Latest news with #Digiplus
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Suspended chief says GSIS' billions-worth of investments have yielded gains
Suspended GSIS president Jose Wick Veloso on Monday said that the corporation's billions worth of investments in Alternergy and online gambling firm Digiplus have already yielded gains for the government. GSIS invested P1.4. billion in Alternergy—an investment currently under being investigated by the Ombudsman, and for which Veloso was suspended—and P1 billion in Digiplus, which was made public by Senator Risa Hontiveros in a privilege speech. 'The management is given permission to invest in listed equities in the stock market or bonds or debt instruments at an amount of P1.5 billion. Hindi ho kailangan dumaan sa board [It didn't need to go through the board]," said Veloso of the Alternergy investment in a Super Radyo DZBB interview. "Based on our guidelines, the equity must be listed [in the Philippine Stock Exchange] and what we purchased was preferred share. Naniniwala po kami na sumunod po kami sa reglamento.' (We believe we followed all regulations.) Veloso said that the Alternergy investment had resulted in P117 million in terms of dividends in the first year. 'That is renewable energy investment and its rate of return of investment is 56% within five years,' he said. On Digiplus, Veloso said that the GSIS, upon careful study, took advantage of the low price of Digiplus' stock, and that the company's share has been growing since GSIS invested in 2023. He, however, did not give an exact amount of how much the government gained from this investment. 'The [value] of its stock is just P7, P8 when GSIS started purchasing them. Kumita na rin tayo doon. Kumita po. Tapos tuwing may magandang balita na lumalabas po diyan, nagdadagdag po tayo ng investment. So habang umaakyat po yung presyo niya, nagdadagdag ang GSIS ng investment,' Veloso said. (The government gained from this, really. And every time that the company thrives, we invest more.) 'Then in June [2025], there was a research material that they can be placed under index stocks of the Philippine Stock Exchange, and that its stock prices can rise to P109 due to their expansion in other countries such as Brazil and South Africa. We thought since the price is not that high yet, let's take a chance on investing in this,' Veloso added. Veloso, however, said recent calls for banning online gambling was a volatility that they did not see coming. 'Just one and a half week after [the June research material], the talk on the total ban on online gambling cropped up. Wala naman po sa equation 'yan [when we made the investment]. That's volatility. Because when we invest, we do not invest with a long-term view,' Veloso added. (The possibility of total ban on online gambling was not present when we first made the investment.) Veloso said that the GSIS' investment in Digiplus was a minuscule part of the entire GSIS fund and that the GSIS has been steadily growing since he led the agency in 2022. 'This is just 0.13% of the whole GSIS portfolio. And since I came on board, I was able to add P300 billion [to the GSSIS fund] so it is now up to P1.88 trillion. For the first six months of 2025 alone, we earned P77 billion net,' Veloso said. 'Iyan po ang patunay na totoong intact ang pondo. Kaya kami [ay] naniniwala na ito ay nasa tamang proseso,' Veloso added. (These figures prove that the GSIS fund is intact, and so we believe that these investments are all above board.) — BM, GMA Integrated News
The Star
08-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Marcos says online gambling ban to stoke illegal operations
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) said a total ban on online gambling platforms will lead to a proliferation of illicit operations which will be more difficult to eradicate. "The first effect of banning it fully is to put it underground, and then we have no control,' Marcos said in an interview with GMA News released late Thursday (Aug 7). Marcos said he will convene a conference of stakeholders to craft a policy that will focus on preventing minors from betting and the poor from going deep in debt due to gaming addiction. "The problem is not online gambling. The problem is the social effects on our children and those who are addicted to gambling,' he said. The Philippine central bank on Thursday said it is finalising rules that will require banks, e-wallets and other financial service providers to adopt stronger safeguards against gambling-related harm. Lawmakers and church officials have increasingly called for curbs on Internet betting, citing risks of addiction that could hurt families and impact households' finances, especially among the poor. Industry leader Digiplus has earlier said that banning licensed platforms will shift users to unregulated black markets, and that it supports tighter regulation. - Bloomberg
Business Times
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Philippines' Marcos says online gambling ban to stoke illegal operations
[MANILA] Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said that a total ban on online gambling platforms will lead to a proliferation of illicit operations which will be more difficult to eradicate. 'The first effect of banning it fully is to put it underground, and then we have no control,' Marcos said in an interview with GMA News released late Thursday (Aug 7). Marcos said that he will convene a conference of stakeholders to craft a policy that will focus on preventing minors from betting and the poor from going deep in debt due to gaming addiction. 'The problem is not online gambling. The problem is the social effects on our children and those who are addicted to gambling,' he said. The Philippine central bank on Thursday said that it is finalising rules that will require banks, e-wallets and other financial service providers to adopt stronger safeguards against gambling-related harm. Lawmakers and church officials have increasingly called for curbs on Internet betting, citing risks of addiction that could hurt families and impact households' finances, especially among the poor. Industry leader Digiplus has earlier said that banning licensed platforms will shift users to unregulated black markets, and that it supports tighter regulation. BLOOMBERG
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Best Marketing Events in India for Brand Builders & Growth Hackers
In a world with rapidly evolving marketing trends, staying ahead is not a luxury—it's a necessity. For marketers, brand strategists, content creators, and digital growth hackers, attending top marketing events in India is one of the most effective ways to stay updated, network with industry leaders, and get inspired by actionable insights. This comprehensive guide to the best marketing events in India showcases key conferences that cover everything from digital marketing and B2B strategies to content, influencer, and OTT marketing. Whether you're a brand builder or growth marketer, these events are designed to empower your next marketing move. 1. Brand World Summit (BWS)The Brand World Summit (BWS) is one of India's most respected marketing events , curated by ET BrandEquity. It brings together a mix of brand custodians, marketers, CXOs, and creative professionals who explore the future of branding in an experience-first world. The marketing summit focuses on how purpose-driven branding, digital innovation, and storytelling can work together to build resilient and iconic brands. Speakers often include top CMOs, agency leaders, and creative visionaries who have built breakthrough campaigns. Sessions dive deep into topics such as brand positioning, consumer experience, emotional branding, and AI in marketing. For brand strategists, this is a must-attend annual event to stay relevant and forward-thinking. It also provides a rare opportunity to network with India's most influential marketing minds, making it one of the best marketing events in India for those serious about crafting a brand legacy. 2. Digiplus SummitThe Digiplus Summit is tailored for digital marketers looking to scale their impact across platforms. Hosted by ET BrandEquity, this Digital marketing event zeroes in on digital marketing and digital transformation trends such as performance marketing, data-driven decisions, SEO/SEM strategies, MarTech integration, and personalized CX across digital channels. What sets Digiplus apart is its focus on real-world case studies and future-ready technologies like generative AI, programmatic media, and hyper-personalization. Sessions feature India's top digital marketing leaders, including CMOs from tech unicorns, digital agencies, and content platforms. For anyone involved in digital transformation, growth hacking, or paid media strategy, Digiplus is one of the top digital marketing events in India , offering both vision and actionable insights. 3. Martech+ SummitAs marketing and technology cross paths, the Martech+ Summit is where both worlds collide to fuel innovation. This marketing technology event explores how marketers are using tools, automation, and AI to scale their marketing efforts and measure ROI with precision. The event focuses on topics like marketing automation, CDPs, first-party data strategies, CRM, and cross-platform analytics. Each session is designed to help attendees map their martech stack, optimize customer journeys, and make data-backed decisions. This is one of the most impactful B2B marketing events in India, especially for tech-driven marketing teams. 4. CX Plus Annual SummitCX Plus goes beyond traditional marketing to focus on what truly matters—customer experience. It's a flagship CX summit & conference that gathers CXOs, product heads, service heads, CRM heads, omnichannel heads, marketing heads, to explore how experience and empathy drive modern brand value. From omnichannel strategy and AI-powered support systems to voice of customer analytics and UX design, CX Plus dives deep into the moments that shape long-term brand loyalty. Real case studies, tech showcases, and roundtable discussions offer immense value. If you're designing touchpoints across digital and physical channels or handling post-sale brand engagement, this CX Event is a must on your event calendar. 5. Media & Entertainment SummitThis summit is ideal for marketers working in or targeting the media, OTT, and content ecosystems. The Media & Entertainment Summit brings together stakeholders from streaming platforms, broadcasters, digital creators, ad tech companies, and marketing agencies. Key themes include content monetization, OTT advertising trends, media consumption behavior, and branded entertainment. With India's media landscape evolving rapidly, this event provides clarity and inspiration for navigating the new-age entertainment economy. It is one of the top OTT marketing events in India where marketing and content intersect in powerful ways. 6. India Communication SummitThis Communication & PR event focuses on brand storytelling, crisis communication, corporate reputation, and public relations in a hyper-connected world. The India Communication Summit brings together PR professionals, corporate affairs heads, media strategists, and communication consultants. The sessions cover everything from strategic brand narratives to real-time crisis response, influencer management, and social media PR. As brands face increasing scrutiny and shorter news cycles, this event offers crucial tools for managing messaging across stakeholders and channels. It's the top communication and media event in India that blends PR, content marketing, and brand strategy. What are the key Benefits of Attending Top B2B Marketing Events in IndiaAttending premier B2B marketing events in India offers several advantages: Networking: Connect with industry leaders, decision-makers, and potential Get insights into emerging trends, technologies, and best Find strategies to scale campaigns, improve ROI, and sharpen your marketing Understand what top brands and agencies are doing—and how you can adapt. These Marketing events serve as accelerators for marketers aiming to drive long-term business impact. Who Can Attend the Marketing Events & Conferences?These conferences cater to a diverse range of professionals, including: CMOs & Marketing HeadsBrand Managers & StrategistsDigital Marketing ProfessionalsContent & Social Media MarketersMarketing Automation ExpertsPR Professionals & CommunicatorsStartups & Growth HackersMedia Buyers & AdTech ProfessionalsProduct Heads, Customer Experience Leaders, Martech ProfessionalsOmnichannel marketing professionals, performance marketing professionalsFounders, Investors, VCs, MD, CEOs Whether you're from a startup, an enterprise, or an agency, these events are open to anyone looking to elevate their marketing strategy. How Attending a Marketing Conference Can Transform Your Business?Attending marketing events can lead to transformational growth for your business: Learn breakthrough tactics to reach and retain your martech tools that improve campaign strategic partnerships with other businesses or inspiration from successful case studies and thought leadership. By investing time in these events, brands can create smarter, faster, and more sustainable marketing engines. Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a B2B Marketing ConferenceBefore attending a marketing conference, assess: Relevance to your niche (B2B, content, media, etc.)Speaker lineup and reputation of the format – keynote, masterclasses, panels, potential – is there room to connect meaningfully?Cost vs value – are you getting ROI from your time and investment? Choosing the right marketing event can ensure high-value learning and connections. ConclusionIndia's marketing ecosystem is buzzing with high-impact marketing events that bring together industry leaders, disruptors, and innovators. Whether you're in digital marketing, B2B, content strategy, or media, these summits provide a front-row seat to the future of marketing. Make it a goal to attend at least one of these top marketing events in India in 2025. The ideas, networks, and tools you'll walk away with could define your next big campaign—or even your career.
