3AF IMPACT SERIES
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with 3AF—Now Free to Attend!
Elevate your AAPI Heritage Month celebration with unparalleled Asian marketing expertise—at no cost! 3AF invites you to our Impact Series, a dynamic virtual event happening on Tuesday, May 6th.
Join us for a half-day deep dive into the fastest-growing consumer segment in the U.S., led by top experts from 3AF. You’ll explore essential topics shaping today’s marketing world—from the influence and significance of Asian American consumers to inclusive marketing strategies, emerging trends, and evolving consumer behavior.
This is your chance to gain actionable insights, connect with industry leaders, and sharpen your approach to the AAPI marketplace.
When: Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Time: 8:55 am – 1:30 pm PT / 11:55 am – 4:30 pm ET
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Agenda
08:55 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome

Cheryl Lee, Executive Director, Intertrend. 3AF President
09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Beyond Representation: The Next Evolution in Asian American

Day Nahm, Director, Strategic Partnerships
Asian Media Group Inc.
Asian American consumers are no longer just an emerging market—they are a powerful force shaping mainstream culture and business outcomes. This session will explore how advertisers can move beyond traditional representation to develop meaningful, culturally fluent engagement strategies that drive measurable impact. Using data, market insights, and case studies, we will discuss approaches to media planning, creative messaging, and community partnerships that go beyond surface-level inclusion to create authentic connections and brand loyalty. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to elevate their approach and tap into the full potential of the Asian American consumer segment in 2025 and beyond.
09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Amplifying Impact: Expanding Brand Reach to the Next Generation

Romeo Marquez Jr., Head of Kollective Hustle
ABS-CBN International
Discover how Kollective Hustle’s collaboration with APA Next, McDonald’s Education Program for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students, brought the brand’s reach to the next generation through an impactful virtual summit.
By curating diverse topics and featuring a dynamic lineup of industry experts, innovators, and trailblazers, we delivered actionable, relevant, and inspiring content that resonated with attendees, amplifying the brand’s reach and impact. This session showcases how our partnership empowered the next wave of innovators and demonstrated the power of intentional collaborations in achieving measurable success while engaging and inspiring the next generation.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Generative AI & Synthetic Data's Impact on AAPI Consumer Insights

Amy Siadak, CEO and Owner
House of Marketing Research
Join us for a discussion on how Generative AI and synthetic data are revolutionizing—and sometimes complicating—AAPI consumer research. We’ll cut through the hype to explore where these technologies shine, where they fall short, and where they could potentially lead us astray. Learn the role of synthetic data, how it’s changing traditional research methods, and when to use it and when to lose it. You’ll walk away with actionable insights on leveraging these emerging tools while avoiding common pitfalls.
Key topics:
- Real-world applications of Gen AI in market research
- The promise and limitations of synthetic data
- Special considerations for AAPI consumer insights
- Ethical implications and best practices
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Unleashing South Asian Conversations through A Showbiz India Docuseries on Aging and Caregiving

Daphne Kwok, Vice President Audience Strategy, AARP
Reshma Dordi , CEO, Pearl Entertainment Inc.
AARP partnered with Showbiz India to create Cords of Connection, a docuseries highlighting the unique experiences of South Asian Americans as they face aging, caregiving, financial fraud, and social isolation. The series features candid personal conversations with individuals from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, sharing personal stories that resonate across and beyond these communities. These stories offer insights into cultural challenges faced by caregivers, older adults, and families. By amplifying these voices, the docuseries has unleashed a yearning for information, conversation and discussion around issues buried under cultural norms. The series unveils the power of community and shared experiences.
11:00 AM - 11:30 PM
From Trend to Transformation: The Shifting Impact of DEI on Inclusive Marketing

Sharmila Fowler, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The OpalSphere
Mariko Carpenter, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The OpalSphere
As DEI adapts to shifting political, social, and business dynamics, brands are rethinking how they connect with multicultural audiences. Inclusive marketing is no longer optional—it’s a business imperative that drives authentic storytelling, fosters consumer trust, and builds lasting brand loyalty. In this session, we’ll examine DEI’s growing influence on inclusive marketing, the latest shifts in audience expectations, and actionable strategies for moving beyond surface-level connections to meaningful engagement.
11:30 PM - 12:00 PM
The Evolving AAPI Consumer: Navigating Cultural Nuances for Authentic Engagement in 2025

Darren Wong, President
PLAN C Agency
This presentation will explore the dynamic shift in Asian American consumer behavior, moving beyond simplistic categorizations to understand the complex interplay of cultural values, generational differences, language needs, and individual identities. It will provide actionable insights and practical strategies for brands seeking to connect authentically with diverse AAPI audiences, emphasizing the importance of culturally relevant messaging, community engagement, and nuanced understanding of language and cultural preferences.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
rednote - An Untapped Opportunity

Rose Blackmore, Global Vice President
Dealmoon
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Reaching the Dynamic Chinese-speaking Consumer: Winning Strategies for 2025

Weiqi (Momo) Huang, Senior Manager; Business Development & Partnership, iTalkBB
Chris Max, Founder, Laoma Chris
Alyssa Hu, Executive Director, Account Management, Intertrend
This panel discussion will explore the diverse Chinese-speaking consumer landscape, focusing on differences in country of origin, language, and generational perspectives. Panelists will share practical strategies for content creation, media channel selection, and creative development. Case studies highlighting successful brand engagements with Chinese consumers will be discussed, along with emerging trends and the impact of AI, new media formats, and the metaverse on the future of Chinese-speaking consumer marketing.
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Get to Know 3AF – It’s Almost 5 pm Somewhere!

Curious about 3AF? Want to hear about 3AF’s mission and programs and get to know board members who are leaders in the Asian advertising and marketing industry? As you reflect on the great day of learning, our 3AF Impact Series will close with a fun opportunity to network and meet 3AF friends. Bring our own beverage!



Daphne Kwok
Vice President Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Asian American & Pacific Islander Audience Strategy, AARP



Rose Blackmore
Global Executive Vice President, Dealmoon Group



Darren Wong
President, PLAN C Agency



Amy Siadak
President and CEO, House of Marketing Research



Romeo Marquez Jr.
Head of Kollective Hustle, ABS-CBN International



Reshma Dordi
CEO, Pearl Entertainment Inc.


Chris Max
Founder, Laoma Chris



Alyssa Hu
Executive Director, Account Management, Intertrend



Sharmila Fowler
Co-Founder and Managing Director, The OpalSphere



Mariko Carpenter
Co-Founder and Managing Director, The OpalSphere



Cheryl Lee
Executive Director, Media and Analytics, Intertrend | 3AF President



Day Nahm
Senior Account Executive, Asian Media Group


