3rd Marketing, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Global Conference, 17th and 18th June 2024
The 3rd Marketing, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Global Conference was successfully held at Durham University Business School on June 17th and 18th, 2024. This dynamic two-day conference, organised in partnership with the Centre for Consumers and Sustainable Consumption at Durham University and Newcastle University Business School, assembled leading researchers and practitioners to discuss the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in marketing and business, exploring technological progress and marketing developments to foster innovation and collaborative solutions under the theme “Digital Disruption: Thriving Through Technology-Driven Change”.
The conference commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Qionglei Yu, and Prof. Sarah Xiao, setting the stage for a series of enlightening discussions. Distinguished keynote speakers, including Prof. Rong Ke, Prof. Jaywant Singh, Prof. Haiming Hang, Prof. Raffaele Filieri, Dr. Jie Meng, Dr. Achilleas Boukis, Dr. Huang Wei, and Prof. Tobias Schlager, shared groundbreaking insights on the future of AI advancement, consumer engagement, data-driven decision making, and the evolution of marketing strategies. Their profound expertise enriched the conference and ignited thought-provoking conversations on the ethical implications and responsible deployment of AI in business.
The conference attracted a diverse international audience, with 80 in-person attendees and 50 online participants from renowned universities worldwide, including Tsinghua University, Tianjin University, Newcastle University, University of Lausanne, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Audencia Business School, University of Westminster, Northumbria University, Keele University, City University of Macau, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Leeds Trinity University, University of Sunderland, and many others, representing both academia and industry.
Attendees engaged in 8 in-depth parallel sessions featuring 45 thought-provoking presentations covering a wide range of topics, such as AI and Digital Technologies for Consumer Engagement, AI-powered Marketing Analytics, Ethical Considerations in AI Adoption, the Dynamics of Social Media and Public Perception, and the role of Blockchain in Modern Business and Finance. These sessions addressed both strategic and ethical aspects of digital transformation, encouraging participants to share research findings, best practices, and innovative ideas to develop comprehensive strategies for businesses to thrive in this era of rapid technological change.
A highlight of this year’s conference was the inclusion of two panel discussions tailored for PhD students and early career researchers, focusing on academic publishing and job market strategies. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from these sessions underscored the value of the practical advice and personalised guidance provided by experienced academics and industry leaders.
As the conference concluded, reflections on its achievements have already begun to shape the anticipation for next year’s event. Attendees eagerly await further exploration of innovative and strategic marketing practices in the face of digital disruption, with AI poised to play an increasingly pivotal role. The insights and connections gained during the conference are expected to have a lasting impact on the professional work of attendees, contributing to the overall growth and success of their organisations as they navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving digital landscape, with AI as a key driver of transformation.
