Canvas8 expands to Singapore and the Philippines

Insights firm Canvas8’s CEO, Nick Morris, eyes bold expansion in key Asia Pacific markets as he foresees growth and opportunities in the region.

In a bold move to expand its presence in the Asia Pacific region, Canvas8, a renowned consumer research and insights company, has set its sights on key markets, including Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, and the Philippines.

The company’s CEO, Nick Morris, has shed light on the factors behind this strategic expansion and the opportunities it presents for the firm’s future growth in a recent interview with the Singapore Business Review.

On entering the promising Asia Pacific (APAC) market, Morris said Canvas8 is no stranger to the Asian business landscape, having operated in Japan and Australia for several years.

“Most recently, we decided to move into Singapore, because we were very clear about the strength of the APAC market in the future,” he said. “We want to be here for that growth.”

Belief in this immense potential of the APAC market in the coming years is the motivation for the company to establish a more significant presence in the region.

Speaking about opportunities for further expansion, Canvas8 intends to collaborate with Asian-based companies seeking to venture into Western markets.

“As we start to see the emergence of more unicorns from Asia, businesses like Airwallex from Melbourne and Kredivo from Jakarta gaining traction, we see this as a real opportunity as they look to expand out of Asia and into Western markets,” explained the CEO of the award-winning consultancy firm based in London that has already helped brands create better strategies, products, and businesses.

Morris is confident that amid certain challenges in the region, there are strategies that can better ensure triumphs. “It’s an incredible region to be doing business in, but there are three challenges within it,” he said.

Canvas8 has outlined these three primary challenges as follows:

• Talent: Singapore’s enduring popularity as a business hub has made talent acquisition an ongoing challenge. To address this, Canvas8 established a satellite office in Manila, housing a highly skilled regional editorial team.
• Market Nuances: Each market in the Asia Pacific region has its unique cultural heritage, background, and economic outlook. To navigate this diversity, Canvas8 has built a network of local on-the-ground partners to ensure a deep understanding of each client's challenges.
• Changing Perception of Market Research: Morris emphasised that traditional market research has evolved, and businesses now seek more than just knowledge gathering. Canvas8 sets itself apart by blending market research, strategic consultancy, and trend forecasting to provide forward-thinking, insight-grounded solutions.

Morris said Canvas8’s expansion into APAC requires a unique approach. “We believe that market research was just about a gathering of knowledge. But actually, it could be so much more than that,” he said.

So, to set itself apart from traditional market research agencies, Canvas8 is combining three pillars: market research, strategic consultancy, and trend forecasting.

This blend enables the company to offer powerful, forward-thinking solutions that address clients' needs promptly and effectively. “When you put market research, strategic consultancy, and trend forecasting together, it becomes a strong, forward-thinking strategic advice, grounded in insights,” the Canvas8 CEO asserted.

For those interested in learning more about Canvas8 and its unique approach, Morris invites them to visit their website at www.Canvas8.com.

With its expansion into Singapore and the Philippines and a keen focus on key Asia Pacific markets, Canvas8 is poised to make a significant impact on the region’s business landscape.

The company’s innovative approach to research and insights positions it well to meet the evolving demands of businesses in this dynamic and rapidly growing part of the world.

“The challenge with a consultancy style solution is it takes many months, and many 1000s of dollars in order to get to an answer,” Morris said, adding that when it comes to Canvas8: “We have a large online membership offer, which has over 36,000 articles about people’s behavior across over 50 markets.”