Event Details

When foreign companies began entering Asian markets, the thinking was that exposure to foreign brands and consumption habits would change Asia. Instead, operating in Asia has changed the business of brand management and consumer engagement. China's dynamic, creative, and fast evolving e-commerce and social media spheres add additional complexity. In Southeast Asia, societal values around diversity or women's empowerment may mean that brand positioning from home markets does not always translate well. And sometimes geopolitical tension or nationalism can influence consumer perceptions. How can foreign companies best understand Asian consumers? Join us to explore how companies can effectively manage their brand images across Asia in the current environment.

Please note that this event is limited to senior-level executives and per invitation only. If you are not an existing member of The Economist Intelligence Corporate Network, but would like to learn how you can attend our events, please contact us.

Speakers

  • Jennice Zhu (Vice President of Unilever North Asia/CFO)

    Jennice Zhu

    Vice President of Unilever North Asia/CFO

    Jennice joined the North Asia Cluster leadership team since Apr 2019, as VP finance.

    In her 20 years of Unilever working experience, she spent nearly 13 years in China, gaining solid financial and management experiences along with the strong business growth. She also worked in Singapore from 2006 to 2007 as the Business Engagement Manager, when she’s part of the team to establish the regional information office operated from Bangalore India. In late 2013, Jennice was promoted to Vice President, in charge of total Asia Supply Chain Finance, based out of Singapore. After three years, she’s moving to Vietnam and take over the country CFO role.

    Jennice joined Unilever as one of the first batch Management Trainees in China.

    She is holding the bachelor’s degree of Economics majoring in Accountancy, Fu Dan University China. She also further pursuit her EMBA from CEIBS (Chinese European International Business School) in 2012. She’s qualified as a chartered accountant, holding membership of both ACCA and CIMA.

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  • Christian Foddis (President of Asia Pacific at Ermenegildo Zegna Group)

    Christian Foddis

    President of Asia Pacific at Ermenegildo Zegna Group

    Christian joined Ermenegildo Zegna Group as President of Asia Pacific ‐ Greater China, Korea, Oceania, Japan and SEA in 2020. His previous professional experience comes from over 20 years of international experience serving most recently with Salvatore Ferragamo as Chief Executive Officer ASIA. Prior to that Christian has held roles in Valentino Fashion Group as Asia MD and Marzotto Group in Europe.

    Over the years, Christian has led and managed a variety of Brands ranging from Casualwear, Premium and Luxury combining both commercial acumen with a rich intimate understanding of the Asian and European markets.

    Born in Rome, Italy, Christian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from KWG St.Gallen, Switzerland and a Master’s degree in Sociology ‐ Business Administration and Organizations from “La Sapienza” University Rome. Christian currently serves as BOD member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong & Macao where he has served as Vice‐Chairman for several years. Christian is a strong advocate of continuous learning and has
    participated in a number of programs from Insead to the London Business School. He is an active member of YPO (Young President Organization), a leading lifelong learning organization, where he serves as Pan Asia Chapter Membership Engagement Officer and on the Regional Board as Vice‐Learning and Network Officer.

    Christian speaks Italian, English, German and French. He is married, has one daughter, and they have resided in Hong Kong since 2004. In his free time Christian loves to ride his (noisy) bike, listening to (very) loud music, enjoying contemporary art, playing golf and supporting various Charities. He is an active member of Rotary.

    Christian’s motto is “treasure imperfection”

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  • Hans Lopez-Vito (Chief Operating Officer at BBDO ASIA)

    Hans Lopez-Vito

    Chief Operating Officer at BBDO ASIA

    Hans is a 27-year veteran in the marketing and advertising industry.

    He works for BBDO, one of the world’s leading marketing and advertising agency networks whose clients include companies like PepsiCo, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, AB InBev, Mars, FedEx, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Alibaba, GE, Amore Pacific, Meta, Johnson & Johnson, Goodyear as well as a host of iconic Asian brands.

    His expertise is in consumer research and insights, brand positioning, creative strategy, and communications planning. Over the years, his strategies and marketing campaigns have helped many brands perform more effectively in Asia’s dynamic marketplace. Under his leadership, BBDO-orchestrated campaigns have won more than 50 strategy and effectiveness awards in the region.

    He was recently promoted to Chief Operating Officer for Asia and is based in Shanghai, China. In his new role, Hans helps oversee key regional client relationships, helps set overall agency strategy, and supervises regional employee training programs. He also chairs the agency’s regional planning council which is a collective of brand and digital strategy leaders from offices in Asia who are tasked with driving the agency’s consumer insights programs and the development of its strategic planning tools and capabilities.

    Hans began his career as a market research analyst at San Miguel Corporation in the Philippines. He also worked at The Coca-Cola Company’s Philippines Division, and Taylor Nelson Sofres (which is now part of Kantar).

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  • Nihar Ranjan Prasad (Senior Director – Strategic Growth of Coca-Cola ASEAN South Pacific)

    Nihar Ranjan Prasad

    Senior Director – Strategic Growth of Coca-Cola ASEAN South Pacific

    Nihar is currently leading the Strategic Growth Team in ASEAN South Pacific of Coca Cola as a Senior Director. In the past 5 years in Coke, he has led enterprise-wide projects like Long Range Strategy, Annual Business Planning, M&A as well specific growth strategies on emerging categories, channels, consumers, and sustainability. Before Coke, he was an Engagement Manager with McKinsey in Australia serving clients in Mining, Telecom and Energy industries. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and Bachelor’s in Engineering from University of Mumbai.

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  • Sumana Rajarethnam (Director, South-East Asia of Economist Intelligence Corporate Network)

    Sumana Rajarethnam

    Director, South-East Asia of Economist Intelligence Corporate Network

    Sumana is a senior policy professional with 17 years of experience. Having worked at several dynamic and vibrant tech firms, Sumana designs and implements policies through advocacy, strategic communication and evidence-based analysis. With a flair for writing and communication, Sumana is able to negotiate complex engagements & cultivate senior-level internal/external relationships.

    Sumana holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, as well as a B.A. in Political Science and Geography from UCLA.

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