James Chong Email & Phone Number

Kuala Lumpur, My

Wherever I Lay My Mac

Ideas, Strategies, Execution. Results.Summary:I'm a social media aware independent strategic consultant for businesses in the digital, entertainment, creative & online space. I work with businesses in launching new services and products, breaking into new markets and in increasing their sales, profitability and/or value. I assist businesses in areas of market strategy, product & service design, marketing & positioning, online strategies and alliances.Details: 360 ideation, consulting and execution for online media, online services, consumer tech, broadband, connected TV and content. Knowledge areas include Product Design, Sales, Marketing, PR, Social Media and Digital with experience in key positions in Online, Broadband, Tech, Social Media and Content industries. Strong financial background and understanding from 6.5 years in audit, 4 years in financial modelling & consulting and 4 years in ICT industry financing. Qualified as a CPA. The rest of my skills and knowledge are through interest & actual experience.I work with companies and businesses in launching new products and tweaking & growing existing ones, in establishing the overall positioning and target markets, in overall product design and features, in developing or fine-tuning the business model, in establishing strategies and goals, leading the execution of plans, and driving awareness, growth and revenue for the product or service. My biggest thrill is working with good, talented people and identifying the core target market for the business, sharpening the proposition, engaging with potential and existing customers and iterating the service and offering to the point where the product sells itself. Marketing & awareness would then be the icing on the cake to drive growth and sales.I believe it's not what you do. It's how you do it, and who you do it with.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Co-founding and establishing the first international perfumery brand OLFAC3 Perfumes (from "olfactory") from Malaysia with Independent Malaysian Perfumer Aien Mokhtar. Presence in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Bali, Jakarta and Paris.Winner of the Her Beauty Awards 2019 for Best Fresh Fragrance - Editors' Pickwww.olfac3.com

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Setting up and developing the overall service strategy, service design, marketing, positioning and business model for an online travel magazine, platform and community for women travellers to Asia, implementing it and leading it for the founder Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir.Developing the framework and strategy for ZafigoX (The Zafigo Experience), the annual event dedicated to inspiring and empowering women through independent travel, implementing it and leading it for the founder Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir.More at www.zafigo.com and www.zafigox.com

Siem Reap, Cambodia

www.facebook.com/themissingsocks/

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Contracted position to lead and launch the webe community platformBuilding, leading and launching the next evolution in crowdfunding to empower people to make what they care about happen. In fact we can't even call it crowdfunding. Not when the funds are already in place, and the only thing left is for the crowd to decide yay, or nay.We would like to call it crowdbacking instead.It's a first in Malaysia, and very likely the first in the region too, for it to be done this way and at this scale.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Contracted position to establish and lead a mobile micro video-on-demand serviceI lead the conceptualizing and implementation of new content & video-based service strategies for EV, and is tasked with jointly realising the long-term goal of EV of being the best premium mobile video delivery platform for Malaysia and the region. Currently EV is the leading premium subscription-based mobile video platform connected to all 3 major Telcos in Malaysia.It's kinda like mobile Netflix for Asia, starting with Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Contracted position to assist in developing the SCEA expansion proposition in MalaysiaConsultant for Malaysia, SCEA.My scope of work includes assisting the Visual Arts Services Group of SCEA is identifying and assessing the existing Digital Arts and Animation ecosystem in Malaysia, and in structuring the overall proposition, requirements and industry building strategy from SCEA to the key agencies representing the Malaysian Government on industry development and investments, including MDeC, MIDA and Khazanah Nasional.I assisted in arranging SCEA's visit to Malaysia in November 2013, and I arranged with the SCEA team within 2 months (less, if the holiday season is taken into account) the visit by a full team of key senior representatives from MDeC, MIDA, Khazanah Nasional, Iskandar Investment & InvestKL to SCEA's San Diego Studio in mid January 2014. The visit included meetings and discussions with Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studio and Sony Dreamworks in LA.Additionally I assisted in developing the final proposal for customised incentives presented to the Government of Malaysia by SCEA.SCEA is the North American operations of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCE), a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony. Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) is a single internal entity overseeing all wholly-owned development studios within SCE. It is responsible for the creative and strategic direction of development and production of all computer entertainment software by all SCE-owned studios, all of which is produced exclusively for the PlayStation family of consoles. The studios are located in Europe, Japan and the US. The detailed list of studios can be found here - http://www.worldwidestudios.net/about-us

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Contracted position to develop the business proposition, go-to-market strategy and to launch the service. Heading the overall Go to Market strategy, including Marketing, Product Design, Pricing & Packaging, Business Model and Sales & Distribution strategies for the EMAGINE Connected TV service. Some of the things I did:- Developed a new strategy, direction and business model for an existing product- Re-imagined and redesigned the service offering from a multimedia set top box offering to an Online Entertainment & On-Demand platform- Established the key features sets, the Unique Selling Proposition, the overall positioning and new direction for EMAGINE- Launched the service to the public with numerous appearances on TV, on radio, in the press and in magazines.- Finalised the deals for the iOK Karaoke On-Demand (the first Karaoke on Demand service designed for the TV), KLFive Premium On-Demand and the MaxMan Free On-Demand Channels - Proposed, designed & implemented numerous new features and ideas with the technology team including social & personalised features for YouTube and Vimeo (playlist creation, adding online channels directly to TV, social sharing to facebook, shared community videos & playlists, and sending videos from the browser to TV via EMAGINE It), the first customised Instagram application for TV, additional features for the in-built Media Player and numerous User Interface and User Experience tweaks and improvements.- Jointly revamped the Net TV structure and proposition with the Head of Content- Jointly designed, provided the copy and developed the website and the EMAGINE introduction video Even though the implementation of planned features, offerings and improvements for EMAGINE was less than 60% when I ended the contract due to a change in the corporate direction of the holding company Select TV, EMAGINE as a service and a product was rated 9/10 and called a “True Video Wonder” by PC.Com in their May 2013 issue.

2-1, The Oasis, Tingkat Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Paradox is a restaurant café & community creative space nestled on the 1st Floor of the Oasis in Bandar Utama, offering a place to eat, drink, play and discover local art, photography, creative designs, creations, music, films and more.Paradox consists of 3 spaces – a SoHo loft-like play area with pool & foosball tables, a smoke-free dining area & a chilled-out terrace overlooking a small lake.The pork-free food menu is a fusion of affordable Asian and Western cuisine, with the owner & chef focusing particularly on home-cooked styled Chinese & Western dishes with a twist.I ended up owning part of this, after I remodelled it from a loss-making cafeteria to a profitable 4,500 sqf restaurant & creative space. In 6 months monthly revenue increased by seven fold.

Petaling Jaya

Interactive & Customisable Online Personal Motion Video MakerSome of the things I did:- Advised on & developed the overall commercial proposition, business model and online product design & strategy, on a 6-month contract- Worked closely with the internal technology & creative team, and external developers of the service in developing the initial prototype of the serviceMotionplay was an exciting new product that unfortunately face financial difficulties halfway through development and is currently on a hiatus and seeking for new investors based on a revised strategy and approach.

Petaling Jaya

Reimagining how the Company can reach, touch, converse, share and grow with its customers better digitally across all online channels. And execution to make it happen, for real.Some of the things I did:- Developed, implemented & led the Online Sales Strategy & Online Store re-engineering & revamp, and increased online sales from less than 100 per month in January 2011 to more than 1,500 per month by August 2011- Developed, implemented & led the Social Media customer care strategy P1Cares – the first dedicated Customer Care page by a Telco in Malaysia- Revamped the P1 website and revised the online advertising strategy to focus on call to action with new branding & taglines. Results achieved from February to July 2011 (5 months):– Doubled visits from 260,000 to 540,000 per month– Increased page views from 1.6m to 2.5m per month– Increased unique page views from 1m to 1.7m– Reduced bounce rates from 46.1% to 24.4% (measure of effective target audience reach from online advertising)- Conceptualised, developed and executive produced the Video FAQ Project, “PRESSPLAY” - Led the Online & Social Media team in working together with Marketing, Sales, Customer Service and PR departments internally, and advertising agencies and developers externally.

Creating Social Awareness on HIV/AIDS Prevention by enabling each of us to BE THE MESSAGE itselfI conceptualized, founded & spearheaded the social media driven AIDSAware campaign, which brought together 42 celebrities, raised funds & awareness across multiple channels leading up to the full scaled exhibition in the Gardens, Kuala Lumpur in Feb 2011, without any source of funding.Some have said it remains one of the most effective and well-implemented social awareness campaigns in recent years. I was featured as one of the Men of 2010 by M2 magazine in Malaysia as a result.

Petaling Jaya

The social space linking online and offline activities. A content & service delivery platform over a living community. With an embedded payment platform, online radio, unlimited music downloads, photo-printing directly from online albums, mobile content delivery and much more.Some of the things I did:- Conceptualised and developed the financial and commercial model for the first full-fledged Social Commerce Network in Malaysia (2007)- Conceptualised & launched the first Social Network in Malaysia with an embedded e-wallet with its own virtual currency- Conceptualised & launched the following Social Network enabled services in Malaysia:- Direct online photo printing- The first unlimited legal download music subscription service in Malaysia - The first dedicated online radio station service in Malaysia- The first web-based mobile application & services portal for internet-enabled phones (m.ruumz.com)- The first dedicated Social Charity Portal with a micro-donation feature in Malaysia & the region (ruumzcauses)- Conceptualised and launched AIDSAware, the first ever project in Malaysia to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention driven by the Online Community. I resigned and turned down an offer to stay with P1 and the Green Packet Group when the entire ruumz team was offered a voluntary separation scheme due to a corporate restructuring exercise in the Green Packet Group. It was heart-breaking and I needed a break.

Petaling Jaya

I held this position concurrently while heading ruumz.com. Some of the things I did:- Led the team that designed, developed, priced and launched the broadband products for the first ever WiMAX Service Provider in Malaysia & the region (August 2008)- Led the team that developed, designed, priced and launched the first portable WiMAX USB modem service (the WIGGY) in Malaysia & the region (April 2009)- Service (speed, fair-usage policy, pricing, operation flow) and device design. Directly led discussions and contributed to final modem features, external design & overall classic look & feel for the first generation desktop & portable modems.- Contributed through device and service design to securing almost 100,000 WiMAX subscribers as of August 2009, a year after service with still limited coverage, when the Management finally agreed to let me step down so I can focus on ruumz.com- Established the P1 Malaysian Filmmakers’ Showcase, jointly conceptualised (with Pete Teo) and led the initial development of the 15Malaysia project. 15Malaysia remains the most successful Online Showcase ever achieved for Independent Filmmakers in Malaysia, with more than 15 millions views and more than 500,000 downloads and screenings in multiple film festivals worldwide.I stepped down when the Management finally identified a replacement for me one year after launch to refocus my efforts on ruumz (I was supposed to only assist in launching the P1 service and thereafter head back to leading and managing ruumz), but by that time Facebook was coming up, Friendster was going down, and in half a year the Group would be restructuring due to the massive investment required for P1 to roll-out the network, and my entire ruumz team would be released via a Voluntary Separation Scheme.

Petaling Jaya

Some of the things I did:- Assisted in developing the overall strategy for implementing a wireless broadband business, initially for the proprietary ODMA technology, and subsequently for WiFi and WiMAX- Conceptualised and developed the plan for ruumz.com, Malaysia’s first & most comprehensive personal social commerce network- Led & closed the commercial terms (revenue share, embedded connection manager features etc) negotiation with INTEL for INTEL’s RM50 million strategic investment into Green Packet. Personally negotiated final terms on behalf of Management with INTEL representatives from the United States and Singapore.- Developed the overall Packet Interactive strategy & framework (August 2009) for the Group, including Multi-channel Social Commerce, peer to peer IPTV, e-Payment, Digital Radio, Online Application Store & Multi-channel converged service offerings- Ongoing strategy, idea, improvement and creative inputs for Group activities and projectsI stepped down when was I asked to lead the service and product design and launch the first WiMAX Wireless Broadband service in Asia under Packet One (P1)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sales & Business Development - identifying & generating financing opportunities and developing the ICT financing market for MDV;Special Projects - managing & proactively driving key industries and technologies that have the potential to bring significant impact and benefits to the ICT industry in Malaysia, andNurturing & Business Support Services- commercial skill set development and of ICT players through advisory and related support services.Some of the things I did:As Head of Special Projects (11 months)- Developed overall strategy to establish Malaysia as a Game Development Centre for Asia- Developed the overall strategy to support the growth & development of Grid Computing, Mobile Content and Smart Cards in Malaysia.- Assisted in developing the long term expansion roadmap for Terra ICT (Online Multiplayer Gaming Portal)- Assisted in developing the Aquaria KLCC Interactive StrategyAs Vice President of Business Building Year 1- RM730 million loan applications generated, with RM545 million directly attributable to the Business Building Division- Improved on loans directly generated by the Business Building Division and approved by the Lending Committee by RM184m, a 250% increase from the previous year- More than doubled the overall rate of loan approval from 24% to 53% (application quality indicator)As Vice President of Business Building Year II- RM1 billion loan applications generated:- Exceeded RM700 million target by 43%- Improved over the previous year’s results by RM276 million (+38%)- Increased loan applications from 40 applications in the previous year to 73 (+83%)- Exceeded target for loan applications directly generated by the Business Building Division by RM286 million (+93%)- Improved on loan approval rate by RM106 million compared to the previous year (+28%) (application quality indicator)- Structured the financing & established the first ever next-generation Game Developer in Malaysia – Codemasters Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Reviewed commercial proposals, evaluated joint ventures and business models, developed mobile content & interactive strategies, and identified and established new business opportunities for the Group. Some of the things I did:- Conceptualised and developed the ContentCo strategy for the successful 3G spectrum bid by UMTS Sdn Bhd (Maxis & ASTRO JV) – Maxis’ 3G license- Developed the Overall Interactive Strategy for Set Top Box & Mobile phone interactivity- Established ASTRO Mobile and led the first generation Interactive TV-SMS projects implemented for ASTRO programming, including the first SMS Chat on TV Channel in Malaysia.- Evaluated, proposed and established initial price points & content strategies for the ASTRO Showcase Premium Channels - Evaluated and stopped further development & investment into the ASTRO Internet Broadband and Data Delivery service due to the absence of an acceptable business case- Evaluated and proposed action steps to be taken for multiple projects and investment opportunities, including the TuneAsia Music Download & Subscription Service, investment into online radio provider Spin.com in the US, and assisted in the assessment of the investment into the Shaw Brother’s Library which kick-started the Celestial Movie channel

Financial modelling, business case evaluation, process improvement analysis, investigative audits and financial consulting services for various industries, including highway concessions, privatisation of the LPG business from Petronas Dagangan, stock-broking firms, Music Labels and more.Highlights include single-handedly building the financial model and assisting in the initial business plan for the takeover of Air Asia by (Tan Sri) Tony Fernandes. The financial model was used to secure initial financing required for the takeover from financiers including Babcock & Brown, and was still used for route and commercial planning in the first year of operations by the new team in Air Asia.

Audit, Operational reviews and selected Corporate Tax Planning.Some of the things I did:- Audit Senior and team lead for the KFC Holdings Group (KFC), the Nestlé (M) Bhd Group (Nestlé) and the Bank Bumiputra Malaysia Bhd Group (BBMB)- Led the 20-member audit team that met Bank Negara’s submission deadline for the first time in Ernst & Young’s 7-year history as auditors for BBMB- Assisted the Senior Management of BBMB in resolving several critical issues, including the disclosure and treatment of the Yen investment write-off in 1995- Led the 18-member audit team for KFC, and assisted management in tax management issues in terms of interest restriction exposure & the optimisation of inter-company interest charges- Led the 25-member audit team for Nestlé, and assessed and recommended improvements to the Group management reporting system across multiple factories & locations

Certified Public Accountant, Accounting

James is qualified as a Certified Public Accountant with the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accounts (MICPA)

Education record