The Digital Media Awards Asia 2025 has seen fierce competition, with local media outlets AsiaOne and CNA bagging several prestigious accolades. Held on 23 April 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, the awards celebrate innovation and leadership in digital media across Asia.
AsiaOne’s Stellar Performance
AsiaOne claimed five awards, including the coveted Best News Website and Best Fact Checking Project awards. Their success stemmed from their innovative approach during events like the historic papal visit of Pope Francis to Singapore, where they produced a dedicated microsite that captured touching human-interest stories involving Singaporeans from various backgrounds.
- Best News Website: Achieved for the microsite chronicling Pope Francis’ visit.
- Best Fact Checking Project: For a detailed video explaining the new ERP 2.0 On-Board Unit.
- Best Native Advertising Campaign: Focused on local sports professionals in collaboration with MCCY.
“We used data insights from AsiaOne’s in-house research to guide our content development,” stated Lynette Phua, Director of Clients and Brands Partnership at AsiaOne, emphasising their commitment to creating relatable content.
CNA’s Video and Podcast Success
CNA also shone at the awards, taking home two significant recognitions. The gold award for Best Use of Video was awarded for their innovative “Build Your Own News Influencer” project. Veteran journalist Chan Eu Imm led this initiative, resulting in a notable surge in audience engagement on YouTube.
- Gold – Best Use of Video: CNA Explains series.
- Silver – Best Podcast: Two-part series on the Asian Tsunami anniversary.
“Traditional media can indeed challenge news influencers with a bit of daring,” Chan noted, underscoring the exciting adaptation within the media landscape.
Embracing Technology in News Media
Both outlets showcased their commitment to employing innovative strategies and technology. AsiaOne, for example, integrated AI tools for audience insights, thereby enhancing their content strategy. As Sean Ler, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaOne, stated, this is essential for staying relevant and impactful in an ever-evolving media environment.
This remarkable recognition activity signals the vibrant media scene in Singapore and the ongoing effort by local news organisations to engage their audiences through creative storytelling and innovative strategies.