On October 16, 2025, Google Hong Kong and AnyMind Group co-hosted an exclusive industry event bringing together marketers and partners to explore the fast-evolving world of short-form video—a format reshaping engagement strategies across Greater China and beyond.
The event opened with a deep dive into the current short video ecosystem. Recent market analysis reveals that TikTok dominates the Hong Kong market with 32% platform preference, closely trailed by YouTube (29%), Instagram (28%), and Facebook (10%). This trend mirrors a broader APAC movement where users are shifting from passive video consumption to active content creation. CapCut’s continued presence among the top app downloads coupled with the success of short drama platforms like Hongguo (红果短剧) in Mainland China highlights the growing demand for immersive video narratives.
Douyin’s top-three ranking in Hong Kong’s app downloads further confirms the region’s appetite for engaging short video content. These platforms collectively attract billions of users, particularly Gen Z audiences who drive TikTok’s rapid growth and influence.
Google’s Insight: The Rise of Short Drama
Gloria Chow, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Google, illuminated the evolution of short drama. Defined as serialized, emotionally-driven stories in 1 to 3-minute episodes optimized for mobile, short drama has grown into a robust ecosystem.
This content format is supported by an integrated partnership model combining AI-powered content creation tools, copyright and IP protection, and monetization mechanisms. This seamless approach fuels content flow and audience expansion across domestic and global markets.
Gloria highlighted core user bases in China, Hong Kong, and APAC, with significant export traction in North America and Europe. The monetization mix blends rewarded ads, microtransactions, subscriptions, and branded partnerships, reflecting a fundamental shift in brand engagement through storytelling.
AnyMind’s Strategic Launch: ACQUA-Shorts (AqX)
Anson Cheng, Head of Supply Side Management at AnyMind Group, spotlighted the strategic impact of short video on local marketing trends. The event marked the launch of a groundbreaking AI-powered solution: ACQUA-Shorts (AqX).
AqX harnesses a unique AI Content Matching System that connects native content with the most engaged audience segments. Fully integrated with AnyMind’s publisher network, AqX delivers content across apps, connected TVs, and web platforms using dynamic ad formats including instream video, display banners, and rewarded videos.
Anson emphasized how AqX empowers publishers, creators, and advertisers to capitalize on booming short-form consumption and evolving revenue models, positioning AnyMind at the forefront of this digital engagement revolution.
Integrating Short and Long-Form: HK01’s Success Story
Ken Chow, Senior Manager of Product Operations, and Bernice Wong, News Video Supervisor at HK01, shared valuable insights on blending short and long-form content to build sustained brand engagement.
Their presentation underlined the importance of combining bite-sized stories with richer narratives to reach audiences effectively across multiple touchpoints. Short videos capture initial attention, while longer content deepens relationship and loyalty — a winning formula for modern content strategy.
Boosting Media Efficiency with DV360
Yoyo Yiu, Account Manager at Google Marketing Platform, shared expert tips for optimizing programmatic video advertising with DV360. By leveraging precise targeting, automated optimization, and robust measurement tools, brands can maximize ROI even in today’s fragmented attention economy.
Her session reinforced how technology-driven media buying fuels more efficient ad spend and higher engagement outcomes.
Key Takeaways from the Event
Google’s insights into the short-drama boom highlight new opportunities for advertisers — opportunities that AnyMind’s AqX solution is designed to help brands capture and monetize efficiently.
- From Consumption to Creation: A major shift from passive viewing to active creation, fueled by TikTok and top-tier editing tools like CapCut.
- APAC Leading the Charge: Advanced markets are setting the trend; the success of narrative-driven platforms like Hongguo (红果短剧) shows a growing demand for sophisticated, immersive content.
- The Blueprint for Engagement: Short-form video must become a core part of your strategy for communication, commerce, and culture.
- AI-Powered Monetization: AnyMind’s AqX provides a cutting-edge platform to unlock revenue potential across diverse short video channels.
Thank you to our partners from Google and HK01, and to all attendees for their contributions. As short-form video continues to redefine the digital landscape, AnyMind stands ready to help brands and publishers harness its potential with our new AQ-X solution. For bespoke strategy consultations, reach out to our Hong Kong team—let’s shape the next wave of digital engagement together.
Source: AnyMind Group 2024/25 Asia Short Video Trend Factsheet, 2025
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