In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, Todd Embley hosts Marlene Sharp, an entertainment executive known for her role in globalizing Japanese game franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog. Throughout her career with LEVEL-5 abby and Sega of America, Marlene tackled the unique challenges of adapting Japanese franchises for global audiences. Now leading Pink Poodle Productions, she utilizes her extensive experience to provide specialized services for IP franchises that span the Asian and North American entertainment markets.

During the discussion, Marlene addresses the evolving landscape of international entertainment, emphasizing the rising influence of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese franchises in the West.

Discussion Points

· Marlene’s transition from working in traditional entertainment roles to specializing in Asian media properties.

· Challenges of adapting Japanese game franchises for global markets.

· The role of cultural considerations in international entertainment.

· Services offered by Pink Poodle Productions and their relevance to Asian markets.

· Differences in collaboration styles between Japanese and Korean partners.

· The evolving influence of Asian content in Western entertainment.

· Advice for navigating cross-cultural boundaries in the entertainment industry.

· Future projects and new markets of interest in Asia.

In this episode of The Negotiation, Darren Touch, founder and CEO of the Canada China Forum, discusses his interest in international relations with China and his experience as a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University. He shares his insights on the current state of Canada-China relations and the necessary steps to strengthen the relationship. Touch emphasizes the importance of people-to-people exchanges, educational programs, and language proficiency in building a new generation of leaders well-versed in China affairs. He also highlights the challenges of binary thinking and the opportunities for Canadians to gain hands-on experience in China and other parts of the world. Enjoy!

Key Points:

• Developing a nuanced understanding of China is crucial for building a balanced and informed approach to Canada's strategy towards China.
• People-to-people exchanges and educational programs are key to strengthening the Canada-China relationship.
• Language proficiency and hands-on experience in China are valuable competencies for future leaders in international policy and diplomacy.
• Challenges include binary thinking and the need to overcome biases and stereotypes about China.
• Opportunities lie in expanding educational programs and encouraging Canadians to gain international experience.
• Leaving one's comfort zone and experiencing different cultures and perspectives is essential for personal and professional growth.

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, we take a look back at the Paris 2024 Olympics with Mark Dreyer, the preeminent analyst of China's sports scene. Mark, a seasoned China sports reporter, delves deep into China’s performance at the 2024 Games and the cultural phenomena surrounding Chinese athletes.

The discussion kicks off with a review of China's overall performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, looking at how China fared in the medal tally and significant victories and storylines.

One topic explored in depth is Zheng Qinwen’s gold medal victory in women’s tennis. Mark also addresses the controversies that clouded China's swimming successes, including Pan Zhanle’s world record in the 100-metre freestyle.

The conversation shifts to the societal impact of sports, examining the treatment of athletes as celebrities in China and the governmental steps taken to manage public obsession with star athletes.

Moreover, Mark touches upon other intriguing sports developments within China, including the influence and challenges faced by North American sports leagues operating in the Chinese market.

This episode is tailored for listeners eager to understand the nuances of China's evolving sports landscape and the broader implications for international sports dynamics.

Discussion Points:

• China's Olympic Performance: Evaluating the significance of the Paris 2024 Olympics for China and the emphasis on gold medals.
• Highlight on Zheng Qinwen: Discussing the impact of her gold medal win on China's sports scene.
• Controversies in Swimming: Analyzing the issues surrounding high-profile Chinese swimmers and their implications.
• Celebrity Culture in Sports: Exploring the phenomenon of athletes as celebrities and the social dynamics it creates.
• Broader Sports Developments: Delving into the presence and challenges of North American sports leagues in China.

In this second installment of our engaging dialogue with Ed Sander on The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley continues to explore the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of China's digital technology scene. Ed, known for his deep insights into the intricacies of Chinese e-commerce, shares his expertise on the roles of major players like Alibaba and JD.com and dives into emerging platforms like Douyin and Little Red Book.

The episode begins with a discussion on Alibaba and JD.com, traditional giants in the Chinese e-commerce space. Ed analyzes how these companies are adapting to changes in consumer behavior and technological advancements. He specifically touches on Alibaba's "user-first" strategy and its implications for Taobao and Tmall's performance this year. Shifting focus to Alibaba's grocery arm, Hema, Ed explains why this segment of Alibaba fascinates him due to its innovative integration of online and offline retail, which significantly enhances the consumer shopping experience.

The conversation then pivots to Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok, which has successfully morphed into a robust e-commerce platform. Ed discusses the reasons behind Douyin's e-commerce success and offers strategic advice for brands considering launching a store on the platform. Additionally, Ed assesses the potential of Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu) as an e-commerce platform built on top of its social media roots, exploring its unique position in the market.

The episode also delves into the intense competition in local services in China, identifying key players and analyzing who is leading and why.

Finally, Ed highlights other exciting trends in China's digital space that are shaping the future of e-commerce and digital interaction in one of the world's most vibrant markets.

Discussion Points:

• The adaptation of Alibaba and JD.com in the evolving e-commerce landscape.
• Analysis of Alibaba’s "user-first" strategy and its impact.
• Insights into Hema’s role within Alibaba’s ecosystem.
• Douyin’s rise as a formidable e-commerce platform.
• The potential of Little Red Book as an e-commerce site.
• Overview of the competitive local services market in China.
• Emerging trends in China's digital space that are reshaping the industry.

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Ed Sander, a renowned analyst specializing in China's digital technology landscape. In the first part of this two-part conversation, Ed shares his expert insights into Pinduoduo and the meteoric rise of its international marketplace, Temu.

The episode kicks off with Ed discussing the innovative business strategies, such as group buying and aggressive discounting, that have propelled Pinduoduo to immense success within China. He then shifts focus to Temu, PDD Holdings’ ambitious cross-border platform, explaining its business model and why it has rapidly emerged as a formidable contender in the global e-commerce arena, potentially rivaling giants like Amazon.

Ed addresses common misconceptions about Temu, providing clarity on its operational strategies and market positioning. He also explains the "semi-managed" model, highlighting its significance in Temu's operational framework and its impact on international e-commerce dynamics.

Additionally, Ed discusses his upcoming study trip to China with Kaiser Kuo, inviting listeners to gain first-hand experience and deeper understanding of China's tech landscape.

Discussion Points:

• The rise of Pinduoduo in China: strategies and business model.
• Introduction to Temu and its success factors.
• Misconceptions about Temu and its comparison with Amazon.
• Explanation of the "semi-managed" model and its importance.

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Jason Ang, Co-founder and CEO of CONTEN.T, a forward-thinking agency dedicated to crafting digital experiences for global brands across the Asia-Pacific region. Jason delves into the evolving digital landscape, the unique challenges of engaging Gen Z consumers, and the strategic nuances of marketing in APAC.

Jason begins by sharing his current location and the exciting developments at CONTEN.T, including their latest project, Superfan, designed to enhance brand engagement. He explains what a mobile-first digital experience entails for brands operating in China and Southeast Asia, emphasizing how the mobile-centric culture has influenced their marketing strategies.

Drawing from his experiences with iconic brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, Jason discusses the specific challenges of adapting these well-known brands for the diverse APAC market. He then shifts focus to the significance of Gen Z consumers in these regions, describing them as pivotal to current and future market strategies due to their purchasing power and trend-setting abilities.

The conversation further explores the types of content that resonate with Gen Z, their shopping preferences, and the lifestyle trends influencing their consumption behaviors. Jason highlights emerging product categories and how these shifts are impacting both online and offline retail.

Moreover, Jason discusses the critical importance of integrating digital and real-world experiences to create compelling brand narratives in APAC. He concludes with three essential pieces of advice for brands aiming to make a mark in the Chinese market, particularly those looking to captivate the Gen Z demographic.

Discussion Points:

• Introduction and current projects at CONTEN.T.
• Mobile-first digital experiences in China and Southeast Asia.
• Challenges faced while adapting Western brands for the APAC market.
• The importance of Gen Z consumers in APAC.
• Effective content strategies for engaging Gen Z.
• Shopping trends and lifestyle changes among Gen Z in China and Southeast Asia.
• The significance of blending digital with physical brand experiences.
• Key strategies for new brands entering the Chinese market.

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley welcomes Dr. Benjamin Herscovitch, a Research Fellow at the Australian National University's School of Regulation and Global Governance. Dr. Herscovitch brings a wealth of knowledge on China's economic statecraft and the dynamics of Australia-China relations, offering deep insights into recent developments and future prospects.

The discussion begins with Dr. Herscovitch sharing his background as a China scholar and detailing his current research focuses. This sets the stage for a timely analysis of Chinese Premier Li Qiang's recent visit to Australia. Dr. Herscovitch explains the significance of this visit and shares key takeaways, highlighting its impact on diplomatic and trade relations between the two nations.

The conversation then shifts to the broader theme of the warming relations between Australia and China. Dr. Herscovitch offers his analysis of the current state of this bilateral relationship, discussing both the positive trends and the challenges that remain. He provides a forecast for the next year, giving listeners a sense of what to expect regarding diplomatic and economic engagements.

Further, Dr. Herscovitch comments on the recent lifting of wine tariffs and discusses other sectors still affected by trade actions. Lastly, he explores the main growth opportunities for Australian companies in China, considering the evolving political and economic landscape.

Discussion Points:

• Dr. Herscovitch's research and background in China studies.
• Significance and outcomes of Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia.
• Current state and future prospects of Australia-China relations.
• Analysis of the lifting of wine tariffs and ongoing trade challenges.
• Growth opportunities for Australian businesses in China’s market.

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Alex Phillips, the China Corridor Director for Santander UK. Alex shares insights into the evolving trade relationship between the UK and China, and how Santander UK facilitates international growth opportunities for British companies looking to expand into China and other Asian markets.

The conversation kicks off with Alex discussing his current location and his role in the ongoing China Business Roadshow in the UK, which aims to strengthen ties between UK and Chinese businesses. Alex then delves into his personal journey, sharing what sparked his interest in China and the path that led him to his current position at Santander UK.

Alex introduces the audience to the Santander Navigator platform, explaining how it supports companies in accessing international markets and what specific services Santander provides to facilitate global business expansion. He highlights the sectors where UK companies are currently thriving in China, discusses areas with significant growth potential, and outlines the challenges faced by foreign businesses in the Chinese market.

Focusing on consumer brands, Alex explains why British brands resonate well with Chinese consumers and which sectors are particularly successful. He offers practical advice for mid-sized British brands considering exporting to China, detailing the crucial steps they should take in the initial months of entering the market.

Lastly, Alex expands the discussion to other promising export markets outside of China, providing insights on opportunities for British companies looking to broaden their international presence.

Discussion Points:

• Alex Phillips' role in fostering UK-China business relations.
• Insights from the China Business Roadshow in the UK.
• Overview of the Santander Navigator platform and its benefits for businesses.
• Successful sectors for UK companies in China and potential growth areas.
• Challenges faced by British businesses in the Chinese market.
• Success factors for British consumer brands in China.
• Strategic advice for British brands exporting to China.
• Promising export markets for British companies beyond China.