In this weekly segment, ExchangeWire sums up key industry updates on ad tech from around the Asia-Pacific region – and in this edition: Singapore broadcaster unveils HTML5 ad formats; Opera's ad biz no longer up for Chinese acquisition; Dentsu acquires Taiwan search agency; Grey buys into China social marketing agency; Data2Decisions opens Japan office; and Carat appoints Malaysia CEO.

Singapore broadcaster unveils HTML5 ad formats

Singapore's national broadcaster MediaCorp has partnered Sizmek to deploy HTML5-based ad formats across its websites and mobile platforms. These included Channel NewsAsia, Elle, Toggle, and TodayOnline.

Ad units encompass expandable banners, responsive mobile ads, portraits ads that could include photo galleries, videos, and text in one frame, as well as 3D Cube Flip form, which would allow advertisers to feature product information and videos. These formats were built with Sizmek's authoring tool, Ad Builder for HTML5, said the ad tech firm.

It added that, as part of the agreement, it would provide production services as well as train MediaCorp's sales and operations teams on building custom ad formats.

The move had been described as a critical move from Flash to HTML5 as the new standard for digital ads, enabling MediaCorp to better monetise its mobile ad inventory.

Joey Chee, Sizmek's Southeast Asia regional director, noted: "Publishers are looking to increase interaction and dwell rates by making advertisements more relevant and appealing, and to directly engage with users through the delivery of stand-out creative."

MediaCorp's vice president of digital sales solutions and operations, Rodney Tay, added that it would continue to work with ad tech vendors to improve digital experiences for its advertisers.

Opera's ad biz no longer up for Chinese acquisition

The USD$1.2bn (£909.78m) takeover bid of Opera Software has hit a brickwall, after its Chinese buyers failed to secure regulatory approval in time to close the deal.

The Kunqi consortium of Chinese internet companies had instead proposed an alternative deal that would leave Opera's ad business intact, and take out USD$600m (£454.9m) worth of products and services. The Chinese group had comprised online and mobile games distributor, Kunlun Tech, as well as search and cybersecurity vendor, Qihoo 360 Technology, which would now purchase parts of Opera's consumer business, reported Reuters.

The takeover bid reportedly failed to gain the approval from regulators in US and China over user privacy concerns; and the process would have delayed the acquisition by up to a year should authorities initiate an investigation into some of Opera's products.

The alternative deal would exclude bits of the company's business that would have been subject to regulatory scrutiny, which meant Opera's advertising and marketing business, TV operations, and game-related apps would no longer be part of the buyout. Instead, the Chinese consortium would acquire its mobile phone and desktop browser business, performance and privacy apps unit, among others.

The acquisition was touted to help the Chinese buyers join forces against a domestic market dominated by the likes of Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent, as well as expand into markets across Asia and Africa.

Dentsu acquires Taiwan search agency

Dentsu Aegis Network says it has bought out Taiwan-based digital search and performance agency, WIS Performance Media.

Following the acquisition, WIS will be folded into Dentsu's iProspect and be renamed iProspect WIS in Taiwan. The move was touted to boost Dentsu's footprint in the local digital media industry.

WIS, established in 2005, is a Google analytics partner and resells search marketing services to small and midsize enterprises. Its founder and general manager, Simon Wu, will be joining the iProspect WIS leadership team, where he will oversee client development and drive business strategy and planning. He will report to iProspect's managing director Carrie Tsai.

Wu said: "For the past decade, WIS has grown to become a company with a solid foundation and reputation in Taiwan and we want to take it to the global stage. The opportunity for WIS to join forces with iProspect Taiwan came at the perfect time and we are very excited to be part of a global network that has the resources, advanced tools, and latest industry best practices to scale our operations internationally."

Dentsu Aegis Network Asia-Pacific CEO Nick Waters added: "The combination of WIS and iProspect creates a clear market leader in search and performance media in Taiwan. Adding to our leading positions in media, digital marketing, and advertising, all under one cohesive management structure, we are able to offer clients in Taiwan best-in-class integrated services to deliver the right brand communication solutions."

Grey buys into China social marketing agency

Grey Group has acquired a majority stake in Shanghai-based social marketing agency, Easycom Group.

The WPP agency said the acquisition was in line with the group company's investment in key markets and would beef up its capabilities in content and technology. It added that the group's digital revenues generated USD$7bn (£5.31bn) last year, accounting for 37% of overall revenues. The target was to push this percentage up to 40-45% over the next five years.

WPP companies in Greater China account for USD$1.6bn (£1.21bn) in revenue and have 14,000 employees.

Founded in 2006, Easycom specialises in key opinion leader management, social content creation, social-to-offline event activation, and media relations management. Its unaudited revenue for 2015 clocked at RMB40.6m (£4.6m).

Data2Decisions opens Japan office

The Dentsu Aegis Network subsidiary has opened a new office in Tokyo, adding the new outfit to its Asia-Pacific network that currently includes Singapore and Australia.

Headed by managing partner, Hirofumi Hamaguchi, the Japanese setup would help the company better support its clients' marketing efforts on a global scale.

Data2Decisions global chief revenue officer Mike Larkin said: "Tokyo is a key marketing hub for many local and global brands. These businesses are increasingly looking for data analytics partners that offer a globally consistent approach, delivered by a team of local experts. The launch of Data2Decisions in Japan will enhance our ability to provide this for clients."

Prior to his appointment, Hamaguchi had spent more than 13 years at Dentsu. Stressing the need for consistent analytics, he said: "Clients face increasing complexity in the deployment of their global marketing budgets. As part of the Data2Decisions global network, we look forward to tackling this challenge for local and global clients alike, to improve their ROI, and drive growth."

Lorraine Capel, CEO, Carat Malaysia

Carat appoints Malaysia CEO

In another Dentsu-related announcement, Carat says it has hired Lorraine Capel as the new CEO for its Malaysia office, where she will begin her role from October 2016.

Capel was previously head of integration for Astro, prior to which, she had a 11-year stint with GroupM Malaysia, where she held several senior roles, including as managing director of Maxus Malaysia.

As Carat Malaysia CEO, she would be responsible for local operations and driving strategic planning and management. She would be reporting to Dentsu Aegis Network Malaysia CEO Nicky Lim and would also join the group's executive committee team.

Omnicom gets new ANZ CEO

Peter Horgan has been named the new CEO for Omnicom Media Group (OMD) in the Australia and New Zealand region, replacing Leigh Terry, who has stepped down from the position.

Previously OMD's Australia CEO, Horgan now would be responsible for the group's assets in ANZ across all brands, including PHD, M2M, Foundation, Dynamo, and Accuen. He would report to OMD Asia-Pacific CEO Cheuk Chiang.

Terry left the OMD seat vacant to join IPG Mediabrands, taking on the Asia-Pacific CEO role.