The Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP) officially kicked off the next phase of DigiCon 2026 with the announcement of its first global keynote speakers, conference tracks, and new partnership opportunities during the DigiCon 2026 Press Conference held on Monday, August 10.
In photo from L to R: Denise Haak, Immersive Track Lead; Avron Fernandez, DigiConX; Gino Nacianceno, Innovation Track Lead; Alan Fontanilla, Partnerships & Sponsorship Lead; Dale Lopez, Director for Creative & Experience; Kit Ramos Disini, DMAP Vice President for Internal Affairs and Board of Trustee; Raymund Sison, DigiCon 2026 Co-Chair; Jordan Santos, Impact Track Lead; Mori Rodriguez, Director for Publicity;; and Rey Tiempo, DMAP Board of Trustee.
Following the earlier reveal of this year’s theme, “Interoperability: Welcome to the Age of Collaboration,” the media conference offered a first look at how the country’s premier digital marketing conference will bring that vision to life through its speaker lineup, conference programming, and industry initiatives leading up to the event.
Opening the program, DMAP Vice President for Internal Affairs and Board Trustee Kit Ramos Disini welcomed members of the media and industry partners, emphasizing DigiCon’s role in bringing together the marketing ecosystem.
“The pace of change in marketing has never been faster, and no one organization has all the answers. DigiCon exists to create the space where brands, agencies, platforms, creators, and innovators can learn from one another and build the future together,” she said.
DigiCon 2026 Co-Chair Raymund Sison shared the conference’s vision and what attendees can expect from this year’s edition.
“This is only the beginning of what we’ll be unveiling over the coming months. From additional speakers and DigiConX activations to new industry partnerships, we’re building a conference that reflects the collaborative future we’re asking the industry to embrace,” said Sison.
For this year’s edition, DigiCon will include exciting new features to maximize participation and engagement. Breaking from traditional conference boundaries, delegates can look forward to connecting with peers, local creators, and potential partners through networking sessions on the community stage. Delegates can also gain insights from industry leaders during keynote sessions, build practical skills in hands-on workshops, and explore immersive brand activations.
Among the day’s major announcements was the confirmation of the first two international keynote speakers for DigiCon 2026.
Professor Dr. Christian Busch, bestselling author of Connect the Dots and professor at the University of Southern California and the London School of Economics, shared a video message previewing his keynote on how organizations can unlock innovation by building meaningful connections across industries and embracing serendipity as a competitive advantage.
Joining him is Judy John, Global Chief Creative Officer of Edelman and one of the world’s most awarded creative leaders. In her video message, John spoke about the importance of cross-disciplinary thinking as brands navigate increasingly interconnected audiences, platforms, and technologies.
The press conference also introduced the tracks for DigiCon 2026. In a panel discussion moderated by Director for Publicity Mori Rodriguez, Track Leads Gino Nacianceno (Innovation), Jordan Santos (Impact), and Denise Haak (Immersive), together with DigiConX Co-Director Nikki Sunga, shared the conversations shaping this year’s program.
The discussion explored how organizations can move beyond AI hype to real business value, create immersive experiences through cross-sector partnerships, build authentic purpose-driven campaigns, and transform audiences from passive consumers into active collaborators.
This year, DMAP is also pioneering DigiConX, a nationwide expansion of the conference experience through a series of satellite pop-ups across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Ahead of the main conference, DigiConX brings the industry’s biggest conversations closer to communities by partnering with organizations, schools, and brands to host talks, panels, and learning sessions across the country. More than just a roadshow, DigiConX extends the reach and impact of DigiCon, empowering local communities to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of digital marketing.
Closing the event, Director for Creative & Experience Dale Lopez and Partnerships & Sponsorship Lead Alan Fontanilla unveiled the new DigiCon website and announced sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
The DigiCon 2026 Press Conference was held in partnership with Astoria Hotels and Resorts, the official venue partner for the event. DigiCon 2026 will take place on October 15–16, 2026, at the Grand Ballroom of the Manila Marriott Hotel. Organizations interested in sponsorships and partnerships may also inquire through [email protected]. For tickets, announcements, speaker reveals, and key event highlights, visit DigiCon’s official website and social media channels.
