The Philippines is set to host “Marketing Wars: Episode 6.0 and Beyond,” an integrated event featuring the 4th World Marketing Forum and the 53rd National Marketing Conference. This event will focus on the evolving global marketing landscape and is organized by the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) in collaboration with the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF). The conferences will take place on November 6-7, 2024, at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City, with around 1,700 marketing professionals and industry leaders from across the globe in attendance.
The two-day event will explore the intersection of human ingenuity and advanced technology, examining how marketers can balance the use of creativity with machine intelligence to achieve operational excellence. Attendees will gain actionable insights on navigating the rapidly changing marketing environment, with discussions covering topics like AI integration and sustainability-driven business models.
“Our goal this year is to highlight the balance marketers must strike between the creativity of the human spirit and the capabilities of technology,” said Kathy P. Mercado, CPM, President of the Philippine Marketing Association. “By exploring how we can blend human insight with machine intelligence, we hope to empower our participants to develop strategic solutions for today’s complex marketing challenges.”
(Photo credit: Philippine Marketing Association)
The World Marketing Forum (WMF) on November 6 will focus on “The Force of Marketing Awakens: The Strategic War for Excellence,” featuring a keynote address by Philip Kotler (via Zoom) and a live address by Hermawan Kartajaya, founder of AMF, on “Setting the Stage for Marketing 6.0.” Topics will include immersive marketing, integrating physical-digital experiences, overcoming digital fatigue, and achieving operational excellence. Other notable speakers include Roger Wang, President of the Marketing Institute of Singapore, and Syed Ferhat Anwar, President of the Asia Marketing Federation. The event is expected to attract around 150 foreign delegates from AMF member countries across Asia, including Singapore, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
“It is an honor to host the World Marketing Forum as part of our 70th Anniversary celebration,” said Sy Bryan Lato, CPM-Asia, PMA Immediate Past President, and Director for International Affairs. “The bid for this event was made during a board meeting of the Asia Marketing Federation, and we are excited to showcase Filipino hospitality and share the richness of Filipino culture with the world.”
On November 7, the 53rd National Marketing Conference (NMC) will focus on “The Next Gen Empire Strikes Back: Defining the Future of Marketing.” The conference will center on three core themes: Marketing to the Next Gen (covering Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers), Next Gen Marketing Best Practices (including Purposeful Marketing, SDG & Sustainability, and Journey-based Marketing), and Next Gen Marketing Tools (exploring technologies like RPA and AI). Industry leaders, including Jim Lafferty, Global CEO of FINE Hygienics, along with executives from global MNCs, FMCGs, and top Agora award winners, will share strategies on the future of marketing leadership. The day will conclude with discussions on sustainability marketing and a session titled “Winning the Next Level Marketing Wars,” featuring Donald Patrick Lim, President of DITO CME, and insights from Agora awardees on future-ready marketing strategies.
“These two events go beyond idea exchange; they serve as battlegrounds where strategies are tested and new paradigms are shaped,” said Donald Patrick Lim, Overall Conference Chairperson. “The ‘Marketing Wars’ theme underscores the need for marketers to confront the challenges of a rapidly evolving landscape and equips them with the insights and skills to be future-ready.”
In preparation for the event, PMA secured key partnerships and formalized agreements on October 2 with key organizations, including the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, the Indonesian Embassy, the Department of Tourism, Newport World Resorts, Globaltronics, and GCash. The ceremonial signing was attended by His Excellency Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines.
(Photo credit: Philippine Marketing Association)
The event is supported by a network of allied organizations, including the Asia Center for Small Business-Philippines (ACSB), Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA), Philippine Youth Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA), AI Global Council, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – National Capital Region (PCCI-NCR), Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), International Council for Small Business (ICSB), Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (MCCI), Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), Philippine Plastics Industry Association, Inc. (PPIAI), and the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of the Philippines (OHAAP).
Newport World Resorts serves as the venue partner, while supporting partners include Shoppertainment LIVE, Uniquecorn Strategies PR, Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment, and ZOE Broadcasting Network as the PR and communications partners.
Early bird registration for the 4th World Marketing Forum and the 53rd National Marketing Conference is now open. Full event details and the speaker lineup can be found at the official registration link: https://tinyurl.com/WorldMarketingForum2024Booking.
