Congress to feature top guns in media
The upcoming Malaysia Media Congress (MMC) promises to be truly insightful, as it attempts to answer tomorrow's questions today - with its theme "Convergence".

The MMC to be held at Sime Darby Convention Centre, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur on April 2 and 3 features 19 speakers who are media and business communication industry specialists from Singapore, Hongkong and Malaysia.

The big names among the speakers include OMD Malaysia managing director Andreas Vogiatzakis, TBWA\ & Tequila Singapore creative integrator Graham Kelly, Qtelmedia CEO Sinead O'Sullivan, Nexnews group editor-in-chief Ho Kay Tat, Mindshare Singapore CEO Jeffrey Seah, Universal McCann Malaysia managing director Gaurav Bhasin, Yahoo! Southeast Asia Sales and Operations director Tom Sipple, Pinstorm founder Mahesh Murthy, Leo Burnett regional creative director Linda Locke and editor-in-charge Malaysiakini.com Steven Gan.

So, if you are in the communication and media business, then the MMC is where you should be, to get abreast of the latest in the business communication environment.

The congress is ideal and timely for all professionals working in various fields of media and marketing - advertising, newspapers, television and every facet of marketing communications.

During the congress, there will also be panel discussions to encourage debate and allow participants to get a better understanding of how much "Convergence" affects communications.

Why did Malaysia's Adex grow slowly last year? Where did the extra spending go? Is the current Adex figures a clear barometer of the industry? Is online spending being devalued?

Will 3G be the killer application? Will GLCs pledge all their advertising to government-related media owners?

The annual MMC, which gathers more than 500 media pundits, industry specialists and key media decision makers in the fields of media, marketing, branding and advertising, will address these questions.

The MMC is supported by various associations from the industry such as Asia Pacific Media Forum, Association of Accredited Advertising Agents, Malaysia, Direct Marketing Association of Malaysia, Promotion Marketing Awards of Asia and Malaysian Newspaper Publishers Association. Members of the participating associations are entitled to a 10% discount.

The admission fee is RM1,150 per person (lunch and coffee breaks included, sponsored by Yahoo! Southeast Asia) but there is also a 10% discount for groups.

The official media sponsor is Adoi Marketing Communications and the exhibition logistics partner is Exhibit Media.

Also, don't miss out on the booths offered to media owners to display their new media products and to demonstrate them in a lively and conducive environment, involving media professionals, marketers and media budget decision-makers.

To register, call Ruby at 03-7726 2588 or e-mail ruby@ham.com.my