When it comes to a franchise business, one would think of fast food chains to the likes of McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and so forth.

Instead of that we are going to talk about an unconventional franchise business that doesn’t quite come to mind when we think of franchises. 

With a network of over 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organisations in 92 countries, the World Trade Centers Association is the owner of the “World Trade Center” and “WTC” trademarks. 

And this means the WTCA licences exclusive rights for members to use in conjunction with their independently owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings.

But how does it work exactly, and what is the WTCA doing to strengthen its member network and increase the value of its brand?

On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Scott Wang, Asia Pacific Vice President, World Trade Centers Association for more.

When it comes to a franchise business, one would think of fast food chains to the likes of McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and so forth.
Instead of that we are going to talk about an unconventional franchise business that doesn’t quite come to mind when we think of franchises. 
With a network of over 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organisations in 92 countries, the World Trade Centers Association is the owner of the “World Trade Center” and “WTC” trademarks. 
And this means the WTCA licences exclusive rights for members to use in conjunction with their independently owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings.
But how does it work exactly, and what is the WTCA doing to strengthen its member network and increase the value of its brand?
On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Scott Wang, Asia Pacific Vice President, World Trade Centers Association for more.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

Under The Radar

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Your evening guide to the day's most important topics — navigate the key events in politics, business, markets, wealth management, and top investment opportunities. Keeps you informed and ahead of the curve, daily.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian (4pm - 7pm)

Under the Radar: The unconventional franchise business of the World Trade Centers Association; On strengthening brand value and network; Competition against other private networks; Initiatives in Asia; WTCA General Assembly in Ghana; Why there is no WTCA in Singapore yet

Singapore shares slid today as markets in Asia traded in both positive and negative territories.

The Straits Times Index was down 0.7% at 4,909.28 points at 11.44am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$987.06M seen in the broader market.

In terms of counters to watch, we have Sheng Siong. The grocery store operator said in response to shareholder queries ahead of its AGM that it sees further room for margin improvement although the Iran conflict could exert “upward pressure on costs and prices”.

Elsewhere, from a low down of the latest slew of S-Reit earnings, to how investors are reacting to news that Lebanon and Israel extended their ceasefire for three weeks, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. 

Also on deck, how Meta Platforms and Microsoft are planning cuts or announcing buyouts that could affect as many as 23,000 jobs, part of an effort to streamline operations and offset heavy spending on artificial intelligence.

On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Singapore shares slid today as markets in Asia traded in both positive and negative territories.
The Straits Times Index was down 0.7% at 4,909.28 points at 11.44am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$987.06M seen in the broader market.
In terms of counters to watch, we have Sheng Siong. The grocery store operator said in response to shareholder queries ahead of its AGM that it sees further room for margin improvement although the Iran conflict could exert &ldquo;upward pressure on costs and prices&rdquo;.
Elsewhere, from a low down of the latest slew of S-Reit earnings, to how investors are reacting to news that Lebanon and Israel extended their ceasefire for three weeks, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus.&nbsp;
Also on deck, how Meta Platforms and Microsoft are planning cuts or announcing buyouts that could affect as many as 23,000 jobs, part of an effort to streamline operations and offset heavy spending on artificial intelligence.
On Market View, Money Matters&rsquo; finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Market View: Asian markets mixed as investors mull extension of ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel for three weeks; Fed, ECB, BoJ, BoE rate decisions due next week; Meta, Microsoft plan cuts, buyouts that may affect 23,000 jobs; S-Reit earnings in focus; ST Engineering, Sheng Siong, CapitaLand Investment to watch

Singapore’s hawker centres have long been seen as the city’s great equalizer, where a $5 meal still delivers comfort and cultural identity in one of the world’s most expensive cities. But new data suggests that this everyday institution is under mounting pressure.

A recent Blackbox Research SensingSG survey finds that 72% of Singaporeans believe hawker culture is now under threat. Meanwhile, 4 in 10 Singaporeans say they cannot maintain their current lifestyle without access to affordable hawker food.

What happens when something universally valued becomes economically fragile? And if the iconic $5 meal is no longer sustainable, what replaces it and who gets left out?

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Glenn Wray, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Blackbox Research, to find out more.

Singapore&rsquo;s hawker centres have long been seen as the city&rsquo;s great equalizer, where a $5 meal still delivers comfort and cultural identity in one of the world&rsquo;s most expensive cities. But new data suggests that this everyday institution is under mounting pressure.
A recent Blackbox Research SensingSG survey finds that 72% of Singaporeans believe hawker culture is now under threat. Meanwhile, 4 in 10 Singaporeans say they cannot maintain their current lifestyle without access to affordable hawker food.
What happens when something universally valued becomes economically fragile? And if the iconic $5 meal is no longer sustainable, what replaces it and who gets left out?
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with&nbsp;Glenn Wray, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Blackbox Research, to find out more.

The Big Story: 72% say hawker culture is under threat from energy shocks, but can Singapore save it?

Would you be okay with AI using your face to create content without you?

A major Chinese streaming platform is facing backlash over its new AI actor initiative, raising big questions about consent, creativity, and the future of human performance.

Plus, how far would you go to find out your favourite artist’s album release date?

Drake has hidden his next drop inside a 200-ton block of ice and fans are literally trying to break it open.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada unpack AI actors and wild album marketing.

Would you be okay with AI using your face to create content without you?
A major Chinese streaming platform is facing backlash over its new AI actor initiative, raising big questions about consent, creativity, and the future of human performance.
Plus, how far would you go to find out your favourite artist&rsquo;s album release date?
Drake has hidden his next drop inside a 200-ton block of ice and fans are literally trying to break it open.
On What&rsquo;s Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Alexandra Parada unpack AI actors and wild album marketing.

Under the Radar: The unconventional franchise business of the World Trade Centers Association; On strengthening brand value and network; Competition against other private networks; Initiatives in Asia; WTCA General Assembly in Ghana; Why there is no WTCA in Singapore yet

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