11 to 17. 

In addition to the master directors’ entries comprising the main slate for this year’s Sineng Pambansa festival are some special features. A masters’ master tribute seeks to honor the memory of Celso Ad. Castillo with the showcase of the last film he directed, Bahay ng Lagim. New breed cinema is represented by the debut film from TM Malones, Salvi. A short film competition will have winners each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Recently restored classics respectively from National Artists Lino Brocka and Manuel Conde, namely, Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Genghis Khan are to be likewise screened.

DOING BUSINESS WITH THE NEW BLACKBERRY Q10

Empower your small or medium enterprise with the latest BlackBerry Q10 smartphone available from Globe Business’ Best Postpaid Deals. 

For only P1,499 a month at Plan 999 with P500 monthly cashout, get unlimited internet access to browse through the internet and send business e-mails, as well as all-network calls and texts to keep you connected with partners and employees. 

The first BlackBerry 10 smartphone features a classic physical and re-engineered BlackBerry QWERTY keyboard which has a wider layout and larger sculpted keys and stunning touchscreen display for viewing files and making video calls. 

It also has a longer battery life to keep up with your day-long business activities. 

Avail of the BlackBerry Q10 from Globe Business and get full technical assistance to sync BlackBerry Q10 smartphones with your company’s current e-mail platform via Microsoft ActiveSync, as well as guidance on procedures to upgrade to BES 10 free of charge until yearend. Contact your Globe Business Account Manager, log on to www.business.globe.com.ph/bestdeals or call (02) 730-1010 for more information.

Communicators invited to national congress in Boracay

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) is set to hold its 2013 National PR Congress on September 27-28, at the Paradise Garden Resort in Boracay Island, the first time that the annual event is being held outside Manila.

Themed From Ripples to Waves: PR as Agent of Sustainable Change, the two-day congress will consist of six plenary sessions with expert resource persons who have successfully influenced social change through their brand values.  According to congress committee chairperson Charmaine Canillas, “Beyond image building and reputation management, PR can trigger and radiate new mindsets, and set in motion a wave of action toward sustainable change. We invite all PR practitioners to join us in what we expect to be a very stimulating learning experience in one of the world’s best island destinations.”

The opening plenary, titled From Ripples to Waves, will rediscover the strategic role of PR in creating meaningful brand impact in human lives. By de-emphasizing spin doctoring, message manipulation and image window dressing, businesses can be less brand-centric and more public-focused to create catalyst ripples that can grow into waves of real and positive change.

Plenary 2, on the subject of Creating Long-Term Value, examines the top criterion for today’s brands. How do we forge a relationship with our publics? How does a brand carve out its place in people’s lives, beyond purchase and preference? How do we chart PR’s role in keeping and sustaining that value?

The Big Shift or effective story-telling using today’s innovative tools and solutions is the focus of the third plenary. Here, panelists share about how to develop online PR strategies in this era of social media, where PR practitioners are not just mouthpieces, but engaging story-tellers.

The second day starts out with a session on Program Monitoring and Evaluation.  With the present premium on how integrated communications enables stakeholders to influence business strategy, PR practitioners need to learn about consumer feedback, content generation, stakeholder immersions, and other such buzzwords.

The fifth plenary is titled 360 Degrees—forget linear thinking. When you change the game, the impact is plural and multi-dimensional, like a ripple. What is rarely noticed is that the game change must also be inward, affecting the very nature of the business. Here, speakers will share how they have reinvented the direction of their enterprise to make it all sustainable.

Beyond CSR is the subject of the closing plenary. It looks at the issue of integrity—matching your message with your company’s behavior, and aligning CSR programs with communications and public affairs frameworks to add value to the business.

For more information, please visit www.prcongress.ph or contact the PRSP Secretariat at telephone (02) 623-9479 or mobile (0917) 599-5072.