Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 5: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu concluded the International Marketing Conference (IMC) 2026 on 4th July 2026 at Mandapam Auditorium, bringing together an exceptional congregation of globally renowned academicians, journal editors, researchers, industry experts, and emerging scholars to deliberate on the future of marketing in an era defined by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability, and consumer- centric innovation. The International conference reaffirmed the Institute's growing stature as a global destination for cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful knowledge creation. Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu presided over the valedictory ceremony. Prof. Arvind Sahay, Director, MDI Gurgaon graced the occasion as the keynote speaker. Prof. Denish Shah, Professor, Georgia State University and Member, Conference Advisory Board, Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Faculty and Research graced the valedictory ceremony. Present on the occasion were Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Co-Chair, International Marketing Conference along with Dr. Archana Sharma, Co-Chair, International Marketing Conference. Keynote Speaker, Prof. Arvind Sahay, Director, MDI Gurgaon, delivered an insightful address on "Combining AI and Neuroscience for Marketing and Branding," highlighting how the convergence of Artificial Intelligence and neuroscience is transforming the future of marketing. Through practical examples, he demonstrated the growing impact of Generative AI and Agentic AI in enhancing customer engagement, branding, pricing, product innovation, and strategic decision-making. Encouraging participants to move beyond merely using AI to building AI-powered agents, he emphasized that AI should augment not replace human intelligence. Describing AI as an enabling infrastructure, he stressed the importance of combining technology with creativity, critical thinking, emotiona l intelligence, and neuroscience to better understand consumer behaviour and build meaningful brand experiences. He concluded by emphasizing that organizations integrating AI with human intelligence will be better positioned to drive innovation, sustainable growth, and customer-centric value creation. He also appreciated the world-class campus and vibrant academic ecosystem of IIM Jammu, commending the visionary leadership of Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, for fostering a globally relevant platform for research excellence and innovation.
Reflecting on the remarkable academic engagement witnessed throughout IMC 2026, Prof. Denish Shah, Professor, Georgia State University and Member, Conference Advisory Board, invited all delegates who had presented their research papers to stand up. To his delight, almost the entire auditorium rose to its feet, a moment he described as the true measure of the conference's success, reflecting the scale of scholarly participation and research excellence. He applauded the enthusiasm of the delegates and encouraged them to leverage the platform to build lasting collaborations, strengthen global research networks, and pursue impactful scholarships. He also appreciated IIM Jammu's world-class infrastructure, vibrant and beautiful campus, and the unwavering dedication of its faculty, staff, and student volunteers. Congratulating Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, and the organizing team for the seamless execution of Doctoral Consortium and International Marketing Conference 2026, he wished all participants continued success in their academic and professional journeys.
In his inspiring valedictory address, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu and Conference Patron, congratulated the organizing team for the grand success of the 13th AIM-AMA Sheth Foundation Doctoral Consortium and the International Marketing Conference 2026, held at the Institute's state-of-the-art campus. He commended the exemplary leadership and dedicated efforts of Dr. Ateeque Shaikh, Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Parida, and Dr. Archana Sharma in bringing these globally acclaimed academic events to IIM Jammu in the offline mode, creating an intellectually vibrant platform that fostered meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration.
Reflecting on Jammu's remarkable transformation into a thriving centre of academic excellence and innovation. He observed that the region's growing prominence is further strengthened by the divine blessings of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and the natural branding that IIM Jammu enjoys owing to its location in one of India's most revered pilgrimage destinations, attracting lakhs of devotees from across the country every year. He noted that this unique identity, coupled with the Institute's pursuit of excellence, has significantly enhanced IIM Jammu's national and global visibility. |
