LinkedIn crosses 50-million member mark in Asia Pacific

Top industries represented include IT & Services, Banking & Financial Services and Telecommunications Tech companies most followed by members in the region

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA — 12 February 2014 — LinkedIn, the world’s largest online professional network with over 277 million members globally, today announced that it has crossed 50 million members in the Asia Pacific region.  Nine countries in the region now have over 1 million members - India (24+ million), Australia (5+ million), China (4+ million), Indonesia and the Philippines (2+ million each), Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and New Zealand (1+ million each).

This 50-million member milestone represents nearly a tripling of LinkedIn’s member base in the region from May 2011, when it opened its regional centre in Singapore. In 2013, LinkedIn welcomed more than 7 million new members in India, while 2 million joined the network in Australia and New Zealand. In Southeast Asia, the number of members jumped more than 50 percent to exceed 9 million.

“The strong growth we are seeing in our member base is a great encouragement for us.  We still have much to do in terms of connecting all professionals around the world. Accordingly, we are looking to introduce more features to deliver even more value to our members and customers,” commented Hari Krishnan, MD of LinkedIn Asia Pacific and Japan.

Since 2011, LinkedIn has also added six Asian languages to its offerings to offer a more localised experience for members in these markets.  It also introduced several Asia-based influencers to enrich the professional knowledge on its platform, including top executives such as Tony Fernandes (Group CEO, AirAsia), David Thodey (CEO & Executive Director, Telstra), Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Chairman &  Managing Director, Biocon) and Nobuyuki Idei (Founder & CEO, Quantum Leaps, and Former Chairman & CEO, Sony).

As its member base continues to grow, LinkedIn was also able to help clients across the region reach out and engage with a broader audience.  These clients include Standard Chartered Bank, AirAsia, SingPost, Lenovo, University of Queensland and Van Heusen.

“Asia is a growth story. As the region increasingly consolidates its position as a key driver of the global economy, our aim is to help professionals and businesses in Asia become even more successful at what they do. Whether it’s expanding professional connections, tapping critical talent or marketing and selling to this influential audience, we’re excited to be able to help connect the dots and create economic opportunities for everyone,” Mr. Krishnan continued.

Some facts about LinkedIn’s 50 million members in Asia Pacific:

Top five companies followed   IBM Hewlett-Packard Accenture Google Tata Consultancy Services
In Singapore Google Standard Chartered Bank Hewlett-Packard Apple Shell   In Malaysia Shell Petronas AirAsia Schlumberger ExxonMobil	In Australia Google Rio Tinto Telstra Commonwealth Bank National Australia Bank   In New Zealand Air New Zealand Fonterra The University of Auckland Telecom New Zealand ANZ	In India Tata Consultancy Services IBM Accenture Hewlett-Packard Infosys In Indonesia Chevron Unilever BP TOTAL Shell	In Hong Kong HSBC Google Cathay Pacific Airways Standard Chartered Bank Apple   In Japan Google IBM DeNA Apple Microsoft

BlackBerry Collaborates with Tune Talk and AirAsia to Reward Customers

Loyalty pays off as AirAsia & Tune Talk customers stand to win a BlackBerry 9720 Curve

Traveling has never been made more rewarding than it is today with BlackBerry Malaysia. To kick off the New Year, AirAsia and Tune Talk are joining hands with BlackBerry to reward the millions of dedicated AirAsia customers.

From now until 28 February 2014, every 100th Tune Talk customer who books through www.airasia.com will be presented with a brand new BlackBerry 9720 (3G) Curve and free BlackBerry Internet Service for 6 months provided by Tune Talk.

To stand a chance to win, participants must be a Malaysian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Malaysia with a Tune Talk subscription activated at least 30 days from the date of booking. Contest ends on the 28th of February 2014.

B.I.G. GLOBAL LOYALTY PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 November 2011 – An innovative global loyalty programme that allows members to earn points when travelling and shopping, and redeem the accumulated points for exciting rewards including flight seats was launched here today.

The programme, called BIG, enables members to earn loyalty points called ‘BIGGIES’ when shopping with the programme partners worldwide including AirAsia and the Tune Group of Companies. Other BIG partners include Indosat in Indonesia and CentralWorld in Thailand.Peter Miller, CEO Tune Money/ Tan Sri Tony Fernandes GCEO AirAsia and Co-founder Tune Group/ Johan Aris, CEO BIG

As a global loyalty programme, BIG membership is borderless and open to anyone aged 2 years and above, anywhere in the world. Each member, nicknamed ‘BIG Shot’, is issued with a BIG card carrying the cardholder’s name and membership identification number, or BIG Shot ID.

In Malaysia, the BIG card doubles up as a BIG Visa Prepaid card, which cardholders can reload at all major banks or online at BIG’s website tune2big.com. Cardholders can now shop at millions of merchants worldwide where Visa is accepted, both online and over the counter. BIG Visa Prepaid is eligible for those aged 18 and above.

AirAsia Group CEO and Tune Group Co-Founder Tan Sri Tony Fernandes says: “The BIG launch today is a major breakthrough as we seek to reward our loyal guests and customers. BIG has certainly given a new definition to frequent flying and loyalty programmes as we know them. Merchants and partners should view BIG as an extended marketing and loyalty arm in further growing the businesses and market shares.”
Tony adds: “The greatest feature of BIG is the redemption of flight seats. However, AirAsia and our other related businesses are just some of BIG’s participating merchants and partners. Members can look forward to a whole new world of rewards and benefits when they shop using their BIG card. It’s about turning your everyday lifestyle spending into rewards and before you know it, you are ready to fly to your dream destination.”

The BIG loyalty programme is managed by Think Big Digital Sdn Bhd, a 50:50 joint-venture between the world’s best low cost airline AirAsia and Tune Money, the financial services arm of the Tune Group of Companies.

Tune Money CEO Peter Miller says: “We have termed our target market for BIG as the ‘young at heart’ who would like to fly for free. Essentially, a card for the now majority of consumers who are comfortable transacting online such as booking AirAsia flights and would like the opportunity to earn free flights and more from their online and other transactions.”

Peter adds: “In keeping with the Malaysian government’s Economic Transformation Programme, the Visa-enabled BIG card is very well-suited to the modern cashless consumers as it offers reduced risk for online consumers compared with the traditional cards; for travellers they can simply load up their card before they fly as opposed to carrying wads of foreign currency with them and why pay cash when you can pay with your card and earn free flights, free hotel stays, ‘Big Shot’ privileges and so much more.”

Stuart Tomlinson, Country Manager, Malaysia, Visa says: “Visa is proud to partner AirAsia and Tune Money to launch the BIG Visa Prepaid card in Malaysia. Visa Prepaid cards are versatile and provide cardholders with ease of use and widespread acceptance. Malaysians can also use the BIG Visa Prepaid card as a safer and more convenient payment option while on holiday and earn points for their next trip with every transaction.”

BIG was soft-launched a month ago and has so far received 60,000 applications. BIG will be further promoted using social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

Providing further details on how the BIG loyalty programme works, BIG CEO Johan Aris Ibrahim says: “Earning points or BIGGIES is simple. Just present your BIG card at Visa merchants and BIG partners or quote your BIG Shot ID when you shop online and BIGGIES will automatically be loaded into your account. For example, each RM2 transaction with BIG partners like AirAsia, AirAsia Megastore, AirAsiaRedTix, AirAsia Go and Tune Hotels will earn you 1 BIGGIE.”

“For the BIG Visa Prepaid card in Malaysia, each RM2 transaction paid on the card will generate 1 BIGGIE, while selected erchants will give double the points. This is on top of the points you earned as a BIG Shot so that means you can earn even more BIGGIES at a faster rate,” explains Johan.

There are 1,500 BIG partners with more than 3,000 retail outlets around the globe where Big Shots can collect double BIGGIES, both online and offline. On top of that BIG has also set up an online shopping mall at shopbig.tune2big.com, featuring more than 1,000 cross-border global merchants allowing BIG Shots to earn BIGGIES.

Johan adds: “Apart from collecting BIGGIES, our strategic partners also enable their current members to convert their existing loyalty points into BIGGIES, providing them a wider option for redemption.”

A BIG Shot can start redeeming from as low as 400 BIGGIES. Those with insufficient BIGGIES have the option of topping up with cash.

For more information about BIG and to sign up as a BIG Shot, visit tune2big.com.

Turn Up the Volume with AirAsiaRedTix.com

Get tickets to the best in entertainment, concerts and events in the region on AirAsiaRedTix.com this November

8th November 2011, Sepang: We’re all set to usher in the new year with a stellar line-up that entertainment addicts would be crazy to miss! The star studded cast stars the legendary Elton John, Malaysia’s own international star Zee Avi, comedy royalty and Disney’s very own Aladdin. Get front row seats with AirAsiaRedTix.com, your only source for tickets to international world-renowned entertainment.

Zee Avi, one of Malaysia’s most successful international recording artistes of recent times returns to her Malaysian shores for an exclusive national tour, which includes Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kuching in conjunction of her Homecoming Tour and release of her sophomore album, Ghostbird.

The "Kings and Queen of Comedy Asia" presents 5 major comics - led by comedy superstar Sugar Sammy from Canada, the funniest Japanese American you will have ever known, Paul Ogata and Chinese-English speaking funny man Vivek Mahbubani from Hong Kong. Harith Iskander, Malaysia’s proudest comedy export who aims to go global in 2012 will be representing the nation and hosted by none other than the divalicious Joanne Kam.

Steel your nerves because come this November 19th, FREEDOM is set to shuffle into town with a whole buffet of frightful fun. All the way from Netherlands, FREEDOM is proud to present two spinning Dutchmen: Leon Bolier, one of the most creative minds to ever work the studios and Ummet Ozcan, renowned for his renditions of dirty, trance and ball-busting base lines.

The legendary Elton John brings his Greatest Hits Tour to Malaysia. Over his 40 year career, Elton John has won an impressive 5 Grammy Awards, he has sold over 250 million albums worldwide and continues to perform more than 100 shows a year, placing him squarely among the top 10 best-selling artists in music history.

Magic Mirror the Musical 2011 is organized and presented by Yayasan Guan Yin, to depict the magical manifestations and profound compassion of Guan Yin in an artistic format and play. The Musical will premier on 25 November 2011, at Istana Budaya Kuala Lumpur and will continue to run until the 4 December 2011.

Aladdin The Musical will whisk you to a land far, far away filled with adventure, magic and excitement in this West End Production! Set against the mystical kingdom of Askabar, go on a musical journey featuring international artistes and dancers with exotic costumes, a flying carpet and stunning stage, sound and light effects.

To satisfy customer’s demand for entertainment, Asia’s largest low-cost carrier is committed at offering a full travel experience. AirAsiaRedTix.com was incepted and is positioned as the world's ultimate gateway to international music and entertainment events – summed up in its tagline, “The Passport to Entertainment”.

For the most updated events line up on AirAsiaRedTix.com, be our Fan on Facebook.com/AirAsiaRedTix and follow us on Twitter.com/RedTix.

GE signs Memorandum of Collaboration with Tune Hotels for sustainable development globally

General Electric (GE), a global innovative, high-tech infrastructure and financial services company, and Tune Hotels, the pioneering value hotel brand, sign an agreement to explore collaborative opportunities

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – September 9, 2011 – General Electric International Inc (NYSE:GE) and Tune Hotels, the pioneering value hotel chain under Tune Group, signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) today to explore opportunities on sustainable developments. The MoC was signed by Chief Executive Officer of GE ASEAN, Stuart Dean, and Group Chief Executive Officer of Tune Hotels, Mark Lankester, to identify opportunities for collaboration with the aim of achieving cost savings and energy efficiency in Tune Hotel’s operations globally.
From left: Chief Executive Officer for Asia, GE Lighting - Mohamed Butt; Chief Executive Officer of GE ASEAN - Stuart Dean; Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Dato’ Sri Peter Chin; Group Chief Executive Officer of Tune Hotels - Mark Lankester; and Chief Financial Officer of Tune Hotels - Mitul Lakhani.

The signing was witnessed by Dato’ Sri Peter Chin, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, with Mohamed Butt, Chief Executive Officer for Asia, GE Lighting and Mitul Lakhani, Chief Financial Officer of Tune Hotels also present at the ceremony.

Stuart Dean expressed GE’s commitment to working with local partners to develop environmentally driven business strategies that will help drive Malaysia towards becoming a high income nation.

“Our partnership with Tune Hotels demonstrates GE's commitment to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative technologies through open collaboration. Using our ecomagination & GE Sustainable Cities approach, we have been building sustainable developments certified by various Green Building Certification programs in multiple jurisdictions across the globe, powered by our new technologies and solutions. We hope to contribute and share our expertise across the spectrum of products and services we offer and work with Tune Hotels to achieve the desired impact for its operations,” he said.

“This collaboration is a testament of GE’s commitment to support the Malaysian Government’s aspirations to promote efficient green solutions,” he added.

Under the agreement, GE’s role will be to assist Tune Hotels in reviewing, planning and designing properties by contributing its knowledge and expertise in the areas of low-cost operational modeling, sustainable development, cost-saving infrastructure, energy efficiency and green technology. The collaboration will also help Tune Hotels work towards achieving relevant eco-building certifications such as with Malaysia’s Green Building Index, the Singapore Building and Construction Authority’s BCA Green Mark and the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system.

The agreement will also explore the development and implementation of sustainable energy solutions within Tune Hotels’ operations and allow them to leverage GE’s ecomagination™ line of products and cutting-edge technologies in creating environmental solutions for both their existing and upcoming projects.

GE has previously announced collaborative agreements with local partners in Malaysia including top public and private companies from a diverse range of industries. Some more notable partnerships include NAZA, PETRONAS, TNB, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Sapura.

Tune Hotels’ Group CEO Mark Lankester said: “Tune Hotels has been in consistent pursuit of green technologies and eco-friendly approaches to ramp up our service and business efficiency. Having pioneered the pay-as-you-use concept that has gained huge popularity amongst travellers and holidaymakers from across the world, we are proud to be working with GE on exploring environmentally driven business strategies. This will not only benefit our business but more importantly our guests who can look forward to enjoying further savings and convenience.”

Tune Hotels, which is part of the lifestyle conglomerate Tune Group currently has 13 hotels in its global network. Its 10th Malaysian hotel is opening in Kulim, Kedah later this month, on top of 2 hotels in Bali, Indonesia and one in London, England. More Tune Hotels are scheduled for opening in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, the UK, India and Malaysia from Q4 this year through 2012.

Known for innovation and technological exploit, Tune Hotels was recently named among Top 20 Most Innovative Brands in Indonesia by MIX magazine, the country’s leading marketing communication publication. Standing at number nine, Tune Hotels was the only hotel brand on the list. Tune Hotel Westminster in London was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by the world’s largest travel website TripAdvisor, as a “result of consistently great feedback” from the hotel guests while the guide portal About.com ranked Tune Hotel Westminster at No 1 among Top 10 Cheap London Hotels.

Tune Hotels is part of the lifestyle business conglomerate Tune Group that was founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun. Tune Group seeks to innovate and revolutionize the way services are made available and has employed efficient web-based technologies to reach and engage its customers, presenting a unique lifestyle offering ranging from value hotel stays, personal finance solutions and affordable prepaid mobile services. Tune Group of Companies are Tune Air, Tune Hotels, Tune Money, Tune Talk, Tune Box, Tune Studios, Tune Tones, Team Lotus, ASEAN Basketball League, Queens Park Rangers Football Club (QPR) and Kuala Lumpur Education City (owner of Epsom College in Malaysia).

TUNE TALK EYES COMMERCIAL SERVICE LAUNCH BY 2nd HALF 2009

Low Cost Model Set to Revolutionise Mobile Industry

PETALING JAYA, 25 May 2009 – Tune Talk Sdn Bhd that is set to be the newest mobile operator in the country will take the market by storm when it launches commercial service targeted for the second half of this year, said Chief Executive Officer Jason Lo.

“With a low-cost business model, we are very optimistic of Tune Talk’s potential and that our service will be well-received by the market. We also have plans to expand to other Asean countries by employing the same operating model,” said Jason. Giving a glimpse of Tune Talk’s service, Jason said it will be focusing on services at super low calling rates with exciting incentives. Operating as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) riding on Celcom’s network, Tune Talk’s service is targeted at the underserved youth market segment and will offer maximum nationwide coverage from the day of launch that is slated for the second half of the year.

“Tune Talk will combine a unique lifestyle offering as sister companies Tune Hotels and Tune Money. Collaboration with these partners will create a very strong synergy for our business, and we look forward to treating our customers to the benefits they will become accustomed to,” added Jason.

As part of its pre-launch strategy, Tune Talk has launched an innovative portal that serves both as a subscriber recruitment tool for its services as well as a platform for community service. Run on an election basis on freedom2talk.org, the programme seeks to choose a ‘Chief Talker’ who will be elected by registered members of the portal. Just by naming a good cause and campaigning for it, the ‘candidate’ with the highest votes will walk away with RM50,000 for the benefit of the cause being championed.

Other members who sign up to vote and invite their friends to register will stand to win RM10,000. The member with the highest number of successful registered friends will be selected as winner. Both winners will also enjoy free calls on Tune Talk for a year.

“What is more interesting is each registered member of freedom2talk.org gets to choose their preferred Tune Talk mobile number and win weekly prizes of AirAsia e-Gift Vouchers right up until our launch. Freedom2talk.org members will be the first subscribers of the Tune Talk mobile service and they will receive exclusive SIM packs complimentary from Tune Talk when we launch,” said Jason.

Tune Talk shareholders include Celcom Malaysia Berhad and Tune Ventures Sdn Bhd amongst others, as well as Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun who are also co-founders and existing shareholders of AirAsia. Tune Talk is a member of the Tune Group of Companies and a licensed Network Service Provider and Application Service Provider with Numbering Block sanctioned by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).