Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday, 4 July 2024 03:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Michelle Therese Alles
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| KVUR Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director Uma Rudd Chia |
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| XYZ Lab Founder Sotirios P. Seridis |
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| Independent Consultant and Investor Nuwan I. Senaratna |
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| Janashakthi Group, Group Chief Marketing Officer Gamika De Silva |
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| Google APAC (Singapore and Indonesia) Tech Partnership Lead Kenny He
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The Digital Marketing Summit 2024, the most anticipated digital marketing event of the year, commenced yesterday at Water’s Edge, Colombo. Organised by the Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL), this two-day summit, running from 3 to 4 July is to be a transformative experience for all attendees.
Boasting an impressive lineup of speakers and workshops, the event, powered by Unilever, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts for a two-day journey into the future of digital marketing.
The summit commenced with a grand inauguration by the President and Secretary of DMASL, and featured a meticulously curated agenda, offering a blend of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with some of the most influential minds in the industry, gain actionable insights, and discover innovative strategies to stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape. The Digital Marketing Summit 2024 was a remarkable event that left a lasting impact on all who attended.
One of the standout keynote speakers at the Digital Marketing Summit 2024 was renowned creative director and thought leader in the field of digital marketing Uma Rudd Chia.
Her address, titled “Preserving Human Creativity in the Age of AI”, focused on the delicate balance between leveraging artificial intelligence and preserving human creativity. She emphasised the vital importance of maintaining a human point of view in today’s AI-driven world, noting, “If you don’t put your point of view into that insight, it will be lost in the landscape of everyone else’s.”
She further highlighted the need to inspire and open minds to the myriad possibilities that come with AI integration.
Sotirios P. Seridis followed with a compelling presentation on optimising the digital marketing mix. He emphasised that: “The cornerstone of effective digital marketing is aligning each marketing activity with the business objectives of an organisation.” According to Seridis, the contemporary digital landscape demands a strategic approach where every element of the product offering can be meticulously tailored to serve the specific goals of the company.
Nuwan I. Senaratna’s presentation delved into the complexities of modern advertising policies and their impact on achieving higher engagement for ads. He explained that to drive more engagement, advertisers must first thoroughly understand and comply with the ever-evolving ad policies of various platforms. “Meticulous attention to these policies can prevent costly setbacks and maximise ad visibility,” noted Senaratna. His insights underscored the need for a balanced approach that combines regulatory compliance, data-driven personalisation, continuous optimisation, and user-friendly ad integration to achieve sustainable success in digital advertising.
Gamika De Silva and Anand Tilak led an engaging and interactive session titled “My Boss Didn’t See My Ads.” This session resonated deeply with the audience, especially young brand managers and media planners, as it tackled a common yet critical issue in digital marketing. De Silva and Tilak, drawing from their extensive experience, provided invaluable insights and practical solutions to ensure that ads not only reach the intended audience but also achieve high visibility within organisations. “To ensure your ad gets the recognition it deserves, it’s not just about reaching your external audience but also making your internal stakeholders see and appreciate your efforts,” said Gamika De Silva.
Kenny He delivered an insightful session titled “Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable”. His presentation underscored the need for marketers to embrace the rapid advancements in AI technologies and their transformative impact on digital marketing strategies and measurement.
He began by highlighting the ever-evolving nature of AI and its profound implications for the marketing industry. “In an AI-driven world, change is the only constant,” he stated. He explained that AI technologies are reshaping how data is collected, analysed, and utilised, necessitating a shift in traditional marketing mindsets and approaches. Marketers are now required to adopt a more agile and adaptive stance to stay ahead in a highly competitive landscape.
He urged marketers to be open to testing new ideas and strategies. “Embrace the unknown and let data guide your decisions,” he said, emphasising that the willingness to experiment and iterate is crucial for success in an AI-driven marketing landscape.
In her presentation titled “Beyond Tech: Timeless Catalysts for Success”, Nicole Ingra emphasised that while technology and digital tools are crucial in today’s marketing landscape, certain timeless principles remain essential for achieving sustainable success. She also discussed the value of resilience and adaptability in the face of change, pointing out that the digital landscape is constantly evolving, and success requires the ability to adapt and persevere through challenges. Ingra’s insights emphasised the need to balance technological advancements with timeless values such as creativity, authenticity, and human connection. “In the end, it’s these timeless catalysts that truly make a difference,” she concluded.
The first day of the Digital Marketing Summit 2024 has set the stage for what is sure to be an equally impactful second day. Participants can look forward to further enhancing their skills, networking with peers, and gaining a deeper understanding of how to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.
- Pix by Ruwan Walpola
