Introduction
The 16th National Marketing Conclave, hosted by the KIT School of Management (KSOM), arrives at a pivotal moment for the marketing profession. As artificial intelligence reshapes operations and society demands ethical, sustainable, and inclusive practices, marketers face a complex new reality. The conclave's theme, Marketing Multiverse: Tech, Truth, and the Future of Brands, captures the challenge of mastering both technological innovation and human connection.
The transformation is profound. A 2025 PwC report shows 78% of Chief Marketing Officers plan to integrate generative Al into their business models. HubSpot's State of Marketing Report 2025 reveals that 92% of marketers already feel Al's impact, citing efficiency and campaign effectiveness. Meanwhile, DataReportal reports that global social media users reached 5.31 billion in April 2025, nearly 65% of the world's population.
Yet this Al-driven landscape exposes a paradox. Technology offers scale and personalization but cannot create trust-the foundation of loyalty. Edelman's 2025 survey highlights that 81% of consumers view trust as central to purchase decisions. Algorithms may generate content, but irony, cultural nuance, and lived experiences remain uniquely human, underscoring the marketer's task of blending automation with authenticity.
To address this intersection of technology and truth, the conclave will host 15 workshops across three tracks:
- Sustainable Development Goals and Responsible Branding: Exploring consumer demand for ethical practices, with Nielsen reporting 66% of global shoppers willing to pay more for sustainable brands.
- Practice-Oriented Skills for Emerging Marketers: Covering vertical video storytelling, brand community-building on platforms like Reddit and Discord, and the craft of micro-content creation.
- Cutting-Edge Academic Insights: Presenting research on consumer psychology, behavioral science-driven pricing, and cognitive biases shaping brand perception.
Today's consumers are not passive recipients but active co-creators. Peer review platforms and social media feedback loops have created a transparent ecosystem where brands are constantly evaluated.
The traditional funnel is replaced by fragmented, multi-touchpoint journeys that demand holistic strategies combining empathy, data analytics, and ethics.
The modern marketer's role now extends beyond creativity and strategy to require data fluency, agility, and moral clarity. The 16th National Marketing Conclave is designed to nurture this integrated mindset.
By convening leaders, practitioners, and academics, it seeks to inspire marketers to not only adapt to change but to lead it with purpose. In doing so, marketing can evolve into a discipline that is intelligent and immersive, yet also inclusive, intentional, and impactful.
