The 15th National Marketing Conclave at KIIT School of Management focused on “Marketing in the Age of Disruption,” exploring the impact of technology and evolving consumer behaviours. The event featured industry leaders and interactive sessions, emphasising the need for data-driven strategies and industry-academia collaboration.
The KIIT School of Management (KSOM) recently held its highly anticipated 15th National Marketing Conclave, centred on the theme “Marketing in the Age of Disruption.” This event brought together industry leaders, academicians, and students to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of marketing, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer behaviours.
The Conclave was inaugurated by Prof. Joydeep Biswas, Conclave Convenor, who set the stage by emphasising the profound changes reshaping the business environment. He underscored the importance of adopting responsible and forward-thinking marketing practices in today’s dynamic market. Prof. Suva Kanta Mohanty, Director of KSOM, welcomed the attendees and highlighted the impact of technological advancements, globalisation, and changing socio-economic demographics on consumer preferences and behaviour. He stressed the need for marketers to stay relevant by leveraging tools like influencer marketing, AI, and user-generated content while acknowledging the ongoing challenge of understanding the human mind.
The event featured a keynote address by Mr Partha Sinha, President and Chief Brand Officer of Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd. Mr Sinha, a renowned advertising strategist, provided valuable insights into brand building in the era of disruption. He discussed the growing significance of hyper-personalisation, data-driven decision-making, and automation in marketing, noting that Generative AI is revolutionising brand strategies. Mr Sinha also emphasised the importance of empathy in business strategy, advocating for brands that genuinely care about people.
Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor of KIIT Deemed to be University, spoke about the initiatives KIIT is undertaking to strengthen industry-academia connections. He highlighted the impact of Industry 4.0 on educational curriculum development and urged students to understand disruptive marketing and the role of IT platforms and AI in transforming business functions.
The Conclave also included Large Scale Interactive Processes (LSIP) sessions led by top marketing professionals, including Ms Prachi Mohapatra from Disney-Star, Mr Radhakrishnan from Tata Starquik, and Mr Shyamlal Patnaik from Aditya Birla, among others. These closed-group interactions allowed students to engage with industry leaders on topics such as humanising marketing in a digital world, the ethics of data-driven marketing, and green solutions in the age of disruption.
Preceding the Conclave was a National Level Marketing Simulation Competition, which attracted over 1,300 teams from top B-schools across India. The event provided students with a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and gain insights into the future of marketing.
The 15th National Marketing Conclave at KSOM successfully bridged the gap between academia and industry, offering students valuable exposure to the latest trends and practices in marketing. Through engaging discussions and interactive sessions, the event reinforced KSOM’s commitment to fostering industry collaborations and equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a disruptive marketplace.