This bank is betting that boat racing will bring in the millennial customers

by Dramelin 9:00 AM 0 comments

Such findings have caused banks to rethink their marketing strategies.
"[Millennials] value experiences, they like to travel, they are digitally savvy, so we believe that if we can embed ourselves, we can be part of their lives," Sim S.
Lim, DBS Bank`s Singapore country head, told CNBC`s "Squawk Box" on Friday.
The annual event — for which DBS has spent 22 million Singapore dollars (about $15.
89 million) over the last six years by Lim`s estimation — was first introduced by the bank as a way to revitalize Singapore`s Marina Bay waterfront promenade.
But it has morphed into a full experiential pitch to millennials.
Understanding that segment prefers to spend on experiences rather than luxury goods, the bank has partnered with electronic dance music organizer Ultra Singapore, sportswear brand Lululemon and Bali`s Potato Head Beach Club.
"This is why our regatta this year specifically focuses on themes that are close to [millennials`] hearts — fitness, wellness, music and entertainment," said Karen Ngui, DBS Bank`s head of group strategic marketing and communications .
Targeting different segments within the millennial consumer space is important, according to Ang Swee Hoon, associate professor of marketing at National University of Singapore Business School.
"Not all millennials are the same.
They may belong to the same age group but there may be differences in attitude and lifestyle," she told CNBC.
Still, Ang added, the regatta`s limited time period and its variety of activities this year will likely be attractive to millennials: "The matching of events with millennials` lifestyle makes the event more meaningful and relevant to them, thus pushing up the attendance factor and enhancing the fest experience.
" DBS said it expects 10,000 to 12,000 people to attend the regatta.