By Our Correspondent
LAHORE In a powerful tribute to the Father of Marketing, Philip Kotler, MAP Pakistan – Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan hosted a dynamic Marketing Day event, celebrating not just the birth of modern marketing, but the evolution of its soul—from mere strategy to purpose-driven storytelling.
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The event, held in honor of Kotler’s birthday, was thoughtfully organized by Tariq Asmat, the visionary Founder and President of the MAP Pakistan – Marketing Associates & Professionals Pakistan, who remains steadfast in his mission to uplift and promote the marketing profession in Pakistan.
The gathering brought together leading voices from diverse industries, culminating in a thoughtful narrative driven by marketing academic, corporate influencer, and consumer behavior expert, Dr. Saleha Waqar Butt.
As one of the distinguished guests and a consistent voice for transforming marketing discourse in Pakistan, Dr. Saleha described the day as “more than a celebration—it was a call for marketers to reconnect with empathy, intelligence, and foresight.” She emphasized how the synergy of academic insight and industry practice is no longer a choice but a necessity in the age of digital transformation and conscious capitalism.
The afternoon was packed with impactful sessions from thought leaders who offered forward-thinking views on the future of marketing: Ijaz Nisar explored the growing dilemma in his session on AI vs. EI, explaining that while Artificial Intelligence enhances efficiency, it is Emotional Intelligence that sustains brand trust and consumer loyalty.
Abdul Rehman Shabbir, in “From Wallas to Hearts”, delivered a passionate plea for purpose-driven marketing, urging brands to create social impact rather than just profit.
Dr. Muhammad Kashif, HOD at NUST Business School, presented “Holistic Marketing for a Sustainable Transformation”, where he advocated for the integration of sustainability into marketing DNA—not as an add-on but as a core brand promise.
Saad Akhtar, Head of Business Strategy at Trans Group, offered a hybrid vision in “Humanising Intelligence”, showcasing how creativity and AI can work symbiotically to build emotionally resonant and data-driven campaigns.
Khawar Bari, Advisory Board Member at Specta AG, discussed Digital Trade Trends and Strategic Management, with a sharp focus on how Pakistan must adapt structurally to remain globally relevant.
Umer Ghumman, Sr. Director at Samsung (Pakistan & Afghanistan), highlighted the potential of TikTok and short-form video content as future-defining tools for youth engagement and brand authenticity.
Anwar Kabir, CEO of Brand Spectrum, presented on Predictive and Generative AI for Marketers, showcasing real-world examples where machine learning is helping forecast trends and personalize messaging at scale.
The Marketing Day concluded on a high note with special congratulations extended to Muhammad Tariq Asmat for orchestrating such a well-curated and impactful event. A networking session followed, where notable names including Max Babri, Dr. Saleha Waqar Butt, Imran Amjad, Dr. Shahid A. Zia, Shahid, Sohail Irfan, Sohail Rana, Ambreen Askari, Zafar Iqbal, Hammad Khalid, Mumtaz Khan, Ahmed Fozan, Irfan Ehsan, Anas Farooqi, Nazish Ali, Attique Ahmad, Sadia Imran, and Jibran Ghani exchanged thoughts on future collaborations.
This Marketing Day was not just about honoring Philip Kotler’s legacy—it was about expanding it. In the words of Dr. Saleha Waqar Butt:“We don’t just build brands, we build legacies that matter.”
