Day 1, 24 September: Agentic AI and evolving tech

REQUEST BROCHURE

AI is no longer an emerging tool – it’s the engine powering the next wave of marketing. From intelligent automation and real-time decisioning to creative optimisation and predictive targeting, these technologies are transforming every stage of the marketing life cycle. We explore how forward-thinking brands are leveraging intelligence, not just to enhance, but to reimagine how they engage, convert, and scale.

Agenda

24 September

08:15

Registration

08:50

Welcome address

09:00

[Opening fireside chat]

Shaping intelligent futures: Leading purposeful change amidst uncertainty

Moderator:

Rezwana Manjur

Editor-in-Chief

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE

Speaker:

Piyush Gupta

Chairman of Singapore Management University, Chairman of Mandai Park Holdings

09:45

[Case study]

AI, data, and context: The unstoppable trio powering next-gen ad campaigns 

10:15

[Panel discussion]

From real-time to ROAS to ROI: Reimagining campaign efficiency from the ground up

Panellists:

Gourab Kundu

Head of Digital Growth

Citi Wealth, Asia South

Amresh Kumar

Director of Sales for Southeast Asia

Nexxen

Crystal Sim

Head of Digital Marketing and Media, Integrated Marketing

Samsung Electronics Singapore

Petromil Petkov

Founder and Head of Innovation Hub Singapore

Volkswagen Group

10:50

Networking break

11:20

[Case study]

The future of AI-powered marketing measurement: Building a resilient data foundation for growth

Speaker:

Naohiro Yamaura

Chairman and CEO

Ayudante APAC

11:50 – 12:50

Power Hour

Across the next 60 minutes three experts will share short sharp talks on key issues affecting marketing professionals today.

11:50

Power Hour 1:
Rethinking media monitoring: Balancing AI, accuracy, and human judgement.

Speaker:

Kelvin Koh

Managing Director

Truescope Singapore

12:10

Power Hour 2:
Smart storytelling: How AI is revolutionising the way brands craft and amplify creator content.

Speaker:

Dulya Wijeratne

Key Accounts Lead

Cult Creative

12:30

Power Hour 3:
Velocity over volume: Fuelling social ads with precision that converts.

12:50

Networking lunch

13:50

Lightning Talk

Harnessing conversational commerce, AI shopping agents, and subscription commerce in the age of retail.

14:20 – 15:20

Power Hour

Across the next 60 minutes three experts will share short sharp talks on key issues affecting marketing professionals today.

14:20

Power Hour 1:
The death of gut feel: Why the future of influencer marketing belongs to AI.

Speaker:

Francesca Ungaro

CEO

Atisfy

14:40

Power Hour 2:
Automation in motion: Rewriting the rules of personalisation.

Speaker:

Jayss Rajoo

Director of Marketing and Innovation

Pizza Hut

15:00

Power Hour 3:
Legacy, meet AI: Transforming heritage strengths into next-gen CX breakthrough

Speaker:

Henry Christian

Head of Loyalty and Customer Digital Transformation

Metro Singapore

15:20

Networking break

15:50

[Case study]

Unlocking business growth through Agentic AI in customer experience

Speaker:

Gaurav K. Upadhyay

Regional Lead, Platform and Apps

Adobe

16:20

Brand Showcase
AI decoded: 3 uses of AI and why it worked

16:35

[Panel discussion]

The great marketing recalibration: How AI is reshaping the funnel – and rewriting the marketer’s role 

Moderator:

Derick Ng

CEO and Co-Founder

Clickr

Panellists:

Ajay Shankar

Regional E-commerce Director and General Manager

Lenovo

Chen Peng

Chief Executive Officer

minden.ai

Evelyn Pang

General Manager

Moderna Biotech Singapore

17:05

Closing remarks

17:15

End of day 1

REQUEST AGENDA

DAY 2 AGENDA

Who should sponsor day 1?

If your organisation provides services or solutions in the following areas, you will be perfect for this theme:  

AI-driven advertising solution providers
AI technology providers
Chatbot and virtual assistant providers
Customer data management providers
Customer experience (CX) and user experience (UX) solution providers
Digital experience and personalisation platforms

Marketing analytics and insights providers
Marketing automation software providers
Mobile commerce (mCommerce) solution providers
Social media monitoring and sentiment analysis providers
And many more!

Get in touch with us at partnerships@marketing-interactive.com to find out more.

REQUEST SPONSORSHIP KIT

REQUEST BROCHURE

Rezwana Manjur

Editor-in-chief

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE

Rezwana Manjur has more than a decade of experience under her belt, first joining MARKETING-INTERACTIVE in 2012 as a journalist. Over the years, she has risen through the ranks in the newsroom, working across markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Hong Kong. During her time with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, she has interviewed several high-profile individuals, from Sir Martin Sorrell to Gary Vaynerchuk and Russell Simmons.

In her current role, she oversees the overall direction for the MARKETING-INTERACIVE brand working closely with the editorial, production and commercial teams across online, new media, print, social and events. She also oversees MARKETING-INTERACTIVE’s branded content division to ensure editorial integrity in all of the content produced, while fostering close collaboration with clients.

When she’s not writing and editing, she is also a familiar face to many of MARKETING-INTERACTIVE’s audiences, hosting the brand’s awards and conferences.

Piyush Gupta

Chairman of Singapore Management University, Chairman of Mandai Park Holdings

Piyush Gupta was chief executive officer and director of DBS Group from November 2009 to March 2025. Under his leadership, DBS underwent a significant and successful transformation, being named Best Bank and Best Digital Bank in the world on several occasions, as well as one of the top ten transformative organizations of the 2010 – 2020 decade by Harvard Business Review.

Prior to joining DBS, Gupta had a 27-year career at Citigroup, where his last position was chief executive officer for South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

He is currently the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Singapore Management University, chairman of the Mandai Park Holdings Board, and deputy chairman of the Board of Keppel Ltd. In addition, he sits on the board of Singapore’s National Research Foundation and is a member of the Ministry of Trade and Industry Singapore – Future Economy Advisory Panel. Gupta is a term trustee of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA). Previously, he has been a member of the Singapore Emerging Stronger Taskforce, aimed at defining Singapore’s future in a post-Covid world, the UN Secretary General’s Task Force on Digital Financing of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Board of Institute of International Finance, and the McKinsey Advisory Council.

Gupta has a bachelor of arts (honours) degree in economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, India and a post graduate diploma in management from IIM, Ahmedabad.

Gupta was awarded the Public Service Star by the President of Singapore for his meritorious services to the nation in 2020. He is a recipient of the 2023 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest honour conferred by the Indian Government on the country’s diaspora.

Gupta was named one of the world’s top 100 best-performing chief executives in Harvard Business Review – 2019 edition of “The CEO 100”. He was named Global Indian of the Year by the Economic Times in 2021, Singapore Business Awards’ Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year in 2016, and Singapore Business Leader of the Year by CNBC in 2014.

In his personal capacity, Gupta takes a keen interest in nature, and is a co-chairman of the BirdLife International Advisory Group and a member of the Global Steering Committee of the Campaign for Nature.

Gourab Kundu

Head of Digital Growth

Citi Wealth, Asia South

Gourab Kundu is the head of digital growth for Citi Wealth Asia South. In this role, he and his team are responsible in driving the digital transformation agenda for wealth, commercialisation and usage of all digital assets, driving commercialisation, and delivering best-in-class experiences to their clients.

Amresh Kumar

Director of Sales for Southeast Asia

Nexxen

Amresh Kumar serves as director of sales for Southeast Asia at Nexxen, where he drives strategic partnerships and revenue growth across the region. He has diverse expertise in account management and leadership in advertising and digital media, bringing deep knowledge of programmatic advertising, content marketing, and cross platform campaign management.

Crystal Sim

Head of Digital Marketing and Media, Integrated Marketing

Samsung Electronics Singapore

Crystal Sim is the head of digital marketing and media, integrated marketing at Samsung Electronics Singapore. A seasoned marketer with over a decade of experience across the APAC region, she has a proven track record in driving sales, building brand awareness, and crafting strategies that deliver tangible business results.

With a deep understanding of both brand vision and market dynamics, Sim excels at formulating go-to-market strategies that resonate with consumers while supporting long-term revenue growth. Her passion lies in tackling complex marketing challenges head-on, bringing a blend of strategic insight, creativity, and tenacity to every campaign she leads. Known for her resilience and results-oriented mindset, she is committed to pushing boundaries and making a meaningful impact through digital and integrated marketing.

Petromil Petkov

Founder and Head of Innovation Hub Singapore

Volkswagen Group

Petromil Petkov is the founder and head of the Volkswagen Group Innovation Hub in Singapore, where he leads the Group’s innovation strategy and partnerships across Southeast Asia. His work enables brands like Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Bentley to collaborate with the regional startup and tech ecosystem.

Previously based in China for seven years, Petkov spearheaded numerous deep tech collaborations for Volkswagen Group and launched Audi’s deep tech incubator in Beijing. He also served as entrepreneur-in-residence at Tsinghua University x-lab and as a design thinking coach at China University of Communications.

Before joining the automotive industry, he held product development roles across four continents with organisations including the United Nations, Motorola, Infosys, and launched a fintech startup.

Naohiro Yamaura

Chairman and CEO

Ayudante APAC

Naohiro Yamaura is a professional digital marketing consultant specialising in Google Analytics 360 and Google Marketing Platform. A trailblazer in online advertising, he has trained over 1,200 professionals through Google’s Analytics IQ course and taught as lecturer at universities like Rikkyo University. With eight publications on digital marketing, Yamaura has contributed to trade magazines, online media, and numerous seminars. His expertise spans education, writing, and advancing digital marketing practices across industries.

Kelvin Koh

Managing Director

Truescope Singapore

Kelvin Koh is a leader in media intelligence, technology, and public communications. As managing director of Truescope Singapore, he has guided the company’s growth into one of Singapore’s leading media monitoring firms, delivering analytics and insights to a broad range of clients, including major public sector organisations.

With experience spanning strategic media planning, crisis management and integrated communications across sectors such as government, finance, healthcare and logistics, Koh brings a balanced approach that combines real-time data with practical guidance. He is also committed to developing the industry and supporting future professionals. Koh teaches communications measurement at Nanyang Technological University and serves as membership head at the Institute of Public Relations Singapore. Recognised as a voice in Southeast Asia’s media intelligence space, he is known for his thoughtful perspectives on AI, analytics and industry change, with a focus on building trust and driving meaningful outcomes.

Dulya Wijeratne

Key Accounts Lead

Cult Creative

Dulya Wijeratne is a social media marketing and business development expert specialising in the fashion, beauty, luxury retail, and hospitality sectors. Known for her ability to craft impactful CGC and influencer marketing campaigns, she collaborates with brands and agencies to develop strategies rooted in market trends and in-depth industry research.

In 2024, Wijeratne spearheaded over 175 CGC campaigns, engaging with more than 500 creators and achieving campaigns with organic reach easily surpassing two million views within three months. Her work has delivered tangible results, including booking out restaurants for weeks or months on end. She has worked with prestigious brands like Grab, Spritzer Malaysia, The Big Group, Marriott, Le Méridien, Four Points, Moxy, Aloft KL Sentral, Hotel Indigo.

Wijeratne’s portfolio also includes successful campaigns for Pavilion Group, HSBC Malaysia, RHB, Bata, DressingPaula, Huckleberry, and The Exchange TRX. Her work has supported over 60 brands, extending their reach across markets in Singapore, Australia, and the USA.

As a sought-after speaker and trainer, Wijeratne has conducted workshops on CGC strategies and maximising ROI at conferences and events, empowering clients and creators alike. Passionate about fair opportunities, she champions Malaysian talent, connecting them with renowned brands and ensuring equitable compensation.

Francesca Ungaro

CEO

Atisfy

Before leading a global tech company, Francesca Ungaro spent over a decade in physics, conducting research at top universities and international labs. She applied machine learning to uncover insights buried in massive, complex datasets. This analytical foundation now shapes how she understands consumer behaviour, platform algorithms, and influencer performance with precision.

That journey from data scientist to CEO is what sets her apart. Today, she brings that mindset to marketing. As CEO of Atisfy, a company she helped build from the ground up, Ungaro applies her deep expertise in data, AI, and product to transform how brands connect with influencers using technology rooted in evidence, not guesswork.

She leads with vision and empathy. For Ungaro, building great tech starts with building a team that feels trusted, valued, and empowered to make a real difference.

Jayss Rajoo

Director of Marketing & Innovation

Pizza Hut

Jayss Rajoo, an accomplished marketer with 20+ years of diverse business acumen, excels in commercial management, strategic marketing, and brand innovation. A trailblazing entrepreneur, Rajoo pioneered patented packaging designs, fostering unique brand identities. Rajoo thrives on unorthodox thinking, leveraging digital trends and pop culture to spark conversations. She notably propelled Pizza Hut as Singapore’s pioneer consumer brand to integrate AI into campaign creatives.

Henry Christian

Head of Loyalty and Customer Digital Transformation

Metro Singapore

Henry Christian is a loyalty and CRM leader with over 15 years of experience in designing, building, and scaling impactful customer loyalty programs across diverse industries, including retail, finance, airlines, and e-commerce. Currently the head of loyalty and customer digital transformation at Metro (Private) Limited, Christian has a proven track record of driving customer retention and growth through data-driven strategies.

He has notably designed and managed some of Asia’s largest loyalty programs, such as Link Rewards (Singapore), MAPCLUB (Indonesia), and GoTo Group Loyalty (Indonesia). With a unique background spanning both running award-winning loyalty programs and independent consulting, Christian offers a well-rounded perspective on creating financially sustainable systems that foster strong customer-business relationships. A recognised thought leader, Christian frequently shares his insights at global events and on LinkedIn.

Gaurav K. Upadhyay

Regional Lead, Platform and Apps

Adobe

Gaurav K. Upadhyay currently heads experience platform business at Adobe for Southeast Asia and Korea region. With 15+ years of experience across data, martech consulting and commercial roles, Upadhyay is a trusted advisor to leading organisations across various industries, transforming in the age of AI. His focus is on helping build a north star vision for experience-led growth, driven by exceptional experiences at scale. Upadhyay frequently works with marketing leaders, C-suite executives and practitioners across the board.

Derick Ng

CEO and Co-Founder

Clickr

Derick Ng is the CEO and co-founder of Clickr, a digital agency that blends marketing, creative, technology, and AI to help brands grow across Southeast Asia. With over 15 years of experience in digital, he combines a strong background in web technologies with strategic marketing expertise. Under his leadership, Clickr has grown into a 50+ person multicultural agency and became part of the Underworks Japan Group in 2022. A pragmatic and consultative leader, Ng is now focused on shaping Clickr into an AI-native agency—driving greater efficiency, smarter marketing, and stronger brand performance in an increasingly automated world.

Ajay Shankar

Regional E-commerce Director and General Manager

Lenovo

Ajay Shankar is currently the regional e-commerce director and general manager at Lenovo where he is responsible of the e-commerce and direct-to-consumer business. He comes with a regional experience in the field of e-commerce, general management, digital transformation, go to market management and consulting. He has experience building multi-hundred-million-dollar businesses for brands like Lenovo, Dell, 3M and Essilor.

Chen Peng

Chief Executive Officer

minden.ai

Chen Peng is the chief executive officer of minden.ai, a technology venture behind yuu Rewards Club – one of Singapore’s leading loyalty coalition programmes with over two million members to date.

A seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience, Chen’s career has been dedicated to building and refining loyalty programmes across Southeast Asia. Before leading minden.ai, Peng established and scaled SessionM (a Mastercard company) in APAC, growing it into the region’s leading loyalty technology provider for brands such as Central Group, Tesco Lotus, yuu Rewards Club, and Starbucks.

Earlier, Chen served as general manager for Aimia in Asia – then the world’s largest loyalty company – where he managed programmes for major brands including Standard Chartered Bank, ExxonMobil, P&G, Samsung, Shangri-La Hotels, China Southern Airlines, and PCCW.

Under Chen’s leadership, minden.ai continues to redefine loyalty marketing through data, AI, and technology, powering impactful programmes like yuu Rewards Club in Singapore.

Evelyn Pang

General Manager

Moderna Biotech Singapore

Evelyn Pang is the general manager of Moderna Singapore, where she leads one of the world’s most innovative biotech companies at the intersection of science, digital transformation, and public health. With progressive experience across Asia, she has held senior leadership roles in marketing, strategy, commercial operations, and consulting at global healthcare organizations including Abbott, AbbVie, Sanofi, L.E.K. Consulting, and Zuellig Pharma.

Pang has pioneered digitally driven physician-patient engagement models, led blockbuster launches across multiple therapeutic areas, and built regional teams that deliver brand excellence across 13 Asian markets. She has a proven track record of building high-performing teams and navigating complexity, shaping brand advocacy and trust during times of rapid change and transformation.

At Moderna, she champions purpose-driven innovation and cross-industry collaboration, transforming how healthcare is delivered and experienced. Her perspective on the evolving role of marketers in the AI era is grounded in strategic clarity, collaborative leadership, and a belief that amidst algorithms and automation, authenticity and human connection remain the most powerful drivers of impact and meaningful engagement.

A passionate mentor to health tech innovators and future healthcare leaders, Pang brings curiosity, purpose, and grace to every conversation she leads and learns from.