Written by Nellie Chan, Chair of The Marketing Society Hong Kong
As part of our Inside the Jury Room series, we spoke with Nellie Chan, Chair of The Marketing Society Hong Kong,
to hear their perspective as a judge for this year’s M&M Global Awards Leadership categories.
This year, Festival of Media has partnered with The Media Leader to bring the Leadership Award categories to the M&M Global Awards, recognising the individuals and teams demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation and impact across the media industry.
In the interview, Nellie shares what they think biggest opportunities for media leaders over the next 12 months are, how leaders can harness AI to drive smarter and more impactful outcomes, and the organisations and initiatives setting new benchmarks across the industry.
We also discuss what excites Nellie most about this year’s awards and the leaders being recognised, as well as their advice for the next generation of media leaders looking to make their mark.
Today, 14 September, is the official final deadline for entries. However, due to high demand, there is still time to request an extension for your entry.
Don’t miss the opportunity to have your work recognised alongside the industry’s leading talent and organisations.
Request an extension today: fomawards@festivalofmedia.com
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for media leaders over the next 12 months?
The greatest opportunity lies in unlocking the full potential of connected commerce ecosystems especially across APAC and Greater China. With the convergence of live commerce, retail media networks, and super-apps, leaders who can bridge the gap between high-impact brand building and seamless transactional conversion will capture outsized market share.
How do you see media leaders navigating AI to drive smarter, more impactful outcomes?
Having seen decades of technological shifts, the real impact comes when AI moves beyond automated asset production to strategic synthesis. In diverse regions like APAC, leaders must navigate hyper-local languages, nuance, and walled gardens. The smartest teams use AI for predictive consumer intent and dynamic localization while keeping human cultural context, brand safety, and data governance firmly at the center.
Which media leaders, organisations or initiatives do you think are setting new benchmarks for the industry?
The benchmarks are being set right here in Asia Pacific—specifically pioneers merging entertainment, algorithm-led discovery, and immediate fulfillment across platforms like Douyin, WeChat, and regional super-apps. Global players are increasingly looking to Greater China and Southeast Asia for blueprints in omnichannel retail media and high-velocity consumer engagement.
What excites you most about this year’s Festival of Media – M&M Global Awards and the leaders being recognised?
I’m excited to celebrate leaders who demonstrate resilience and vision amid rapid economic and digital shifts. With over three decades in the industry, I deeply appreciate campaigns that balance bold innovation with genuine business impact, and I look forward to spotlighting APAC’s leadership on the international stage.
What advice would you give to the next generation of media leaders looking to make their mark on the industry?
Master the tech, but never lose sight of human behavior. Platforms, algorithms, and channels will continually change, but the fundamentals of consumer empathy, trust, and cultural relevance endure. Stay relentlessly curious about new tools, but root your leadership in integrity, relationship building, and deep market understanding.
