DIGITAL Advertising Fund OHSEM returns this year with a 2024 edition, following a successful launch last year.
A collaboration between Dattel Asia Group (Dattel), REV Media Group (REV) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the 2024 edition of the fund is worth RM42 million and is expected to benefit more than 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
For SMEs, advertising is usually carried out on social media instead of on premium content platforms like the New Straits Times, Berita Harian, SAYS, OHBULAN! and Siraplimau.
This is largely due to cost, as it is often cheaper to advertise on social media.
Digital Advertising Fund OHSEM aims to help SMEs gain more advertising options, by providing them funds to reach their target audience, which could lead to a boost in their sales.
One of the previous recipients, Naimah Muhammad of Akademi Lembah Ilmu (AKLI), said: "Advertising funds are very helpful for entrepreneurs. SMEs are able to get effective digital advertising at a very reasonable price and we are grateful to be able to be assisted by an experienced OHSEM advertising team that is ready to help at any time."
This year, Digital Advertising Fund OHSEM fund allows SMEs to access advertising worth RM8,000 for as low as RM1,000.
Successful fund applications will receive a free advertising voucher worth RM7,000, access to user data platforms worth RM10,000 and discounts of up to 85 per cent for advertising products and marketing technology.
SMEs will also get access to a user data profiling platform for more accurate targeting, as well as the AI-powered REV Ad Manager platform.
Dattel's chief executive officer Ashran Datuk Ghazi said the collaboration for the fund is very strategic, and has a three-way impact.
The first is the impact on SMEs, where entrepreneurs can get access to advertising on premium content sites like REV Media Group at SME-friendly prices. SMEs also have the option to run ads on platforms beyond social media.
The second impact is on local content platforms. With SMEs advertising on local content platforms, this can ensure a more sustainable and healthier local content landscape.
The final impact is on the country's economy.
With Malaysians spending on platforms like Facebook, money is indirectly going out of the country. This fund can be seen as a way of boosting the country's economy and generating economic growth.
"Alhamdulillah, the Digital Advertising Fund OHSEM in 2023 received a very encouraging response. I hope those who missed the opportunity last year can seize the opportunity this time," said Ashran.
REV chief executive officer Samuel Wee added: "SME is one of the important cores for REV Media Group and we hope that the extension of the Dana Iklan Digital OHSEM 2.0 programme this time will give more awareness to PMKS about the advantages of advertising on premium content sites."
Apply for the Digital Advertising Fund OHSEM here.