The MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held concurrently on March 19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Under the theme "Generate New Growth," the events will bring together approximately 70 global experts to help brands rethink growth strategies, with a focus on the latest developments in e-commerce and marketing through about 30 thematic sessions.
The conferences adopt a dual-track approach, advancing both e-commerce development and brand marketing. A key focus will be on how technologies like agentic AI and trends such as quick commerce are reshaping consumer behavior and the competitive landscape. Yatong Qiu, Vice President of Taobao&Tmall Group at Alibaba, will discuss how brands can maintain competitiveness through flexible merchandising and real-time marketing to seize time-sensitive opportunities. Terry Li, Vertical General Manager of Smart Retail at Tencent, will explore practical approaches and future directions for agentic AI-driven e-commerce strategies, offering insights from the perspective of service providers and ecosystems.
Speakers will address diverse strategies for navigating the current market. Jinhee Lee, COO of South Korea's Olive Young, will explain how data-driven marketing and omnichannel operations build high-growth ecosystems for global brand expansion. Haijun Wang, Founder and CEO of Atour Group, will share strategies centered on experience differentiation and customer segment operations to integrate hotel and retail businesses. Pauline Brown, former Chairman of LVMH North America, will discuss leveraging "aesthetic intelligence" to elevate brand value and shape consumer perception in the digital landscape.
With ASEAN rising as a dynamic economic region, a dedicated session will explore cross-border growth and market entry strategies. Luca Barni, SVP Commercial at Lazada Group, will share practical experiences, addressing e-commerce legal challenges and localization strategies. The evolution of social media marketing will also be examined, with Kenie Kwok, Creative Strategy Lead at Meta, sharing trends on the Threads platform for audience engagement.
Additional sessions will delve into engaging younger demographics through understanding trends like the "healing economy" and IP-driven consumer behavior. Yiying Wang, Founder of Noodoll Limited, will explore how brands can incorporate healing elements and popular IPs to deepen connections. The event will also feature insights on personal brand management from actor Louis Cheung and content creator Mayaow. A new "e-Commerce Connect" feature will showcase one-stop solutions from nearly 30 exhibitors, complemented by workshops and networking activities. For detailed programme information, visit https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/conference/mp/en/programme.
The conferences underscore a critical juncture for business leaders, where adapting to rapid technological shifts and evolving consumer expectations is paramount for sustainable growth. The emphasis on practical, data-driven strategies and cross-sector collaboration provides a roadmap for brands aiming to transform market challenges into forward momentum in an increasingly digital and competitive global economy.
