The Changemakers Impact Conference | Review | Hong Kong

Whether you were there in person or not, thanks to Prophet you can get access to the key takeaways from The Marketing Society Hong Kong’s Annual Changemakers Conference, thanks to their note-taking system.

This year’s IMPACT theme ignited a powerful gathering of leaders who delivered inspiring stories to drive change for brands, people and for society, too.

Sign up to receive your own set of notes here, meanwhile we've compiled a summary of greatest takeaways and highlights from the day.

Session 1: How to Lead at Speed

Based on Sophie’s bestselling leadership business book, “Superfast: Lead at Speed”, business leaders must realize that growth thrives on speed and acceleration.  

• Build a strong foundation: Develop a clear framework and leverage your network to accelerate progress. 

• Lead with purpose and energy: Set a clear direction, energize your team, and prioritize tasks for maximum impact. 

SPEAKER: Sophie Devonshire, CEO, The Marketing Society

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Session 2: Under the Spotlight with Asia’s Leaders

Brave decisions are what make the invisible visible and allow us leaders to make a positive impact at work and society as a whole. 

• To drive marketing impact, leaders must understand the current state, foster innovation, prioritize customer needs, collaborate effectively and celebrate progress. 

• Cultivating energy and joy is what shapes your marketing career. Have a clear purpose, be able to take risks, learn from setbacks and create your own support network. 

MODERATOR: Sophie Devonshire, CEO, The Marketing Society 

SPEAKERS:  

• Stephanie Ng, Managing Director, Global Head of Marketing, Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC  

• Janet Yuen, Chief Operating Officer, LH Group Limited

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Session 3: Culture and the Arts as a Catalyst for Transformation and Growth 

Hong Kong’s arts scene shapes the city’s brand, driving tourism, fostering community and enhancing soft power. 

• The key to fostering successful partnerships with arts and cultural organizations lies in authenticity, long-term commitment, shared vision and storytelling. 

• Novel partnership projects and immersive experiences are instrumental in attracting diverse, young audiences. 

MODERATOR: Patrick Eastwood, Partner, Prophet 

SPEAKERS:  

• Heidi Lee, Executive Director, Hong Kong Ballet  

• Florian Jungbauer, Head of Brand & Digital Marketing Channels, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

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Session 4: WTEFF: A Pecha Kucha-style rant on Creativity, Effectiveness and Coffee Shops  

A fast-paced, irreverent exploration of the state of Hong Kong's creativity but why coffee shops? 

• In this era of conformity, we must prioritize authenticity and meaningful work to stand out from the crowd as people seek genuine connections. 

• Strategic creativity and going beyond aesthetics are crucial for driving growth, build loyalty and remain relevant in a competitive market. 

SPEAKER: Andreas Krasser, CEO, DDB Group Hong Kong

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Session 5: Pioneering Innovation and Transformation as a Legacy Brand 

To overcome the dual challenge of honoring their rich history while embracing innovation, HSBC shares how they are balancing heritage and modernity and transforming to engage the next generation. 

• It all starts with understanding your customers and being a passionate growth officer.  

• Creative brilliance thrives when built on a scalable and measurable platform for ongoing excellence and impact. 

SPEAKER: Brian Hui, Managing Director and Head of Customer Propositions and Marketing Wealth and Personal Banking Hong Kong, HSBC

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Session 6: Proudly Made in Hong Kong 

How can leaders modernize the brand and build international reputation, while staying true to heritage? 

• Stay coherent with your brand purpose, understand your customer’s expectations of heritage and adapt marketing strategies to cater to diverse markets and customer profiles. 

• Local brands should seek growth opportunities while maintaining resilience through challenges. 

MODERATOR: Geraldine Chew, Board Member of The Marketing Society 

SPEAKERS: 

• Stuart Woollford, Director of Group Brand, AIA  

• David Kim, Group Chief Marketing & Strategic Business Development Officer, Vitasoy  

• Nixon Cheung, Head of Commercial & Brand, Hong Kong Tramways

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Session 7: Rugby, Marketing and Leadership 

Rugby and Marketing have a lot in common. What can we learn from rugby and apply on our marketing work? 

• Foster team unity: Learn from rugby's empathetic leadership and balance between individual and team contributions to create a cohesive and high-performing marketing team. 

• Embrace resilience and motivation: Adopt rugby's mindset of resilience, adaptability and relentless pursuit of excellence to navigate challenges and achieve marketing goals. 

MODERATOR: Kiri Sinclair, Founder & CEO, Sinclair and Board Member of The Marketing Society  

SPEAKER: Max Woodward, Ex-Captain for Hong Kong China Rugby Sevens Team

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Session 8: Empowering and Inspiring our Future Female Generation with Inspiring Girls 

In a world where gender and cultural stereotypes have destructed goals, Inspiring Girls shares how they're helping to show girls the limitless possibilities they can achieve in their future careers. 

• Inspiring Girls envisions expanding its reach and creating ongoing programs on a larger scale. By scaling up, the organization seeks to offer them valuable opportunities for personal growth. 

• Your support in showcasing the realities of diverse industries is vital for the program's success and for nurturing the future generation of female leaders. 

MODERATOR: Hina Wainwright, Chief Marketing Officer, NEON Leaders & Vice Chair of The Marketing Society Hong Kong  

SPEAKERS:  

• Ines Gafsi, Chapter Chair and CEO of Inspiring Girls Hong Kong  

• Mary Tsang, Student Leader & Creative Artist