IAB Hong Kong C26 Spotlights AI's Move into Business Execution for Marketers Amid Hong Kong's HK$33.9 Billion Ad Market

C26 convened 1,200+ marketing experts from 14 markets, spotlighting value creation, workflow redesign and landmark MOUs with four leading local education institutions to nurture Hong Kong's next generation of marketing talent

HONG KONG, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IAB Hong Kong's (IAB HK) flagship conference C26 concluded with a clear message for Hong Kong's marketing industry: AI is moving from experimentation into business execution. Under the theme Business Reimagined, the conference brought together more than 1,200 marketing, media, technology and business leaders from 14 markets to examine how AI is reshaping value creation, workflow design, governance, creativity and future talent.

Policy, Global Perspectives and Industry Collaboration Frame Hong Kong's AI Marketing Opportunity

Opening the conference, Mr. Daniel Cheung, JP, Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy of the Government of HKSAR, noted that Hong Kong's overall advertising expenditure held steady at HK$33.9 billion, while spending on social media increased by 15%. The shift reflects the growing importance of AI-powered personalisation, predictive analytics, generative content and digital commerce in the marketing landscape.

Mr. Cheung said the Government is advancing an "industries for AI" and "AI for industries" strategy, supported by the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy and the forthcoming Hong Kong Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute. He also highlighted measures to support enterprise adoption, including enhanced BUD Fund support for AI-enabled branding and marketing projects, the planned launch of CorpID, a secure digital corporate identity platform, and more than 200 AI training courses and activities to be rolled out by the first quarter of 2028 under the AI for All inclusive programme.

Sir Martin Sorrell, one of the most influential figures in global advertising, said AI is reshaping marketing economics and putting traditional time-based agency models under pressure. In a fireside chat with Mr. Brian Hui, Chairman of IAB Hong Kong, he said the industry must rethink how value is created and measured as content production becomes faster, cheaper and more scalable.

"Hong Kong's position between Chinese and Western media ecosystems gives the city a strategic advantage in connecting global platforms, mainland innovation and regional growth opportunities," said Sir Martin Sorrell.

"C26 shows that Hong Kong is not just participating in the AI marketing conversation; it is building a regional platform for it. The breadth of this year's speakers, partners and participants reflects the industry's need for a place where brands, platforms, agencies, creators, educators and technology innovators can turn AI disruption into practical collaboration," said Arthur Chan, Chairman of IAB HK C26.

IAB HK Partners with Universities to Develop Next-Generation AI Marketing Talent

At C26, IAB Hong Kong signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with City University of Hong Kong's Department of Media and Communication, HKBU School of Business, HKU Business School and PolyU Business School, reinforcing its commitment to industry-academia collaboration and next-generation talent development.

The partnerships will support collaboration across curriculum development, joint research, internships, mentorship and knowledge exchange, helping students gain practical industry exposure while enabling businesses to engage with future marketing talent. The initiative reflects IAB Hong Kong's role in connecting the marketing, media, technology and education sectors to prepare graduates with the strategic, technical and responsible AI skills needed for the digital economy.

C26 Leaders Highlight AI's Expanding Role in Brand Growth, Retail Media and Responsible Execution

C26 featured a series of keynote presentations, fireside chats and panel discussions with senior leaders across aviation, technology, telecommunications, retail media, finance and creative content. 

IAB Hong Kong Marks 10th Anniversary with Renewed Commitment to Industry Progress

Coinciding with C26, IAB Hong Kong celebrated its 10th anniversary and a decade of industry collaboration. Miss Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, attended the event and delivered a speech outlining the Government's initiatives to promote AI application, leverage AI to assist creative industries, and consolidate Hong Kong's position as a regional advertising hub. The non-profit organization now represents more than 130 member organizations across multinational brands, digital platforms, media owners, agencies and measurement bodies.

Brian Hui, Chairman of IAB Hong Kong, said: "Our 10th anniversary is a moment to recognise the work of the past decade, and to stay clear about the work ahead. IAB Hong Kong's value rests on two commitments: engaging difficult questions and improving how our industry operates. We hope IAB Hong Kong remains a forum where leaders do more than discuss the future — they help shape the terms on which it arrives. The most useful ideas rarely stay confined to the stage; they emerge through genuine dialogue and the connections built across our community."

PR Newswire is the Media Partner of IAB HK C26.

About C26

Four years since the rise of generative AI, the conversation has matured from initial implementation to fundamental business transformation. At the forefront of this evolution is the IAB HK C26 AI Marketing Conference, Hong Kong's premier gathering for marketing professionals, business leaders, and technology innovators. Under the theme "Business Re-imagined", the conference moves beyond incremental efficiency to explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping commerce, leadership, and creativity. Through a curated series of dynamic keynotes, executive panels, and practical case studies, C26 illuminates the path for leaders to transition from AI potential to measurable, structural business impact.

About IAB Hong Kong

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, IAB Hong Kong (IAB HK) is a not-for-profit association that serves as Hong Kong's bridge between East and West in digital marketing — connecting the city's advertising ecosystem to a global network spanning 45 markets through the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).

Representing over 130 member companies across media, ad tech, platforms, agencies, brands, and research organizations, IAB HK is recognized as one of the city's most credible and influential digital marketing associations. Through initiatives such as the annual IAB HK Digital Awards, professional education programs, and industry research, IAB HK drives standards, talent development, and marketing innovation. Founding members include comScore, Meta, Google, the South China Morning Post, and Yahoo, with PwC as a strategic partner. For more information, please visit www.iabhongkong.com.