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BCA reigns as Southeast Asia’s most valuable brand

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Indonesia’s IM3 and BNI enter 2024 Kantar BrandZ Southeast Asia Top 30 for the first timeFastest growth achieved by BRI and AIS, both worth 30% more than in 2023 High performing banks and telcos strengthen consumer connections with digital capabilities

SINGAPORE, July 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Indonesian banking giant Bank Central Asia (BCA) has cemented its leadership at the top of the second annual Kantar BrandZ Top 30 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands ranking. The brand is now worth US$28.3 billion – a 21% value increase in just one year. BCA owes its success to effectively activating its strong consumer connections and reinforcing its difference. It continually grows its customer base by expanding its digital banking and ecommerce services, and developing new features and benefits. Another Indonesian bank, BRI, has overtaken Singapore’s DBS to claim the silver-medal position, and Thai telecom provider AIS climbs one place to fourth.

Kantar BrandZ Top 10 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands 2024

Rank 2024

Brand

Category

Brand value 2024
(US$M)

YoY change (%)

1

BCA

Financial Services

28,267

21 %

2

BRI

Financial Services

11,258

30 %

3

DBS

Financial Services

11,086

-6 %

4

AIS

Telecom Providers

8,843

30 %

5

Mandiri

Financial Services

8,344

26 %

6

UOB

Financial Services

6,597

-8 %

7

Shopee

Retail

4,832

5 %

8

Telkomsel

Telecom Providers

4,597

-1 %

9

Marina Bay Sands

Travel Services

4,412

0 %

10

True

Telecom Providers

3,706

18 %

The total brand value of the Top 30 – which covers Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore – is US$131.3 billion, an increase of 10% year-on-year. Nineteen of the brands are worth more than they were in 2023. The fastest growth comes from emerging markets, with Thai brands increasing their value the most, followed by Vietnam and Indonesia. Meanwhile the largest share of brand value is contributed by Indonesia (46%), followed by Singapore (32%) and Thailand (11%).

IM3 and BNI make their debuts

There are two new entrants in the Top 30 this year, both from Indonesia. Telecom provider IM3 joins the ranking at No.28, while BNI (Bank Negara Indonesia) enters at No.30. IM3 ($1.4bn) provides convenience by delivering consistency of 4G coverage across the country’s 17,500 islands and offers flexible packages to meet varied needs. BNI ($1.4bn) has strongly supported the nation’s economic development and delivers convenience through friction-free digital services and open banking.

Services and infrastructure brands dominate

The Top 30 come from a wide range of categories, spanning food, banking and beer, but Financial Services (+15%) and Telecom Providers (+14%) captured the most growth over the past year. These sectors lead the region’s digital transformation with the pursuit of new technologies to provide better and broader next-generation services. Financial Services brands account for 12 of the Top 30, and for 60% of its total brand value. Nine telecom providers account for 22% of the total value, while three retail brands contribute 7%.

BRI and AIS are the fastest risers

Financial Services brands BRI and AIS have both gained the most value during the last year, up 30%, followed by Maybank (No.22; $1.9bn; +27%); Mandiri (No.5; $8.3bn; +26%) and Digi (No.25; $1.6bn; +25%). For a long time, BRI has demonstrated its commitment to improving the lives of Indonesians by providing widespread, easy access to financial services, particularly in remote areas. Its BRImo mobile banking super-app drives financial inclusivity, digital literacy and an outstanding customer experience nationwide.

Katie McClintock, Executive Managing Director, Southeast Asia at Kantar, says: “Southeast Asia is becoming the world’s fastest growing economy, underpinned by a developing digital infrastructure and increasing household incomes. These twin trends give consumers more flexibility in the goods and services they choose, and they’re reprioritising what were once ‘wants’ as ‘needs’. Great brands focus on what sets them apart. They focus on how they make consumers’ lives better – meaningfully – and then communicate that with clarity, consistency, and creativity. The brands that achieve this have a powerful opportunity to grow in their home markets and across the globe.”

Other trends from the 2024 Kantar BrandZ Top 30 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands analysis include:

Most brands in Southeast Asia’s Top 30 are seen by consumers to be worth the price they pay, compared to 66% for all brands in the regionIndomie (No.15; $2.4bn) has remained the most Meaningful brand by remaining relevant, and innovating to keep up with consumer preferences, while staying true to its roots. It launched a premium collection of Japanese Ramen flavours in 2023, supported by pop-up tasting stallsOverseas markets present a huge untapped opportunity for Southeast Asian brands to find new space and continue growth. Overseas trade activity of the Top 30 currently sits as 16%, versus 49% for Japan’s Top 3093% of the Southeast Asia’s Top 30 brands have potent levels of Meaningful Difference – and those which strengthened it grew in value at more than double the rate of their peers. This demonstrates how value derives from the ability to meet people’s needs and stand out from the crowdGrowth is 10% higher when brands invest in all three key value accelerators, than if they only invest in two. There are three key catalysts for developing brand value, defined by Kantar’s Blueprint for Brand Growth: predisposing more people to choose the brand, being more present where consumers make purchase decisions, and finding new space into which they can grow. Southeast Asia’s top brands are strong in all three areas.

The Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands ranking, report and extensive analysis are now available here.

For a quick read on a brand’s performance compared to competitors in a specific category, Kantar’s free interactive tool, BrandSnapshot powered by BrandZ, provides intelligence on 14,000 brands. Find out more here.

About Kantar BrandZ: Kantar BrandZ is the global currency when assessing brand value, quantifying the contribution of brands to business’ financial performance. Kantar’s annual global and local brand valuation rankings combine rigorously analysed financial data, with extensive brand equity research. Since 1998, BrandZ has shared brand-building insights with business leaders based on interviews with 4.3 million consumers, for 21,000 brands in 54 markets. Discover more about Kantar BrandZ here.

The Kantar BrandZ Top 30 Most Valuable Southeast Asian Brands Report 2024 includes the most definitive and robust ranking of the region’s brands available. The ranking draws on opinions of more than 98,000 respondents on 1800 brands across 70 categories and the brands ranked must meet these eligibility criteria:

The brand must have originated in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand or VietnamThe brand must be owned by a listed companyThe scope of the ranking is limited to consumer-facing brands.

About Kantar: Kantar is the world’s leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world’s top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioural data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/bca-reigns-as-southeast-asias-most-valuable-brand-302197930.html

SOURCE Kantar

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GEEKOM Launches A5 2027 Edition Mini PC, Built for Productivity That Lasts

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TAIPEI, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GEEKOM, a leading global Mini PC brand, is redefining the productivity Mini PC with the launch of the A5 2027 Edition. Designed for all-day productivity, the new A5 combines dependable performance, long-term reliability and flexible expansion in a compact form.

Powered by the 8-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U, the A5 2027 Edition is built for real-world productivity — from running 30+ browser tabs alongside video meetings and large spreadsheets to Photoshop, 2D design and light 4K editing. With up to 64GB of memory, 7TB of storage and four-display support, it gives professionals, creators and small businesses the flexibility to build a workspace around the way they work.

But productivity also depends on how long a PC can be trusted to perform. The A5 2027 Edition uses brand-new SSDs, a reinforced all-metal internal frame and multi-layer motherboard protection, and undergoes 339 validation checks covering durability, aging, thermals and more. Together with flexible memory and storage upgrades, this quality-from-the-inside-out approach gives GEEKOM the confidence to offer a three-year warranty and engineer its PCs for more than five years of service.

Reliability also means being ready when work does not stop. The A5 2027 Edition‘s IceBlast 3.0 cooling system combines a larger silent fan, copper heat pipe and dedicated copper plate to efficiently move heat away from critical components. Better thermal control reduces throttling and long-term heat stress, enabling stable 24/7 operation for offices, retail systems, digital signage and other always-on environments.

The A5 2027 Edition also brings AI into everyday productivity. It can serve as a personal AI assistant for research, writing, content creation and data analysis, while emerging agentic applications can automate more complex, multi-step workflows. With stable, always-on operation, the A5 2027 Edition can keep these AI workflows running in the background when needed — helping users get more done with less hands-on effort.

The A5 2027 Edition brings GEEKOM‘s vision of all-day productivity to life: built to do more, built to keep running and built to last. Best All-Day Productivity Mini PC. Cool・Silent・Stable.

The GEEKOM A5 2027 Edition is available now through GEEKOM‘s official website and Amazon.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/geekom-launches-a5-2027-edition-mini-pc-built-for-productivity-that-lasts-302871263.html

SOURCE GEEKOM

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Real Estate Expert Howard Goldberg Details Coastal Rental and Multifamily Property Ownership in HelloNation

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The article explains how insurance costs, rental rules, maintenance demands, and seasonal changes shape coastal property ownership in South Florida.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What should buyers know before purchasing a rental property or multifamily property near the beach in South Florida? That question is answered in a HelloNation article featuring expert insights from Howard Goldberg, Real Estate Expert with RE/MAX Consultants Realty 1. The article explores how coastal ownership affects daily routines, responsibilities, and long-term planning.

The article explains that owning rental property near the beach is not only a financial decision, but also a lifestyle commitment. While the scenery and walkability are appealing, owners often face ongoing planning around guests, vendors, weather, and property logistics. Multifamily property introduces additional complexity by increasing the number of tenants and systems that require attention.

One of the first considerations for coastal owners is insurance costs. The article notes that properties close to the ocean usually require flood coverage, wind protection, and higher deductibles. These expenses can rise sharply at renewal and may impact cash flow if not planned for. When multifamily property is involved, one change in policy affects several units, making financial buffers and consistent oversight even more important.

Rental rules also play a major role. The article emphasizes that South Florida cities often have strict requirements related to rental registration, tax accounts, inspections, and short-term rental regulations. In addition, many condo or homeowners associations add further restrictions, including lease minimums, parking limitations, and guest policies. Ignoring rental rules can result in fines or strained relationships with neighbors, making upfront research essential.

The article highlights how maintenance demands increase near the beach. Salt air corrodes materials, humidity stresses systems, and frequent storms challenge the durability of building exteriors. These factors create higher maintenance demands, which can disrupt weekends, stretch budgets, and complicate vendor scheduling, especially when guests are already occupying the property. With multifamily properties, shared infrastructure such as stairways and plumbing stacks can turn small issues into building-wide concerns.

While property management can reduce some of the daily involvement, it does not eliminate the need for owner participation. The article clarifies that owners must still review budgets, approve decisions, and respond quickly in case of emergencies. In South Florida, unexpected weather events or access issues may require urgent attention, regardless of whether a manager is in place.

The article also explores how personal use of a rental property presents challenges. Owners often want to reserve time for themselves, especially during peak seasons. However, holding dates back may reduce income, and using the property personally changes how it’s maintained and perceived. For multifamily properties, reserving one unit while others are booked may create inconsistencies that need clear policies to manage.

Seasonal changes also affect both income and operations. The article explains that winter often brings high demand but fast turnover, while summer may involve slower bookings and the need for more promotion. Owners should plan for vacancy periods, higher utility use, and variable staffing needs. Backup vendors for cleaning and repairs become important, particularly in larger properties with multiple units.

Before purchasing a rental property in South Florida, buyers are encouraged to weigh their time availability and risk tolerance against the demands of ownership. Understanding insurance costs, rental rules, and maintenance demands helps determine whether the lifestyle will feel rewarding or overwhelming.

Owning Rental or Multifamily Property Near the Beach: Lifestyle Considerations in South Florida features insights from Howard Goldberg, Real Estate Expert of Fort Lauderdale, FL, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/real-estate-expert-howard-goldberg-details-coastal-rental-and-multifamily-property-ownership-in-hellonation-302870359.html

SOURCE HelloNation

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Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-Joon targets U.S. AI power market with 22.9kV SST

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World’s first 22.9kV Solid State Transformer (SST) developed, securing a competitive edge with next-generation technology.Completed local production bases for transformers and breakers in the U.S., cementing its position in the American power equipment market.

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, optimizing power supply networks has emerged as a critical global challenge. In the United States, the surge in power demand driven by the proliferation of AI and data centers, coupled with the need to replace aging grid infrastructure, is driving large-scale investment in power infrastructure.

Anticipating these transformative shifts in the power market, Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho has spearheaded proactive investments to meet the demands of the AI and data center era. These investments are now supporting Hyosung Heavy Industries’ efforts to strengthen its position in the U.S. AI and data center power market.

“Driven by the expansion of AI and data centers, power infrastructure has now become a core industry directly linked to national security,” stated Chairman Cho. “Building on Hyosung Heavy Industries’ U.S. manufacturing facilities and technological prowess, we must establish ourselves as an irreplaceable, essential long-term partner in stabilizing the American power grid.”

Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to accelerate its push into the U.S. AI data center power market by combining next-generation grid technologies with its U.S. manufacturing base and established strengths in power equipment, including ultra-high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers.

Pioneering Next-Generation 22.9kV SST Technology

Hyosung Heavy Industries identified the Solid State Transformer (SST) as an indispensable technology for power transmission and distribution in the AI era, initiating preemptive research and development. In 2022, the company successfully developed the world’s first 22.9kV 1.05MVA-class SST capable of direct connection to urban distribution networks. This milestone secured a competitive advantage in next-generation power conversion technology, strengthening the company’s position as it moves to capture emerging market opportunities.

SST is a next-generation power system that utilizes power semiconductors to precisely control voltage and current while maintaining the insulation functions of conventional transformers. It is considered a field with high technological barriers to entry, demanding sophisticated power control capabilities. According to global market research firms, the global SST market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of more than 40%, supported by the modernization of power infrastructure. The large-capacity SST market for data centers handling high voltages of 22.9kV and above is in its nascent stages, with only a limited number of companies worldwide pursuing commercialization and demonstration projects. With the market still in its early stages, Hyosung Heavy Industries plans to accelerate its efforts to secure an early-mover position based on its advanced technology.

Expanding U.S. Manufacturing and Strategic Partnerships

Hyosung Heavy Industries is continuously expanding its ultra-high-voltage transformer production base. The company has invested a total of USD 300 million in the acquisition and expansion of its ultra-high-voltage transformer manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. Once the ongoing expansion is completed, the company will secure one of the largest ultra-high-voltage transformer production capacities in the United States.

Furthermore, Hyosung Heavy Industries has established a joint venture with Quanta Services, a leading North American energy infrastructure solutions company, to locally produce 72.5kV to 800kV ultra-high-voltage circuit breakers in Pennsylvania. Through this strategic move, Hyosung becomes the first Korean power equipment manufacturer to secure local production capabilities for both ultra-high-voltage transformers and circuit breakers in the U.S. market.

Quanta has an extensive business presence and customer network across the United States, providing infrastructure solutions for large-scale power demand facilities.

By leveraging Quanta’s industry-leading infrastructure solutions and Hyosung’s world-class technological expertise, the company aims to strengthen its competitive edge. Hyosung Heavy Industries aims to establish itself as a key player in the data center power infrastructure market by integrating its accumulated technological prowess, its robust U.S. local production base, and next-generation power grid technologies such as SST, Energy Storage Systems (ESS), STATCOM, and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems.

Website: https://www.hyosung.com/en/

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SOURCE HYOSUNG CORPORATION; Hyosung Heavy Industries

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