Mobile Payments Trending in 13 Million Social Conversations: MasterCard Research

Conversations in Asia Pacific Trending Towards Transaction Experience and Merchant Engagement

Kuala Lumpur, 24 February 2014 – MasterCard and Prime Research today released the second annual global MasterCard Mobile Payments Study, which tracked more than 13 million social media comments across Twitter, Facebook, Online Blogs and Forums around the world.

In the Asia Pacific region, the study found that while merchants account for just 11 percent of conversations, they are also beginning to engage. It’s an encouraging sign in light of the fact that merchant availability and acceptance is the second most discussed topic across the region and carries a 78 percent positive rating. The only topic discussed more frequently is the transaction experience. Mobile payments convenience is the next most popular topic and carries an 84 percent rating.

Globally, the study shows improved sentiment toward mobile payments and rapid growth in consumer use and merchant acceptance. Merchants carry an 88% positive rating with many conversations touting mobile acceptance as a competitive advantage. As consumers increasingly turn to mobile options, merchants reluctant to accept these payments may find themselves locked out of the segment.

The research points to 2013 as the year mobile payments transitioned from concept to adoption.  “Adopters,” or those who have used mobile payments, drove 81% of conversations in 2013. This finding is a reversal from 2012 when only 32% of those discussing mobile payments had used a product. 2014 may be the year when long-term mobile brand and shopping allegiances are formed, which means those considering mobile payments may be well served getting involved.

Furthermore, sentiment towards mobile payments among adopters improved significantly from 2012 (58%) to 2013 (74%), with even non-adopters staying positive (79% in 2013, 76% in 2012). This demonstrates that the user experience, technical quality and acceptance network is improving for consumers.

Acceptance at merchant outlets was the most visible topic, generating 15% of the total conversation and 48% of merchant conversation specifically. The research shows that both consumers and merchants are supportive of mobile payments (86%), which will likely lead to more merchant adoption in 2014. In fact, availability of mobile payments when shopping with merchants was the most often discussed positive topic overall in 2013.

 “This type of research offers us valuable insight on how ready consumers are to adopt mobile payments in making their lives easier. It also offers a good indication of how consumers will perceive and embrace emerging technologies”, said Nagesh Devata, group head, Acceptance Development, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard.

“Particularly encouraging is the level of conversation and engagement that is starting to take place around merchants which speaks to the effectiveness and importance of merchant communications in the overall consumer experience.”

LAZADA ANNOUNCES THE ‘LIFESTYLE MONDAY WITH MASTERCARD’ PROMOTION!

Kuala Lumpur, 27 January 2014 – One week after the launch of its mobile application for iPhone and iPad, Lazada launched its ‘Lifestyle Monday With Mastercard’ promotion with MasterCard Malaysia today. Through this promotion, MasterCard cardholders in Malaysia will enjoy a 10% instant cash back when they shop from the Lifestyle and Fashion categories of Lazada on Mondays.

The ‘Lifestyle Monday With MasterCard’ promotion covers categories such as Fashion, Health & Beauty, Home & Living, Home Appliances and Toys & Babies and will run from now until 31 December 2014.

“Through our relationship with MasterCard and the MasterCard network, we are rewarding our consumers at every step of the shopping process.  Furthermore, MasterCard is an established brand and the partnership between Lazada and MasterCard gives cardholders enhanced security when they shop online with their MasterCard cards,” said Maximilian Bittner, Chief Executive Officer of Lazada.

Lazada, who is currently the number one shopping mall site within Malaysia, is pioneering e-Commerce across Southeast Asia by offering a convenient, fast and secure online shopping environment.

According to a research conducted by AIP Corporation, approximately 73 percent of Malaysians who shop online purchase fashion items, 24 percent purchase health and beauty items, 20 percent purchase babies items and toys and 5 percent purchase home appliances and items.

“We are pleased to be working  with Lazada Malaysia to deliver a promotion that is valuable and relevant to our consumers. Malaysians are embracing electronic payments and MasterCard is committed to providing them with easy, seamless and secure payment experiences that connect them to the things in life that matter most,” said Nagesh Devata, Senior Vice President, Acceptance and Merchant Development, MasterCard, Asia Pacific.

Bittner added, “Our consumers showed an increased interest in the lifestyle and fashion products and we are excited to expand the range of products offered in these categories. Lazada aims to improve consumers’ shopping experiences online by ensuring exceptional customer service, providing excellent shopping experience and offering a great range of products at all times.”

The recent launch of Lazada’s mobile app for iPhone and iPad provides additional convenience to its consumers’ allowing them to shop anywhere anytime.

The promotion is available at www.lazada.com.my , as well as via Lazada’s mobile booking platforms through smartphones at http://www.lazada.com.my/mobile-apps/ and Lazada apps on Android and iPhone  devices.

For more information and full terms and conditions, visit http://www.lazada.com.my/mastercard/. For more updates on Lazada’s latest innovations, as well as activities, contests and promotions,  connect with us via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LazadaMalaysia).

Exceptional Cardholder Experiences Debut on Revamped MasterCard Moments Website

MasterCard survey reveals that consumers across Asia/Pacific use the Internet as a channel to purchase products and services

Kuala Lumpur, 19 November 2008 – MasterCard Worldwide recently announced the launch of its revamped website MasterCard Moments, offering discerning cardholders a range of exceptional and experiential privileges.

The MasterCard Moments website is an online repository of exclusive privileges for travel luxuries, recreational pleasures, palatable gourmet experiences, retail therapy, and tailored wellness and relaxation programs. Some unique offerings that are debuting on MasterCard Moments include:
1. A rich cultural getaway in Siem Reap, with accommodation being the stylish Hotel de La Paix located a stone’s throw from the magnificent Angkor Wat. As part of the package, MasterCard cardholders get to enjoy a 20-minute scenic helicopter tour over the historic Angkor Wat and its surrounding sights, a one-day temple tour, and a 60-minute massage for two.
2. Four days of delightful dining at Six Senses Hideaway Samui for all gastro-trotters. While each night’s dinner at the hotel’s renowned restaurant Dining on the Rocks is undoubtedly among one of the highlights, the package also includes a cooking class for those looking to hone their skills, a premium wine tasting session, an exclusive half-day safari and a sunset cruise.
3. Golfing against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean at Cape Kidnappers, hailed to be one of the great modern marvels in golf. Golf lovers are set for an amazing experience, as they tee off at the breathtaking course amidst the crashing waves and lush greenery. Besides being entitled to a complimentary game of golf as part of the package, cardholders will also enjoy a session of wine tasting with the resident Sommelier, a pampering massage and a tour to visit the Gannet Colony.
4. A refreshing and invigorating retreat at Banyan Tree Bintan, where cardholders will be pampered with a daily choice of spa treatments and massages, along with a fitness and wellness program specially tailored to their needs.

As part of the revamped site, cardholders can also look forward to improved site navigation, a richer visual experience, and smart features such as a ‘wish-list’ to not only store their favorite moments but also send on to their friends.

Consumers across Asia/Pacific use the Internet both as an important source of information gathering and a channel for purchasing products and services. Survey data from MasterCard reveals that 87% of consumers use the Internet daily, and that the amount of trade that is conducted electronically is seeing extraordinary growth.

According to MasterCard's Insights Report, Online Shopping in Asia/Pacific - Patterns, Trends and Future Growth, growth from online shopping is poised to further accelerate in Asia/Pacific and the online shopping population in the region is expected to reach 819.4 million by 2010.

In terms of total online shopping spend, the survey revealed that online shoppers in the region spent an average of US$612.40 online over a period of three months, with Singaporean ($770.70) and South Korean (US$707.50) consumers emerging as top spenders.

“Research shows that consumers across the region are researching and shopping more online, and searching for unique products and experiences. MasterCard has done extensive research to better cater to the lifestyle needs of our cardholders, and we are pleased to be launching the revamped MasterCard Moments website, offering cardholders easy access to a range of exclusive and unique offers,” said Natalie Lockwood, group head, Regional Marketing, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard Worldwide.

For more information on these priceless delights, visit the MasterCard Moments website at www.mastercardmoments.com

VirtualMalaysia.Com runs ‘Mega Sale Mania: Tag the Bag’ Online Contest In Conjunction with the Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival

Kuala Lumpur, 19 June 2008: VirtualMalaysia.com, the official e-tourism portal for the Ministry of Tourism, is revving up more excitement with its online ‘Shopping Mania: Tag the Bag’ contest organised in conjunction with the Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival 2008.

The contest, which runs from 16 June to 31 August 2008, is part of VirtualMalaysia.com’s 11-week campaign to promote shopping throughout Malaysia. In concurrence to the 59-day mega sale carnival (5 July to 1 September 2008), the contest provides opportunity to both local and international tourists to win great prizes, and vouchers to be used during the sale.

“Malaysia is a shopping haven and we are very excited to show-off how much our country has to offer,” said Rohizam Md Yusoff, Chief Executive Officer of VirtualMalaysia.Com.

“We want to rewarding patrons of VirtualMalaysia.com in a fun and enjoyable way; that’s why we came up with Tag the Bag, a game that both young and old can enjoy.”

Tag the Bag is a simple online game which requires the contestant to collect points by catching as many shopping bags as possible within 20 seconds. There is no limit to the number of times a contestant can play this game. The more the contestants play, the more they stand a chance to win. The attractive prizes include shopping vouchers and travel packages worth thousands of ringgit. Sponsors include MasterCard, Gap, Suria KLCC, The Mall, Zon Johor, Gurney Plaza, Kiara Holidays, Dragon-I, and many others.

Winners of the contest will be chosen weekly and announced on the website. To participate, simply log-on to http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/ and click on ‘Mega Sale Mania: Tag the Bag’ to start the game.

This competition is something that both local and international ‘shopaholics’ should not miss. Kuala Lumpur, rated best for its food, night life and shopping destinations, has always been one of the main attractions to locals and to tourists from all around the world. Besides Kuala Lumpur, VirtualMalaysia.com’s shopping campaign aims to also promote and publicise Malaysia’s best shopping destinations throughout the country. The public may also surf the website to find information on the latest deals as the portal will highlight updates on promotions and shopping events at participating shopping malls and retailers throughout Malaysia.

配合大马购物嘉年华VirtualMalaysia.com举办‘Mega Sale Mania: Tag the Bag’网上比赛

吉隆坡2008年6月26日讯：旅游部官方网站VirtualMalaysia.com为了给浏览者带来更多乐趣，特地举办2008年‘Mega Sale Mania：Tag the Bag’比赛。

这项比赛是VirtualMalaysia.com为期11个星期的全国性购物促销活动的一部份，比赛期限是从2008年6月16日至8月31日。这项活动是为配合59天的购物嘉年华（2008年7月5日至 9月1日）而举办的，它让本地和国际游客有机会赢取巨奖和购物券，以便在购物嘉年华期间内购物。

VirtualMalaysia.Com首席执行员Rohizam Md Yusoff说：“马来西亚是一个购物天堂，我们很荣幸向国际展示我国最美好的一面。”

他说：“我们要以乐趣的方式奖赏浏览VirtualMalaysia.com网站者，因此我们举办老少咸宜的‘Tag the Bag’比赛。”

‘Tag the bag’是一项简单的网上游戏，参赛者只需在20秒钟内尽量捉住越多的购物袋以收集积分。参赛者并没有被限制比赛次数。参赛者玩的次数越多，赢奖的机会就越高。丰富的奖品包括购物券及旅游配套。比赛的赞助商包括MasterCard、Gap、Suria KLCC、The Mall、Zon Johor、Gurney Plaza、Kiara Holidays和Dragon-i等等。

主办当局每周将选出优胜者，并在网上宣布。欲参加者，只需浏览网站：www.virtualmalaysia.com和点击‘Mega Sale Mania: Tag the Bag’就可以参予竞赛了。

这是一项本地和国际‘购物狂’所不应错过的比赛。以美食、夜生活和购物闻名的吉隆坡向来是世界各国游客首选的旅游胜地之一。除了吉隆坡， VirtualMalaysia.com 的购物宣传运动也旨在促销马来西亚全国各地的最佳购物地点。公众人士可浏览这个网站以获知全马各地购物中心及零售商的最新促销活动。