On 23 November 2017, I was invited to speak at the UCD Singapore Alumni Network Event, held at The Grand Hyatt, Singapore. The evening brought together alumni, senior executives, and business leaders for a panel discussion on “Top Industry Trends for 2018.”
As part of the Panel of Experts, I shared insights on Digital Marketing Trends of 2018, alongside fellow alumni who covered aviation, procurement, and global clearing.
Topics I Covered
During my session, I highlighted key digital marketing trends that were shaping the industry in 2018, including:
- SEO as the foundation of all digital strategies
- The growing importance of mobile optimization and mobile‑first indexing
- The importance of capturing consumer micro‑moments for competitive advantage
- The rise of social media advertising (especially Facebook and Instagram)
- The shift toward video content as a dominant format
- The beginnings of voice search and its potential impact on SEO
- The need for data‑driven marketing and analytics
- The rise of Augmented Reality (AR) in marketing, following the success of Pokemon Go
- Broader shifts in digital disruption and consumer behavior
My Role & Responsibilities
- Represented the digital marketing perspective on the expert panel
- Delivered a 20‑minute talk on upcoming trends, supported by a PowerPoint presentation
- Engaged in Q&A discussions with alumni and industry leaders
- Shared practical insights that connected global trends with local business applications
Impact
- Provided UCD alumni and business leaders with forward‑looking perspectives on digital marketing
- Helped attendees understand how AI, SEO, and AR would influence their industries
- Strengthened ties within the UCD alumni community in Singapore
- Positioned digital marketing as a strategic driver of business transformation
Tools & Methods
- PowerPoint slides to illustrate key trends and examples
- Storytelling and case studies to make complex concepts relatable
- Audience engagement techniques such as Q&A and interactive discussion
About University College Dublin (UCD)
University College Dublin is Ireland’s largest and most globally engaged university, founded in 1854. Ranked among the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide, UCD has over 39,000 students and a global alumni network of more than 300,000.
About UCD Singapore Alumni Network Event
The UCD Singapore Alumni Network Event was organized by the Business Alumni Relations Team of UCD. It was an evening of learning, discussion, and networking, bringing together alumni and friends in Singapore in a relaxed atmosphere.
The highlight of the evening was the Alumni Panel of Experts, where speakers shared their insights on “Top Trends for 2018.” The event was hosted by Patrick Blaney, Chairman of Aviation Leasing, Finance and Law at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
Closing Note
“I love UCD and my alumni community. When asked to be part of this panel, I immediately said yes. Sharing my knowledge with fellow alumni was a rewarding experience, and I was glad to see how much the audience appreciated the insights. I look forward to contributing to more UCD events in the future.”
– Timotheus Lee