Extraordinary Endeavors in Turbulent Times: Asian Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact during COVID-19

ASIA BUSINESS COUNCIL HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Executive Summary Extraordinary Endeavors in Turbulent Times 2 Ayala Corp. (Philippines): Recommitting to a Broad Stakeholder EcosystemDuring the Pandemic Ayala Corp is one of the oldest conglomerates in the Philippines with a history of supporting the wider community in difficult times. The company realized many years ago that it could be more effective during crisis situations by engaging a network of companies to coordinate relief efforts. In 2009, it helped establish the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), known today as the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, a consortium of some of the largest private- sector corporations and NGOs in the nation. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Ayala stepped in to help the broader community through Project Ugnayan, which provided unconditional emergency cash transfers to economically vulnerable families. Ayala also played a major role in Task Force T3, a partnership to enable the testing, tracing, and treatment of COVID-19 patients. Indeed, Ayala’s efforts supported the government’s response by bringing together the major actors in the private sector and civil society. DatVietVAC Group Holdings (Vietnam): Leveraging Entertainment as a Force for Good in Face of COVID-19 Challenges Vietnamese entertainment giant DatVietVAC Group Holdings is an example of how a company can leverage media and content as a force for good during the pandemic. It played no small part in helping the Vietnamese government promote the official BlueZone app, which helped contain the virus. By mobilizing its network of celebrities, DatVietVAC encouraged the public to download the official app, which registers health information, traces close contacts, and provides up- to-date information on the virus. DatVietVAC also launched online streaming platform VieON and continued to develop dramas and entertainment shows which led to nothing short of a cultural phenomenon in Vietnam. This proved two things: that Vietnam is a prime market for digital media, and that digital media can be used for good. The company is now looking to transform its internal operations, while expanding its digital business with a focus on local content.