Ideas sparked, insights exchanged at d Conference 2024

Annual forum by Malaysian Digital Association built and strengthened connections among digital players.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21, 2024 – With new technology comes exciting prospects for growth, and the 2024 edition of d Conference inspired the digital industry to seize the opportunities and ride the waves of innovation.

Themed “Unleash Possibilities” this year, the annual conversation organised by the Malaysian Digital Association (MDA) reminded the industry players of the dynamic environment and encouraged new ways of using novel resources.

An impressive turnout of over 300 participants, including key players, innovators and thought leaders from digital marketing and advertising, education and the government, responded enthusiastically to the panel discussions, debates and focus session held on June 21 (Friday) at Connexion Conference & Event Centre, Nexus, Bangsar South.

In his opening address, Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong spoke at length about Malaysia’s AI adoption and issued a clarion call to the attendees to unleash their creativity and capitalise on the limitless possibilities of the future.

“The government has facilitated foreign investment in AI sector, created demand for AI in public service delivery, and built the capabilities of the public to adopt AI. We are now counting on you to rise up to the challenge and drive innovation,” he said.

The deputy minister added: “I encourage you to set up incubators to provide mentorship, and invest in AI startups to foster growth. Forge collaboration with regional and global partners to bring best practice to Malaysia. Bring together the brilliant minds of the digital community in an event like today’s d Conference to share knowledge and resources.”

The presence of Fly FM’s DJ Aina Sabrina – Malaysia’s very first Artificial Intelligence (AI) announcer –to deliver the opening gambit at d Conference was a perfect case in point to illustrate the innovative adoption of new technology.

Jumping on the AI bandwagon, d Conference featured focus sessions on “AI Meets Community: Unleashing New Connections Between Brands and Consumers” and “The Harmony of Human Creativity and AI in Shaping Media and Marketing”, a panel discussion on “Can AI Tools Reshape Business Outcomes in 2-3 Years?” and a debate on “Pros vs Cons: Debating AI’s Impact on Human Potential”.

Throughout the one-day d Conference, esteemed speakers and panellists dove into a myriad of vital topics at, sharing insights on navigating the cookieless era, developing small screen strategy, building customer trust, rethinking metrics and more.

They also chimed in on the hot topic of sustainability in a discussion on “The Green Shift: Sustainable Practices for a Digital World”. In addition to the content-packed forum, d Conference was the perfect venue for networking.

Like-minded industry peers mingled and traded ideas, while potential partners forged connections, igniting sparks for future collaborations.

Pranav Jha, Organising Chairperson of MDA d Awards & d Conference 2024 and Head of Performance Media, GroupM Malaysia, noted that d Conference 2024 has been a fruitful journey of insightful discussions, groundbreaking ideas and valuable networking.

“Each session has brought us a step closer to understanding the digital landscape better and equipped us with the knowledge to navigate it more effectively,” he said, adding that it was the crowd’s enthusiasm that drove MDA to create a platform like d Conference for learning and
sharing.

d Conference 2024 coincided with the 15th anniversary of MDA. Established in 2019, MDA is a unique association that brings together a good blend of representatives from media publishers, digital agencies, media agencies, creative agencies, content creator companies, game
developers, tech providers, e-commerce providers, as well as other global and local entities.

“Our mission has always been to empower all digital businesses and professionals, providing them with the tools, resources, and platforms needed to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape,” said MDA President Eileen Ooi.

Elaborating on MDA’s efforts, Ms Ooi said the association has been advocating for policy reforms that support digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

Engagements with government bodies, industry leaders and stakeholders have led to active discussions on policies that facilitate easier access to funding, reduce regulatory barriers and encourage technological advancements, she added.

Contributing to the success of d Conference were gold sponsors Astro Media Solutions and Omnia Media Prima, silver sponsor Anymind Ground Sdn Bhd, bronze sponsors Adzymic and Teads, supporter sponsor TikTok, and strategic partner Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.