Marketing Connected

It’s clear that while the way we market is becoming more intelligent, the core of great marketing remains undeniably human. This Content360 Malaysia panel explores how to lead with heart in an age dominated by data and automated content.  Hear from leaders who balance cutting-edge innovation with a deep commitment to empathy, purpose, and meaningful connection.  Catch the full conversation right h...

For a while, Mamee Double-Decker felt like it was doing everything right. The company was launching campaigns, rolling out SKUs and pushing limited-edition products. Yet despite staying visible, something was missing. “Our problem was not really the attention or media - but meaning,” said How Yuan Yi during a recent case study presentation at the Content360 Malaysia conference. Catch the full conv...

In this episode of “In Conversation,” Karl Mak, co-founder of HEPMIL Media Group, shares how a failed regional expansion and the rise of TikTok led them to pivot into the creator economy, culminating in HEPMIL’s acquisition by Publicis Groupe.  He discusses maintaining their cheeky brand identity, nurturing Southeast Asian creators, and why the future of media, commerce, and culture will be shaped...

In this episode of Marketing Connected's "In Conversation", Melvin Kuek, executive director of So Drama Entertainment, unpacks his journey from agency leader to digital-first content maker.  Kuek shares how success metrics have shifted from pure profit to community signals and trust, explains the difference between traditional advertising and branded entertainment, and dives into bo...

Artificial intelligence chatbots have quickly become part of our everyday routines—from answering questions and drafting emails to planning trips and summarising long documents.   But as these tools become more convenient, they also become more deeply embedded in our digital lives, quietly collecting and processing vast amounts of personal information in the background. This raises pressing questi...

Born into the digital era rather than retrofitted for it, CHAGEE is betting that technology-led localisation - not simply aggressive expansion - will define whether global lifestyle brands can truly resonate in culturally nuanced markets such as the Philippines.  Speaking at the 2026 Content360 Conference in a fireside chat marking International Tea Day, Oliver Rabatan, deputy general manager and...

In this episode of “In Conversation”, Astro Malaysia chief sales and marketing officer Tai Kam Leong reflects on navigating rapid media disruption, balancing analytics with creativity, and why Astro is betting on experiential fandom and Malaysian content.  He also shares insights into audience fragmentation, digital channels, OTT partnerships and the future of media consumption in Malaysia’s evolv...

In this episode of Marketing Connected’s “In Conversation”, APRW managing director Cho Pei Lin shares how she transitioned from practising law into PR and became an early advocate for litigation and disputes communications in Singapore.  She discusses crisis management, reputation strategy, public trust and why legal, operational and communications teams must work together from the very beginning...

For Bryan Loo, founder and CEO of Loob Holding, the future of marketing is not just about dashboards and data points, it is about instinct, storytelling and understanding what everyday Malaysians truly connect with. Loob Holding is well known for bringing Taiwanese bubble tea chain Chatime to Malaysia, and subsequently relaunched as Tealive in 2017. The holding company now operates several other F...

The long‑standing narrative of Hong Kong and Singapore as close rivals, locked in a zero‑sum battle for Asia’s top financial and tourism hub, is being challenged by a new reality.  While Hong Kong and Singapore are often seen as competitors, they are more akin to non‑identical twins—remarkably similar in DNA, yet each with its own distinct personality and strengths. Beyond their shared strengths,...

How does a global retail giant stay relevant in a mature market such as Singapore? In this episode of In Conversation, we sit down with Michael la Cour to discuss why IKEA believes it must “consistently deserve” consumer awareness.  From experiential retail and eCommerce competition to sustainability, localisation and the future of home living, la Cour shares how IKEA Singapore is evolving to meet...

On this episode of Marketing Connected’s In Conversation, Lynette Pang shares how Singapore is reshaping perceptions of itself as more than just a business hub, by making the arts part of everyday life.  From public performances and audience-first strategies to the SG Arts Plan and support for artists, Pang discusses how the National Arts Council is building a more connected, creative and cultural...

In this episode of In Conversation , Jon Stona, VP of global marketing at Airwallex, shares how challenger brands can rethink B2B marketing.  Drawing from his experience at Google and Stripe, he unpacks why fundamentals still matter, how to build trust at a human level, and why bold, non-traditional moves such as sports partnerships can accelerate brand growth.  The conversation also explores bala...

Once the backbone of content discovery, hashtags have been quietly pushed to the margins as platforms evolve into systems that understand content without needing to be told what it is.   What’s replacing them isn’t another tactic, it’s a move away from how content is interpreted, distributed and discovered. Original article written by Matthew Eaton, Australia editor. 

Lex Bradshaw-Zanger, chief marketing and digital officer, SAPMENA at L'Oréal Groupe, joins Marketing Connected to unpack what it really takes to lead across 13 timezones. In this "In Conversation" episode, Lex shares why Southeast Asia sits at the centre of innovation, how global brands balance consistency with local nuance, and why “digital marketing” no longer exists as a separate...

On this latest episode of “Agency Agenda”, Marcus Krzastek, international president of VaynerMedia, shares his journey from project manager to global leadership alongside Gary Vaynerchuk. He discusses the evolving nature of talent, and how AI is reshaping the integration of creative and media. Krzastek also breaks down how the agency is scaling across APAC and EMEA while building a unified creativ...

In this episode of Agency Agenda, Lara Hussein, CEO and founding partner of M+C Saatchi KARSA, shares the story behind the agency’s shift to full local ownership and its rebrand. She unpacks the meaning of “KARSA”, and how it reflects the agency’s next chapter.  Lara also discusses Malaysia’s evolving agency landscape, the rise of boutique firms, as well as what continues to drive her after more t...

In this episode of Agency Agenda, Eunice Tan, group CEO of The Secret Little Agency (TSLA), shares her take on what bold creativity really means for the agency. Moving beyond hype-driven campaigns, she explains why long-term brand building and full-funnel thinking define truly impactful work.  Tan also unpacks TSLA’s agenda, from investing in talent and production capabilities to fostering a cultu...

In this episode of Agency Agenda, Peter de Kretser, founder and CEO of GO Communications, unpacks the agency’s journey in Malaysia and beyond. He shares why storytelling remains at the heart of PR, even in an AI-driven world, and how GO is building for the future with new leadership under chairman Andreas.  From navigating cultural nuance to forging alliances in new markets including the Middle Ea...

In this episode of Agency Agenda, Anish Daryani, CEO of Moonfolks, shares the thinking behind the agency’s rebranding, and upcoming regional expansion into Vietnam and Brunei.  He also reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, how Vietnam shaped his mindset, and why he’s building a culture that nurtures future founders. From scaling capabilities in tech and data to maintaining a strong people-first...

In this episode of Agency Agenda, HS Chung, APAC CEO of Burson, shares how she is building a unified, future-ready agency following its recent merger. She dives into the importance of creating a new culture, not holding onto legacy ways of working, and why “thinking like one” is critical to success.  Chung also outlines Burson’s priorities across APAC, from being deeply attuned to client challenge...

In this episode of "Agency Agenda", Arshan Saha, outgoing CEO of WPP Media Singapore and Malaysia, shares how he navigated transformation amid industry-wide change. From organisational shifts and client expectations to AI’s role in driving efficiency, Saha explained how WPP was evolving into a more integrated, future-ready partner across content, commerce and data. He also highlighted th...

As Omnicom Media  settles into its new reality following the landmark acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG), Asia Pacific CEO Tony Harradine is focused on one thing, and that is giving the business clarity and momentum for what comes next. Hear what his three key priorities are for the agency, his thoughts on AI and talent, as well as what keeps him up at night, only on Marketing Connected's...

In this episode of Marketing Connected's "Women Who Lead", released in conjunction with International Women's Day 2026, Dione Song shares her journey from marketer to CEO of Love, Bonito.  She reflects on bold brand decisions, championing Asian representation, balancing positivity with productivity, and building a purpose-driven business that empowers women while delivering com...

In this episode of Marketing Connected's "Women Who Lead" series released in conjunction with International Women's Day 2026, Renee Stopps, regional sales director for partner sales, Microsoft Advertising, opens up about navigating leadership across Asia Pacific, building resilient teams, and driving meaningful change in communications.  She discusses mentorship, inclusion, and...