Circle International Holdings Ltd (Circle International) made its debut on the National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX), Australia's second largest listing market, emulating several other Malaysian tech companies. A total of 180,000,400 shares were issued and quoted at an initial market price of AUD0.315 (RM0.97) per share.
Circle International, Malaysian based new media technology company with a strong base in China and Chinese speaking markets across the region. Its principal business activities are digital media and conventional media advertising sales from Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. At present, more than 50% of the Group’s revenue is derived from international sales from mobile and digital media channels.
Circle International consists of Hong Kong based, Circle Corp International Limited (CCIL) and local operating arms, Circle Corporation Mediatech Sdn Bhd (CCMt) and Inno Mind Works Sdn Bhd (IMW). CCIL is the Group’s international marketing & business development arm. CCMt manages the Group’s two proprietary brands: Business Circle mobile app and the prestigious Worldwide Excellence Award (WEA), while IMW is an acquired 4As certified digital branding and marketing agency with MSC status, thus enjoying tax exemptions and various other incentives by the Malaysian government.
“We are quite excited about the regional digital advertising market and given Circle International’s unique positioning within Asia’s Chinese-speaking audiences, we are well placed to capitalise on expanding advertising and eCommerce opportunities going forward. Our NSX listing is part of the Group’s long-term strategy to unlock sustainable value while strengthening our international profile across key markets such as China, Australia and South East Asia,” said CEO Dato’ Brian Tan.
“The listing provides us further impetus to grow both our Business Circle and WEA platforms to create a circular marketplace ecosystem that offers predictive advertising, eCommerce and FinTech opportunities,” added Tan.
The Circle Group’s proprietary, self-developed Business Circle mobile app has a tremendous following in China and other Chinese speaking markets. The English version of Business Circle mobile app was launched recently as part of its regional plans to penetrate into new markets including Australia. WEA continues to also gain traction and in 2017, was expanded to key cities across the region – Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. In 2018, plans are in place to take the WEA brand to Australia and India.
In conjunction with the listing event, the Group launched its Circle Visa Premium Card, a cross branding partnership with VISA through MyWorld Rewards (M) Sdn Bhd. This card is a unique payment and loyalty reward solution, exclusively for Business Circle subscribers. The Circle Visa Premium Card rewards community members with unique incentives, special discounts and promotions.
“Via Business Circle, we have developed a fast-growing community of entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, professionals, managers and active netizens; a truly affluent and influential group of people across Asia. We now look to create a marketplace where both merchants and subscribers can benefit from eCommerce opportunities while enjoying mutually rewarding opportunities. The Circle Visa Premium Card is our first step into FinTech, which will be a key direction for the Group going forward. With this and other developments, we remain on track to become one of Asia’s most prominent digital players in the future,” added Tan
Going forward in 2018, Circle International plans to focus on Predictive Advertising including expanding into artificial intelligence to accurately predict user behaviour and consumption trends. This will further enhance the Group’s capabilities to deliver precise ads and targeted messaging for advertisers via the Business Circle mobile app.
“Predictive advertising will be key to our business plans going forward. We have the technology for this and we will also look into our own payment gateway in the near future. These developments place us well on track towards becoming one of Asia’s most prominent digital players in the future,” added Tan.
