Digital Renaissance: 11th Edition of Digital Summit Explores Innovations for Tomorrow’s Consumer

The 11th edition of the flagship Digital Summit was held on Saturday, February 22, at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka, under the theme “Digital Renaissance: Innovating for Tomorrow’s Consumer.” Organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum and presented by Meghna Group of Industries, the day-long summit brought together the country's top digital marketing experts and business leaders to explore the evolving landscape of digital innovation.

The summit featured two keynote sessions, four-panel discussions, and two insight sessions, focusing on the latest trends and challenges in the digital world.

The keynote sessions were led by Javed Akhtar, Chairman and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh Limited and President of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), alongside Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Leadership Consultant, Telecom Expert, President of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB), and Founder and Managing Partner of BuildCon Consultancies Limited.

In his keynote, Javed Akhtar delved into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven strategies, emphasizing their significance in modern business. “The application of artificial intelligence has proven immensely effective in addressing various business challenges, and Unilever has deeply integrated it into its operations,” he stated. He further highlighted the importance of personalization and multi-channel strategies in meeting the diverse needs of today’s digital consumers. Akhtar also underscored how data analytics, machine learning, and advanced algorithms are enabling businesses to predict market demands, manage inventory more efficiently, and develop more effective marketing strategies.

The panel discussions tackled timely and relevant topics such as hyper-personalization, experience-driven economies, data-driven creativity, and the revolutionary role of AI in digital marketing.

In his opening remarks, Sajid Mahbub, Group CEO and Executive Editor of Bangladesh Brand Forum, stressed the inevitability of digital transformation. “Digital transformation is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. We are living in an era where digital evolution is reshaping how businesses and brands connect with people. To keep pace with this change, we must be innovative, make quick decisions, and truly understand consumer needs,” he said. “This summit aims to highlight key issues in digital marketing through engaging discussions, helping us think differently, connect more meaningfully with consumers, and succeed in the digital world.”

The summit hosted a diverse group of speakers and panelists, including Ahsanur Rahman, SVP – Head of Media and Digital Marketing at bKash Limited; Urfi Ahmed, General Manager of VML Bangladesh; Dipesh Nag, Managing Director of Grameen Danone Foods Limited; Syeda Umme Salma (Jhumur), Chairperson and CEO of Brandgear; Muhammad Nafizul Bari, Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation at Adcomm Limited; Md. Ehsanul Haque, Regional Partner Director, APAC at Mediam Bangladesh Limited; Arifur Rahman, Digital Media Director at Starcom Bangladesh; Kaimun Amin, Founder and CEO of AdPlay Technologies Limited; Joshua Adhikari, Regional Director, South Asia at Eskimi; and Tanzin Ferdous, CEO of Delhivery Limited.

Other notable attendees included Munaf Mojib Chowdhury, Head of Brand and Communication at Accentech PLC; Md. Saimum Hossain, Co-Founder and Head of Business at Geeky Social; Tasfia Tasbin, Co-Founder and CEO of Markopolo.ai; Ayesha Farzana, Senior Vice President at Grey Advertising Bangladesh Limited; Sharmin Rahman, Head of Corporate Brand at Grameenphone Limited; Hasib Hasan Chowdhury, Executive Creative Director at Adcomm Limited; Zainul Haque, Chief Creative Officer at Dotbirth Limited; Rakib Chowdhury, Executive Creative Director at X-Integrated Marketing Agency; Mahadi Hasan Sagar, Managing Director at Geeky Social; and Ishtiak Shahriar, Executive Vice President and Head of Digital Assets and Communications at bKash Limited.

The summit successfully fostered discussions on the future of digital marketing, offering valuable insights and strategies to help businesses and marketers stay ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape.