Rising Giants - N.9 Kounila Keo, Managing Partner, Mekhala Radiant Communications
In this episode we interview Kounila Keo, a leading figure in the media and marketing community in Cambodia and the region. She was also the recipient of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Asia in 2017. 💬🏆
Welcome to the Rising Giant's Podcast Newsletter by Max Thornton and Dominic Kalousek.
Talking with entrepreneurs and investors in the world’s most rapidly evolving frontier markets to understand what it takes to have bold ideas and build the business disruptors of tomorrow. Join Max and Dominic as they explore the different backgrounds and playbooks of innovators in the region, bringing to light how they are impacting these growing markets and forging the path for more to come.
In this episode, we interview Kounila Keo, a leading figure in the media and marketing community in Cambodia and the region. She has had a formative career spanning media (working for leading global and local publications) whilst also working in international development and most recently launching her own communication and marketing firm, Mekhala Radiant Communications. Kounila was also the recipient of Forbes 30 Under 30 in Asia in 2017.
In today’s episode we get into:
- How the marketing industry in Cambodia is having to adapt rapidly to social media adoption in the country 📲
- Different approaches to working across a wide array of client mandates; startups, influencers, NGOs, MNCs, and more 🗂
- Lessons learned from leading the expansion of Mekhala Radiant Communications into new markets such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos. 🌏
📱 Follow Kounila’s Instagram to learn more about her companies and projects that she is working on!
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📰 In the news:
Opensource Ventures in Singapore closes its 3rd Southeast Asia fund at $200M investing in early-stage companies and offering a unique opportunities vehicle for LP’s - Deal Street Asia
Hong Kong Based Kiwi Pay Group and Cambodia’s grocery delivery startup Meal Temple Group are teaming up to tap into the countries frontier market
A short but detailed overview of Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar’s markets for 2021 “from the ground”.
An update on the current situation happening in Myanmar.
📚 Venture Capital and Frontier Market Resources To Learn More:
Finding deals to source can be tough - check out some of these sourcing strategies. 🧠
The importance of due diligence and what happens when things go wrong 🔍
500 Startups is partnering with the Cambodian government to support tech startups in Cambodia 💸
👨🏼💻 Frontier Market Job Opportunities:
Robert Walters is hiring an Investment Associate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Energy Lab is offering Clean Energy Internships with multiple companies in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Sevea is hiring for an Business Development Mentor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
UNDP is looking for International Interns at their Cambodia country office.
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🧐 About Rising Giants
The Rising Giants Podcast was created in November 2020 by Max Thornton and Dominic Kalousek after realizing that there were a limited number of resources available for insight into the local startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
Our mission is to talk to entrepreneurs and investors in the world’s most rapidly evolving frontier markets to help understand what it takes to have bold ideas and build the business disruptors of tomorrow. Through our personal exploration of these landscapes, we dive deep in our interviews with inspirational individuals learning about their career journeys, ideas, and insights into the markets of developing startup ecosystems, and expanding on why they see their business and the region as a "rising giant".