According to the conference, marketers across the globe need to come up with innovative campaigns as they seek to ensure that their brand remains resilient and top of mind in today's socio-economic environment. 

Not only are companies' strategic decisions being based on less share of wallet as stagnating economic growth across the globe pinches wallets, but also as new technologies, such as AI, become embedded in how businesses operate.

Disruption in the form of AI is also affecting the sector, with the technology already being used by developed countries to handle aspects of marketing such as quickly computing data to determine trends and then focus advertisements on a specific target audience, adds the conference.

It is against this environment that the African Marketing Confederation's third annual conference will be held in Kenya's historic trading hub, Mombasa, between Wednesday, 25 September and Friday, 27 September, the event says. 

Irene Gregory, CEO of South Africa's IMM Institute (a founding member of the AMC), says, "The conference promises a fantastic networking opportunity to delve into brand resilience in economically uncertain times, hear solutions implemented by peers in the industry, as well as provide delegates some down time at the Sarova White Sands Beach Resort."

Given slow growth across the continent, the 2024 conference is themed 'Brand Resilience Amidst Economic Uncertainty'. 

"Topics that will be discussed include macro marketing aspects, women in marketing, tailoring brand strategies for diverse African markets, as well as using generative AI in digital marketing, among others," adds Gregory.

The conference says that it offers networking opportunities with a range of specialists in areas ranging from:

  • chief marketing officers
  • marketing analysts
  • data specialists
  • digital marketers, and 
  • marketing consultants.

They range from across the continent, including:

  • Ethiopia
  • Malawi
  • South Africa (represented by the IMM Institute),
  • Uganda, and
  • Zambia. 

All of these confederation member bodies.

"The keynote address will be given by Hermawan Kartajaya, who is a globally recognised visionary in modern marketing, renowned for his collaboration with Philip Kotler, the 'Father of Modern Marketing', in co-authoring twelve influential books since 1998," says Helen McIntee, AMC's president.

The 2024 conference will also welcome delegates and colleagues from the Asia Marketing Federation, with which it signed a collaboration in May. Representatives from the CIM United Kingdom will once again also be in attendance, McIntee adds.

Multi-award-winning Kartajaya is the founder and chair of MCorp, a professional services firm in marketing consulting, research and training, in Southeast Asia, and has played a pivotal role in shaping marketing practices across the region, according to the event.

"His keynote address promises invaluable insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the African marketing community," concludes Gregory.

Those who wish to attend the conference are encouraged to contact the IMM Institute at [email protected] to secure early bird tickets with a discount of 20% off before the end of July, and 10% off before the end of August, instead of the full prices ranging from USD$1 300 for the full experience to USD$100 for online attendance.

For more information, visit www.africanmarketingconfederation.org. You can also follow The African Marketing Confederation on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on X. 

*Image courtesy of contributor