16th July 2025, Wednesday

8:00 AM

REGISTRATION

9:00 AM

Welcome Address by the Chair – Andreas Vogiatzakis
Executive Director, AMVPLUS ADVISORY

9:15 AM

SESSION 1: BRAND HERITAGE & STRATEGY
Dettol: We're Willing to Bet Dettol Can Be Found in Nearly Every Malaysian Home!

Since its introduction in 1933 as an antiseptic liquid, Dettol has evolved to offer a wide range of products. Renowned for its powerful germ-fighting properties, it plays a key role in promoting health in various ways. Instantly identifiable by its distinct scent, amber hue, and the signature clouding effect in water, Dettol has become a trusted name with innovations that cater to people from all walks of life. This is the story of a brand built on consistency, thoughtful product innovation, strategic portfolio expansion, and impactful campaigns.

Speaker:
Tiffany Tang, GM - Mead Johnson, Malaysia, Singapore

10.00 AM

SESSION 2: LESSONS FROM 1000 LAUNCHES
Leveraging Trends, Insights and Strategies from Actual Successes & Actual Failures

Imagine having a limited budget for market research, facing time constraints, and lacking sufficient data. But there is a way forward – you can learn from previous product launches, tap into new markets, and drive sales growth! This engaging presentation will share key insights – from the importance of avoiding traditional marketing to making the most of fewer consumer conversations, and even prioritizing actual launches over extensive testing. Get ready to be inspired by valuable lessons that will fuel your "can-do" attitude and help you and your
brand portfolio succeed.

Speaker:
Dr. Aseem Puri, CEO
Unilever International

10:45 AM

COFFEE BREAK

11.15 AM

SESSION 3: NEXT-LEVEL DIGITAL MARKETING
Intent, Intelligence, Investment, Infrastructure – Key Strategies to Optimize These Pillars for Advancing Your Brand’s Digital Marketing to the Next Level!

The fast-evolving landscape of digital marketing can be overwhelming, even for seasoned brand marketers. To navigate this increasingly complex online environment, it’s essential to develop a clear strategy for advancing your brand’s digital marketing efforts. This presentation will explore the steps needed to elevate your current digital marketing approach, covering everything from evaluating existing practices to making key decisions in crucial areas. It will provide valuable insights and real-world case studies to help guide the way forward.

Speaker:
Daler Kendzhaev, MD, Investment and Specialist Solutions
Omnicom Media Group, Malaysia

12.00 PM

SESSION 4: CREATOR-GENERATED CONTENT & ROI
Case Studies: Maximizing the Impact of Creator-Generated Content (CGC) to Boost Brand Engagement and Drive Sales Revenue

Trust, authenticity, and credibility are values that resonate strongly with your brand’s target audience – especially when key messages are created and shared by the creator! Creator-generated content drives higher creator engagement, and it is a cost-effective strategy that can be easily repurposed for paid advertising. Central to an effective CGC strategy is the power of relevant Data, which offers valuable insights for crafting content that influences purchasing decisions. This presentation will explore how your brand can tap into the potential of CGC, provide a practical framework for its implementation, and showcase case studies that demonstrate how CGC has fuelled engagement and boosted sales revenue.

Speaker:
Dulya Wijeratne, Head of Client Success
Cult Creative Malaysia

12:45 PM

LUNCH

2:15 PM

SESSION 5: MEET the BRUTALLY FRANK MARKETEERS!
Ask Away and Receive Workable Solutions to Your Brand Marketing Challenges and Doubts!

From insights to brand building to trade marketing to pricing to communications to managing a marketing team across both B2C and B2B sectors – this is your opportunity to “Just Ask” the experienced practitioners who will furnish workable solutions to your brand marketing challenges!

So, pile-up your questions! Post them real-time! Receive practical ideas, tips & solutions from:

  • Santharuban Thurai Sundaram, Chief Executive Officer, Etika Group of Companies (Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei)
  • Christy Ng, CEO, Christy Ng Malaysia

3:00 PM

SESSION 6: MARKET TAILWINDS & HEADWINDS
Navigating Tailwinds and Headwinds: Key Trends, Insights, and Opportunities for Marketers in Malaysia

This presentation will examine the latest developments in the Malaysian market, focusing on the emerging opportunities and challenges. Key questions will be addressed: Is consumer caution influencing buying behavior? Is there any relief from the inflationary trends? How are consumers adjusting their budgets and coping with these shifts? Should brand builders reconsider their strategies for the last two quarters of 2025 and prepare for a stronger push in 2026? This session will explore these challenges and opportunities while offering actionable insights for marketers navigating the evolving landscape.

Speaker:
Alvin Chia, Account Director
Kantar Worldpanel Malaysia

3:45 PM

TEA BREAK

4:00 PM

SESSION 7: 1, 9, 90... 900. THE UNTAPPED FUNNEL
The Forgotten Bottom Funnel: Leveraging the People With Influence

In this competitive marketing landscape, reaching people at the bottom of the funnel is crucial, it is after all the stage where potential customers are ready to make or influence purchasing decisions. An often overlooked yet highly effective strategy to boost conversions at this stage involves partnering with anybody with subject matter influence—predominantly individuals with a smaller, highly engaged following. This session delves into the specific steps to build an influence funnel.

Speaker:

  • René E. Menezes, Executive Director
    Remix

4:30 PM

SESSION 8: AI: SMART PROMPTS for BEST OUTCOMES!
AI Comes Alive! How the Right PROMPTS Can Effortlessly Elevate the Quality of Your Marketing Planning and Execution

This isn’t just a cheat sheet! You’ll learn actionable AI tricks you can use right away – whether you need a catchy jingle or a dynamic avatar. But remember: unclear prompts lead to poor results. Your prompts connect your intent with AI's power, so they must be sharp. This session will SHOW and DEMO how to craft effective prompts that unlock the full potential of AI tools, helping you choose the right ones and drive smarter, more impactful marketing.

Speakers:

  • XP Ng, CEO, Academy of Artificial Intelligence
  • Jasmine Lim, Director of Growth, DriveFunnels

5.30 PM

Day 1 Ends

In addition, and in-between for 2 days: Ten 60-Second Actionable Ideas and Tips

“Unlock the Power of AI in Marketing Research”

Julie Ng, CEO & Co-Founder of Vase.ai, will share Ten 60-Second Actionable Ideas and
Tips to transform you into a marketing research expert using AI.

In these 10 bite-sized sessions, you'll discover a wealth of insights to streamline and elevate your AI-powered marketing research. Gain practical strategies to conduct research quickly and effectively with AI.

Learn how to:

  • Analyze Customer Preferences: Utilize AI to delve into target personas and understand their preferences.
  • Gauge Brand Perception: Conduct sentiment analysis with AI to assess how your brand is perceived.
  • Select Brand Ambassadors: Identify the perfect brand ambassadors through AI-powered analysis.
  • Save Time: Leverage AI translation to expedite your research processes.
  • And More...

17th July 2025, Thursday

8:00 AM

REGISTRATION

9:00 AM

Introduction by the Chair - Andreas Vogiatzakis
Executive Director, AMVPLUS ADVISORY

9:15 AM

SESSION 1: BRAND JOURNEY: DEFYING CONVENTION
ZUS COFFEE: The Story of a Brand that Defied Convention and Became Malaysia's
Fastest-Growing Coffee Brand

In just over 5 years and 90 million cups served, ZUS has redefined a daily necessity, bringing quality and accessibility to new heights. But there’s more to the story. When ZUS first entered the market during a challenging period, it remained steadfast, navigating obstacles to become an iconic specialty coffee brand in Malaysia. This is a story of vision, an unwavering focus on consumers, competitive drive, resilience, and innovation – one that truly stands out.

Speaker:
Venon Tian, COO
ZUS COFFEE Malaysia

10.00 AM

SESSION 2: GAMIFICATION & STICKINESS
Case Studies: How to Use Gamification to Spice-Up Your Marketing Tactics, Increase User Engagement and Sales Revenue

Gamification has the power to enhance your brand’s connection with audiences, transforming interactions into engaging, memorable, and enjoyable experiences. Whether through reward programs that feel like quests or apps designed to drive repeat visits, brands in Malaysia are increasingly adopting game mechanics to foster loyalty. This presentation will explore how gamification works, provide a practical framework you can implement, and showcase case studies that demonstrate the games and strategies that sparked engagement and boosted sales revenue.

Speaker:
Kenny Lum, Chief Executive Officer
Gameka Malaysia

10:45 AM

COFFEE BREAK

11.15 AM

SESSION 3: MEDIA INSIGHTS MALAYSIA
Navigating Malaysia's Increasingly Complex Media Landscape as AI Continues to Make Inroads

This presentation is accompanied by data that provides insights into Malaysia’s shifting media landscape. As the influence of AI grows, the balancing act between digital and traditional media continues. This presentation will share current media investment and consumption trends, along with future moves. Key topics covered include Malaysia media landscape snapshot; Media consumption across product categories; Media consumption between consumer groups in Malaysia; Digital media trends; The influence of AI; Moving Forward: Key considerations for your brand strategy.

Speaker:
Melody Khoo, Associate Director, Strategy
PHD Malaysia

12:00 PM

SESSION 4: MARKETER’S CAMPAIGN MISTAKES!
A Bold and Honest Look at Common Campaign Planning Mistakes by Marketers – and How to Avoid Them!

Join two industry veterans with over 45 years of combined experience in working with brands, campaigns, and marketers as they openly share the many campaigns planning and execution mistakes they have encountered along the way. In this engaging, interactive session, they will highlight common pitfalls marketers create and fall into, and offer practical solutions to avoid them. The conversation will be relaxed and dynamic, with plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions and interact with the experts throughout.

Speakers:

  • Farrah Harith-McPherson, Chief Growth Officer, Naga DDB Tribal
  • Sandeep Joseph, CEO and Co-Founder, Ampersand Advisory

12:45 PM

LUNCH

2:15 PM

SESSION 5: 1-MINUTE SNAPSHOTS
Ask Away and Receive Workable Solutions to Your Challenges and Doubts about TikTok & WhatsApp!

Have questions or facing challenges with TikTok or WhatsApp? Ask away! Receive clear, actionable solutions to help you navigate the ins and outs of these platforms, whether you're looking to improve your content strategy, troubleshoot issues, or understand the latest features.

Get expert advice tailored to your needs and make the most out of your TikTok and WhatsApp experience from:

  • Ng Hun Jie, Commercial Director, The D Group
  • Tee Kee Lion, CEO & Founder Store N Go

2:45 PM

SESSION 6: INTEGRATING BRANDS INTO CONTENT
Capitalising on the Strength of IP and Content as a Strong Pillar of Communication

Integrating brands into content has become a key strategy for marketers seeking to build lasting relationships with their target audience. The challenge is ensuring that brand placements feel natural, not forced or out of place. This presentation will share ideas and case studies for achieving seamless brand integration across content and platforms for better results.

Speaker:
Raja Jastina Arshad, Head, Astro Shaw & Vice President, Malay Nusantara Business
Astro Malaysia

3:30 PM

TEA BREAK

4:00 PM

SESSION 7: BRIDGING ONLINE & OFFLINE GAP
Delivering Higher Retention Rates and Increasing Sales Efficiently via Unified Commerce

Customers interact with your brand across various touchpoints — online (websites, apps, social media) and offline (in-store, call centers, events). Bridging the gap between these channels is key to creating a seamless, unified journey with technology that strengthens relationships, boosts retention, and drives sales. In this presentation,
Yien Yee will share a framework for bridging the gap, tips for success, common mistakes marketers make in coordinating online and offline channels, along with supporting case studies.

Speaker:
Soh Yien Yee, Chief Relationship Officer
EasyStore Malaysia

4:30 PM

SESSION 8: INSIGHTS to REDEFINING BOUNDARIES
Durex’s Journey in Malaysia: Redefining Boundaries in a Regulated Market with Witty Social Messaging

As the leader in sexual wellbeing, Durex excels at making consumers feel comfortable with their intimate experiences. Often adopting a light-hearted and witty approach, Durex’s campaigns are fuelled by deep consumer insights. This presentation will delve into the strategies and campaigns that have helped Durex ignite discussions on a topic that not only sparks intimacy but also encourages open dialogue, ultimately driving growth in the market.

Speakers:

  • Jerome Goh, Head of Marketing OTC & IW
    Reckitt Malaysia
  • Andrew Perera, Creative Director
    Fishermen Integrated

5:30 PM

End of the 20th BFM BRANDFEST 2025