#13: Hazel Yap, Co-Founder & COO, Serious Media: Has Influencer Marketing Peaked — or Is the Real Test Just Beginning?

#13: Hazel Yap, Co-Founder & COO, Serious Media: Has Influencer Marketing Peaked — or Is the Real Test Just Beginning?

In this episode of the 10-Minute SEA Discussion Podcast, Nora, joined by Hazel Yap, Co-Founder & COO, Serious Media, dives into the saturation of Southeast Asian’s influencer marketing, the causes behind the diminishing trust among consumers and how brands can overcome this sharp turn.   For more information about Southeast Asian Influencer Marketing, please visit my blog page [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/2026/03/27/episode-13-hazel-yap-co-founder-coo-serious-media-has-influencer-marketing-peaked-or-is-the-real-test-just-beginning/] Guest Bio:  Hazel Yap [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazelyap/]is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Serious Media [https://www.linkedin.com/company/serious-media/], a digital marketing agency that helps brands craft impactful stories and strategic campaigns. With nearly two decades of experience in marketing and brand strategy, she has worked with global brands and businesses to build meaningful connections with their audiences. Beyond marketing, Hazel is also a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, where she integrates mindfulness and nature-based practices to help individuals reconnect with themselves and manage stress. Her work bridges the worlds of business, storytelling, and well-being, encouraging professionals to pursue sustainable growth while maintaining balance and clarity in their lives.  Music Used in this Episode:  - Background Music - oOsongOo [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/background-music-224633/]] - News Logo 1 - moodmode [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/news-logo-1-154245/]]  For the latest updates of my Podcast, please click the subscribe button and follow my ⁠Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mpf53YamGsQMTSQP0GBtY?si=dd3db4c42e104ca0], ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-minute-sea-discussion/id1798861999], ⁠YouTube⁠ [http://www.youtube.com/@noralepdcst] and ⁠BlogPage [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/]⁠ [https://noralehaphuong.wordpress.com/].

#12: Francis Hoan, Director of Financial Advisory, Financial Alliance: From Burden to Buffer - Why Debt Structuring Matters

In this episode of the 10-Minute SEA Discussion Podcast, Nora, joined by Francis Hoan, Director of Financial Advisory, Financial Alliance, dives into debt structuring as a rising tool for individuals to better control their borrowings in the era that loan-taking is a norm, approaches for effective debt-restructuring at a personal level and how young people can leverage on this.   For more information about Debt-restructuring, please visit my blog page [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/episode-12-francis-hoan-director-of-financial-advisory-financial-alliance-from-burden-to-buffer-why-debt-structuring-matters/]  Guest Bio:  Francis Hoan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/francishoan/] is a seasoned financial services leader with nearly four decades of experience in wealth and financial advisory. He currently serves as a Director of Financial Advisory, Financial Alliance, where he focuses on empowering advisors to build thriving, multi-stream, fee-based practices and help individuals and families achieve long-term financial goals. With deep expertise in investment strategies, portfolio diversification, and strategic planning, Francis has become a respected voice in the financial community in Singapore and the broader region. He shares insights on financial literacy, mentorship, and life-balance topics, and actively engages with professionals and the public through thought leadership and advisory work.  Music Used in this Episode:  - Background Music - oOsongOo [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/background-music-224633/]] - News Logo 1 - moodmode [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/news-logo-1-154245/]]  For the latest updates of my Podcast, please click the subscribe button and follow my ⁠Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mpf53YamGsQMTSQP0GBtY?si=dd3db4c42e104ca0], ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-minute-sea-discussion/id1798861999], ⁠YouTube⁠ [http://www.youtube.com/@noralepdcst] and ⁠BlogPage [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/]⁠ [https://noralehaphuong.wordpress.com/].

#11: Glenn Lee, Senior Hr - A recap on Singapore 2025 Job Market: Can We Move From Anxiety to Opportunity?

In this episode of the 10-Minute SEA Discussion Podcast, Nora, joined by Glenn Lee, Senior HR, dives into the turbulence of the 2025 job market in Singapore, what recruiters are now searching for in candidates and how job seekers can stay resilient entering 2026.  For more information about the Job Market Outlook in ASEAN, please visit my blog page [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/2025/12/26/episode-11-glenn-lee-senior-hr-a-recap-on-singapore-2025-job-market-can-we-move-from-anxiety-to-opportunity/]  Guest Bio:  Glenn Lee [https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennleehg/] is a senior HR of 25-year experience. His expertise ranges from mechanical engineering, material science to L&D. Throughout his career, Glenn has developed and implemented several transformation initiatives & techniques to attain commercial values for clients such as Cobham, PG Technologies, California Dairies, Jardines Cycle & Carriage, Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi, Mauser, Hong Kong MTR. He is also responsible for the setup of a new 50,000sqft forensic facility & awarded $250k government grants @Matcor.  Music Used in this Episode:  - Background Music - oOsongOo [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/background-music-224633/]] - News Logo 1 - moodmode [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/news-logo-1-154245/]]  For the latest updates of my Podcast, please click the subscribe button and follow my ⁠Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mpf53YamGsQMTSQP0GBtY?si=dd3db4c42e104ca0], ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-minute-sea-discussion/id1798861999], ⁠YouTube⁠ [http://www.youtube.com/@noralepdcst] and ⁠BlogPage [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/]⁠ [https://noralehaphuong.wordpress.com/].

#10: Saint Yi Htet, Founder and Principal Consultant, Global Food Safety Institute - ASEAN through the food safety hurdles

In this episode of the 10-Minute SEA Discussion Podcast, Nora, joined by Saint Yi Htet [linkedin.com/in/saint-yi-htet?miniProfileUrn=urn%253Ali%253Afs_miniProfile%253AACoAAAvk5lQBDBn6wQYLStPatAjdPIgqPRqq19A&skipRedirect=true&miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAAvk5lQBDBn6wQYLStPatAjdPIgqPRqq19A], Founder and Principal Consultant, Global Food Safety Institute [https://globalfoodsafetyinstitute.com/], dives into the food safety matters long existing in the region, approaches to tackle such issues and their complementary regulatory drawbacks posed on F&B ventures.   For more information about Food safety hurdles in ASEAN, please visit my blog page [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/2025/11/27/episode-10-saint-yi-htet-founder-and-principal-consultant-global-food-safety-institute-asean-through-the-food-safety-hurdles/]  Guest's Bio:  Saint Yi Htet [https://www.linkedin.com/in/saint-yi-htet/] is a corporate executive turned entrepreneur, on a mission to build safer, smarter, resilient food systems across Southeast Asia. She has 20+ years of experience in food safety and product development, helping Food Business Operators (FBOs) build audit-ready systems, create shelf-stable products, and meet export requirements. Music Used in this Episode:  - Background Music - oOsongOo [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/background-music-224633/]] - News Logo 1 - moodmode [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/news-logo-1-154245/]]  For the latest updates of my Podcast, please click the subscribe button and follow my ⁠Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mpf53YamGsQMTSQP0GBtY?si=dd3db4c42e104ca0], ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-minute-sea-discussion/id1798861999], ⁠YouTube⁠ [http://www.youtube.com/@noralepdcst] and ⁠BlogPage [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/]⁠ [https://noralehaphuong.wordpress.com/].

#9: Mickaël Driol, CEO, Mekong Partners - ESG mandate: How SMEs can adapt their ventures to the new norm?

In this episode of the 10-Minute SEA Discussion Podcast, Nora, joined by Mickaël Driol [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickaeldriol/], CEO, Mekong Partners [http://linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=Mekong%20Partners&origin=GLOBAL_SEARCH_HEADER&sid=_PG], dives into the new ESG norm in ASEAN, hurdles imposed on SMEs of different scales and what future startups need to prepare to fully stay compliant with this mandate.   For more information about the ESG mandate in ASEAN, please visit my blog page [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/2025/10/27/episode-9-mickael-driol-ceo-mekong-partners-esg-mandate-how-smes-can-adapt-their-ventures-to-the-new-norm/]  Guest's Bio:  Mickaël Driol is a cross-border investment strategist and board advisor with 17+ years in global markets, including more than 15 years embedded in China, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia. He advises Fortune 500s, institutional investors, and high-growth ventures on FDI, M&A, supply chain localisation, ESG strategy, and regional expansion across emerging markets. Music Used in this Episode:  - Background Music - oOsongOo [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/background-music-224633/]] - News Logo 1 - moodmode [Link [https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/news-logo-1-154245/]]  For the latest updates of my Podcast, please click the subscribe button and follow my ⁠Spotify⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mpf53YamGsQMTSQP0GBtY?si=dd3db4c42e104ca0], ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-minute-sea-discussion/id1798861999], ⁠YouTube⁠ [http://www.youtube.com/@noralepdcst] and ⁠BlogPage [https://noralepdcst.wordpress.com/]⁠ [https://noralehaphuong.wordpress.com/].