What to Expect

• Now: The strategies, tools, and skills making an impact today - what’s working, what’s not, and what you need to do right now.
• Next: The shifts in AI, automation, tools, data, stories of transformation and creativity that will shape the future so you can stay ahead.
• Expanding Perspectives: Real stories of how great marketers are using technology to drive business, customer centricity, and meaningful impact.
• Actionable Takeaways: No jargon, no fluff just real-world insights you can apply immediately.

THE AGENDA

THE NOW – The CMO Tension: Cutting Through Complexity to Drive Growth in APAC

The Speakers: Olivier Kuziner, Managing Partner, APAC, Ekimetrics + Alvin Neo, Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, FairPrice Group & Lex Bradshaw-Zanger, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer SAPMENA, L'Oréal Groupe

The Synopsis: Marketing has never been more complex, and neither has decision-making. Drawing on insights from The CMO Tension, a new report by The Marketing Society in partnership with Ekimetrics, this session explores how CMOs across APAC are navigating organisational silos, data overload, and increasing pressure to prove impact.

The Takeaway: This session gives marketers a clearer understanding of where complexity is really coming from, and practical ways to simplify decision-making, build confidence, and drive growth more effectively within their organisations.

THE NEXT – The CEO Conversation: The Future Leader

The Speaker: Walter de Oude, Founder and CEO, Chocolate Finance, moderated by Gita de Beer, Global Director Strategic Initiatives, The HEINEKEN Company, and Chair of The Marketing Society Singapore

The Synopsis: What does marketing leadership really look like from a CEO perspective? In this candid conversation, Walter de Oude shares what it truly takes to build and scale businesses today, where brand, product, and growth are deeply interconnected, and decision-making needs to move at pace.

The Takeaway: A grounded perspective on what marketing leadership needs to look like to drive real business growth.

THE SHIFT – Social Discovery: From Scroll to Decision

The Speaker: Melissa Laurie, Chief Executive Officer, Oysterly Media

The Synopsis: Social discovery is reshaping how decisions are made, moving consumers rapidly from passive scrolling to active choice. From short-form video to AI-powered recommendations, the path from discovery to decision is becoming faster, less linear, and increasingly influenced by content rather than intent. This session explores how that shift is redefining visibility, where brands are losing momentum, and what marketers need to rethink to stay relevant, capture attention, and convert in real time.

The Takeaway: A clearer view of how discovery is evolving — and what brands need to rethink to stay visible.

THE SHIFT – Orchestrate Everything: AI, Data, Content & Media in Real Time

The Speaker: Scott Spirit, Chief Growth Officer, Executive Director, Monks

The Synopsis: In an era where speed and relevance define competitive advantage, this session explores how organisations are moving from fragmented execution to unified, intelligent systems. Through real-world examples, it shows how AI is becoming the orchestration layer — connecting strategy, data, content, and media into a single, adaptive engine.

The Takeaway: How to move from fragmented campaigns to connected, always-on marketing powered by AI.

THE NEXT – Startup Showcase in collaboration with Singapore Management University

The Speakers: Startups from Singapore Management University

The Synopsis: A forward-looking session spotlighting emerging innovation shaping the future of marketing, technology, and creativity. Through a fast-paced, “Shark Tank”-style format, startups will present their ideas to a room of senior leaders — sparking discussion on what’s coming next and what’s worth paying attention to.

The Takeaway: Fresh perspectives on emerging technologies — and how they could shape what’s next for marketing.

Did you notice the name change?

We’ve renamed Digital Day to Navigate: Now & Next because the original name no longer reflects what this event has become. Digital Day suggested a focus purely on digital channels and tactics, but this event has always been about much more than that. Navigate: Now & Next better captures our focus on technology and digital trends in their broadest sense, from AI and data to emerging platforms and technological transformation. It’s about helping marketers navigate the now and the next of technology to drive business impact, for marketers who mean business.