• The MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences ran in parallel at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) yesterday, attracting more than 1,600 industry professionals from 22 countries and regions
• About 80 expert speakers from around the world presented at some 30 sessions, InnoTalks and digital marketing and e-tailing workshops, as well as the "Meet the Leaders" dialogue series
• Mainland e-commerce giants shared insights on how to target the rapidly growing and increasingly influential Gen Z market and the female-driven "she economy"

HONG KONG, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) staged the parallel MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) yesterday, running under the theme Inspiring Possibilities. This year's conferences featured approximately 30 sessions, InnoTalks, digital marketing and e-tailing workshops as well as the "Meet the Leaders" dialogue series, attracting more than 1,600 industry professionals from 22 countries and regions.

In her welcoming remarks, HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said: "Changing market conditions and consumer behaviour and rapidly emerging trends are part of what makes operating in the marketing and e-commerce ecosystems exciting, enabling them to evolve and grow for the better. It is up to us all to ride this wave of transformation with agility, coupled with a healthy dose of tenacity and grit. One of our main goals in organising MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse is to encourage industry players to understand and embrace the latest developments and trends to help them achieve their marketing and e-commerce aims."

This year, some 80 international cross-industry leaders joined the conferences to explore the latest trends and innovative strategies in brand marketing. Key topics in five highlight areas included the application of data and artificial intelligence (AI), the integration of art, music and culture in marketing strategies, and the rising importance of inclusive marketing with a focus on neurodiversity. Another highlight of the event was an in-depth discussion on the development potential of the ASEAN and halal markets, and an analysis of the impact of the single-person household trend on consumer behaviour and marketing approaches. Speakers shared insights on market dynamics, effective strategies and successful case studies, and had the opportunity to explore unique perspectives to help them uncover cross-disciplinary opportunities.

Data and AI innovation

Accurate customer data analysis not only helps to strengthen a company's image but is also crucial for fulfilling brand promises and maintaining a competitive edge in a crowded market. In a captivating presentation, Nikkia Reveillac, Director (Global) of Consumer Insights at Netflix (2021-2024), explored how to leverage data to drive comprehensive brand innovation from the inside out. She emphasised that the key to customer loyalty is to understand the customers by transforming data into insightful perspectives. "It's about having a deep curiosity to understand the customer, in order to understand the deeper customer motivation and unspoken needs. Breakthrough brilliance doesn't always require companies to create something new; small improvements can take a bigger role in making a bigger difference to the customer," she said.

As AI technology matures both locally and globally, it is rapidly reshaping the marketing and branding landscape. Prof Darren Thayre, Head of Innovation for Global Strategic Initiatives at Google and Brian Hui, Managing Director, Head of Customer Propositions and Marketing for Wealth and Personal Banking (WPB) Hong Kong at HSBC, offered insights into innovative applications of AI, turning imagination into opportunities, and how brands can leverage AI to craft compelling brand narratives, enhance storytelling and design breakthrough campaigns.

Seizing e-commerce opportunities in the ASEAN market

The diversified economic landscape of the ASEAN region has emerged rapidly in recent years. Hong Kong businesses are demonstrating significant advantages in tapping into opportunities within this market, helped by government initiatives announced in the latest budget. HKTDC Research presented the full report of its study, "ASEAN e-Commerce opportunities: Insights on Consumer Behaviours and Positioning of Hong Kong Products", at the event.

Galvin Chia, the HKTDC's Principal Economist (Asian and Emerging Markets), led a session at eTailingPulse to offer an in-depth analysis of consumer behaviour and market trends among consumers in six key ASEAN markets. Nick Chiu, Head of Sales, SME & Growth of Airwallex, joined the session and shared his view about the ASEAN market. He remarked: "Success in ASEAN e-commerce comes from understanding local markets, optimising cross-border collections and payouts, and partnering with trusted providers to reduce friction, build trust, and scale efficiently across the region."

Mainland China market targets Gen Z and the "she economy"

The e-commerce market in Mainland China is booming and leading the world. The conferences focused on the increasing purchasing power of Gen Z consumers and the "she economy" that is dominated by female consumption patterns. E-commerce giants Meituan and POIZON target high-priced consumer goods and have launched multiple strategies aimed specifically at Gen Z customers. Chen Yi-Fang, Head of Meituan Le Life Business Department, said: "Happiness-driven entertainment consumption is the new trend for Gen Z. They like to utilise different online platforms and use AI to discover new interests and make cost-effective purchases." He added that Meituan engages with Gen Z through intellectual property (IP) crossovers.

Music economy, celebrities and influencers build distinct brand image

Hang Seng Bank's Chief Marketing Officer Jordan Cheung to offer insights into how collaborations between brands and celebrities can attract potential customers and unleash the influence of the brand through the "music economy". Cheung explained that music is a unifying force that could connect with people from all walks of life. "By integrating music into the brand's core, we're able to implement this into our marketing campaigns and establish emotional connection with our customers," he said. "Music and event sponsorships, partnerships with co-organisers and curating unique experiences with celebrities has enabled us to attract and engage with customers. This has had a positive impact on our overall brand image."

Celebrities and stars are a magnet for public attention, which is why many brands invite artists to support their promotional activities. In recent years, many artists have started to leverage their fame to transition into influencers. Grace Chan, another successful actress-turned-influencer, shared her personal experiences operating on both traditional and digital platforms and revealed her secret to becoming a successful content creator.

Several other local and overseas marketing experts shared their insights at the event, including Matthew Li, Head of Brand and Marketing at DECATHLON Hong Kong; Fabien Vallérian, International Director of Arts & Culture at LVMH's Maison Ruinart; Joseph Chen, Director of Culture at Eaton HK; Tony Chen, Director of Public Affairs at Taobao & Tmall Group; and Vishal Salunkhe, Vice President, Head of Commercial at Carousell.

Expanding the industry's business potential

The conferences featured an exhibition area at which more than 40 marketing services and e-commerce solutions suppliers showcased a wide range of high-quality products and services to participants from Hong Kong and abroad, offering them the chance to gain the latest market intelligence and learn best practices directly from industry leaders.

Datawords was one of the exhibitors at this year's Pulse events. Its APAC CEO, Christophe Jourdain, said: "Our main objective for joining the events is to better understand the marketing trends in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, and to network and meet potential partners. We also want to know what questions exhibitors and attendees have in terms of market trends and their marketing approach. We've made business contacts at the events. They come from Mainland China, France and Australia. We also had several business matching meetings with companies from Hong Kong and Korea whose businesses are relevant with ours."

More than 160 business matching meetings were arranged during the conferences, helping attendees to discuss opportunities with some of Asia's top marketers, agile agencies and leading e-commerce experts.

Industry support facilitates interaction, conferences remain online

MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse were supported by a several organisations and industry associations, including the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong, Guangdong Live Streaming Electronic Commerce Association, the Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce, Hong Kong Federation of Live Commerce, Hong Kong Public Relations Professionals' Association, IAB Hong Kong and PRHK.

Industry professionals will be able to access the online MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse platforms from today until 19 April, offering participants the opportunity to revisit both events and take advantage of many different features.

Websites

MarketingPulse: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en

eTailingPulse: https://etailingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/etp/en

Photo download: https://bit.ly/4j0j9O3

Media enquiries

Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC 

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn

• This year's MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences will be held on 19 March under the theme Inspiring Possibilities, bringing together global marketing and e-commerce experts to share forward-looking insights and practical experiences and offer inspiration and actionable strategies to attendees
• The conferences will explore cutting-edge trends and innovative strategies in marketing, including the application of data and AI, the integration of art, music and culture in marketing strategies, and the rising importance of inclusive marketing with a focus on neurodiversity
• Another highlight will be an in-depth discussion on the development potential of the ASEAN and halal markets, and the untapped potential of pet KOLs in shaping effective branding and merchandising and creating strong emotional connections with audiences
• An impressive roster of cross-disciplinary marketing leaders and industry pioneers will share their expertise at the conferences, including:
  • Nikkia Reveillac, Director (Global), Consumer Insights at Netflix (2021-2024)
  • Prof Darren Thayre, Head of Innovation, Global Strategic Initiatives at Google
  • Prof Dr Thomas Girst, Global Head of Cultural Engagement, BMW Group
  • Fabien Vallérian, International Director of Arts & Culture at LVMH's Maison Ruinart
  • Tony Chen, Director of Public Affairs at Taobao & Tmall Group
  • Tina Zhao, Marketing Director, Global Business Solutions, Xiaohongshu
  • Edward Bell, General Manager, Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications, Cathay Pacific Airways
  • Yi-Fang Chen, Head of Leisure and Beauty Business Department, Meituan
  • Jordan Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer, Hang Seng Bank
  • Matthew Li, Head of Brand and Marketing at Decathlon Hong Kong 

HONG KONG, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host the 2025 MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on 19 March. A premier event on the Asia-Pacific marketing and e-commerce landscape for many years, this year's conferences are bringing together close to 80 global elites from diverse industry sectors, including influential marketing experts, economists, retail giants, brand strategists, advertising and PR professionals and e-commerce leaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore forward-thinking market dynamics, emerging trends, innovative marketing strategies and compelling success stories.

Themed Inspiring Possibilities, the conferences aim to turn visionary ideas into actionable strategies and spark cross-disciplinary collaboration. This year's event will cover a variety of marketing hot topics including leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovative marketing strategies; integrating art, music and culture into brand marketing to explore new frontiers; embracing neurodiversity to foster more inclusive marketing perspectives; capturing opportunities in the ASEAN and halal markets; empowering the "she economy" in Mainland China; and using innovative AI solutions to enhance competitiveness in this new market segment.

Experts explore data-driven innovation in marketing

The conferences will feature heavyweight speaker Nikkia Reveillac, Director (Global) of Consumer Insights at Netflix (2021-2024), in a session titled "From Insights to Breakthroughs: Unleashing Innovation through Customer Insights". Ms Reveillac will draw on her experience at Netflix, Twitter and Colgate-Palmolive to share how data-driven insights can ignite innovation.

Analysing e-commerce opportunities in the ASEAN market

As one of the world's fastest-growing regions, ASEAN offers huge economic potential. The diverse economic landscape is leading to the rapid mainstream adoption of e-commerce across the region. Galvin Chia, HKTDC Principal Economist (Asian and Emerging Markets), will present key insights from a research report that explores consumer behavior and market trends across ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. This session will also provide participants with valuable insights into ASEAN consumers' perceptions of Hong Kong brands, as well as practical strategies to successfully navigate this dynamic market and harness the opportunities of its thriving e-commerce sector. Representatives from local consumer brands, leading e-commerce platforms and cross-border e-commerce payment services – all of which have already achieved notable success in the ASEAN market – will share their experiences and proven strategies for businesses looking to expand into ASEAN and capitalise on the region's growing opportunities.

AI-driven digital transformation and boosting the "she economy"

As AI technology continues to advance, its applications in marketing and brand promotion are driving significant innovation and breakthroughs. Prof Darren Thayre, Head of Innovation and Global Strategic Initiatives at Google, will join Brian Hui, Managing Director and Head of Customer Propositions and Marketing for Wealth and Personal Banking (WPB) at HSBC Hong Kong, to present a session titled "Journey to the AI Era: Unleashing Digital Transformation Potentials". The speakers will provide a strategic overview of the current state of AI, offering insights into its impact on brand and marketing strategies and exploring how to leverage AI to drive transformation, address challenges, create innovative strategies and reshape industry standards.

In addition, Tony Chen, Director of Public Affairs at Taobao & Tmall Group, will share insights into the "she economy" – the increasingly powerful impact of female shoppers and women entrepreneurs, and illustrate how AI technology is helping to offer personalised shopping experiences and elevating customer service standards in his session "Empowering the She Economy: Leveraging AI Innovations for Enhanced E-commerce Marketing on Taobao & Tmall".

Integrating art, culture and music into brand promotion

The intersection of art, culture, music and business is unlocking new opportunities for brand marketing. Prof Dr Thomas Girst, Global Head of Cultural Engagement at the BMW Group, has led the company's cultural initiatives since 2003, including BMW's collaborations with various artists to create multiple BMW Art Cars, while UOB Hong Kong has run the annual UOB Art in Ink Awards since 2017 to discover local artistic talents, encourage artistic innovations and rejuvenate time-honoured Chinese artistic traditions. In a session titled "Art & Culture for Global Brand Marketing: Forget the Cliché Gallery Sponsorship", Prof Dr Girst and Marietta Li, Head of Strategic Communications, Brand and Customer Insights, Hong Kong and Taiwan, UOB and Director of the UOB Art Academy, will join marketing and branding experts from renowned international brands Maison Ruinart and Ovolo Hotels to explore innovative ways to redefine the role of art and culture in global brand marketing, challenge traditional marketing paradigms, and share effective strategies for communicating brand values and stories through artistic development and cultural engagement.

In a session titled "The Soundtrack of Success: Decoding the ROI of 'Music Economy for Harnessing Brand Power'", ChillGOOD TV founder Leo Ku will join forces with Jordan Cheung, Chief Marketing Officer at Hang Seng Bank, and Kenny Sham, General Manager (Hong Kong & Macau) at Klook, to share insights on music marketing, examine the evolvement and commercialisation of Ku's music platform, and explore how brands can leverage on music to engage with customers and optimise their marketing return on investment.

How neurodiversity marketing sparks emotional resonance

In today's evolving marketing landscape, Joseph Chen, Director of Culture at Eaton HK, is committed to advancing social inclusion and fostering diverse development. Chen will be joined by Kevin Chesters, a neurodiversity advocate and marketing practitioner, for a discussion titled "Brains in Bloom – Cultivating Neurodiverse Marketing Landscapes. They will explore how brands can craft their narratives through innovative marketing strategies that embrace a neurodiversity perspective. Participants will discover how different approaches can foster deep emotional connections with neurodiverse audiences while championing the value of diversity in society.

Connecting with Gen Z consumers

Join representatives from Beijing Tong Ren Tang, POIZON, Taobao Papahome and Meituan to discover how traditional brands can revitalise their image through innovative concepts and appealing to youthful trendsetters in Mainland China.

Supporting start-ups and fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs is a key priority for the HKTDC. In the "Meet the Leaders' Dialogue Series", Matthew Li, Head of Brand and Marketing at Decathlon Hong Kong, will share valuable insights into how the brand has been successful in earning the loyalty of Hong Kong consumers. Joining him, Frankie Chow, Founder of CLS Holiday, will discuss the creation and commercial success of Asia's first "mystery box travel tour", while Jacopo Contiero, Founder of Jacomax & Jacopo Only Friends, will showcase his innovative cross-industry promotional strategies. This session will provide the audience with fresh perspectives on incorporating surprise and creativity into branding, offering practical inspiration for businesses aiming to stand out in a competitive market.

In addition, local celebrity Natalie Tong will share her experience as she transitions from television actress to successful entrepreneur and her journey in personal brand building, while Grace Chan will share on her journey from being a successful actress to becoming a prominent KOL.

The conferences will feature an exhibition area showcasing more than 40 exhibitors from Hong Kong and across the Asia-Pacific region, including Datawords Hong Kong and Kantar Hong Kong, offering the latest market intelligence, marketing and e-tailing solutions. Practical workshops on digital strategies will feature industry experts sharing actionable skills and insights that can help to boost market competitiveness. Participants can also engage in networking sessions and the one-to-one business matching service offered by the HKTDC. This unique service is designed to create new collaborations and unlock untapped opportunities tailored for attendees' growth and success.

For more details, including the latest programme and speaker list, please visit:

https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en.

For interviews with speakers, please email katy.ky.wong@hktdc.orgmailto: and jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org who will be in touch to follow up.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/4ifzP3S

Websites

MarketingPulse
Conference website: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en
Conference programme: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en/programme
Speaker list: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en/speaker

eTailingPulse: https://etailingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/etp/en
EntertainmentPulse: https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/conference/hkfilmart/en

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn

• The parallel MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) today featured about 80 speakers from around the world who presented at over 30 sessions, InnoTalks and digital marketing and e-tailing workshops
• The conferences attracted more than 1600 industry professionals from 20 countries and regions
• Discussions focused on technology; AI futurist Zack Kass revealed the opportunities AI brought and suggested marketers embrace the change with optimism

HONG KONG, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) held the parallel MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) today. Themed Envision the Next Level, the conferences featured over 30 sessions, InnoTalks and digital marketing and e-tailing workshops, attracting more than 1600 industry professionals from 20 countries and regions.

In her welcoming remarks, HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said: "The marketing and e-tailing industries are in constant search of innovative strategies that can reinforce those treasured connections between brands and their consumer base. And that is what MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse are about. This two-in-one event brings together the most creative minds from around the world to exchange insights on the latest trends and opportunities in marketing and e-tailing and to facilitate collaboration."

Some 80 speakers from across the globe addressed topics ranging from AI marketing, purpose marketing, national trends and K-Pop for marketing. On targeting age groups, speakers discussed tactics and strategies for the Gen Alpha and silver markets. Other speakers discussed sustainability, sensory marketing, genderless marketing and brand storytelling.

AI and other technologies change marketing world
Having radically changed the world, artificial intelligence is playing a growing role in marketing. AI Futurist Zack Kass, former Head of Go To Market at OpenAI, analysed AI trends in marketing, said AI adoption was creating more powerful, efficient agents in the industry. "It's no longer when you should adopt, but what you should adopt," Mr Kass said, emphasising the urgency. On the public concerns that AI agents would replace human beings, Mr Kass said: "We get to decide what is the line between human and machine and we want to be very clear about it." He urged his audience to "embrace the change with optimism".  

Karen Cheng, the Head of Social at 9GAG, discussed the transformative impact of memes on brand engagement and content creation in the Web3 era. She said that using memes involved a long-term strategy which impacted business, and pointed out that technology impacted all ages groups. She said: "Business should constantly create value for these holders and influence people to create a community."

National trends define direction 
The national trends discussion combined Chinese elements with contemporary cultural trends. Yinan Wang, Director of the Digital and Information Management Centre and iMoutai Department, Kweichow Moutai, described how the brand innovatively brought the national beverage Moutai to the younger generation. He said the firm established a Maoxiaoling brand of liquor infused chocolates with a trendy image to target customers aged 25 to 50. Mr Wang said: "Youth easily change their tastes, the focus is how to keep them with you, this is the challenge."

Purpose marketing success story
Purpose marketing has received significant attention. Ibby Abutarboush, former Brand Defining & Purpose Marketing Director of Nike, emphasised the importance of brand-building and consumer experiences, saying: "It is very important to understand your consumer and your community. Change is ever constant, and our community is becoming more global than ever." On the experience of Nike brand building, he believed the power of sport was underpinned by the power of people. He emphasised the importance of staying committed and working with the right partners.

Overseas marketing experts presented their ideas, including Jungsuk Jay Lee, recent Chief Ecosystem Officer of NAVER Z Corp (ZEPETO); Dani Mariano, President of Razorfish; Simon Barnett, Director of Brand Partnerships & Advertising of Moonbug Entertainment, which distributes IP rights for children's entertainment brands Blippi and Cocomelon; Giovanni Musillo, Managing Director (Hong Kong and Macao) of OnTheList; Patrick Garvey, Founding Partner of WE ARE Pi, a renowned advertising agency in the Netherlands; Yoji Minakuchi, Fellow & Chief Design Officer of Suntory Holdings from Japan; Johanna Monange, Founder and CEO of Maison 21G, a perfume brand from France; Julie Nestor, Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing and Communications of Asia Pacific for Mastercard; and Bradley Horowitz, CEO of MALIN+GOETZ, a skincare brand from New York.

Participants exchange insights, seize opportunities
At the conferences, 40 marketing services and e-commerce solutions suppliers presented diverse and quality marketing services to attendees from Hong Kong and overseas. At the event to find service providers, Trai Sasatavadhana, Business Development Director from Ananda Development Public Company Limited, Thailand, welcomed the exhibition. He said: "The event exceeded my expectations, and I can really feel that the city is ready to restart. There were a lot of interesting solutions, great speakers and topics discussed."

More than 150 business matching sessions helped brand and marketing company representatives work together. At the end of the event, a performance by singers JW and DJ King helped attendees unwind, connect and broaden their networks.

Supports from industry facilitate interaction
MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse were supported by a number of organisations and industry associations, including the Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce, Hong Kong Federation of Live Commerce, Hong Kong Public Relations Professionals' Association, Hang Seng Bank, EternityX and the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong, and IAB Hong Kong powered by HKDMA.

Video on-demand pass available until 13 April
Industry professionals will be able to access the online MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse platform from tomorrow, 14 March, until 13 April, offering a chance to take advantage of the many features of the platform and revisit the events online.

MarketingPulse website: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en
eTailingPulse website: https://etailingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/etp/en

Photo download: https://bit.ly/43enXZE 

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Katy Wong                Tel: (852) 2584 4524                       Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Phyllis Tsang             Tel: (852) 2584 4288                       Email: phyllis.km.tsang@hktdc.org

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC 
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

• MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse will run on 13 March under the theme Envision the Next Level, offering a platform where participants and industry elites can exchange ideas and seize opportunities
• The conferences will focus on discussing the hottest global topics such as AI marketing mastery, brand defining and purpose marketing, national trends, K-Pop for marketing, tactics and strategies for the Gen Alpha and silver markets, sustainability, sensory marketing as well as brands storytelling
• Speakers includes Zack Kass, AI Futurist and former Head of Go To Market at OpenAI, Jungsuk Jay Lee, Recent Chief Ecosystem Officer of NAVER Z Corp, the metaverse unit of Korean internet giant NAVER, Ibby Abutarboush, former Brand Defining & Purpose Marketing Director of Nike and Brand Marketing Consultant of Arsenal Football Club and Enan Wang, senior marketing executive of Kweichow Moutai

HONG KONG, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will hold the parallel MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on 13 March. With some 70 speakers from around the world, including chief marketing officers, retailers, brand representatives, agencies and e-commerce experts, this 2-in-1 event will feature discussions on marketing experiences, success stories, market strategies and trends.

Themed Envision the Next Level, the conferences will focus on topics from AI marketing mastery, brand defining and purpose marketing, national trends, K-Pop for marketing, tactics and strategies for the Gen Alpha and silver markets, sustainability, sensory marketing as well as brand storytelling. Participants can exchange insights with industry elites and seize opportunities.

Futurist shares views on AI development

Artificial intelligence has reshaped the advertising and digital marketing industries, creating a need to fully understand AI in order to formulate more efficient and creative strategies. This year's conferences will feature heavyweight speakers, including AI Futurist Zack Kass, the former Head of Go To Market at OpenAI. He has been demystifying AI and making it accessible and understandable for everyone, helping leaders from different areas navigate the rapidly evolving environment. Visiting Hong Kong from the US, Kass will share insights on AI trends in marketing in the session Navigating the AI Future in the Global Marketing Arena.

Jungsuk Jay Lee, Recent Chief Ecosystem Officer of NAVER Z Corp, the metaverse unit of Korean internet giant NAVER, will address The Next Frontier of Marketing with K-pop and Cutting-Edge Technologies, exploring the convergence of K-pop and technology in marketing.

Ibby Abutarboush, former Brand Defining & Purpose Marketing Director (EMEA) of Nike, will discuss the process of creating a new brand-defining strategy at Nike. The strategy helped Nike shape and realise its goals, including innovatively collaborating with top athletes and boosting the displaced through sports. He will also share his experience as Brand Marketing Consultant for Arsenal Football Club and Marketing Director for Neymar Júnior and Cristiano Ronaldo, giving valuable insights into how top brands redefine their purpose and drive meaningful rebranding.

Enan Wang, Director of the Digital and Information Management Centre and iMoutai Department, Kweichow Moutai, will discuss the strategy of bringing Baijiu to the younger generation through brand crossover and product innovation. He will also discuss the characteristics, related developments, challenges and opportunities of the youth market in Mainland China.

Tech solutions and digital services provider CURIOSITYCHINA by FARFETCH implement omni-channel marketing. The firm's Head of Partnerships APAC, John W Danzi, will address Next-Level Luxury Engagement: Harnessing Omni-Channel Strategies to Captivate Affluent Consumers on harnessing the power of multiple channels to create immersive brand experiences and forge deep connections with consumers.

Green marketing has become a hot topic. Giovanni Musillo, Managing Director (Hong Kong and Macao) of OnTheList, will speak on The Conscious Consumer: How Sustainability & the Circular Economy Drive Retail Success, discussing the popular concept of conscious consumption and the powerful synergy between sustainability, marketing and brand reputation.

Creating opportunities for start-ups and a new generation of entrepreneurs is a key area for the HKTDC. This year's conferences, in line with the concept of youth entrepreneurship and talent development, will feature a Meet the Leaders' dialogue series, with Tommie Lo, Founder & CEO of Preface, as a speaker. He founded a technology training company, offering personalised programming courses. He will share his views on entrepreneurship and his dynamic career, as well as explore the future application of AI in marketing and advertising. The founder & CEO of The Bees, KK Tsang, and industry young guns will offer tips on joining the advertising industry and starting your own businesses. Director Nick Cheuk, who won the 60th Golden Horse Awards Best New Director prize for the film Time Still Turns the Pages, will share share his journey in pursuing his dreams and his unique insights on creativity and creation.

Other renowned speakers include Dani Mariano, President of Razorfish from the United States, who will join Simon Barnett, Director of Brand Partnerships & Advertising of Moonbug Entertainment, which distributes intellectual property rights for children's entertainment brands Blippi and Cocomelon, to share insights on the potential and marketing direction for Generation Alpha in Gen Alpha: Everything that Brands Need to Know. Bradley Horowitz, CEO of MALIN+GOETZ, skincare brand from New York, will participate in the Marketing Mastery: Malin+Goetz's Journey from Boutique Beauty Brand to Global Genderless Beauty Icon, discussing the experience of developing his brand from a boutique skincare store to a globally renowned name. Patrick Garvey, Founding Partner of WE ARE Pi, a renowned advertising agency In the Netherlands, Yoji Minakuchi, Fellow & Chief Design Officer of Suntory Holdings from Japan, Johanna Monange, Founder and CEO of Maison 21G, a perfume brand from France, and Julie Nestor, Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing and Communications of Asia Pacific for Mastercard, will address Next Level Sensory Marketing: Engaging the Senses for Lasting Brand Impressions. Wenzhuo Wu, China Managing Editor of Jing Daily, will reveal the huge marketing opportunities in Mainland China's silver market.

Workshops and networking for achieving practical outcomes

The conference will also feature some 40 local and Asia Pacific exhibitors such as EternityX, EventX, FirstPage and Omnichat, highlighting the latest digital marketing and e-commerce solutions. A series of digital marketing and e-commerce workshops will offer a chance to acquire practical marketing technology and e-commerce promotion skills. Participants can also join networking events or meet Hong Kong marketing service companies through the one-to-one business matching service to explore collaboration opportunities.
Please find the latest programme and speaker list at https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en. For interviews with speakers, please email katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org and phyllis.km.tsang@hktdc.org and we will be in touch to follow up.

Photo download︰https://bit.ly/49iSqIq

Websites:

MarketingPulse

Conference website: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en
Conference programme: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en/programme
Speaker list: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en/speaker

eTailingPulse: https://etailingpulse.hktdc.com/en/
EntertainmentPulse: https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/conference/hkfilmart/en/about-entertainmentpulse

Media enquiries

Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Katy Wong                Tel: (852) 2584 4524                       Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Phyllis Tsang             Tel: (852) 2584 4288                       Email: phyllis.km.tsang@hktdc.org

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC 
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

More than 70 speakers from around the world, including senior government officials, investors, influential business leaders, financial and professional service providers, as well as renowned academics from related sectors, will participate in the event online or in person. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, and Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, World Health Organization (WHO), will address the Opening Session. Speakers at the summit include Bernard Charnwut Chan, President, Asia Financial Holdings Limited; Margaret Chan, Founding Dean, Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University and Emeritus Director-General, World Health Organization; Chen Qiyu, Executive Director and Co-CEO, Fosun International Limited; Cheng Cheung Ling, Vice Chairlady, Sino Biopharmaceutical Limited; Sir Michael Marmot, Director of the Institute of Health Equity, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College London; Ruchira Shukla, South Asia Regional Lead for Disruptive Technology Investments, International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Bank Group; Leon Wang, Executive Vice President, International and China President, AstraZeneca; and Michelle Williams, Dean of the Faculty, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

The summit will cover a number of forward-looking topics, including the latest developments in healthtech, biotechnology and digital health, the prospects for the healthcare industry in China (particularly the Greater Bay Area), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc and other Asian nations, as well as Hong Kong's advantages as a biotech listing hub. This will help industry participants to explore business opportunities and options in sustainable development.

Other key features of the summit are Deal Flow Matchmaking for healthcare projects and investors, the InnoHealth Showcase and Exhibition, which will present cutting-edge technologies from about 100 start-ups and international projects, healthcare enterprises and related organisations, and various other activities, both online and onsite, to encourage business exchange and collaboration among the global participants.

Asia Summit on Global Health
Date: 24 November 2021 (Wednesday)
Live programme: 9am-9:45pm (Hong Kong time)
All conference sessions will be available for on-demand replay until 23 December 2021 (Thursday) at 23:59 (Hong Kong time)

Websites
ASGH website: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/en/ 
Programme: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/en/programme/programme 
Speakers: https://www.asiasummitglobalhealth.com/en/speaker/speakers

Please note:
To attend the summit online, media representatives are required to pre-register to receive a confirmation email for accessing the event by completing the following registration form and emailing it to wk.lee@hktdc.org.  

*********************** Media Online Registration Form for ASGH ***************************

Media enquiries

Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Yuan Tung Financial Relations: