Let's Talk, Singapore

We've all been guilty of mispronouncing a global consumer brand at some point in our lives. IKEA is one notable example. Porsche is another. The question is, are we aware of it? Emaad, Ryan and Audrey reveal the most commonly mispronounced brands (the two above, included) and the right way to say 'em!   Presented by Emaad Akhtar, Ryan Huang & Audrey Siek Produced and edited by Emaad Akhtar Photo credit: The Straits Times Music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

AI is revolutionizing marketing, driving hyper-personalization, predictive insights, and automation like never before. But as brands lean into AI, how do they ensure customer experiences remain personal, authentic, and trust-driven? Gabie Boko, Chief Marketing Officer at NetApp, joins the Breakfast Show as they explore how businesses can harness AI without losing the human connection, and how to best navigate data challenges while balancing automation with empathy.

As Singapore gears up for the 2025 General Election, significant changes are unfolding in the political landscape, through an increase in the election expenses cap from S$4 to S$5 per elector. The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee cites inflation and rising campaign costs, but how will this reshape electoral strategies and voter engagement in the upcoming polls? Joining us on The Breakfast Show to elaborate more on the implications of these changes is Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst, Solaris Strategies Singapore.

Founded in 1987, Huawei has grown to become a leading global provider of information and communications technology infrastructure and smart devices. And despite facing multiple US sanctions over the years, it looks like their venture into new areas have been paying off. Join Dan Koh and Ryan Huang as they cruise through Huawei’s latest financial report and find out if the smartphone maker is staging a global comeback.

Alex Morris, CEO at F/m Investments shares his insights on the gold action right now, and its prospects for the rest of the year. He also weighs in on inflation, instruments that are worth looking at right now, durations that he is opting for when it comes to treasury inflation protected securities, and his playbook for equities and energy.  Presented by: Ryan Huang Produced by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors

Ray Heung, Senior Investment Strategist, Standard Chartered Bank discusses how investors should position themselves in Q2, amid global trade tensions and geopolitics. He shares his view why the US is likely to avoid a recession, and equities will rebound once volatility normalizes.  Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang

The political and economic situation between the United States and Venezuela is growing increasingly tense - spanning domestic and international borders, involving deportations, oil tariffs, and geopolitical maneuvering. Even as questions arise in a legal challenge over the process to determine gang members, the Trump administration deported more alleged Venezuelan and MS-13 gang members to El Salvador over the weekend. On the trade front - US President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order declaring that any country buying oil or gas from Venezuela will pay a 25% tariff on trades with the US. According to the executive order, the 25% tariff to be imposed on buyers of Venezuelan oil will take effect on 2nd April and would be combined with any existing tariffs. On this episode of Morning Shot, we dig deeper into the constitutional debate behind the deportations, impacts of oil tariffs on Venezuela as a petrostate, and why Venezuela’s ongoing descent into economic and political chaos is a cautionary tale of the dangerous influence that resource wealth can have on developing countries. Presented by: Emaad Akhtar & Audrey Siek Produced by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) 

Sevasti Balafas, CEO at GoalVest shares her insights on choppiness in the markets ahead of "Liberation Day" on 2nd Apr as promoted by President Donald Trump, rotation away from some expensive names, CoreWeave's US initial public offering, as well as sentiments around recessionary fears. She also weighs in on what investors' playbooks are looking like as we head into the rest of 2025, amid an uncertain rates path.  Presented by: Ryan Huang Produced by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: Dado Ruvic | Reuters

Many of us know it for its iconic furry monster-like dolls embraced by collectors and celebrities alike. Others might recognize the brand for its exciting blind box concept featuring popular characters like Molly, SkullPanda, and Crybaby. But if there’s one thing we all can agree on today, it's how much of an impact the collectible craze is having on Pop Mart’s business. Join Dan Koh and Ryan Huang to unpack Pop Mart’s latest financial results for the full year of 2024 and if investing in one of the world’s biggest indulgence pays off in the long run.

Do you rely on power banks and chargers as much as we do? Power banks have been getting a bit of bad press lately. And now if you’re flying SIA or Scoot, you can’t use it on the plane anymore. You can still bring them, but you can’t use them, and you can’t charge them either.  What’s going on? Audrey, Ryan and Emaad discuss the proper ways to use a power bank, and what you should look out for if you’re in the market for one.   Presented by Audrey Siek, Ryan Huang & Emaad Akhtar Produced and edited by Audrey Siek Photo & Music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors