Strategies to Stay Ahead in Marketing and Investments

Jave Lin, Senior Digital Strategy Manager (APAC), abrdn Investments

Jave Lin, Senior Digital Strategy Manager (APAC), abrdn Investments

Jave Lin is an accomplished senior digital marketing manager who oversees the APAC digital strategy of the abrdn investment firm. The brand manages about £368.2bn AUM globally as a global investment firm.

Alongside his massive expertise and experience for over 16 years, Lin has been leading the APAC digital marketing team with innovative initiatives, such as refined frameworks for multi-channel campaigns. Using Gen AI, his YouTube channel has organically garnered over 339K views, highlighting his attention to detail and transformative leadership qualities. His notable accolades include the McGraw-Hill Education (Asia) Gold Award in 2014 and the HOT Award for Keen Observation Skills & Alertness in 2009. Lin is also known for his excellent teamwork and aura, winning him prestigious titles like the Commander’s Award for good teamwork and excellent coordination in 2008.

In an interview with MarTech Outlook, Jave emphasizes how collaborative enthusiasm and proper market analysis can make waves when perfectly infused with innovation.

A Journey from Education to Finance

With over 15 years of experience in the field, I have been deeply involved in digital marketing since the outset of my career. My journey began at Singapore Polytechnic, a government institution where I spent three years, before transitioning to private education roles at PSB Academy and then at an international school for over two years. This varied experience laid a strong foundation in both offline marketing and event management, although my primary passion has always been in digital marketing.

The most significant shift in my career came when I joined abrdn Investments, formerly known as Aberdeen Asset Management. This transition marked my entry into the financial and asset management sector. Over the past seven years at abrdn Investment, I’ve leveraged my digital marketing expertise to engage diverse audiences. Despite the stark differences in target audiences between education and finance, the core principles of digital marketing—such as reaching the right people through various modeling attributions—have remained consistent and transferable across sectors.

Harnessing AI for Smarter Marketing

The potential of AI to revolutionize our creative processes, particularly in asset management, has recently become evident to me. At a workshop, I was introduced to a vendor’s technology that can generate multiple images of varying sizes and variations from a single visual using AI. This capability is not just impressive; it’s transformative, allowing us to effect market changes with unprecedented speed and efficiency.

This AI-driven approach streamlines the entire asset creation and management process. Traditionally, tasks such as engaging an agency and adjusting asset sizes could take weeks. Now, with AI, these can be accomplished in days or even hours. Major companies like Adobe have also embraced this technology. Their latest software release can generate and adjust multiple outcomes simultaneously, which underscores the widespread applicability of this technology.

AI’s scalability opens new doors for digital marketers across industries. Platforms like Amazon, Facebook and Google are at the forefront, innovating their advertising services with Generative AI. For instance, Amazon’s platform can now create videos from a single image. Similarly, Facebook and Google allow for the generation of images directly within their ad platforms. This capability is particularly beneficial for SMEs, which often face resource constraints like the need for numerous images or ad variations. AI effectively addresses these challenges by simplifying and accelerating content creation.

Facebook’s advancements extend to their ad targeting strategies. They are reducing the number of targeting options available, encouraging advertisers to adopt a broader approach. Success in this new framework depends on a solid understanding of technical aspects such as pixel installation and setting clear, attainable goals. This allows the AI to accurately handle targeting and attribution, optimizing advertising effectiveness.

Transforming Video Content for Multilingual Markets

We are actively exploring how to responsibly integrate Generative AI into our workflows. For example, while working on a video project requiring dubbing, we took incremental steps rather than aiming for advanced AI-generated content. One practical use case involves adapting audio for different markets. Suppose a fund manager delivers content in English, but we need the material for audiences in Japanese or Thai markets. In that case, we use AI to dub the audio into the local language. AI can even adjust lip movements to align with the pronunciation in the target language, enhancing the content’s authenticity.

To ensure transparency, we include a disclaimer stating that the dubbing was generated using AI. This approach helps manage audience expectations and prevents misconceptions, such as assuming the fund manager is fluent in the language. By taking these measures, we aim to use AI responsibly while maintaining accuracy and ethical standards in our content.

Key Elements of Effective Team Leadership

We hold weekly check-ins and stand-ups to stay aligned on daily tasks and keep up-to-date with the latest developments in our regular work. During these sessions, I prioritize sharing updates on current affairs, particularly insights from the MarTech world, to ensure the team stays informed and refreshed.

I also emphasize motivating my team, which positively impacts our overall tech stack. These meetings also provide an opportunity to engage with team members, addressing any challenges they may face. Together, we collaborate to find effective resolutions.

For me, the cornerstone of team management and leadership is active listening—truly understanding the perspectives of each team member and creating an environment where their input is valued.

For me, the cornerstone of team management and leadership is active listening—truly understanding the perspectives of each team member and creating an environment where their input is valued. This approach strengthens teamwork, builds trust and drives collective success.

Keeping Up with Change

Staying ahead in any field requires staying informed, which is why I make it a priority to keep myself updated through various channels. I subscribe to trade publications such as Search Engine Journal and Social Media Examiner for insights into digital marketing. In addition, I follow resources like Google newsletters and Singapore-based publications like Marketing Interactive, which provide timely updates on industry trends and developments.

Trade publications play a crucial role in keeping me informed about the latest news and advancements. Beyond external resources, I also maintain regular check-ins with our investment specialists to stay informed about global and local investment trends, whether at a macro or micro level.

Engaging with colleagues across compliance, legal and finance sectors, I keep broadening my understanding and remain updated on industry-specific developments. This multi-faceted approach ensures I am well-prepared to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of marketing and investment.