Quick answer: A digital marketing agency is not eligible for Malaysia Digital (MD) status: MDEC's guidelines list advertising, marketing and promotion as non-qualifying activities, along with advertorials and publications, event management, and traditional web design and development. A company that builds and operates its own marketing technology product, such as an analytics or automation platform, may map to a named area such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics or cloud computing, but must confirm with MDEC.
- Advertising, marketing and promotion are non-qualifying activities.
- Advertorials, publications and event management are also excluded.
- A marketing technology product is different from a marketing service.
- A product may map to AI, big data analytics or cloud, subject to MDEC's view.
- The company must perform the activities itself with two knowledge workers.
Service Versus Product
| Business model | Likely position |
|---|---|
| Agency running campaigns for clients | Excluded as advertising, marketing and promotion |
| Content marketing and advertorial | Excluded |
| Event marketing | Excluded as event management |
| Building a marketing analytics platform | May map to big data analytics or AI, confirm with MDEC |
| Building a marketing automation SaaS | May map to cloud-based applications, confirm with MDEC |
Related Exclusions Marketers Hit
| Excluded | Typical marketing example |
|---|---|
| Advertorial and publication | Sponsored articles and publications |
| Event management | Launch events and roadshows |
| Traditional web design | Brochure websites |
| Training and consultancy | Marketing training and strategy advice |
If You Want to Qualify
Separate service from product
Identify the technology you own.
Map the technology
AI, big data analytics or cloud applications.
Show the team
Two knowledge workers on the technology.
Keep services apart
Do not rely on agency revenue as the core.
Mistakes
Applying as an agency
Marketing services are excluded.
Relabelling services as technology
MDEC looks at what the company does.
Counting campaign staff
Knowledge workers must be on the MD activities.
Not sure where you stand? WhatsApp us. We will check it before you apply.
Three Scenarios
Scenario 1. A digital agency applies. Advertising and marketing are excluded.
Scenario 2. A company builds an audience analytics platform with its own engineers. It may map to big data analytics.
Scenario 3. A firm sells social media training. Training and consultancy are excluded.
How We Help
What we handle for you
Before you apply
- Test your activity, hiring plan and cost base against MDEC's conditions.
- Advise whether MD status, a tax incentive or both make sense for your business.
- Prepare your business plan and financial plan based on your company idea or business model.
Application
- Prepare and submit the application and answer MDEC's questions.
Why companies choose us
End-to-end under one roof
- We handle company incorporation, accounting and payroll, as well as MD status and expatriate pass applications, so your structure, records and hiring plan stay aligned.
- The company is set up correctly from day one.
We check before you invest
- We confirm eligibility, including whether you can hire the expatriates you need, before a foreign investor decides to incorporate in Malaysia.
- Neutral Consulting PLT is a Kuala Lumpur firm led by a Managing Partner who is a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers.
Is a digital marketing agency eligible for Malaysia Digital status?
No. Advertising, marketing and promotion are non-qualifying activities.
Does marketing technology qualify?
A product built and operated by your own company may map to AI, big data analytics or cloud, but confirm with MDEC.
Does SEO work qualify?
SEO services are a form of marketing and are excluded.
Does social media management qualify?
It is marketing and promotion, which are excluded.
Does content creation qualify?
Advertorial and publication are excluded. Creative media technology covers digital content such as animation and games, not marketing content.
Does web design qualify?
Traditional web design and development is excluded.
Does marketing consultancy qualify?
No. Training and consultancy are excluded.
Could a martech SaaS qualify?
It may, if it maps to a named area. Confirm with MDEC.
What if I do both services and a product?
The product activity should be genuine and distinct, with its own team and spend.
What staff are needed?
At least two full-time knowledge workers on the MD activities.
Who can confirm my model?
MDEC's Client Contact Centre at [email protected].
Can you assess my business?
Yes. We test your model against MDEC's areas and exclusions.
Sources
Official sources
This page is general information, not legal advice. Agencies change their requirements, so confirm the current rules with MDEC, or with us, before you act. Checked November 2026.
Talk To Us Now
Thinking of applying for MD status? We will assess it first. All consultations are by video call.