World Marketing Summit Malaysia 2013

June 3, 2013

World Marketing Summit Malaysia 2013

KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday, 16 April 2013. – Fancy meeting the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, Ratan Tata, Zinedine Zidane and Angelina Jolie right here in Malaysia. This “dream team” ensemble could well be the reality at the world’s leading marketing event – the World Marketing Summit 2013.

Malaysia yesterday was declared the winner of a five-cornered bid to become the host of the world’s leading marketing event, the World Marketing Summit (WMS) 2013.

This was announced at a Press Conference yesterday morning by world renowned marketing Guru, Prof. Philip Kotler in a telecast from Chicago witnessed by YB Dato’ Dr Adham Baba, Chairman UniKL, Dr Marceline Lemarie, Group CEO Katchi Group, Mr Harmandar Singh, President IAA (Malaysia Chapter), Dato’ Sharifah Mohd Ismail, President IMM and Dr. Fahim Kibria, CMO World Marketing Summit Group (Canada) among others.
The WMS aims to create a global alliance, a collaboration that unites the best minds from the corporate sphere working in concert with the public sector to transform and translate marketing ideas and solutions into tackling real and focused socio-economic issues.

The aim and unique vision of the WMS are to elevate marketing from a corporate tool to a social equalizer that will deliver through a global stratagem, its promise of: “Creating a Better World through Marketing”.

Professor of the Kellogg School of Management, Prof. Philip Kotler congratulated Malaysia for seeing beyond the Summit – in a bid that encompassed vision and a long-term strategy to connect Asia with the world.
Prof. Kotler who was represented by Dr Fahim Kibria, the World Marketing Summit Group (Canada) CMO, in outlining the Malaysian proposition said: “The bid to host WMS 2013 has been both intense and exciting with five dynamic nations vying for the honor. India, Qatar, China, Mauritius and Malaysia each presented exciting bids but one stood out for its vision and long-term commitment – seeing beyond 2013 even.

“Malaysia’s visionary strategy to be the Asian marketing hub beyond hosting WMS 2013 is reflective of your nation’s rise as a leader in the global community and its increasing role as an international gateway – a modern and progressive Muslim nation that offers a bridge between the developed nations and Asia’s many rising economies.”

WMS, he explained has a unique DNA: “The critical difference between the WMS and other conferences or summits is that most if not all, are simply a gathering of luminaries sharing their views, promoting their brands or showcasing their corporate tome.

“We create a nexus for like-minded partners to meet, discuss and identify key issues facing the world which may be impacted by social change leaders and marketers pooling their resources, knowledge and energy. ”
Yet another critical evolution from the WMS he shared was: “The pilot project’s success is replicated across the globe. Every endeavor is a true global initiative – living up to our corporate credo to Create a Better World Through Marketing.

“The WMS may be an annual summit but our work and the many projects initiated are long term journeys to bring real and significant benefits to mankind through a global community-centric marketing vision.” He said these initiatives are underpinned by the eight key focus areas identified under the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG) – marketing solutions driven by social consciousness. Dr. Fahim R. Kibria said, “The significant difference from other international summits is that we create incubators where certain identified issues become pilot projects that we focus on – pooling the best minds and available technology. At the incubators, we infuse an innovative and out-of-the-box approach driven by a holistic marketing perspective that is centered on inspiring change in human behavior.
“It doesn’t end there – the findings are tabled at the following summit presenting quantifiable and measurable results. We share the findings with the world through our collaborations and our web-site.” The key issues under the UN’s MDG include gender equality; HIV and child health care; obesity; alleviation of poverty and environmental care, and the use of social marketing as catalysts of positive human behavioral change.

Malaysia’s bid led by Katchi Group CEO, Dr. Marceline Lemarie has a unique twist, as she enthusiastically explains: “It gives me great pride as a French national and a guest in this amazing country to represent my adopted home – Malaysia, in winning the bid to become the host of the iconic global marketing event: World Marketing Summit (WMS) 2013. “WMS aims to create sustainable solutions through marketing initiatives that are driven by social responsibility acting as their fulcrum.

“It is this vision, this commitment to improving lives through innovation and out-of-the-box perspectives that we at Katchi, and our partners in the WMS 2013 bid find both challenging and meaningful.”

This she said embodies their Group’s corporate credo – a reflection of the spirit of Katchi and its own commitment to create a legacy – serving the needs of the nations, businesses and people they serve through creativity and ingenuity.
Revealing the secret of their winning bid, Dr. Marceline shared: “The heart of the Malaysian bid is one based on establishing an Asian hub – not simply hosting the WMS 2013 but to create a powerful Asian marketing network with Malaysia, as its nerve centre.

“We hope to work together to create global solutions that encompass a clear focus to critically address issues impacting Asia and her people.”

The key to this winning platform she attributed to Malaysia’s holistic offering: “Your cultural diversity, excellent infrastructure, socio-economic stability, leadership within ASEAN, historical links with the rising economic powerhouses China and India coupled with your standing as a progressive modern Muslim state – make Malaysia the perfect gateway to the global arena.”
Both Prof. Kotler and Dr. Marceline hope that corporations and organizations that believe in social values and are committed to making a real difference in improving the quality of life will answer their call to support this noble international initiative.

WMS 2013 will see this vision come alive with the world’s leading entrepreneurs, corporations, NGOs’ and public sector agencies joining over 2,500 delegates representing all the continents and key markets. Katchi Group Sdn Bhd (KGSB) in collaboration with the International Advertising Association (Malaysian Branch) and the Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM) put together the bid for the World Marketing Summit 2013.