The MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conferences, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, concluded at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with more than 1,700 industry professionals from 22 countries and regions in attendance. The events focused on the theme "Generate New Growth," exploring how new technologies and strategies can drive business momentum in an evolving digital landscape.
Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, emphasized that rapid advances in digital technologies are transforming how businesses reach consumers and scale operations. The conferences featured 30 thematic sessions with over 85 experts discussing topics including AI trends, social media practices, and cross-border market strategies. Industry leaders highlighted artificial intelligence as a central force in redefining digital commerce. Terry Li, Vertical General Manager of Smart Retail at Tencent, stated that AI integration into enterprise architecture is key to success, noting it can inspire creativity and enable personalized customer experiences rather than destroying it.
Bruce Pan, Cross-border Industry Operations Manager of TikTok Shop US, added that competitive advantage lies in combining creative direction, product understanding, and emotional storytelling rather than merely generating content faster. The shift toward quick commerce and consumer demand for convenience was another major focus. Patrick Zhang, Senior BD Manager of Amazon Global Selling, pointed out that the next phase of globalization will be defined by how quickly brands can understand local consumer needs and translate data insights into growth.
Yatong Qiu, Vice President of Taobao & Tmall Group at Alibaba, highlighted agile merchandising strategies and speed-oriented approaches to meet modern consumer expectations. The "Decoding the Gateway to ASEAN: Cross Border Growth and Market Entry Strategies" session provided practical guidance for entering the ASEAN market, with speakers including Luca Barni, SVP Commercial at Lazada Group, sharing battle-tested experiences. More information about the conferences is available through the MarketingPulse website and eTailingPulse website.
As consumer markets pivot toward experience-driven models, brands are increasingly focusing on sensory management and design thinking. Pauline Brown, former Chairman of LVMH North America, delivered a presentation on "Aesthetic Intelligence," arguing that while AI enhances efficiency, consumers care about brands creating authentic sensory pleasure. Haijun Wang, Founder and CEO of Atour Lifestyle Holdings, demonstrated how to forge brand identity through lifestyle sensibilities, stating that emotional value and authentic customer advocacy are becoming crucial differentiators in the experience economy.
The conferences also addressed the growing influence of younger generations as dominant consumers. JinHee Lee, Chief Operating Officer of South Korea's Olive Young, shared how the beauty brand leverages omnichannel operations and data-driven marketing to build international competitiveness. Krzysztof Andrzej Kowal, Global Retail Design Director at YSL Beauty, L'Oréal Luxe, discussed transforming physical retail spaces into storytelling canvases through design, story, and emotion, emphasizing the need for stores to become "temples of experience."
Creative social content and AI's impact on creativity were explored through various sessions. Stephen Rogers, Group Creative Director at Droga5, participated in the "Creativity & AI: Human vs Artificial Mind" session, revealing that human imagination and intelligent technology engage in a symbiotic relationship rather than a zero-sum game. Beyond the forums, the events introduced "e-Commerce Connect," featuring nearly 30 exhibitors showcasing e-commerce solutions, along with workshops and over 170 business matchmaking sessions. Video on Demand content from the conferences is available for one month through the event platforms.
