“Time to RESET-RECHARGE-RECONNECT” was first published in MARKETING WEEKENDER Issue 339
By Raihan Hadi
Did another year go by in a snap? Seems like ages though.
The pandemic has clearly left a lot of us in a bad shape, dents and scratches here and there. But through it all, our media industry, even through the gigantic amounts of suffering, has kept its head above the surface.
Now getting back up on its feet, the industry needs to hit that reset button, recharge itself, and bridge the gaps that have been created through the great disconnect we all keep talking about.
And so it’s only fitting that the MALAYSIAN MEDIA CONFERENCE (MMC), a proven landmark event for all media and marketing professionals to get everyone on the same page one day in the year, is back with an all new dazzle, with the promise to RESET – RECHARGE – RECONNECT.
In recent history…
If you’re from around the neighbourhood, you’ll certainly remember that the MMC, like every other event, had to adapt during the pandemic before going into a year-long hibernation (for recharge purposes).
The MMC Tuesdays were not only embraced by everyone in the industry as the perfect solution for a virtual MMC where instead of being glued to the screen for the whole day, delegates and panellists spent 2 hours every Tuesday, during November, 2020, and aired live on our Facebook page.
Besides relentlessly shaping the recovery of the media industry, we went a few miles further to come in aid of our fellow Malaysians by donating half of the total delegates fees to MERCY Malaysia.
Back to the OG Style
In other words, the physical event itself.
Over the years, we have tackled various timely topics and issues, ranging from media and marketing challenges in online, digital, mobile platforms, along with discussions on issues like media consolidation, best practices and industry debates featuring leading icons from the local, regional, and global markets.
But 2022 needed a facelift, as it bears tremendous significance for stakeholders of the industry, requiring them to gather and assist each other to bounce back from the unparalleled challenges we’ve been smacked in the face with.
Though we have been left vulnerable by the pandemic, this year we have a unique window of opportunity to shape the recovery of our industry.
MMC 2022 will offer insights from experts to help inspire the media and marketing industries to determine the future state of Malaysia’s communication landscape.
By hosting the grand gathering for the 16th Malaysian Media Conference, 2022 is officially initiating Reset, Recharge, Reconnect.
It goes without saying that the ways in which the media and marketing industries used to operate has been changed forever since the pandemic, along with the ways in which consumers behave.
MMC 2022 will Reset the way in which our industries operate, and help pivot mindsets to understand and operate along with the changes that are yet to appear.
The surge in technological advancements is a marvel, and MMC 2022 will feature experts presenting cutting-edge tech solutions for our industries, discussing the various aspects of their use and ways forward – exactly the kind of Recharge that’s been needed for a while.
Not to mention the event itself will recharge the participants in their drive for excellence.
MMC 2022 will Reconnect the major disconnect between media agencies and their clients brought forth by Covid-19 through networking and panel discussions.
SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
Harmandar Singh, or better known as Ham, has been in marketing and brand communications for almost 30 years. He has created almost 400 commercials and won over 50 local and international creative awards.
Ham has been a Creative Director for as long as he can remember.. Even after leaving advertising, he applies creativity every day in his life.
Ham is also the author of Rainmaker, his story about making brands and people famous and furious for three decades.
Sheila is a turn-around specialist with a strong business acumen in setting the mission and strategic direction for agency and Client businesses simultaneously. She began as a Client in marketing and sales during her initial career, and soon took an interest in media, since then there’s been no turning back for her.
Sheila launched m/SIX Malaysia to serve the needs of local MNC, GLCs and local businesses. Networking, partnering startups to build businesses from ground zero and new business development with a hit rate of almost 100% conversion are successes attributed to the team that Sheila leads.
As a result of her tremendous success, Sheila was promoted in 2021 with an expanded role of managing 4 agency brands under Mindshare Group Malaysia. In her new remit, Sheila is responsible for Mindshare, m/SIX, OPENMIND and NEO.
Kenny is the CEO of Astro Radio, Malaysia’s no. 1 radio network, and Rocketfuel Entertainment, a media & entertainment, record label, and talent management company. In addition, he is also the Director of Astro Media Solutions, spearheading integrated media solutions, driving advertising revenue and Adex share across Astro Group’s media properties.
Kenny is also serving as Chairman, Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF).
Having held top positions in companies such as Universal Music Group, the Recording Industry Association of Malaysian (RIM), Unilever Network, Takaful Ikhlas Sdn Bhd, CNI Holdings Berhad, and ICC Consultants, Kenny has a huge amount of experience in organization design, organization effectiveness, business plan implementation, performance management, recruitment and selection, competency modelling, remuneration policy development, professional career ladder development, and leadership & management development.
Stanley leads a team of 180 creative young minds across Mediabrands Content Studio (MBCS), a unit of IPG Mediabrands, which brings about the best of creative offerings across Mediabrands including Ensemble Worldwide and Reprise Creative.
Stanley leads the charge at MBCS with an ambition to change the face of content through a data-driven practice built on the intelligence and insight that media provides, to connect brands with people in the most compelling and personalised way.
Stanley is an integral part of the Mediabrands executive committee. Heading up MBCS today, Stanley’s focus is on creating content strategies for Mediabrands Malaysia clients across three emerging categories: branded content opportunities with media partners, digital content that drives performance and engagement, and brand fuelled long and short-form original content.
Weldon leads Meltwater’s Social Solutions across Southeast Asia. Having spent over a decade in the business he has worked with PR and Marketing leaders across APAC.
He believes technology in AI and social data can give organisations and businesses the edge in business decisions. He’s excited for the future of media but also believes that we must ensure how we can use it for good.
Nicholas Sagau is a renowned Malaysian specialist and leader in the digital technology arena, and a highly sought-after industry speaker or moderator at national and international level conferences.
His subject of conferences and networking often revolves around areas of digital product, content, marketing and innovation, transformation, esports, corporate innovation and incubator, OTT and digital video content distribution.
His desire to keep steering the society and nation towards digital excellence has been recognised amongst the industry experts and collaborators. In 2020, he was elected as the President of the Malaysia Digital Association (MDA), a platform that represents digital companies and entrepreneurs with a mission to be the leading industry voice in shaping the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy.
Nicholas began his involvement in the media and digital space during its steady rise in the country, Now, he is not only considered a veteran of the multimedia industry, but he is entrusted with helming Rev Media Group as the Chief Operating Officer. Rev Media represents over 40 top digital authority brands with an extensive digital content distribution network that reaches more than 15 million people each month in Malaysia.
In 2021, despite the economic situation, Rev Media achieved RM100 million in revenue, its best year financial performance.
Shashank is a seasoned Martech professional with over 10 years of experience in the field.
He is well versed with improving customer engagement, conversions and providing personalization platforms to his partners. He is also a certified Salesforce, Hubspot and Adobe professional.
He is currently leading Netcore’s business in the region and working with brands to boost their digital footprint.
To MMC or not to MMC?
If you’re a believer in the changes that the MMC has been making to the media industry over the years, you should definitely get in touch with us by simply clicking here.
In case you aren’t, we suggest you come over and see how we can help.
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