SM Investments Corp. (SMIC), the holding company for the Philippines’ largest retail, real estate, and banking empire, is intensifying its digital communication strategy as it seeks to deepen transparency across its integrated business ecosystem.

The company’s online platform, SM In Focus, has reached more than 137,000 subscribers and generated over 2.5 million views since its inception in late 2024, the conglomerate said in a statement. The milestone underscores a shift in how the Sy-family-led group articulates its value creation to investors, partners, and the public as it manages a portfolio spanning SM Prime Holdings Inc., BDO Unibank Inc., and China Banking Corp.

The push for digital-first engagement comes as SM Investments navigates an evolving capital market environment where transparency and real-time data are increasingly prioritized by stakeholders.

By leveraging the platform, the group aims to provide structured insights into its operations, moving beyond traditional corporate disclosures to a more narrative-driven, accessible format.

Rico Hizon, the creator and host of SM In Focus, said the platform enhances the group’s ability to communicate its activities and outcomes in a consistent manner. The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between complex corporate strategy and general audience understanding, particularly as the group expands into high-growth sectors such as renewable energy and logistics.

The platform serves a dual purpose, functioning as both an external branding tool and an internal alignment mechanism. Contributors from various business units provide on-the-ground perspectives, which the company says reinforces a coordinated, enterprise-wide approach to communication. This internal collaboration is overseen by Elizabeth Anne Uychaco, Executive Vice President and Group Diversity Officer at SM Investments, who also serves as the platform's executive producer.

Uychaco noted that by engaging contributors from across the group’s diverse holdings, the platform strengthens collaboration and improves the articulation of the group’s long-term strategy and impact. To date, the channel has produced more than 440 videos and accumulated 14,000 watch hours, a metric the company views as a sign of sustained audience interest.

As SM Investments continues to scale its presence in the Philippine economy, the integration of data-driven communication strategies like SM In Focus is intended to offer a clearer view of the group’s long-term viability.

The conglomerate remains a bellwether for the Philippine economy, with its performance often reflecting the broader health of domestic consumption and credit markets. By consolidating its narrative into a single digital hub, the group is betting that a more transparent, media-rich approach will bolster its standing with both local and international market participants.