Taobao Partnered With Zhang Linghe for 11.11 Sale
The platform has teamed up with the actor for a treasure hunt and regional campaign ahead of its annual November shopping event.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Couponing
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Taobao has officially partnered with actor Zhang Linghe to promote its annual 11.11 sale. The collaboration includes a new themed app interface and a treasure hunt that runs through November 13.
Why it matters
Taobao selected the actor for this campaign due to his significant popularity across South-east Asia. The move aims to drive engagement during the massive retail event by leveraging his fan base.
The campaign categorizes the platform into six pillars: quality, taste, lifestyle, trendy, smart, and surprise. Users participate by collecting points through daily tasks to redeem digital gifts and merchandise.
The players
Taobao
This is a major Chinese online shopping platform owned by Alibaba Group that facilitates consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer retail.
Zhang Linghe
He is a 28-year-old actor known for starring in the 40-episode drama Pursuit of Jade, which previously reached a peak ranking of 5th on the Netflix Global Top 10.
The details
The interactive treasure hunt encourages users to earn Ling points by browsing items, placing orders, and inviting friends. Marketing efforts supporting the initiative include billboards, video spots, and 3D displays located in Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.
Timeline
The campaign and promotional video launched on October 14, 2026.
An offline event is scheduled in Hong Kong for October 15, 2026.
An offline event is scheduled in Kuala Lumpur for October 24, 2026.
Zhang Linghe will host an in-app livestream on November 11, 2026.
The treasure hunt campaign concludes on November 13, 2026.
Culture Shift
This partnership follows a pattern set by the 11.11 Singles' Day global shopping festival by using celebrity influence to maximize seasonal consumer spending. It highlights how major retail platforms increasingly rely on cross-border cultural appeal to compete for attention in the digital marketplace.
Shoppers can participate in the treasure hunt by browsing and ordering to accumulate points for digital rewards. Those located in Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur may also attend specific offline events to engage with the campaign.
The takeaway
Fans of the actor and regular platform users can maximize their savings by completing the daily tasks required to earn points. Participating early allows users to build up their point balances well before the major livestream event on November 11.
Further reading
For more on seasonal shopping strategies, visit the Couponing section.
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Do celebrity partnerships influence your decision to shop during major online sales events?
