theSun | FRIDAY JULY 24 2009 15

media & marketing

Benefit from investing in
selected Asian markets
by Alyaa Alhadjri
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PUBLIC Bank and ING Insurance recently
launched the PB-ING Asian Jewels Plan in an
effort to strengthen their 10-year strategic reg-
ional alliance and provide customers with more
value-added products.
The five-year single
premium unit-linked plan is
designed to enable custom-
ers to invest in selected Asian
markets and benefit from the
potential recovery of these
markets.
Its prime benefit is that
at the end of each year of
the policy, the fund will lock
in the returns of the highest
performing market.
The plan will pay a fixed
annual coupon at the end of
the policy’s first four years and
customers will get a return
in Australian dollar nominal
amount, 100% of premium Tan Sri Tay
paid, if the plan is held to Ah Lek
maturity.
“The PB-ING Asian Jewels
Plan invests up to 97% of the premium paid into
an Australian dollar denominated financial instru-
ment that links to the China, Hongkong, Korea,
India and Taiwan indices to generate potential
returns,” said Public Bank managing director Tan
Sri Tay Ah Lek.
He said the five Asian markets were chosen
as the two companies believe they will play an
important role in today’s global economy.
“Despite the current economic turmoil, we
expect strong recovery in these regions, espe-
cially China and India which are forecasted to
make a quick recovery compared to countries in
the West, thus offering good prospects of growth
for our customers,” Tay said.
ING Insurance president
and CEO Datuk Dr Nirmala
Menon expressed confidence
in the plan on the basis of
Australia generally having a
steady economy despite a
downturn.
“We expect the cur-
rency to be stable in the near
future,” she said, in urging
Public Bank and ING custom-
ers to take advantage of the
current dip in stock markets
to buy while prices are low
and benefit from the appre-
ciation in value when the
global economy improves.
Both Public Bank and ING
are confident that the plan,
which also offers insurance
coverage for death and total
and permanent disability, will be well received.
Subscribe to the plan at any Public Bank branch
nationwide by Aug 3. Entry age is from 30 days to
70 years old; however, the minimum age of the
policy owner is 18 years old. The minimum single
premium is RM30,000.
Football
and a
South
African
carnival
ASTRO is set to provide full
live coverage of the 2010 Fifa
World Cup after penning an Ngombane
agreement with South Africa,
and Lee.
the host nation for the game.
“Astro has taken the showcase football, but also to
lead by becoming the first provide exposure for the nation and introduce the
broadcaster to sign an agreement of cooperation many flavours of South Africa to the Malaysian
like this,” said South African High Commissioner to public,” Ngombane said.
Malaysia Sisa Ngombane. “This agreement is a show of Astro’s com-
The company has also taken the initiative to mitment to giving Malaysian TV audiences so
host its 2009 Stadium Astro Sokker Carnival in much more than just live coverage of the 64
Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur, combining the matches,” Astro’s head of sports business C. K. Lee
energy and excitement of football with the carni- said.
val and fiesta vibes of South Africa by organising “With South Africa’s guidance, Astro will get
penalty shoot-out themed games, jugglers, fantasy unrivalled access through which we can take
manager games, futsal events, tribal face painting Malaysian viewers on a journey of discovery
and authentic South African food. without them ever leaving the comfort of their
“We are delighted at Astro’s efforts to not only armchairs,” he said.
Revive Isotonic Swap Challenge
PERMANIS Sdn Bhd, the manufacturer of consumer experience of the Revive
Revive Isotonic, is giving a way 200,000 Isotonic drink,” Permanis marketing
1.5 litre bottles of Revive Isotonic drink manager Hemalatha Ragavan said.
in a bigger and better old-for-new Revive To make an exchange, visit the follow-
Isotonic Swap Challenge. ing locations between 1pm and 8pm on
Under a campaign first launched two July 25 and 26, Aug 1 and 2:
months ago to great success, the public » Klang Valley: KL Sentral, Sg Wang Plaza,
were allowed to exchange their old Carrefour Kepong, Carrefour Subang,
isotonic bottles or cans for a free 1.5 litre Carrefour Wangsa Maju, Carrefour Sri
bottle of Revive Isotonic. Petaling and Carrefour Klang.
“We saw the fantastic response last » Giant Senawang Negri Sembilan, Sun-
time and wanted to bring this exciting shine Falim Penang, Jusco Ipoh, Carrefour
event to more Malaysians at more Batu Pahat, Mydin Hyper Malacca and
locations. It’s a great way to enhance Giant Kuantan.

McDonald’s gets new MD

McDONALD’S Malaysia has
announced the appointment of Sarah
Casanova (pix) as its new managing
director, replacing Azmir Jaafar who
will join McDonald’s China from
September as vice-president of
development.
Casanova, a Canadian whose car-
eer with McDonald’s spans 18 years,
was previously McDonald’s Japan’s
senior vice-president of business dev-
elopment where she was responsible
for marketing, menu management and
new business strategy divisions.
“McDonald’s provides its em-
ployees at all levels with a wealth
of training, education and resources,
and great opportunities for their
career paths,” said McDonald’s Asia
Pacific, Middle East and Africa region
president Tim Fenton.
He said McDonald’s staff learn
lifetime skills to succeed, and
Azmir’s move to China as well
as Casanova’s appointment were
testament to the development op-
portunities it provides to its people
both locally and internationally.
“We are proud of the success
that our past and present employees
have achieved around the globe,” he
said.