Full Schedule
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5-6 JUNE 2024 | HILTON DUBAI PALM JUMEIRAH
10:10 AM
PANEL DISCUSSION: Building Brands for the VUCA World
Why do some businesses respond to change better than others? In a VUCA world, marketing leaders face adaptive challenges like dealing with changing customer expectations, cost-of-living crisis leading to lower spending by consumers, decreased marketing budgets and increased scrutiny on ROI for ad budgets. What are the skills that will help a leader through this crisis? The expert panel takes on speculative challenges to build up dynamic, future-ready leaders.
Jacqueline El Boghdadi
Acting Chief Marketing Officer | Alshaya Group
Sevgi Gur
Chief Marketing Officer | Property Finder
Burcu Dolunay
Insights & Analytics Director, Global Business Services | PepsiCo
Farah Vahedna
Director of E-commerce, MEA | Coty
10:45 AM
KEYNOTE: CASE IN POINT Reimagining Our Future: The Power of Platforms
If you’ve ever found yourself defaulting to McDonald’s when asked, “Where do you want to eat?” then you understand the allure of this iconic brand – and everything that it does right when it comes to marketing itself. In this session, we delve into the world of innovation, exploring how the world’s largest restaurant chain is reshaping its future through strategic digital platform adoption. Discover how McDonald’s uses the power of data to cultivate authentic relationships with Brand Fans that inform actionable strategies on transforming the business into a digital-first brand to help build on the success of their past and help them move at speed in the fast-paced world of the future.
Tarv Nijjar
Senior Director, Business Insights and Analytics | McDonald's
11:05 AM
TECH TALK: Turbocharging Outcome-Based Marketing with Generative AI and Digital Experience Platforms
In the fast-paced digital marketing arena, achieving standout results demands more than just creative campaigns and engaging content. Today’s marketers need cutting-edge tools that offer a comprehensive view of customer interactions, enabling seamless and personalized experiences at every touchpoint. Enter Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs’) and Generative AI. This session will unveil how the combination of DXP’s and Generative AI can turbocharge your outcome-based marketing strategies. Discover how these technologies unify diverse marketing tools and data sources to create cohesive, real-time customer journeys. Learn how leveraging DXPs alongside Generative AI can drive precise targeting, enhance customer engagement, and deliver measurable, impactful outcomes.
Suliman Gaouda
Regional Vice President | Sitecore
11:20 AM
COFFEE BREAK
11:40 AM
TECH TALK : From Conversations to Revenue with GenAI-Powered WhatsApp
When it comes to customer expectations, generic workflows don’t cut in anymore. Personalization and seamless customer experience are table stakes now.
This session will explore how WhatsApp, with its massive reach of over 200 million daily users in the Middle East, combined with Generative AI, can unlock personalized engagement. See real-world case studies and discover how AI chatbots and targeted marketing can transform your customer journeys, driving loyalty and sales. Be future-proof for the evolving landscape of customer engagement!
Jay Dalvi
Business Director, Middle East | Jio Haptik
11:55 AM
CASE IN POINT: How this Feel-Good Brand Made Sustainability Its Selling Point
Today’s consumers seek quality and innovation and align their values with brands that prioritise environmental responsibility. This shift in consumer behaviour has prompted brands to rethink their strategies, placing sustainability at the forefront of their narrative. Learn how this eco-conscious brand positively impacts the planet, and generates brand love.
Matteo Boffa
Co-Founder, Serial Impact Entrepreneur and Investor
12:10 PM
TECH TALK: The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future of Customer Experience: Trends & Innovation
This session explores how technology is revolutionising customer experience, focusing on the latest trends and innovations that are shaping the future of CX. Our expert speaker for this session will discuss cutting-edge tools and strategies that enhance customer interactions, drive satisfaction, and build lasting loyalty.
Premanand Velumani
Solution Consulting Manager | Zoho
12:25 PM
From Wings to Wins: Finding Your Marketing Sweet Spot
Ever wondered how Red Bull’s marketing is all about everything but the product itself? Unconventional marketing strategies need innovative minds. When breaking the rules, the first challenge lies in convincing stakeholders to take a chance on your idea. Amr talks about selling your ideas, taking calculated risks and measuring success via metrics that matter. He might just be able to help you pivot your brand’s marketing strategy – and hopefully, give it wings.
Amr Helmy
Marketing Director | Red Bull Egypt
12:40 PM
TECH TALK - Fireside Chat: Enhancing Customer Engagement in the Digital Age: The Impact of Mobile Apps on Loyalty and Cross-Selling in the UAE
During this fireside chat, we will explore how mobile applications are influencing customer loyalty and retention. Our panelists will discuss the role of app content in cross-selling and maintaining customer loyalty. We aim to understand how apps have become key in keeping customers engaged and what building digital customer experiences have taught us. The talk will address how personalization, (AI), and the constant changes are shaping customer interactions. Our guests will share their insights on using data effectively while also listening to customer feedback, the power of loyalty programs, and how all this ties in with the physical customer experience. Together, we’ll discuss practical experiences and strategies relevant to marketers in the UAE.
Paras Rishi
Assistant Vice President | Join Ventures
Rana Diaa
Customer Success Manager | Appsflyer
Vibhav Gaur
Vice President - Media & Digital Analytics | RAKBANK
13:00 PM
LUNCH BREAK
13:45 PM
INTERACTIVE: The AI Readiness Checklist Your Marketing Needs
AI adoption is a race. But it’s not just marketing, the whole organisation must evolve together. According to a report by Morgan Stanley, 40% of the labour force could be affected by AI within three years. What should you be acting on now to prepare for changes to marketing operations? Most importantly – how do you assess if your team is ready?
Tarv Nijjar
Senior Director, Business Insights and Analytics | McDonald's
14:30 PM
KEYNOTE: Decode the Digital: Crafting a Successful Social Media Masterplan
Waking up to realise there’s a new social media platform you had to keep up with yesterday can be quite the nightmare for a digital marketer. In this session, we’ll navigate the intricate landscape of social media strategies, unraveling the complexities that marketers face in the ever-evolving digital sphere of the modern day. From trend anticipation to platform selection and the critical analysis of key metrics, we’ll explore six fundamental steps to guide the development of an effective social media strategy – so everyone gets a restful night’s sleep, marketers alike.
Roberta Cianetti
Expert Social Media Strategist
15:05 PM
CASE IN POINT From Insights to Impact: How Vodafone Harnesses Data & Content for Marketing Excellence
What challenges did a top telecom brand face in navigating data privacy concerns while leveraging customer data for marketing? How does it ensure that its marketing content remains relevant and resonant across diverse audience segments? In this session, discover the strategies Vodafone employs to overcome challenges in data privacy and consumer trust while maximizing the potential of customer data. Learn about Vodafone’s nuanced approach to transforming raw data into compelling storytelling, driving genuine engagement and loyalty.
Jobin Joy
Global MarTech and Content Lead - Digital Marketing Capabilities | Vodafone
15:25 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION: Is Loyalty Dead?
Is modern-day brand loyalty truly dead, or has it transformed into something new and elusive? Our panel of experts will explore the shifting paradigms of consumer behaviour, questioning whether traditional loyalty metrics still hold sway in an era defined by fleeting attention spans and endless choices. From dissecting the psychology behind brand allegiance to uncovering the role of digitalization and personalization, we’ll delve into the complexities of building and sustaining customer loyalty in an ever-changing landscape.
Shyam Sunder
Vice President Marketing | tbo.com
Rohan Kapoor
Group Vice President, Digital Marketing & Loyalty | Cenomi Group
Line Bitar
Growth Marketing Director | Sarwa
Devrim Melek
Senior Vice President, Strategy; Former VP Marketing Strategy | OSN
Farah Vahedna
Director of E-commerce, MEA | Coty
16:00 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION Will AI Kill the Marketing Team?
Marketing stands at the crossroads of transformative change with AI emerging as a powerful tool that promises unparalleled efficiency and effectiveness. From data analytics and customer segmentation to personalised content creation and predictive analysis – what does this mean for the human role in the marketing team? Panellists in this session will answer the question that looms over the marketing landscape – whether AI will be the saviour or the harbinger of doom for marketing teams.
Ahmed El-Gamal
Senior Director of Marketing | Jumeirah
Jobin Joy
Global MarTech and Content Lead - Digital Marketing Capabilities | Vodafone
Kareem Ayyad
Founder | Uktob.Ai
Harsha Thawani
Associate Director - Marketing, Digital Marketing Lead | KPMG - Lower Gulf
Katib Belkhodja
Customer Centricity Director | Al-Futtaim Automotive
Kareem Ayyad
Founder | Uktob.Ai
16:35 PM
CLOSING NOTE
10:10 AM
INTERACTIVE SESSION: Maximising Marketing Spends – Using AI and Automation
Explore the transformative power of AI and automation in maximizing your marketing budget and optimizing ad performance in this interactive session. Discover how AI-driven insights and automation tools can revolutionize your advertising strategies, enabling you to achieve unprecedented results in today’s competitive digital landscape.
What You’ll Experience:
- Harness the potential of AI to interpret key performance indicators (KPIs) and turn data into actionable insights
- Explore automation techniques to enhance ad efficiency and drive higher conversion rates across various digital platforms.
- Learn how to create 1000’s of highly effective creatives in hours.
- How you can use ai to drop your CPMs and maximize your ROI
Facilitator:
Marisha Lakhiani – Chief Growth Officer | Mindvalley
Marisha Lakhiani
Chief Growth Officer | Mindvalley
11:10 AM
KEYNOTE: Beyond Reach: How to Go Viral 101
What makes a campaign or content piece go viral? Is it because we want to connect with others? This session will discuss 5 elements that motivate consumers to share and drive up virality and 5 traits that highly successful campaigns have in common.
Marisha Lakhiani
Chief Growth Officer | Mindvalley
11:30 AM
TECH TALK: The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future of Customer Experience: Trends & Innovation
This session explores how technology is revolutionising customer experience, focusing on the latest trends and innovations that are shaping the future of CX. Our expert speaker for this session will discuss cutting-edge tools and strategies that enhance customer interactions, drive satisfaction, and build lasting loyalty.
Premanand Velumani
Solution Consulting Manager | Zoho
11:45 AM
IDEATION JUNCTION: From Clutter to Clarity: Quick Response Innovation in Marketing
In today’s commoditised market, standing out amid a sea of competitors demands more than traditional marketing strategies. With numerous brands vying for attention, differentiation becomes paramount. If all brands are armed with similar data, how does one break through the noise and carve a unique identity? Can tech help or will it cause more debt? How can you navigate this terrain without risking employee disengagement or organisational inertia?
In this panel discussion, our panellists take part in a thought experiment – Red versus Blue team. Together, we delve into the nuances of innovation, exploring its hidden costs and the art of anticipating future marketing trends while maintaining a competitive edge.
Milica Smudja
Director of Marketing and Communications | Al Barakah Holding
Rohan Kapoor
Group Vice President, Digital Marketing & Loyalty | Cenomi Group
Vibha Thusu
Global Head of Marketing Communications (Multi Brands) | HIMEL
Ahmed Al Derazi
Head of Communications | Landmark Group
Aaryan Kapur
Group Head - Digital Marketing | Aster DM Healthcare, Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres
12:15 PM
Crisis Control – Recovering from a Brand Reputation Hit
Even the biggest brands can take a hit. Whether it is an irate customer kicking up a social media storm or a data breach by nefarious forces –preparing for the worst-case scenario keeps teams agile. This session will examine measuring the damage to brand reputation – online reputation management, sentiment scores, and the impact on the bottom line. Align teams (PR, Marketing, and Comms) to proactively resolve conflict; and make a resounding brand promise and deliver to it.
Saad Abu Touq
Managing Director of Public Relations | Memac Ogilvy
12:30 PM
COFFEE BREAK
12:45 PM
INTERACTIVE SESSION: Data-Driven Personalisation: Scaling & Delivering Better Experiences to Your Customers
Embark on a journey to revolutionize your customer experience strategy through data-driven personalisation in this immersive session. Dive deep into the realm of marketing technology and analytics to uncover the secrets of delivering exceptional digital experiences that drive conversion and revenue growth.
What You’ll Experience:
- Harness the capabilities of analytics and insights to identify key trends and enhance customer experiences.
- Explore the utilisation of customer intent data to make real-time recommendations and guide customers along their digital journeys.
- Learn how to create personalized experiences based on data-driven insights, driving customers toward specific actions and desired outcomes.
- Discover the importance of testing with experience variations to optimise conversions and continuously improve your digital strategy.
Facilitator:
Jobin Joy – Global Head of MarTech and Content | Vodafone
assisted by – Rajneesh Gautam – Consultant – Personalisation and CRO (virtual)
Jobin Joy
Global Head of MarTech and Content | Vodafone
13:30 PM
Sustainability Needs Creativity
Consumers are more socially conscious than ever. The question arises: do brands need to take a stand or stay away when it comes to a social cause? The paradigm has changed. Consumers are now not only interested in what a brand offers but also in its values, ethical practices, and societal contributions. However, the authenticity of a brand’s commitment is crucial. Consumers can discern between genuine efforts and mere tokenism. Moreover, even noble initiatives like sustainability require strategic and creative promotion to resonate effectively. Discover how certain brands effortlessly balance purpose and promotion for the ideal brand image.
Andrej Arsenijevic
Executive Creative Director & Sustainability Lead| Commonwealth // McCann | MCN
13:45 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT Creatives that Captivate Versus Convert
Is an award-winning ad film adding to the bottom line? The debate between immediate commercial gains and long-term brand building heats up as marketing team conversations focus more on ROI and revenue in uncertain times. Could this be the death of creative prowess? The session discusses the evolution of the hook, and how generative technologies could alter the creative field.
Hema Subramanian
Omnichannel Marketing Lead | Alshaya Group
Neda Lazic
Marketing Network Operations & Capabilities Senior Director, Eurasia & Middle East OU | The Coca-Cola Company
Roberta Cianetti
Expert Social Media Strategist
