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On this latest episode of “Agency Agenda”, Marcus Krzastek, international president of VaynerMedia, shares his journey from project manager to global leadership alongside Gary Vaynerchuk. He discusses the evolving nature of talent, and how AI is reshaping the integration of creative and media. Krzastek also breaks down how the agency is scaling across APAC and EMEA while building a unified creative and media “machine” for global brands, and explores SEA’s rising influence in global marketing.

In this episode of Agency Agenda, Lara Hussein, CEO and founding partner of M+C Saatchi KARSA, shares the story behind the agency’s shift to full local ownership and its rebrand. She unpacks the meaning of “KARSA”, and how it reflects the agency’s next chapter.  Lara also discusses Malaysia’s evolving agency landscape, the rise of boutique firms, as well as what continues to drive her after more than two decades in the industry.

In this episode of Agency Agenda, Eunice Tan, group CEO of The Secret Little Agency (TSLA), shares her take on what bold creativity really means for the agency. Moving beyond hype-driven campaigns, she explains why long-term brand building and full-funnel thinking define truly impactful work.  Tan also unpacks TSLA’s agenda, from investing in talent and production capabilities to fostering a culture where creativity thrives. She reflects on leadership, building safe spaces for ideas, and why having fun remains essential to doing the best work of your career.

In this episode of Agency Agenda, Peter de Kretser, founder and CEO of GO Communications, unpacks the agency’s journey in Malaysia and beyond. He shares why storytelling remains at the heart of PR, even in an AI-driven world, and how GO is building for the future with new leadership under chairman Andreas.  From navigating cultural nuance to forging alliances in new markets including the Middle East, de Kretser also reveals why “the big idea” still makes all the difference.

In this episode of Agency Agenda, Anish Daryani, CEO of Moonfolks, shares the thinking behind the agency’s rebranding, and upcoming regional expansion into Vietnam and Brunei.  He also reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, how Vietnam shaped his mindset, and why he’s building a culture that nurtures future founders. From scaling capabilities in tech and data to maintaining a strong people-first culture, he outlines what’s next for Havas Moonfolks as it looks to grow its footprint across Southeast Asia.

In this episode of Agency Agenda, HS Chung, APAC CEO of Burson, shares how she is building a unified, future-ready agency following its recent merger. She dives into the importance of creating a new culture, not holding onto legacy ways of working, and why “thinking like one” is critical to success.  Chung also outlines Burson’s priorities across APAC, from being deeply attuned to client challenges to leading in AI-driven communications. She discusses the growing role of PR as a business problem solver, and why agencies must evolve to operate at the C-suite level in an increasingly complex landscape.

In this episode of "Agency Agenda", Arshan Saha, outgoing CEO of WPP Media Singapore and Malaysia, shares how he navigated transformation amid industry-wide change. From organisational shifts and client expectations to AI’s role in driving efficiency, Saha explained how WPP was evolving into a more integrated, future-ready partner across content, commerce and data. He also highlighted the importance of trust, communication and talent in building resilience through disruption. *Disclaimer: This interview was recorded two months prior to Arshan Saha's resignation.

As Omnicom Media  settles into its new reality following the landmark acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG), Asia Pacific CEO Tony Harradine is focused on one thing, and that is giving the business clarity and momentum for what comes next. Hear what his three key priorities are for the agency, his thoughts on AI and talent, as well as what keeps him up at night, only on Marketing Connected's Agency Agenda.

In this episode of Marketing Connected's "Women Who Lead", released in conjunction with International Women's Day 2026, Dione Song shares her journey from marketer to CEO of Love, Bonito.  She reflects on bold brand decisions, championing Asian representation, balancing positivity with productivity, and building a purpose-driven business that empowers women while delivering commercial growth across markets.

In this episode of Marketing Connected's "Women Who Lead" series released in conjunction with International Women's Day 2026, Renee Stopps, regional sales director for partner sales, Microsoft Advertising, opens up about navigating leadership across Asia Pacific, building resilient teams, and driving meaningful change in communications.  She discusses mentorship, inclusion, and the mindset shifts needed to create stronger pathways for women rising through the industry.

In this episode of Marketing Connected's "Women Who Lead", released in conjunction with International Women's Day 2026, Naiyen Wang, managing director for Southeast Asia at We Are Social, reflects on stepping into leadership while raising young twins, and why giving others opportunities matters more than ever.

In this episode of Marketing Connected's "Women Who Lead", Anna Haotanto shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur and investor, diving into the realities of building businesses across Asia while championing women’s health.  She discusses breaking taboos, scaling purpose driven ventures, and why empowering women through better health access is both a mission and a market opportunity.

In this episode of Women Who Lead, we sit down with Lina Marican, regional managing director of Mutant Communications, for an honest conversation on leadership, self-doubt, and growth.  She reflects on navigating imposter syndrome, stepping into leadership before feeling “ready”, and how she learned to back herself along the way. 

Happening on 22 April 2026, on day one of our two-day Content360 Conference, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE's inaugural Content360 Awards kicks off with 10 categories for content marketing.  Find out what Content360 Awards is all about from Soren Beaulieu, regional content and strategy director, MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.  Enter your submissions before the 27 February 2026 deadline at https://conferences.marketing-interactive.com/content360-sg

As we head into 2026, the trend of using plushies as an extension of a brand long past purchase, doesn't seem to be slowing down. While some might pass off the initiatives as just "cute", others such as McDonald's Singapore are using plushies not just to spark joy, but to shape behaviour, reward loyalty and drive retention. Such dual-tier campaigns demonstrate how brands are increasingly designing collectibles to appeal to two distinct customer segments at once. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE speaks with industry players to find out the link between collectibles, loyalty marketing, and meaningful engagement.