MarketingPulse and EtailingPulse – Asia’s top marketing and e-tailing conference – is back next month, with a raft of speakers from famous brands, including Farfetch, Naver Z Corp, Maison 21G, Mastercard, 9GAG, OnTheList, Big C Supercenter, Suntory and others.

A unique line-up of topics fills this year’s agenda: AI Marketing Mastery, K Pop for Marketing, Beyond Sustainability, Understanding Gen Alpha, Silver Marketing, brand story-telling, sensory marketing and omnichannel customer engagement. 

Scheduled for March 13 at the HKCEC, the two-in-one event offers Asia’s marketers, agencies and e-commerce experts learning, networking and career development opportunities as well as the chance to interact with business elites and be inspired by their experiences. 

Inside Retail Asia readers can receive an exclusive 40 per cent discount when booking their ticket here, using the code: MPR02D4P

Highlights of this year’s event include…

Navigating the Future of AI

Speaker: Zack Kass, AI futurist.

Zack Kass, an AI futurist, will address the future of AI applications in marketing, share his insights on the endless possibilities of AI, and provide brands and creative agencies with the tools to navigate its complexities. Kass, who was head of Go To Market with OpenAI from 2021 to 2023, promises to help delegates discover clarity in the sea of noise surrounding AI currently, empowering them to stay ahead of the ever-evolving global marketing arena. 

The Next Frontier of Marketing with K-pop and Cutting-Edge Technologies

Speaker: Jungsuk Jay Lee, chief ecosystem officer at Naver Z Corp (Zepeto).

Take a glimpse into the future as Naver’s Jungsuk Jay Lee explores the convergence of K-pop and technology in the realm of marketing. Lee will unveil the upcoming trends and tech that will enable brands to harness the power of K-pop in innovative ways, from Web3 to Virtual Human, the metaverse, and beyond. Attendees will discover how these new technologies will revolutionise fan experiences, content creation, and brand storytelling.  

Next-Level Luxury Engagement: Harnessing Omni-Channel Strategies to Captivate Affluent Consumers

Speaker: John W Danzi, head of partnerships Apac at Farfetch.

Branding veteran, Farfetch executive John W Danzi, will unlock the secrets to captivating affluent consumers, diving into the world of next-level luxury engagement, where omnichannel strategies take centre stage. Discover how to harness the power of multiple channels to create immersive brand experiences and forge deep connections with discerning consumers. Gain valuable insights and actionable strategies to elevate your luxury brand and stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of affluent consumer engagement.

The Conscious Consumer: How Sustainability & Circular Economy Drive Retail Success

Giovanni Musillo, MD (Hong Kong and Macau) at OnTheList

Moderator: Maggie Wong, CEO at VML HK.

How can sustainability and circular economy drive retail success? In a glimpse of the world of conscious consumerism, Giovanni Musillo, MD Hong Kong and Macau at e-commerce platform OntheList – a trailblazer at the forefront of the circular economy – will uncover the synergy between sustainability, marketing, and brand reputation. He will also shed some light on how green and social good initiatives resonate with conscious consumers, fostering brand loyalty and driving retail success.

Marketing Mastery: Malin+Goetz’s Journey from Boutique Beauty Brand to Global Genderless Beauty Icon

Bradley Horowitz, CEO at Malin+Goetz.

Moderator: David Ko, MD at Ruder Finn Interactive.

Take a deep dive into the marketing strategies that propelled Malin+Goetz from a boutique beauty brand to a globally renowned genderless clean beauty label. CEO Bradley Horowitz will share how the company used innovative marketing techniques, O2O channels, and brand storytelling to captivate audiences worldwide and build a loyal customer base. Gain valuable insights into their marketing playbook and learn how to apply their success principles to your brand.

Gen Alpha: Everything that Brands Need to Know 

Speakers: Simon Barnett, director of brand partnerships & advertising at Moonbug.

Dani Mariano, president of Razorfish. 

This session is dedicated to exploring the immense potential of the Gen Alpha market, explaining the unique characteristics, preferences, and behaviours of this influential generation, set to become the most digitally connected yet. Dani Mariano, president of agency Razorfish, will share the latest research on Gen Alpha’s consumer behaviour, offering insights to help brands effectively tap into this market. Alongside her, Simon Barnett, director of Moonbug Entertainment – the powerhouse behind popular IPs like Blippi and CoComelon – will share success stories and insights on effectively engaging Gen Alpha through captivating content and digital platforms.

Unveiling China’s Booming Silver Generation and Winning Strategies for Brands

Wenzhuo Wu, China managing editor at Jing Daily.

Led by digital media Jing Daily, which specialises in Mainland China’s luxury market, this session will shed light on the robust market potential presented by China’s affluent and sophisticated silver generation, equipping marketers with the knowledge and strategies necessary to effectively engage them. Discover how brands can effectively tap into this burgeoning market segment and understand their unique consumption behaviours and preferences.

Panel discussion: Next Level Sensory Marketing: Engaging the Senses for Lasting Brand Impressions

Panellists: Patrick Garvey, founding partner, We Are Pi, Yoji Minakuchi, chief design officer, Suntory Holdings, Johanna Monange, founder & CEO, Maison 21G, Julie Nestor, executive VP, head of marketing and communications, Asia Pacific, at Mastercard. 

Experienced panellists will unveil strategies for using the senses to create memorable and immersive brand experiences. From captivating visuals to tantalising tastes and aromas, discover how engaging multiple senses will help build deep connections with your customers. This discussion promises to deliver invaluable insights into the art of sensory marketing that will help you create transformative brand experiences that linger in the minds and hearts of consumers.

From Social Good to Customer Experience: Next-Level Brand Activation

Katsuaki Nagumo, CMO at Toridoll

Andrew Yeung, assistant GM (promotions & marketing), Harbour City Estates.

Marketing veterans from Harbour City and Toridoll (the parent company of Tam Jai) will provide deep insights into the strategic advantages of charity and non-profit marketing within brand partnerships and the emerging trends in customer and internal staff engagement through brand activation campaigns. They will showcase the impact of storytelling in creating emotional connections that drive long-term sustainable growth. 

Other sessions include: 

New Technologies to Enhance OMO Sales: How Data and Channel Partnership Benefits to Businesses (in association with IABHK) with Jidapa Jirarattanachan, head of cross-border e-commerce at Big C Supercenter, Janet Yuen, CEO – food group at Hung’s Food Group. 

How Memes are Shaping the Future of Brand Engagement & Content Creation in Web3 Era with Karen Cheng, head of social at 9GAG & Memeland.  

Meet the Leaders” dialogue series with Nick Cheuk, director and screenwriter of Time Still Turns the Pages and screenwriter of Paradox, who won the 60th Golden Horse Award for Best New Director; Tommie Lo, founder & CEO of Preface and KK Tsang, founder & CEO of The Bees.

• Book your ticket now for MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse 2024 on March 13. Be sure to enter your discount code MPR02D4P exclusive to Inside Retail readers and receive 40 per cent off the registration cost.