Naetchanok Wipatasinlapin, managing director of True4U Station, said yesterday that her station was currently in discussions with Fox International Channels, Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers, MGM, Disney and Columbia Pictures about using this budget to select major movies for screening during its evening prime-time slots.

The move forms part of this year’s strategy to strengthen True4U Station, following on from last month’s announcement of an investment of more than Bt2 billion this year to retain its position as a leader in sports and entertainment programming and to generate at least Bt1 billion in annual revenue, she said.

The company this year is focusing more on sports and entertainment programmes to attract mass audiences in the provinces by dedicating more airtime for live sports tournaments, game shows, dramas, TV series and movies, Naetchanok added.

In addition to this content strategy, the company will prepare a series of on-ground activities both to promote the TV station and to engage with audiences.

Of the total expenditure on this year’s programmes, Bt700 million will be for sports content and licences to telecast more than 200 matches, followed by Bt700 million for local TV dramas and series and Bt600 million for game shows.

“This reflects our ambitious goal to be a leading sports and entertainment channel, and we hope to become No 3 in the digital-TV business by the end of this year,” the managing director said.

Sports

True4U channel will offer sports content during up to 40 per cent of its airtime, an increase from last year’s 30 per cent.

Entertainment programmes, including TV dramas and game shows, will account for 30 per cent, up from 20 per cent last year.

The remaining airtime will be dedicated to news and children’s and family programmes.

She said the company believed that this strategy would help raise the average rating for its digital-TV station to 0.5 point this year, from 0.2 point in 2015.

True4U channel targets Bt1 billion in revenue, compared with Bt700 million last year.

Olivier Berrivin, managing director, international operations – Asia, said tourism in Thailand would continue growing this year, thanks particularly to the China market, which has been contributing the largest number of arrivals for a few years.

Airlines are adding more direct flights to major destinations such as Pattaya in the East and Krabi in the South.

The group also sees a bright future for Southeast Asia as a whole, especially in Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and newly opened-up Myanmar, he said.

“We have had a regional head office in Bangkok for 15 years to oversee the entire region. We realise that Thailand [has been able to] come through all that difficulty, and also some |crises.

“The sector has always recovered quickly, and has remained healthy,” he added.

Of the new 14 hotels, the group will manage five properties and the other nine will be operated under franchise contracts.

The new hotels will comprise a total of 2,800-3,000 rooms, under multi-brands.

“For Thailand, we will double our number of rooms from 2,000 to 4,000 this year via the adding of five or six new hotels in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya and Hat Yai.

The group currently operates nine hotels in major tourist destinations,” he said.

The group already has a presence in all 10 Asean markets, with 65 properties under multi-branded names such as Best Western Premier, Glo, Best Western Plus, Vib and Executive Residency.

In 2014, tourist arrivals in Asean reached 105 million, a 42.4-per-cent increase from 73.8 million in 2010.

Some 49 million of those visitors came from within Asean itself.

By 2025, the contribution of Asean tourism could potentially increase from 12 per cent to 15 per cent of the regional grouping’s combined gross domestic product, with tourism employment rising from 3.7 per cent to 7 per cent of the regional total, the managing director said.

It is predicted that the per capita spending by international tourists in Asean could increase from US$877 to $1,500 (Bt31,150 to Bt53,275) during the period, as the average length of stay goes up from 6.3 nights to eight nights, he added.

Moreover, Asean nations recently announced their mission to become a quality destination by 2025, Berrivin said, adding that tourists will be able to enjoy unique products and experience Aseanways, while operators will be committed to responsible, sustainable, inclusive and balanced tourism development.

Each Samsung Open House features a “Samsung Centre Stage”, an interactive giant screen of as much as 85 inches. Made available are not just superior shopping experiences but also practical information for consumers’ purchase decision-making, the company says.

Samsung expects to revamp 10 outlets in Bangkok this quarter and all other outlets across Thailand in the future.

Saowanee Sirariyakul, digital-appliances business director at Thai Samsung Electronics Co, said that in the home-appliance industry, physical display zones were the most important tools for communicating with consumers.

Digital appliances for home use are high-involvement products. Therefore, consumers feel compelled to search product information seriously in terms of usage instruction, cost-effectiveness, technology and benefits.

Consumers usually look for advice from experts, friends and family members before making a purchase decision.

Samsung’s studies on consumer behaviour have found that most consumers do not understand digital appliances when walking into shops. A great variety of products on display confuses them. Up to 68 per cent of consumers say experiences at the shops are the most important factor in their purchase decision-making process.

In addition, just 36 per cent of consumers buy digital appliances during their first visit to shops.

“Recognising consumers’ needs, we have decided to make it easier for consumers to find products and product information they want at our places. We have done so by re-creating our outlets as Samsung Open Houses,” Saowanee said.

“When consumers walk in, they will feel like [they are] walking into a house in which they can enjoy superior shopping experiences amid a variety of digital appliances and with the help of experts.

“Useful information is provided in a friendly way so that consumers can get the products that best respond to their needs. Such information will remove any confusion about each product model and category, ensuring that consumers are satisfied with their shopping experiences.”

Samsung Open Houses were based on the “home is the happiest place on Earth” concept. Featuring a homey mood, product-display zones are packed with premium digital appliances from Samsung.

Among them are refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens and vacuum cleaners. Consumers can walk in and be rest assured that they will be welcome and provided convenience and get what they want.

Consumers can even test digital appliances in the kitchen zone.

But the big highlight in the Samsung Open House is the Samsung Centre Stage, an interactive UHD (ultra-high definition) screen that is as big as 85 inches. On this screen, consumers can study the technology and usage instruction of all Samsung products.

They can also have fun placing Samsung’s appliances into various styles of homes via the screen.

Experts will be around to assist customers too.

“In the face of rather intense competition in the home-appliance industry, product innovations are no longer the only decisive factor,” Saowanee said. “Samsung therefore has decided to introduce the Samsung Open House.

“This facelift applies to Samsung outlets across the world. In Thailand, Samsung Open Houses have already materialised in three locations, namely Power Buy Central Chidlom, Power BuyCentralWorld and Power Buy CentralFestival EastVille, to appeal to premium consumers.

“Since the revamp, the number of walk-in consumers has increased by more than 40 per cent. Sales as a result have soared significantly.

“We plan to turn 10 outlets into Samsung Open Houses before the end of March. We also plan to revamp all other shops across the country in the same way. Samsung Open Houses will vary in format and size to suit consumers in their areas. But the goal of the revamps will be exactly the same. It’s to create impressive experiences for people shopping for Samsung’s electrical appliances for home use.”

Saowanee continued: “Samsung is committed to not just creating state-of-the-art innovations to raise consumers’ quality of life but also to changing consumers’ product-selection method so as to deliver them the best shopping experiences. Through our efforts, consumers can get the information that is most relevant to their needs.”

Arnut Changtrakul, managing director of Power Buy Co, said: “Amid the fierce competition in the electrical-appliance industry, Power Buy – a leading distributor of electric, electronic and IT devices – has kept pace with evolving technologies and consumers’ changing lifestyles.

“Our marketing strategy is always adjusted in a way that allows us to offer products that best respond to the lifestyle of each customer. We have exposed consumers to inspiring innovations so that they are aware of what they can use to make their life more comfortable.

“We also provide product experts who will be on hand to provide proper advice when consumers would like to get one.

“As for Samsung, the latest facelift at its display zones clearly makes it fun and easy for consumes to make purchase decisions.

“This year, Power Buy is focusing on digital lifestyles. So we aim to highlight the ‘Internet of Things’, beauty and health products and food, wearable IT gadgets, plus premium personal-lifestyle items.

“Overall, Power Buy seeks to respond to the various lifestyles of consumers by providing technologies that make their life both modern and comfortable.”We believe that the revamped Samsung display zones in Power Buy branches will stimulate the electrical-appliance industry. When coupled with the fact that famous brands continue to launch new products, the market will become very vibrant. Power Buy trusts that all these moves will help strengthen our status as a leader in this business.”

The company also announced its cyber-threat predictions.

Piyatida Tantrakul, country manager of Trend Micro (Thailand), said the company this year planned to focus on three areas: endpoint security solution, hybrid cloud solutions, and connected threat defence solutions. The factors that will drive cybersecurity growth include the rapid expansion in usage of mobile devices, as well as businesses investing much more in security for the public cloud, guarding against malware.

The company expects that sales of its connected threat defence solutions will growth by 72 per cent this year, followed by hybrid cloud solutions at 36 per cent and endpoint security solutions at 22 per cent.

Trend Micro will focus on five sectors: government, telecommunications, banking, financial insurance and manufacturing and midrange market.

Piyatida said the company’s revenue last year grew by 15 per cent, mainly from the telecom and manufacturing sectors. She added that the firm expected a revenue growth of 30 per cent this year.

Khongsak Kortrakul, senior manager of technology services for Trend Micro (Thailand), said the main cyber-threats this year would include mobile malware amid increasing usage of smart devices, data breaches, online extortion, hacktivists, and ad-blocking.

Data breaches will be used by hacktivists to destroy their targets systematically. Ad-blocking will shake up the advertising business model with skilful “mal-vertisements”.

Meanwhile cybercrime legislation will take a significant step towards becoming a global movement. “At least one consumer-grade smart-device failure will be lethal in 2016. China will drive malware growth to 20 million by the end of 2016. Meanwhile, globally, mobile payment methods will be attacked,” Khongsak said.

At 3pm, BJC lost Bt1.50 to Bt33.50.

The company informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand in the afternoon that the board of directors approved the takeover, a week after its major shareholder, TCC Group, signed the acquisition deal with Big C’s majority shareholder.

The board called for an extraordinary shareholder meeting on March 21.

Under the deal signed between France’s Casino Group and TCC Group, TCC is committed to complete the acquisition of Big C’s 59 per cent stake, valued at 3.1 billion euros, by the end of the month. It would need to pay Casino US$600 million if the deal does not go through.

In the filing to the exchange, BJC said that the value of the deal, approximately Bt122 billion in Thai baht, was 472.15 per cent of its assets.

On March 21, it will seek the shareholders’ approval for the 12-month bridge loan worth as much as Bt220 billion.

Maybank Kim Eng Securities (Thailand) and JayDee Partner will be appointed as independent financial advisors to advise shareholders on the deal.

Thai tycoon Charoen Sirividhanabhakdi controls TCC Group which in turn holds a 60 per cent stake in BJC.

Aswin Techajareonvikul, the incumbent president and chief executive officer of BJC, is Charoen’s son-in-law.

Kematat Paladesh, president of the operator of PPTV digital TV channel 36, said that on top of new investments, his company had revised its operating strategy by adding more news programmes, movies on weekdays and weekends, and Thai drama series, as well as the Thai country-music competition “Luuk Tung Ngen Laan”.

Apart from entertainment and information shows, PPTV also offers sport-related programmes. “Road to Munich” is an all-new reality show where young Thai soccer talents aged from 14 to 18 can win a chance to train with some of the best soccer professionals and compete with the best young soccer talents from around the world at the Alliance Arena in Germany. The programme is part of a joint cooperation between PPTV HD 36 and FC Bayern Munich.

The station will also add to its sport-programme line-up. Next month, PPTV will broadcast live AIBA (International Boxing Association) qualifying matches that will feature nine Thai challengers vying for the opportunity to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in Brazil.

The company will also put more effort into partnerships. Last month PPTV agreed with Line Thailand to provide its best Thai drama series via Line TV. After less than 30 days, PPTV has attracted at least 2 million views on this new online platform.

“Generation Z has grown up amid changes in social norms and borderless social communication. Therefore, this group is demanding a new type of influencer. Brands should also gain better understanding about those issues,” Prachawan Ketavan, planning director at J Walter Thompson Bangkok, said yesterday.

For instance, Pimmara “Jasmine” Sridokbuab, 23, established a halal cosmetics brand and rapidly popularised it among Muslim in the South by responding to their unmet needs in this segment.

This reflects that young people are enthusiastic about having their own business. Prachawan said this also presented an |opportunity for major corporates to create supporting schemes to help target consumers to turn young entrepreneurs’ dreams into reality. Granting start-ups financial support is a good example in this regard.

Apart from this group, consumers of all ages are also moving into self-improvement and entrepreneurism. She said her firm was witnessing the rise of new start-up businesses.

Parattajariya Jalayanateja, managing director of J Walter Thompson Bangkok, said the rising numbers of older people using the Internet also posed a tremendous opportunity for brands and marketers.

Senior consumers are described as hidden gems because they have high purchasing power but few companies tap into this market.

However, some brands have showed interest in catering to retirees. The popular mobile application Line, for example, is now trying to create connectivity among Generation X and their predecessors, the baby-boomers, by offering stickers that are geared for these older generations.

“Marketers and brands have to study their [consumers’] unique behaviour and demands in order to create, design and offer the right products and services to them,” Parattajariya said.

Both experts also suggested that food-related business was on the rise despite the economic slowdown. But food products and services should offer more value in terms of healthy, unique dining experiences and personalised service.

Those implications are |among key trends found in |”The Future 100: Trends and Change to Watch in 2016″, a report by J Walter Thompson Intelligence.

This second annual report categorised global trends into 100 issues across 10 sectors including culture, technology |and innovation, brands and marketing, and lifestyle.

“We will discuss with Takatsuki General Hospital establishing the collaboration plan year by year. In the first year, we will focus on new-born babies and food allergies,” Surangkana Techapaitoon, director of Samitivej Children’s Hospital, said yesterday.

Children need not only advanced medical treatment, but also mental and spiritual care, she said.

Under the agreement signed at the Japanese ambassador’s residence on Wednesday, both sides will work closely on the exchange of knowledge, expertise and experience in paediatric medical services.

Japanese are the largest group of foreign patients, with about 140,000 visiting Samitivej per year or 400 per day. More than half of the paediatric patients are Japanese children.

Samitivej will double the capacity of its neonatal intensive care unit to 20 beds to cope with growing demand.

Yoshiyuki Naito, chief executive of Aijinkai Healthcare Corp and director of Takatsuki General Hospital, said the collaboration would help Samitivej offer patients and families better health solutions.

He said his hospital would bring expertise in paediatrics and neonatal intensive care, including procedures for early premature birth and treatment for child allergies, to help boost Samitivej’s capability to screen and treat paediatric and new-born patients with medical problems

LINE aims to transform itself from a chat app serving some 33 million users in Thailand to offer new services across sectors, managing director Ariya Banomyong explained.

“LINE is still a start up, we need to scale up,” he said.

The MD explained that there is no dearth of apps in the market, adding that GooglePlay offers some 1.6 million apps and Apple’s AppStore offers 1.5 million, of which only 39 apps are installed on average and only 17 are used. Hence, he said, LINE aims to address this point by providing online-to-offline (O2O) services so users do not have to overload their devices with too many apps.

“LINE aims to become O2O service leader by becoming a platform and scaling up its existing services such as LINE TV, LINE Music and Giftshop by launching new localised services for Thailand,” Ariya said.

LINE has already launched the O2O service in Indonesia by partnering with the local taxi app Go-Jek. Go-Jek is now embedded in the LINE app, so taxis can be ordered on the same app.

“With O2O concept, users’ daily required services will be available through LINE,” Ariya said.

In the business segment, he said, LINE identifies itself as a platform closing the loop between business and users with three strategies, including enhancing the “Official Account” feature in order to engage users one-on-one via segmenting and profiling based on users’ demands; opening the application interface called “Business Connect” to let business users develop services; and launching the new feature called “Pay by Official Account”, which will allow users to subscribe to services or purchase products.

In the SME market, LINE will promote LINE@, under its B2B business unit, in order to encourage SMEs in Thailand to have an affordable digital-marketing tool to enhance their performance. LINE@ will become a paid service in April.

“Of the 2.8 million SMEs in Thailand, only 500,000 have an online presence and not all are active. Also, many find digital technology complicated, so LINE@ will address these points,” he said.

Ariya pointed out that commerce via mobiles and social media was fast becoming a trend in Thailand, with 60 per cent of the e-commerce traffic coming from mobiles in 2015.

“Mobile phones are the future of the Internet. According to Kasikorn Bank, mobile-banking accounts showed a rapid growth of 33 per cent from 9 million accounts to 12 million this year,” he said.

Currently, LINE’s revenue comes from three units namely games; business-to-business unit (official account and official sticker); and content included LINE TV and paid stickers; followed by its Giftshop and LINE Pay.

LINE’s global revenue as of the end of 2015 was US$1billion with 83 per cent of Thailand’s total 40 million mobile Internet users, closely following LINE’s home-market in Japan.

At the event, Total Access Communication (Dtac) offers the buy-1-get-1-free campaign for all purchases of 4G-compatible smartphones. To lure customers from other networks, it also offers a Bt2,400 discount on smartphones purchased for new numbers from Dtac.

Announcing the Bt40 billion investment in 3G and 4G networks this year, Advanced Info Service offers a 50 per cent discount for all smartphones.

Samsung introduces the latest “Galaxy A (2016) Series” at the event, along with lineups of smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices as well as tempting promotions and exclusive gifts.

“At Samsung, we are committed to innovations. Our Galaxy A (2016) Series, the main highlight of our booth, is the new generation of last year’s Galaxy A Series and new iterations of our premium mid-tier smartphones are based on feedback of our consumers who love a combination of exceptional performance for everyday life and eye-catching design,” said Wichai Pornpratang, corporate vice president of Thai Samsung Electronics.

The expo will run until February 14, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.