Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu concluded the International Marketing Conference (IMC) 2026, 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 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. Denish Shah, Professor, Georgia State University and Member, Conference Advisory Board, Prof. Arvind Sahay, Director, MDI Gurgaon and 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 augmentnot replacehuman intelligence. Describing AI as an enabling infrastructure, he stressed the importance of combining technology with creativity, critical thinking, emotional 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. Prof. Sahay 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 scholarship. He also appreciated IIM Jammu's world-class infrastructure, vibrant 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 IMC 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 successfully hosting the Doctoral Consortium and International Marketing Conference at the Institute's state-of-the-art campus. He specially appreciated the efforts of Dr. Ateeque Shaikh, Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Parida and Dr. Archana Sharma in bringing the conference to IIM Jammu in the offline mode, creating a truly enriching platform for global academic engagement.
Reflecting on Jammu's remarkable transformation into a vibrant hub of academic excellence and innovation, he noted that the region's growing prominence has been further strengthened by the divine blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi. Emphasizing that "life is a celebration, and every moment is an opportunity to learn and grow," he encouraged participants to cherish the collaborative spirit of the conference.
Highlighting the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence, he remarked that AI is revolutionizing marketing, business, and education by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and driving innovation. He underscored that such global platforms provide invaluable opportunities for young researchers to engage with leading academicians, strengthen their research capabilities, and build meaningful collaborations that will shape the future of marketing research.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty & Research, IIM Jammu, reflected on the enriching academic discourse witnessed throughout the conference, highlighting the wealth of knowledge shared through numerous research presentations. He emphasized that research has become a cornerstone of academic excellence and expressed confidence that the high-quality contributions presented at the conference would soon find place in reputed scholarly publications. He concluded by encouraging researchers to continue pursuing impactful, interdisciplinary work that addresses contemporary business and societal challenges.
The conference culminated in a grand Valedictory and Award Distribution Ceremony, beginning with the presentation of the Conference Report by Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Co-Chair, IMC 2026, who highlighted the conference's remarkable academic participation, international collaborations, rich exchange of ideas, and the significant contributions made by scholars from diverse institutions across the globe.
A special highlight was the presentation of the Rao & Reddy Mentoring Award 2026 by Prof. Atanu Adhikari, IIM Kozhikode, followed by the recognition of Prof. Keshav Kumaran for his exemplary contribution to mentoring. The ceremony concluded with the Best Paper Awards sponsored by Dr. Lata Ajay Manrai Awards.
The formal proceedings concluded with Vote of Thanks by Dr. Archana Sharma, Co-Chair, IMC 2026, who expressed sincere gratitude to the distinguished speakers, members of the Conference Advisory Board, reviewers, session chairs, authors, delegates, faculty, student volunteers, and organizing teams whose dedication and collaborative spirit made the conference an extraordinary success. The event concluded with the National Song and National Anthem, marking the successful culmination of International Marketing Conference 2026.
A major highlight of the day was Plenary Session III on "Consumer Protection and Deception: From a Public Policy Perspective," delivered by Prof. David W. Stewart, Professor of Marketing, Loyola Marymount University. Offering profound insights into the ethical dimensions of modern marketing, he emphasized the critical role of responsible governance, transparent business practices, and evidence-based policymaking in safeguarding consumer trust amidst rapid technological advancement and AI-enabled marketplaces.
He encouraged researchers to develop solutions that not only advance marketing theory but also strengthen consumer welfare and public confidence.The second and final day of the conference witnessed an intellectually vibrant series of technical sessions, featuring groundbreaking research across six thematic tracks—Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Marketing Analytics; Digital, Social and Omni-Channel Marketing; Consumer Insights and Experience; Sustainability, Ethics and Social Impact; B2B, Value Chain, Branding and Pricing Strategies; and Emerging and Rural Market Strategies. Scholars presented innovative research addressing some of the most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities in contemporary marketing, including generative AI, intelligent consumer ecosystems, digital trust, quick commerce, influencer economies, responsible branding, immersive technologies, blockchain applications, circular economy models, sustainable consumption, financial technologies, tourism marketing, behavioural analytics, rural transformation, and AI-enabled public services. The sessions fostered rigorous scholarly debate, interdisciplinary engagement, and meaningful collaboration, reflecting the evolving landscape of global marketing research.
The conference stood as a powerful testament to IIM Jammu's unwavering pursuit of academic excellence and global engagement. By bringing together internationally acclaimed thought leaders and pioneering researchers to deliberate on the future of marketing, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and responsible business, the Institute has further strengthened its position as a leading centre for transformative research, innovation, and management education with global impact.