The Impulso Podcast Momentum Works

What makes a top live commerce host or KOL (Key Opinion Leader)? Is it their appearance, emotional intelligence, talent, or training? Or are these just the bare minimum requirements?



Our team visited the top three Multi-Channel Networks (MCNs) in China last week (as part of our MW Immersion: Live Commerce), uncovering the secrets behind their success in such a competitive landscape.



With millions of aspiring KOLs, how does one truly stand out and become the best of the best?



Tune in as we dive into what MCNs are doing to nurture talent, as well as the innovative business strategies they are exploring to grow without over-relying on KOLs. 



This episode also distills eight key learnings from our immersion, touching on diverse topics from the rise of AI hosts and sustained platform investments to leveraging China’s robust supply chain for live commerce. 



Featured materials: 

MW Immersions: Live Commerce [Hangzhou, May 2024], Momentum Works 

Who is Temu?, Momentum Works 

Is MCN a good business model?, The Impulso Podcast

Our learnings from visiting top MCNs in China, The Impulso Podcast

Last week, both Sea Group and Grab released their Q1 2024 results, and the market responded positively - is tech in Southeast Asia recovering?



Grab reported strong Q1 results, but investors are still curious: will Grab become profitable? Over the past few quarters, the management team at Grab has consistently focused on relentless execution and continuous operational improvement. It will be interesting to see how Grab balances its path to profitability and growth (given its penetration in Southeast Asia is only around 5%).



Sea Group also reported a relatively good quarter (evident from the much happier tone during their recent earnings call),  with steady growth not only in Shopee but also in SeaMoney and Garena. The group is also trying to deepen its moat through Shopee Xpress (its in-house logistics arm).



On the other hand, we see TikTok Shop taking a much less aggressive approach in Q1. Earlier this year, TikTok Shop started increasing take rates (possibly as a strategy for sustainable growth in the region) - Does this mean that TikTok Shop is giving up on overtaking Shopee? 



Featured materials: 

Sea Limited Reports First Quarter 2024 Results, Sea Limited

Grab Reports First Quarter 2024 Results, Grab Holdings Inc.

Ecommerce in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works 

The TIkTok Shop Playbook, Momentum Works 

Does Shopee have a moat, The Impulso Podcast

Dmitry Levit & Boon Ping Chua on the distress in Southeast Asia, and why it’s not evenly distributed, The Impulso Podcast

In the latest episode of the Impulso podcast, we are joined by special guest Shawn Teow (who makes his podcast debut), diving deep into live commerce in Southeast Asia.
 
Shawn, the co-founder and former COO of Upmesh, now leads his new venture, Hitwave, which aims to connect live sellers in SEA with cross-border brands. With over five years of experience in live commerce in Southeast Asia, he has a wealth of insights to share. 
 
Tune in as Shawn discusses the current state of live commerce in Southeast Asia, describing it as "patchy" due to different stages of development and category focuses; explores the competitive landscape between major platforms like TikTok, Shopee, and Facebook; as well as the critical factors needed for live commerce to thrive in the region - audience growth, content quality, and the role of mid-scale domestic brands.
 
Is Southeast Asia at the tipping point of live commerce? Check out our latest episode for more insights and our predictions on the future of live commerce in Southeast Asia
 
Featured materials: 
Is MCN a good business model?, The Impulso Podcast
Why you should join MW Live Commerce immersion to Hangzhou, TheLowDown

Both Starbucks and Luckin Coffee recently unveiled their Q1 2024 earnings, eliciting varied market responses.
 
In China, Starbucks faced a challenging quarter with comparable store sales declining by 11%, attributed to an 8% drop in average ticket sales. Meanwhile, Luckin has stayed committed to rapid expansion, opening over 2,000 stores in Q1, albeit at a slower pace than usual. Who is winning in China's competitive coffee scene?
 
Tune in as we delve into the latest results of these two coffee giants, the evolving landscape of coffee consumption in China, and examine the competitive dynamics between traditional giants and agile disruptors in the digital age.
 
Featured materials: 
Coffee in Southeast Asia, Momentum Works
Sip, Innovate, Repeat: Immersive Workshop, Momentum Works 
E63: How does Luckin Coffee open 1000 new stores every month?!, The Impulso Podcast
E65: Will health labels reduce bubble tea consumption?
The Luckin x Moutai partnership that sold 5 mil cups of coffee in one day, ThelowDown

From leveraging top Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) like Luo Yonghao at BeFriends, to signing up celebrities at YoWant, MCNs are employing various strategies to stand out. But it's not just about the hosts; MCNs are also exploring other diverse approaches, from studios to real-store experiences, to differentiate themselves and stay competitive.
 
And in this dynamic industry, every detail matters, from the critical role of hosts in driving sales to the meticulous operational details to the real-time decision-making during live streams. 
 
Join us as we explore the MCN landscape, from business strategies to operational intricacies, including: 
Is MCN a good business model?
What are the different business models of MCNs?
How is it like to actually run a MCN?
 
Featured materials: 
Most unfortunate entrepreneur’s first live streaming experience, on TikTok, TheLowDown
How did KFC sell 190m cups of coffee in China?, TheLowDown
How did this company reach $280m sales in Live commerce?, TheLowDown
Why you should join MW Live Commerce immersion to Hangzhou, TheLowDown
Momentum Works Immersion: Live Commerce [Hangzhou edition]

Everyone knows that digital transformation poses numerous challenges and pitfalls, but does it really have to be this arduous?
 
In the latest episode of the Impulso Podcast, we are joined by special guest, Jing Li, founder and CEO of Sirius Technologies and co-author of our report "Transforming Digital Transformation," as we unravel the complexities and triumphs of digital transformation. 
 
Digital transformation isn't just about technology; it's also a mindset shift towards innovation and agility - “Agility is the outcome, not the approach”. 
 
Join us as we explore the challenges of digital transformation in the financial sector, the concept of fusion teams and the role of the enterprise architect in bridging the gap between business and tech. We also explore WeBank's Success, highlighting how their pioneering approach to embedded finance propelled it to become the world’s best digital bank. 

Featured materials: 
Transforming Digital Transformation, Momentum Works