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World Happiness Report 2019: Pakistanis are Happier than Indians!

According to the World Happiness Report, Pakistanis are once again happier than Indians!

The World Happiness Report ranks 156 countries by their happiness levels, and 117 countries by the happiness of their immigrants.

The main focus of this year’s report, in addition to its usual ranking of the levels and changes in happiness around the world, is on migration within and between countries.

Last year in 2018, Pakistan ranked on #75 while India ranked at #133. This year, Pakistan ranks at #67 while India ranks at #130.

Indians are Taking it to Social Media to Express Their Disbelief!

What are your thoughts about the results?

Share them with us below!

Stay tuned to Brandsynario.

World’s Happiest Countries of 2018: Pakistan Among Top 80

Alif Drama Teaser: Social Media is All Praises for Hamza Ali Abbasi & Sajal Ali!

Alif Drama Teaser

Alif’s teaser is finally here and we are head over heels in love with Hamza Ali Abbasi and Sajal Ali as well as Ahsan Khan, Kubra Khan, and the others.

Hamza is seen playing the role of an egoistic and arrogant director whereas Sajal is a softspoken girl who is not willing to give up her self-respect for work.

The first few seconds of the teaser starts off with a spark between Hamza and Sajal. The chemistry went waves across to the other side of the screen.

Social media is loving how the story shows the two sides of the entertainment one, the bold and the naive or the reality and fairytale.

Netizens just cannot stop praising the star for giving such outstanding performance.

Saba Qamar Spills the Beans about her Relationship with Hamza Ali Abbasi

Watch the Alif Teaser Below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUdRb31EoOI

What are your thoughts about the story? Let us know in the comments section below.

For more updates and details stay tuned to Brandsynario.

Hamza Ali Abbasi’s Alleged First Wife Attacks Naimal Khawar Khan on Twitter!

Sindh Government to Introduce 200 New Public Buses in Karachi

In April 2018, the People’s Bus Service was introduced in Karachi by the government.

The fleet of just 10 buses included the routes of Quaidabad and Tower but not too many of them can be seen now.

However, the good news is that, as fuel continues to get more expensive, the Sindh government has decided to give 200 public buses to the city after making an agreement with Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service Ltd.

The 14 routes that these buses will run on were finalised in a meeting held at the Commissioner House in Karachi:

  • Landhi Babar Market to Baldia,
  • Surjani Town to Korangi,
  • Quaidabad to Surjani Town,
  • Gulshan-e-Maymar to Tower,
  • Landhi to Lea Market,
  • Gulshan-e-Hadeed to Lucky Star,
  • Landhi’s Bhains Colony to Saddar,
  • Malir Cantt to Tower,
  • Malir Khokrapar to Tower,
  • North Karachi to Tower,
  • Shah Faisal Colony to Fisheries (Dockyard),
  • Taiser Town to Dockyard,
  • Taiser Town to Fisheries
  • Dawood Chowrangi (roundabout) to Tower.

The fares have not been finalized as yet, we will update the post as soon as that happens.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

McDonalds’ is Giving Kids an Alternative to Plastic Toys

McDonalds

McDonalds’ UK and Burger King UK have decided to take action against the growing plastic problem. The two food franchises have decided to replace plastic toys one and for all.

While Burger King has announced to melt their old toys and re-use the plastic to make different items, McDonald’s’ has a different approach.

McDonalds’ branches in the UK will give an alternative to plastic toys, a sachet of fruit.

In selective restaurants, from next month, the fast-food chain will provide fruit bags to customers who are not in favor of plastic toys.

Burger King to Say “Goodbye” to Plastic Toys by Melting Them!

The chain will also run a trial in early 2020 offering books in place of toys as alternatives.

While speaking with a HuffPost representative, a McDonalds’ spokesperson shared:

The plastic bag has a functional role; there isn’t an alternative solution at the moment.

The packaging of the fruit sachets is currently under review. McDonalds’ wants to have 100% of packaging made from “renewable, recycled, or certified sources” by 2025.

The popular chain will also try more trials offering different alternatives such as a paper-based toy for Halloween 2020.

Paul Pomroy, the CEO of McDonald’s UK and Ireland, said:

We recognize that some people may not want a plastic Happy Meal toy, but we also know that gifts provide fun for many families and children.

That’s why we’ll be running these trials, in order to give our customers a choice; they also can choose not to have a toy or gift at all.

The plastic toy replacement came under light after two children filed a petition saying that they want McDonalds’ and Burger King to replace their toys for kid’s meals.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

McDonald’s & Burger King are Upsetting Children & You Won’t Believe How!

Imran Khan Takes Action on the Child Abuse Scandal in Kasur

Imran Khan

The children of Kasur have been subjected to severe and frequent cases of sexual violence and and brutal killings over the past few years. The ugly incident of Zainab’s rape and death in January 2018 was one of the most popular such cases.

Not too many days ago, the bodies of three minor boys from Kasur were recovered after being victimized to sexual assault and death.

This resulted to a massive social media uproar and protests all over the country.

Roads were blocked, tyres were burnt, and anti-police slogans were chanted. Moreover, the police was also surrounded by an angry mob and stoned.

The local traders association and the Chunian Bar Association also called for a strike against the abuse and demanded that the killers be immediately arrested.

The public was utterly dismayed and urged the Prime Minister to take note and required action.

Finally, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter and spoke up on the matter.

“There will be accountability for all. Those who do not perform in the interest of the common man will be taken to task.”

He also listed down the course of action that have been taken to address the issue: 

1- DPO of Kasur is being removed

2- SP investigation Kasur has surrendered and a charge sheet is being filed against him

3- DSP and SHO have been suspended

4- A major overhaul of the police department in Kasur is on the cards

5- Formal probe is being ordered under Additional Inspector General of Police

Abdul Ghafaar Qaisrani, District Police Officer for Kasur said that nine suspects had been arrested and their DNA tests were being conducted.

The results of the DNA tests are awaited, and so is justice.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

PM Imran Khan & First Lady Bushra Perform Umrah [View Images]

Imran Khan Umrah

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife First Lady Bushra Maneka Khan performed Umrah while the premier was on a 2-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

According to sources, the doors of the Holy Kaaba were opened for the PM and his wife during their journey of pilgrimage.

Sources further said that the premier has reportedly prayed for the country’s prosperity and stability.

The two had flown out to Saudi Arabia on 19th September.

Most Influential Personalities on Social Media in Pakistan 2019: PM Imran Khan on Top

PM Khan also met with Saudi Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammad Bin Salman to discuss bilateral ties between the two nations.

The Prime Minister Office has also issued a statement that the premier had also condemned the recent attacks on oil installations in Saudi Arabia. He added that this attack may fear instability in the Middle East. The two also discussed the current situation in Kashmir.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the first lady and an 11-member delegation that includes Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Adviser on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

Most Influential Muslims: Imran Khan, Justice Sheikh Mohammad Taqi Usmani & Others Make it to the List

Iphone Users Can Now Experience These 9 New Features with iOS 13 Update!

iOS 13.0 Update
Credits: Cnet

iPhone users can now have a brand new experience on their old sets without having to invest in the iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro.

Apple’s iOS 13 update for iPhones launched on September introduced iPhone users to 9 amazing new features that function perfectly in iPhones models dating back to the 6S, including the iPhone SE.

The smartphone brand had announced the software update at its Worldwide Developers Conference in early June.

An early, rough version of the software, known as a beta was then made available to the public later that month.

ios 13

Samsung Good Vibes’ Ad is Tugging at Our Heartstrings!

Here’s a list of the 9 amazing new features that have been launched:

1. Automatically Closing Set Tabs in Safari

Safari in iOS 13 has a new feature that automatically closes tabs after a day, a week, or a month. Just open the Settings menu, press “Safari,” and select the “close tabs” setting under the “tabs” section.

2. Experience the Dark Mode

Is the screen too bright for your liking? Apple apps like Mail, Calendar, and Maps have a darker look, which can be a bit more comfortable on the eyes.

3. Memoji Stickers in Messages

memoji stickers

An interesting and fun alternative to Bitmoji which is built directly into the iPhone’s keyboard to make your chats more interactive.

4. Managing Open Tabs in Safari Now Made Easy

Keep tabs on the tabs you open and forget about. with the tab-management feature for Safari that helps you jump to a tab that’s already open by typing the web address in the browser’s search bar.

5. Photos Layout Resembles a Personalized Collage

ios 13 update

The new Photos tab within the app manages photos by days, months, and years. It also smartly filters out the doubles. The complete library can be viewed in the “all photos” section.

Google’s Latest Insights Reveal How Pakistanis Make Purchasing Decisions During Online Shopping!

6. Smarter Search Available for Messages

The search bar in the Messages app will display suggestions for contacts and also suggest photos, locations, attachments, and links from recent messages.

7. More transparency about your location being used by Apps

The latest update gives you more notifications about your privacy and how often apps are using your location.

8. Manage WiFi and Bluetooth with More Ease

WiFi and Bluetooth icons in the control center make connections hassle-free and just a swipe away.

9. More Detailed and Extensive Reminders App

Reminders

The update allows you to attach more context to particular reminders. You can add photos and documents, and arrange reminders into lists.

What are your thoughts about the updates? Comment and let us know.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

Facebook will Control the Way Headlines Appear in Advertisements

Lyari Literature Festival (LLF) is all set to begin tomorrow

The first-ever two-day Lyari Literature Festival (LLF) for the promotion of peace and harmony is all set to begin tomorrow (Saturday) at the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari (BBSUL) located between Mola Madad Chowk and Cheel Chowk.

Notable speakers and masters from different fields will participate in the two-day festival that will hold over 23 sessions.

Day 1 topics include discussions on Lyari and Politics, history of Lyari and Karachi, the role of universities in shaping the mind, women’s participation in art, literature and culture, the literature of mother languages in Pakistan and displacement of minorities.

The second day will feature the panellists addressing issues such as how fake news affects society and art, artists and institutions.

The panellists will also review the role of literary, art and social institutions to counter violent extremism, youth political activism, Karachi as a concrete jungle, role of contemporary children’s literature in character building, Lyari and sports.

The issues such as women’s contribution to creating a peaceful society and modern trends of Balochi literature have also been included in the first LLF.

A qawwali session by the Hamza Brothers will be held on the first day while a documentary on Gwadar will be screened. Theatre performances, storytelling, book inaugural sessions and poetry sessions, including Urdu Mushaira have also been arranged in the festival.

The panelists include Taj Haider, Dr Wahid Baloch, Dr Akhtar Baloch, Wusatullah Khan, Dr Manzoor Baloch, Gul Hasan Kalmati, Dr Kaleem Ullah Lashari, Dr Riaz Shaikh, Dr Saleem Memon, Dr Uzma Qadri, Seema Maheshwari, Dr Touseef Ahmed, Dr Irfan Aziz, Anjum Parvaiz and Naheed Israr, among many others.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

Facebook will Control the Way Headlines Appear in Advertisements

Facebook Advertising

Giant networking and social media website, Facebook has announced that it is going to make changes and tighten its rules.

One of the changes will be to prevent advertisers from altering and modifying headlines and links.

This decision came after a BBC headline was altered in an ad to change the tone of an article regarding British government spending on education.

A Conservative Party advert featured the BBC logo with a headline saying “£14 billion pound cash boost for schools”, while a BBC story linked in the advert said the figure was £7.1bn.

The figure seems comparatively much larger than it really is and altering a headline like this is misleading, especially for browsers who don’t click through to the article.

Fact-checking charity Full Fact stated political parties should not “misrepresent the work of independent journalists in this way”.

Google’s Latest Insights Reveal How Pakistanis Make Purchasing Decisions During Online Shopping!

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “It was not our intention to misrepresent by using this headline copy with the news link, where the BBC’s £7bn figure is clearly displayed, but we are reviewing how our advert headlines match accompanying links.”

Facebook aims to introduce the changes by the end of this year and is currently testing how this might work.

The huge social media giant responded to an AFP inquiry and said: “We are working to put safeguards in place by the end of the year to ensure publishers have control over the way their headlines appear in advertisements.”

This New Twitter Algorithm is Especially Designed to Identify Cyberbullying!

For now, the Conservative party online adverts which had added a modified headline to a BBC News story has been taken down by Facebook.

A representative for Facebook said the alterations made in the Conservative adverts “were not how we want our tools to be used”.

What are your thoughts about modified headlines on various networking sites? Comment and let us know.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

Burger King to Say “Goodbye” to Plastic Toys by Melting Them!

OPPO A9 2020 Officially Releases in Pakistan Combining High Quality & Affordability

Oppo A9 2020 Pakistan

World-leading smartphone brand OPPO today proudly launched the new OPPO A Series 2020 in Pakistan.

The OPPO A Series 2020, which includes the OPPO A9 2020 and OPPO A5 2020 handsets, is the brand’s latest offering for the mid-level smartphone market.

With its combination of high quality and affordability, as well as superb photography, gorgeous design, and a long-lasting battery, the A-series will continue to be the essential handset to generation Z youth.

“The OPPO A9 2020, named in celebration of the beginning of a new decade not only commemorates the success of the A-series over the past ten years, it also welcomes a whole new generation of mobile users,” said Ali Kakvi, Director Marketing OPPO Pakistan.

“This new name also reflects our vision for the coming ten years. It highlights the brand’s latest technologies, stunning design, superb photography, powerful performance and perfect tuning to the needs of young people.” Now, with these two latest handsets, the OPPO A Series 2020 offers more possibilities than ever before!

Oppo A9 2020 Price in Pakistan

With the release of the new A-Series, OPPO is giving users more than just a communication device. The A9 is a complete gaming portal that is both heavies on features and light on the wallet.

The OPPO A Series 2020 inspires users to “Play”, with its all-purpose 48MP quad-camera that pushes the bounds of creativity, and a 5,000mAh Ultra Battery that provides even longer use. It provides outstanding entertainment to users, helping them ease the stress of daily life while inspiring them to be more positive and explore more of life’s possibilities.

Tailor-made and well equipped, it’s an exciting phone for young, motivated consumers who are eager to connect with the world, discover more fun and explore their curiosity. Its impressively versatile camera technology broadens users’ creative horizons, and the whole handset offers an immersive entertainment experience and powerful performance.

Versatile Camera Tech Brings Users Even More Photography Options

The OPPO A9 2020 comes with a multipurpose Quad Camera setup, including a 48MP Main Camera + 8MP Ultra-Wide Lens + 2MP Mono Lens + 2MP Portrait Lens, while the OPPO A5 2020 also comes with a multipurpose Quad Camera setup but with a 12MP Main Camera. These offer all-around use that can satisfy users’ needs for all shooting angles and scenarios, including the Ultra-Night Mode 2.0 and a whole host of artistic portrait styles.

The 48MP primary lens improves image clarity with higher resolution, helping capture more detail and take clearer pictures.  The 8MP 119° ultra-wide-angle lens brings more diversity in terms of picture composition and expression, making it easier to capture a larger shot in a smaller space. The Mono lens and Portrait Lens allow users to add retro, grainy and atmospheric filters to portrait shots, creating more personalized images for users, offering new styles unique to what other smartphone brands are currently offering.

 

Ultra-Night Mode 2.0 ensures efficient noise reduction, while HDR and Multi-Frame Technology provide users with night scene pictures that exceed the brightness and detail that the human eye can perceive. Because people are processed separately from their environment, faces appear bright and detailed, while background light flare is greatly diminished. In summary, images stay bright and clear whether capturing bright city lights or dim country nights. Ultra-Night Mode 2.0 even works while taking Ultra-Wide Angle photos.

The A9 2020 is equipped with 16MP selfie camera while A5 2020 with 8MP selfie camera, both using AI Beautification technology for tailor-made selfies to better cater to different markets and beauty trends. This technology automatically identifies skin tone, age, gender, and skin color. It differentiates users for customized beautification. An all-new algorithm for smoothing out blemishes on the skin and sharper features create a make-up free look, allowing users to embrace a better version of themselves.

OPPO’s latest stabilization technology also meets consumers’ growing demand for high-quality action videos, with a built-in gyroscope on these two handsets. This creates more stable shooting while running, walking, cycling and more, along with improved video filters that allow users to create their own movies with the press of a button, ideal for creating eye-catching content in the era of short video apps.

Intelligent Design That’s Both Attractive and User-Friendly

The OPPO A Series 2020 also comes equipped with a brand new and more compact Waterdrop screen, with a 31.4% decrease in an overall area compared to the previous generation, for a better look and user experience. A 6.5” full screen has an 89% screen-to-body ratio, which also uses toughened Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3+ that is twice harder than the third generation and offers better resistance to scratches.

A Sunlight Screen improves screen readability under strong direct light and ensures true colors shine through in dim or dark environments, while a blue light filter relieves eye fatigue and better protects users’ eyesight in low light.

The OPPO A9 2020 also features 3D gradient designs for a more vibrant, eye-catching look, with each handset made from four curved 3D sheets, which look thinner and fits comfortably into the hand. These feature Nano-scale patterns that create multi-toned, radiant coloring from different angles and under different lighting.

Outstanding Hardware and Software for Exceptional Experience and Performance

Large capacity 5000mAh battery enables all-day use, capable of supporting 19 hours of continuous operation. The battery is also able to handle reverse charging, freeing active, on-the-go users from the worries of rapid battery drain.

In terms of audio, the OPPO A Series 2020 come with dual stereo speakers that offer higher volumes and improved sound quality, even at high volumes.

The sound feels full-bodied and clearer, with an immersive surround sound effect. Dolby Atmos® sound effects are used for the most immersive, thrilling sounds, videos and gaming experiences anytime, anywhere.

It’s also received Hi-Res Audio certification, ensuring superb sound quality, as well as directional technologies that create a more thrilling, realistic and immersive audio experience.

On top of that, the OPPO A Series 2020 packs an ultra-powerful performance, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 platform, with an 8-core 64-bit processor. Compared to the previous A7 using Snapdragon 450, the A9 2020’s CPU is improved by 40%, while its GPU has improved by more than 100%.

Especially for the gaming experience, Game Boost 2.0 accelerator technology offers improved Frame Boost and Touch Boost, which both provide lightning-fast gameplay response, by reducing touch screen latency and lag, delivering the overall better user experience.

Frame Boost provides real-time monitoring of the phone’s operations to resolve latency and game lag, while also allocating resources to avoid the phone overheating or using too much power. Touch Boost makes special adjustments to the responsiveness of the touchscreen while gaming and also ups the sensitivity of the touchscreen while running applications so the phone feels faster and more responsive.

The handsets run ColorOS 6, based on Android 9.0, providing a fresh visual experience that’s more sleek, refined and comfortable even after prolonged use. As well as offering fingerprint and facial unlock features, this operating system comes with a whole host of smart functions such as Smart Assistant, Riding Mode, Music Party and Gesture Navigation which improve user convenience, safety and the phone’s overall versatility.

What’s more, high capacity and versatile memory options provide more space to record life’s beautiful moments, such as a 128GB/64GB high memory capacity and a three-card (Dual Sim + MicroSD) slot that can support up to 256GB of memory.

Sales Information

The OPPO A9 2020 in Marine Green or Space Purple with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM will be available on 28th September in Pakistan, starting at PKR 45,999/-.

*Prices and availability may vary among different markets.

 

‘Salam – A Documentary on The First Nobel Laureate’ to be on Netflix from October 1, 2019!

abdus salam

A feature length documentary film based on the life events and times of the celebrated yet controversial physicist Abdus Salam is all set to be on Netflix from October 1st, 2019.

‘Salam – The First ****** Nobel Laureate’ will take a look at the Nobel Prize winning physicist’s extraordinary scientific achievements and the tragic religious persecution he had to face in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

By telling this complex story of a man who due to extremism could not strengthen his people as he so deeply desired, the film draws attention to the state of affairs in the world today, where knowledge is sacrificed at the altar of ignorance and intolerance, depriving the coming generation of all that is precious.

Social media is ballistic at the news and cannot wait for it to be on Netflix!

Are you just as excited to watch it?

Let us know in the comments!

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

HEC Announces Fully Funded Scholarship in Thailand 2020 for Pakistani Students!

scholarships in thailand

The Higher Education Commission has opened applications for the Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Post-graduate Scholarship Program in Thailand, 2020.

It is a 2 year, fully funded scholarship program with all expenses covered.

Full Tuition fees and all other Academic Fees
Round Airfare Tickets Will be provided.
Accommodation
Monthly Stipend
Book Allowance
Health insurance and others

The program and offers a wide range of fields from Science to Pharmacy, Medical Sciences, etc.:

Fields of Study & Majors
Applied Biological Sciences
Environmental Health
Environmental Toxicology
Chemical Sciences

All awards will be made on the basis of the Academic Merit and potential of the candidate. The academic classes will commence in August 2020.

Details:
Country: Thailand
Funded by: HEC
Course Level: Master Degree
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Deadline: 24th Sept 2019

Required Documents:Two sets of CGI Application Form (printed copy) in a separate spiral binding along-with following documents:

Statement of purpose explaining their interests in the study
Research proposal
Attested copies of all Academic Degrees & Transcripts
Two passport size photographs
Three Letter of Recommendation (academic or professional) (Check How to write a Recommendation Letter)
Medical certificate
Certificate of English language proficiency preferably TOEFL or IELTS.
NOC from employer (for serving candidates)

One copy of HEC application form with bank deposit slip (in original) separately.

Note: However, at the time of HEC Online Application to HEC, the applicants will not be required to send the hard copies of above-mentioned documents. The above documents will be asked by HEC from the shortlisted applicants only at a later stage of the selection process.

All the best!

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

Google’s Latest Insights Reveal How Pakistanis Make Purchasing Decisions During Online Shopping!

Google Pakistan

Technology has immensely evolved in the last decade. It has brought forth a number of opportunities for individuals from employment to owning a business.

Pakistan has one of the fastest-growing eCommerce markets in the world, which explains why giants like Alibaba Group showed interest in acquiring online businesses.

With the future of eCommerce bright in the country, as more and more citizens now have access to the internet and are receiving awareness.

Not to forget seamless changes in the model such as the introduction of ‘Cash on Delivery’ and cashless payment options.

In Pakistan, eCommerce activity is influenced by the influence and outcome of shopping habits.

More Pakistanis are now becoming more active on digital platforms, such as search engines, social media, e-commerce marketplaces, mobile apps, and brand websites, this trend has influenced their purchasing habit.

To understand this change of trend better in order to learn more about consumers, Google partnered with leading research firms Quantum and Ipsos.

With a fresh and detailed set of data, retail owners can prepare for the future of their business while eCommerce platforms can prepare for what’s next.

The research focuses on 3 main categories in shopping, smartphones, women fashion and skincare products. Less than 2500 shoppers (1/3 from rural areas) were taken in this data for over 90 days.

Google Pakistan
Source: WeAre Social, Hootsuite& State Bank of Pakistan

Furthermore, all participants were from the age of 18-55 and had purchased at least one product from one of the three categories in the last 3 months. The data was then used to divide the path to purchase in 3 phases:

  1. Pre-purchase
  2. Point of Sale 
  3. Post-purchase

Phase 1: Pre-Purchase

The pre-purchase phase is when all the information seeking and responses to advertisements that the shopper exhibits prior to actually purchasing the product.

According to the information, due to the drastic change towards the path of purchase being influenced by digital platforms, it was found that Pakistanis go online to find information about a product category before making the purchase.

  • Skincare: 72%
  • Smartphones: 82%
  • Women’s Fashion Wear: 89%

It was also found that Pakistanis learn about a product online that they do in physicals. For example, for every 10 people that go into a fashion retail store to check out a product, there are 30 people who will never go into the store but instead opt for going online trying to learn about the article.

  • Skincare: 1.6x more Pakistani shoppers seek information about a skincare product
    then go into an actual physical store.
  • Smartphones: 2.1x more Pakistani shoppers seek information about a smartphone
    then go into an actual physical store.
  • Women’s Fashion Wear: 3x more Pakistani shoppers seek information about a
    women’s fashion wear item than go into an actual physical store.

Pakistanis who seek information about a product on digital platforms spend many more
sessions online than shoppers who go into a physical store. This means that brands have more opportunities to influence customers comparatively when inside a store.

  • Skincare: 30% more sessions happen online than in-store
  • Smartphones: 80% more sessions happen online than in-store
  • Women’s Fashion Wear: 30% more sessions happen online than in-store

Furthermore, Pakistanis use Google Search more than any other digital platform for research and browsing purposes and to seek out information about a product.

  • Skincare: 2x more people say they seek information on Google vs non-Google social
    media platform in the pre-purchase phase
  • Smartphones: 2.8x more people say they seek information on Google vs non-Google
    social media platform in the pre-purchase phase
  • Women’s Fashion Wear: 2.3x more people say they seek information on Google vs nonGoogle social media platform in the pre-purchase phase

It is important to mention here that the data also revealed that there are 44 million internet connections in Pakistan and 154 million mobile data subscribers. Pakistan is home to 40 million smartphone users out of which 31% uses 3G or 4G technology. Whereas the economy witnessed a whopping growth of 92% YoY in 2018.

Shoppers prefer Google Seach which means a customer can be influenced on Google Search during their path to purchase.

  • Skincare: Pakistani shoppers spend 2x more sessions on Google Search than the
    most visited non-Google social media platform when on a path to purchase a skincare
    product
  • Smartphones: Pakistani shoppers spend 2.8x more sessions on Google Search than a
    brand’s website when on a path to purchase a smartphone
  • Women’s Fashion Wear: Pakistani shoppers spend 2.3x more sessions on Google
    Search than any e-commerce platform when on a path to purchase a women’s fashion
    wear product.

The research determined that Google Search is the more often the first and final touchpoint a Pakistani shopper has when it comes to the path of purchase before the purchase of a product(s).

  • Skincare:
    i) 7.8x more people start their pre-purchase journey at Google Search than any
    other online or offline resource, including a physical store of social media
    platform.
    ii) Prior to point of sale, 4x more people end their pre-purchase journey at Google
    Search than any other online or offline resource, including a physical store of
    social media platform.
  • Smartphones:
    i) 10x more people start their pre-purchase journey at Google Search than any
    other online or offline resource, including a physical store of social media
    platform.
    ii) Prior to point of sale, 5.2x more people end their pre-purchase journey at
    Google Search than any other online or offline resource, including a physical
    store of social media platform.
  • Women’s Fashion Wear:
    i) 5.2x more people start their pre-purchase journey at Google Search than any
    other online or offline resource, including a physical store of social media
    platform.
    ii) Prior to point of sale, 4.5x more people end their pre-purchase journey at
    Google Search than any other online or offline resource, including a physical
    store of social media platform.

Since Google Search plays a vital role in the journey, this influences how ads on Google Search are more strongly recalled by visitors than ads on non-Google platforms.

  • Skincare: In the 4 weeks prior to purchase, 2x more Pakistani shoppers recall seeing
    an ad for skincare product on Google Search then on any other digital platform.
  • Smartphones: In the 4 weeks prior to purchase, 2.4x more Pakistani shoppers recall
    seeing an ad for a smartphone on Google Search then on any other digital platform.
  • Women’s Fashion Wear: In the 4 weeks prior to purchase, 2x more Pakistani shoppers
    recall seeing an ad for women’s fashion wear product on Google Search then on any
    other digital platforms.

Phase 2-3: Point of Sale and Post-Purchase

Point of sale is the exact moment when a customer is paying for the product, most often in a physical store. Whereas, post-purchase are habits exhibited by shoppers after the purchase of the product.

When consumers move on to the actual point of sale, research shows that there are a hand few of burgeoning trends that influence the customer’s decision.

  • Some shoppers are starting to adopt the consumer practice of webrooming while at the point of sale.
    a) Skincare: 3 out of every 10 shoppers say they are using digital platforms to research,
    compare, and/or review a product while in the store where they will purchase said
    product
    b) Smartphones: 4 out of every 10 shoppers say they are using digital platforms to
    research, compare, and/or review a product while in the store where they will purchase
    said product
    c) Women’s Fashion Wear: 2.5 out of every 10 shoppers say they are using digital
    platforms to research, compare, and/or review a product while in the store where they
    will purchase said product.
  • 3x more Pakistani shoppers turn to Google than any other non-Google digital platform when webrooming.

At times after a purchase has been made by the customer, they return to the store for additional information in regards to the paid-for product. The customer uses tools like e search engines, online video, websites, e-commerce platforms, and social media sites.

  • There is a primary reason in each product category for why consumers go to digital platforms
    in their post-purchase phase of the shopping journey.
    a) Skincare: Look for reviews of their purchase
    b) Smartphones: Look for reviews of their purchase
    c) Women’s Fashion Wear: Look for how-to articles

How YouTube Influences Online Shoppers in Pakistan

Yes, it’s very true! YouTube compliments Google Search when it comes it influence customers towards their path of purchase.

According to 80% of customers, they have switched in between online search and video while researching products.

On the other hand, 55% of customers have shared they first use Google Search to learn about the product and then browse YouTube to find out more about it.

The data compiled by Quantum and Ipsos also found that both Google and YouTube were digital touchpoints for shoppers who had made purchases in these 3 categories in the past 3 months.

Last but not least, it was also found that 68% of Pakistanis claim YouTube is a useful tool when searching for brand and product information. Whereas 50% have shared that ads on the platform have influenced them into a final decision maker whether they want to proceed with the purchase or not.

CPEC Frozen Due to Corruption Allegations on the Chinese Government?

cpec

It seems that the $50 billion worth China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects that had become the talk of the town and the possible future of Pakistan’s economy have been frozen.

Jan Muhammad Buledi, former spokesman of Balochistan government, told Deutsche Welle that the government is currently not prioritizing CPEC at all, as no evident progress has been witnessed on the CPEC projects for Balochistan in the last one year.

No development has been undertaken on the land acquired for Gwadar Airport, same goes with the 300MW electricity generation plant in Gwadar that was to be built by China for which land was also acquired but the development work is yet to start. Gwadar Port remains similarly frozen.

It is also being said that perhaps this halt is owed to the corruption allegations leveled by Ministers Razak Dawood and Murad Saeed that have upset the Chinese. As a result of which, the Chinese have stopped funding for the project.

What are your thoughts on CPEC? Let us know in the comments!

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

 

Saba Qamar Opens Up About Dealing With Breakups

Saba Qamar Breakup

Pakistani Diva Saba Qamar has made waves not only in Pakistan with projects like ‘Bhaagi’ and ‘Cheekh’ but also next doors with ‘Hindi Medium’.

Time and time again, she has proved as a bonafide actress in the entertainment industry.

While there are zillion reasons to prove that she’s the ultimate queen of Pakistan, it’s her character from Baaghi which has still remained with us even after years of its release.

She is one of the few actresses who love to explore new fields in the entertainment industry and challenging herself.

However, she always tries to keep mum about her love life and her fans are always curious to know about it.

Saba Qamar has NOT Signed Film Based on Kulbushan Jadhav’s Life

Recently, the ‘Lahore Se Agey’ star was asked how did she deal with her relationships and breakups and what helped her through the situations.

The actress replied:

When I broke up with the one I used to love and he got Married three years back, I was so depressed at that time. Then I met my mentor Aneesa and asked her that it pains as I am feeling hurt and when she asked about it, she said that if the lover’s happiness is hurting you then it is not love. Do love with the girl in his life that is real love.

She further added that after she met her, her life was completely changed and she has now become a new person.

Listen to her interview below!

Saba Qamar Spills the Beans about her Relationship with Hamza Ali Abbasi

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

This post was first published on Very Filmi.

IFA 2019: With New IoT Strategy HONOR Expands its Wearable & Smart Home Portfolio

Honor

HONOR, a leading smartphone brand, today announced its Internet of Things (IoT) Smart-Home strategy to provide a seamless experience across a wide range of in-house devices.

The company also unveiled PocketVision, an AI-enabled app which helps the visually impaired read documents and other text with ease. The new strategy and solution were unveiled at IFA 2019 in Germany and highlights the company’s commitment to creating innovative technologies for consumers to lead more connected and convenient lives.

During the event, HONOR’s latest flagship smartphone, the HONOR 20 PRO also received new updates including a software upgrade to the all-new EMUI 10 and the option of a new color – Icelandic Frost.

HONOR’s New IoT Strategy for the Future

In a move to create a more connected and intelligent world for consumers, HONOR outlined its IoT strategy dubbed “1+8+N”, which implies one HONOR Smartphone, eight categories of in-house devices and a wide range of accompanying products from its partners.

The HONOR Band 5, a premium fitness tracker and the smart band is part of this IoT offering and is available to purchase in available in Western Europe and will be available at the Middle East and Africa soon.

The accessible price provides for the opportunity for everyone to have a wearable to measure heart rate accurately, monitor sleep, and track exercise, for a healthier lifestyle.

Adding to the smart-home ecosystem, HONOR launched its first smart screen product, HONOR Vision, at the 2019 Huawei Developer Conference last month.

The smart screen is equipped with the company’s self-developed intelligent chipsets—the Honghu 818 Intelligent Display Chipset, an AI Camera NPU chipset and a flagship-level Wi-Fi chipset.

“HONOR is a tech brand loved by young people all over the world, and we aspire to stay top-of-mind as the tech-chic brand that enables and empowers young people to pursue their passions,” said Chris Sun Baigong, president of HONOR Middle East and Africa. “Armed with best-in-class software and hardware, HONOR is well-positioned in developing a wide portfolio of innovative products, including smartphones and smart-home devices, for our consumers and people from different communities. We are on the right path to realizing this vision with our consumers.”

HONOR PocketVision: AI-Enabled App for the Visually Impaired

At IFA, HONOR launched PocketVision – an app that harnesses the power of the HONOR 20 PRO’s AI and quad-camera technology to help the visually impaired read documents, menus and other text with ease.

Developed by the social enterprise Eyecoming and pioneered by HONOR’s cutting-edge technologies, including HONOR 20 PRO’s 48MP main camera, 8MP telephoto camera and HiAI capability powered by Kirin 980 chipset, PocketVision features three key modes – Text-to-Speech, Zoom-In, and Negative Image – to help read more clearly.

In order to raise awareness of the barriers blind and partially sighted people face, HONOR has partnered with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) which supports people with vision impairment.

PocketVision can be downloaded for free from today onwards on the Huawei AppGallery and supports different languages.

Samsung Good Vibes’ Ad is Tugging at Our Heartstrings!

Samsung Good Vibes

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it.”

NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE! If you want to bring a positive change to the world and Samsung truly proves that.

Samsung Good Vibes app is a two-way communication tool that enables the deafblind – those with visual and hearing disabilities, to send/receive messages through their smartphones.

A deafblind person can now send a message from the app by tapping on the screen using Morse Code—where all letters of the English alphabet are combinations of dots and dashes.

Similarly, incoming messages can be understood through vibrations.

However, the technology is not limited to a certain market. Those with normal sight and hearing can send a message, by typing or speaking since it has a standard chat/voice interface that delivers the message to the deafblind person as Morse Code vibrations.

Samsung trained the deafblind from all over India to use the Samsung Good Vibes app and inspire the world. Through a partnership with NGO Sense India, the brand aims to spread ‘Good Vibes’ all over the country.

Samsung Remains King as Huawei & Apple Follow Closely: Strategy Analytics

Now, Samsung is promoting the app via an emotional film campaign, ‘Caring for the Impossible’. Created by Cheil, the film narrates the story of a young deafblind girl who uses the Good Vibes app to communicate with her family.

Watch the emotional video below:

https://youtu.be/9djutxpXaQE

Samsung has truly made expressing easier for the deafblind. The Good Vibes App is developed in partnership with Sense International India- one of the few NGOs in India dedicated to helping the deafblind and sensitizing people about the disability.

Social Media Reacts to Samsung Good Vibes

Have a look at the Twitter reactions:

Would you want this app to be available in Pakistan? Comment and share your feedback.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

Barbie’s Dream Gap Project Continues to Empower the Next Generation of Girls!

Karachi Weather Update: Hot & Humid Spell to Take Over the Metropolis!

Get ready Karachiites for a wave of hot and humid temperature as per the latest news from the Chief Meteorologist of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

The Chief added that a low-pressure area is developing in the southeast of Karachi’s coast over the Arabian Sea.

Thus, the sea breeze has been restricted for 3 days from September 22-24.

Because of this, the city will be deprived of cool air, which will add to the increase in temperature.

Karachiities are advised to keep a bottle of water with them and dress accordingly. Although the weather is not extreme and no heatwave notification has been issued, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Spokesman Dr. Khalid Malik said that the monsoon weather has already come to an end and almost 80% of the country has returned to normal temperature.

He added that the current weather is hot and humid owing to a lesser quantity of rainfall in the country, he said.

He furthermore advised the public not to believe all reports in regards to the weather unless published on a credible source from PMD officially.

Shehzad Roy Questions Government for Ignoring the Harassment of Men

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

Fawad Khan Reveals Why He’s Not Active On Social Media

fawad khan

The handsome, talented and super dapper Fawad Khan has been in headlines for all the right reasons!

He not only showed our neighbors how talented Pakistanis are but has made the country proud with his fantastic contributions to the entertainment industry.

The Legend of Maula Jatt actor has also managed to swoon everyone off their feet with his magical voice and has more projects for his fans in the pipeline.

However, despite his massive popularity, Khan is hardly seen posting anything on social media. Neither does he share family images, nor shares opinions on controversial topics like many other celebs.

The actor finally revealed the reason behind not being active on the internet in an interview and the answer will leave you surprised!

While talking to the Dawn Images, the actor said:

I don’t feel that it is really necessary, although sometimes I do put up links. I’m — fortunately or unfortunately — not very fond of the internet. I would revert back to a flip-phone if I could.

Well, we really need to say that we miss him on social media.

What are your thoughts about the story? Let us know in the comments section below.

For more updates and details, stay tuned to Brandsynario.com.

‘Chaiwala’ Arshad Khan is Still Making Tea at the Same Dhabba!

Top 100 Retail Brands 2019: Sephora Tops the List 3rd Year in a Row!

Sephora

Sailthru has released its annual Retail Personalization Index 2019 report which ranks the top 100 retail brands.

For the third consecutive year, Sephora has remained the #1 retail brand with a score of 79.

The report ranks these retailers on account of how well they personalize the customer experience across various channels.

Nordstrom and Rent the Runway took #2 and #3 respectively, while The Home Depot (#4), Best Buy (#5), DSW (#5), Ulta and Urban Outfitters (#7) followed.

top 100 retailers

H&M to Sell External Brands as Part of New Strategy

Here’s a sample of how the ranking was conducted:

Sephora

As per the report:

With more than 2,500 stores, Sephora proves that brick-and-mortar experiences thrive when it’s interwoven with a customer’s digital profile — and in Sephora’s case neither are traditional.

The beauty retailer is a pioneer of in-store technology, such as Color IQ, which scans customers’ skin to help them determine the perfect foundations, concealers, and lipsticks for their coloring.

With unrivaled in-store events and experiences, Sephora has built a community of Beauty Insider loyalists who retain their lifetime value.

Unified customer profiles across all channels, complemented with on-brand triggered emails and push notifications, keep customers connected wherever they shop.

Sephora’s approach is so seamless that it makes the customer’s entry point irrelevant. Whether it’s in-store, on email, or in-app, the brand meets customers where they are and recommends what they need (and want) to keep coming back for more.

For the complete list, click here.

Stay tuned to Brandsynario for more news and updates.

LEGO Releases First Global Campaign in 3 Decades, Asks to ‘Rebuild the World’