Ken Ip

Board Member
Asia MarTech Society

Hong Kong

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“I wrote a 2 mins rap song, instead of sending a standard CV.”

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An award-winning marketing and brand communications strategist, Ken Ip has held a number of senior roles from corporate consulting to public affairs advisory for leading multinational and conglomerates. An active keynote speaker, columnist, and a regular contributor on the subject of martech and e-Commerce, Ip is also an associate professor and the author of two best-selling titles, "Life Hacks" and "Growth Hacks".

How do you define innovation?
Innovation can be defined as a transformative process that generates novel solutions to address emerging challenges and opportunities. It involves the convergence of forward-thinking ideas, creative problem-solving, and the application of advanced technologies. Successful innovation requires a deep understanding of market dynamics, user needs, and the ability to effectively communicate the value and impact of the innovation to various stakeholders. It is a holistic endeavor that drives positive change and shapes the future.

What is the most innovative PR or marketing initiative you've seen over the past 12 months?
Apple's recent "Mother Nature" campaign is one of the most innovative PR or marketing initiatives I've seen in the past 12 months. It's a creative and engaging way for Apple to communicate its commitment to sustainability and its progress towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The campaign features a video in which Octavia Spencer plays Mother Nature, who visits Apple's executives to review their progress on sustainability. The video is funny and lighthearted, but it also makes some serious points about the importance of climate action.


In your opinion, which brands and/or agencies are most innovative in their approach to PR and marketing?
Apple

Describe a moment in your career that you would consider to be innovative.
Probably my first job interview. I wrote a 2 mins rap song, instead of sending a standard CV.

Who do you admire for his/her approach to innovation?
Steve Jobs

How do you get out of a creativity rut?
Gym and meditation

What advice would you give to the PR industry around embracing innovation?
Stay updated on emerging technologies, foster a culture of innovation, leverage data for decision making, embrace social media and influencers, adapt to new communication channels, collaborate with technology partners, emphasize storytelling and authenticity.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing your current job?
Professional poker player.

Which book/movie/TV show/podcast/playlist/other cultural source has provided inspiration over the past year?
One Plus One Equals Three: A Masterclass in Creative Thinking

How can the PR and communications industry harness innovation to make more progress on diversity, equity and inclusion?
The PR and communications industry can harness innovation by leveraging advanced analytics to identify and address gaps in representation, using technology to amplify underrepresented voices, creating inclusive campaigns that celebrate diversity, partnering with diverse influencers and content creators, and implementing data-driven strategies to measure and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes.

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