The Marketing Society launches Southeast Asia office in Singapore

The event marks the society's second foray into Asia-Pacific, following the Hong Kong launch in April this year.

Based in London, The Marketing Society is a network of senior-level marketers that aims to offer a forum for individuals to be inspired, debate, share business challenges and network with senior industry figures.

“Southeast Asia is currently experiencing an unprecedented transformation in business opportunities, and the role of the professional marketer has never been more crucial in that success,” Arnold told Campaign Asia-Pacific. “From all the discussions we have had across the region, there is a big appetite for a professional forum for senior marketers.”

Despite this 'appetite', the society's next event in Singapore will be a lunch with tennis legend Martina Navratilova on October 24. Arnold explained that bringing people from outside the industry in for inspirational talks was all part of the strategy. 

“If we do this right, and by we I mean the members of the society, as it has to be a society led and inspired by its members, we will create the most influential network of senior marketers in the region,” said Arnold. “In doing so we will drive forward the society's mantra of 'inspiring bolder marketing leadership', which is something our whole industry will benefit from.”

According to Gemma Greaves, managing director of The Marketing Society, the association plans to have branches in 10 cities around the world by 2017. 

"What makes Singapore unique is that people always ask 'how can we do this better?'" he said. 

A newly formed steering committee for The Marketing Society in Southeast Asia includes:

• Terri Seow, head of marketing, BBC Global News Limited
• Rachael Bell, head of marketing, SEA, BT Global Services
• Kiook Jeoung, head of corporate global partner marketing, Cisco Systems
• Gary Lim, director, Johnson & Johnson
• Christian Oversohl, MD Asia Pacific / Senior Vice President, Sapient Nitro
• Frederique Covington, International marketing director, Twitter.