How resilient brands grow in volatile times
CEOs and senior leaders from over 20 agencies at a pre-briefing.
Trust fuels resilience and growth
Akhil Gupta, director, market strategy & understanding, Ipsos Hong Kong, and Paul Phillips, marketing director, SCMP, shared recent research which showed that up to 41 per cent of affluent people have already cut back on non-essentials or plan to do so.
Left (from left to right): Tom Kao, chief executive officer, Publicis Groupe Hong Kong; Simone Tam, chief executive officer, Greater Bay Area, dentsu; Akhil Gupta, director, market strategy & understanding, Ipsos Hong Kong.
What was fascinating was that the research revealed consumers were up to six times more likely to continue spending on brands they trust, despite cutting back on non-essential spending. They are also willing to tolerate a seven per cent price increase from brands they trust before reconsidering their purchases.
Brands that consumers have faith in are resilient even in the toughest of times. The key drivers of this trust are product and service quality and a robust brand identity. The key to building that identity in a way that resonates with consumers is storytelling.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
US firms consider China market critical despite fraying relations, other issues, survey says
A new survey of American companies operating in China indicated that most of them consider the country's market critical despite fraying bilateral relations, tariffs, economic weakness and lost market share. Nearly all respondents participating in an annual US-China Business Council survey said they cannot remain globally competitive without their business in the world's second-largest economy, according to a report about the survey published by the advocacy group on Wednesday. This is despite the fact that a growing number of US firms report dropping sales, reputational damage and pressure on profitability in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and trade issues and stricter investment restrictions. Moreover, although leaving China is not viable for many American firms, the group said that fewer than half of survey respondents are optimistic about the future, given persistent concerns over tariffs, China's deflation and insufficient demand and policy uncertainty. The survey covered about 130 of the group's 270 member firms, most of which are large corporations that have been in China for over 20 years, and was conducted between March and May. Sean Stein, the trade group's president, in an interview with the Post called for current bilateral trade talks to address issues other than just tariffs and export controls. 'Now it feels like all of the negotiation oxygen is being taken up by tariffs and export controls … What we need to make sure is if both sides actually do want to have robust American investment in China,' he said.
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Macao University of Tourism celebrates 30 Years of Global Impact
[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] For three decades, the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) has developed the visionary leaders behind Macao's emergence as a global tourism powerhouse. Ranked 13th globally and 3rd in Asia in the QS World University Rankings for Hospitality and Leisure Management (2025), UTM has become a beacon for students and professionals seeking to master the art and science of tourism in an increasingly interconnected world. UTM is forging powerful international academic alliances that create unparalleled opportunities for students. In addition, the university has established dual-degree programmes with leading universities, such as Switzerland's prestigious Les Roches Global Hospitality Management Education, Swiss Hotel Management School, and Glion Institute (QS No. 2, No. 3, and No. 6 in Hospitality & Leisure Management, 2025), as well as Portugal's renowned University Institute of Lisbon (Times Higher Education No. 5 in Portugal, 2025), Australia's leading University of Queensland (QS No. 40 in World University Ranking, 2025), and the U.K.'s University of Surrey (QS No. 16 in Hospitality & Leisure Management, 2025), allowing students to earn qualifications from both institutions. Beyond academia, UTM maintains a strategic partnership with the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) to advance quality education and human capital development through innovation and technology. This collaboration enhances two of UTM's Master of Science programmes—Digital Marketing and Analytics and Smart Technologies in Hospitality and Tourism—where graduates receive both UTM's degree and a joint UN Tourism-UTM certification, boosting their global employability and academic prospects. Through these collaborations, students gain access to global networks and cross-cultural campus life. 'Our global network ensures students graduate with truly international competencies,' explains Rector Fanny Vong. 'When they study alongside peers from different continents and learn from faculty with worldwide experience, they develop the adaptability needed in today's borderless tourism industry.' Cultivating Tourism Industry Leaders Andy Lio Ka Wai
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
How easing of AI chip controls could reshape US-China trade talks
The United States' decision to ease export restrictions on certain advanced chips – part of a broader package of trade agreements with China – is seen by experts as an early sign that high-level negotiations have steered bilateral relations in the right direction. Washington's move to resume license application reviews for Nvidia's H20 AI and Advanced Micro Devices's MI308 AI chips comes ahead of talks between senior officials from both nations in the coming weeks, despite a protracted strategic stand-off over tech and export controls. Zhuang Bo, global macro strategist at Loomis Sayles Investment Asia, said the development was a clear win for China – effectively resetting the clock to March, before rare earths became a geopolitical chokepoint. 'It signals that Beijing is inching closer to the G2-style negotiations it has long sought, framed in official rhetoric as a call for 'mutual respect and equality.'' While the reality on the ground has not changed much, the situation has not deteriorated, he added. 'Whether there will be a Xi-Trump summit later this year will be crucial. If that happens, a partial agreement is still possible.' On Tuesday, AMD said the US Department of Commerce was reviewing its licence applications to export MI308 chips to China, and that sales would resume once approved.
