IMM strives to keep members current with latest trends

SINGAPORE: The Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM), which was formed in 1979, continues to play its role in serving more than 1,000 members, aiming at, among others, staying current with the latest trends in the field of marketing happening globally.

IMM is the only registered institute in the country established for the purpose of serving the marketing fraternity in Malaysia.

Speaking to Bernama on the sidelines of the Asian Marketing Forum here, its President, Datuk Sharifah Mohd Ismail said IMM would have the Malaysian edition of the Asian Marketing Forum in March 2019.

She said the forum would be the best platform for all members, among others, to be well equipped to deal with market disruption and thrive on uncertainties.

It is one of the many activities which will be organised by IMM for the benefits of members comprising corporate executives, in-

The next forum will be held in September this year in China. Datuk Sharifah Mohd Ismail, Asian Marketing Forum president

dividuals and students.

Sharifah, who was here leading a 20-member delegation from Malaysia to the one-day forum organised by the Marketing Institute of Singapore (MIS), said IMM members were affiliated to the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF), which now has 16 country members.

The Asian Marketing Forum will be hosted twice a year on rotational basis by AMF’s members.

“The next forum will be held in September this year in China,” she said.

Asked what to expect in March 2019 for Malaysia’s edition, Sharifah said: “We have yet to have anything in mind.”

Citing Singapore’s edition, Sharifah said MIS, as an organiser, has something different as it introduced “Market Place”, a business-matching avenue offering network opportunity with business associates from more than 10 countries.

Sharifah noted that good cooperation among AMF country members has contributed to the betterment of their respective members at large.

“For instance, we have assisted MIS in bringing Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, former Patron of IMM to be one of the speakers at the forum,” she said.

Among other speakers were, Teo Ser Luck, Singapore Member of Parliament; Hermawan Kartajaya, Founder & Chairman of MarkPlus Inc; and Dr Fahim R Kibria, Chief Marketing Officer of Kotler Impact Inc.

IMM was founded in 1977 by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who also became the institute’s first patron.

Currently, the patron of IMM is Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, the Minister of International Trade and Industry Malaysia.

Over 30 years of its establishment, the institute has assisted and will continue to assist, train and bring together marketers from various businesses and industries with one common goal – to improve the marketing skills of its members.

Besides AMF, members of IMM are also affiliated to the World Marketing Association.

IMM and its members currently have global access to a truly international platform for marketing networks, which is a valuable ‘infrastructure’ for building business in the emerging, borderless world.

According to the IMM 2015-2016 Performance Report, its corporate members include Bernama, Siemens Malaysia, Telekom Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Malaysia External Trade Development and Northport (Malaysia) Bhd.