As part of the From Industry to School series, the Department of Marketing Management, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Marketing Professionals Association, organized a Panel Discussion under the title ‘HOW BRANDS COMMUNICATE IN TODAY’S MARKET: A PRACTITIONER’S VIEW ON IMC’ on 31st of December 2025 at the Col. John C Robinson American Corner. The session featured Seleamekiristos Belay – a senior marketing professional, Efri Derejie – Chief Marketing officer of Gebeya Inc., Samuel Bekele – Founder of Spotlight Group, and Aron Simeneh – a Creative director and Photographer as the panelists.
All the panelists shared thier experiences, perspectives and thoughts on the matter from the different professional and career path standpoints they were in. They also highlighted on the challenges and opportunities AI presents in the industry and as to how organizations, agencies and professionals in the industry cope up with the dynasmism it presents. Our fifth panelist, Nazrawi Gebresilassie – Co-founder and CEO of Kana Television, could not make it to the session due to urgent matters, however, he sent two articles for the students that could give them a deep dive understanding on the topic. During the brief Q&A session that followed, students and other participants were able to ask questions to the panelists on various areas they needed clarity and further explanation.
The panel discussion was concluded with the panelists offering their two cents as to how the students could stay fit and relevant for the ever-evolving industry and the job market in general. Over a hundred and twenty 2015 entry Marketing Management students taking the course Integrated Marketing Communications, other interested Marketing students, members of the Ethiopian Marketing Professionals Association and a few regular walk-ins of the Corner actively attended the two-hour long session. As a follow-up scheme, the students are expected to submit a two to three pages of report on their learnings and experience of the session.
On behalf of the Department of Marketing Management and the students I would love to extend my deepest gratitude to all the panelists for generously accepting the invitation and sharing their knowledge, the Marketing Professionals Association for making the session possible and more impactful, Ranbes Communications for the visual documentation and the American Corner for hosting us and easing the logistical challenges.
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