The Malaysian Digital Association (MDA) recently concluded its flagship events—the d Conference 2025 and the d Awards 2025—at One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya, drawing over 900 participants to celebrate the convergence of technology, creativity and culture under the theme “The New Era of Creativity.”
The d Conference 2025 drew an impressive 420 senior professionals from the marketing, media and technology sectors. The conference opened with a keynote by internationally renowned Malaysian artist Red Hong Yi, who explored the evolving role of artificial intelligence in shaping authenticity and creative intent in the digital age.
A keynote address by Yumi An King, executive director and founding member of Aww Inc., proved to be a major highlight. King offered rare insights into the creation and impact of imma, Japan’s first hyper-realistic virtual human. Her presentation examined imma’s influence across fashion, digital identity and virtual influencer marketing, challenging conventional boundaries and sparking compelling dialogue.
The full-day conference featured a robust programme of solo sessions and panel discussions that tackled the critical intersections of AI, data-driven storytelling and digital media strategies across ASEAN. Regional leaders exchanged perspectives on how emerging technologies are transforming commerce, community and culture.
Reflecting on the event, MDA president and d Awards & d Conference 2025 organising chairperson Nicholas Sagau remarked, “This year, we didn’t just talk about innovation—we recognised it, celebrated it and shared it with the wider industry. From transformative conversations in the day to recognising digital excellence at night, it was a full-circle moment for Malaysia’s digital ecosystem. In a world increasingly shaped by AI and rapid change, what stood out most was the human creativity, collaboration and community spirit that brought it all to life.”
The momentum continued into the evening with the seventh edition of the d Awards, celebrating the best in Malaysia’s digital marketing and creative landscape. The 2025 edition received a record-breaking 335 submissions from 30 agencies and publishers, marking a new high in creative ambition and excellence.
With over 500 attendees, the ceremony introduced two new categories—Content Agency of the Year and Best Digital Audio & Podcast Campaign—signalling a recognition of voice-first formats and the expanding role of digital storytelling.
Among the standout winners, Dentsu Malaysia was named Digital Agency of the Year. The SHOUT Group took home the coveted Grand Prix for Forgiveness: A Stranger Than Fiction – True Story…Brought to Life. Mehul Mandalia, co-founder of Moving Walls Group, was honoured as Digital Person of the Year, while Nihal Pravin Kedar of Publicis Media received the Rising Star 2025 title.
The d Young Achievers initiative, an MDA-led talent development programme, returned to spotlight the next generation of digital leaders. Students were challenged to design digital-first campaigns utilising emerging technologies. Team Duckies from Taylor’s University secured the Gold award, while Team Pixel Riot and Team Thriventure Star 2.0—both from Sunway University—claimed Silver and Bronze respectively. The awards were presented by Farhan Qureshi, Country Director of Google Malaysia, the exclusive sponsor of the category.
Sue-Anne Lim, co-organising chairperson and MDA council member, commented, “Each year, MDA raises the bar—and 2025 was no exception. With 420 delegates and over 500 guests, the d Conference and Awards have gained tremendous momentum. We examined how AI is reshaping the digital marketing landscape—from search and UX to creativity and content. This wasn’t just about disruption; it was about building the blueprint for what comes next.”
Lim also noted the success of elevating the platform through global thought leadership and innovative sponsor engagement. “The traction proves one thing: we’re not just keeping up—we’re shaping what’s next. One thing for sure is that we will keep delighting delegates in the many conferences to come.”
The MDA extended its gratitude to all sponsors and partners, including HEPMIL Malaysia, Taboola, Channel Factory, Teads, Blis, Gushcloud, LinkedIn, Locala, Google and Omnia. The d Awards are also recognised by the Research Company Evaluation of Media Agencies (Recma), affirming their credibility and significance within the global media industry.
-The Star
