Event
Description
As one of the fastest growing regions in the world, the consumer market in Asia has become increasingly crowded and competitive. At the same time, growing spending-power and connectivity achieved through the Internet have bolstered consumer sophistication. In such an environment, how do companies leverage innovation and creativity to connect meaningfully with their target consumers? Our panelists discuss the latest trends and innovative practices used in the industry to ensure that their brands reach and resonate with their target consumers.
Speakers
Sarena LinPrincipal, Taipei, McKinsey & CompanySarena is a Principal in McKinsey & Company’s New York office. Previously, she was Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company’s Taipei office and was co-leader of McKinsey’s China Sourcing Center. Sarena has extensive experience of serving global high technology and consumer electronics companies. She has led projects in Asian marketing and strategy development for leading US and European technology players, and developed sourcing and manufacturing strategies for global consumer electronics manufacturers. She was a co-leader of McKinsey’s China Sourcing Center. Currently based in New York, Sarena helps Asian clients with their globalization strategy and execution, and assists Western clients to capture opportunities in Asia. Prior to joining McKinsey, Sarena worked for Procter & Gamble in sales and shelf technology management. She has also worked as a summer associate for Xerox Corporation in Hong Kong and as a summer associate in McKinsey’s Taipei office. Sarena has an M.B.A. in Strategy from the Yale School of Management, an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University, and a B.A. in Computer Science from Harvard University.
Gaku WakabayashiPresident & CEO, Catalina Marketing Japan K.K.Catalina Marketing is the global leader in behavior-based marketing solutions, providing brand manufacturers, retailers and healthcare providers with consumer driven marketing solutions to meet growth objectives. High-impact promotions and advertisements based on consumers’ actual purchasing behavior are hand-delivered to consumers at the point of sale via a printer. Mr. Wakabayashi joined Catalina Marketing Japan K.K. in 2006 as President and CEO. For the last three years, the company has more than doubled its revenue and has continuously grown with expansion of its retail partners and CPG manufacturer client base. Prior to joining Catalina Marketing, he worked in management consulting for 20 years. He founded and established Kurt Salmon Associates Japan practice in 1996 and led its practice focused on major retail and consumer products companies. Before that, he worked for Hay Group as Director in the areas of organization and human resource management practice. He enjoys playing tennis and is an active contributor to Harvard Business School Club of Japan.
Cristina Ventura-SteinemannRegional Retail Director, Asia Pacific, Prada GroupCristina Ventura-Steinemann has been working in Luxury Retail for the past 15 years and she is currently Regional Retail Director at Prada Group. Cristina is responsible for the Regional Retail network of Miu Miu, the key emerging brand of Prada Group, covering 11 countries throughout the Asia Pacific Region. In this function, Cristina manages the regional retail operations and strategy of the high growth business expansion in Asia. Previously, Cristina was the Operations Director for Gucci Europe & Middle East and worked for several years at Louis Vuitton Fashion Group in Europe and Asia. Cristina started her career in Marketing at Louis Vuitton London through the Leonardo da Vinci grant from the European Union. Cristina has a degree in Communication Science from Ramon Lull University in Barcelona and Milano, where she earned the Erasmus grant. Cristina has attended executive courses at the London College of Fashion and the Young Managers Program at Insead in Singapore and France and last year has attended the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.
David SteelExecutive Vice President, Samsung Electronics AmericaDr. David Steel is the head of corporate strategy and marketing for Samsung’s North American headquarters (NAHQ). He is responsible for integrated marketing management, market intelligence, corporate social responsibility programs, sports marketing, environmental initiatives and online marketing. Dr. Steel joined NAHQ in the summer of 2008 after ten years in Korea. He started in the Samsung Global Strategy Group, where he executed strategy and business development projects for numerous companies within the Samsung Group. He then spent five years as Vice President and head of marketing for the Digital Media business, where he established the role of marketing within the $25bn unit. In 2007, he moved to the Mobile Communications Division, where he oversaw marketing strategy for the world’s number 2 maker of mobile phones. Prior to joining Samsung, Dr. Steel worked at McKinsey & Co. and Argonne National Laboratory. He earned a Ph.D. in Physics from MIT, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a BA in Physics from Oxford University.
Melissa Fristrom (Moderator)Career Coach, Harvard Business SchoolA senior executive turned professional coach, Melissa Fristrom helps people identify their unique gifts and position themselves for success at her company, Core Allies, LLC. Using the branding methods she learned while marketing Cheerios, Playschool, Tonka, and Polaroid I-Zone, she helps people recognize the particular strengths that comprise their personal “brand.” Melissa draws on a depth and breadth of knowledge from her extensive leadership experience in a wide range of situations, from Fortune 500 companies (General Mills, Hasbro, IBM, Polaroid) to start-up ventures; from for-profit to not-for-profit endeavors; and from successful companies to cash-strapped firms. She has served in a variety of functions including marketing, strategy consulting, and CEO. After her years in the corporate sector, Melissa sought to understand how one might make sustainable change in the lives of others. With this in mind, she embarked on a degree in psychoanalysis. Now with extensive clinical experience and a private practice, she has learned to create space for any and all experiences and emotions. Melissa also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from the University of Virginia.
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