View source for Wah!Banana

[[File:Wah!Banana.jpg|thumb|''With more than a million subscribers, Wah!Banana is one of the most subscribed to YouTube channels in Singapore.'' ]]
Wah!Banana is a YouTube channel based in Singapore that is best known for its comedy skits. As of February 2020, Wah!Banana has more than 1,300,000 subscribers on YouTube with a weekly average of over 2,000,000 views.<ref>Wah!Banana. ''YouTube.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/user/wahbanana/videos</ref><ref>Wah!Banana. ''Socialblade.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/wahbanana</ref> The channel has also accumulated more than 143,000 followers on Instagram<ref>Wahbananasg. ''Instagram.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/wahbananasg/</ref> and 203,000 followers on Facebook.<ref>WahBanana. ''Facebook.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/pg/WahBananaSG/about/?ref=page_internal</ref> Wah!Banana was founded in 2012 as a trademark channel under Garena.<ref>Goody Feed Team. “[https://goodyfeed.com/10-relatively-unknown-facts-about-wahbanana-you-should-really-know-now/ 10 Relatively Unknown Facts About Wah!banana You Should Really Know Now]”. ''Goody Feed.'' May 18, 2016. Accessed on 31 January 2020. </ref> In 2016, it became the trademark YouTube channel for 01 Studio Private Limited.<ref>Xiong Lingyi. ''LinkedIn.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lingyi-xiong-2705326b/?originalSubdomain=sg</ref> Wah!Banana has collaborated with YouTubers like Wong Fu productions, Chubby Ninja, [[Ryan Sylvia (Night Owl Cinematics)|Night Owl Cinematics]], [[Dee Kosh (Darryl Koshy)|Dee Kosh]] and [[Thomas Kopankiewicz (Blysk)|Thomas Kopankiewicz]]. 

==Background==
[[File:Wah!Banana cast.jpg|thumb|''The cast of Wah!Banana pictured in 2017. Photo from [https://www.forbes.com/sites/joeescobedo/2017/03/01/how-singapores-most-popular-youtubers-promote-and-monetize-their-youtube-channel/#37d694367ce5 Forbes].'']]
===Early years===
The founding management team of Wah!Banana consisted of Janice Wong, Aaron Khoo, Elliot Lucas Marcell Tan,<ref>Wan, Munirah. “[https://www.youth.sg/Spotted/Groups/2013/3/Going-bananas We had a chat with Foxy and Djehuty from Wah! Banana. And we asked them about their love for bananas too!]” ''YouthSG.'' March 22, 2013. Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref> Xiong Lingyi<ref>Xiong Lingyi. ''LinkedIn.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lingyi-xiong-2705326b/?originalSubdomain=sg</ref> and Jason Hau.<ref>Jason Hau. ''LinkedIn.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-hau-30583250/</ref> By August 2013, the YouTube channel had a following of 100,000 subscribers.<ref>Tang, Nicholas. “[https://thesmartlocal.com/read/interview-with-aaron-khoo-djehuty Interview with Aaron Khoo (Djehuty) of Wah!Banana]”. ''TheSmartLocal''. August 11, 2013. Accessed on 26 June 2019.</ref> In January 2014, the original cast consisting of Aaron, Elliot and Janice left Garena to start up the YouTube channel -  TreePotatoes.<ref>TreePotatoes. “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0WY5lifQbs Why We Left (Tree Potatoes AMA)]”. ''YouTube''. January 13, 2014. Accessed on 26 June 2019.</ref>

===New owners (2016)===
[[File:Lingyi Wah!Banana.jpg|thumb|''Lingyi, the co-founder and primary producer of Wah!Banana. Photo from [http://shout.sg/a-day-in-the-life-lingyi-from-wahbanana/ SHOUT].'']]
Xiong Lingyi bought over Wah!Banana when she founded her own media company - 01 Studio Private Limited - in March 2016.<ref>Xiong Lingyi. ''LinkedIn.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lingyi-xiong-2705326b/?originalSubdomain=sg</ref> Since then, Lingyi and Jason have been leading Wah!Banana's content production in their capacity as Producer and Creative Director respectively.<ref>“[http://www.wahbanana.com/ Meet The Team]”. ''Wah!Banana''. Accessed on 26 June 2019.</ref> Wah!Banana's cast has also expanded to include personalities such as [[Eden Ang]], Kishan and Audrey.

===Business model===
Wah!Banana initially made profits using Google AdSense, where their YouTube videos were monetised through advertisements.<ref>Escobedo, Joe. “[https://www.forbes.com/sites/joeescobedo/2017/03/01/how-singapores-most-popular-youtubers-promote-and-monetize-their-youtube-channel/#3c75ad67ce50 How Singapore's Most Popular YouTubers Promote And Monetize Their YouTube Channel]”. ''Forbes.'' March 1, 2017. Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref> However, YouTube advertising alone did not generate enough revenue to sustain the company. In a 2017 interview with Forbes, Lingyi shared that they also advertised on Facebook, among other social media platforms, to gain traction for the Wah!Banana brand.<ref>Escobedo, Joe. “[https://www.forbes.com/sites/joeescobedo/2017/03/01/how-singapores-most-popular-youtubers-promote-and-monetize-their-youtube-channel/#3c75ad67ce50 How Singapore's Most Popular YouTubers Promote And Monetize Their YouTube Channel]”. ''Forbes.'' March 1, 2017. Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref> With an established online following, Wah!Banana secured paying clients through branded videos and native advertising.<ref>Chan, Choy Yu. “[http://shout.sg/a-day-in-the-life-lingyi-from-wahbanana/ A Day In The Life: Lingyi From Wah!banana]”. ''SHOUT''. August 24, 2018. Accessed on 26 June 2019.</ref>


Wah!Banana’s first client was IKEA in 2013.<ref>Escobedo, Joe. “[https://www.forbes.com/sites/joeescobedo/2017/03/01/how-singapores-most-popular-youtubers-promote-and-monetize-their-youtube-channel/#3c75ad67ce50 How Singapore's Most Popular YouTubers Promote And Monetize Their YouTube Channel]”. ''Forbes.'' March 1, 2017. Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref> Over the years, Wah!Banana has worked with a variety of notable travel, lifestyle, beauty and fashion brands like Airbnb, Disney, UNIQLO, UOB and Resorts World Singapore.<ref>“[http://www.wahbanana.com/ Our Clients]”. ''Wah!Banana''. Accessed on 26 June 2019.</ref> More recently, Wah!Banana partnered with the Health Promotion Board (HPB) in 2019 to promote the National Steps Challenge campaign.<ref>“[https://www.healthhub.sg/sites/assets/Assets/Programs/NSC-Youth/Season-4/pdfs/TCs_Social_Media_Contests_Feb2019.pdf NATIONAL STEPS CHALLENGE<sup>TM</sup> SEASON 4 WAH!BANANA TAKES ON NSC4 WITH MUSIC TERMS & CONDITIONS]”. ''HPB.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref>

==Content growth==
[[File:The New Guy in Town Wah!Banana.jpg|thumb|''Wah!Banana's "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI1XVm1Jk04 The New Guy in Town]" won Best Singapore Online Video in the “My Singapore Future” Micro Film Competition (2017).'']]

===Comedy YouTube channel===
Under Garena, Wah!Banana was primarily a gaming YouTube channel producing gaming-related comedies. Their content has evolved over the years to include comedy skits inspired by trending topics and pop-culture.<ref>Escobedo, Joe. “[https://www.forbes.com/sites/joeescobedo/2017/03/01/how-singapores-most-popular-youtubers-promote-and-monetize-their-youtube-channel/#3c75ad67ce50 How Singapore's Most Popular YouTubers Promote And Monetize Their YouTube Channel]”. ''Forbes.'' March 1, 2017. Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref> This ensured that their content remains relatable to the majority of Singaporeans. In 2018, about 40% of the channel's viewers are based in Singapore.<ref>Chan, Choy Yu. “[http://shout.sg/a-day-in-the-life-lingyi-from-wahbanana/ A Day In The Life: Lingyi From Wah!banana]”. ''SHOUT''. August 24, 2018. Accessed on 26 June 2019.</ref> It also has an international viewership from countries like the US, UK, Australia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.<ref>Chan, Choy Yu. “[http://shout.sg/a-day-in-the-life-lingyi-from-wahbanana/ A Day In The Life: Lingyi From Wah!banana]”. ''SHOUT''. August 24, 2018. Accessed on 26 June 2019.</ref> 

===Wah!Banana Too (2017)===
In January 2017, Wah!Banana debuted its sister YouTube channel - “Wah!banana Too”. Wah!Banana Too differs from the main channel in that it uploads lifestyle,<ref>Wah!Banana Too. “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUyO5tJdaAA Fatness Challenge Round 2]”. ''YouTube.'' April 12, 2019. Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref> travel<ref>Wah!Banana Too. “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO2GpfTCeZw Amazing Race in Tainan]”. ''YouTube.'' October 25, 2019. Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref> and entertainment videos compared to just comedy skits. It also occasionally uploads behind-the-scenes footage<ref>Wah!Banana Too. “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri8o0A_raL4 Bloopers: If Everbody Was Sarcastic]”. ''YouTube.'' September 30, 2018. Accessed on 17 February 2020.</ref> and more informal videos featuring the cast members.<ref>Wah!Banana Too. “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jzml7vcZac Wah!Banana O'Clock - Fish AMA]”. ''YouTube.'' January 24, 2020. Accessed on 12 February 2020.</ref> As of February 2020, the channel has 115,000 subscribers with a weekly average of 300,000 views.<ref>Wah!Banana Too. ''Socialblade.'' Accessed on 17 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UC2KpFcpMiYXaomrhQEtx5Mw</ref> 

==Awards & accolades==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Awarding Organisation
!Event
!Award Title
!Refs.
|-
|2018
|YouTube
| -
|YouTube Gold Play Button
|<ref>Chan, Choy Yu. “[http://shout.sg/a-day-in-the-life-lingyi-from-wahbanana/ A Day In The Life: Lingyi From Wah!banana]”. ''SHOUT''. August 24, 2018. Accessed on 26 June 2019.</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |2017
|Gushcloud
|Influence Asia 2017
|Top YouTube Channel
|<ref>“[https://influence-asia.com/2017-winners Winners]”. ''Influence Asia.'' Accessed on 12 February 2020.</ref>
|-
|Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Association (SFCCA)
|“My Singapore Future” Micro Film Competition
|Best Singapore Online [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI1XVm1Jk04 Video] Award
|<ref>WahBanana. ''Facebook.'' June 24, 2017. Accessed on 12 February  2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/WahBananaSG/photos/a.142753205883258/775332879291951/?type=3&theater</ref><ref>“[https://www.sfcca.sg/en/node/2076 My Singapore Future” Micro Film Competition Award Ceremony]”. ''SFCCA.'' June 24, 2017. Accessed on 12 February 2020.</ref>
|-
|2015
|Singapore Media Awards (SMA)
|Singapore Social Media Awards
|Comedy [https://vulcanpost.com/232171/singapore-social-media-awards-2015/ Video] of the Year
|<ref>Liang, Hwei. “[https://vulcanpost.com/232171/singapore-social-media-ards-2015/ Singapore Social Media Awards Kicks Off With Wins For Night Owl Cinematics, MunahHirziOfficial, & Caracal]”. ''Vulcan Post.'' May 4, 2015. Accessed on 12 February 2020.</ref>
|}

==Charitable partnerships & advocacy==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Organisation
!Event
!Refs.
|-
|2018
|Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
|Suicide Prevention Day 2018
|<ref>“[https://www.sos.org.sg/campaign/world-suicide-prevention-day-2018 World Suicide Prevention Day 2018]”. ''SOS.'' Accessed on 31 January 2020. </ref>
|-
|2016
|World Wildlife Federation (WWF)
|Sustainable Seafood Challenge
|<ref>WWF Singapore. “[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2yd6yeqsfw&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2an1Z1nxepAFQVtaRVKYW6mKcB2c_KRTkCBkLWMbOwvNybimvggSVTTrU Wah!Banana challenges Chef Lucas of Grand Hyatt for a sustainable salmon dish! | WWF-Singapore]”. ''YouTube.'' December 8, 2016. Accessed on 12 February 2020.</ref>
|-
|2015
|KindnessInspired and Make a Wish Foundation Malaysia
|Fundraising @ Sunway Pyramid, Kuala Lumpur
|<ref>Wah!Banana. ''Facebook.'' December 17, 2015. Accessed on 12  February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/WahBananaSG/photos/a.142753205883258/512311108927464/?type=1&theater</ref>
|}

==References / Citations==
<references />
[[Category:Singapore Brands]]