On Thursday 3 April, the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) Victorian State Committee and T garage hosted an exclusive thought leadership breakfast with special guests, Luke Gibson from Perfection Fresh Australia, Susie White from Asahi Beverages and Michael Magee from Kraft Heinz.

The early start didn’t keep the crowds away, with over 100 senior marketers in the room, hanging on every word of the discussion exploring key themes on the topic “Transforming Innovation for Tomorrow’s Consumer”. Luke, Susie and Michael brought their experience, key insights and personal views to the table

The panellists emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of innovation within organisations. They discussed how creating an environment where employees feel empowered to experiment and take risks can lead to ground breaking ideas and solutions. Additionally, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies was highlighted as a game-changer in understanding consumer behaviour and predicting future trends.

Another key theme was the necessity of collaboration and open communication. The panellists agreed that innovation thrives in environments where diverse perspectives are encouraged and where there is a strong alignment between different departments and stakeholders. This collaborative approach not only drives innovation but also ensures that the entire organisation is moving towards a common goal.

Some standout takeaways, from the discussion, that guests in the audience shared:

• “A few moments had the cogs turning in my brain; Great innovators aren’t just creative – they’re endlessly curious, AI is reshaping how we identify, understand, and act on trends and no breakthrough happens in isolation. Real change begins when you can bring others along, build belief, and sell the vision”  Emma Logan

• “It was an inspiring morning of forward-thinking conversations, and I left with a renewed sense of excitement about the future of FMCG and the endless possibilities for growth and transformation” Alana Kam  
• “Define the right culture – and understand the impact this can have on innovation within your team, be endlessly curious, embrace play in the workplace and understand generational shifts and lean into them!” Lucy Bolan

Thank you to the AMI Victorian State Committee and the team at T garage for bringing this fantastic event to life and leaving the audience with some invaluable insights and inspiration.

Also, a big thank you to our media sponsor, Food & Drink Business for supporting this event.

Stay in the know for more Victoria based events by connecting with Australian Marketing Institute VIC on LinkedIn.