Latest news with #MAA
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Shaping marketing's next generation
THE ability to connect with and understand people will remain fundamental to the marketing profession, even as the industry and technologies continue to rapidly evolve. President of the Malaysian Advertisers Association (MAA) Claudian Navin Stanislaus affirms that while marketers need to keep up with new skills, they must always stay rooted in marketing's core values. 'Tools will keep changing. It was digital yesterday, it is artificial intelligence today, and tomorrow it will be something else. It's not about mastering the latest technology for its own sake, but rather using these tools to connect with people,' he told StarBiz. 'Understanding people is still at the heart of what we do. This applies not just in how we market to consumers, but also in learning to work with people across teams, agencies, and clients, because marketing isn't a solo act – it's a contact sport.' Instilling these foundational principles in young marketers today is thus critical to shaping the course of the industry's future. For this reason, the MAA has been focused on efforts to engage with the next generation of marketers and steadily expanding its initiatives with higher learning institutes and their marketing and communications faculties. 'We're actively integrating brands into final-year projects, exploring internship placements, sharing industry expertise for talks, and opening up mentorship pathways,' Stanislaus said. 'Our goal is to bridge the gap between academic proficiency and industry readiness.' One of its recent initiatives aimed at nurturing future-ready advertising talent was the Trailblazers: The Ad-venture Challenge, an action-packed, people-focused competition which brought together university students, agency professionals, and industry veterans from across Malaysia. The Amazing Race-style event, designed to recreate the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of the marketing field, saw teams of students and marketing professionals dash between multiple locations to complete industry-related challenges. At each pit stop, participants were given creative tasks that put their teamwork and improvisation skills to the test, with challenges involving rapid-fire ideation, multitasking, delivering ideas under client-like scrutiny, and knowledge of industry regulations. For the students, it was also a unique opportunity to learn from chief marketing heads of RHB Banking Group, CelcomDigi, Grab, and MRT Corp, who served as mentors for each team and offered valuable guidance and encouragement throughout the competition. 'Both the mentors and judges were genuinely surprised by how quickly the students dissected some challenges and how instinctively they integrated tech, all while racing across town,' Stanislaus recalled. The competition culminated with both the champion and runner-up positions both won by university student teams. 'Seeing them take the top spots was a nice twist to the day. It sends a clear message about the bright future of our industry,' he said. He added that feedback for the event was overwhelmingly positive, with both students and seasoned marketers appreciating the chance to actively participate, interact and learn from each other. 'Several have already asked to be on the list for the next one, which tells us our intent had hit home.' On how industry players can further cultivate and attract fresh talent to the marketing and advertising field, Stanislaus shared that more efforts can go towards reaching both marketing students as well as young people who are still deciding on their career paths. 'At MAA, we work directly with universities to engage students already on the path to ensure they are well-prepared to enter the workforce with relevant skills and expectations,' he said. 'However, the reality is that most career choices are made before we even meet these students. By the time we encounter them, many of them are already on their chosen degree tracks. Yet this is often the first real chance we get to shape their perception of the industry.' The opportunity, he said, then lies in taking steps to create interest in marketing and advertising among students at an earlier stage. For instance, collaborations could be made with the Education Ministry to bring career talks into schools. 'That said, there's little point inspiring young minds if we can't offer enough opportunities for them when they graduate,' he added. 'It's a balance that requires alignment between industry, education, and government, and I can confidently say the MAA is ready to play its part.'
The Star
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Cautious outlook ahead for auto stocks
HLIB Research revised the total industry volume up to 770,000 from 750,000 for this year compared with 818,000 last year. PETALING JAYA: Automotive stocks continue to be weighed by a cloudy outlook for vehicle sales, with both national and non-national marques showing declines, according to figures released by the Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA) for June. Analysts covering automotive stocks remained cautious about the outlook as sales in the first half of the year dropped nearly 5% compared with the similar period a year ago. UOB Kay Hian (UOBKH) Research has maintained an 'underweight' call on automotive stocks, as competition remained intense with limited margin recovery and earnings upside. Its top pick remained Pecca Group Bhd , a producer of car seat covers, in which the research house has a 'buy' call and a target price (TP) of RM1.68. UOBKH Research noted that automotive stocks' valuation of 11.8 times was fair, given the muted earnings outlook and limited catalysts with upside potential likely capped in the near term. TA Research has maintained a 'neutral' recommendation, with the TIV forecast for this year of 700,000 units under review (MAA projected 780,000). The research house has a 'hold' call on Sime Darby Bhd with a TP of RM1.66, and 'sell' ratings on MBM Resources Bhd with a TP of RM4.31 and Bermaz Auto Bhd with a TP of 75 sen. Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research, which has also maintained a 'neutral' stance on the stocks, pointed to intense competition from the entry of multiple new electric vehicle players challenging non-national marques amid competitive pricing strategies. It revised the total industry volume up to 770,000 from 750,000 for this year compared with 818,000 last year. Despite the challenges, the research house expected the market to normalise and saw upside potential, supported by exciting new model launches throughout the year and intensified marketing efforts by original equipment manufacturers aiming to sustain sales, albeit likely at the cost of margins. 'Order backlogs continued to decline in the second quarter of 2025 and are expected to soften further in the coming quarters, in line with weakening consumer sentiment amid a slowing economic outlook and the anticipated petrol subsidy rationalisation in the second half of 2025,' the research house said. HLIB Research projected automotive earnings to decline this year, driven by lower sales volumes and higher operating costs from more aggressive promotional activities but this would be partially offset by a stronger ringgit against the US dollar and Japanese yen. According to the research house, its top pick is MBM Resources with a 'buy' call and a TP of RM7.10, supported by exposure to national marques under Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd and dividend yields.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Car sales set to skid further as headwinds mount
KUALA LUMPUR: After a sluggish first half of 2025, Malaysia's auto market appears to be hitting the brakes hard, with analysts signalling a further slowdown in sales momentum for the rest of the year. Following three consecutive years of record-breaking sales, the market now appears to be settling into a more subdued phase, marked by shrinking order backlogs, tighter loan approvals and intensifying price competition. "The market is showing signs of normalisation amid weakening order backlogs, tighter loan approvals and intensifying price competition, particularly in the non-national segment," said RHB Research analyst Iftaar Hakim Rusli. Total industry volume (TIV) for the first half fell 4.6 per cent year-on-year to 373,636 units, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). Despite the softer start, MAA raised its full-year sales forecast to 800,000 units, up from an earlier projection of 765,000. RHB Research is holding a more cautious view, maintaining its 2025 TIV forecast at 730,000 units, which represents an 11 per cent decline from last year. Iftaar said the biggest drag is expected to come from non-national marques, many of which are now feeling the heat from an influx of aggressively priced models, especially from Chinese entrants. These new players have forced incumbents into deep discounting, a move that, while good for consumers, is destabilising the market. "Some buyers may delay their purchases in anticipation of further price cuts from both existing and new non-national marques, thereby destabilising the non-national segment," he said in a research note. Loan approval rates have also taken a hit, dropping to 55 per cent year-to-date from 58 to 63 per cent in the 2022 to 2024 period. Order backlogs, once a sign of healthy demand, are thinning too, with Perodua's backlog falling from 100,000 units to 90,000 and Toyota's from 20,000 to 15,000, said Iftaar. He added inflationary pressures are compounding the problem, squeezing household budgets just as competition heats up. In the electric vehicle (EV) segment, Iftaar expects growth to continue but remain modest due to high prices and limited charging infrastructure. The current tax exemptions for completely built-up (CBU) EVs, which have supported early adoption, are unlikely to be extended beyond end-2025, as the government shifts its focus to incentivising locally assembled EVs. "An extension of the tax holiday for CBU EVs would be counterproductive for incentivising original equipment manufacturers to establish local production facilities. "While we expect EV numbers to continue picking up in the coming months, growth in market share is likely to remain moderate due to structural headwinds, such as high pricing and limited availability of charging infrastructure. "As such, EVs are unlikely to influence overall TIV in the near term," he said. Another overhang is the impending implementation of the revised open market value (OMV) excise duty in January 2026. Iftaar said that although the measure was recently deferred again, it could lead to a 10 to 30 per cent price hike for completely knocked down vehicles unless mitigated by the authorities. He noted that the Finance Ministry has signalled that such a steep hike is unlikely but has yet to finalise the new pricing methodology. "The new OMV takes into account the engineering work, royalty payments and license fees, amongst others. "For CBU vehicles, prices are based on the cost, insurance and freight, on which import and excise duties are imposed," he said. Meanwhile, HLIB Research revised its 2025 TIV forecast slightly higher to 770,000 units to reflect stronger-than-expected demand, supported by aggressive sales and promotional campaigns as well as the launch of new, attractive models. HLIB analyst Daniel Wong said order backlogs have eased to between 120,000 and 130,000 units, with Perodua accounting for the bulk at about 100,000 units. He said Perodua is on track to sustain its sales momentum through year-end, aiming for 345,000 units in 2025, backed by steady order intake and production levels. "While the TIV outlook remains robust, we expect margins to come under pressure due to intensifying competition across the market. "We expect continued stiff competition for the RM100,000 to RM200,000-priced segment due to normalising of consumer demand and aggressive new launches and sales campaigns," he said. Wong added that companies with significant exposure to the US dollar, such as Toyota and Nissan, stand to benefit from the stronger ringgit. Meanwhile, Honda and Mazda, with heavier Japanese yen exposure, may continue to benefit from the relatively weak yen.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
MAA keeps sales forecast despite decline in first half
The forecast comprises 724,000 units for passenger vehicles and 56,000 units for commercial vehicles. KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) is maintaining its full-year total industry volume (TIV) forecast of 780,000 units for this year despite a 4.6% year-on-year decline in vehicle sales during the first half (1H25). The forecast comprises 724,000 units for passenger vehicles and 56,000 units for commercial vehicles. MAA chief operating officer, Muhammad Fateh Teh Abdullah, said a total of 373,636 vehicles were registered in 1H25, compared to 391,451 units in the corresponding period last year. 'MAA is maintaining the forecast announced in January. The factors we considered include the outlook for the domestic economy. 'Yes, there are many challenges currently affecting the economy. However, when we look at the latest forecasts issued by several research houses, particularly following the imposition of a 25% tariff by the United States, we remain cautiously optimistic,' he said. He was speaking at the Review of Motor Traders and Manufacturers' Performance for 1H25 event yesterday. Muhammad Fateh pointed out that research houses have indicated a general TIV decline of about 0.5%. He attributed the first-half slowdown to several key factors, including the high-base effect from the record TIV of 816,747 units last year, as well as advance purchases made last December. 'Last December, MAA recorded the highest-ever monthly TIV of 81,735 units. This was followed by a drop in sales in January this year, with only 50,397 units sold compared with 66,919 in January 2024. 'The removal of the diesel subsidy last June also negatively impacted the commercial-vehicle segment, with demand falling 21% in 1H25,' he said. In terms of production, total industry output declined by 10% to 352,626 units in 1H25, with passenger vehicle production down 10% and commercial-vehicle production dropping by 12%. He also noted that demand for electric vehicles is expected to increase this year, spurred by new model launches, particularly in the fourth quarter, and aggressive promotional campaigns by MAA members. The recent 25 basis point but to the overnight policy rate by Bank Negara is also expected to support consumer spending and vehicle purchases. MAA further highlighted that the outlook for the domestic economy remains resilient, with gross domestic product growth projected between 3.5% and 4.5%, despite external pressures. — Bernama
ITV News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
'We are still suffering': People affected by forced adoption demand government apology
Women affected by the forced adoption scandal have staged a protest at Westminster, demanding a formal government apology. In the decades after World War II, an estimated 250,000 women had their children taken and adopted because they were unmarried. Women claim their suffering, shame and trauma have been ignored by successive governments. A human rights joint committee recommended a formal apology in July 2022, prompting the Welsh and Scottish governments to apologise to people affected by forced adoptions. But the UK government has not. Three years later, dozens of people travelled to Westminister to make their voices heard. Zara Phillips - who was adopted as a baby - organised the protest. "It would mean an acknowledgement of what we went through as adoptees and for our mothers who were really just teenagers and had committed no crime," Zara said. ITV News understands that the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has written to the Movement for an Adoption Apology (MAA) to organise a meeting, which campaigners have been requesting for more than a year. Ann Andic was pregnant and unmarried when she was sent to a mother and baby home in North London in 1969, at the age of 19. Her child was placed in foster care at six weeks old. Ann worked two jobs to save up enough money to find them a home. But against her wishes, she said the baby was placed for adoption and social workers pressured her to sign the legal papers. After decades of silence and shame, Ann contacted ITV News after seeing our ongoing investigation and met other survivors for the first time. Aged 76, she protested for the first time on Tuesday. "It was a relief, gave me a voice having remained silent for so long and feeling like I was an inferior person," she said. "I feel like I'm part of a community now, a sisterhood. It's a double-edged sword. I'm sad there are so many of us, but it's a relief to know that I'm not the only one. "I hope the government will listen and see we are still suffering; they have to acknowledge the part that they played." For Ann, there has been a double tragedy. She believes, like other women in mother and baby homes across Britain, she may have been given the controversial drug Stilbestrol to dry up her breast milk shortly after giving birth. The drug - a synthetic hormone - was linked to cancer and the risk of blood clots and later withdrawn internationally. Ann wants to know if the drug is to blame for her health problems. In her late 20s, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which left her unable to have any more children. In a statement, the Department for Education said it took the issue 'extremely seriously' and would continue to engage with and provide support for people affected. 'This abhorrent practice should never have taken place, and our deepest sympathies are with all those affected." The Department of Health and Social Care said its sympathies were with anyone harmed by the historic use of the drug. 'The Secretary of State has been clear he will look seriously at these allegations, and the government will continue to consider enhanced screening for those impacted by the use of this drug,' a spokesperson said.
