MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippines is set to host “Marketing Wars: Episode 6.0 and Beyond,” integrating the fourth World Marketing Forum and the 53rd National Marketing Conference, focusing on the evolving global marketing landscape. Organized by the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) in collaboration with the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF), the events are scheduled sequentially from November 06 to 07 at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City, bringing together around 1,700 marketing professionals and industry leaders worldwide.
The two-day conference explores the clash between human ingenuity and advanced technology, where marketers navigate the battle for operational excellence. It aims to examine how marketing professionals can harness the power of human creativity alongside the precision of machine intelligence, providing actionable insights to wield both effectively in today’s fast-paced landscape. Attendees will also gain strategies to navigate the rapidly changing marketing environment, covering topics from AI integration to sustainability-driven business models.
“Our goal this year is to highlight the balance marketers must strike between the creativity of the human spirit and the capabilities of technology,” said Kathy Mercado, CPM, President of the Philippine Marketing Association. “By exploring how we can blend human insight with machine intelligence, we hope to empower our participants to develop strategic solutions for today’s complex marketing challenges.”
The WMF on November 06 will center on “The Force of Marketing Awakens: The Strategic War for Excellence,” featuring a keynote address by Philip Kotler (via Zoom) and a live address by Hermawan Kartajaya, Founder of AMF, on “Setting the Stage for Marketing 6.0.” Discussions will cover topics such as immersive marketing, integrating physical-digital experiences, overcoming digital fatigue, and achieving operational excellence. Other notable speakers include Roger Wang, President of the Marketing Institute of Singapore, and Syed Ferhat Anwar, President of the Asia Marketing Federation. The event is expected to draw around 150 foreign delegates from AMF’s member countries across Asia, including Singapore, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
“It is our honor to host the World Marketing Forum as part of our 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Association,” said Sy Bryan Lato, CPM-Asia, PMA Immediate Past President and Director for International Affairs. “The bid was done during a board meeting of the Asia Marketing Federation, and we are excited to show Filipino hospitality and present the world with the richness of Filipino culture.”
On November 07, the NMC, now in its 53rd year, will focus on “The Next Gen Empire Strikes Back: Defining the Future of Marketing.” The event will center on three core topics: Marketing to NXT Gen (covering Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers), NXT Gen Marketing Best Practices (including Purposeful Marketing, SDG & Sustainability, and Journey-based Marketing), and NXT Gen Marketing Tools (exploring technologies such as RPA and AI). Industry leaders, including Jim Lafferty, Global CEO of FINE Hygienics, along with executives from global MNCs, FMCGs, and top Agora award winners, will share strategies on the future of marketing leadership. The day will conclude with discussions on sustainability marketing and a “Winning the NXT Level Marketing Wars” session featuring Donald Patrick Lim, President of DITO CME, and insights from Agora awardees on future-ready marketing strategies.
“The two marketing events go beyond simply exchanging ideas; they serve as a battleground where strategies are put to the test and new paradigms are shaped,” said Donald Patrick Lim, Overall Conference Chairperson. “The ‘Marketing Wars’ theme underscores the need for marketers to confront the challenges of a rapidly evolving landscape, equipping them with the insights and skills necessary to be future-ready.”
In the lead-up to the event, PMA secured key partnerships and formalized agreements on October 02 with key organizations, including the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce, Indonesian Embassy, Department of Tourism, Newport World Resorts, Globaltronics, and GCash. The ceremonial signing was graced by His Excellency Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines.
The event is supported by a network of allied organizations, including the Asia Center for Small Business- Philippines (ACSB), Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations (CREBA), Philippine Youth Entrepreneurs Association (PYEA), AI Global Council, The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – National Capital Region (PCCI-NCR), Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), International Council for Small Business (ICSB), Malaysia Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (MCCI), Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP), Philippine Plastics Industry Association Inc. (PPIAI), and Out-of-Home Advertising Association of the Philippines (OHAAP).
Newport World Resorts serves as the venue partner while supporting partners include Shoppertainment LIVE, Uniquecorn Strategies PR, Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment, and ZOE Broadcasting Network as the PR and communications partners.
Early bird registration for the 4th World Marketing Forum and the 53rd National Marketing Conference is now open, with full event details and the speaker lineup available at the official registration link.
