Standard Protocol Announces Ambassador Program to Build Stablecoin Ecosystem

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Singapore, May 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The program - Standard Community Collective, aims at attracting active players in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) space, including developers, yield farmers, stakers, navigators, and evangelists, to build the next-generation of stablecoin ecosystem with the Standard stablecoin, said the Standard Team.

The Standard stablecoin, Meter (MTR), is the stablecoin that is synthetically generated by the Protocol’s standard system.

The Meter allows peer-to-peer payments of virtual currency without the fear of price volatility and bank fees, foreign transaction fees, and cross-border fees associated with current payment systems, says the Standard team.

Standard Community Collective aims at driving the new financial revolution toward a vision of a peer-to-peer electronic cash system – a vision of empowered people exchanging value without trust, but solidity based on principles of transparency, immutability, and transparency.

“It means that everyone is coming together to make a change, to drive change, and to co-create change,” said Standard Protocol co-founder Hyungsuk Kang.

The Standard Protocol is the first project from Korea to be awarded a Polkadot Web3 Foundation grant.

Active players in the stablecoin community could join the Ambassador program in various ways. Developers could join the “Builder Collective” where the project is open-sourced, whereas stakers, yield farmers, or validators can join the “Staker Collective”.

To learn more about Standard Protocol, visit the website at https://standard.tech/ or read more about it at https://docsend.com/view/sp6antfgeqiziaqb, and join the community on Telegram, Twitter, Discord, and Clubhouse.

About Standard Protocol:

Standard Protocol is the first Collateralized Rebasable Stablecoin (CRS) protocol for synthetic assets that will operate within the Polkadot ecosystem. It is also the first and only project from Korea to be awarded a Polkadot Web3 Foundation grant and prides itself on its global community growth approach.

Website: http://www.standard.tech

Lazada appoints new CMO, local brand ambassador chosen

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Lazada has appointed local media personality Michelle Chong as its first local ambassador for the Singapore market. Well-known for her numerous online personas, the ambassadorship is said to tap on Chong’s versatility in personifying three of her alter egos that will aim to connect with various audience demographics. The characters (namely Ah Lian, Chiang Ying Wen and Sonia) will be featured in upcoming key campaigns in Singapore, starting with Lazada’s 9th birthday celebration on 27 March. The collaboration will span across seven months, culminating in Lazada’s 9.9 Big Sale in September. The engagement activities that Chong will be involved in cover various touchpoints, including radio and television broadcast, outdoor media, social media platforms on Lazada Singapore and Chong’s own platforms, as well as Lazada’s leading livestreaming channel, LazLive.

In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Wook Kwon, chief marketing officer of Lazada Singapore, said Chong will be pairing with Lee Min Ho, who was appointed as Lazada’s regional ambassador last year, to “bring combined star power that is relatable to Singaporeans”. The local ambassadorship with Chong also looks to celebrate her success as an artiste and entrepreneur, and to recognise her capabilities, Kwon added. Being one of the top comedic talents, and easily the most recognisable female comedic actress in Singapore, Lazada aims to use this collaboration to effectively reach the younger generation with a relatable sense of humour, and connect more with shoppers on LazMall and RedMart.

Kwon took on the role of chief marketing officer at Lazada Singapore in November 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile. This comes after Michelle Yip, Lazada’s former EVP of marketing in SEA, exited the company to join DBS Bank. Prior to joining Lazada, he was with Levi Strauss as its regional head of eCommerce platform and user experience (APAC) for four years, his LinkedIn said. Kwon was also previously with eCommerce platform Qoo10 Singapore for over five years. He joined Qoo10 as head of UI/UX, product management, before moving on to the role of head of mobile business and business development, and eventually took on the role of head of marketing and operation.

“Last year, when Lazada introduced Lee as our regional ambassador, all countries, aside from Singapore, appointed a local ambassador to star alongside him. We have been searching for the right fit to represent the diverse culture and colloquialism of the country, as well as a personality that fits with Lazada’s innovative spirit and branding, and Chong embodies everything we were looking for, and it became a natural choice for us,” Kwon told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. Lazada’s current local ambassadors are Agnez Monika and Verrel Bramasta in Indonesia, Ayda Jebat in Malaysia, Kathryn Bernardo in the Philippines, Bella Ranee Campen in Thailand and Chi Pu in Vietnam.

“Chong is an accomplished multi-hyphenate, known for her versatility and talent in transforming to different alter egos, all who are very relatable characters whom resonate well with various demographics in Singapore. She is also entrepreneurial, venturing into filmmaking and starting her own agency business and as Lazada believes in constantly innovating, Chong definitely embodies all that and fits well with our brand,” Kwon said.

Chong is a familiar face in the local entertainment industry, serving as a producer, writer, director, actress as well as a local entrepreneur who is well known for her ability to create memorable TV characters such as Barbarella, Leticia and lulu in the local satirical comedy series, The Noose. She also created popular online personalities such as Ah Lian, school girl Chiang Ying Wen, fashion maven Sonia, Taiwanese blogger Emily, and office lady Shirley Goh who have all starred in ads and viral videos. Chong has also produced, written and directed three movies.

According to Kwon, Chong’s three specific characters were chosen as they were the most relatable to Millennial and Gen Z shoppers, which Lazada has been actively engaging. “There is a sense of familiarity, as Singaporeans can relate to someone similar to these characters: a goody-two-shoes classmate (Chiang Ying Wen), an unreasonable and overbearing boss (Sonia), as well as a crass and boisterous friend (Ah Lian),” Kwon said. Lazada’s decision to work with Chong also comes as out of the characters, Chong still appeals to the masses as an individual and a talent, and Lazada hopes that all its shoppers can appreciate and be entertained by Chong, even if they are not familiar with the specific characters portrayed.

Embracing her three characters, Chong commented: “Being Lazada’s first local ambassador is a dream come true not just for me, but also for Ah Lian who frequently collects LazCoins on their app. Sonia has long looked up to Lazada as the forefront of eCommerce innovation, and fancies herself their counterpart in the world of fashion: highly adaptable in the presence of disruption, progressive and having the grit to stay relevant in current times. Chiang Ying Wen is extremely excited to be in the same video as her idol Lee Min Ho, and hopes to get an internship with the CEO someday. I’m honoured to be associated with such a forward-thinking brand and I think they have great taste and foresight!”

Lazada has been banking heavily on local partnerships in the past year. Earlier this year in January, Lazada tied up with local digital content producer SGAG to provide weekly shoppertainment experience for shoppers in Singapore across 12 weeks. Separately, the eCommerce platform also worked with local matchmaking company Lunch Actually to launch a four-part matchmaking series leading up to Valentine’s Day. The campaign, titled “Match me if you can”, allowed audience to purchase various Lunch Actually products and services while being directly involved in interactive content delivered by dating experts through a livestreaming service on the Lazada platform LazLive. Last August, Lazada also partnered with Mediacorp for a content-commerce collaboration in line with Lazada’s National Day sale. This partnership later extended to cover Lazada’s 11.11 mega sale.

Kwon told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE that its campaigns are all about driving conversation and engagement. The eCommerce found previous partnerships successful as it had a significant impact on its consumers, such as being familiar with its jingle, and its phrase “add to cart” which is now synonymous with Lazada. Through its partnership with SGAG, Kwon also said it helped Lazada to stay connected with customers via the content pieces they actively consume every day. “All our partnerships are a further extension of our shoppertainment push, of having entertainment alongside shopping driving a natural synergy that benefits our audience,” he added.

Lazada is not the first eCommerce brand to appoint a local ambassador. Last August, Shopee also brought on board Singaporean cultural icon Phua Chu Kang (PCK) as its first brand ambassador for Singapore. Tapping on the same trait of relatability, Shopee said PCK’s ability to resonate with and unite local communities aligns closely with Shopee’s long-term vision of connecting with Singaporeans. PCK was seen fronting Shopee campaigns for its year-end shopping season, and was also joined with local actor Wang Weiliang in some ads.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE’s Content 360 Week is back from 6 to 8 April this year! Super charge your content production, distribution and monetisation strategies by learning from brands such as NBA Asia, P&G, Malaysia Airlines, and Marriott International, among others. Sign up today!

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Wheeling University to recognize five during virtual reunion

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WHEELING — Five alumni will be recognized for contributions made to their profession, society or to Wheeling University during the 2021 Virtual All-School Reunion set for April 16-18.

“On Friday, April 16, alumni from across the country will gather online to honor this year’s recipients of the Distinguished Alumni, Lewis, Magis and O’Brien awards. Following the cancellation of last year’s reunion, the alumni council and the university made a pledge to host an event this year. I look forward to toasting these five individuals when we gather virtually,” said Ginny R. Favede, president of Wheeling University.

Favede will bestow the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awards, which are given annually by the university to individuals for their contributions at work and in service to others, during the Friday night virtual celebration.

¯ Tom Bechtel, Class of 1973, will receive the St. Ignatius Loyola Distinguished Alumni Award. Bechtel is a former recreation director in Wheeling.

¯ The Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to Kathleen Carrigan Hill, class of 1984. Carrigan Hill has dedicated her professional life to helping children and families in need. She currently serves as the liaison between Child Welfare and Juvenile Probation for Allegheny County, Pa.

¯ The Rev. Clifford M. Lewis, S.J. Award, the highest honor presented by the alumni association, to a founding member of the 50 Year Club, Walter “Al” Reed, class of 1960. Reed created the induction ceremony that is used each year to recognize the 50th anniversary classes and induct them into the 50 Year Club. In addition, Reed works with fellow senior ambassadors to provide financial support to his alma mater.

¯ The 2021 Magis Award will be given to Edward Shahady, M.D., class of 1960. Shahady is described by this friends and classmates a being a true “person for others.” A dedicated physician who remains active in his profession, he has given of his “time, talent and treasure” serving as an outspoken advocate for Wheeling University in efforts of fundraising, alumni relations and service on the Board of Trustees. Shahady is a co-founder of the 50 Year Club and his idea for the Senior Ambassador program, which is composed of alumni from the first 15 classes, has help raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the University.

¯ The Rev. James O’Brien, S.J. Award, which recognizes young alumni who manifest a growing competence and personal compassion in ones chosen field, and who exhibit strength and promise in areas reflecting the mission will be presented to Jonathan Proto, Ph.D., class of 2008. He is a principal scientist at Sanofi, a global biopharmaceutical company. Proto’s laboratory, located just outside of Boston, endeavors to develop effective treatments for neurological diseases with a high unmet medical need, including progressive multiple sclerosis, dementia, and ALS.

The university has a number of events planned for the 2021 Virtual All-School Reunion. Friday evening the classes of 1970 and 1971, who will be celebrating their Golden Anniversary, will be honored. Due to the pandemic, last year’s reunion was cancelled, and the class of 1970 was not recognized.

To date, more than 200 alumni of all ages have registered for the 2021 reunion. For more information or to register, visit www.wheeling.edu/alumni.