Page 55 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

PCCW Solutions Acquires HCL Insys to Accelerate
Growth in Southeast Asia

PCCW Solutions, the IT services flagship of PCCW Limited, IT solutions and outsourcing service provider, offering managed
has acquired HCL Insys Pte. Ltd. (HCL Insys), which, prior to services including end user computing, data center, service
the acquisition, was a wholly owned Singapore-based step- desk and networking solutions for customers in Singapore.
down subsidiary of India’s premier technology company HCL The acquisition enables PCCW Solutions to accelerate its reach
Infosystems Limited. Established in 2012, HCL Insys is a leading by leveraging HCL Insys’ proven capabilities. This joint team
will deliver end-to-end IT services, ranging from application
development, system integration to digital solutions, and capture
opportunities across industries. In addition, the synergies created
will further strengthen PCCW Solutions’ overall capabilities in
infrastructure, cloud and automation across the region. Mr.
Ramez Younan, Managing Director of PCCW Solutions, said, “The
transaction is a milestone for PCCW Solutions as we continue
to expand our Southeast Asia business. The complementary
businesses enhance our presence, capabilities and reach, enabling
PCCW Solutions to offer integrated solutions and accelerate
growth.” Mr. Younan added, “We welcome our new colleagues and
together we aim to create additional value to our customers in the
Singapore market and beyond, a key region for PCCW Solutions.”
The transaction does not constitute a notifiable transaction of
PCCW Limited under Chapter 14 of the Rules Governing the Listing
of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

Viu Offers Top-Notch Content from GMM Grammy

Viu, a leading pan-regional OTT video service from PCCW Media The tie-up also provides Viu with an opportunity to help develop
Group with more than 36 million monthly active users (MAU), the Thai entertainment ecosystem.” Mr. Phawit Chitrakorn,
and GMM Grammy, Thailand’s entertainment media giant, Chief Executive Officer, GMM Music Business, said, “We see
announced an extended collaboration to include additional top- significant value in this partnership with Viu. As a leading music
ranked Thai content on Viu Thailand. Collaboration between the company, we understand how music is much more sensuous
two companies is now in its second year and a wide variety of than something created just for listening to and watching. Our
entertainment crafted by talented GMM content creators is being talented producers are committed to continuous improvement
made available on Viu. In this expanded collaboration, in addition of our music ecosystem via other platforms. Current trends are
to GMM 25 content, Viu will also offer content from GMM MUSIC, seeing consumers shifting to online content, which underscores
GMM TV and CHANGE2561 that includes drama series, variety and the importance of our decision to join forces with Viu and benefit
talk shows starring a succession of Thai idols, as well as music from its leading regional streaming platform. GMM Grammy sees
to satisfy fans of all genres. This will triple the volume of GMM this as a great opportunity to move its business forward. Working
programming from that of last year Furthermore, Viu Thailand with Viu, we are creating artistic content to serve consumer tastes
users will be the first audience to enjoy exclusive online access to under subject headings such as tourism and food, as well as
GMM 25 and GMM MUSIC content within just two hours of its initial variety and game shows, plus offerings based on the popularity
broadcast on local TV channels. Shows featuring top artists from of certain artists.” Mr. Sataporn Panichraksapong, Chief Executive
GMM MUSIC will be made exclusively available on Viu 45 days Officer, GMM CHANNEL, said, “We have sourced quality content
before appearing on any other service platform, and primetime TV with meticulous care in order to appeal to GMM 25’s target group,
dramas from GMM 25 and CHANGE2561 will now appear on Viu 30 which ranges in age from 15 to 35 years. This content includes
days before being broadcasted by any other service platform. Mr. top-ranked primetime drama series such as The Mistress, Flames
Thawatvongse Silamanonda, Country Manager of Viu Thailand, of Desire and Love for Folksongs, as well as series produced
said, “We are committed to providing premium content, which is by CHANGE2561, which includes Club Friday The Series, plus
why we have been pursuing partnership opportunities with GMM, variety entertainment such as the Club Friday Show. Making all
Thailand’s leading media and entertainment group. The result is this highly-engaging content available on the Viu platform will
that we are able to serve up local programming that resonates be popular among our viewers. In fact, we will leverage the Viu
well with our highly-engaged users in Thailand.” Mr. Silamanonda platform to make premium content available to Southeast Asian,
added, “Viu regards this partnership as a win-win growth strategy Chinese and other markets, so we can grow our online viewer
by which we expand our audience, while GMM is able to reach its base. We will also include specifically-selected programming
Gen Z and millennial viewers via digital screens from our platform. from GMM TV to appeal to millennial.”
55 NOVEMBER 2019