KUCHING: Digital transformation has become a must for businesses to move forward as well as to stay relevant and competitive in the modern world.
The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) Advertising Department General Manager Jeannie Leong said the organisation had shifted the delivery platform, focussing on digital first, print later as newspaper remains the core business.
“We can’t totally get rid of the print as there are people who prefer to read newspapers. Hence we are offering readers our content on various platforms, including social media such as Facebook, Instagram as well as the online portals,” she said.
Speaking at the NSTP’s seminar on digital advertising here, Leong said there was a need to embrace the changing environment whereby technology had become part of daily lives.
“We are here to introduce you (participants) the beauty of digital advertising whereby we can customise a client’s campaign direction, targeted audience, display and content,” she said.
More than 90 participants from government agencies, corporate groups as well as Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) participated in the seminar.
Meanwhile, Digital Sales Advertisement Senior Executive Mohd Muzainy Chik Mustafa shared several ideas on how digital advertisement works.
Based on information gathered by the group, more than 90 per cent of the viewers used mobile phones.
“Thus it’s important to design a website that’s mobile-friendly as most of the people own at least a smart phone that can go online in the modern era. It’s weird when you are not connected with internet these day,” he said.
For those who were interested to create a video for their products, Muzainy said a maximum of 30 seconds would be the most ideal length.
“People are consuming more and more digital content on a daily basis. Therefore digital advertising offers more options to the clients. It could be news on the portal, video, Facebook live or even just a picture in Instagram,” he said.
A participant Norhasyimah Ahmad Merrican, who is a SME for beauty and food industry, said she had benefited from the event.
“I’m aware of the trend whereby SMEs kick-start their business online and there are successful online entrepreneurs. But I don’t have much knowledge on how to do it (online business) and where to start," she said.
" I came here to learn and it was a very useful seminar. I am planning to focus on e-commerce as I am confident that my products have the potential to go global.”
The 38-year-old from Matang believes digital platform was the best way for her to start up and to approach more customers from other countries.
Also present were the NSTP Kuching Branch Manager and Advertisement (East Malaysia) Senior Executive Venitia Samuel, Senior Manager-Regional (Northern) and Branch Manager (Penang) Advertisement S. Linggaraj.